Conservation Biology Research Articles

Comprehensive approaches to heavy metal bioremediation: Integrating microbial insights and genetic innovations.

The increasing contamination of ecosystems with heavy metals (HMs) due to industrial activities raises significant jeopardies to environmental health and human well-being. Addressing this issue, recent advances in the field of bioremediation have highlighted the potential of plant-associated microbiomes and genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) to mitigate HMs pollution. This review explores recent advancements in bioremediation strategies for HMs detoxification, with particular attention to omics technologies such as metagenomics, metabolomics, and metaproteomics in deepening the understanding of microbial interactions and their potential for neutralizing HMs. Additionally, Emerging strategies and technologies in GEOs and microorganism-aided nanotechnology have proven to be effective bioremediation tools, particularly for alleviating HM contamination. Despite the promising strategies developed in laboratory settings, several challenges impede their practical application, including ecological risks, regulatory limitations, and public concerns regarding the practice of genetically modified organisms. A comprehensive approach that involves interdisciplinary research is essential to enhance the efficacy and safety of bioremediation technologies. This approach should be coupled with robust regulatory frameworks and active public engagement to ensure environmental integrity and societal acceptance. This review underscores the importance of developing sustainable bioremediation strategies that align with ecological conservation goals and public health priorities.

Forest eco-function restoration and its positive effects on biodiversity improvement in China's ecological conservation programs

Forest eco-function restoration and its positive effects on biodiversity improvement in China's ecological conservation programs

Spatiotemporal characteristics of human activity and land use on ecosystem service functions in mountainous areas of Northeast Guizhou, Southwest China

With the rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization, intense land utilization in mountainous areas has led to ecological and environmental issues, and also causing a gradual degradation of ecosystem services. Investigating the spatiotemporal characteristics of human activities on land use and ecosystem services in mountainous areas holds significant practical importance for local ecological conservation and land management. This study utilizes human activity and land use models to evaluate the complex relationship between humans and land in the northeastern Guizhou, employs the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) and the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) models to conduct an in-depth investigation into the spatiotemporal distribution of soil conservation (SC), water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), habitat quality (HQ), and landscape aesthetics (LA). Besides, we utilized the Pearson correlation coefficient and spatial bivariate models to scrutinize the spatial heterogeneity and interactions among these ecosystem services. The results revealed a significant escalation in the intensity of human activity and land use within the study area, with values rising from 0.483 and 316 in 2000 to 0.695 and 351 in 2020, respectively. For 2000–2020, the added value of SC and WY experienced a change of 1.179 t‧hm−2 and 118.503 mm, respectively, while the CS, HQ, and LA have largely remained stable. The spatial distribution of ecosystem service functions exhibited distinct patterns of trade-offs and synergies. The ecosystem's multifunctional benefits were predominantly concentrated in the northern sector of the study area, with the maximum migration distance of class IV hotspots recorded at 70.431 km. Over time, the impact of human activities and land use on ecosystem services has been escalating. Studying the interactions between human activities and land use and their impact on ecosystem services can help us develop land use policies and ecological management strategies.

Quantifying the human wellbeing of the national wetland park: gross ecosystem product accounting of Shandong Mata Lake National Wetland Park

National wetland parks, characterized by robust ecological functions, distinctive natural landscapes, and abundant cultural resources significantly enhance human wellbeing, serve as crucial providers of ecosystem products, and exert substantial influence on local socioeconomic development and ecological conservation. There is an urgent need to carry out the Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) accounting and monetize the value of ecosystem products. Taking the Shandong Mata Lake National Wetland Park (SMTNWP) in China as the example, and considering the characteristics of wetland parks, this research constructed the GEP accounting index system comprising 11 secondary subjects from the perspectives of regulation and socio-cultural functions. Taking the year 2021 as the research period, the monetary value was assessed based on biophysical value accounting, and the GEP level was determined. The results showed that the GEP of SMTNWP in 2021 is CNY 74.8317 million, with a unit area GEP of 73,200 CNY/hm2. Regulating ecosystem products constitute the core component of GEP, facilitating the sustainable development of wetland conservation and restoration, as well as eco-cultural tourism. Moving forward, efforts in wetland protection, restoration and maintenance should be sustained, and the platforms for promotion, education and scientific research should be proactively established. The research results can offer support and references for the establishment of unified accounting subjects and systems for similar ecosystems and national wetland parks, and translate the human wellbeing of national wetland parks into visual monetization, providing theoretical basis for the government to realize the value of ecosystem products, and further promoting the conversion of ecological value into economic benefits.

