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Ecosystem engineering is a ubiquitous process where species influence the physical environment and thereby structure ecological communities. However, there has been little effort to synthesize or predict how ecosystem engineering may impact the structure and stability of interaction networks. To assess current scientific understanding of ecosystem engineering impacts via habitat forming, habitat modification and bioturbation on interaction networks/food webs, we reviewed the literature covering marine, freshwater and terrestrial food webs, plant‐pollinator networks and theory. We provide a conceptual framework and identify three major pathways of engineering impact on networks through changes in resource availability and energy flow, habitat heterogeneity and environmental filtering. These three processes often work in concert and most studies report that engineering increases species richness. This is particularly marked for engineers that increase habitat heterogeneity and thereby the number of available niches. The response of network structure to ecosystem engineering varies, however some patterns emerge from this review. Engineered habitat heterogeneity leads to a higher number of links between species in the networks and increases link density. Connectance can be negatively or positively affected by ecosystem engineer impact, depending on the engineering pathway and the engineer impact of species richness. We discuss how ecosystem engineers can stabilize or destabilize communities through the changes in niche space, diversity, network structure and the dependency on the engineering impact. Theory and empirical evidence need to inform each other to better integrate ecosystem engineering and ecological networks. A mechanistic understanding how ecosystem engineering traits shape interactions networks and their stability will be important to predict species extinctions and can provide crucial information for conservation and ecosystem restoration. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract\nSTATEMENT OF NOVELTYPlant growth on mine wastes is restricted by the lack of water, nutrients, phytotoxic responses and the absence of a seedbank. In a mesocosm study, we addressed the establishment of vegetation on metalliferous mine wastes from two seed mixtures. Besides the composition of the vegetation and the increase in plant cover and biomass over time, we studied concentrations of heavy metals in the shoot and analyzed the quantity of throughflow, its pH and EC to follow pollutant discharge. We hypothesized that the types of mine wastes and sown grasslands will affect species composition and the formation of a protective plant cover. Our platform was well-suited to study build-up and succession of a vegetation layer and its potential to stabilize mine wastes. However, the establishing community was less diverse than expected. The dilution of wastes increased species number and biomass, and we found a reduction of material discharge with increasing vegetation cover. Over time, drainage was reduced, while pH of the throughflow did not change. However, it was higher under the addition of greywater. Interestingly, the use of greywater led to a higher biomass in one mixture and slight changes in the chemistry of the throughflow and the plant matter.Here, we present an integrative method to test the greening potentials of mine wastes. In the mesocosm approach different mine wastes, additives and seed mixtures can be screened and the potential of the establishing vegetation to reduce drainage and runoff may be addressed at the same time. Furthermore, analyses of pollutants in plants, soil substrates and drainage waters serve to study the phytoextraction and phytostabilization potentials of the established vegetation and their ecological services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity‐habitat complexity relationship has been utilised widely in conservation and biodiversity enhancement interventions, but few studies have attempted to tease apart the components of complexity that drive this relationship. The ecological engineering of seawalls is one area where this topic has advanced, albeit not often at scales relevant to fish.We constructed habitat enhancement units (Simple, Complex and Freestyle 'fish houses') out of hollow concrete blocks and installed them at the base of tropical rip‐rap seawalls. Simple and Complex fish houses were cuboid, had the same surface area and volume and included 100 holes (microhabitats). The holes in Simple fish houses were all the same size, whereas 25 size variations were used in the Complex design (volume‐independent manipulation of a single complexity element). The Freestyle fish house was non‐cuboid and had more overall volume, microhabitat types and sizes.We examined the volume‐independent (Simple vs. Complex fish houses) and volume‐dependent (Freestyle fish house) effects of microhabitat complexity on fish taxonomic and functional assemblage metrics at two spatial scales and across diel cycles. We also investigated diurnal and nocturnal fish‐microhabitat size relationships.There was a modest, but not significant, volume‐independent effect of complexity on fish assemblages. The Freestyle design, however, supported significantly greater abundance, species richness, and distinct taxonomic and functional compositions. These results were dependent on spatial scales and diel cycles. Diel variation in fish activity patterns resulted in stronger size‐matching relationships between fish and microhabitats at night than during the day.Synthesis and applications. Our study shows that, to enhance fish diversity, it is important to provide three‐dimensional habitat architecture that incorporates a wide range of microhabitat sizes and types. Our findings also highlight some key considerations when assessing the performance of intervention designs, including spatial‐scale dependent effects of structural complexity, diel variation in fish‐microhabitat relationships, and choice of intervention assessment metric (i.e. taxonomic vs. functional diversity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: An in-depth understanding of the relationship between the theoretical carrying capacity of grasslands and the forage-livestock balance is crucial for maintaining ecological equilibrium in grasslands and guiding ecological engineering. However, the spatiotemporal patterns of these two parameters in the arid mountainous region of the Qilian Mountains (QLMs) in China remain unclear. Methods: The Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach (CASA) model was employed to estimate the theoretical carrying capacity. The grazing pressure index, which represents the ratio of the actual to theoretical carrying capacity, was used to assess the forage-livestock balance. Results: From 2000 to 2018, the theoretical carrying capacity of grasslands in the QLMs showed a significant (p < 0.01) increasing trend (0.011 ± 0.002 standard sheep unit (SU)·ha−1·yr−1), with an average value of 0.73 ± 0.7 SU·ha−1. Its spatial distribution was high in the southeast and low in the northwest of the QLMs. The total annual precipitation of 72.1% in the grasslands was significantly and positively correlated with the theoretical carrying capacity (R = 0.45; p < 0.05). The average grazing pressure index of natural grasslands in the QLMs was 2.08 ± 0.14, indicating that the grasslands were generally overloaded. The value increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 2000 to 2010 but has been decreasing significantly since 2011. Spatially, overloading was more severe in the southeastern counties. Conclusion: Precipitation was the main factor responsible for the increase in the theoretical carrying capacity of the grasslands. In future grassland management, the red early-warning zones exhibiting continuously increasing overloading should be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest continues to grow in Arctic megafaunal ecological engineering, but, since the mass extinction of megafauna ~ 12–15 ka, key physiographic variables and available forage continue to change. Here we sought to assess the extent to which contemporary Arctic ecosystems are conducive to the rewilding of megaherbivores, using a woolly mammoth (M. primigenius) proxy as a model species. We first perform a literature review on woolly mammoth dietary habits. We then leverage Oak Ridge National Laboratories Distributive Active Archive Center Global Aboveground and Belowground Biomass Carbon Density Maps to generate aboveground biomass carbon density estimates in plant functional types consumed by the woolly mammoth at 300 m resolution on Alaska's North Slope. We supplement these analyses with a NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment dataset to downgrade overall biomass estimates to digestible levels. We further downgrade available forage by using a conversion factor representing the relationship between total biomass and net primary productivity (NPP) for arctic vegetation types. Integrating these estimates with the forage needs of woolly mammoths, we conservatively estimate Alaska's North Slope could support densities of 0.0–0.38 woolly mammoth km−2 (mean 0.13) across a variety of habitats. These results may inform innovative rewilding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expanding urbanization of coastal areas has led to increased ocean sprawl, which has had both physical and chemical adverse effects on marine and coastal ecosystems. To maintain the health and functionality of these ecosystems, it is imperative to develop effective solutions. One such solution involves the use of biodegradable polymers as bioactive coatings to enhance the bioreceptivity of marine and coastal infrastructures. Our study aimed to explore two main objectives: (1) investigate PHA-degrading bacteria on polymer-coated surfaces and in surrounding seawater, and (2) comparing biofilm colonization between surfaces with and without the polymer coating. We applied poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)) coatings on concrete surfaces at concentrations of 1% and 6% w/v, with varying numbers of coating cycles (1, 3, and 6). Our findings revealed that the addition of P(3HB) indeed promoted accelerated biofilm growth on the coated surfaces, resulting in an occupied area approximately 50% to 100% larger than that observed in the negative control. This indicates a remarkable enhancement, with the biofilm expanding at a rate roughly 1.5 to 2 times faster than the untreated surfaces. We observed noteworthy distinctions in biofilm growth patterns based on varying concentration and number of coating cycles. Interestingly, treatments with low concentration and high coating cycles exhibited comparable biofilm enhancements to those with high concentrations and low coating cycles. Further investigation into the bacterial communities responsible