Coastal Research Articles

Cryptic diversity patterns of subterranean estuaries

Subterranean estuaries are coastal ecosystems characterized by vertically stratified groundwater. The biota within these ecosystems is relatively understudied due to the inherent difficulty of accessing such extreme environments. The fauna inhabiting these ecosystems is considered vulnerable to extinction, and the presence of cryptic species has major implications for research and conservation efforts. Most species lack molecular data; however, the evaluation of genetic data for some taxa has revealed that undocumented species are common. This study employs molecular species delimitation methods and DNA barcoding through the analysis of publicly and newly generated sequences, including individuals from type localities and non-crustacean phyla; the latter are typically overlooked in biodiversity assessments of subterranean estuaries. We analysed 376 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences and 154 16S rRNA gene sequences. The COI sequences represented 32% of previously described species and 50% of stygobiont species from the Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel Island, while sequences of the 16S rRNA represented 14% of described species and 22% of stygobionts. Our results revealed cryptic genetic lineages and taxonomic misidentification of species. As several species from these ecosystems are recognized as endangered, the use of molecular approaches will improve biodiversity estimates and highlight overlooked cryptic lineages in need of evaluation of conservation status.

Design and modeling of an eco-friendly anchored fish aggregating device with artificial reef subjected to wave and current

Anchored fish aggregating devices (AFADs) and artificial reefs play a vital role in enhancing marine biomass and biodiversity for marine ecosystem restoration. Improving the coastal ecosystem remains a significant challenge worldwide. However, AFADs are highly vulnerable to damage under marine conditions, which can lead to significant marine pollution. An AFAD, in which an artificial reef is applied as the anchor, is designed to enhance the efficiency of marine ecosystem restoration. This system consists of a biodegradable raft, cotton rope, and concrete artificial reef. Numerical modeling is conducted to simulate the hydrodynamic performance of the AFAD based on an unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes approach with a realizable k–ε turbulence model. Wave forcing based on the Euler overlay method is applied for wave dissipation, followed by theoretical verification. The effects of wave parameters, relative raft length, rope length, raft diameter, and sinker weight on the motion response amplitude operators and relative rope tension are considered. The results show that the wave parameter has a significant effect on the hydrodynamic performance of the AFAD. With a relative raft diameter of 0.6, relative rope length of 2.6–2.8, and relative sinker weight of 0.8, the motion response amplitude operators and relative rope tension are minimized. The proposed AFAD can provide a stable three-dimensional zone to efficiently enhance the aggregation of marine species.

Distribution, sorption patterns, and outflows of riverine microplastics-affiliated linear alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a dynamic coastal zone

Distribution, sorption patterns, and outflows of riverine microplastics-affiliated linear alkylbenzenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a dynamic coastal zone

A novel micromixer based on coastal fractal for manufacturing controllable size liposome

The traditional lipid preparation methods are complex, time-consuming, and consume a large amount of reagents, increasing costs and difficulties. Although microfluidic technology is considered a promising solution, achieving controllable liposome production with a simple and inexpensive microfluidic mixing device remains an important problem. This paper presents a wall-type micro-mixer based on coastal zone fractals. Four parameters related to the geometric shape of the coastline fractal in the microchannel are used as design variables, and the mixing index is the objective function. Single-objective optimization numerical analysis of the primary wall-type fractal baffle micromixer under four Reynolds numbers conditions yields the optimal structural configuration. Visualization experiments verify the correctness and accuracy of the numerical simulation, and the optimized mixer is used to produce liposomes. The results show that the micro-mixer with the optimal double-sidewall cross arrangement enhances chaotic convection and improves mixing efficiency. At Re = 0.1 and Re = 100, the mixing efficiency reaches 99%, 50.44% higher than the reference design. By changing the relative flow rates of lipid and aqueous solutions, microfluidic blank liposomes with a particle size of 165.12 ± 11.6 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.35± are obtained. This wall-type fractal micro-mixer has broad application prospects due to its high mixing efficiency.

