Anthropogenic Interaction Research Articles

Detection and genomic characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli harboring tet(X4) in black kites (Milvus migrans) in Pakistan.

The emergence of plasmid-mediated tigecycline resistance gene tet(X4) among clinically relevant bacteria has promoted significant concerns, as tigecycline is considered a last-resort drug against serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. We herein focused on the isolation and molecular characterization of tet(X4)-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in wild bird populations with anthropogenic interaction in Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 150 birds including black kites (Milvus migrans) and house crows (Corvus splendens) were screened for the presence of tigecycline resistance K. pneumoniae and E. coli. We found two K. pneumoniae and one E. coli isolate carrying tet(X4) originating from black kites. A combination of short- and long-read sequencing strategies showed that tet(X4) was located on a broad host range IncFII plasmid family in K. pneumoniae isolates whereas on an IncFII-IncFIB hybrid plasmid in E. coli. We also found an integrative and conjugative element ICEKp2 in K. pneumoniae isolate KP8336. We demonstrate the first description of tet(X4) gene in the WHO critical-priority pathogen K. pneumoniae among wild birds. The convergence of tet(X4) and virulence associated ICEKp2 in a wild bird with known anthropogenic contact should be further investigated to evaluate the potential epidemiological implications. The potential risk of global transmission of tet(X4)-positive K. pneumoniaeand E. coli warrant comprehensive evaluation and emphasizes the need for effective mitigation strategies to reduce anthropogenic-driven dissemination of AMR in the environment.

Histopathological findings in stranded Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) on the Paraná coast, Southern Brazil

Caretta caretta, one of the five sea turtle species in Brazil, is currently listed as globally endangered. While health assessments are crucial for monitoring population status, they are infrequent and lack systematic implementation. Evaluating the health condition of sea turtles can occur through examinations of both live and deceased animals. Carcasses play a pivotal role in identifying diseases and potential threats impacting the species. Therefore, this study presents the histopathological findings from 20 dead stranded C. caretta along the Paraná coast between 2015 and 2021. All individuals underwent measurements, and necropsies were conducted. The mean curved carapace length (cm) was 67.3 ± 6.9 (49.4 – 81.5). Body condition was classified as good in 13 animals, fair in four, poor in two, and undetermined in one. Fourteen females, four males, and two undetermined sexes were registered, with a mean age of 15.8 ± 3,89 (ranging from 9 – 24) years. Evidence of anthropogenic interaction (10 bycatch interactions, 6 marine debris, 2 oil interactions combined with marine debris) was noted in 80.0% of the animals. Histological changes primarily affected the liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys, with prominent alterations such as inflammatory infiltrate (interstitial pneumonia, heterophilic splenitis, nephritis, endocarditis), congestion, and hepatic and renal hydropic degeneration. This study significantly contributes to our understanding of pathological findings in stranded wild C. caretta on the Paraná coast, offering valuable insights into the health of these animals and aiding in the conservation efforts to protect their populations.

Carbon Emission Disclosure and Financial Performance of Quoted Nigerian Financial Services Companies

Countries and businesses all over the world are focusing on initiatives to safeguard the environment. The goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would preclude harmful anthropogenic interaction with the climate system is a key topic of focus during numerous endeavours. This study examined the relationship between the financial performances of quoted Nigerian financial services companies and carbon emission disclosure. The study employed ex-post facto research design and secondary data from the annual report of quoted Nigerian financial services companies. Multiple regression analysis was on a panel data set. Results show the variable that significantly returns on equity are ‘other indirect emission’ disclosure -scope 3 (coefficient = 0.416 and probability = 0.087), firm size (coefficient = 0.191 and probability = 0.089), capital intensity (coefficient = 0.000149 and probability = 0.000) and growth (coefficient = -0.0258 and probability = 0.014). The impact of other indirect emission disclosure -scope 3 on return on equity is positive and statistically significant. Also, the result shows the variable that significantly influences the return on sales are ‘other indirect emission’ disclosure -scope 3(coefficient = 0.790 and probability =0.001), firm size (coefficient = -0.395 and probability = 0.053), capital intensity (coefficient =0.000194 and probability =0.001) and growth (coefficient = 0.0360 and probability = 0.073). It was discovered that other indirect emission disclosure – scope 3 has a positive and significant effect on financial performance (ROE and ROS). This study concluded that carbon emission disclosure significantly influences the return on equity of the selected quoted Nigerian financial services companies. Also, the study concluded that carbon emission disclosure significantly influences the return on sales of the selected quoted Nigerian financial services companies.