Natural history of the small snake Epictia munoai (Scolecophidia; Leptotyphlopidae): Reproductive cycle, sexual maturity and activity pattern

AbstractEpictia munoai is a small scolecophidian snake from the subtropical region of South America. It inhabits under rocks of preserved environments. Since basic information concerning the biology of this snake remains unknown, we aimed at presenting information on age, reproductive cycle, and daily and annual activity patterns of E. munoai from Southernmost Brazil. Males and females of E. munoai becomes sexually mature from 3 to 4 years of age, and presents a life expectancy of up to 9 or 10 years. The breeding cycle at the individual level is cyclical and discontinuous, and seasonal at the population level, with breed season from late winter to late spring. Epictia munoai is a diurnal snake, active under rocks during the hottest periods of the day, especially during the spring in southern latitudes. Our results provide new and unprecedented information about the natural history of a small species of South American fossorial snake. Information like this is extremely important as it helps to understand the life history of a species, in addition to serving as a basis for studies in areas such as population ecology, historical demography, phylogeography and conservation biology.

Ecological Security Evaluation System Integrated with Circuit Theory for Regional Ecological Security Pattern Construction: A Coordinated Study of Chang-Zhu-Tan Metropolitan Area in China

Rapid urbanization and land use changes have brought enormous pressure onto the ecological environment. Constructing ecological security patterns (ESPs) contributes to scientifically utilizing ecosystem functions, maintaining biodiversity, and protecting the ecological environment. Thus, this study proposed a regional ESP construction framework, which integrated circuit theory with an ecological security evaluation system composed of a landscape connectivity analysis, an ecosystem service evaluation, and an ecological sensitivity analysis, to generate the ESP of the national-level Chang-Zhu-Tan Metropolitan Area (CZTMA). The results showed that (1) there were 22 ecological sources mainly consisting of woodlands, grasslands, and water bodies and distributed heterogeneously from the eastern to western CZTMA; (2) 48 ecological corridors connected the large-scale ecological patches such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, and woodlands in the CZTMA, and the average distance of the east side was shorter, while the distance of the west side was longer; and (3) 13 ecological pinch nodes and 28 ecological barrier nodes were identified as important nodes. On this basis, this research constructed a multi-level ESP consisting of “one center and multiple cores, one belt and two screens, multiple corridors and multiple nodes” for the CTZMA, which not only guarantees the stability of ecosystems but also maintains their efficiency in providing ecological services and their resistance to the pressure of human activities. Moreover, a series of specific recommendations for the optimization of regional ESPs were provided, including protection of ecological sources and enhancement of their habitat quality, improvement of ecological corridor connectivity, maintenance of pinch nodes, and restoration of barrier nodes. Coordinated mechanisms at the provincial level were proposed. This study could help with ecological conservation and restoration, and strategic planning making in integrated nature–human systems that cross administrative boundaries.

Predicting land use and land cover changes for sustainable land management using CA-Markov modelling and GIS techniques

This study addresses the significant issue of rapid land use and land cover (LULC) changes in Lahore District, which is critical for supporting ecological management and sustainable land-use planning. Understanding these changes is crucial for mitigating adverse environmental impacts and promoting sustainable development. The main goal is to evaluate historical LULC changes from 1994 to 2024 and forecast future trends for 2034 and 2044 utilizing the CA-Markov hybrid model combined with GIS methodologies. Landsat images from various sensors (TM, OLI) were employed for supervised classification, attaining high accuracy (> 90%). Historical LULC changes from 1994 to 2024 were analyzed, revealing significant transformations in Lahore. The build-up area expanded by 359.8 km², indicating rapid urbanization, while vegetation cover decreased by 198.7 km² and barren lands by 158.5 km². Water bodies remained relatively stable during this period. Future LULC trends were projected for 2034 and 2044 using the CA-Markov hybrid model (CA-MHM), which achieved a high prediction accuracy with a kappa coefficient of 0.92. The research indicated significant urban growth at the expense of vegetation and barren land. Future forecasts suggest ongoing urbanization, underscoring the necessity for sustainable land management techniques. This research is a significant framework for urban planners, providing insights that combine development with ecological conservation. The results highlight the necessity of incorporating predictive models into urban policy to promote sustainable development and environmental preservation in quickly changing areas such as Lahore.

