Current Conservation Research Articles

Current conservation status and potential distribution under climate change of Michelia lacei, a Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations in Yunnan, China

Abstract Michelia lacei W.W. Smith, a magnolia species categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is subject to severe disturbance. We carried out field surveys and a review of literature records to present a detailed description of the current status of M. lacei. We then predicted the potential distribution of M. lacei under different climatic scenarios based on 60 occurrence records (53 recorded during our field surveys and 7 earlier records) and 19 bioclimatic variables from the WorldClim database. We selected 18 locations and four bioclimatic variables for model training. Temperature seasonality and annual temperature range were the most influential variables for predicting the potential distribution of the species. We used MaxEnt to model distribution under current climate conditions and four Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios in four future time periods to determine the effects of future climate change on the habitat suitable for the species. We predict areas of moderately and highly suitable habitat will gradually decrease over time. We recommend increased in situ and ex situ conservation efforts to mitigate this habitat decline and protect populations of M. lacei.

A remote monitoring method for gateway electric energy meters based on electric energy, voltage and current conservation decomposition

Abstract A remote monitoring technique for gateway electricity meters is introduced that leverages conservation principles of electric energy, voltage, and current. It aims to tackle issues related to errors in electric energy meters and transformers that are challenging to distinguish, as well as the high costs associated with on-site testing. The ridge regression is used to solve the formulas for bus power and current conservation to obtain gateway metering points’ error and current loops’ error. The voltage loop error is determined through an averaging method, which is then used to calculate the error in electric energy meters. The voltage consistency method is used to synchronize the time bias between gateway electricity meters, ensuring accurate calculations. The analysis results indicate that the proposed method effectively monitors the operating status of gateway electric energy meters and offers greater accuracy compared to benchmarks. This method can timely discover suspected inaccurate electricity meters, aiding in their maintenance and efficient operation.

Native bee Pollination Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Wetlands and Riparian Protected Lands

Many freshwater wetlands and riparian systems are protected within agricultural landscapes. Yet, pollinator ecosystem services are seldom considered key ecosystem services provided by these conservation easements. The purpose of this study is to explore the extent of protected aquatic lands to provide pollination ecosystem services by assessing pollinator abundances, crop yield changes, and value estimations of increased soybean yields from a subset of common native solitary bees. We created a novel geodatabase of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation easements and used this database in the InVEST crop pollination model to model wild solitary bee pollination. We then estimated the monetary value of yield increases provided by pollinators. We found that wetland uplands provided the greatest potential for pollination services for ground nesting bees, followed by herbaceous and forested riparian respectively. Stem nesters preferred forested riparian, then upland habitats. In soybeans fields, we found wild pollinators can provide up to 5.5% yield response from current private aquatic conservation lands. The current landscape is not optimized to use wetlands and riparian conservation lands as pollinator habitat, but these results suggest protected aquatic lands can sustainably increase wild pollination services to agricultural crops if landscapes are managed, protected, and optimized with pollinator services as co-benefit.

Researching the Job Corps at Acadia National Park

The War on Poverty-era Job Corps conservation centers of the National Park Service offer an important narrative about the contributions of young people of color and poor white people to conservation and the national parks. At a time when the agency is eager to diversify both its staff and visitors, this is an important history for the NPS to research and interpret for the public. The Job Corps and other federal youth conservation programs also offer important lessons for current and future job training and conservation programs. These lessons underscore the need to fully consider issues of race and class in federal programs that seek to address poverty and conservation, and to consider whether federal land agencies such as the National Park Service are equipped to handle this task.

Research Note: Whole-genome sequencing revealed genomic diversity dynamics in duck conserved populations

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively analyze the genetic diversity of the Pekin duck conserved population with five generations and to evaluate the effectiveness of the current conservation strategy. In total, 277 Pekin duck conserved individuals and 40 Mallards as ancestral controls were collected. Each duck was sequenced at about 10X whole-genome coverage, while over 7.4 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in total were detected for genetic diversity analysis. Both the expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity values exceeded 0.3. The genetic differentiation (FST) values ranged from 0.007 to 0.039, and the Polymorphism information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.29 to 0.34. These results indicate no significant differentiation between generations, and the genetic diversity remains high. In particular, the inbreeding coefficient has been strictly controlled and has not increased rapidly during the conservation. Overall, the inbreeding coefficient of the conserved Pekin duck population was higher than that of its wild ancestors, indicating that domestication has resulted in reduced genetic diversity. This is the first report using whole genome resequencing data to systematically evaluate the genomic dynamics across several generations in ducks. The results show that the strategy of free mating and random seed retention within sire families is effective for maintaining the genetic diversity of the conserved Pekin duck population.

