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Environmental change is increasing worldwide and many animal species face anthropogenic threats, especially diet specialists. Yet the degree to which specialist species are currently impacted by environmental change remains poorly understood. We examine how anthropogenic pressures impact dietary specialist species. We calculated indices of diet specialization for mammal species, based on the Gini inequality coefficient, and combined these indices with human pressure data. We then used spatially explicit Mantel tests to examine global patterns in mammal diet specialization. We used a generalized linear mixed model to investigate correlations between the percentage of diet specialist species in mammal communities in an area and its total species richness, human pressure and protection status (mediated through an interaction with the continent). Findings revealed that areas with many diet specialists in mammal communities are also impacted by high human pressure. Additionally, we found that the global protected area system adequately covers habitat for many mammal diet specialists, but has lower effectiveness in South America, Oceania, North America and Europe compared with Africa and Asia. Finally, we identified potential reservoirs for specialist species—places containing many highly diet specialist species and that are subject to less human pressure—which may be important for conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial ecosystems are crucial in mitigating global climate change, and Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) have become essential tools for simulating these ecosystems. However, uncertainties remain in DGVM simulations for China, highlighting the need to systematic evaluations of their dynamics across various time scales to enhance model performance. As such, we utilize reprocessed monthly MODIS Leaf Area Index (LAI) and Contiguous Solar-induced Fluorescence (CSIF) data as observational references to assess the long-term trends and seasonal variations of LAI and Gross Primary Production (GPP) simulated by 14 models (CABLE-POP, CLASSIC, CLM5.0, DLEM, IBIS, ISAM, ISBA-CTRIP, JULES, LPJ-GUESS, LPX, OCN, ORCHIDEEv3, SDGVM, and VISIT) in China from 2003 to 2019. Additionally, we evaluate the trends and seasonal variations of simulated LAI and GPP in response to environmental and climatic factors. Our findings indicate that: (1) While the overall trend of simulated LAI is captured, the spatial performance of simulated LAI and GPP is poor, with underestimation in forested areas, overestimation in grasslands, and misestimation in croplands; (2) The models misestimate the simulated LAI and GPP responses to changes in environmental factors, and their inaccuracy in capturing anthropogenic impacts on vegetation dynamics. We indicate that the main reason for the model's misestimation is that the model's understanding of the CO2 fertilization effect is inadequate, and thus fails to simulate the vegetation response to CO2 concentration. (3) Despite these issues, the models can effectively capture the seasonality of LAI and GPP in China, largely due to their robust representation of seasonal responses to climate factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forest ecosystems are essential for human well-being development and reduction of the risk of natural disasters. Maintaining forest growth and ecosystem services is dependent on soil sustainability. The content of heavy metals is the main parameter determining the degree of soil contamination and degradation. The objective of the study was to assess the extent of soil contamination and identify the sources of potential anomalies. The content of the cadmium, lead, manganese and chromium (using atomic emission spectroscopy with induction-coupled plasma), as well as granulometric composition, pH value and nitrogen and total carbon content, were conducted on soil samples taken from the surface layer (0–10 cm) in the protected area of the Kampinos National Park in Poland. The soil quality assessment was conducted by calculating indicators of contamination including the geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, degree of contamination, ecological risk of individual heavy metals and potential ecological risk index. The results exhibited that the tested soils were very acidic or acidic sands. The content of the determined elements did not exceed the permissible limits as outlined in Polish standards, which are 2 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg for cadmium, lead and chromium, respectively. The indicators show differences in the degree of contamination of the surface soil layer in the studied area, which is predominantly uncontaminated by heavy metals. However, the geochemical index values equal 0.42, 0.71 and 0.98 for certain samples suggesting the anthropogenic impact on the soils of the Kampinos National Park. The pollution appears to have been generated by the metallurgical industry, heating and power plants in the Warsaw agglomeration and transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the variability of bio-optical properties in coastal seas is essential to assessing the impact of natural and anthropogenic activities on the quality of the coastal environments and their resources. This study investigated the vertical distribution of bio-optical properties and their potential driving forces in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) using a bio-optical dataset collected during the winter dry season. The hydrographic and biogeochemical properties observed across the GBA exhibited significant spatial variability, allowing the classification of the waters into three distinct regions: estuarine diluted water (EDW), Guangdong coastal current water (GCCW), and dense shelf water (DSW). Our findings show that EDW exhibited beam attenuation and optical backscatter coefficients an order of magnitude greater compared to the other two regions, which was attributed to factors such as higher concentrations of suspended particulate matter and organic material from estuarine sources. In contrast, the GCCW was characterized by lower salinity, temperature, and suspended particulate matter and displayed reduced turbidity near the coast, whereas nutrient-rich GCCW waters transported to the mid-shelf region supported increased phytoplankton biomass and a greater abundance of micro-phytoplankton. By exploring the bio-optical characteristics and their underlying processes in the GBA, this study enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics shaping the optical properties of coastal waters in this heavily urbanized region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing novel food subsidies to wildlife can influence behavior, resource use, disease dynamics, and food web interactions. Studies examining impacts of anthropogenic food have primarily occurred in urban landscapes where anthropogenic resources are consistently accessible. National parks, however, experience similar issues regarding wildlife exploiting anthropogenic food, but access to anthropogenic food is contingent on human visitation, which can fluctuate dramatically between seasons. We evaluated how fluctuating availability of anthropogenic food and demographic factors influenced the isotopic niche of Rocky Mountain Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes macroura) at the population and individual level in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. From 2016 to 2021, we assessed diet-related questions by collecting 55 whisker samples and 52 hair samples from 40 unique individuals and analyzed them using stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N). We discovered that Rocky Mountain red foxes have a broad isotopic niche, with seasonal differences in their consumption of anthropogenic food. Contrary to our expectations, foxes demonstrated increased reliance on anthropogenic food (higher δ13C values) during winter months, whereas natural food consumption or dietary mixing was more prominent in summer months. Natural food scarcity could be driving foxes to seek out more anthropogenic food in the winter, whereas the increased abundance of natural food items in the summer could result in a lower need for foxes to supplement their diet with anthropogenic food. Adults had consistently higher δ13C values relative to juveniles, indicating either intraspecific variation in boldness or dominance leading to increased exploitation of anthropogenic food, which could be a learned behavior coinciding with habituation. Finally, we observed that increasing densities of human features within the home range of a fox was a strong predictor of anthropogenic food reliance at the individual level. Our work provided a deeper understanding of the trophic ecology of Rocky Mountain Red Fox in relation to human activity in a nature preserve, and equipped managers with insight into potential patterns associated with food-conditioned foxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The aims of this study are to comprehensively analyze and evaluate the quality of oasis ecosystems in the Manas River Basin, and to identify the causative factors, so as to provide a reference for the improvement of basin habitat and the sustainable development of the region. [Methods] Based on the high-resolution remote sensing image data of the Manas River Basin in 2020, combined with the landscape ecology method, InVEST and landscape ecological risk assessment model were applied to comprehensively evaluate the habitat quality and landscape ecological risk of Manas River Basin. [Results] In 2020, the average of habitat quality in Manas River Basin was 0.33, and the overall habitat quality was poor. The higher risk of degradation of protective forests and the wide distribution of cropland were the main triggers of the poor regional habitat quality. The high habitat quality land categories, such as wetlands and watersheds, were exposed to a higher risk of degradation. The low degree of closure of protection forests and irrational forest network structure in the watershed had led to the most serious fragmentation of its landscape, with a high degree of wetland and watershed landscape disturbance and deeper anthropogenic impacts. The higher ecological risk area in the watershed accounted for the largest