Submarine Groundwater Discharge at a Mega‐Tidal Beach

ABSTRACTTidally influenced groundwater systems in coastal environments represent important mixing zones of fresh groundwater and circulating seawater, manifesting as submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). Water circulation induced by tidal pumping enhances the exchange of chemicals between aquifers and coastal waters and thereby influences the biogeochemistry of coastal zones. Here, we report the results of an SGD field study conducted at a steep, mega‐tidal sand and gravel beach along the Canadian coast of the Bay of Fundy, a region with the world's highest tides (semi‐diurnal tidal ranges exceeding 10 m). Several physical and geochemical measurement techniques were employed to document the spatiotemporal SGD variability. SGD was directly sampled from seepage meters installed over multiple tidal cycles and two summer campaigns. SGD rates were estimated from tracer mass balances for radon (August 2020) and radium isotopes (July 2021) over multiple tidal cycles. Tidally averaged SGD estimates from seepage meters ranged from 12 to 87 cm d−1, with an average of 42 cm d−1, while radon tracing yielded a tidally averaged rate of 86 cm d−1. SGD estimates from radium tracing ranged from 23 to 43 cm d−1 along the shoreline and 6 to 71 cm d−1 offshore, depending on the estimated residence times. Radionuclide analyses of seepage meter waters suggest that the residence time of seawater circulation through the aquifer is less than 1 day. SGD measurements in mega‐tidal settings are rare, and the results suggest that the combination of the steep slopes, highly permeable sediments and high tidal range drive very high seepage rates for diffusive SGD. Salinity gradients in the intertidal zone demonstrate that SGD is primarily comprised of circulated seawater with negligible fresh groundwater. Although the freshwater proportion of SGD is relatively low, the large volumetric rates of total SGD can still contribute large amounts of terrestrially derived and remineralized nutrients to coastal waters.

Stalling North Atlantic Tropical Cyclones

Abstract Tropical cyclone (TC) translation speed influences rainfall accumulation, storm surge, and exposure to high winds. These effects are greatest when storms stall. Here, we provide a definition and climatology of slow-moving or stalling TCs in the North Atlantic from 1900 to 2020. A stall is defined as a TC with a track contained in a circular area (“corral”) with a radius of ≤200 km for 72 h. Of the 1274 North Atlantic TCs, 191 storms met this definition (15%). Ten are multistalling storms or those that experienced more than one stall period. Hurricane Ginger in 1971 stalled the most with four separate stalls. Stalling TC locations are clustered in the western Caribbean, the central Gulf Coast, the Bay of Campeche, and near Florida and the Carolinas. Stalling was most common in October TCs (17.3% of October total) and least common in August (8.2%). The estimated annual frequency of stalls significantly increased over the satellite era (1966–2020) by 1.5% yr−1, and the cumulative frequency in the number of stalls compared to all storms also increased. Stalling storms have a significantly higher frequency of major hurricane status than nonstalling storms. Storms are also more likely to stall near the coast (≤200 km). Approximately 40% (n = 77) of the stalling TCs experienced a period of rapid intensification, and five did so within 200 km of a coastal zone. These results will aid emergency managers in regions that experience frequent stalls by providing information they can use to better prepare for the future. Significance Statement The forward movement of a tropical cyclone can influence rainfall, storm surge height, and exposure time to high wind speeds. Storms that slow down or stall can increase total damage by prolonging the exposure time to intense conditions. This study aims to define a stalling storm and then provide a geographic snapshot into our historical experience with these storms. There have been a consistent number of stalling storms over time, with a modest increase starting in the satellite era, likely as a product of increased observational capabilities. Stalls tend to occur in similar places over time and happen more frequently later in the hurricane season (October) when compared to the middle (August). Emergency managers can use this information to identify the likely location and timing for stalls throughout the North Atlantic tropical cyclone season.