Contingency Strategies to Foster Resilience in National Parks During Crisis Events such as COVID-19

ABSTRACT National Parks serve as sites of ecological conservation and a refuge for physical and mental well-being during times of crisis. However, COVID-19 caused several difficulties for national park managers, making it difficult for them to stay accessible. This study investigates the challenges that National Parks encounter during a crisis event such as COVID-19 and how to develop relevant contingency strategies for future disruptive events. Semi-structured interviews based on the resilience model of [Norris et al. (2008, Community resilience as a metaphor, theory, set of capacities, and strategy for disaster readiness. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41(1–2), 127–150)] were conducted with park managers at The Kruger National Park, South Africa, and the Peak District National Park, United Kingdom. Several stressors were identified regarding challenges faced in the parks due to the pandemic, such as uncertainty among staff and visitors and additional strain on resources such as time, funding, and available staff. This study underlines the importance of contingency planning in bolstering National Park resilience during global crises, offering practical insights for park management.

Monitoring genetic diversity of Torminalis glaberrima for resilient forests in the face of population fragmentation.

Torminalis glaberrima (Gand.) Sennikov & Kurtto is a European tree species currently underutilized in forestry, valued for its high-quality wood and contribution to ecosystem stability. Despite a projected range expansion as climate change progresses, current population fragmentation levels may inhibit the species' ability to migrate and stabilize fragile forest ecosystems. To investigate the relationship between structural and functional connectivity, we surveyed the genetic diversity, spatial genetic structure, and gene flow of T. glaberrima across Austria, to understand which populations should be given conservation priority. Our sampling encompasses 21 natural and planted populations and 910 individuals of T. glaberrima covering the species' distribution in Austria. We estimated genetic diversity indices, the extent of gene dispersal, and conducted SPAGeDi, STRUCTURE, and discriminant analyses of principal components analyses using one chloroplast minisatellite and eight nuclear microsatellite markers. Despite a highly fragmented distribution of T. glaberrima in the southern, western and central part of its range in Austria, we found high genetic diversity, low population differentiation and inbreeding, and estimated higher gene dispersal values than previous studies. Population structure analyses identified two main regions of genetic ancestry in the northwestern and southeastern part of the species' range in Austria and evidence for the usage of foreign genetic material in two planted populations. Only two of the established ex situ plantations and seed orchards appear to well represent the fine-scale population structure present in Austria, and existing in situ gene conservation units (GCUs) are insufficient to conserve the current natural genetic diversity. We suggest the establishment of further in situ GCUs to maximize the conservation of extant forest genetic diversity. Additionally, we encourage corridor plantings between isolated populations, bolstering the genetic connectivity and diversity of populations.

Ecological and environmental determinants of phytochemical variability in forest trees

Abstract Phytochemical variability in plants is driven by a complex interplay of ecological and environmental factors, including genetics, climate, and soil characteristics. Understanding these determinants is increasingly important as phytochemicals are vital in mediating plant interactions with herbivores, pathogens, and their broader ecosystem. Recent research shows the s that both abiotic factors—such as temperature fluctuations, ultraviolet radiation, and nutrient availability—and biotic factors, including herbivory and competition, have significant impacts on phytochemical profiles. Seasonal and spatial variations also influence the concentration of secondary metabolites, which are key to plant defenses and overall ecosystem health. For example, environmental stressors like drought or elevated temperatures can induce higher production of protective phytochemicals, while the developmental stage of the plant and the type of organ (leaf, root, flower) further dictate metabolite expression. This variability holds profound implications for forest conservation and climate resilience. As forests face increasing pressures from climate change, understanding the role of phytochemicals in maintaining ecosystem stability becomes critical. Phytochemicals contribute to plant fitness, species diversity, and ecological interactions, all of which are crucial for the resilience of forest ecosystems. The integration of phytochemical knowledge into forest management can promote biodiversity, enhance ecosystem services, and lead to more sustainable practices in conservation. This paper advocates for interdisciplinary research that connects ecology, chemistry, and conservation biology. Such collaboration is essential to unravel the complex relationships between phytochemical variability and environmental factors, ultimately fostering more informed conservation strategies that can safeguard forest ecosystems in the face of environmental change.