proportion of 37.82%, and the sum of it and the high ecological risk area accounted for more than 70%, with an overall cascading distribution characteristic of high in the center and low at the edges. There was a strong spatial clustering effect of both habitat quality and landscape ecological risk, with high-high clustering and low-low clustering predominating. [Conclusion] The distribution of landscape patterns has a large impact on regional habitat quality and landscape ecological risk. In the future, we need to focus on the rational planning and utilization of arable land in the watershed, the further strengthening of the maintenance and construction of protective forests so that they can give full play to their effectiveness, and the effective protection of wetlands and watersheds in order to improve the quality of the habitats and reduce the ecological risk of landscapes in the Manas River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Holocene climate change's impact on ecosystems has attracted considerable interest. Although human activities increasingly influenced ecosystems during the Holocene, many paleo-records primarily reconstruct natural environmental changes, often neglecting the pre-instrumental human influenceon ecological responses. To understand ecosystem responses comprehensively, it is essential to consider anthropogenic impacts alongside natural factors. Here, we present a Holocene chironomid record from Qinghai Crater Lake in Tengchong, southwestern China, examining the timing and magnitude of natural and anthropogenic impacts on the lake ecosystem throughout the Holocene. Our results reveal that early to mid-Holocene chironomid communities, especially in terms of species richness, were mainly driven by rising summer temperatures associated with increased solar radiation. By the late-Holocene, the weakening Indian Summer Monsoon led to fluctuating lake levels and intensified human impacts, impacting both chironomid species richness and community stability. Around 0.8 ka BP, enhanced human disturbances shifted the chironomid community composition from mesotrophic taxa dominance (e.g., Cladotanytasus, Macropelopia) to eutrophic taxa dominance (e.g., Chironomus, Polypedilum). Over the past few centuries, human influence has further increased chironomid species richness but has led to declining community stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headwater streams are vital to the health and resiliency of entire watersheds; thus, understanding how human activities impair the structure and function of these vulnerable ecosystems is essential. We combined structural and functional measures of stream periphyton in 46 headwater streams throughout the upper Delaware River Basin, USA, to determine which measures were most helpful in detecting subtle anthropogenic impacts. Stepwise Redundancy analyses run independently with structural and functional variables identified local photosynthetically active radiation and total phosphorus as the most influential environmental variables. Algal biomass and productivity under different light and nutrient concentrations likely drove many subsequent patterns in periphyton structure and function. Generalized additive models indicated possible thresholds with increasing light for algal biomass, bacterial biomass, gross primary productivity, and patterns in carbon-acquiring enzymes. These thresholds were likely driven by algae shifting from light to phosphorus limitation and bacteria shifting from terrestrially derived recalcitrant dissolved organic substrates to more labile algal-derived substrates. Overall, structural and functional measures of stream periphyton were complementary for understanding the mechanisms underlying the impacts of specific stressors and together gave a more complete picture of ecological conditions within each stream and how human activities have influenced the health of these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish constitutes the main protein source for the Amazonian population. However, the impact of different anthropogenic activities on trace element and metal accumulation in fish and their risks for human health at a regional scale remain largely unexplored. Here we assessed exposure levels of 10 trace elements and metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) in 56 samples belonging to 11 different species of fish from the Brazilian Amazon. We studied the relationship between exposure levels, fish origin, and fish feeding habits, and assessed toxicological and carcinogenic risks for the Amazonian population. No significant correlation was found between sampling site and exposure levels to the studied elements, but a significant difference was found between the accumulation of some metals and the position of the fish species in the food chain. The concentrations of Cr and Hg in fish flesh were found to exceed the Brazilian limits for human consumption. This study shows that current fish consumption patterns can lead to estimated daily intakes of Hg, As and Cr that exceed the oral reference dose, thus posing a toxicological concern. Furthermore, carcinogenic risks may be expected due to the continued exposure to Cr and As. The results of this study show that the consumption of wild caught fish in the Amazon region should be controlled. Moreover, continued monitoring of trace element and metal contamination in fish and on the health of the Amazonian population is recommended, particularly for riverine and indigenous communities. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to quantify the relationship between hydrological richness in river and riparian wetland habitats and fragmentation analysis. Eight relevant parameters, such as the frequency of water presence, hydro-period, and proximity to the river, have been incorporated into four models—two statistical models (Shannon entropy and Logistic Regression) and two machine learning models (artificial neural network and random forest)—in order to investigate wetland hydrological richness. The models are evaluated using statistical techniques such as ROC curves, and field-based validation is also performed. The information about the best-performing models (random forest for machine learning and logistic regression for statistical models) is valuable for understanding the predictive capabilities of the models applied. RF model identified 168.43 km2, 110.91 km2, 70.13 km2, and 39.15 km2 areas as having very rich and rich water richness zones in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. The percentage of poor and very poor areas has rapidly increased from 29.7% in 1990 to 55.35% in 2020. Additionally, the relationship between wetland fragmentation and hydrological richness is assessed. Wetland fragmentation and shrinking core areas due to anthropogenic intrusion significantly impact the hydrological richness of wetlands. This study will provide important insights into the changing state of wetlands over time, especially concerning the impact of anthropogenic activities on hydrological richness. The findings of this study would have significant implications for wetland management and precautions on manmade hydrological modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the degree to which hunter-gatherers exhibited concern for animals. Six types of concern (sympathy, consequential, identity-based, respectful, protective, and indifference) were assessed in twenty-eight hunting-gathering groups from around the world using eHRAF World Cultures. Findings demonstrated that sympathy for animal agents was low, and indifference was high. High levels of consequential concern and moderate levels of identity and respectful concern were evident. Protective concern was found in about a third of the groups. Higher levels of concern were experienced when the animals were perceived as either pseudo-humans or pseudo-spirits. The transition from hunter-gatherer to agro-industrial lifestyle has led to fewer interactions and less overall concern for animals, but it has not produced a decrease in sympathy for animal agents, which was already relatively low among foragers. These findings lend support to the theory that humans did not evolve to experience high levels of sympathetic concern for animals as animal agents, and it helps to explain the widespread present exploitation of animals. It also demonstrates that concern can and does arise when animals take on pseudo-human agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) represent a relatively cost-effective tool for comparing diversity between contemporary and historical populations to assess impacts of past population processes, or the outcomes of conservation management. The Aotearoa New Zealand endemic kakī| black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) is a critically endangered wading bird. Anthropogenic impacts contributed to kakī declining to ~ 23 individuals in 1981 and promoted interspecific hybridisation with their more common congener, the poaka| pied stilt (H. leucocephalus). Conservation management of kakī has resulted in the population increasing to 169 wild adults at the end of the 2023–2024 breeding season. Here we use mitogenomes to enable comparisons of diversity between contemporary and historical (pre-1960s) stilts, and to understand the impacts of past interspecific hybridisation. We assemble a mitogenome for kakī and use this as a reference to facilitate downstream comparisons of mitochondrial diversity among kakī and poaka across a period of population decline and subsequent conservation management for kakī. Mitogenome haplotype data provides no evidence of introgression from poaka into kakī despite past hybridisation. This contributes to the behavioural, ecological, morphological and genetic evidence that conservation action has maintained the species integrity of this Critically Endangered bird. Furthermore, these results indicate that mitochondrial diversity has been maintained in kakī across a period of species decline and subsequent conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a major public health concern and challenge. The transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) between bacteria and the movement of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) between human, environmental, and animal reservoirs allows AMR to spread and drive its persistence. Modeling efforts are useful for providing understanding of fate and transport, dynamics, or probabilistic risk, but lack estimates of bacterial conjugation parameters to be used within these frameworks. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to summarize measured rates of conjugation for AMR and other resistances across a variety of settings, experimental media, and donor sources. Results: Across the 113 studies, reported conjugation frequencies and rates were examined in environmental, clinical, and animal/agricultural settings. The findings spanned over 12 orders of magnitude. From all studies, a subset of 25 were able to be analyzed for time-dependent rate estimation, which is most useful in modeling approaches. The highest rates were found in samples originating from wastewater sources or transferred in wastewater matrices, pointing to the significance and role of anthropogenic impacts on the environment in dissemination of AMR. Discussion: The results allowed us to identify knowledge gaps in measuring conjugation rates in key environmental exposure areas, such as biofilms, and in reporting experimental outputs for understanding cell growth and conjugation dynamics, such as donor, recipient and transconjugant densities over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question of what mechanisms maintain tropical biodiversity is a critical frontier in ecology, intensified by the heightened risk of biodiversity loss faced in tropical regions. Ecological theory has shed light on multiple mechanisms that could lead to the high levels of biodiversity in tropical forests. But variation in species abundances over time may be just as important as overall biodiversity, with a more immediate connection to the risk of extirpation and biodiversity loss. Despite the urgency, our understanding of the primary mechanisms driving fluctuations in species abundances has not been clearly established. Here, we introduce a theoretical framework based around life history; the schedule of birth, growth, and mortality over a lifespan, and its systematic variation across species. We develop a mean field model to predict expected fluctuations in abundance for a focal species in a larger community, and we quantify empirical life history variation among 90 tropical forest species in a 50 ha plot in Panama. Putting theory and data together, we show that life history provides a critical piece of this puzzle, allowing us to explain patterns of abundance fluctuations more accurately than previous models incorporating demographic stochasticity without life history variation, and without introducing unobserved couplings between species and their environment. This framework provides a starting point for more general models that incorporate multiple factors in addition to life history variation, and suggests the potential for a fine-grained assessment of extirpation risk based on the impacts of anthropogenic change on demographic rates across life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-native species are widely recognized as threats to biodiversity, ecosystems, and the services they provide to humans. The Mediterranean Sea has a high biodiversity of endemic species and is a hot spot of biological invasions. One of the most recent threats to Mediterranean ecosystems is the invasion of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus. Methods: The occurrences of the crab throughout the Mediterranean coastline were indexed from citizen science through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Using spatial analysis and linear mixed models, we investigated geomorphology (i.e., water depth and coastal wetlands extension), water physical variables (i.e., salinity and winter and summer water temperature), water quality variables (i.e., chlorophyll-a, nitrate and orthophosphate) and anthropogenic factors (i.e., ship density and population size) potentially affecting the blue crab occurrence along the coast. Results: Our results showed that nitrate, as an indicator of riverine nutrient loading, and water depth, as an indicator of slope of the bottom, were the most influential variables in explaining the occurrences of blue crabs. Water temperature and salinity had lesser impacts; anthropogenic factors, such as the density of commercial marine traffic and human population size had no effect on blue crab occurrence. Discussion: These results sug gest that benthic primary production and shallow water drive blue crab occurrences along the Mediterranean coasts. Even considering data limitations and gaps, our large-scale findings contribute to a broader understanding of the factors that drive blue crab invasion success which, in turn, can inform management actions and outline research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice-free areas are habitats for most of Antarctica's terrestrial biodiversity. Although fungal communities are an important element of these habitats, knowledge of their assemblages and ecological functions is still limited. Herein, we investigated the diversity, composition, and ecological functionality of fungal communities inhabiting sediments from ice-free areas across pristine and anthropogenically impacted sites in the Fildes Peninsula on King George Island, Antarctica. Samples were collected from both pristine and disturbed areas. We used the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region via Illumina sequencing of 34 sediment samples for fungal identification. The Ascomycota (14.6%) and Chytridiomycota (11.8%) were the most dominant phyla, followed by Basidiomycota (8.1%), Rozellomycota (7.0%), Mucoromycota (4.0%), while 34.9% of the fungal diversity remained unidentified. From a total of 1073 OTUs, 532 OTUs corresponded to 114 fungal taxa at the genus level, and 541 OTUs remained unassigned taxonomically. The highest diversity, with 18 genera, was detected at site A-3. At the genus level, there was no preference for either pristine or disturbed sites. The most widely distributed genera were Betamyces (Chytridiomycota), occurring in 29 of the 34 sites, and Thelebolus (Ascomycota), detected in 8 pristine sites and 7 disturbed sites. The Glomeraceae gen. incertae sedis was more common in disturbed sites. A total of 23 different ecological guilds were recorded, with the most abundant guilds being undefined saprotrophs, plant pathogens, plant saprotrophs, pollen saprotrophs, and endophytes. The fungal communities did not show significant differences between pristine and disturbed sites, suggesting that the anthropogenic impact is either not too intense or prolonged, that the spatial distance between the sampled sites is small, and/or that the environmental factors are similar. Although our study revealed a high fungal diversity with various ecological specializations within these communities, nearly one-third of the diversity could not be assigned to any specific taxonomic category. These findings highlight the need for further taxonomic research on fungal species inhabiting ice-free areas. Without identifying the species present, it is difficult to assess potential biodiversity loss due to environmental changes and/or human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil respiration (SR), the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from soil due to the decomposition of organic matter and root respiration, is an important indicator for understanding agricultural carbon cycling and assessing anthropogenic impacts on the environment. Hyperspectral remote sensing offers a potential rapid, non-destructive approach for monitoring in agriculture. However, it remains uncertain whether hyperspectral remote sensing can provide an accurate and efficient method for estimating SR rate in croplands, particularly across different maize growth stages of under varying drought conditions. Methods: In the study, we investigated the potential of combining hyperspectral remote sensing data with machine learning model (ML) to quantify SR rate in croplands. A drought field experiment was conducted, and SR and hyperspectral imagery were collected during four maize growth stages: Jointing Stage (JS), Tasseling Stage (TS), Flowering Stage (FS), and Grain Filling Stage (GFS). We compared the performance of traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) with that of an ML model (extreme gradient boosting, XGBoost), in simulating SR rate across these four growth stages. Results: Our findings demonstrated that the simulation of the XGBoost model, utilizing soil temperature ( T s ) and hyperspectral data, outperformed the MLR model. Across different growth stages, the SR simulated by the XGBoost model (R 2 = 0.8103) was more reliable than that of the MLR model (R 2 = 0.7451). The XGBoost model can also effectively capture the impact of drought treatments on SR. Discussion: The XGBoost model's tree-based structure allows it to effectively capture complex interactions and nonlinear patterns within variables, while its high sensitivity to changes in SR rates under drought conditions makes it more reliable for modeling SR across different growth stages compared to the linear-based MLR model. This study highlights the great promise of ML combined with hyperspectral imaging in predicting SR rate in croplands, which will help guide future agricultural management and environmental informatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue whale is an endangered and globally distributed species of baleen whale with multiple described subspecies, including the morphologically and genetically distinct pygmy blue whale. North Atlantic and North Pacific populations, however, are currently regarded as a single subspecies despite being separated by continental land masses and acoustic call differences. To determine the degree of isolation among the Northern Hemisphere populations, 14 North Pacific and 6 Western Australian blue whale nuclear and mitochondrial genomes were sequenced and analysed together with 11 publicly available North Atlantic blue whale genomes. Population genomic analyses revealed distinctly differentiated clusters and limited genetic exchange among all three populations, indicating a high degree of isolation between the Northern Hemisphere populations. Nevertheless, the genomic and mitogenomic distances between all blue whale populations, including the Western Australian pygmy blue whale, are low