Population trend and spatio-temporal distribution of Greater White-fronted (Anser albifrons) and Bean Geese (Anser fabalis) in Korea

Geese have undergone significant changes in their distribution and population size due to human-induced impacts. To improve our understanding of the two main geese populations in East Asia — Greater White-fronted (Anser albifrons; GWFG) and Bean Geese (Anser fabalis sensu lato; BEAG), which includes the Tundra A. f. serrirostris (TDBG) and Taiga Bean Geese A. f. middendroffi (TGBG) — this study estimated their long- and short-term trends and the migration strategies based on their distribution during the migratory and wintering seasons, using nationwide census data collected over 24 years in Korea. The TRIM (TRends and Indices for Monitoring data) analysis supported a robust long-term population increase since 1999, recently stabilizing around 150,000 individuals in GWFG and 100,000 in TDBG, respectively. But TGBG stabilized at around 7000 with no significant change of population over time. The shorter-term trends within a season suggested that wintering populations of GWFG and TDBG in China might stop over in Korea in their autumn migration before their sea-crossing, evidenced by the large congregation near the Yellow Sea coast followed by gradual decrease. In contrast to autumn, there was no similar peak in spring migration, suggesting the potential for elliptical migration of some populations around the Yellow Sea. Our findings indicate a growing East Asian population and implies one of the migration strategies of the Greater White-fronted and Tundra Bean Geese. By collaborating with recent tracking data, long-term monitoring efforts could offer more detailed insights into population trends and migration strategies, thereby contributing to the effective management and conservation of goose species in East Asia.

Marine birds’ plastic ingestion: a first study at the Northwestern Black Sea coast

Marine birds’ plastic ingestion: a first study at the Northwestern Black Sea coast

Prey availability and diet composition of the Grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola) during migration on the South-Western Black Sea coast, Bulgaria

Migratory waders use stopover sites to refuel for the next stages of their migration, relying on seasonally abundant prey. Migration success depends on food quality and availability at these key sites. We studied the diet composition and preferences of the Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) at its migration stopover at Pomorie Lake on the South-Western Black Sea coast, Bulgaria through DNA metabarcoding of faeces collected in autumn 2020 and spring 2021. Prey availability samples were also collected from the surf zone and the supralittoral sandy shore habitats in the study area.Grey Plover had a broad diet spectrum, with 332 prey taxa in total identified by metabarcoding. Both terrestrial and marine taxa were found, suggesting that the birds use multiple coastal habitats for foraging. Terrestrial arthropods, particularly insects, predominated in the Grey Plover diet; mytilid bivalves were the most represented marine taxon. The birds had a generalist feeding strategy, with diverse prey items eaten in small quantities. Most Grey Plovers fed on insects (Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera), but some individuals showed specialisation for other taxa (mussels, spiders, polychaetes). The most abundant potential prey in the environment were not the most frequently consumed, but it is possible the prey sampling failed to capture the whole spectrum of available prey due to methodological limitations.We found no significant seasonal variation in Grey Plover diet composition, but the proportions of some prey taxa in the diet changed slightly, probably reflecting seasonal differences in their abundance and activity in coastal habitats.Our results contribute to the knowledge of Grey Plover diet, prey choice and habitat use in a little-studied region, and could help design effective conservation measures to preserve habitat quality at stopover sites for this wader and others with similar ecology.

Global tsunami modelling on a spherical multiple-cell grid

A model of shallow water equations (SWEs) on a spherical multiple-cell (SMC) grid of 4-level (2.5-5-10-20 km) spatial resolutions is used to simulate tsunami propagation on global ocean surfaces. The unstructured SMC grid retains rectangular cells of the longitude-latitude grid so that efficient finite-difference schemes could be used. It also supports multi-resolutions like mesh refinement to resolve small islands and coastline details while keeping models compact enough to fit into available computers. Two earthquake-induced tsunami cases are simulated and compared with available observations. Results indicate that the modelled tsunami arrival times agree well with observations while tsunami wave heights are underestimated, particularly the observed runups on remote coastal lands. Possible reasons for this underestimation include the smoothing scheme used to suppress numerical oscillations and the missing of initial kinetic energy input from the earthquakes. Another reason is the limitation of the SWEs to describe coastal bores and breaking waves in coastal waters. A possible tsunami scenario induced by a landslide in the Canary Islands is also simulated to assess its potential impact on Atlantic coastal regions. Model results indicate that this kind of tsunami may cause severe damage to local areas but its effects on far fields, like the UK and American coastal regions are small. As the initial landslide disturbance is overly simplified, this study does not give a true representation of a real landslide tsunami but rather a qualitative assessment of its impact on the Atlantic Ocean. More realistic initial condition and improved model representation of coastal processes are needed for further studies of this possible landslide hazard.

