The hydrological restoration potential of small landscape depressions in the Nete catchment in Belgium: An ecosystem services-based approach

Livestock grazing modulated the effects of flooding on ecosystem multifunctionality in the wetland of the lower Tumen River in Northeast China.

Riparian vegetation is an essential component of Amazonian wetlands due to its role in ecological connectivity, environmental regulation, and the maintenance of biodiversity; within this framework, the purpose of this study was to characterize the riparian vegetation of the Limoncocha Biological Reserve and analyze its relationship to the ecological conservation of the wetland. An exploratory, documentary, and interpretive literature review was conducted, based on the search, selection, and critical analysis of scientific articles, theses, technical reports, and institutional records on riparian vegetation, Amazonian wetlands, and specific studies of Limoncocha. The results show that the reserve features a mosaic of vegetation formations, including várzea, igapó, várzea-igapó, gallery forest, and lacustrine grassland, whose composition and distribution are determined by flood dynamics, water sources, and local microtopography. Furthermore, it was found that these vegetation types fulfill key ecological functions, although their integrity faces pressures associated with oil activities, land-use changes, and environmental pollution. It is concluded that the riparian vegetation of Limoncocha constitutes a fundamental ecological infrastructure for the stability, resilience, and conservation of the wetland; therefore, its management requires continuous monitoring and an integrated territorial approach.

Coordination of stakeholders' interests from an ecosystem services perspective: An approach for overall interests maximization in the Gaoligong mountain region.

Abstract Palm swamps are key humid ecosystems of the Brazilian Cerrado, providing essential ecosystem services such as water regulation and biodiversity maintenance. Despite legal protection, these areas have increasingly been converted to agricultural use, particularly in regions with springs and streams, leading to soil degradation and loss of ecological functions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical attributes and carbon content in soil in two veredas environments, preserved and anthropized, to identify changes caused by agricultural use. The study was conducted in the municipality of Bonito de Minas, MG, Brazil. Two transects were defined in each area, and samples of disturbed and undisturbed soil were collected at depths of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm. Analyses included pH, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Na + , H + Al, Al 3+ , phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), bulk density (BD), and carbon stock (CS), as well as calculated sum of bases (SB), cation exchange capacity (T), and base saturation (V). The results show that anthropization significantly altered soil properties in the studied areas. Anthropized areas showed lower pH, higher Al 3+ , reduced basic cations, and decreases in SB, T, and V, indicating reduced soil fertility. TOC and CS were also lower, while BD increased, reflecting structural degradation and reduced carbon storage. Principal Component Analysis and correlation analyses clearly distinguished preserved from anthropized environments. These results highlight the negative impact of agricultural use and reinforce the need for conservation and sustainable management of veredas.

Abrupt shifts in vegetation productivity induced by environmental change profoundly affect ecosystem functions and services, such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity maintenance and climate regulation, yet their long-term global patterns and underlying drivers remain insufficiently understood. In this study, abrupt shifts in vegetation productivity were identified using two independent long-term satellite datasets, and early warning signals were assessed through ecosystem resilience. The main drivers of resilience decline were further examined across land-cover, climate and human-activity dimensions. The results showed that negative abrupt shifts were predominantly concentrated in high northern latitudes and equatorial regions, and that both negative and positive abrupt shifts displayed distinct increasing trends after 2002. A sharp decline in ecosystem resilience was also detected during the 4 years preceding abrupt shifts. Changes in water availability were identified as the primary factor contributing to the reduced resilience of global ecosystems, as evidenced by the driver trajectory, generalized additive models and convergent cross-mapping methods. This study provides insight into the pervasive occurrence of abrupt shifts in vegetation productivity and the discernible impact of climate change. When projecting vegetation dynamics under future climate change, it is essential to consider the significant uncertainties associated with abrupt shifts.

The reference genome of Patella rustica Linnaeus, 1758 (Gastropoda, Patellidae) will offer a unique opportunity to understand how intertidal organisms respond to the effects of global warming, contributing to improve our predictions about the impact of climate change on the maintenance and diversification of marine biodiversity. A total of 9 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules were assembled from the genome sequence, made up from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-reads, WGS and Chromatin-Conformation-Capture (Hi-C) short-read sequences. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 719 Mb, composed of 157 contigs and 24 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 8.52 Mb and 83.6 Mb, respectively, and assembly and annotation BUSCO completeness of 97.7% and 96.5%, respectively. The production of this genome assembly and annotation was coordinated and supported by the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) and Biodiversity Genomics Europe project (BGE).