Religion and Conservation; Da'wah Approach in Environmental Conservation in Rawa Pening Semarang

This study aims to discover how environmental conservation and da’wah approaches in Rawapening using a qualitative study approach and descriptive analysis. The study results show two things in ecological preservation for the Rawa Pening community: rescue revitalization actions and the Rawa Pening rescue movement and community empowerment in management and conservation. Meanwhile, the da’wah approach to environmental preservation in Rawa Pening uses three methods. Bil Lisan da’wah, in the waste congress forum, recommends the existence of a waste task force and the importance of cleaning up the environment, such as water hyacinth weeds, through the construction of embankments dividing the lake body. Meanwhile, Bil Qalam’s da’wah is through Village Regulation regulations in the Rawa Pening environment regarding environmental preservation, such as Rowosari Village Regulation No. 3 of 2013, Doplang Village Regulation No. 8 of 2017 concerning ecological conservation, and Village Regulation No. 1 of 2017 of Samban Bawen Village regarding environmental preservation and Rowosari Village No. 3 of 2013. Next is the preaching of Bil Hal with conservation funds as a conservation development tourist area, with funds from tourists for environmental preservation and conservation management of Rawa Pening through managing natural resources and handling water hyacinth as creative material.

Propithecus verreauxi demography spanning 40 years at Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, southwest Madagascar

The diverse, highly endemic flora and fauna of Madagascar make it a priority for research and conservation. Lemurs, the island’s endemic primates, exhibit a distinctive array of biological, behavioral and demographic traits. Research on these species contributes to significant theoretical issues, including the evolution of mammalian life histories and social systems. Virtually all 107 extant lemur species are threatened with extinction or critically endangered, and a better understanding of demography and the drivers of demographic change is needed to inform management strategies for surviving wild populations. Sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) have been continuously studied and demographic parameters have been monitored at the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve in southwest Madagascar since 1984. We have compiled a dataset encompassing over 900 individuals that have been tagged and followed during this period, and new data continue to be added. Data provide information on male and female life history parameters, individual development and aging, and social group dynamics. The dataset is an important resource for both research and management.

Pollen Resource Repartition Between Managed Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L. 1758) and Unmanaged Bees in Three Italian National Parks

Despite its global importance for the maintenance of healthy ecosystems and its contribution in providing economic benefits to human society, the clade Anthophila is in severe decline worldwide. In this context, counteracting the decline in Apoidea is of fundamental importance. Honey bee density and beekeeping are believed to negatively impact wild bee populations, mostly through competition for food sources. In this study, interspecific trophic competition was investigated using the still seldom exploited approach of a palynological analysis combined with a metabarcoding analysis of the pollen gathered by both managed honey bees and wild bees in three Italian national parks. The entire trophic network was identified as highly specialized (H2′ = 0.933). The results obtained suggest that, overall, wild bee species are sustained by different pollen sources than honey bees. This low sharing of resources could be due to the natural trend occurring in natural populations, where species tend to minimize the competitive overlap through niche differentiation or niche complementarity as a result of coevolution. National parks play a fundamental role in animal and plant species protection and conservation. Therefore, plans should focus on evaluating honey bee densities in the interests of achieving less intensive, more traditional, and sustainable beekeeping, as well as habitat restoration, to promote the survival and reproduction of wild bee populations.

Spatiotemporal Assessment of Habitat Quality in Sicily, Italy

We measured the spatiotemporal dynamics of habitat quality (HQ) in Sicily in two different reference years, 2018 and 2050, assuming a business-as-usual scenario. To estimate HQ and related vulnerability, we used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) Habitat Quality model and data on land use/land cover provided by the Esri Land Cover 2050 project. We also implemented a Coarse–Filter approach to validate the reliability of HQ measures and detect biodiversity hotspots that require priority conservation. Further, we used spatial statistic tools for identifying clusters or hotspot/coldspot areas and uncovering spatial autocorrelation in HQ values. Finally, we implemented a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model for explaining local variations in the effects on HQ estimates. The findings reveal that HQ in Sicily varies across space and time. The highest HQ values occur in protected areas and forests. In 2018, the average HQ value was higher than it was in 2050. On average, HQ decreased from 0.29 in 2018 to 0.25 in 2050. This slight decline was mainly due to an increase in crop and urbanized areas at the expense of forests, grasslands, and bare lands. We found the existence of a positive spatial autocorrelation in HQ, demonstrating that areas with higher or lower HQ tend to be clustered, and that clusters come into contact randomly more often in 2050 than in 2018, as the overall spatial autocorrelation moved from 0.28 in 2018 to 1.30 in 2050. The estimated GWR model revealed the sign and the significance effect of population density, compass exposure, average temperature, and patch richness on HQ at a local level, and that such effects vary either in space and time or in significance level. Across all variables, the spatial extent of significant effects intensifies, signaling stronger localized influences in 2050. The overall findings of the study provide useful insights for making informed decisions about conservation and land planning and management in Sicily.

