The climate crisis is increasingly manifesting as a water crisis, prompting communities to rethink conventional approaches to water and climate governance. This review synthesizes anticipated water and climate-related changes identified by scientists, scholars, and government agencies in the Great Lakes region, with a focus on the Canadian side of Lake Ontario. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from academic, government, and non-government sources, the article develops and applies a Baseline Resilience Research framework to identify governance challenges and initiatives that support resilience-building. The framework offers an alternative indicator tool that moves beyond conventional resilience metrics to incorporate locally grounded, relational forms of knowledge. Indigenous knowledge informs all aspects of the framework, from understanding hydrological change to evaluating governance capacity. Centring Indigenous knowledge helps identify governance gaps, reveal socially and ecologically oriented adaptive strategies, and provide insights into local and transboundary policy contexts. By identifying governance gaps across seven resilience domains and embedding Indigenous governance as a cross-cutting analytical lens, the framework offers a structured baseline for climate-adaptive water policy in complex transboundary systems. The Canadian side of Lake Ontario, characterized by rising climate risks, a densely populated shoreline, and a complex policy environment, serves as an important case study for strengthening resilience at the water-climate interface.

Biodiversity serves as the foundation for human well-being and survival, yet it faces unprecedented threats. International trade has emerged as a primary driver of biodiversity loss, responsible for 30% of global species threats and exerting disproportionate impacts on developing countries. This paper reviews the complex relationship between international trade and biodiversity security, examining how trade-related factors, including agricultural expansion, climate change, deforestation, wildlife trade, and illegal hunting that contribute to biodiversity degradation. The study synthesizes research on biodiversity footprint accounting, multi-regional input-output analysis, and monitoring systems, emphasizing that biodiversity threats flow from developed to developing nations, with Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia being the primary regions of loss. The paper identifies research gaps in understanding cross-regional biodiversity conservation responsibilities, clarifying the actual gains and losses in trade processes, and developing effective monitoring and early warning systems, thereby providing insights for future biodiversity conservation strategies and international cooperation.

Spiders are widely distributed arthropods in agroforestry ecosystems, serving as key biological control agents against field pests. However, trace metal elements (TMEs) and pesticide contamination pose significant threats to ecosystems and organisms, attracting global attention. This review delineates the ecotoxicological mechanisms underlying spider responses to TME and pesticides, focusing on their roles as biological control agents. It summarizes the impacts of TME and pesticides on genetic traits and physiological mechanisms in spiders, including development, reproduction, detoxification, immunity, metabolism, and neurology. Additionally, it explores the potential of spiders as bioindicators. Multi-Omics analyses reveal changes in ecdysteroids, oocyte meiotic pathways, germ cell adhesion, metallothioneins, detoxification enzyme activities, Toll-like receptor signaling, and oxidative phosphorylation under TME stress. Mechanistically, TME and pesticides induce differential gene expression, DNA damage, disrupted metabolic pathways, and oxidative stress. Sublethal pesticide doses alter spider physiology, biochemistry, and behavior by affecting neurotransmitters, DNA integrity, chitin synthase, photoreceptors, and biological clocks. Despite growing interest in spider ecotoxicology, the adverse effects of TME and pesticide exposure on their digestive, respiratory, and immune systems remain poorly understood. Elucidating these mechanisms could enhance spider-mediated biological control, ultimately improving crop yields.

The widespread use of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture has accelerated the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are now recognized reservoirs and conduits for environmental dissemination of resistance elements. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is widely used to disinfect wastewater because UV irradiation is chemical-free and highly effective at microbial inactivation; however, post-disinfection repair—via photoreactivation and dark repair—can lead to post-treatment regrowth of ARB. This review examines the molecular mechanisms of UV-induced DNA damage in bacteria (e.g., cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, oxidative base lesions, single-strand breaks) and summarizes main recovery pathways that follow, including photolyase-mediated repair, base excision repair, and nucleotide excision repair. Omics studies indicate that clinically relevant ARB such as Escherichia coli ST131, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii can upregulate repair pathways after UV exposure, though responses are strain- and matrix-dependent. We add to this mechanistic base, engineering strategies that suppress repair and regrowth: UV-advanced oxidation processes (e.g., UV/H₂O₂, UV/Cl₂), dual- or multi-wavelength LED designs, light-isolated post-UV handling, and emerging magnetic-assisted UV systems. These approaches layer orthogonal oxidative injury onto photolesions and can reduce ARG integrity and regrowth potential when appropriately validated. We also highlight monitoring and control frameworks—biosensor- and qPCR-guided surveillance coupled with AI-based predictive models and digital twins—that enable repair-aware, risk-based operation. By integrating molecular microbiology with process engineering and data-driven control, we identify actionable pathways for next-generation UV systems that ensure immediate inactivation and long-term suppression of ARB regrowth and ARG propagation in effluent discharge and reuse.