Dispersal is crucial for the distribution of macroinvertebrate populations and communities. However, research on the dispersal of macroinvertebrates after dam demolition remains limited. Studying the impact processes and driving factors of dam demolition on the dispersal capacity of macroinvertebrate communities can help in the development of effective strategies for river ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, this study conducted continuous monthly surveys, monitoring drifting macroinvertebrates in the Jiuchong River of Shennongjia National Park from 2022 and 2023 (before and after dam removal), and analyzed the impact process and driving mechanism of cascade dam removal on the dispersal of macroinvertebrates. The results showed that before dam removal, there were significant differences in the community composition of drifting macroinvertebrates between the reference and impaired sites, indicating the significant cumulative effects of multiple dam barriers. After dam removal, the proportional representation of Hydropsychidae and Heptageniidae significantly decreased, while the proportions of Chironomidae and Ephemerellidae markedly increased. The dominant taxa shifted from Heptageniidae to Ephemerellidae, and the numbers of taxa and individuals approached those of the reference sites, indicating that dam removal has a significant ecological restoration effect on rivers. After dam removal, strong dispersers increased, whereas weak dispersers decreased. Additionally, at most sites, the dispersal capacity metric (DCMc) of the impaired sites was higher than before dam removal. Temporal variation patterns showed significant changes before and after dam removal, and in the initial stage after removal, the DCMc at each site increased with the increase in the number of “fugitive species,” those with strong dispersal capacity but weak competition capacity in the initial stage. Piecewise structural equation models revealed that Flow-Velocity and Flow-CPOM (coarse particulate organic matter) were positive feedback paths that affected DCMc, whereas Flow-Width and Flow-FPOM (fine particulate organic matter) were negative feedback paths. Our findings provide foundational support for the study of future freshwater ecosystem communities and biodiversity maintenance mechanisms as well as a scientific basis for the protection and management of cascade dams.

The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is essential for the maintenance of global biodiversity. Exploring the drivers of species diversity and the conservation status of species in this region contributes significantly to elucidating the mechanisms underlying diversity patterns and optimizing conservation strategies. Understanding endemism is key to developing effective conservation strategies; yet, it has not been fully investigated in insects on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. To address this gap, we compiled a species distribution dataset for Hemiptera and analyzed the relationships between weighted endemism (WE) patterns and six categories of environmental variables using statistical models. We also identified endemism hotspots based on the top 10% grids with the highest WE values and overlapped them with protected areas to investigate the effectiveness of conservation. Our results revealed that endemism patterns on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are heterogeneously distributed and are mostly determined by historical climate change. Furthermore, we identified three endemism hotspots located in the eastern, southeastern, and southwestern fringes of the plateau and defined them as high-priority conservation areas. We revealed that the first two of them are inadequately safeguarded by protected areas, thereby showing a low level of conservation performance for endemism. Based on our findings, we recommend incorporating endemism into research efforts to elucidate the mechanisms shaping species diversity patterns on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, as it provides important historical information on the processes driving these patterns. Moreover, it is necessary to optimize the current protected area network via the expansion of existing protected areas or the establishment of new protected areas.

Termite alate flights represent the main means of population dispersal and may be influenced by multiple factors, such as climatic dynamics and the intrinsic structure of colonies. This study aimed to record termite flights within the urban matrix and evaluate their relationship with different levels of urbanization. Sampling was conducted over three consecutive years (2019 to 2022) at 57 locations in João Pessoa (PB), northeastern Brazil. The city contains a significant number of Atlantic Forest remnants within its urban perimeter. Termite alates were sampled during the rainy season using rooftop pools (12–48 m high), water bodies, and active searches in buildings and public squares. A total of 43 termite alate species were exclusively sampled within the urban matrix. In terms of feeding groups, 16 species were wood-feeders, 16 were soil-feeders, seven were wood–soil interface feeders, and four were wood-leaf interface feeders. Alates of all species were sampled in the most urbanized areas of the city (75% to 100% urbanization), and 83.7% of the total species were found exclusively in these areas. Furthermore, among native species, only Nasutitermes corniger is considered a pest. The other species play important ecological roles, such as decomposers or serving as food resources for other organisms, thus contributing to the maintenance of urban biodiversity.

Ecologists use multiple approaches to decipher factors mediating the origin and maintenance of biodiversity. Using closely related species, we retrospectively investigated divergence in diet and defense among seed bugs that co-occur at small spatial scales. The small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii) primarily feeds on milkweeds (Apocynaceae) and sequesters toxic cardenolides as an antipredator defense, both traits representing the ancestral condition of Lygaeinae. Little was previously known about the false milkweed bug (L. turcicus); we report that the primary host of L. turcicus is false sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides (Asteraceae), and that its seeds produce cardenolides, the second report of these toxins in Asteraceae. The dominant cardenolide was novel, which we resolved and named heliopside. We found divergent trends in performance and defense of the two bugs. L. kalmii had >40% higher survival and growth on milkweeds compared to H. helianthoides, an effect that was primarily explained by H. helianthoides' thick seed shell. Nonetheless, L. kalmii sequestered toxins equivalently from the two seed species. Conversely, L. turcicus had equally high survival and growth on the two seeds, but sequestered toxins more effectively from H. helianthoides than milkweed, potentially due to specialized detoxification of H. helianthoides' cardenolides. Thus, adaptation to host-plant traits in these two seed bugs is asymmetric for diet and defense, and distinct constraints are likely to limit the bugs' host ranges and contribute to coexistence. Shared seed chemistry apparently facilitated host shifts in the Lygaeinae from Apocynaceae to Asteraceae, with divergent adaptation to their food niches likely facilitating coexistence.