Straw incorporation: A more effective coastal saline land reclamation approach to boost sunflower yield than straw mulching or burial

In coastal lands, soil salinity greatly impedes crops growth and severely affects the agricultural productivity. Returning the crop straw and residual to soil was considered an important land reclamation method; however, the approach of straw return varied, including mulching (SM), burial (SB), and incorporation (SI). This study aimed to determine which approach was most effective to ameliorate coastal saline land and boost crop yield. Field experiments were conducted under different straw amelioration treatments on dry farming sunflowers (Helianthus annuus Linn.) in Bohai coastal land of Northern China. The results indicated that SM and SB changed the soil salt profile and significantly reduced the topsoil (0–0.2 m) salt content mainly by their direct effects on soil water transport, with little impacts on soil structure changes. Differently, SI significantly increased 21.8 % soil organic carbon and 52.3 % soil mean weight diameter in straw incorporated layer. The improvement on soil aggregates and porosity reduced 24.1–38.9 % of topsoil salt content, by limiting soil salt accumulation and promoting salt leaching. Furthermore, SI significantly boosted the sunflower fine root (d< 1.0 mm) growth and resulted in the highest sunflower yield (4.7 t/ha in 2020 and 4.6 t/ha in 2021) among those straw treatments. Compared to SM and SB, the net revenues of two-years sunflower cultivation under SI were improved by 40.68 % and 31.22 %, respectively. Therefore, it concluded that straw incorporation was more effective to reclaim coastal saline soil than straw mulching or burial. In addition, a back propagation artificial neural network model was developed to predict the dynamic of sunflower yield. This outcome provides an insight into the management of coastal farmland by establishing an easily desalinized and fertile topsoil profile structure.

Impact of Forest Landscape Patterns on Ecological Quality in Coastal Cities of Fujian, China, from 2000 to 2020

The Fujian coastal zone, a key region in China’s coastal belt, has experienced significant landscape and ecological changes due to intense human activities. Understanding the relationship between landscape patterns and ecological quality is critical for sustainable development and ecological protection. Taking the coastal cities, including Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Ningde in Fujian Province of China, as a case, the spatio–temporal changes in landscape patterns and the remote sensing-based ecological index (RSEI) during 2000 and 2020 were explored by the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, and then their spatial relationships were identified through Pearson correlation analysis and bivariate spatial autocorrelation analysis. The findings reveal that (1) forest land was the dominant landscape in Fuzhou and Ningde, while cropland prevailed in Xiamen. Significant changes occurred in the land use landscape patterns of the three cities, mainly due to a substantial increase in the built-up land and varying degrees of reduction in arable and forest land. At the landscape level, both Fuzhou and Xiamen exhibited increased landscape fragmentation, while Ningde showed a trend of landscape aggregation; at the class level, forest land in Fuzhou and Xiamen exhibited increased fragmentation, whereas in Ningde, it showed an aggregation trend. (2) Between 2000 and 2020, the ecological–environmental quality of Fuzhou and Ningde continuously improved, while the improvement in Xiamen was less significant. Poor and fair ecological environments in the three cities were mainly concentrated in city centers and coastal zones, and areas of ecological quality degradation were primarily concentrated in coastal zones. (3) Correlation analysis indicates that, whether at the landscape level or the class level, the ecological quality of the three cities is significantly negatively correlated with the fragmentation index and significantly positively correlated with the aggregation index. Moreover, the positive correlation between ecological quality and the forest landscape aggregation index, as well as the negative correlation with the forest landscape fragmentation index, are both significantly stronger than those at the landscape level. As urbanization progresses, forest landscape fragmentation intensifies, especially in city centers and coastal areas, having a significant negative impact on ecological quality. These results highlight the importance of landscape pattern management in maintaining ecological quality. This paper provides insights for coastal cities on balancing urban development with ecological preservation in the context of rapid urbanization.