The analysis of the environmental state as a socio-ecosystem, together with the understanding of the causal relationships that lead to its deterioration or recovery, is essential for the identification of effective conservation and sustainable development actions. Environmental indicators are an essential tool that allows us to monitor the human impact on the biophysical and socio-economic environment. However, there is currently a lack of methods that can relate and evaluate the effect of the direct and indirect causes of deterioration. Added to this is the fact that this task often fails to consider the role biodiversity plays in ecosystem functionality and, consequently, its impact on environmental services for human well-being. This article proposes some strategies to develop socio-ecological studies. Among these strategies is the use of the Pressure-State-Response model, which is an option to integrate indicators with a line of causality that reflects the problems of the ecosystem of interest and thus allows to coordinate and concentrate efforts for its preservation. On the other hand, we review the use of structural equation models (SEM) as a multivariate statistical tool to address socioecological studies on forests. This perspective shows that the use of SEM for this purpose constitutes a strategy with the potential to confirm the complex causal relationships of environmental deterioration. Only with an integrative vision will it be possible to address ecological problems and direct social actions in response to the different needs and responsibilities to maintain natural resources and the functioning of ecosystems.

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide critical ecological, social, and economic benefits, yet they are increasingly threatened by human activities, leading to significant loss and degradation. This study explores the anthropogenic destruction of wetlands across India’s 85 Ramsar sites, addressing two primary objectives: (1) assessing the extent of wetland loss and identifying key drivers such as urbanization, agriculture, and industrial development; and (2) examining the ecological impacts of this degradation, including biodiversity loss and disruptions to ecosystem services like water quality and habitat integrity. Through a systematic review of existing literature, the study introduces a novel term, “Wetcide,” defined as the deliberate or reckless destruction of wetlands through human actions such as encroachment, pollution, and mismanagement. Coined in alignment with Ecocide, a term under discussion for legal recognition in the International Criminal Court (ICC), Wetcide underscores the urgency of recognizing and addressing the anthropogenic threats to wetlands. By proposing a formal definition, this research highlights the term's potential to inspire further interdisciplinary scholarship and inform global conservation policies. The findings emphasize the interconnectedness of human activities and ecological health, advocating for sustainable practices and robust legal frameworks to mitigate wetland loss and preserve their indispensable functions for future generations. This research supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDGs 6, 11, 13, 15, and 16, by addressing water-related ecosystems, climate resilience, sustainable urbanization, biodiversity conservation, and institutional strengthening.

The extensive implementation of carved hollows worldwide as part of formal and informal restoration projects highlights a sharp contrast with the nascent data on their effectiveness and long-term suitability for wildlife conservation. Here, we systematically reviewed the available evidence on the use of artificially carved hollows. Our aim was to inform more evidence-based restoration strategies to support hollow-dependent species and guide future research and monitoring. We identified 42 studies published between 1981 and 2025 across eight countries. Over 700 species were documented using artificially carved hollows, primarily invertebrates (176) and fungi (448), but also birds (30), mammals (19), reptiles (7), and amphibians (1). We found that 49 tree species, mainly eucalypts (Eucalyptus), oaks (Quercus), and pines (Pinus), have been used as host trees. Nearly 50% of studies in pine forests focused solely on the red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis). Of studies that reported monitoring, most were relatively short programs (1-3 years). Although almost half of the studies reported on breeding success or individual behavioural responses of species using artificially carved hollows, less than 20% explicitly linked these outcomes to broader population-level benefits, such as a measurable increase in population size or growth rate. Importantly, all population-level studies focused exclusively on the red-cockaded woodpecker. Few studies reported on the time and financial investment of installation. Less than 25% of studies reported on tree-level responses following installation (e.g. changes in tree health or mortality) and most of these were also short-term investigations (less than 3 years). Due to the variability in wildlife species targeted, success rates, methods employed, host tree species used, and paucity of overall available data, we found it difficult to reach meaningful conclusions about the efficacy of artificially carved hollows in general, their impacts on tree health, the functional lifespan of these structures or ongoing maintenance requirements. The limited scope of published literature, averaging fewer than one publication per year, identifies the strong need for more comprehensive research to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and ecological implications of artificially carved hollows for wildlife management and conservation.