Potential of Ex Situ Conservation Strains Revealed by Genetic Analysis of Oceanic Islands' Endangered Species Pittosporum parvifolium.

The Ogasawara Islands, representing an oceanic island ecosystem in Japan, have a notably high rate of endemic species akin to other oceanic islands globally. Pittosporum parvifolium is a critically endangered shrub with only four remaining individuals in its natural habitat on the Ogasawara Islands. Current conservation efforts encompass both insitu and ex situ approaches for P. parvifolium. However, these efforts face challenges stemming from the lack of critical conservation information. Therefore, we explored P. parvifolium's genetic diversity and implications for conservation. We utilized simple sequence repeat markers to scrutinize genetic diversity within both insitu and ex situ populations, revealing notably rich diversity among both. The insitu genetic diversity was significantly high despite the few extant individuals. In addition, many of the ex situ peculiar genotypes were absent in individuals conserved insitu. This investigation also provides insights into the reproductive strategies and combinations of selfing and outcrossing. The results of the present study recommend conservation to maximize genetic diversity in P. parvifolium by promoting cross-pollination among insitu individuals and by introducing individuals with unique genotypes into ex situ stocks.

More-than-land: conserving the social fabrics of the Kat O coastal settlements in Hong Kong

This article examines the unique self-organised spatial and social structure of the Kat O coastal settlements in Hong Kong. By problematising the identity politics between built forms and landscapes, this paper analyses the village’s deep-rooted history within the land‒water dichotomies, which have been shaped by government survey methods and conservation-development policies. Specifically, it presents the peri-urban condition of Kat O’s coastal settlements as a departure from the traditional urban‒rural continuum perspectives. Empirically, the field documentation of the self-built additions presents critical perspectives into the static understanding of land ownership, addition and adaptation strategies and the building materialities embedded within the government survey methods and conservation-development policies. Theoretically, this study provides an understanding of these coastal settlements as cultural landscapes that are dynamically related to the environment, as well as the changing sociocultural relationships among different communities on the basis of their unique conceptions of habitation and living. By examining past and current conservation policies, this article advocates for a water-centric vision for countryside conservation in Hong Kong that transcends the commonly adopted terrecentric perspective.

Using eDNA Sampling to Identify Correlates of Species Occupancy Across Broad Spatial Scales

ABSTRACTAimSpecies presence–absence data can be time‐consuming and logistically difficult to obtain across large spatial extents. Yet these data are important for ensuring changes in species distributions are accurately monitored and are vital for ensuring appropriate conservation actions are undertaken. Here, we demonstrate how environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling can be used to systematically collect species occupancy data rapidly and efficiently across vast spatial domains to improve understanding of factors influencing species distributions.LocationSouth‐eastern Australia.MethodsWe use a widely distributed, but near‐threatened species, the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), as a test case and undertake an environmentally stratified systematic survey to assess the presence–absence of platypus eDNA at 504 sites across 584,292 km2 of south‐eastern Australia, representing ~37% of the species' extensive distribution. Site occupancy‐detection models were used to analyse how landscape‐ and site‐level factors affect platypus occupancy, enabling us to incorporate uncertainty at the different levels inherent in eDNA sampling (site, water sample replicate and qPCR replicate).ResultsPlatypus eDNA was detected at 272 sites (~54%) with platypuses more likely to occupy sites in catchments with increased runoff and less zero‐flow days, and sites with access to banks suitable for burrowing. Platypuses were less likely to occupy sites in catchments with a high proportion of shrubs and grasslands, or agricultural land use.Main ConclusionsThese data provide an important large‐scale validation of the landscape‐ and site‐level factors influencing platypus occupancy that can be used to inform future conservation efforts. Our case study shows that systematically designed, stratified eDNA surveys provide an efficient means to understand how environmental characteristics affect species occupancy across broad environmental gradients. The methods employed here can be applied to aquatic and semi‐aquatic species globally, providing unprecedented opportunities to understand biodiversity status and change and provide insights for current and future conservation actions.