when compared to other inter‐subspecies distances in cetaceans. Given that the Western Australian pygmy blue whale is an already recognised subspecies and further supported by previously reported acoustic differences, a proposal is made to treat the two Northern Hemisphere populations as separate subspecies, namely Balaenoptera musculus musculus (North Atlantic blue whale) and Balaenoptera musculus sulfureus (North Pacific blue whale). Furthermore, a first molecular viability assessment of all three populations not only found a generally high genomic diversity among blue whales but also a lack of alleles at low frequency, non‐neutral evolution and increased effects of inbreeding. This suggests a substantial anthropogenic impact on the genotypes of blue whales and calls for careful monitoring in future conservation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of transport pathways and depositional changes in Mercury (Hg) and their connection to climatic and environmental changes on various time scales are crucial for better understanding the anthropogenic impacts on the global Hg cycle in the Anthropocene epoch. In this study, we examined Hg variations recorded in a stalagmite from central China, covering the period from 25.5 to 10.9 thousand years ago. Our data show a marked increase in Hg concentrations during the late Last Glacial Maximum, which coincided with the period of highest dust deposition on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Hg concentrations were lower during Heinrich events 1 and 2 and the Younger Dryas but higher during the Bølling-Allerød and the early Holocene. We suggest that regional dust load, which enhances atmospheric dry deposition of Hg, is the primary factor influencing Hg deposition in central China on glacial-interglacial timescales. On millennial-to-centennial timescales, climate also plays a significant role. Warmer and wetter conditions increase vegetation, litterfall, and soil/rock weathering, which in turn boost mineral dissolution and soil erosion in the vadose zone. These processes collectively result in higher Hg concentrations in the stalagmite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine foundation species are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic stressors, driving a loss of diversity within these critical habitats. Prior studies suggest that species diversity within mussel beds has declined precipitously in southern California, USA, but it is unclear whether a similar loss has occurred farther north. Here, we resurvey a mussel bed community in northern California first sampled in 1941 to evaluate changes in diversity after 78 years. More broadly, we explore the value and potential challenges of using imperfect historical data to assess community changes. Our 2019 survey documented 90 species/taxa across 10 phyla. The majority of species (~ 72%) were common to all replicate plots, suggesting that variation in species diversity over small spatial scales was unlikely to mask temporal changes. In contrast to results from southern California, we observed no decline in species diversity between timepoints. However, there were shifts in species composition, with an increase in the abundance of southern species and a decrease in northern species, consistent with warming observed at a nearby shoreline site. Overall, our findings are an encouraging sign for the health of this mussel bed community in northern California and illustrate how non-traditional data can contribute to assessments of long-term ecological change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marmosets are obligate gummivores with evolutionary adaptations to harvesting tree exudates. We studied a group of zoo-living free-ranging silvery marmosets (Mico argentatus) that had learned to feed from Prunus spp., to investigate the characteristics of the holes they gouged in four Portuguese laurel trees (Prunus lusitanica). Holes were frequently extended in more than one direction from the base, often producing roughly V-shaped channels. The angles of the holes from the vertical were significantly different from a random distribution and averaged 40° ± 2.1 SE. Mean hole length was 50.9 mm ± 3.4 SE. Mean depth of gouge holes was 5.08 mm ± 0.17 SE and was consistent along the length of the holes. Feeding on Prunus was concentrated in the late morning, and constituted 26.2% of records of the marmosets’ overall activity during group scans. Further studies are needed to investigate whether there are consistent species or generic differences in the methods used to harvest gum by marmosets, and whether marmosets use different gouging techniques for different plant species. Understanding how marmosets identify and use new gum sources will be important for their conservation in habitats altered by anthropogenic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While the impact of anthropogenic climate change on sports and the subsequent need for adaptation to evolving climatic conditions are acknowledged, there remains a notable paucity of scientific inquiry within the realm of sports and sports event studies specifically addressing climate change and its ramifications for event planning and management. Existing studies predominantly stem from health, medical, weather and climate science and mostly focus on mega-events and elite athlete contexts. Moreover, they often only focus on one specific impact (e.g., extreme heat) without providing a comprehensive summary or overview of all eminent impacts, resulting risks and potential adaptation strategies. This study aims to explore how (German) sports events are impacted by climate change and identify measures for organizers to address these impacts. Methods: Following a comprehensive literature review, semi-structured interviews with event planners and organizers in Germany were conducted, ranging from small local events to weekly league competitions to national championships and major events. Results: The findings demonstrate that climate change adaptation is not yet a primary focus in the German sports event context. While some planners, especially those of large-scale events, have started implementing adaptation measures, others are only beginning to address the issue. Discussion: The study discusses the challenges that sports event organizers face in adjusting to the adverse effects of climate change and also examines specific adaptation strategies. The paper emphasizes the imperative for organizers to incorporate climate adaptation measures more effectively into routine event planning and management processes, and provides practical guidelines to achieve this integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Fire may favour plant flowering by opening up the vegetation and increasing abiotic resource availability. Increased floral display size can attract more pollinators and increase absolute fruit and seed production immediately after a fire. However, anthropogenic increases in fire frequency may alter these responses. We aim to assess the effects of fire on the pollination and reproductive success of plants at the global scale. Methods We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analyses to examine overall fire effects as well as different fire parameters on pollination and on plant reproduction. We also explored to what extent the responses vary among pollinators, pollination vectors, plant regeneration strategies, compatibility systems, vegetation types and biomes. Key Results Most studies were conducted in fire-prone ecosystems. Overall, single fires increased pollination and plant reproduction but this effect was overridden by recurrent fires. Floral visitation rates of pollinators were enhanced immediately following a wildfire, and especially in bee-pollinated plants. Fire increased the absolute production of fruits or seeds but not fruit or seed set. The reproductive benefits were mostly observed in wind-pollinated (graminoids), herbaceous and resprouter species. Finally, fire effects on pollination were positively correlated with fire effects on plant reproductive success. Conclusions Fire has a central role in pollination and plant sexual reproduction in fire-prone ecosystems. The increase in the absolute production of fruits and seeds suggests that fire benefits to plant reproduction are probably driven by increased abiotic resources and the consequent floral display size. However, reproduction efficiency, as measured by fruit or seed set, does not increase with fire. In contrast, when assessed on the same plant simultaneously, fire effects on pollination are translated into reproduction. Increased fire frequency due to anthropogenic changes can alter the nature of the response to fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Human-wildlife conflict and coexistence in the African context" published in Wildlife Biology discusses the increasing interactions between humans and wildlife in Africa due to population growth and land use changes. The conflicts over resources, safety, and livelihoods occur in various landscapes, including rangelands, farmland, and protected areas. The special issue presents research on ecological drivers, mitigation techniques, and social impacts of human-wildlife conflict, emphasizing the importance of incorporating community perceptions in conflict mitigation strategies. The studies highlight the need for integrated approaches that balance the needs of both humans and wildlife to foster sustainable coexistence. [Extracted from the article]