Paleo-ecological quality status induced by natural and anthropogenic impacts in the last 2000 years: a multidisciplinary approach in the outer region of Sepetiba Bay (SE Brazil)

Abstract Purpose Some marine organisms can be used as Biological Quality Elements to estimate the degree of environmental impact and to monitor the health of benthic habitats. Organisms with mineralized protections, such as benthic foraminifera, can provide helpful information on the evolution of the coastal system over a long period and determine the Paleo-Ecological Quality Status (Paleo-EcoQS). This work aims at reconstructing the Paleo-EcoQS in the heavily anthropized Sepetiba Bay (SB; Rio de Janeiro State, SE Brazil). Materials and methods This work is based on a multiproxy approach, including textural, geochemical, and foraminiferal data along the core SP11 retrieved near the Pico da Marambaia (a mountain on the tip of the Marambaia Barrier Island). Geochemical analyses encompassing total organic carbon (TOC), total sulfur (S), total nitrogen (N), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), stable isotopes in organic matter (OMδ13C, and OMδ15N) and elemental concentrations as well as 201Pb, 137Cs, and radiocarbon dating were performed to characterize the Paleo-EcoQS in the bay. Results The values of the Paleo-EcoQS.st (standardized Paleo-EcoQS) index in core SP11 indicate that the paleoenvironmental quality varied from moderate to good between ≈50 AD and ≈1500 AD and from good to high between the ~ 1920s and ~ 1990s. Since the 1990s, the Paleo-EcoQS.st has deteriorated considerably, probably due to the deposition of contaminated dredging material in nearby areas. Ballast water discharge may have introduced alien species, such as Ammonia buzasi, into the SB. Conclusions The results obtained in core SP11, compared to those of another core (i.e., SP8) from a nearby area, suggest that the reference level of maximum environmental quality is not always reached in a period before industrialization in coastal ecosystems with significant interaction with the ocean; natural factors, related, for example, to sedimentary dynamic processes or geomorphological changes, can lead to unexpected results.

A Simplified Approach of Pumping Rate Optimization for Production Wells to Mitigate Saltwater Intrusion: A Case Study in Vinh Hung District, Long An Province, Vietnam

In the investigation of optimal groundwater extraction in coastal regions, conventional assumptions typically revolve around unconfined aquifers with specified boundary conditions. In such cases, intricate solutions for groundwater management have been documented. However, within extensive delta plains, the extraction wells are frequently drilled in confined aquifers with not much variable-density flow. This circumstance, characterized by paleo-saltwater intrusion, is further complicated by the placement of wells at a considerable distance from the coastal line. As a result, the design and implementation of groundwater supply systems in these areas necessitate strategic groundwater management to optimize groundwater utilization while mitigating the potential risk of saltwater intrusion. Analytical solutions and an optimization problem approach have been applied to address this challenge and solve the differential equations governing confined aquifers with salt–freshwater interfaces. These methodologies provide simplified yet dependable conditions tailored to the study area. A case study conducted in Vinh Hung district, Long An province, is focused on determining the optimal pumping rate for production wells to forestall saltwater intrusion during groundwater extraction. Here, the focus is on the migration of older saltwater towards inland pumped wells, rather than the influence of recent seawater encroachment. The findings contribute valuable insights into achieving an equilibrium between maximizing groundwater utilization and preventing saltwater intrusion in the aquifer systems by a simplified approach.