Remnants of a Young Monogenetic Volcanic Field and the Fragile Balance of Anthropogenic Interaction

The rapid development of Auckland City in New Zealand from an initial rural settlement to a global urban hub produced a characteristic footprint on the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). This process was facilitated by increased anthropogenic activity that has resulted in the deterioration and destruction of many volcanic landforms and caused severe archaeological, cultural, geological and educational losses in an alarmingly short timescale. The AVF has 53 volcanic centres, and of these, 17% are classified as intact, 28% are partially intact, 30% are partially destroyed, and 25% are destroyed (including 13% that have no trace left). Based on surface area, approximately 40% of volcanic deposits in the AVF have been lost. The most common causes for impacts are public land use, quarrying and urban development. Regardless, there is significant potential to be found in the balance between the losses and gains of anthropogenic impacts on volcanic landforms. In the AVF and worldwide, geological studies have often been assisted by the presence of outcrops created by quarrying, mining, transport infrastructure and other modifications of volcanic landforms. Areas of significant volcanic geoheritage worldwide are often linked with these impacted volcanoes, and the information gained from these geoheritage areas assists in the management of geodiversity and geoeducation. Several volcanic centres are currently at risk of further destruction in the near future (Crater Hill, Waitomokia, Maugataketake, Kohuroa, Three Kings, St Heliers and McLaughlins Mt) and should be prioritised for any possible research before it is too late. We propose that a geological assessment should be a requirement before and, if possible, during any land development on or near a volcanic landform. Allowing access to scientists through the course of development in areas with volcanic landforms would, in turn, aid public and governing bodies in decision-making for the future of the city and its volcanoes in terms of increased knowledge of volcanic mechanisms of the AVF and awareness of the potential associated hazards.

A Geoethics Syllabus for Higher Education: Evaluation of an Intervention Programme

Geoethics is a field of knowledge currently in full development. Researchers in geoethics are primarily concerned with the anthropogenic interaction with the Earth system. Due to its nature, geoethics holds particular importance in sustainable development due to its nature as it aims to promote ethical human behaviour that does not negatively impact the Earth system. In the present research, we implemented an intervention program addressing various issues related to the sustainability of the Earth system, such as the exploitation of geological resources, the management of geological risks, and the conservation and promotion of geopatrimony. The intervention program was applied to higher education students in the geosciences field. A sample of 90 students from various geosciences courses completed an initial questionnaire, revealing limited knowledge about geoethics. This study resorted to mixed-method research involving interviews with some students who volunteered (n = 52). The results showed that after applying the intervention programme, most students developed a deeper understanding of the topics addressed and recognised the contributions this scientific area can make to sustainable development. Additional research in geoethics education is essential to foster the integration of geoethics into the curricula of higher education institutions.

Anthropogenic Induced Beta Diversity in Plant–Pollinator Networks: Dissimilarity, Turnover, and Predictive Power

