Abstract Deforestation and fragmentation have posed a serious threat to tropical forests, leading to a loss of biodiversity and ecological disturbance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of forest fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances on the diversity, structure, and regeneration status of woody species. Systematic sampling approach was employed to assess woody vegetation and human disturbances across four forest fragment sizes (FFSs) in 122 sample plots, each measuring 20×20 m. One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate the impacts of fragmentation and disturbances on woody species diversity, structure, and regeneration status. The results showed that very large FFSs had higher mean species richness (S) (31.55), Shannon diversity (H´) (2.96), and evenness (E) (0.86) than large (S = 26.44, H´ = 2.68, E = 0.81), medium (S = 24.57, H´= 2.48, E = 0.78), and small FFSs (S = 22.28, H´ = 2.22, E = 0.76), with significant differences (p < 0.001) between very large and small FFSs. Disturbance levels varied significantly, with small FFS experiencing higher mean index (34.37). Mean stem density ranged from 613.2 to 985 individuals/ha, showing significant differences between small and very large FFSs. Mean basal area density varied from 27.68 to 60.66 m²/ha, with significantly higher values in very large FFSs. Larger FFSs and reduced disturbances positively influence tree species regeneration. These findings underscore the negative effects of forest fragmentation and disturbances on woody species richness, diversity, structure, and regeneration in southwest Ethiopia. Urgent conservation strategies are necessary to protect these forest fragments and their biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Abstract The contribution is focused on the assessment of the current state of use of the landscape potential of the Poľana Biosphere Reserve and the specification of the basic landscape-ecological problems associated with the inappropriate use of the potential. In this area, we have singled out the following: problems of biodiversity and ecological stability threats, caused by stress factors linked to the inappropriate use of the landscape’s potential and its elements with high ecological-stabilizing functions (forests, water bodies, meadows, pastures or public greenery); problems of natural resource endangerment – resulting from improper human use of natural resources; problems threatening the human society’s environment, arising from stress factors linked to socioeconomic activities impacting humans and their surroundings; and problems threatening biocultural landscape values, arising from inappropriate landscape management, which endangers rare landscape types. The assessment subsequently resulted in a proposal for basic measures to eliminate the specified problems and a proposal ensuring sustainable utilization of landscape potential Poľana Biosphere Reserve. The methodological procedure based on an integrated approach after some modification can also be used in other biosphere reserves.

Abstract This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the diversity, distribution, habitats and threats to Paeonia species in Kosovo. The research focused on three species: Paeonia mascula , P. officinalis and P. peregrina . Field surveys, herbarium data and literature research were used to investigate the distribution and ecological preferences of these species. P. mascula is classified as endangered due to habitat degradation and limited distribution. P. peregrina , although generally robust, is highly threatened by industrial activities, leading to habitat fragmentation. P. officinalis , which occurs at only one locality, is vulnerable to fires and collecting. The study highlights the urgent need for habitat monitoring, conservation measures and further research to ensure the survival of these species. These results provide important insights for national and regional conservation strategies.

Abstract The ecological breeding conditions of the Tizi-Ouzou white stork ( Ciconia ciconia , Linnaeus, 1758) are examined in this study. The population was estimated, as well as its evolution, and the impact of altitude on breeding pairs was examined throughout two breeding seasons (2019 and 2021). The first census showed 650 breeding pairs in 2019. By 2021, there are 830 pairs. In 2019, piedmont areas had 601 stork pairs (92%) by altitude. In the mid-mountains, 49 pairs (8%) were seen. There are no pairs above 1200 m in the high mountains. Similar percentages were seen in 2021. The breeding pair density rose from 65.76 in 2019 to 83.97 in 2021. At altitudes below 400 m, the density exceeded 230 pairs per 100 m 2 for both study years. The mid-mountain zone has fewer pairs/100 km 2 than the foothills over the same period. The following proportions indicate that this Ciconiidae prefers heights between 10and 14m: 67.69% (2019) and 69.04 (2021). Over the two-year study, 94.62% of nests were installed on artificial supports and 5.38% on natural supports. Urban pairs make up 63% of the spatial distribution. Both years saw 36% fewer pairs outside built-up areas. The altitude distribution of stork nests shows that this bird prefers to live from 15 to 550 m. The average nesting pair is 329.5 between 0 and 100 m. This distribution is mainly determined by habitat quality and food availability. Other agronomic parameters, such as the presence of irrigated agricultural areas and landfills, which may feed the studied species, also affect it.

Abstract This study evaluates the relationships between Sentinel-1 radar vegetation indices (modified radar vegetation index [mRVI], modified Radar Forest Degradation Index [mRFDI]) and Sentinel-2 optical indices (normalized differential vegetation index [NDVI], ratio vegetation index [RVI]) across diverse land covers in Gilan province, Iran—a region characterized by humid subtropical climates, frequent cloud cover, and threatened ecosystems. Using Google Earth Engine, we analyzed summer 2023 data, comparing indices in non-vegetated, sparse, dense, and mixed landscapes. Results revealed near-perfect inverse correlations between radar indices (mRVI–mRFDI: r ≈ −0.99) across all environments, confirming their structural consistency. Radar–optical correlations, however, were landcover dependent: negligible in non-vegetated (| r | < 0.15) and dense-vegetated (| r | < 0.05), but moderate in mixed zones (e.g., mRVI–NDVI: r = 0.42) where structural (radar) and biochemical (optical) signals partially aligned. Sparse vegetation showed transitional ties (mRVI–RVI: r = 0.39), highlighting early sensor synergy. Radar excelled in detecting degradation and soil moisture under cloud cover, while optical indices tracked chlorophyll dynamics but faltered in dense canopies. These findings underscore the complementary roles of Synthetic Aperture Radar and optical sensors: integrated use is critical in homogeneous areas (e.g., forests), while mixed landscapes benefit from inherent synergies, reducing reliance on resource-intensive fusion. This study advances tailored multi-sensor strategies for cloud-prone regions, enhancing vegetation monitoring accuracy to support sustainable management in ecologically sensitive zones like Gilan.