for the degradation of P(3HB) coatings identified mostly common and widespread strains but found no relation between the concentration and coating cycles. Nevertheless, this microbial degradation process was found to be highly efficient, manifesting noticeable effects within a single month. While these initial findings are promising, it's essential to conduct tests under natural conditions to validate the applicability of this approach. Nonetheless, our study represents a novel and bio-based ecological engineering strategy for enhancing the bioreceptivity of marine and coastal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterisation of genomic variation among corals can help uncover variants underlying trait differences and contribute towards genotype prioritisation in coastal restoration projects. For example, there is growing interest in identifying resilient genotypes for transplantation, and to better understand the genetic processes that allow some individuals to survive in specific conditions better than others. The coral species Pocillopora acuta is known to survive in a wide range of habitats, from reefs artificial coastal defences, suggesting its potential use as a starter species for ecological engineering efforts involving coral transplantation onto intertidal seawalls. However, the intertidal section of coastal armour is a challenging environment for corals, with conditions during periods of emersion being particularly stressful. Here, we scanned the entire genome of P. acuta corals to identify the regions harbouring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variations (CNVs) that separate intertidal colonies (n = 18) from those found in subtidal areas (n = 21). Findings revealed 74,391 high quality SNPs distributed across 386 regions of the P. acuta genome. While the majority of the detected SNPs were in non-coding regions, 12% were identified in exons (i.e. coding regions). Functional SNPs that were significantly associated with intertidal colonies were found in overrepresented genomic regions linked to cellular homeostasis, metabolism, and signalling processes, which may represent local environmental adaptation in the intertidal. Interestingly, regions that exhibited CNVs were also associated with metabolic and signalling processes, suggesting P. acuta corals living in the intertidal have a high capacity to perform biological functions critical for survival in extreme environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective is to understand the effectiveness of local and international nutrient pollution mitigation efforts when targeting better water quality in the region's coastal waters. To this end, we developed an integrated modeling framework for the Archipelago Sea located in the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe, conducted what-if analyses for various ambition levels of nutrient abatement, and studied the long-term consequences at the sea basin scale. We demonstrate that in outer parts of the Archipelago Sea, a good eutrophication status can be achieved if the current internationally agreed policy goals for nutrient abatement are successfully met. In inner coastal areas, current goals for phytoplankton biomass could be reached only through extreme mitigation efforts in all polluting sectors and large-scale application of yet poorly tested ecological engineering methods. This result calls for carefully considering the relevance of current threshold values for phytoplankton and its role as a dominant indicator of good ecological status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to serving as North China's water supply and ecological barrier, the mountainous area of the Haihe River basin (MHRB) is a crucial location for the application of ecological engineering. Vegetation is an important component in the ecological conservation and eco-hydrological progress of the MHRB. A better understanding of regional vegetation growth can be achieved by a thorough investigation of vegetation indicators. In this research, the leaf area index (LAI) and gross primary productivity (GPP) were chosen as vegetation indicators. The characteristics and driving forces of the spatiotemporal variations of LAI and GPP in the MHRB were explored through Sen's slope, the Mann–Kendall test, the optimal parameter-based geographical detector model, and correlation analysis. From 2001 to 2018, the annual LAI and GPP increased significantly on the regional scale. The areas with significantly increased vegetation accounted for more than 81% of the MHRB. Land use was the most influential element for the spatial heterogeneity of LAI and GPP, and the humidity index was the most crucial one among climate indicators. Non-linear enhancement or bivariate enhancement was discovered between any two factors, and the strongest interaction was from land use and humidity index. The lowest vegetation cover was found in dry regions with annual precipitation below 407 mm and the humidity index under 0.41; while in both forests and large undulating mountains, higher LAI and GPP were observed. About 87% of the significantly increased vegetation was found in areas with unaltered land use. The increase in vegetation in the MHRB from 2001 to 2018 was promoted by the increased precipitation and humidity index and the reduced vapor pressure deficit. The sensitivity of GPP to climate change was stronger than that of LAI. These findings can serve as a theoretical guide for the application of ecological engineering and ecological preservation in the MHRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a global scale, the effects of human activities, in particular changes in the way land is used and exploited and the resulting contamination, have had profound negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Consequently, restoring the marginal lands through the use of solutions inspired and supported by nature appears to be one of the European Union's main objectives. In this respect, eco-innovative phytotechnologies, such as phytoremediation, have become an important ecological engineering approach for the recovery of contaminated land. A relatively new area of phytoremediation is phytomanagement in which non-food crops with high biomass yields are used to reduce and control the risks associated with soil pollution, while enabling profitable and sustainable use of resources by extracting contaminants and recovering marketable biomass. Consequently, the best choice of plant species is crucial to the successful phytomanagement of contaminated sites. This meta-analysis highlights the importance of using fast-growing plants for phytomanagement purposes, focusing on woody species. Those from the Salicaceae family, which includes poplars (Populus), have attracted the most attention in recent decades. On the basis of this meta-analysis, poplars appear to be the best candidates for the remediation of metal-contaminated soils, particularly when combined with the most appropriate microbial consortia. Finally, we describe the molecular determinants of poplar involved in the management of trace elements (TE), as well as the valorization processes that have been applied to poplar biomass from phytoremediation trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filamentous algae blooms (FABs) have been increasing globally in recent years, and their presence can have both harmful and beneficial effects on aquatic ecosystems. As one of the most common FABs, Cladophora blooms have been reported in the lakes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during the past few years. However, there have been few studies focused on how FABs impact other aquatic organisms, especially in alpine lakes since these are at the forefront of responding to global climate change. In this study, the phytoplankton communities in different regions of Qinghai Lake were profiled in different seasons using meta-barcode sequencing. The phytoplankton assemblages in areas with Cladophora blooms were compared to those without Cladophora. The phytoplankton community structure correlated with physicochemical properties including water temperature, electrical conductivity, nitrate, and the presence or absence of Cladophora blooms. The relative abundance of Bacillariophytes was found to be higher in zones with Cladophora blooms than in other regions. Significant seasonal changes in phytoplankton biomass and β diversity were observed in zones with Cladophora blooms. Growth and microbial degradation of Cladophora can change the pH, dissolved oxygen, secchi depth, and nitrate. Together with seasonal temperature and electrical conductivity changes, Cladophora growth can significantly impact the phytoplankton biomass, community dissimilarity and assembly process. These results showed that Cladophora plays a key role in littoral aquatic ecosystem ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral reef ecosystems worldwide are facing significant damage due to climate change and human disturbances. Consequently, restoration actions have been implemented to repair degraded reef areas. However, many restoration efforts have been hindered by severe environmental conditions, which can hamper restoration success and create challenges in developing cost‐effective coral reef restoration methods. To address this, we conducted a study to test a low‐cost reef restoration tool known as "framed reef modules" (FRMs), specifically aiming to mitigate the impacts of typhoons. We measured the growth rates (after 300 days) and survivorship (after 400 days) of Acropora hyacinthus and A. microphthalma fragments located at different distances from substrates (H0, H10, H30, and H45). The FRMs were exposed to multiple typhoons, and despite the harsh conditions, they remained undamaged. For comparison, we also examined basalt grid plates buried in gravel. After 400 days, the H45 FRMs showed the highest survival rates (A. hyacinthus 86% and A. microphthalma 90%) compared to H30 FRMs (A. hyacinthus 80% and A. microphthalma 84%), H10 FRMs (A. hyacinthus 4% and A. microphthalma 24%), and H0 FRMs (A. hyacinthus 3% and A. microphthalma 22%). It was found that transplanted corals with a height of at least 30 cm from the substrate demonstrated resilience against impacts caused by macroalgae, turf algae, and sedimentation rates. This study showed the effectiveness of an ecological engineering approach using FRMs to enhance the three‐dimensional complexity of restored reefs and rehabilitate coral reefs damaged by typhoons. Furthermore, this method offered reduced costs and improved reef resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: With the implementation of China's ecological projects and related policies, the population of wild boars has rapidly increased, leading to an increased possibility of conflicts with humans. Thus, it is crucial to understand the distribution and habitat selection of wild boars in northwest China for the control