Biogeography has traditionally focused on the distribution of species, while community ecology has sought to explain the patterns of community composition. Species interactions networks have rarely been subjected to such analyses, as modeling tools have only recently been developed for interaction networks. Here, we examine beta diversity of ecological networks using pollination networks sampled along an urbanization and agricultural intensification gradient in east Leinster, Ireland. We show, for the first time, that anthropogenic gradients structure interaction networks, and exert greater structuring force than geographical proximity. We further showed that species turnover, especially of plants, is the major driver of interaction turnover, and that this contribution increased with anthropogenic induced environmental dissimilarity, but not spatial distance. Finally, to explore the extent to which it is possible to predict each of the components of interaction turnover, we compared the predictive performance of models that included site characteristics and interaction properties to models that contained species level effects. We show that if we are to accurately predict interaction turnover, data are required on the species-specific responses to environmental gradients. This study highlights the importance of anthropogenic disturbances when considering the biogeography of interaction networks, especially in human dominated landscapes where geographical effects can be secondary sources of variation. Yet, to build a predictive science of the biogeography of interaction networks, further species-specific responses need to be incorporated into interaction distribution modeling approaches.

Current Geomorphology: Natural Risk Assessment and Environmental and Anthropogenic Interaction

Current Geomorphology: Natural Risk Assessment and Environmental and Anthropogenic Interaction

Impact of the socioeconomic activities on sea turtle conservation in the Potiguar Basin, north-eastern Brazil (2010–2019)

Brazil has a coast that is threatened by economic activities and accelerated urbanisation process, causing ecosystem unbalance and decreasing socioenvironmental quality. We analysed data collected from 2010 to 2019 during the Beach Monitoring Project in north-eastern Brazil to quantify sea turtle strandings with signs of anthropogenic interaction, verify the impact of economic activities on the strandings, and analyse a possible relation between socioeconomic conditions and the strandings. Anthropogenic interaction was classified into 12 categories (eight related to fishing activities). We analysed 6007 strandings, including four sea turtle species and anthropogenic interaction was observed in 12.88% (n = 774) of the strandings. Chelonia mydas represented 94.05% of the total records with anthropogenic interaction and fishing-related strandings accounted for 81.65%. Juvenile individuals were more affected than adults; likewise, females were more affected than males. Icapuí and Areia Branca are very populous municipalities, and showed large number of strandings with signs of anthropogenic interaction. Our analyses revealed that fishing-related strandings were reported throughout the year; however, a larger number of records occurred in the dry season and during the lobster-fishing season. Our study brings knowledge on sea turtle strandings in north-eastern Brazil, providing results that support public policies to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on sea turtles.

Complex anthropogenic interaction on vegetation greening in the Chinese Loess Plateau.

Vegetation greening steered by land use management in the Chinese Loess Plateau has been widely reported, however studies that quantitatively assessing and explicitly linking the anthropogenic forcing on vegetation greening and browning are scarce. Here in this study, we calculate the increment and rate of change of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) from 1998 to 2018 in the Loess Plateau, and compare the results with changing rainfall, soil types, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to detail a systematic assessment of the role of the climate-vegetation-human nexus. We have observed that nearly 80% of the study area has undergone greening, and noticed that rainfall was not the main driver of rapid vegetation change, instead of human land use management such as, irrigation along the Yellow River, snowmelt-runoff irrigation, and irrigation from reservoirs formed by check dams contributed the most for the increased FVC in the Chinese Loess Plateau. Concurrently, rapid vegetation browning is almost fully driven by urban expansion. Our findings show that GDP growth promotes both browning and greening, indicative of sustainable development in the Loess plateau region. These contrasting trends reveal that the relationship between human activities and greening is very complex.

Geomorphic processes and risk related to a large landslide dam in a highly urbanized Mediterranean catchment (Genova, Italy)

We present our research on the Prato Casarile landslide dam in Genoa city to illustrate the interactions between slope instability processes and structural stabilization interventions aimed to reduce the hazard in a densely-populated area. Analysis of the degradation of structural interventions constructed after flood events in 1953, 1970 and 2014 contributed to an improved mitigation strategy. At the same time, the slope instability processes intensively advanced, and regressive erosion quickly proceeded to the landslide dam threshold. The discontinuity in human interactions in a geomorphic system, after the initial hazard reduction, resulted in an increased threat that combined with a rise in vulnerability due to urbanization expansion. The research findings underline the necessity of constantly assessing the geomorphic evolution and active processes involved in order to determine the specific actions and interventions required to ensure the stability of the landslide dam. Finally, and more generally, we illustrated that anthropogenic interaction in the geomorphic system, specifically when finalized for hazard mitigation, needs to be continuously performed through both the monitoring and maintenance operation phases of the artificial structures.