New evidence of alternative migration patterns for two Mediterranean potamodromous species

Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei Steindachner, 1864) and Iberian nase (Pseudochondrostoma polylepis Steindachner, 1864) are two Mediterranean potamodromous fish species known to perform annual upstream migrations to reach spring spawning grounds. In the Mondego River basin, at the Coimbra dam, migratory movement patterns and individual size structure were assessed through a video recording monitoring system installed on an upstream section of a vertical-slot fish pass. Visual census for these target species during two consecutive annual cycles (2013–2014) revealed alternative migratory patterns, with the first peak of upstream movements in autumn, for both barbel (October–November) and nase (November–December). Circadian movements of both species showed a diurnal preference, contrary to what is usually described for these species. Size structure analysis for individuals of both species showed significant intra-annual differences in the size of migrating fish. Boosted regression trees models applied to the 2013–2014 visual count data identified flow and temperature as the most influential environmental predictors, triggering both species’ movements in each direction in the study years. These results provide novel information on the timing of the migratory movements of these potamodromous fish, which can be used to adapt current management and conservation measures to the specificities of their migratory behaviour.

The Role of Formulations in the Ageing Process of Vinyl Acetate Based Emulsion Films: A Multivariate Approach

Vinyl acetate (VAc)-based emulsions represent one of the main media used by modern and contemporary artists. Their long-term behaviour is still not completely understood, especially due to the scarce knowledge on the influence of other compounds in the formulation, which may impact ageing over time. Besides the polymer backbone based on vinyl acetate, other co-monomers and additives can be added to the emulsion to alter the final film’s physical, chemical, and optical properties. By extension, the formulation will also impact the long-term stability of artworks and objects on which it has been applied, as well as possible current and future conservation interventions such as cleaning. For those reasons, studies shedding light on the correlation between composition and long-term stability are largely necessary. In this study, different emulsions, including homopolymers, copolymers, plasticised, and un-plasticised compositions, were gathered and artificially aged. A multivariate analyses approach based on the application of principal component analyses (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analyses (HCA) was employed for the first time on the combination of data obtained by pH, contact angle (CA), colour measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). This approach helped to highlight the changes that occurred during ageing and find correlations with the formulation compositions. The results further sustain the thesis that not all vinyl acetate-based emulsions are chemically the same and that their formulation deeply impacts their long-term behaviour.

Detailed biogeographical mapping as a useful novel tool for the conservation of endemic taxa: a case of study for Iberian orchids

Background Iberian orchids occur in plant communities designated as habitats of interest in the European Union, particularly in Mediterranean forests. Their ecological importance highlights the need for a deeper understanding of their distribution and ecological requirements in order to develop effective conservation and management policies. Methods This study focuses on the biogeographical mapping and characterisation of five Iberian and Balearic endemic orchid species at district level. Distribution data were collected from existing biodiversity databases and integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). In order to assign the correct biogeographical epithet to each taxon, a set of rules and criteria was developed to ensure an objective, simple and universal classification based on the species' distribution areas. Results For each orchid species, the study identified its phytosociological assignment, bioclimatic range and current conservation status. Detailed maps were produced, providing insights into the biogeographical, bioclimatic and phytosociological attributes of these taxa. Conclusions The biogeographical mapping and ecological classification presented in this study provide a basis for effective decision-making regarding the conservation and management of these orchid species. In addition, the results can be used to update their conservation status to better reflect their ecological needs and threats.

Field theory with the Maxima computer algebra system

The Maxima computer algebra system, the open-source successor to MACSYMA, the first general-purpose computer algebra system that was initially developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the late 1960s and later distributed by the United States Department of Energy, has some remarkable capabilities, some of which are implemented in the form of add-on, “share” packages that are distributed along with the core Maxima system. One such share package is itensor, for indicial tensor manipulation. One of the more remarkable features of itensor is functional differentiation. Through this, it is possible to use itensor to develop a Lagrangian field theory and derive the corresponding field equations. In this paper, we demonstrate this capability by deriving Maxwell’s equations from the Maxwell Lagrangian, and exploring the properties of the system, including current conservation.