and management of this species. This study used the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) to analyze the potential distribution areas of wild boars in the northwest region under the current environmental conditions and compare changes in land use in their habitats over time. The findings revealed that wild boars prefer habitats dominated by cultivated land, woodland, and grassland. Precipitation seasonality, elevation, and human footprint index were identified as the main environmental factors influencing their habitat selection. These findings indicate that wild boar habitat selection results from comprehensive consideration of the environment, providing a theoretical reference for guiding ecological prevention measures and population management strategies for wild boars in the northwestern region. With the implementation of ecological engineering projects and related policies in China, wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations have surged, leading to increasingly serious conflicts with humans. We evaluated their potential habitat changes from the perspective of environmental suitability. To elucidate the suitable habitat characteristics for wild boars, we obtained data from 79 sites in five provinces in northwest China using database retrieval, human–wildlife conflict (HWC) incident questionnaires, and document retrieval. Thus, 10 environmental variables with lower correlation were selected, and potentially suitable distribution areas for wild boars under the current climate scenario were predicted based on the maximum entropy model. These areas were superimposed with different land use types in different periods to explore habitat selection. Precipitation seasonality (26.40%), human footprint index (16.50%), and elevation (11.90%) were the main environmental factors affecting wild boar distribution. The areas with high potential suitability for wild boars were mainly in the southeast and northwest of the region (total area of 2.63 × 105 km2). The land use types in the high-suitability zones are mainly woodland and grassland with high coverage, canopy density, and cultivated land borders. This study provides a reference for the effective prevention of HWC and management of wild boars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental Microbiology is a professional basic course in the curriculum system of Environmental and Ecological Engineering major, which follows the requirements of ideological and political theories teaching in the course in higher education, and should be implemented in every course. Therefore, the construction of ideological and political theories teaching in the course should be an important task in the course construction of Environmental Microbiology. In view of the curriculum characteristics of Environmental Microbiology, such as multi-disciplinary feature, wide coverage and rapid development, it is an effective method for the construction of ideological and political theories teaching in the course of Environmental Microbiology by fully tapping the ideological and political elements of the curriculum, such as patriotism, scientific spirit and practical innovation, and integrating the ideological and political theories teaching in the course into the whole curriculum design and classroom teaching construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Works on regional resilience have at times borrowed from the engineering and ecological framing of system resilience. In ecological contexts, system resilience is rooted in network structure and its characteristics. Here, we empirically investigate the relationship between regional economic resilience and regional trophic characteristics across regional and national boundaries. We consider 249 NUTS2 regions across 24 countries during the 2000–2010 period. We observe strong links between regional resilience and trophic metrics borrowed from the ecological literature. Our results further highlight regional trophic characteristics as a spatially heterogeneous intermediary for feedback effects between economic structure and output of regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansive soil exhibits remarkable characteristics of water absorption expansion and water loss shrinkage, rendering it susceptible to cracking under the alternating dry–wet environments of nature. The generation and development of cracks in expansive soil can result in catastrophic engineering accidents such as landslides. Vegetation protection is an important approach to stabilizing expansive soil slopes and fulfilling ecological protection requirements. In this study, through indoor experiments and theoretical analysis methods, the effects of Cynodon dactylon roots on the crack development and shear strength of expansive soil subjected to dry–wet cycles were analyzed, and the relationship between the crack development and shear strength decay in root-doped expansive soil was explored. Furthermore, the mechanism of vegetative root system action was elucidated. The results show that the Cynodon dactylon root system exerts a significant inhibitory effect on crack development in expansive soil. The crack indexes of root-doped expansive soil exhibit significant phase characteristics during the process of dry–wet cycles. The crack-blocking and reinforcing effect of the root system becomes pronounced as the root-to-soil mass ratio increases and the root diameter decreased. Moreover, the process of crack development in expansive soil is accompanied by a decrease in soil shear strength. The quantitative relationship between crack development and shear strength decay can serve as a basis for predicting the stability of slope soil. Overall, the results highlight the potential of vegetation-based approaches in protecting slopes with expansive soils and have practical implications for ecological protection and engineering design in areas with expansive soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are a cost-effective ecological engineering tool for the restoration of polluted water bodies. The aims of this work were to evaluate the removal of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by FTWs using Typha domingensis, and to assess Cr accumulation and distribution in plant tissues and sediment. Treatments were 5 and 10 mg L−1 of Cr(III), and 5 and 10 mg L−1 of Cr(VI), with and without FTWs, and biological control (BC) with FTW without Cr addition. Both Cr species were efficiently removed from water in all treatments (Cr removal > 80%). Cr concentration in sediments of treatment without FTWs was significantly higher than in sediments of treatments with FTWs, indicating that T. domingensis was directly involved in Cr removal. In sediment, Cr was mainly bound to the organic matter in all treatments with a low risk of future release under FTW conditions. T. domingensis demonstrated tolerance to both Cr species at 5 and 10 mg L−1 with Cr accumulated mainly in the roots in all treatments. The use of FTWs planted with T. domingensis is a suitable tool to remediate water bodies contaminated with Cr. This study evaluates the removal efficiency of Cr(III) and Cr(V) in Floating Treatment Wetlands planted with Typha domingensis in greenhouse experiments. Cr accumulation and distribution in plant tissues and different sediment fractions were also assessed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refugia are plants that play an important role in the conservation of natural enemies in agroecosystem. Refugia plants are useful for providing shelter and host/prey for natural enemies, especially parasitoids and predators. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of refugia and different planting seasons on the diversity and species composition of natural enemies (especially predatory spiders and Hymenoptera parasitoids) in maize fields. Field research was conducted in two different seasons i.e., dry season (April to July 2022) and rainy season (September to December 2022) in Tumpang Village, Malang District. The maize fields for the study were grouped into four different areas, with two observation plots (size 40 m × 50 m) in each area, consisting of a monoculture maize field (control plot) and a maize field with refugia plants (treatment plot). Sampling was conducted using pitfall traps (for predatory spiders) and yellow traps (for Hymenoptera parasitoids). Traps were set for 1 × 24 hours and conducted at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP). The results from two planting seasons were obtained predatory spider diversity amounted to 626 individuals consisting of 7 families, and 40 morphospecies, while Hymenoptera parasitoids amounted to 787 individuals consisting of 5 families, and 63 morphospecies. Based on generalized linear models (GLM) analysis, it was found that refugia planting did not affect the diversity of natural enemies, but affected the species composition of predatory spiders. Different planting seasons affect the diversity and species composition of predatory spiders as well as Hymenoptera parasitoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest contributor to global greening trends over the past two decades, pursuing large-scale tree planting and revegetation initiatives. This type of ecological engineering is controversial, given concerns about China's authoritarian environmentalism. This essay examines such Chinese efforts and how they diverge from Western environmental approaches based on nature preservation. Chinese environmentalism is based on a tradition that does not delineate nature from culture, the natural from the engineered. This distinction has consequences for global environmental governance in the Anthropocene as China promotes its approach to the global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological infrastructure (EI) is an essential urban infrastructure that is not only related to ecological resilience but the human needed ecosystem services. However, most studies overlook EI's multi-functional benefits, especially the importance of residents' satisfaction. As a typical nature-based solutions (NbS) through ecological engineering, EI construction should abide by the laws of nature and consider the requirements of human well-being. Based on the theory of landsenses ecology (LE), this study proposes a framework, including construction ideas, approaches, principles, and construction flow, to guide the whole process of EI construction, meeting natural and human needs. Moreover, a practice including EI facilities and an Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring system construction has been taken in Sangdong, Huizhou, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), China. The practice study indicates that the proposed framework of EI construction can successfully restore the regional ecological environment quality and play a significant role in restoring the black-odorous waterbodies to their original ecological