The physical processes in the Yellow Sea

The Yellow Sea is a shallow (average depth of 44 m), epi-continental sea bounded by China and Korea. The region is subject to highly variable environmental conditions and processes that combine along with the basin characteristics to impact the oceanographic conditions and coastal morphology. Furthermore anthropogenic developments of relatively large scale are common in the region, and not only directly impact the coastline in development areas but also alter the physical processes and therefore indirectly impact additional coastal areas. The physical processes at work include solar radiation, wind forcing, river discharge, tides, and water exchange with adjacent seas. This paper provides a literature review of the physical processes in the Yellow Sea as well as a review of the anthropogenic interaction and impact to the coastal area and these physical processes.The Yellow Sea is a macro-tidal environment with the maximum tidal amplitude of approximately 10 m in the coastal regions. Semidiurnal and diurnal harmonic components dominate and the associated tidal currents play a large role in the coastal morphology in the region. Secondary to tides the most influential environmental factor is the seasonal variability associated with the Asian monsoon system that is present in this region. This climatological system accounts for strong northwesterly wind and dry air during the winter and mild, warm southeasterly winds that are associated with relatively high precipitation during the summer. The region is also subject to seasonal variability of storm activity including occasional typhoons in the region during late summer and early fall. The seasonal variability plays a role in the development of seasonal circulation patterns, where wind, precipitation and solar radiation all play a role. During summer the strongly stratified water column circulates cyclonically and the Korean Coastal Current (KCC) flows northward along the Korean coast and the Yellow Sea Coastal Current (YSCC) flows southward along the Chinese coast and the Yangtze Bank. During winter the strong northwesterly wind mixes water column and both KCC and YSCC flow southward in the shallower regions while the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) episodically penetrates into the Yellow Sea and transport swarm, saline water to the central Yellow Sea. The seasonal conditions combine to control water and sediment transport; high freshwater input during summer causes strong stratification and inhibits resuspension while strong wind during winter reduces stratification and promotes resuspension. The temporal variability of the sediment loading and physical processes combined with anthropogenic coastal developments serve to continuously reshape the coastal landscape.

Modeling biomass burning and related carbon emissions during the 21st century in Europe

AbstractIn this study we present an assessment of the impact of future climate change on total fire probability, burned area, and carbon (C) emissions from fires in Europe. The analysis was performed with the Community Land Model (CLM) extended with a prognostic treatment of fires that was specifically refined and optimized for application over Europe. Simulations over the 21st century are forced by five different high‐resolution Regional Climate Models under the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios A1B. Both original and bias‐corrected meteorological forcings is used. Results show that the simulated C emissions over the present period are improved by using bias corrected meteorological forcing, with a reduction of the intermodel variability. In the course of the 21st century, burned area and C emissions from fires are shown to increase in Europe, in particular in the Mediterranean basins, in the Balkan regions and in Eastern Europe. However, the projected increase is lower than in other studies that did not fully account for the effect of climate on ecosystem functioning. We demonstrate that the lower sensitivity of burned area and C emissions to climate change is related to the predicted reduction of the net primary productivity, which is identified as the most important determinant of fire activity in the Mediterranean region after anthropogenic interaction. This behavior, consistent with the intermediate fire‐productivity hypothesis, limits the sensitivity of future burned area and C emissions from fires on climate change, providing more conservative estimates of future fire patterns, and demonstrates the importance of coupling fire simulation with a climate driven ecosystem productivity model.