Quantification of biomass availability for wood harvesting and storage in the continental United States with a carbon cycle model

BackgroundWood Harvesting and Storage (WHS) is a form of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) that utilizes a combined natural and engineered process to harvest woody biomass and put it into long term storage, most frequently in the form of subterranean burial. This paper aims to quantify the availability of woody biomass for the purposes of WHS in the continental United States using a carbon cycle modeling approach. Using a regional version of the VEGAS terrestrial carbon cycle model at 10 km resolution, this paper calculates the annual woody net primary production in the continental United States. It then applies a series of constraints to exclude woody biomass that is unavailable for WHS. These constraints include fine woody biomass, current land use, current wood utilization, land conservation, and topographical limitations. These results were then split into state by state and regional totals.ResultsIn total, the model projects the continental United States could produce 1,274 MtCO2e (CO2 equivalent) worth of coarse woody biomass annually in a scenario with no anthropogenic land use or constraints. In a scenario with anthropogenic land use and constraints on wood availability, the model projects that 415 MtCO2e of coarse woody biomass is available for WHS annually. This is enough to offset 8.5% of the United States’ 2020 greenhouse gas emissions. Of this potential, 20 MtCO2e is from the Pacific region, 77 MtCO2e is from the Western Interior, 91 MtCO2e is from the Northeast region, and 228 MtCO2e is from the Southeast region.ConclusionThere is enough coarse woody biomass available in the continental United States to make WHS a viable form of carbon removal and storage in the country. There is coarse woody biomass available across the continental United States. All four primary regions analyzed have enough coarse woody biomass available to justify investment in WHS projects.

Harnessing Potentials of Indigenous Environmental Myths for Forest Conservation in Rivers State

Indigenous environmental mythology has long been an essential component of many communities' ecological and cultural systems in the Rivers State, Nigerian These myths, which usually stem from the notion that nature is untouchable, offer crucial insights into the practices of traditional forest protection. This study looks into how these indigenous myths could help with current conservation efforts, particularly those that are meant to protect forest resources. By examining a number of myths and the associated behaviours, the study demonstrated how these cultural narratives have historically controlled human interaction with the environment, ensuring the sustainable use of forest resources. It also suggested how community members can remain involved in the conservation of forest resources. The study pointed out the forest's critical role in the welfare of rural Nigerian households. Therefore, the more community people participate in sustainable forest management, the more the forests contribute to meeting the needs of rural Nigerian household welfare. Thus, it was concluded that community involvement not only protects people of the community's means of sustenance but also enhances the social, economic, and environmental aspects of forestry efforts.

Extinct or Not? Confirming the “Extinct” Status of Hieracium tolstoii (Asteraceae) with Integrated Taxonomic Investigation

Hieracium is one of the largest flowering plant genera that has recently experienced a rapid evolutionary radiation. Due to the massive morphological variation among species, frequent hybridization, and polyploidization events, combined with apomictic reproduction in polyploids, the concept of species in Hieracium is widely debated, and species identification is incredibly challenging. Taxonomic investigation can lead to changes in conservation status or, in some cases, to de-extinctions of species. Taxa with doubtful classification are particularly sensitive to this kind of problem. Hieracium tolstoii was a narrow Italian endemic species that is nowadays considered extinct. Described as a morphological intermediate form between two other species, no further investigations were conducted after its first description. To clarify H. tolstoii’s origin and ensure the validity of its current conservation status, we conducted a taxonomic investigation on herbaria specimens of the early XX century. Specimens were studied using a morphometric analysis that compared H. tolstoii with other closely related taxa. Moreover, we performed phylogenetic investigations using three plastid intergenic spacers to evaluate the relationship between species. Plastid markers revealed the presence of indels and SNPs in H. tolstoii sequences that differ from sequences of the supposed parental species. Morphometry revealed differences among species that led us to confirm the validity of H. tolstoii as an independent apomictic species and, therefore, unfortunately, its extinction.