STAKEHOLDERS ANALYSIS OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN SEGARA ANAKAN LAGOON, CILACAP

The mangrove ecosystems are one type of coastal ecosystem found along coastlines and river estuaries that are influenced by tides and inundation. Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap as one type of coastal ecosystem has a protection function, coastal area buffer, and cultivation area function that must be supported from the aspects of policy and institutions, communication, and coordination. This study aims to identify the role of stakeholders and the relationship between stakeholders in mangrove ecosystem management in Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap. The research method used was a survey and interview method analyzed with MACTOR software. The results showed that there were 18 stakeholders who involved in mangrove ecosystem management in Segara Anakan Lagoon, Cilacap. The stakeholders are classified into main stakeholders, key stakeholders, and supporting stakeholders using the objective of mangrove management as key activities such as silvofishery, mangrove conservation, fishing activity, industry activity, etc. The level of convergence between stakeholders was 96.1% and the level of divergence was 3.9%. These results indicate a relatively low potential for conflict between stakeholders. The research can be used as a model relation between stakeholders to support the management activity of Segara Anakan Lagoon.

Microplastic fate in Arctic coastal waters: accumulation hotspots and role of rivers in Svalbard

Little is known about the role of remote and sparsely populated Arctic coastal zones in the microplastic cycle. Distribution of microplastics was studied in the Svalbard fjords in June – July 2022 with the main goal of assessing rivers’ role in the fate of microplastic in Arctic coastal waters. Surface microplastics (0 – 20 cm depth, 500 – 5000 µm size) were sampled with a neuston net in triplicate per study site in parallel with sampling of subsurface microplastics with a pump system (1.5 m depth, 100 – 5000 µm size). The central part of Isfjorden and its several branches covering populated and unpopulated fjords were studied; the sampling was conducted during an intense riverine discharge in all studied sites. Maximum abundance of surface microplastics (71,400 items/km2 or 0.19 iterms/m3, 0.19 mg/m3) was found along the river plume border in the middle of populated Adventfjorden indicating importance of both local sources and surface hydrodynamics in the formation of microplastics accumulation hotspots. All other unpopulated fjords were free of the floating on the sea surface microplastics as river discharge prevented transport of microplastics inside the fjords. The highest concentration of subsurface microplastics was found in the central part of Isfjorden and the lowest – in river plume waters, which also indicates the removal of microplastics from the inner part of fjords during an intensive river discharge. Our results may suggest that Arctic rivers flowing through unpopulated areas bring clean water and thereby reduce level of microplastic pollution in the coastal waters. In contrast to the rest of the world’s ocean, rivers are not the main source of microplastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean.

Predicting Changes in Potential Habitats of an Endemic Plant Species under SSP Scenarios: A Case Study of &amp;lt;italic&amp;gt;Eranthis byunsanensis&amp;lt;/italic&amp;gt;

Background and objective: Climate change significantly impacts the growth environments of organisms that have adapted to natural environments. Endemic plants, which are native to specific regions, are particularly vulnerable to these changes. The conservation of these plants is a crucial national task. Currently, there is a lack of research on the habitat characteristics and conservation measures of specific species in Korea. This indicates a need for systematic research on field surveys of habitats for valuable species, the establishment of environmental variables, and long-term changes in suitable habitat areas. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the geographical distribution characteristics and select the optimal environmental variables for Eranthis byunsanensis, an endemic plant in the Korean Peninsula.Methods: To achieve this, we utilized an ensemble model in the R package biomod2 to analyze the current potential habitat and understand its distribution characteristics. We then predicted the changes in potential habitats for the mid-future (2041-2070) and the long-term future (2071-2100) based on climate change scenarios (SSP 1-2.6 and SSP 5-8.5). Finally, we conducted a comparative analysis of the differences between the scenarios.Results: Long-term projections indicate that potential habitat area is larger under SSP1-2.6, a scenario with active climate change mitigation policies, than under SSP5-8.5. Under SSP1-2.6, habitat remained relatively stable with expansion observed in coastal Gangwon-do. In contrast, SSP5-8.5, characterized by extreme climate change, led to significant habitat decline in Jeollabuk-do. Inland Jeollabuk-do experienced rapid habitat loss with a northeastward shift, while habitat along the East Sea coast of Gangwon-do expanded.Conclusion: This study's analysis of habitat change can serve as a crucial foundation for the conservation and management of endemic plants. Furthermore, it is expected to contribute to the development of response strategies to climate change and the identification of alternative habitats for endemic plants.