Arid and semi-arid irrigated areas (ASAIAs) face a complex interplay of water scarcity and agricultural pollution, making accurate non-point source pollution (NPS) modeling and model selection particularly challenging. This review comprehensively evaluates 22 widely used mechanistic and empirical models for their applicability in simulating NPS pollution processes under the unique environmental and anthropogenic conditions of ASAIAs. The review reveals that intensive human intervention fundamentally transforms the hydrological processes in ASAIAs, shifting the modeling paradigm from a “natural precipitation-runoff” pattern to an “artificial water network” pattern that encompasses the entire sequence from water sources - canal systems - croplands - drainage systems - receiving water bodies. This transformed process is further influenced by the extreme boundary conditions characteristic of ASAIAs, particularly the wet-dry cycles driven by intermittent rainfall and high evaporation. While mechanistic models offer strengths in detailed process description, they exhibit significant limitations in capturing irrigation-dominated hydrological processes, salinity dynamics, and engineered drainage systems; mechanistic models such as APEX, PRMS, and SWAT have shown relatively better performance in ASAIAs. In contrast, empirical models are computationally efficient but often oversimplify nonlinear pollution transport processes and fail to adequately represent complex water-soil-plant interactions under extreme climatic variability; empirical models such as AN-Footprint, ECM, and WEC have shown relatively better performance in ASAIAs. In future, model development and refinement should prioritize addressing the extreme boundary conditions in ASAIAs, including natural features such as intermittent rainfall, high evaporation, and flat topography, as well as management-induced dry-wet cycles resulting from irrigation and salt leaching practices. The review proposes mechanistic and empirical model selection tables to guide researchers in choosing context-appropriate tools, thereby reducing model misuse and improving simulation accuracy. These insights contribute to the advancement of NPS pollution modeling and support sustainable water quality management in water-limited agricultural regions.

In alignment with the objectives of the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, renewable energy sources have been identified as a key driver in global efforts to mitigate climate change. For Africa, renewable energy represents a pathway toward achieving low-carbon energy self-sufficiency. Biomass derived from energy crops forms part of this renewable portfolio; however, competition between land for food and energy production remains a major constraint. To ensure meaningful contributions to energy sustainability, the cultivation of energy crops should prioritize marginal lands, particularly tailings storage facilities (TSFs). The use of such crops for phytoremediation presents a multifunctional approach that simultaneously facilitates soil decontamination and biomass production. Transforming mining waste into secondary resources is central to advancing circular economy principles in the extractive sector. Effective management of these waste streams requires an integrated framework that promotes reduction, reprocessing, upcycling, and responsible disposal to achieve long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Repurposing TSFs for bioenergy production offers a dual benefit: valorizing mining residues while reducing land-use conflicts between food and energy systems. In South Africa, where land availability is highly contested, extensive tailings deposits present a unique opportunity to convert degraded sites into bioenergy hotspots. However, realizing this potential necessitates reforming existing regulatory frameworks that prioritize biodiversity conservation in remediation practices. Differentiating between ecological restoration of footprint areas, such as former mining sites and waste storage zones, and resource-oriented remediation of TSFs is critical for sustainable transformation. This perspective advocates for the strategic cultivation of suitable bioenergy crops, including indigenous species and noninvasive alien plants such as Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver grass), on stabilized tailings. This review synthesizes current practices, challenges, and emerging trends in sustainable tailings remediation in South Africa. It highlights the potential to reframe mine TSFs as valuable bioenergy resources, aligning environmental rehabilitation with national energy security goals and supporting the transition toward a circular and low-carbon mining economy.

Black ash ( Fraxinus nigra Marsh.) is a keystone species of wetlands and riparian ecosystems across northeastern North America. It is also culturally significant to Indigenous communities whose practices, livelihoods, and spiritual traditions are connected to the species. Today, black ash is threatened by compounding threats from climate change and the exotic emerald ash borer pest ( Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire), which has caused extensive mortality across its range. The loss of black ash carries profound ecological and cultural consequences ranging from altered water balance of unique wetland habitats to the loss of centuries-old basket-making traditions. From this perspective, we assess the ecological role, cultural importance, and management responses associated with the decline of black ash. We synthesize evidence on its vulnerability to the emerald ash borer, explore emerging conservation strategies to support its persistence, and outline approaches to its potential restoration. Underlining these themes, we consider the importance of integrating Indigenous Knowledge systems with Western science to guide decision-making and ensure cultural continuity. Looking forward, we argue for a renewed research agenda centered on ecological monitoring, scenario planning, and collaborative governance. Advances in remote sensing, climate-envelope modeling, and genetic conservation provide promising tools to design adaptive management strategies to suit a changing environment for this species. Equally critical is the recognition of Indigenous-led initiatives, which should protect black ash for cultural use but also provide models for co-management founded in resilience and reciprocity. By highlighting these ecological, cultural, and social dimensions of black ash decline, this perspective calls for urgent, coordinated action while a critical window of opportunity remains for effective conservation of black ash.