Early-stage soil organic carbon stabilization in conservation agriculture-based cereal systems

In South Asia, the sustainability of conventional tillage and input-intensive cereal-based cropping systems (such as rice-rice and rice-wheat) is under scrutiny due to soil organic carbon depletion, stagnant productivity, and adverse environmental impacts stemming from greenhouse gas emissions (N2O, CH4, and CO2). Against this backdrop, a long-term field experiment was initiated in 2009 at three sites in India (Karnal, Patna, and Aduthurai) and one site in Bangladesh (Gazipur) to assess four scenarios (S) reflecting current and future diversified crop rotations and conservation agriculture (CA) practices: S1 - double cereal rotation with conventional practices; S2 - double cereal plus legume rotation with partial CA; S3 - double cereal plus legume rotation with full CA; and S4 - futuristic diversified cereal-legume rotations with full CA. This study delved into the dynamics and stabilization of soil organic carbon across all scenarios and sites. Replicated soil samples were collected from depths of 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm after two crop cycles. We analyzed Walkley-Black carbon (WBC), total organic carbon (TOC), and various carbon pools with different oxidizability, determining the amount of carbon stabilized under CA-based scenarios and identifying optimal systems for carbon economy in South Asia. On average, active and passive carbon pools, TOC, and WBC stocks followed the order: S4 > S3 > S2 > S1 at all sites, except Gazipur, where the order was S3 > S4 > S2 > S1. CA practices stabilized applied carbon inputs to soil organic carbon at an annual rate of 1.7 %, with greater stabilization observed under S4 (11.7 %) > S3 (10.6 %) > S2 (7.8 %), regardless of location. Rice-rice sites exhibited a higher carbon stabilization rate (13.4 %) compared to rice-wheat sites (6.7 %). A significant proportion of stabilized carbon (63 %) was allocated to passive pools in soils under S2, S3, and S4, highlighting CA's potential to enhance carbon stability. Using a linear indexing technique, we identified that both S3 and S4 are conducive to better carbon stabilization, yield sustainability, and environmental co-benefits. Consequently, full CA systems with best management practices (S3) and best management practices with crop diversification (S4) are recommended for sustainable crop production in the major double cereal growing regions of South Asia, including India and Bangladesh.

POPULATION STUDY AND REASSESSMENT OF CONSERVATION STATUS OF AN ENDEMIC DIPTEROCARP, Hopea bilitonensis

Hopea bilitonensis is a rare, endemic Dipterocarp species in the Malesian Region. It has a disjunct distribution pattern, where main populations occur on the sandy soils of Bangka Belitung Islands of Indonesia and some on limestone forest in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. Current global status of this species based on the IUCN Red List is Critically Endangered (CR) A1c+2c, B1+2c (1998) whilst in Malaysia it is assessed as CR A4c, B1ab(iii) (2010). A reassessment of the conservation status of this species is needed to provide the most current population status and its extinction risk, especially in Indonesia using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria version 3.1. This study was conducted to survey and assess the current populations of this species in Belitung Island where most population occurred and subsequently to recommend its current conservation status. The species is in fact still common in the island, stretching along the main roads and surrounding forests. Using the purposive sampling method, we developed a total of 16 plots of 20x20m each in 10 different locations across the Belitung Island. A total of 730 individuals were found with stem diameter at breast height ranged from 2cm to more than 30cm. For global reassessment, based on the current distribution and herbarium records, the calculated extent of occurrence (EOO) is 108,128.642km2, whilst the area of occupancy (AOO) is 84 km2. However, the species clearly has a restricted distribution and is facing high threats due to frequent timber harvesting and continuing decline of the EOO and AOO. The species extinction risk was then assessed by using five quantitative criteria of the IUCN. Therefore, we propose H. bilitonensis category is considered to be Endangered (EN) based on A2c, B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) and C2a(i) criteria.