Assessment of Landscape‐Scale Fluxes of Carbon Dioxide and Methane in Subtropical Coastal Wetlands of South Florida

AbstractCoastal wetlands play a significant role in the storage of “blue carbon,” indicating their importance in the carbon biogeochemistry in the coastal zone and in global climate change mitigation strategies. We present airborne eddy covariance observations of CO2 and CH4 fluxes collected in southern Florida as part of the NASA BlueFlux mission during April 2022, October 2022, February 2023, and April 2023. The flux data generated from this mission consists of over 100 flight hours and more than 6,000 km of horizontal distance over coastal saline and freshwater wetlands. We find that the spatial and temporal heterogeneity in CO2 and CH4 exchange is primarily influenced by season, vegetation type, ecosystem productivity, and soil inundation. The largest CO2 uptake fluxes of more than 20 μmol m−2 s−1 were observed over mangroves during all deployments and over swamp forests during flights in April. The greatest CH4 effluxes of more than 250 nmol m−2 s−1 were measured at the end of the wet season in October 2022 over freshwater marshes and swamp shrublands. Although the combined Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve region was a net sink for carbon, CH4 emissions reduced the ecosystem carbon uptake capacity (net CO2 exchange rates) by 11%–91%. Average total net carbon exchange rates during the flight periods were −4 to −0.2 g CO2‐eq m−2 d−1. Our results highlight the importance of preserving mangrove forests and point to potential avenues of further research for greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

A multi-criteria decision-making model for sustainable selection of coastal protection structures

Although nature-based and hybrid (i.e., a combination of hard and nature-based) solutions provide well-documented benefits to both the environment and people living nearby, they cannot be implemented in all coastal zones. Thus, the selection process of coastal protection structures (CPSs) requires an in-depth and comprehensible assessment with an effective and robust decision-support framework. Existing frameworks in the literature, however, do not focus on the selection of nature-based solutions and environmental and social factors were not considered thoroughly in these frameworks. In this respect, this research aims to develop a decision-support model that guides decision-makers in selecting the most appropriate and sustainable CPSs. The framework was designed in a way that includes a variety of environmental and social factors along with economic and technical aspects. Then, fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS analyses were conducted to determine the relative importance of the selection factors and to select the most appropriate CPS. Factors such as sediment dynamics, geotechnical issues, construction cost, transportation and navigation effects, and technological know-how were among the top-rated factors. TOPSIS analysis results revealed that mangrove forests and artificial reefs were the top two most sustainable CPSs. The proposed framework can minimize the social and environmental impacts of CPSs and expedite the green transition in the coastal environment.

Wandalowie w Hiszpanii i Rzymie, czyli Macieja z Miechowa (1457–1523) metoda badania dziejów

In the article Robert K. Zawadzki examines the representation of the Vandals in the historical work entitled Chronica Polonorum of Maciej of Miechów. This race who settled on the south coast of the Baltic Sea provided fertile ground for the Polish writer to articulate his ideas about the origins of the Polish nation. By examining these historical tales, the author shows how the author constructed an image of journeys of the great nation in keeping with the patriotic and moralistic goals and context of his own work, while individually creating a vision of Poles as Vandals who occupied Transdanubian Pannonia, attacked the Roman provinces, devastated wide areas of Gaul, crossed into Spain, moved into North Africa and captured Rome. This combination of such historical narrative material aims to highlight both the splendor of ancient Polish history and the fundamental unity of the Polish and European history.