Anthropogenic impacts on primates usually discussed as a community-level variable, with very few studies dissecting into a personal factor such as human gender. There is a gender bias in utilizing forest resources, resulting in men and women having different chances encountering primates, moreover orangutans. We investigated human genders' influences on human-orangutan bi-directional receptions as it affected their reactions and analyzed their interactions in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, Central Kalimantan. We conducted interviews with 30 locals by applying snowball and convenience sampling techniques. This study revealed that orangutans displayed more promoting behaviors towards humans. However, distinct human reactions to encountering orangutans differed by gender. There were significant relations between human genders and orangutan behaviors, suggesting that orangutans might view humans differently from their genders. We recommended that managers adapt their localbased orangutan conservation activities adapting these findings. We also encouraged further research especially in exploring the orangutan's perspectives towards human-orangutan interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Biodiversity serves as a crucial safeguard for the stability of ecosystems. Currently, the significant decline in biodiversity stands as one of the most pressing challenges we encounter. Fish communities are a vital component of biodiversity, and protecting fish diversity contributes to the conservation of overall biodiversity. Therefore, this study utilizes environmental DNA technology to explore the fish diversity in the mainstem of the Jialing River. The findings illuminate the current status of fish diversity in the Jialing River and highlight the impact of human activities on it. Preserving healthy river habitats is essential for maintaining fish diversity. Over time, anthropogenic activities have severely damaged river habitats, leading to notable changes in fish diversity patterns. Conducting thorough and reliable investigations into fish diversity is crucial for assessing anthropogenic impacts on diversity. In August 2023, a water ecology survey was conducted across 20 terraced river sections in the mainstem of the Jialing River, resulting in the collection of 60 environmental DNA water samples. The survey identified 99 fish species, representing 74 genera across 7 orders and 20 families, with the Cyprinidae exhibiting the highest number of species. The fish communities are predominantly composed of species inhabiting slow flowing water, demersal fish, omnivores, and fish spawning adhesive eggs. Overall, small-bodied fish dominate the mainstem of the Jialing River, and the species preferring flowing habitats are relatively scarce. In addition, geographic division analyses revealed minimal variations in fish species composition and diversity among the terraced reservoirs and across the upper, middle, and lower reaches. Notably, the fish compositions in the middle and lower reaches were found to be similar, indicating a certain degree of convergence in these sections of the Jialing River. In conclusion, this study unveils the current status and distribution pattern of fish diversity in the Jialing River and highlights the extent of anthropogenic activities' impact on fish diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over recent decades, Northern Patagonia in Chile has seen significant growth in agriculture, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture, disrupting lake ecosystems and threatening native species. These environmental changes offer a chance to explore how anthropization impacts zooplankton communities from a molecular–ecological perspective. This study assessed the anthropogenic impact on Daphnia pulex by comparing its proteomes from two lakes: Llanquihue (anthropized) and Icalma (oligotrophic). Results showed substantial differences in protein expression, with 17 proteins upregulated and 181 downregulated in Llanquihue, linked to elevated levels of copper, manganese, dissolved solids, phosphate, and nitrogen. These stressors caused metabolic damage and environmental stress in D. pulex. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring pollution's effects on Northern Patagonian ecosystems, especially on keystone species like D. pulex, essential for ecosystem stability. This research provides fresh molecular–ecological insights into pollution's impacts, a perspective rarely addressed in this region. Understanding these effects is critical for conserving natural resources and offers pathways to study adaptive mechanisms in keystone species facing pollution. This approach also informs strategies for ecosystem management and restoration, addressing both immediate and long-term challenges in Northern Patagonian aquatic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Change in the subtidal reef fish assemblage at Kuchierabu-jima Island, southern Japan, since the 1970s was investigated using an underwater visual census in October 2005. A comparison of this survey with data from 1972 revealed that the frequencies of species that had either increased, remained stable, or declined in abundance were dependent on the geographic range category and the major feeding guild. Temperate herbivorous fishes had noticeably declined in abundance, while subtropical carnivorous species had increased. We discuss causes of the change in the reef fish assemblage from the aspect of water temperature, loss of macroalgal beds, and anthropogenic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The condition of the aquatic environment, particularly in protected areas of high ecological value such as the Narew River, requires detailed monitoring to identify and minimise the impact of anthropogenic factors on the ecosystem. This study focused on the content of heavy metals in bottom sediments and macrophytes of the Narew River, emphasising the influence of human activities and natural factors on this ecologically valuable ecosystem. Pb, Cr, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Mn concentrations were analysed in sediment samples, and ten macrophyte species were collected at 11 sampling points along the river. A geochemical index (Igeo) and multivariate statistical analyses were employed to identify sources of contamination. The digested samples (sediments and plants) were analysed for Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Fe, and Mn using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) on an ICE 3500 Thermo Scientific spectrometer, with a measurement error below 5%, validated against certified reference materials. The study results indicated that most metals, including Ni, Cr, Co, Fe, and Mn, predominantly originate from natural geological processes. In contrast, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb were identified as being enriched due to anthropogenic activities. An analysis of macrophytes revealed varied patterns of metal accumulation, which correspond to the bioavailability of metals and their environmental concentrations. Comprehensive statistical analyses provided insights into the predominant sources of metal contamination, closely associated with industrial emissions, agricultural runoff, and transportation activities. The integration of sediment and macrophyte monitoring allowed for a thorough evaluation of the Narew River ecosystem, facilitating the identification of key pollution sources. These findings highlight the critical need for measures to mitigate anthropogenic contributions of heavy metals—particularly from industrial, agricultural, and transportation sectors—to safeguard the Narew River's unique ecological and natural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite nearly a century of research on water-related issues, water erosion remains one of the greatest threats to soil health and soil ecosystem services around the world. Yet, to date, data on water erosion needed to develop mitigation strategies are scarce, especially in the Sahelian regions. The current study therefore sets out to estimate annual soil losses caused by water erosion and to analyze trends over the period of 1981–2020 in the Mékrou watershed, located in the Middle Niger river sub-basin in West Africa. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, remote sensing, and the Geographic Information System (GIS) were deployed in this study. Several types of data were used, including rainfall data, sourced from meteorological stations and reanalysis datasets, which capture the temporal variability of erosive forces. Soil properties, including texture and organic matter content, were derived from FAO global soil databases to assess soil erodibility. High-resolution digital elevation models (30 m) provided detailed topographic information, crucial for calculating slope length and steepness factors. Land use and land cover data were extracted from satellite imagery, enabling the analysis of vegetation cover and anthropogenic impacts over four decades. By integrating and treating these data, this study reveals that the estimated average annual amount of water erosion in the Mékrou watershed is 6.49 t/ha/yr over 1981–2020. The dynamics of the ten-year average are highly variable, with a minimum of 3.45 t/ha/yr between 1981 and 1990, and a maximum of 8.50 t/ha/yr between 1991 and 2000. Even though these average soil losses in the Mékrou basin are below the tolerable threshold of 10 t/ha/yr, mitigation actions are needed for prevention. In addition, the spatial dynamics of water erosion are noticeably heterogeneous. The study reveals that 72.7% of the surface area of the Mékrou watershed is subject to slight water erosion below the threshold, compared with 27.3%, particularly in the mountainous south-western part, which is subject to intense erosion above the threshold. This research is the first study of soil erosion quantification with the RUSLE method and GIS in the Mékrou watershed, and fills a critical knowledge gap of the water erosion in this watershed, providing insights into erosion dynamics and supporting future sustainable land management strategies in vulnerable Sahelian landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to provide guidelines using probabilistic methods to understand better the dominant characteristics of the 824 under-pressure wetlands on 75 islands within Greece and to inform future conservation efforts. Identifying the characteristics and types of anthropogenic pressures is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies. The study employs power-law modeling to validate the natural size distribution of wetlands, naïve Bayesian inference to model human impacts, and the epsilon statistic to assess wetland sensitivity to specific pressures, addressing potential sampling biases. Power-law modeling reveals a natural heavy-tailed distribution of wetland sizes, highlighting the ecological significance of larger, rarer systems. Naïve Bayesian inference indicates that agriculture and transportation are the predominant pressures affecting natural coastal wetlands. The epsilon statistic further differentiates wetland sensitivity, identifying estuaries, lagoons, and marshes as particularly