Koshi River also referred to as the Sorrow of Bihar is one of the most dynamic river systems of the eastern part of the Indo-Gangetic plains and is significant to the maintenance of aquatic biodiversity as well as the livelihoods of the locals. The current paper presents a detailed analysis of fish and macrofauna community of Koshi River close to Madhepura, Bihar, and attempts to examine the ecological state and determine the effect of hydrological and anthropogenic conditions on the diversity trends of biodiversity. The braided streams, periodic flooding, high sediment loads and extensive floodplain wetlands are the features of the river that produce heterogeneous habitats which sustain diverse ichthyofauna and macrofauna. The diversity of fish was determined as being relatively high with 25-45 species representing over eight families and mainly Cypriniformes, especially the major Indian carps such as Labeo rohita which is the mainstay of the local fisheries. Macrofaunal diversity that includes fishes, freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.), and mollusks (Pila, Lamellidens) was more sensitive to environmental stress, but taxonomically broader. The seasonal change had a very strong impact on biodiversity with the highest level of fish diversity during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons because of the connectivity of the floodplain and the greatest macrofaunal diversity in winter when the river flow was in stasis and the turbidity was low (diversity index = 1.47). This paper has noted the growing dangers of overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and river management, and the necessity of combined conservation policies, sustainable fisheries management policies, and habitat conservation policies. The results give the necessary background information on ecosystem-based management and long-term conservation planning in the lower Koshi basin.

Wetlands play a critical role in water purification and biodiversity maintenance, yet many are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pollution. This study provides a comparative assessment of physicochemical, microbiological, and heavy metal parameters in six Algerian wetlands spanning coastal, highland, and desert regions over a full annual cycle (November 2021-October 2022). Twenty-five indicators were measured across polluted and non-polluted sites. Polluted wetlands showed significantly higher turbidity (Z = - 3.678, p < 0.001), organic matter (Z = - 2.123, p = 0.04), and heavy metals including Cu (Z = - 4.234, p < 0.001), Fe (Z = - 3.123, p = 0.002), and Pb (Z = - 3.789, p < 0.001). Dissolved oxygen was consistently lower in polluted sites (Z = - 2.345, p = 0.02). Highland wetlands exhibited elevated nutrient loads, with nitrates (Z = - 2.789, p = 0.01) and ammonium (Z = - 3.123, p = 0.002) reflecting agricultural inputs. Microbiological contamination exceeded recommended thresholds at all polluted sites, with fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci surpassing 1000 CFU/100ml. Seasonal analysis showed higher microbial loads in the wet season and concentration of nutrients in the dry season. Overall, the results demonstrate clear spatial and seasonal variation in water quality, with polluted sites across all regions exceeding national and WHO guideline values for nutrients, heavy metals, and microbiological indicators. These findings underscore the need for strengthened monitoring and pollution-control measures in Algerian wetlands.

The degradation of natural environments, intensified by anthropogenic actions such as deforestation, urbanization, agricultural expansion, and monocultures, has significantly contributed to the loss of biodiversity and the increased risk of extinction for various species. In the municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, this scenario is especially concerning due to the presence of environmentally sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands, native grasslands, and remnants of the Atlantic Forest, which support a rich diversity of birds, including threatened species. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the endangered bird species recorded in the Pelotas region and analyze how environmental management can contribute to their conservation. The methodology consisted of a qualitative and exploratory literature review, including scientific articles, technical documents, and official databases such as the Red Book of Brazilian Fauna and records from ICMBio. The results indicated the occurrence of several species classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered, whose main threats are associated with habitat loss and fragmentation, alterations in natural grasslands, degradation of wetlands, and illegal capture. It is concluded that the conservation of threatened birdlife in Pelotas depends directly on strengthening integrated environmental management, protecting natural habitats, continuously monitoring species, and implementing public policies aimed at the sustainable use of the territory, contributing to the maintenance of local biodiversity.