vitality. Secondly, using social surveys to thoroughly analyze residents' physical, psychological, and cultural perceptions and integrating their visions into the EI design scheme can improve residents' satisfaction and support human well-being. Besides, IoT technology is helpful for digital EI supervision, dealing with real-time, online, and quantitative benefit evaluation and management. This paper focuses on practical exploration and experience sharing of how EI construction meets natural and human needs, aiming at providing experience and ideas for adequate urban ecological infrastructure (UEI) construction to support human and nature development hand in hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmland shelterbelt, as a category of shelterbelt in forestry ecological engineering, has an important influence on agricultural sustainability in agricultural systems. Timely and accurate acquisition of farmland shelterbelt age is not only essential to understanding their shelter effects but also directly relates to the adjustment of subsequent shelterbelt projects. In this study, we developed an age identification method using growth pattern to extract the age of shelterbelt (i.e., years after planting) based on Landsat time series images. This method was applied to a typical area of shelterbelt construction in the north of Changchun, China. The results indicated that the accuracy of age identification reached a stable situation when the permissible age error exceeded 3 years, achieving an accuracy of approximately 90%. Moreover, the accuracy at different growth phases (1–3 years, 4–15 years, 16–30 years, and >30 years) decreased with increasing age, and the accuracy of each growth phase can reach more than 80% when the permissible age error is beyond 7 years. Compared to building the typically weak statistical relationship between the shelterbelt age and remote sensing characteristic information to derive age, this method presented a direct age identification method for fine-scale age extraction of the shelterbelt. It introduced a novel perspective for shelterbelt age identification and the assessment of shelterbelt project advancement on the regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological security patterns (ESPs) have several implications for regional development planning and strategies. However, there have been few studies on potential ESP changes in future scenarios. Considering the various climatic and physical geographical conditions, more studies on the construction of ESPs are needed, particularly in high-altitude, arid, and semi-arid regions. This study fills a gap in the body of literature by simulating future land-use changes under multi-scenario and constructing historical and future ESPs for the Kuqa-Shaya-Xinhe region. This study integrated ecological connectivity and study area data, identified ecological sources, established ecological resistance surfaces, and identified ecological corridors and nodes by combining least-cost paths and circuit theory. Three development scenarios (inertial development scenario, ecological conservation scenario, and coordinated development scenario) were designed. The results showed that an integrated framework is ideal for investigating the spatial and temporal impacts of multi-scenario land-use change on ESPs. Furthermore, under the inertial development scenario, the area of ecological sources decreased significantly and the increased ecological corridor, pinch, and barrier points suggested that a large burden of ecological engineering construction is expected. By contrast, the coordinated development scenario should be preferred in the short and medium term as it can ensure economic growth and infrastructure construction while minimizing the burden of future ecological engineering construction. Our results provide a deeper understanding of the response of ESPs to land-use change and can provide references for the protection and restoration of arid and semi-arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Crop switching is an important climate change adaptation strategy. New crops may need to be cultivated to provide food security as traditional staple crops become less suited to the changing climate in the bread baskets of many countries. For example, potato farming in the Philippines is being scaled up to supplement the cultivation of rice to meet the needs of a growing population. Since new crops introduced for this purpose can also be vulnerable to invasive pests, it is necessary to develop methods for planning pest management strategies that consider the complex interactions that can occur in farm ecosystems. In this paper, we develop a graph theoretic model for assessing pest management options for the prospective case of the entry of the Colorado potato beetle in potato farms in the Philippines. Two biological control agents and use of chemical pesticides are considered as alternative strategies. The model results indicate that the biological control strategies outperform the use of chemical pesticides. The concurrent use of both biological control agents could be less effective due to competition between the two species. Crop shifting is considered as an important strategy to secure future food supply in the face of climate change. However, use of this adaptation strategy needs to consider the risk posed by changes in the geographic range of pests that feed on selected crops. Failure to account for this threat can lead to disastrous results. Models can be used to give insights on how best to manage these risks. In this paper, the socioecological process graph technique is used to develop a network model of interactions among crops, invasive pests, and biological control agents. The model is applied to a prospective analysis of the potential entry of the Colorado potato beetle into the Philippines just as efforts are being made to scale up potato cultivation as a food security measure. The modeling scenarios indicate the existence of alternative viable pest control strategies based on the use of biological control agents. Insights drawn from the model can be used as the basis to ecologically engineer agricultural systems that are resistant to pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansive soil exhibits remarkable characteristics of water absorption expansion and water loss shrinkage, rendering it susceptible to cracking under the alternating dry–wet environments of nature. The generation and development of cracks in expansive soil can result in catastrophic engineering accidents such as landslides. Vegetation protection is an important approach to stabilizing expansive soil slopes and fulfilling ecological protection requirements. In this study, through indoor experiments and theoretical analysis methods, the effects of Cynodon dactylon roots on the crack development and shear strength of expansive soil subjected to dry–wet cycles were analyzed, and the relationship between the crack development and shear strength decay in root-doped expansive soil was explored. Furthermore, the mechanism of vegetative root system action was elucidated. The results show that the Cynodon dactylon root system exerts a significant inhibitory effect on crack development in expansive soil. The crack indexes of root-doped expansive soil exhibit significant phase characteristics during the process of dry–wet cycles. The crack-blocking and reinforcing effect of the root system becomes pronounced as the root-to-soil mass ratio increases and the root diameter decreased. Moreover, the process of crack development in expansive soil is accompanied by a decrease in soil shear strength. The quantitative relationship between crack development and shear strength decay can serve as a basis for predicting the stability of slope soil. Overall, the results highlight the potential of vegetation-based approaches in protecting slopes with expansive soils and have practical implications for ecological protection and engineering design in areas with expansive soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our planet teeters on the brink of massive ecosystem collapses, and arid regions experience manifold environmental and climatic challenges that increase the magnitude of selective pressures on already stressed ecosystems. Ultimately, this leads to their aridification and desertification, that is, to simplified and barren ecosystems (with proportionally less microbial load and diversity) with altered functions and food webs and modification of microbial community network. Thus, preserving and restoring soil health in such a fragile biome could help buffer climate change's effects. We argue that microorganisms and the protection of their functional properties and networks are key to fight desertification. Specifically, we claim that it is rational, possible and certainly practical to rely on native dryland edaphic microorganisms and microbial communities as well as dryland plants and their associated microbiota to conserve and restore soil health and mitigate soil depletion in newly aridified lands. Furthermore, this will meet the objective of protecting/stabilizing (and even enhancing) soil biodiversity globally. Without urgent conservation and restoration actions that take into account microbial diversity, we will ultimately, and simply, not have anything to protect anymore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For millenia, humans have modified aspects of natural ecosystems to meet their social, economic and ecological needs. With advancing technology and global movement of species, modification has shifted to designing and creating new ecologies in cityscapes, building interiors, agricultural settings and more. We call intentional ecosystems that combine biodiversity and technology with little to no shared history, synthetic ecosystems. Fields, from microbial ecology to agroecology, build synthetic ecosystems under different names but share the same properties of: Being human‐designed, assembled and controlled, having novel components and/or interactions, and creating systems distinctly different from what came before at a site. Creating synthetic ecosystems represents a design challenge, but also an opportunity for real‐world impact – which we illustrate with a biodiverse, indoor synthetic ecosystem for food production. Overall, synthetic ecosystems may advance socioecological goals in six ways. They can: 1) replace ecological deadzones with living systems (e.g. building green roofs), 2) enhance existing ecosystem processes (e.g. boosting agricultural yields), 3) create new ecosystem functions (e.g. bioelectricity), 4) establish new ecosystem controls (e.g. biological control), 5) foster knowledge synthesis (e.g. testing ecological theory) and 6) reshape human‐nature relationships (e.g. improve wellbeing). To realize these potentials, future work must more fully evaluate whereandwhen synthetic ecosystems are appropriate