vulnerable. By profiling the most vulnerable wetlands using these methods, the research provides a framework for assessing anthropogenic impacts and informing targeted conservation and management strategies to protect these vital ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intertidal ecosystem serves as a critical transitional zone between terrestrial and marine environments, supporting diverse biodiversity and essential ecological functions. However, these systems are increasingly threatened by climate change, rising sea levels, and anthropogenic impacts. Accurately mapping intertidal ecosystems and differentiating mangroves, salt marshes, and tidal flats remains a challenge due to inconsistencies in classification frameworks. Here, we present a high-precision mapping approach for intertidal ecosystems using multi-source satellite data, including Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Landsat 8/9, integrated with the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, to enable the detailed mapping of intertidal zones across China–ASEAN. Our findings indicate a total intertidal area of 73,461 km2 in China–ASEAN, with an average width of 1.16 km. Analyses of patch area, abundance, and perimeter relationships reveal a power-law distribution with a scaling exponent of 1.52, suggesting self-organizing characteristics shaped by both natural and human pressures. Our findings offer foundational data to guide conservation and management strategies in the region's intertidal zones and present a novel perspective to propel research on global coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats is a major threat to their survival and expansion, and protected areas (PAs) are the main tool for conserving biodiversity and protecting habitats. However, most current studies focus on analyzing suitable habitats for species and rarely analyze the spatial and temporal changes in multi-species habitats in protected areas and the effectiveness of conservation. In this study, we analyzed changes in the suitable habitats of five focal mammal species before and after the incorporation of the Hainan Jianfengling protected area into China's national parks. We utilized the ensemble species distribution model (ESDM) to assess these changes, based on multi-species infrared camera monitoring data from 2015 to 2016 and 2020 to 2021. Furthermore, we evaluated differences in conservation effectiveness before and after the establishment of the national parks. The results showed that there were some differences in habitat changes among all the species included in this study, and all of them showed the phenomenon of the migration from suitable habitats to the central area. The environmental changes in and around the protected area suggest that the changes are closely related to the increase in anthropogenic activities around the protected area, and it is recommended that the protected area should be better managed at its edges to minimize the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on the species and their habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Cerrado has been experiencing intense land use changes for decades, with large-scale conversion of its natural vegetation to agriculture and livestock grazing. These agents of landscape change also affect the aquatic ecosystems embedded in the biome. Here, we investigated the effects of land use at different scales (catchment, riparian network, and local riparian) on fish assemblages in streams of the Brazilian Cerrado. We hypothesized that increasing agricultural land use (ALU%) reduces fish diversity and the compositional uniqueness of the fish assemblage. We used GLM to evaluate the impact of low-intensity ALU% on fish richness and abundance. Additionally, we employed beta regression to analyze the effect on local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD) and redundancy analysis to assess the impact on species composition. Our results showed that the effects of low-intensity ALU% depend on the spatial scale. While increasing ALU% in the riparian network negatively affected LCBD and altered species composition, ALU% in the catchment had negligible to slightly positive effects on LCDB, within the range of ALU% considered. Our findings reinforce the need to preserve riparian forests to maintain beta diversity in the streams of the Brazilian Cerrado. Also, no evidence was found that low-intense catchment use, without degrading the riparian forest, affects fish assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural native forests are rapidly being replaced by anthropogenic forests often with a strong presence of invasive alien plant species. Eucalypt species are widely planted worldwide, with Eucalyptus globulus plantations being particularly expressive in Portugal. Poor forestry practices often lead to the associated expansion of invasive species, such as Acacia dealbata. However, we still know relatively little about the functioning of anthropogenic forests, such as seed and pollen dispersal services. Here, we compared bird abundance and richness and the seed and pollen dispersal networks in both forest types. Anthropogenic forests presented lower bird abundance, and smaller, more simplified, and more random (abundance‐based) seed dispersal services than those of natural forests. Interestingly, the pollen dispersal network was more similar than the seed dispersal network for both forest types and dominated by opportunistic and neutral processes, given the absence of specialized nectarivorous. The proportion of birds transporting seeds decreased, while those carrying pollen significantly increased in the anthropogenic forest compared to the native forest. Our work highlights the impact of anthropogenic forests on bird abundance, with consequences for seed dispersal services and forest regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, clean energy storage solutions such as hydrogen produced via polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) are critically required. However, the porous transport layer (PTL) in current PEMWE systems lacks optimization of through‐plane and in‐plane transport properties. In this work, a PTL design with integrated channels (IC‐PTL) to improve the PTL/flow channel interface and provide additional pathways for in‐plane flow is proposed. As current density increases, the IC‐PTL reduces mass transport overpotentials by up to 71.4% compared to the baseline PTL (B‐PTL) assembly due to shorter mass transport pathways. Moreover, the IC‐PTL lowers ohmic overpotentials at high current densities by up to 42.8% due to improved interfacial contact and enhanced membrane hydration. Membrane hydration is further quantified via X‐ray synchrotron radiography analysis of changes in membrane thickness and X‐ray transmission through the membrane, revealing that the IC‐PTL assembly displays a consistently thicker membrane and recovers from thinning faster than the B‐PTL assembly. Furthermore, membrane hydration is impacted more at the catalyst layer interfaces than in the center of the membrane. As such, the addition of in‐plane transport pathways to next‐generation PTL designs to improve membrane hydration and mass transport is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weakening and poleward expansion of the Hadley circulation (HC) are considered robust responses of atmospheric meridional circulation to anthropogenic warming. Climate impacts arising from these changes enhance drought conditions and reduce food production in the affected regions. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of HC changes is critical to anticipating the resultant climate risks. First, we demonstrate that robust future HC changes in boreal winter, and the uncertainty in their future projections, are both largely related to sea surface temperature (SST) warming. Next, we investigate the impact of anthropogenic regional ocean warming on the future HC. Accordingly, we conduct a large ensemble of individual ocean basin perturbation experiments at 1.5°C, 2°C, and 3°C warming thresholds (as in the Paris Agreement). These experiments highlight (i) the leading role of tropical Indian Ocean warming in HC changes and (ii) inter-model differences in tropical Pacific warming as a source of uncertainty in HC projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and human influence are transforming mountain ecosystems, significantly impacting species distributions and biodiversity. Among these changes, the upward migration of lowland species into mountain regions stands out. This study examines the ecogeographical niche overlap and genetic diversity among three Leucanthemum species distributed along an altitudinal gradient in the Carpathian Mountains: the lowland L. ircutianum (4x), the montane L. rotundifolium (2x) and the alpine L. gaudinii (2x). By genotyping over 600 individuals using SNP analysis, followed by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), Neighbour‐Net Network and Structure clustering, we reveal not just distinct genetic groups but also hybridisation across all species, suggesting the potential for triple hybrids. Genetic admixture is further supported by environmental background and niche overlap analyses that reveal substantial overlap among species, particularly in line with their vertical distribution. Climate envelope plots indicate a likely reduction in available habitat for mountainous species due to climate change, leading to an increase in competition and an intensification of hybridisation. Anthropogenic influences are further intensifying these hybridisation trends. Among the studied species, L. gaudinii is most at risk of overwhelming hybridisation, whereas L. ircutianum may experience habitat expansion. By providing a comprehensive genetic and ecological overview, our research highlights the significance of hybridisation in biodiversity conservation and the challenges posed by environmental changes and anthropogenic activities in mountain environments. This study not only contributes to the understanding of genetic diversity in the Carpathians but also underscores the broader implications for molecular ecology and conservation strategies in mountain ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotope analysis of museum specimens presents an opportunity to evaluate trophic relationships from historical surveys. After