Abstract Wetlands are ecologically and economically important habitats. In the Mediterranean region, they account for 18.5 (±3.5) million ha or 1.5% of the world’s wetlands. Algeria has 1,500 wetlands, 50 of which are Ramsar sites. One of them is the Macta wetland, a specific ecosystem on the northwestern coast of Algeria. The study aims to provide data on the spatiotemporal evolution and interaction of the Macta wetland with human activities and climate. A diachronic diagnosis for the period 1958–2023 (65 years) was carried out using maps from 1958 and data collected by remote sensing for the period 1972–2023 in a Geographical Information System (GIS). The geomatics approach is based on the use of ArcGIS 10.8 and satellite imagery from Landsat and Sentinel-2. A precise cartography, close to the reality of the terrain, shows that between 1958 and 2023, the agricultural development, the urbanisation and flooding affected 26,515 ha or about half of the total area of the wetland. In 65 years, the anthropogenic pressure is five times greater than that caused by flooding. Therefore, the adaptation of the Macta wetland is an issue that should be considered and solved by the local environmental authorities.

Abstract This study demonstrates the potential for utilising the phytoindication approach to ascertain the light regime of urban park plantations and evaluates the efficacy of the weighted average and ideal indicator methods for the phytoindication of light regimes. The study was conducted in two urban parks in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine. A total of 128 plant species were identified within the vegetation of the parks. A strong correlation was observed between the instrumental and phytoindication-based estimates of light intensity within the parks. The weighted average method yielded underestimates in comparison to instrumentally measured values across the range of light gradients from medium to high. The accuracy of the phytoindication estimates decreased monotonically with increasing number of species in the relevé, from 7 to 8 and above, and reached a plateau when the number of species exceeded 15. The expansion of hemeroby was observed to be correlated with an increase in the light intensity of the parkland, which is well explained by the Hill saturation curve. The natural urban park communities presented relatively lower light levels. This correlation demonstrates a linear trend.

Abstract Coastal wetlands host a large part of the world’s biodiversity and provide various ecosystem services with a known economic value. However, they experience many pressures due to anthropogenic and natural drivers, causing periodic changes in their structure and functioning. Earth Observation provides opportunities for monitoring water surface dynamics and understanding the impacts of different drivers on wetland degradation. This study had two objectives: to assess the spatiotemporal dynamic of the Sidi Boughaba Lake surface area (Mediterranean and North African coastal Ramsar site, Morocco) over 38 years (1984–2021) and to identify natural and anthropogenic drivers of this dynamic, mainly land-use and land-cover changes and policies. This work focused on the use of multiple datasets based on remote sensing images within a cloud-based computing platform. Time series of satellite images were classified and used after a series of processing procedures to assess the land use and land cover and water extent dynamics. Results reveal that over 38 years, the lake shows intra- and inter-annual variations, including significant losses of permanent water impacting its dynamic and extent. Those trends call into question the urban and agricultural policies adopted. Pressure on resources and the regressive trend recorded in the dynamic of the lake are likely to increase further in future years if effective protection measures are not implemented. The results of this study help authorities, civil society, and decision makers to make decisions and call for action to protect these areas and maintain their capacity to provide ecosystem services and address global concerns such as biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Abstract The Multicriteria Evaluation uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP-MCE) technique to analyze and determine factors affecting land-use plan implementation results from 2015 to 2023 to propose a solution to improve the effectiveness of land-use plan implementation. The case study is in Phu Quoc City, Kien Giang Province. The study collects data on the current land-use plans. Statistically, it analyzes the correlation between current land-use plans and implementation results, combining interviews and AHP analysis. The results show that agricultural land has decreased and non-agricultural land has increased from 2015 to 2023. The City has increasingly effectively implemented land-use plans. The study identified four level 1 factors (natural conditions, economy, society, and policy) and twenty-one level 2 factors. Natural conditions have the highest weight (W = 0.46), and the level 2 factor of geographical location has the most significant impact (overall weight W = 0.192). In addition, the study proposed solutions based on the impact factors to improve the effectiveness of implementing the land-use plan for Phu Quoc City.

Abstract This study analyzes the influence of abiotic factors on the microalgae in marine coastal saline soils. The analysis revealed 38 species of microalgae in the studied area. Cyanobacteria comprised the largest proportion of the found species. The species richness and biodiversity indicators depend on soil moisture, while relative abundance negatively correlates with chloride content. The results of permutational multivariate analyses of variance showed a marginal influence of moisture and sodium on the structure of microalgal communities. The factors beyond chemical properties and soil moisture (e.g. surge-related (tidal) phenomena) explain the observed microalgal quantitative and qualitative features. Leptolyngbya foveolarum and Micractinium sp., owing to their high values of occurrence frequency and relative abundance, may hold potential for the biological optimization of saline soils.