to build, whatarchitectures and aspects of diversity (biological and technological) make them most functional and how knowledge from across cultures and eras can be integrated in solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expected increase in global food demand, as a consequence of a rising and wealthier world population, and an awareness of the limits and drawbacks of modern agriculture, has resulted in a growing attention to the potential of the seas and oceans to produce more food. The capture production of presently exploited marine fish stocks and other species has more or less reached its maximum and can only be slightly improved by better management. This leaves four alternative options open to increase marine food production: (1) manipulating the entire food web structure via removal of high trophic level species to allow an increasing exploitation of low trophic level species, (2) harvesting so far unexploited stocks, such as various fish species from the mesopelagic zone of the ocean or the larger zooplankton species from polar regions, (3) low‐trophic mariculture of seaweeds and herbivorous animals, and (4) restoration of impoverished coastal ecosystems or artificially increasing productivity by ecological engineering. In this paper, we discuss these four options and pay attention to missing scientific knowledge needed to assess their sustainability. To assess sustainability, it is a prerequisite to establish robust definitions and assessments of the biological carrying capacity of the systems, but it is also necessary to evaluate broader socio‐economic and governance sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activities, directly and indirectly, impact ecological engineering activities of subterranean rodents. As engineering activities of burrowing rodents are affected by, and reciprocally affect vegetation cover via feeding, burrowing and mound building, human influence such as settlements and livestock grazing, could have cascading effects on biodiversity and ecosystem processes such as bioturbation. However, there is limited understanding of the relationship between human activities and burrowing rodents. The aim of this study was therefore to understand how human activities influence the ecological engineering activity of the giant root‐rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus), a subterranean rodent species endemic to the Afroalpine ecosystem of the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia. We collected data on human impact, burrowing activity and vegetation during February and March of 2021. Using path analysis, we tested (1) direct effects of human settlement on the patterns of livestock grazing intensity, (2) direct and indirect impacts of humans and livestock grazing intensity on the root‐rat burrow density and (3) whether human settlement and livestock grazing influence the effects of giant root‐rat burrow density on vegetation and vice versa. We found lower levels of livestock grazing intensity further from human settlement than in its proximity. We also found a significantly increased giant root‐rat burrow density with increasing livestock grazing intensity. Seasonal settlement and livestock grazing intensity had an indirect negative and positive effect on giant root‐rat burrow density, respectively, both via vegetation cover. Analysing the reciprocal effects of giant root‐rat on vegetation, we found a significantly decreased vegetation cover with increasing density of giant root‐rat burrows, and indirectly with increasing livestock grazing intensity via giant root‐rat burrow density. Our results demonstrate that giant root‐rats play a synanthropic engineering role that affects vegetation structure and ecosystem processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a research topic that is becoming recently of more interest due to its international initiatives. Here, we developed a bibliometric analysis using open-source software to better understand the trends in themes within the international research production. We searched the literature using the database Scopus from 2016 (year of official NbS definition by the International Union for Conservation of Nature), to 2023 and found 293 documents that comprise articles, book chapters, reviews, conference papers and scientific notes, among others. The documents' review process was conducted through the use of an open-source software to obtain trends and science mapping graphics. We analyzed the scientific production related to authors, keywords, institutions, and countries to uncover the trends in the NbS research area. The findings indicated that from 2016-2023, NbS research had a 77.72% annual increase rate, an average of 11.43 citations per document and a 43.69% rate of international collaboration. Climate change, ecosystem services, and biodiversity were broad and transversal themes, while other themes such as water management, land use and stakeholder participation evolved to become more specialized and integrative of new approaches and methods, along with these transversal themes. Finally, the potential gaps or directions could be fulfilled with the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence and evolution in specific themes like water security and hydrometeorological hazards in more integrative ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation is a key component of the complex coupled human- nature system, and there is a prominent greening trend in the Yellow River basin (YRB). We used the NOAA Climate Data Record ( CDR) of AVHRR Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) daily dataset from 1982 to 2020 and applied a land surface phenology method to investigate the differentiation of the human- nature relationship in the YRB from a vegetation perspective. To extract vegetation intra- annual indices, we applied a land surface phenology method that integrates the SavitzkyGolay filter and double logistic fitting, in addition to the traditional annual vegetation index based on annual NDVI series. We analyzed the trend of the inter- annual and intra- annual vegetation indices and summarized the typical types of vegetation changes using k-means clustering. We also conducted an analysis of the driving factors behind the different vegetation changes. Our results demonstrated that the integrated intra- annual indices extraction method is suitable for various vegetation types in the YRB, achieving a high recognition rate of 98% . The spatial and temporal variations in the extracted intra-annual indices revealed differences in ecological engineering and agricultural activities under distinct climatic conditions. We identified five types of ecological engineering- dominated vegetation changes and two types of agricultural- dominated vegetation changes, and found that the significance of agricultural vegetation changes was comparable to that of ecological engineering. Agricultural intensification is a critical factor that cannot be ignored in vegetation research of the YRB. Given the tense relationship between humans and nature, and the severe water-food- ecological contradictions in the YRB, it is crucial to optimize agricultural water use and ensure food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A slope-gully system is one of the pivotal units in the primary sediment source area for soil erosion in the watersheds. It is very necessary to restore and rebuild the ecological environment in the Loess Plateau. Among them, both terraces and check dams can be expected as the ecological engineering solutions to effectively control the soil erosion in slope-gully systems. However, only the individual measure has been primarily assessed to reduce the runoff and sediment yields. Consequently, this study aims to quantify the synergistic effects of the integrated configuration of terraces and check dams on the runoff and sediment yield. A series of physical models were established in the slope-gully systems. Three types were divided, including a control group (No measures, CO), a single measure group: terraced measure (T0) and four less length in the slope-gully area that caused by sedimentation from check dam (L1, L2, L3, and L4), as well as a multi-measures group: a combination of terraces and four less length in the slope-gully area that caused by check dam sedimentation (T1, T2, T3, and T4). The simulated rainfall experiments were conducted with a designed rainfall intensity of 90 mm/h and a rainfall duration of 30 min. The runoff and sediment samples were also collected every minute during the soil erosion in the slope-gully system. A systematic analysis was finally made on the variation process of runoff and sediment yields in the simulated rainfall experiments. The results show that the terracing measures decreased the runoff yields by 46.30%-83.59%, and the sediment yields by 25.82%-82.41%, respectively. The increasing siltation depth of check dams was reduced the runoff yields by 7.89% to 33.42%, and the sediment yields by 10.20% to 30.57%, respectively. The combination of terraces and check dams presented a synergistic effect to reduce both runoff and sediment concentration. The magnitude of this synergistic effect increased significantly, as the deposition depths of check dams increased. Specifically, the synergistic effects on the runoff were ranked as follows: 4 m (3.87%)>3 m (3.41%)>2 m (2.63%)>1 m (2.43%). Similarly, the corresponding synergistic effects on the sediment concentration were ranked as follows: 4 m (26.01%)>3 m (24.32%)>2 m (22.54%)>1 m (21.27%). The integrated configuration of terracing and check dams shared a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its individual components. Therefore, it was crucial to follow the principle of integrated treatment for the slopes and gullies, in order to effectively implement the soil and water conservation measures. The synergistic effects were also leveraged to reduce the runoff and sediment yields under the combination of slope and gully measures. There was the decrease in the terraces on slopes and the siltation-induced runoff path length of check dams in gullies. A synergistic effect was also found on the water erosion in a slope-gully system. Anyway, the synergistic effects should be incorporated to develop the soil and water conservation regulations, even to consider in the soil erosion models. This finding can also provide the theoretical reference and scientific support for the scientific allocation of water and soil conservation planning in the slope-gully system on the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether or not large-scale vegetation restoration will lead to a decrease in regional terrestrial water storage is a controversial topic. This study employed the Geodetector model, in conjunction with observed and satellite hydro-meteorological data, to detect the changes in terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) and to identify