testing the effects of preservation methods on archived specimens, we analyzed beak tissue from 69 Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) collected between 1873 and 1987 from the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem. Stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotopes were used to infer ecological changes in I. illecebrosus across historical periods spanning the pre-industrial era (late 1800s), subsequent periods of industrial fishing (1930–1960; 1960–1976), and widespread industry regulation (1985–1995). δ15N values for samples collected in the 1900s were significantly depleted compared to values in the 1800s, with the highest δ15N values occurring between 1985 and 1995. There was also a significant shift over time to more depleted δ13C values. Illex illecebrosus occupied completely distinct isotopic spaces during the pre-industrial (1800s) and industrial (1930–1995) periods, suggesting a change in food-web linkages and habitat use over the last century. Changes in δ15N indicated a shift to lower trophic-level foraging habits in the 1900's, while shifts in δ13C may be associated with mechanisms such as the Suess effect and increased reliance on more pelagic resources. Isotopic niche breadth and diversity increased in I. illecebrosus over time, potentially indicating expanded resource use associated with anthropogenic impacts on regional trophic guild structure. Our results are the first to examine isotopic changes of I. illecebrosus over multi-decadal periods using museum collections, and among the first to track long-term changes in the trophic role of cephalopods in marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil systems are commonly regarded as receptors of anthropogenic mercury contamination and play an essential role in the containment or dispersion of pollution to surface water, groundwater and the atmosphere. Mercury fate and transport are simulated using a local scale model to evaluate mercury dynamics in a soil system impacted by anthropogenic mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The model assumes first-order differential equations that describe losses principally by evasion and leaching simulated on a yearly time step from thirty years ago to the present and into the future, where two different scenarios are considered. The model predicts that topsoil mercury concentrations may more than double in the next 50 years. Soil mercury is currently a source of mercury to the atmosphere and water but the leaching flux is less than the evasion flux. The soil would accumulate mercury until emission is curtailed and may require more than 500 years for levels to decrease to background values. If current emission rates are maintained, mercury contents of contaminated soil will keep increasing and will reach levels that poses risk to ecological and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish assemblages, defined by taxonomy or functional traits, –respond to regional and local habitat variation. Our hypothesis was that fish assemblages could be best predicted using reach‐scale (RS) hydrology variables over valley‐scale (VS) hydrogeomorphology variables for US and Mongolian rivers. We further predicted that fish traits were predicted better by RS than VS variables. We evaluated the FS and VS hydrogeomorphologies of rivers in the United States and Mongolia in each of three ecoregions: grassland, forest and endorheic. Fishes were collected using a backpack electrofisher, following standard protocols. Constrained ordination analyses were conducted at three scales: among continents, by continents and by individual ecoregions within continents. We found no significant difference in mean variation explained by VS versus RS or by taxonomy versus traits. Ecoregions differed in factors contributing to fish assemblage patterns, likely a result of differences in hydrogeomorphology, hydrological connectivity and historical influences. We found that fish assemblages were structured by hydrogeomorphic processes occurring at VS and RS, and that variables predicting fish assemblages varied with scale and whether fishes were classified by taxonomy or traits. Although anthropogenic impacts were substantially higher for western US rivers than for Mongolian rivers, we were unable to detect strong differences in our ability to predict fish assemblage variation from RS and VS habitat variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of the global food crisis, scientists are increasingly concerned about the management of natural resources. Currently, the study of socio-ecological systems represents a novel and holistic approach to sustainability science, and hence, native flora (NF) has been little studied as a food resource within traditional agricultural knowledge. In this article, through a multidisciplinary case study, we have determined the implications for the NF management within traditional agriculture. The traditional agricultural knowledge system is complex and fragile in the face of the acceleration of anthropogenic impacts on traditional food production systems. In this context, we included a novel transdisciplinary case study within the traditional agricultural system in two southeastern Mexican cities. Our research objective was to determine the implications of NF as a sustainable food resource by characterizing traditional knowledge. Consequently, we proposed to demonstrate that there is a regional-scale socio-ecological management system for NF into traditional agriculture. Our findings showed that there is a complex socio-demographic relation between management actors. In relation to NF food use, 41 traditional foods were documented based on consumption patterns and then classified into 12 food groups. Furthermore, farmers perceive the effects of climate change as the main threat to their management of NF through their traditional knowledge. Therefore, there is a narrow system of ethnobiological knowledge at a regional scale which has allowed the existence of biological resources such as traditional foods. As an epistemological contribution, we included a multidisciplinary scheme for the management of traditional food knowledge. Our findings may provide the foundational evidence for future research on NF as a sustainable food resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuta absoluta Meyr. is an invasive alien species that entered the territory of Ukraine as a result of anthropogenic factors in 2010 with a shipment of infected tomatoes from Turkey. Visual inspection and pheromone traps were used to detect and register the South American tomato moth, which were installed according to the generally accepted methodology. The analysis of the current state of distribution of the South American tomato moth in Ukraine and the world was carried out according to the data of the Department of Phytosanitary Safety in the fields of seed and nursery production of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Rights Protection. To achieve the goals, the ways and reasons for penetration were determined T. absoluta to Ukraine. Setting the quarantine status of harmful organisms in Ukraine in 2023 using lists A-1 and A-2 of the "List of regulated harmful organisms". The quarantine status of the American tomato moth has been established in Ukraine in 2023. As the results of study we determined the dynamics of the distribution and number of the pest from 2015 to 2023; and the area of pest infestation in Ukraine and in each infected region; the number of infected regions, districts, cities, settlements, homesteads, farms of all forms of ownership from 2015 to 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field protective forest belts which were created 50-70 years ago in the Forest Steppe of Ukraine have reached a critical age and do not have proper maintenance. Together with the intense impact on their condition of measures of agricultural intensification, atmospheric anthropogenic pollution and global warming, they have significantly lost their environmental protection and stabilizing agro-ecosystem functions. The purpose of our research was to assess the current ecological condition of the field protective forest belts of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine based on the indicators of tree resistance to environmental changes. The ecological condition of field protective forest belts was determined by the following indicators: the proportion of felled trees in forest belts, the proportion of dry trees, the proportion of drying trees, the presence of grass cover, the spread of necrosis on a leaf, the proportion of necrosis on a leaf, the spread of chlorosis on a leaf, the proportion of chlorosis on a leaf, the proportion of trampled vegetation in the forest belts. Our research has established that the greatest diversity of species was characteristic to the openwork protective forest belts, and the least - to the blowing ones. All the main forest belts were more biodiverse than the additional ones. In 80% of forest belts, common ash is the main species, and in only 20% - is common maple. The largest share of felled trees (35%) and drying trees (35%) was found in the main blowing forest strip. We installed a slightly smaller proportion of drying and felled trees in the main openwork forest strip. And the least cut and drying trees were found in the dense field protection forest strip. The highest spread of necrosis: 40% of hornbeam leaves and 35% of maple leaves, as well as chlorosis: 18% of hornbeam leaves and 25% of maple leaves was found in the additional openwork forest strip. Also, a high percentage of the spread of necrosis and chlorosis was detected on the leaves of the common ash of the additional blowing forest strip, 18% and 25%, respectively. Necrosis and chlorosis were the least evident on the leaves of trees in the dense of forest belt. Premature yellowing of the leaves was detected only in ordinary hornbeam of the additional openwork forest belts in the amount of 15% of the leaves. Also, this type of the tree had the highest percentage of twisted leaves - 20%. The largest proportion of leaves with spots was found on common ash trees of the main openwork forest belt - 60% and common maple trees of the dense forest belt. The obtained results will make it possible to choose the right measures for the protection and preservation of field protective