Large-scale ecological restoration programs have been widely implemented to alleviate ecological degradation and environmental stress in arid and semi-arid regions. However, evaluating their long-term ecological effectiveness remains challenging, particularly across large spatial extents and extended time periods. Using multi-source meteorological, topographic, soil, and remote sensing data for five benchmark years spanning 1985-2024, this study evaluates the long-term ecological effectiveness of the Three-North Shelterbelt Program from an ecosystem services perspective. Four key ecosystem services-water conservation, biodiversity maintenance, soil conservation, and wind erosion control-were quantified to analyze their spatiotemporal dynamics across the Three-North region. The results show that ecosystem services have generally increased over the past four decades, indicating an overall enhancement in ecosystem functioning across much of the study area. Spatially, ecosystem services exhibit a pronounced southeast-to-northwest gradient, with higher service levels in relatively humid southeastern and southern regions and lower levels in arid central and western areas. Analysis across land use types further shows that forest and grassland ecosystems play a critical role in sustaining ecosystem services. In addition, regions with differing levels of ecosystem services require differentiated protection and management strategies. Overall, this study provides a functional-level assessment of long-term ecological changes associated with the Three-North Shelterbelt Program and offers insights to support the design and management of large-scale ecological restoration initiatives in arid and semi-arid regions.

Mangrove ecosystems play a pivotal role in global carbon storage, biodiversity maintenance, and coastal resilience, yet research remains fragmented, often isolating these functions rather than examining their interconnections. Critical gaps persist regarding spatial variability in carbon stocks, the functional role of biodiversity, and the long-term resilience benefits of mangroves under climate change and anthropogenic pressures. This systematic review synthesizes global evidence from 2000 to 2024, integrating carbon dynamics, biodiversity functions, and resilience attributes of mangrove ecosystems. Unlike previous reviews, this study adopts a distinctive mixed-methods framework that integrates quantitative scientometric analysis with qualitative synthesis of carbon sequestration parameters, biodiversity indicators, and vulnerability evaluations. Literature was sourced primarily from Scopus using targeted search strings ("mangrove," "carbon sequestration," "biodiversity," "coastal resilience"), with screening guided by the PRISMA framework. From over 2300 initial records, 1356 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed using Biblioshiny (R package) and VOSviewer to map research trends, collaboration networks, and thematic clusters, revealing an exponential growth in publications post-2015. Results indicate that mangroves sequester carbon at a mean rate of 174g C m-2yr-1 (range: 95-235g C m-2yr-1), with total carbon stocks reaching up to 1745Mg C ha-1, surpassing many terrestrial forests. The Pacific and Southeast Asian regions exhibit the highest carbon densities. Mangrove biodiversity, supporting over 2000 species, underpins essential ecological functions including nutrient cycling, soil accretion, and carbon retention. Additionally, mangroves provide coastal protection for more than 150 million people by stabilizing shorelines and reducing erosion. Restoration could recover an estimated 390 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent, underscoring its potential for climate mitigation. However, accelerating habitat loss, human pressures, and insufficient policy enforcement threaten their sustainability. This synthesis emphasizes the urgent need for integrated, cross-disciplinary conservation frameworks that unite carbon, biodiversity, and resilience perspectives to enhance climate adaptation and inform evidence-based policy.

Distinct ecology patterns of bacterial generalists and specialists provide fresh insights into the management of ship ballast sediments.

Locally unusual fruit compositions drive rare-biased seed dispersal.

Elevational patterns of plant species and phylogenetic diversity in the eastern Pamir Plateau

The article presents a comprehensive study of the ecological and economic efficiency of urban greening in the city of Khmelnytskyi under the increasing influence of climate change in the context of sustainable development of urban ecosystems. Particular attention is focused on identifying the key ecological functions of urban green areas, which ensure microclimate stabilization, improvement of air quality, regulation of the water balance, and maintenance of local biodiversity. The study highlights the importance of green spaces as elements of the city’s natural–ecological framework that contribute to enhancing the resilience of the urban environment to growing anthropogenic pressures. An ecological and economic assessment of the effectiveness of greening is carried out, including an analysis of electricity consumption for street lighting, heating, and cooling of buildings, which is especially relevant under martial law in Ukraine and the deficit of energy resources. Special attention is given to examining the environmental impact of motor vehicles and determining the role of green infrastructure in reducing negative consequences of transport loads. The results demonstrate a significant ecological and economic effect of expanding green areas, particularly due to reduced pollution levels, lower incidence of diseases among residents, increased living comfort, and an overall improvement of the urban environment. Using GIS technologies, a spatial model was developed to analyze objects of the nature reserve fund, recreational areas, and green plantings, enabling the identification of disproportions in their distribution, determination of territories with insufficient greening, and justification of priority directions for green infrastructure development. The research findings may be used to form urban climate adaptation strategies, improve planning decisions, and enhance the ecological resilience of urbanized territories.