the contributions of climate change and vegetation greening across China during the years 1982–2019. The results revealed that: (1) during the period of 1982–2019, TWSA showed a downward trend in about two thirds of the country, with significant declines in North China, southeast Tibet, and northwest Xinjiang, and an upward trend in the remaining third of the country, with significant increases mainly in the Qaidam Basin, the Yangtze River, and the Songhua River; (2) the positive correlation between normalized vegetation index (NDVI) and TWSA accounts for 48.64% of the total vegetation area across China. In addition, the response of vegetation greenness lags behind the TWSA and precipitation, and the lag time was shorter in arid and semi-arid regions dominated by grasslands, and longer in relatively humid regions dominated by forests and savannas; (3) furthermore, TWSAs decreased with the increase in NDVI and evapotranspiration (ET) in arid and semi-arid areas, and increased with the rise in NDVI and ET in the humid regions. The Geodetector model was used to detect the effects of climate, vegetation, and human factors on TWSA. It is worth mentioning that NDVI, precipitation, and ET were some of the main factors affecting TWSA. Therefore, it is essential to implement rational ecological engineering to mitigate climate change's negative effects and maintain water resources' sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evergreen broad-leaved forests with rich biodiversity play a key role in stabilizing global vegetation productivity and maintaining land carbon sinks. However, quantitative and accurate classification results for humid, evergreen, broad-leaved forests (HEBF) and semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forests (SEBF) with different vegetation productivity and significant differences in species composition are lacking. Remote sensing technology brings the possibility of vegetation subtype classification. Taking the mountainous evergreen broad-leaved forests distributed in Sichuan Province as an example, this study proposed a hierarchy-based classifier combined with environmental variables to quantitatively classify the two vegetation subtypes with different ecological characteristics but similar image features. Additionally, we applied Sun–Canopy–Sensor and C parameter(SCS + C) topographic correction to preprocess the images, effectively correcting the radiometric distortion and enhancing the accuracy of vegetation classification. Finally, achieving an overall accuracy (OA) of 87.91% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.76, which is higher than that of directly using the classifier to classify the two vegetation subtypes. The study revealed the widespread distribution of evergreen broad-leaved forests in Sichuan, with a clear boundary between the distribution areas of HEBF and SEBF. The HEBF in the east is located in the basin and the low marginal mountains; the SEBF is located in the southwest dry valley. The methods employed in this study offer an effective approach to vegetation classification in mountainous areas. The findings can provide guidance for ecological engineering construction, ecological protection, and agricultural and livestock development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land degradation destroys human habitats, and vegetation is a marker reflecting land degradation. In this article, the Balochistan Province of Pakistan, which has a fragile ecological environment, was selected as a typical case to analyze its land degradation over 21 years. Relevant studies that used the NDVI and remote sensing data to monitor land degradation already existed. Based on the data product of MODIS, this study obtained the spatio-temporal trends of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) changes from 2000 to 2020 using the sen+ Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Hurst index and analyzed the driving factors of land degradation and restoration by employing the multiple stepwise regression method. The residual analysis method was an effective tool for distinguishing between anthropogenic and climatic impacts, given that not all regions have a significant correlation between the NDVI and rainfall. The main climatic drivers of the NDVI were derived based on the Geodetector analysis and stripped of the main climatic factors by residual analysis to explore the influence of anthropogenic factors on the NDVI. The results show the following: (1) Balochistan is dominated by land restoration. Land restoration is mainly dominated by climate as well as both climate and human factors, and land degradation is mainly dominated by climate and human factors. (2) The Geodetector-based study found high correlations between the NDVI and TMP, MAP, AET and PET, complementing most previous residual analyses that considered only precipitation and temperature. In Balochistan, TMP, AET, PET and MAP were the dominant climatic factors affecting the spatial distribution of the NDVI; TMP with MAP and TMP with AET were the main interactive factors in the spatial distribution of the NDVI. (3) The article quantifies the impact of the anthropogenic drivers on land degradation. Human activities positively influenced the NDVI in 91.02% of the area and negatively influenced it in 8.98% of the area. (4) The overall trend of the NDVI was mainly stable, with stronger improvement than degradation, and showed strong persistence. The above findings enrich our understanding of the climatic impacts of land degradation and human impacts in arid or semi-arid regions and provide a scientific basis for ecological engineering to achieve ecological conservation and quality development in Balochistan, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three-North Shelter Forest (TNSF) program is a significant ecological safety barrier in northern China, where both climate change and anthropogenic activity contribute to the increase in vegetation coverage observed. However, comprehensive effects of these factors on vegetation have not been accurately quantified yet. This study utilized the Global Land Surface Satellite (GLASS) Advanced Very-High-Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) data, meteorological data, and spatial distribution of ecological engineering to analyze spatiotemporal variation of FVC and climate in the TNSF program region in China during the period 1982–2018. A partial correlation analysis and residual analysis were performed to determine the relative contribution of climate change and anthropogenic activity to the FVC and the overall effect of ecological governance. Results showed that since 1982, the average FVC in the TNSF program region was 0.201–0.253, with an average growth rate of 0.01·(10a)−1. The FVC showed a significant increase in 66.45% of the TNSF region, and will continue to increase, while only 7.02% showed a significant decrease. The coefficient of variation showed a large spatial variation, with 30.86% being in very low stability regions, mainly distributed in Inner Mongolia and the Loess Plateau. A warm and wet climate is more conducive to increasing the FVC than the warm and dry climate, and ecological engineering has the largest impact on areas with an annual accumulated precipitation greater than 300 mm. A quantitative analysis revealed that climate change and anthropogenic activity contributed to the significant increase in the FVC in 15.58% and 46.81% of the TNSF region, respectively. Therefore, ecological governance projects, such as the TNSF program, play a crucial role in enhancing the FVC in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wildlife corridors play a pivotal role to support free ranging wildlife in rapid changing landscapes which remains vulnerable due to growing human population, together with unplanned urbanization, industrialization, developmental activities and the inverse impacts of climate change. This triggers for undertaking urgent actions to not only ensure their long-term survival, but also securing sustainable socio-economic and environmental development. Using landscape genetics approach, we in the present study examined the movement and dispersal patterns of a wild mountain ungulate, Himalayan ibex which is considered an ecological engineer and also imparts a major prey base to the large carnivores in Indian trans-Himalayan Region. We identified the Lahaul–Zanskar–Sham valley (L–Z–SV) corridor supports the bidirectional movement of Himalayan ibex, and suggest science driven management interventions for the conservation of Himalayan ibex and other sympatric ungulates in the trans-Himalayan region. Wildlife corridors that connect mosaic habitats in heterogeneous mountainous landscapes can be of high significance as they facilitate the genetic and demographic stability of free-ranging populations. Peripheral populations of widespread species are usually ignored in conservation planning. However, these populations retain locally common alleles and are genetic reservoir under the changing climatic conditions. Capra sibirica has widespread distribution, and its southern peripheral population is distributed in the Indian trans-Himalayan region (ITR). In the present study, we studied the spatial distribution and genetic make-up of Himalayan ibex from the ITR following the landscape genetics approach. We obtained 16 haplotypes at the mitochondrial d-loop region and found a stable demography in the past with a recent decline. With 10 nuclear microsatellites, we ascertained 111 unique individuals assigned into two clusters following Bayesian and non-Bayesian clustering analysis with several admixed individuals. We also recorded 25 first-generation migrants that reflected relatively high dispersal and gene-flow across the range. We identified a 19,835 sq.km suitable area with 13,311 sq.km in Ladakh and 6524 sq.km in Lahaul-Spiti. We identified a novel movement corridor for Himalayan ibex across the Lahaul–Zanskar–Sham valley (L–Z–SV) that displayed a fairly good conductance with low genetic divergence among the samples collected on the L–Z–SV corridor. We propose declaring a protected area in the Lahaul and Kargil districts to prioritize dedicated conservation efforts for the Himalayan ibex and other sympatric ungulates that impart a major role in the diet of large carnivore and balancing ecosystem services in the trans-Himalayan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand and manage marine ecosystems for conservation, particle-tracking simulation based on a realistic ocean model is one of the most basic and essential scientific numerical techniques for a multidisciplinary approach. In Japanese waters, this technique was first used under somewhat simplified conditions in the 1980s, and then it continued to be developed, with the number of studies using this technique increasing drastically after the mid-2000s. At that time, mesoscale eddy-resolving ocean forecast systems