Amphibian hotspots in Iran: Effectiveness of current protected area and priorities for conservation planning

The identification of conservation priority areas for amphibians in Iran remains unexplored. Although protected areas play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, 40 percent of amphibians are at risk of extinction. The present study aimed to identify the priority areas for amphibian conservation and assess the effectiveness of the current protected conservation areas. 2192 species occurrence points for 23 amphibians, including 16 species of Anura and 7 species of Caudata, were curated. These occurrence points in addition to bioclimatic, anthropogenic, and geographical variables were used to model the species distribution. Then, the richness and rarity maps of amphibians were determined and hotspots identified based on the top 10 % area of the country with the highest richness and rarity values. Finally, Iran's protected areas were overlaid to evaluate the current coverage of hotspots and identify future conservation priorities. Although approximately 12 % of Iran is currently protected, the present study findings indicate that the current network of protected areas is ineffective for amphibian conservation; over 90 % of hotspots for amphibians lie outside the current national protected area network. The most important hotspots are located in the Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forest, the western margin of the North Zagros, and the Central Zagros Mountains Forest-Steppe ecoregions of the country. Among different types of protected areas that overlap with amphibian hotspots, protected areas and wildlife refuges respectively ranked the highest in quantity and size, while national parks ranked the lowest. In the current study, a baseline of top candidate areas for expanding protected areas where habitats can be managed to protect amphibians in Iran was provided. To further improve protected areas' coverage, priority conservation areas in the Zagros Mountains Forest-Steppe hotspots were recommended.

Understanding author choices in the current conservation publishing landscape.

Conservation literature addresses a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary questions and benefits. Conservation science benefits most when a diverse range of authors are represented, particularly those from countries where much conservation work is focused. In other disciplines, it is well known that barriers and biases exist in the academic publishing sphere, which can affect research dissemination and an author's career development. We used a discrete choice experiment to determine how 7 journal attributes affect authors' choices of where to publish in conservation. We targeted authors directly by contacting authors published in 18 target journals and indirectly via communication channels for conservation organizations. We only included respondents who had previously published in a conservation-related journal. We used a multinomial logit model and a latent class model to investigate preferences for all respondents and distinct subpopulations. We identified 3 demographic groups across 1038 respondents (older authors from predominantly middle-income countries, younger authors from predominantly middle-income countries, and younger authors from high-income countries) who had published in conservation journals. Each group exhibited different publishing preferences. Only 2 attributes showed a consistent response across groups: cost to publish negatively affected journal choice, including authors in high-income countries, and authors had a consistent preference for double-blind review. Authors from middle-income countries were willing to pay more for society-owned journals, unlike authors from high-income countries. Journals with a broad geographical scope that were open access and that had relatively high impact factors were preferred by 2 of the 3 demographic groups. However, journal scope and open access were more important in dictating journal choice than impact factor. Overall, different demographics had different preferences for journals and were limited in their selection based on attributes such as open access policy. However, the scarcity of respondents from low-income countries (2% of respondents) highlights the pervasive barriers to representation in conservation research. We recommend journals offer double-blind review, reduce or remove open access fees, investigate options for free editorial support, and better acknowledge the value of local-scale single-species studies. Academic societies in particular must reflect on how their journals support conservation and conservation professionals.

Coupled model for liquid lithium plasma facing components

Numerical analysis provides the design choice and operating window of liquid metal Plasma Facing Components (PFC) concepts. Coupled analysis of boundary plasma together with the surrounding boundary structures is required. To achieve this goal, PPPL is developing a comprehensive multi-physics model for modeling of PFCs in fusion devices. The model includes the fluid-kinetic code SOLPS-ITER and the flow and heat transfer code CFX from ANSYS. SOLPS-ITER was augmented with a liquid metal boundary condition algorithm, allowing direct two-way coupling of the plasma analysis with the two-dimensional analytical slab flow model which includes heat convection in the liquid metal PFC. The target heat flux resulting from this coupled analysis is used as a boundary condition for detailed 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Magneto Hydro Dynamics (MHD) and heat transfer analysis. A new formulation of MHD equations is introduced in the numerical procedure ensuring current conservation of the discretized equations. Results of the 3D analysis are used for final validation of the coupled model. A PFC design where a porous wall is used to stabilize the liquid metal surface, while MHD drive is used to push the liquid metal flow inside the PFC, will be investigated in the regimes where vapor shielding is created for enhanced volumetric plasma heat dissipation.