Phenology, biological and cultural control of the new almond pest Eurytoma amygdali (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) in Spain

Aim of study: Eurytoma amygdali Enderlein (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae), the almond wasp, is a new pest detected in Spain. Although the insect is present in Europe, in Spain no damage was detected until 2016, increasing substantially in the following years. The phenology of almond wasp and the natural enemies complex were investigated and the results of the parasitism rate and cultural control measures were analyzed. Area of study: Five Spanish provinces, important regions for almond production where E. amygdali causes serious harvest losses. Material and methods: Samples of different almond varieties were taken from ecological almond plots in the Spanish provinces of Valencia, Alicante, Albacete, Murcia and Cuenca. Main results: The first almond wasp eggs were observed at the beginning of May and completely developed larvae, early in July. Wasp flight occurred from mid-March to late May. Two natural enemies were associated with the pest, Pyemotes amygdali Çobanoğlu & Doğanlar (Acari, Pyemotidae), and Opilo domesticus (Sturm) (Coleoptera, Cleridae). Pyemotes amygdali parasitized wasp larvae, adult females and males, and Opilio domesticus fed on wasp larvae. O. domesticus was very scarce, unlike P. amygdali. In the plots with parasitized wasps, the parasitism rate ranged from 0.6% to 44% for P. amygdali. Our results suggest that sanitation measure was an important cultural pest control practice, because in the plantations where mummified almonds were removed, 96% of edible almonds were harvested, compared to 18% if mummified almonds were not removed from trees. Research highlights: Cultural control could be an important measure to control the almond wasp, because it allows biological conservation control, by preserving natural enemies present in the environment and avoid the negative effect of insecticides.

Dragonfly larvae rearing: experimental insights and best practices.

Understanding and optimizing rearing conditions for dragonfly larvae is crucial for ecological research and conservation efforts, yet optimal rearing conditions and general rearing practices are lacking. In this study, we investigated the effect of temperature, amount of oxygen in water, presence of (artificial) plants, and age of eggs on hatchability, survival, and development of dragonfly larvae using the model species Sympetrum striolatum. We conducted three independent experiments and assessed variability between egg clutches of individual females, as well as the occurrence of cannibalism among larvae. Our results showed that egg hatchability varied significantly between individual females and was negatively affected by egg aging and the presence of artificial plants. Larval survival was negatively affected by water temperatures above 24°C, the presence of artificial plants, and egg aging, and positively affected by high feeding frequency, in certain instars. Notably, cannibalism was observed among later instar larvae, especially under higher density conditions. Based on these findings, we provide practical recommendations for optimizing dragonfly larvae rearing protocols, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal temperature, appropriate feeding regimes, and managing larval density to reduce cannibalism. This study offers experimental, evidence-based guidelines for dragonfly larvae rearing, contributing to improved research methodologies and conservation efforts.

An integrative taxonomic assessment leads to the synonymy of the Waccamaw Crayfish Procambarus braswelli Cooper 1998 with the Cedar Creek Crayfish Procambarus chacei Hobbs 1958 (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

The southeastern United States (U.S.) is a global hotspot for crayfish diversity, with the majority of the >350 species known in the U.S. occurring here. Crayfishes in the genus Procambarus are common in lower gradient lotic and lentic systems of the southeast, but from both a taxonomic and systematic perspective, this genus is largely neglected in comparison to other crayfish genera. The aim of this study is to clarify the taxonomic status of two conservation priority crayfishes from the southeastern U.S. by testing the hypothesis that Procambarus braswelli Cooper, 1998 and Procambarus chacei Hobbs, 1958 are distinct species. We conducted a geometric morphometric analysis of these species, including 16 morphological metrics across 51 specimens throughout the ranges of these species in North Carolina and South Carolina. We then isolated, extracted, and sequenced a fragment of the COI gene and used maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis to determine genetic distinctness. Results of multivariate analyses show overlapping morphologies between species and genetic structure that does not co-vary with original species determinations. Together, the available morphological and genetic information indicates that P. chacei and P. braswelli be synonymized. Additional taxonomic, life history, and ecological work is sorely needed for Procambarus crayfishes of the species-rich southeastern U.S.