moved into operational phase, and since then, those reanalysis or analysis products have been publicly shared among scientists. This article provides an overview of the history and current status of particle-tracking simulation for marine biology around Japan (e.g., target species, ocean models utilized, configurations and timescales of particle-tracking models, and related biological data) and summarizes the scientific resources to be maintained and some issues to be resolved in the next future step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bank slopes are an important part of river ecosystems. In recent years, a series of ecological engineering projects with ecological functions have been implemented in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In this study, we designed a new type of ecological slope-protection structure for rivers. Through physical model tests, the hydraulic characteristics of the structure, such as velocity, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stress, at different test conditions were analyzed. These characteristics were then compared with those of an open channel with vegetation. The distributions of hydraulic properties determined in the open-channel tests involving the new structure were similar for different experimental conditions. Velocity and turbulence intensity are hyperbolic along the normal direction, whereas the Reynolds stress is close to zero. Several inflection points were observed in each distribution of hydraulic properties. The inflection point at the top is due to variations in the water flow conditions. On the outside, a second inflection point occurs because the water flow fluctuates violently near the new structure. The distribution of hydraulic properties in the far water layer is similar to that observed in a soft bed test. This study provides foundational knowledge for the future development of ecological slope-protection structures. A new ecological slope-protection structure is proposed. The distribution of hydraulic characteristics of an open channel with the new structure is analyzed. The zoning of shore slopes for the construction of the new structure is presented. The hydraulic characteristics of an open channel with the new structure and of an open channel with vegetation are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xianghai National Nature Reserve of Jilin is located on the East Asian-Australian migration route of birds and plays an important role for migratory waterbirds. To explore the influence of restoration measures on migratory waterbird communities in Xianghai Reserve, we conducted a waterbird survey in the spring and autumn during waterbird migration from 2010 to 2020. The composition and spatial and temporal changes in waterbird communities were identified in the reserve and the diversity changes in waterbird communities were analyzed. The results showed that (1) the number of waterbirds increased significantly since restoration measures in 2012. Restoration measures has clearly promoted an improvement in the species and number of waterbirds. The number of waterbirds was approximately seven-times higher than that before restoration measures. (2) The number of rare waterbirds increased in the reserve, and the number of Anseriform waterbirds on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species rapidly increased. (3) The diversity of the waterbird community has shown some recovery in the reserve, but the variation in water level during some periods led to a regular fluctuation in waterbird diversity. Restoration measures directly changed the water surface area and the water depth in the reserve, which are important variables that influence waterbird selection of wetlands as habitats. To effectively protect and manage important stopover sites on the migratory routes of waterbirds, we suggest to rationally regulate the supplementary water level of wetlands, optimize the hydrological pattern of wetlands, and strengthen the regulation of wetland water levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Possibilities to combine augmentative biological control using Trichogramma spp. egg parasitoids and conservation biological control through habitat manipulation, for the management of rice leaffolder and rice stemborer pests have received only cursory mention in the literature. We reviewed information on the use of Trichogramma releases and on habitat manipulation to manage leaffolders and stemborers in rice. Stemborers have become a priority for biological control since the 1990s with research focusing mainly on Chilo suppressalis in China and Iran, Scirpophaga incertulas in South and Southeast Asia, and Chilo agamemnon in Egypt. In most cases, 100 K wasps (T. japonicum or T. chilonis) released over 30–100 release points ha−1 at least once during early crop stages, resulted in good control (>50% reduction in damage). Despite positive results accumulated over decades, larger scale releases in rice have only been conducted very recently. Research on conservation biological control of stemborers has focused on manipulating rice field habitat, particularly along rice bunds (levees). Several studies reported higher Trichogramma densities or greater egg parasitism in rice fields with flowering plants on bunds compared to control fields (without bund vegetation and usually with insecticides). These trends have mainly been attributed to nectar as a supplementary food for the adult wasps, although evidence for this mechanism is weak. Trap plants, such as vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) attract ovipositing stemborers, but suppress larval development. Repellent and banker plants have not yet been identified for rice stemborers or leaffolders. We outline the opportunities and challenges for combining augmentative and conservation biological control of leaffolders and stemborers in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthworks in the vicinity of roads, open mines, subsidence tanks and other man-made objects can lead to the creation of slopes that undergo erosion. One of the methods that can prevent their degradation and reclaim them is the use of geotextiles. An environmentally friendly option is using geotextiles that are produced from reclaimed fibres. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the mechanical and chemical properties of geotextiles, namely, ropes and fibres (containing wool and polypropylene), not only on the rate of the greening of slopes but also on the species composition of vegetation. We studied the floristic composition, species diversity, species growth and soil properties of four sites of reclaimed slopes on which 46 study plots (5 m × 5 m) were laid out. We found that some species were more confined to a higher content of wool and that other species were more confined to the content of polypropylene. Both materials caused a decrease in the Shannon–Wiener diversity but an increase in evenness under the impact of ropes when compared to the control. They both also contributed to a higher mean height of the plants when compared to the control. The rate of the plant colonisation process was markedly improved by the reclaimed geotextiles. A longer and more detailed study is required to examine the effect of geotextile ropes on habitat creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the balance and coordination during green and sustainable development and estimates the evolution track of the green development system from 2010–2019. The projection pursuit model (PPM), as well as the system gray prediction model GM (1, N) and other measurement methods, were used to construct an evaluation system accounting for green fortune, growth, and benefits to analyze the temporal evolution, developmental trends, and influencing factors of the ecological engineering construction area in Baoshan, Yunnan Province. The results revealed a relatively good green development system, with an upward trend, an average growth rate of 18.3%, and a synergistic coupling effect among the three subsystems. Regional green development has achieved remarkable progress, but challenges and pressure among the three subsystems remain. The prediction analysis also showed that the green development index in Baoshan will continue to increase over the next two years, suggesting that the regional green development system is effective. Green development is primarily affected by environmental pollution, industrial structure, urbanization, population, market, and other factors from the three subsystems of ecology, economy, and social benefits. This study provides practical reference values for prompting regional ecological advancement and green development, along with regional support for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Three-River Headwaters Region (TRHR) is an important part of the ecological barrier of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Understanding the TRHR's major ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies is important for scientifically integrating and optimizing ecosystem services. We studied the spatial–temporal changes, trade-offs and synergies of the TRHR's water retention (WR), soil retention (SR), windbreak and sand fixation (WD) and forage supply (FS) services from 2000 to 2019. The results showed that: (1) The TRHR's WR, SR and FS services gradually decreased from east to west in space, and showed an increasing trend between years; the WD service gradually decreased from west to east in space, and showed a downward trend between years. (2) The synergistic relationship was the dominant relationship between the TRHR's grassland regulation and provision services. Future research on ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies should consider both the type of ecosystem services and the ecosystem's multifunctionality. (3) The improvement of the TRHR's ecosystem services in the future needs to focus on improving the fraction vegetation coverage (FVC) through ecological engineering measures in Maduo, and other areas near the 400 mm precipitation line, and enhancing the synergy of ecosystem services. (4) The restoration of TRHR FVC needs to consider the difference in natural endowments. It is recommended to adopt near-natural restoration in the northwest of the TRHR, and avoid setting too high restoration targets. Planting high-quality pastures in the southeast of the TRHR with good water and heat conditions and rationally allocating grassland ecological and production functions are recommended measures. (5) The TRHR's grassland should give priority to the development of the ecological functions of natural grasslands, and then give full play to its production functions. Overgrazing is strictly prohibited, so as to avoid the "over-transformation" of ecosystem regulation services to supply services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of guadua has increased in importance as a construction