forest belts and to determine the most resistant and vulnerable tree species to environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological management zoning is crucial for maintaining regional ecological security and realizing differentiated urban ecological governance. However, the existing zoning methods are overly focused on ecological functional attributes and fail to adequately consider the impacts of human activities, resulting in an insufficiently rational allocation of resources. Taking Guizhou Province as an example, using multi-source data and spatial analysis tools, this study proposed an ecological management zoning framework based on the coupling analysis of the blue-green infrastructure (BGI) network and gray infrastructure (GI) network. The results indicated that (1) the BGI network in the study area included 179 sources, with a total area of 54,228.80 km2, and 232 corridors. (2) There were 53 sources in the GI network, totaling 709.19 km2, and the corridors of the first, second, and third levels were 11,469.31 km, 6703.54 km, and 5341.30 km, respectively. (3) There were 606 barrier points identified, mainly distributed in the central part of the study area, and the total area of the disturbance zone was 1132.50 km2, which had the largest distribution in Qiandongnan, followed by Qiannan. (4) At the county scale, five ecological management zones were identified in the study area based on four indicators, namely, the source area ratio of BGI network, corridor density of BGI network disturbance zone area ratio, and density of barrier point. Then, we proposed targeted optimizations and restorations for each zone. This study organically linked ecological functional attributes and anthropogenic impacts to identify ecological management zones, which will provide new perspectives on synergies between ecological protection and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There will be a significant increase in anthropogenic load on the soils of the Prinevskaya lowland in the nearest decade due to the fact that a significant territory is occupied by St. Petersburg. The main objective is a study of the sanitary-hygienic state and soil diversity of the Prinevskaya lowland in case of a high degree of agricultural soil development there and the significant role of the lithological factor. Soils were studied at the following land use and land cover: agricultural and fallow soils of agrolandscapes; forest soils; and soils of industrial areas. Studies were carried out using morphological descriptions and analyses of chemical, physical, and biological properties. The most vulnerable land use are forest and agricultural and fallow zones, where active accumulation of priority toxicants of anthropogenic origin can occur. Geochemical peculiarities of studied soils are deficit of Mn, Cu, Mo, and Zn in soil-forming rock materials and accumulation of strontium and lead in arable horizons. The soils examined show minimal contamination with trace elements, as verified by a range of individual and combined ecotoxicological indicators. Urban development planning, particularly in St. Petersburg, should prioritize the preservation of biodiversity and soil resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities, particularly land reclamation and industrialization, have severely damaged South Korea's intertidal zones, resulting in a decline in biodiversity. In our study, we assessed the macrobenthic community in the intertidal zone of Anmyeon Island, South Korea, and used remote sensing to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic activities on the adjacent land areas. Spearman and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) indicated that the remote-sensing ecological index (RSEI) is a viable indicator for assessing the dissimilarity of macrobenthic communities in these zones. Moreover, biota–environment matching (BIO–ENV) and distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) demonstrated that land cover types significantly influence the macrobenthic communities in nearby intertidal zones. Our study suggested that urbanization and agricultural activities have affected the terrestrial ecological environment and the adjacent intertidal communities. Consequently, the protection of these zones should extend beyond their borders to include the management of anthropogenic activities on adjacent lands. Our research contributes valuable insights to help inform conservation strategies and the policy-making necessary to safeguard South Korea's intertidal zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One group of elements attracting more and more attention are so-called technology-critical elements (TCEs). In comparison with legacy pollutants, the anthropogenic impact of TCEs on the environment might still be minor, but various applications introduce them to the most remote places in the world including the marine environment. One area prone to pollution is the Baltic Sea, partly due to the lack of water exchange with the North Sea. In this study, a sediment core from the German Baltic Sea was used to analyze a total of 42 elemental mass fractions. Based on radiometric dating of 210Pb and 137Cs, results were classified in a recent (2020–2000) and a past period (< 1920), calculating background concentrations based on the Median + 2 Median Absolute Deviation (M2MAD) and the Tukey Inner Fence (TIF). Six legacy pollutants (Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) and six TCEs (Ga, Ge, Nb, La, Gd, Ta) are discussed in detail. Anthropogenic impacts of both groups were assessed, and local enrichment factors were calculated showing an increase for the legacy pollutants (past period (≤ 0.8); recent period (≥ 1.2)), but also a minor increase for Ga, Ge and Nb (past period (0.9); recent period (1.1)). Values ≥ 1.5, indicating anthropogenic impact, were found for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb, but also for Ge. Proposed background values may be considered as baseline for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prolonged armed conflict in Colombia, spanning over the last five decades, has significantly impacted its agricultural areas and led to the widespread displacement and disruption of farming activities. The agricultural sector is crucial for Colombia as it contributes to food security, the economy, and the Nation's employment rate. However, the agricultural sector is challenged by the environment and its natural resources, especially water in water abstraction and soil in terms of degradation and land cover change. Additionally, climate change exacerbates these challenges by altering precipitation patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, and further stressing water and soil resources, making sustainable management even more critical. The Resource Nexus approach comes into play to cope with and mitigate such challenges. Combined with social equity to advance the sustainability of agriculture, the Nexus approach demonstrates pathways towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger)in synergies with other SDGs, like SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This paper addresses the dual challenge of improving natural resources management and population vulnerability reduction in the frame of environmental conflicts and population inequalities that severely affect the resilience of food systems. In line with principles of inclusion and gender equity, the methodology developed here aims to identify Colombia's productive regions that would benefit from enhanced management at the landscape level, the Resource Nexus approach. With the use of geographic information systems (GIS), this research spatially evaluates the (i) impact of land-use changes and the land-use fragmentation due to resource overuse, (ii) the provision of ecosystem services under different uses of natural resources and suggests ecosystem services planning as a methodology for municipal ecosystem-based management, (iii) climate change and the anthropogenic impacts on agricultural productivity in Colombia at the municipality scale. The results indicate significant environmental changes over the past few decades, including reduced natural forests and increased agricultural land. This shift has coincided with a decrease in freshwater availability. Additionally, there is a concerning trend of agricultural expansion into protected areas, highlighting the ongoing pressures on natural resources and the need for sustainable management practices. This study underscores the value of the science-policy interface to ensure increased social equity, economic growth, and resource conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to human-induced impacts, land use and land cover (LULC) in the Earth undergo a constant transformation, presenting a major concern in recent years. The goal of this study is to clarify the impact of anthropogenic LULC changes on hydrology and sediment load in the Alibeyköy Basin located in Istanbul, Türkiye. This basin is vulnerable to population growth and urbanization, necessitating attention and precaution, particularly due to the presence of a large airport which connects roads and expands residential areas with open-pit mining activities. That basin is expected to be an excellent example to demonstrate the impact of rapid anthropogenic activity on a drinking basin. We identified LULC classes both before the 2010 event and after the 2020 airport construction within the basin. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for simulating daily streamflows and sediment loads. These results indicated a 30% rise in surface runoff associated with the expansion of artificial surfaces. Changes in LULC from 2010 to 2020 significantly affected total sediment loading (+18%). According to the spatial examination, relatively high sediment loads in some subbasins were related to the open-pit mining activities. These findings emphasize the importance of sediment control in the Alibeyköy Basin for preserving water quality and ensuring the longevity of the dam in the future. Without precautions, increased runoff and sediment load would cause issues like biodiversity loss, health problems, or floods. Implementing effective policies for erosion control, supported by community participation, can help reduce these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]