Holocene mangrove dynamics from Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar

Sediment, pollen and charcoal data, set within a radiocarbon chronological framework, from Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar are used to reconstruct mangrove ecosystem dynamics during the Holocene. Changes in mangrove ecosystem composition were driven by a combination of sea level and environmental changes, anthropogenic interaction and geomorphological activity. The high occurrence of Rhizophora mucronata, accompanied by other mangrove species, suggests that the headland of Unguja Ukuu supported a mangrove community from about 7000 cal BP. During the mid-Holocene, mangroves migrated landward, probably in response to a sea level highstand. After the mid-Holocene a short term decrease in Sonneratia alba, with an increase in more terrestrial mangrove species, the appearance of Poaceae and increase in the quantity of charcoal all indicate a lower sea level and relatively dry environmental conditions. This is likely to be coincident with the appearance of the earliest habitation of Zanzibar. The increase in S. alba pollen until prior to 530 cal BP is likely to reflect a sea level rise. The increase in charcoal after about 1400 cal BP is likely to relate to drier conditions and may reflect early human settlement at Unguja Ukuu. A recent decrease in R. mucronata, combined with an increase in S. alba, is likely to result from sea level rise and decreased moisture availability. Recent human–ecosystem interactions are characterized by a reduction in mangrove extent, possibly associated with the mangrove pole trade and rising fuel wood consumption in Zanzibar, particularly from around 530 cal BP.

Trends and interventions in large whale entanglement along the South African coast

The major causes of large whale entanglement in South Africa are static fishing gear, especially the type associated with the West Coast rock lobster Jasus lalandii industry, and large-mesh gillnets that are set off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to reduce shark attacks (shark nets). The prevalence of entanglements is seasonal with the peaks in activity coinciding with the breeding migrations of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae and southern right whales Eubalaena australis, the two large whale species that are the most prone to entanglement. Generalised linear models with a Poisson or quasi-Poisson distribution were used to describe the relationship between the number of incidents and time. Taking into account the combined length of shark-net installations per year as an offset variable, entanglement of humpback whales in shark nets increased at 15.1% per year (95% CI = 9.5–21.6%) from 1990 to 2009. This is comparable to the rate of increase in the numbers of this species migrating past the KZN coast, between 1988 and 2002 (9–11%). The number of reported incidents of southern right whales entangled in gear other than shark nets also increased between 1990 and 2009. This was accounted for by the increase in numbers of this species in South Africa (7% per year), so in neither case are the two species at increasing risk of individual entanglement, and anthropogenic factors including entanglement do not seem to be affecting the recovery of these whale populations. Nevertheless, there is concern regarding the vulnerability to entanglement of a small assemblage of humpback whales that habitually visits the West Coast in spring and summer. The continued recovery of whale populations is likely to lead to greater levels of anthropogenic interaction and heighten the need for adequate mitigation measures. The KZN Sharks Board and the South African Whale Disentanglement Network (since 2006) have respectively released (disentangled) 81% and 23% of confirmed entangled individuals, and recorded relevant information on entanglement incidents. Such information is critical for developing mitigation measures and monitoring the prevalence of entanglement.

Incorporating anthropogenic variables into a species distribution model to map gypsy moth risk

This paper presents a novel methodology for multi-scale and multi-type spatial data integration in support of insect pest risk/vulnerability assessment in the contiguous United States. Probability of gypsy moth ( Lymantria dispar L.) establishment is used as a case study. A neural network facilitates the integration of variables representing dynamic anthropogenic interaction and ecological characteristics. Neural network model (back-propagation network [BPN]) results are compared to logistic regression and multi-criteria evaluation via weighted linear combination, using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) and a simple threshold assessment. The BPN provided the most accurate infestation-forecast predictions producing an AUC of 0.93, followed by multi-criteria evaluation (AUC = 0.92) and logistic regression (AUC = 0.86) when independently validating using post model infestation data. Results suggest that BPN can provide valuable insight into factors contributing to introduction for invasive species whose propagation and establishment requirements are not fully understood. The integration of anthropogenic and ecological variables allowed production of an accurate risk model and provided insight into the impact of human activities.