material due to the implementation of sustainable materials in the construction sector. This material provides a good view to passersby of the typical mountainous landscapes of eastern Antioquia in Colombia. Furthermore, bridges are fundamental structures for connecting territories separated by streams, roads, or topographic depressions. The methodology of this research work considers in the first step the bibliographic compilation, the second step the main physical and mechanical properties of the guadua/bamboo, the three-step the analysis of the points and connections, and finally, the last step four the architectural design appropriately a structure that can be used as a Pedestrian Bridge in Antioquia in the most faraway locations. Also, specialized design software was used to obtain the conceptual design of the components and geometrical areas of the bridge and thus consider its use in real conditions. This works aims to present an architectural solution consisting of a bridge with a span of 12 m considering as the main component guadua Angustifolia elements that are interconnected design with metal elements being as support to obtain adequate and ecological structural characteristics contributing to the development of the sustainability in the civil engineering projects. Finally, the results exposed that considering the literature review and research consulted, it is possible to design a bridge with the appropriate structural conditions. It's important to mention that this work was carried out from the architectural and functional point of view of the structure, prioritizing aesthetic and urban aspects, for which it is necessary to carry out structural modeling, obtaining the design parameters from laboratory tests on the guadua species of the zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Coastal infrastructures are increasing at different latitudes, and their deployment often results in a complete replacement of natural habitats. Although infrastructure provides novel habitats, ecological engineering can increase their similarity to natural rocky habitats. One hurdle for effective design of greener infrastructure is the scarce information on the processes that underpin differences in the structure of communities between built and natural habitats. Using long‐term data of intertidal community structure, we tested whether the magnitude of between‐habitat differences changes with breakwater age and across latitudes, and we examined the role of topographic microhabitats (i.e., rock pools) in driving these differences. Location: Nine locations distributed from 18 to 41°S. Time period: 2016–2020. Methods: We sampled the mid‐intertidal community structure on breakwaters of different age and on natural rocky habitats (platforms and boulder fields) and assessed the availability of microhabitats, such as crevices and rock pools, along a coastline spanning 23° of latitude. Using generalized additive models (GAMs), we assessed the effect of the different factors on species diversity and functional group abundances. Results: Age since construction was a poor predictor of differences between breakwaters and natural habitats. Communities on older breakwaters bore a poor resemblance to the species composition or functional group abundances found in natural habitats. The magnitude of differences between breakwaters and natural habitats varied with latitude, with season and with the type of natural habitat attributable to differences in microhabitats, especially in rock pool availability. Conclusions: Our results indicate that replacement of rocky habitats with breakwaters will cause permanent alterations to coastal ecosystems. Our findings suggest that the availability of microhabitats able to shelter species from stressful environmental conditions is more important at lower and intermediate latitudes; hence, they should be incorporated primarily into infrastructures in tropical or subtropical areas. These strategies could help to compensate for the impacts on rocky ecosystems associated with increases in coastal urbanization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interdisciplinary research that links human and natural systems is critical to addressing complex environmental and ecological problems. A growing number of interdisciplinary research teams investigate coupled natural-human systems, but the degree to which they actually examine two-way linkages between the systems is limited. We examined aspects of interdisciplinary teams that were explicitly funded to conduct research including such linkages by considering attributes of team leaders, team members, and analysis methods employed. Our objective was to investigate the degree to which interdisciplinary teams studying coupled natural-human systems publish research that displays two-way linkages between systems. Our analysis shows that team members' academic disciplines and the types of analysis methods that interdisciplinary teams apply play a crucial role in the success of the team in publishing articles that include two-way linkages. We found that the success of developing two-way linkages is enhanced when teams include leaders and/ or members from interdisciplinary academic disciplines (e.g., planning departments, sustainability, environmental economics, biological and ecological engineering, and individuals affiliated with more than one academic department from different discipline categories). Additionally, the presence of social science members increases the likelihood of two-way linkages, whereas the presence of physical science or biological/life science members decreases this likelihood. Among articles that included two-way linkages, essentially all utilized a conceptual-/literature-review approach, or included simulation model analysis. Based on these findings, we conclude that interdisciplinary teams are not a mere sum of people from different academic disciplines, but a group of people who have the ability to incorporate different disciplines conceptually and analytically. To move forward, it is important to acknowledge that becoming an interdisciplinary researcher takes deliberative work. Educational programs that train students and early career scholars with flexible thinking and analytical capacities may be the key to furthering coupled natural-human systems research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantitatively assess the socio-ecological resilience of ecological function area, multi-criteria evaluation and correlation analysis were used to construct a national-scale socio-ecological resilience index system and explore the socio-ecological resilience level of each ecological function area in China. The results showed that the level of socio-ecological resilience of ecosystems is determined by both ecological and social characteristics of the system, and there are obvious regional differences in the level of resilience. On a national scale, the ecological resilience index ranges from 0.10 to 0.56, with high in the south and low in the north, which is significantly influenced by the characteristics of the slow variables of the system; the social resilience index ranges from 0.18 to 0.93, with high in the central and coastal regions and low in other regions, which is caused by the differences of the social capital, overlapping management, and innovation of the system. The construction of a resilience evaluation index system based on resilience guidelines can effectively reveal regional resilience patterns. The overall zoning and engineering layout of ecological restoration in China ′s national land space should consider the heterogeneity of socio-ecological resilience of each ecological function area, and develop differentiated restoration strategies based on the integrated level of social and ecological resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services (ESs) synergies have been broadly studied, whose synergy control areas and driving mechanisms were still not fully understood. Here, We analyzed soil conservation (SC), water yield (WY), net primary productivity (NPP) and food supply (FS) on the basis of geospatial analysis techniques from 1992 to 2015. The results showed that the SW karst areas contributed 23.7% of SC and 14.56% of NPP with only 8.4% of China's continent. 49.28% of China's land was synergy control areas, while accounted for 82.23% in the SW karst areas. The cause of this phenomenon was twofold, one was the significant increase in NDVI was mainly due to human activities (HA), and the coincidence rates between the HA dominated areas and the synergies control areas up to 90.7%. These results emphasized that ecological engineering was a key factor of the synergy among multi-ESs, the synergy control areas should be priority for ecological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building and testing general principles is key to accelerate scientific progress. Here, we review the studies performed in Argentina in which ants were used as model organisms, in the context of ecological theories, hypotheses and concepts. Specifically, we focus on ant studies performed under the conceptual frameworks of ecological engineering, indirect interactions, seed dispersal, community assembly rules, biological invasions and integrated pest management. Those studies contributed to 1) supporting the concept of ecological engineers through the study of the physical changes in the environment caused by ants through the building and maintenance of their nests, and their consequences on other organisms such as soil biota, plants and herbivores; 2) questioning the convergence hypothesis, which proposes that independently assembled communities in similar, but geographically distant habitats converge in composition and functioning under similar environmental pressures; 3) showing that directed seed dispersal is an important process to increase plant performance in desert ecosystems; 4) understanding the type of control which prevails in communities (top-down or bottom-up); 5) emphasizing the relevance of indirect interactions in the structure and functioning of ecosystems with examples of trophic cascades, indirect facilitation, exploitative competition and trait-mediated effects; 6) a better understanding of the causes of success or failure of biological invasions, via the study of the behavioral and demographic characteristics of invasive ant species in their native area, and the role of biotic resistance and mutualism facilitation; and 7) exploring the concept of integrated pest management via the study of the use of natural enemies, repellents and attractants, and the knowledge about the feeding and foraging behavior of pests. This body of work reinforces the key role of ants as model organisms to test ecological hypotheses and highlights the importance of using conceptual frameworks as guidance to better understand the complexity of natural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]