Coupling and Spatial Disparities of Regional Economy and Ecosystem in High-Quality Town Development

This study investigates the coordination between regional economic growth and ecological sustainability within the context of high-quality town economy development. To address the challenges of balancing economic expansion with environmental protection, a comprehensive evaluation index system is constructed, encompassing two key dimensions: regional economy and ecological environment. Using panel data from 2013 to 2022, the coupling coordination degree model is employed to quantify the interactions and synergy between these dimensions. Additionally, spatial econometric methods are applied to calculate both global and local Moran’s Index, revealing spatial clustering patterns, regional disparities, and heterogeneity. The relative development model further identifies critical factors influencing regional coordination, with a focus on the lagging development of basic infrastructure and public services. The findings demonstrate a positive temporal trend toward improved regional coordination and reduced development gaps, with a spatial pattern characterized by higher coupling degrees in eastern and central regions compared to western areas. Based on these results, this study proposes actionable strategies to enhance coordinated development, emphasizing ecological conservation, the establishment of green production and consumption systems, ecological restoration, and strengthened municipal collaboration.This revised abstract emphasizes the study’s purpose, methods, and key findings more clearly while maintaining a professional and concise tone. Finally, based on the above analysis results, the corresponding coordinated development suggestions of regional economy and ecological environment are given from the aspects of ecological environment protection measures, green production and consumption system construction, ecological environment restoration and municipal coordination.

Characteristics of the macroinvertebrate community structure and their habitat suitability conditions in the Chishui River

IntroductionAs an important tributary of the upper Yangtze River without dams, the study of the macroinvertebrate community structure and habitat suitability conditions in the Chishui River holds significant implications for water ecological conservation and restoration.MethodsIn order to explore the species composition, community characteristics and their ecological needs of macroinvertebrates in the Chishui River, 26 sampling sites were deployed in the Chishui River in this study in March (dry season), July (wet season), and November (normal season) of 2023 and performed community structure analysis.ResultsA total of 153 macroinvertebrate taxa were identified, with 62 taxa recorded in the dry season, 46 in the wet season and 115 in the normal season. The assemblage was predominantly composed of aquatic insects from the EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera). The results of ANOSIM analysis indicate that the species composition of macroinvertebrates varies significantly across different water periods. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Margalef index were significantly higher during the normal season compared to the dry and wet seasons. In contrast, the Pielou index and Simpson index remained relatively stable, suggesting a higher level of evenness in community structure across the different water periods. Based on the habitat suitability curves, Corbicula fluminea and Heptagenia prefer environments with high flow velocities and substrate particle sizes (D50) smaller than 300 mm. Hydropsyche sp.1 and Baetis thrive in environments with medium to low water depths, high flow velocities, and D50 ranging from 100 to 300 mm. Caridina favor deeper waters, low flow velocities, and larger substrate particles. The GAM fitting results revealed that the number of macroinvertebrate taxa increased with rising pondus hydrogenii (pH) and electrical conductivity (EC) levels. Species richness initially declined and then rose within certain thresholds of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. The optimal conditions for macroinvertebrate communities in the Chishui River were determined to be a DO concentration of 9.8 mg/L and an NH3-N concentration of 0.12 mg/L.DiscussionOverall, the macroinvertebrate community structure in the Chishui River is significantly influenced by factors such as water quality, flow velocity, and substrate particle size, and it demonstrates strong adaptability to seasonal variations.

Bundled measures for China's food system transformation reveal social and environmental co-benefits.

Food systems are essential for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in China. Here, using an integrated assessment modelling framework that considers country-specific pathways and covers 18 indicators, we find that most social and environmental targets for the Chinese food system under current trends are not aligned with the United Nations Agenda 2030. We further quantify the impacts of multiple measures, revealing potential trade-offs in pursuing strategies aimed at public health, environmental sustainability and livelihood improvement in isolation. Among the individual packages of measures, a shift towards healthy diets exhibits the lowest level of trade-offs, leading to improvements in nutrition, health, environment and livelihoods. In contrast, focusing efforts on climate change mitigation and ecological conservation, or promoting faster socioeconomic development alone, have trade-offs between social and environmental outcomes. These trade-offs could be minimized by bundling all three aspects of measures.