Ecological Assessment Research Articles

Landscape-ecological carcass model of urban landscape and methods of optimize urban landscapes (on the patterns of Ganja and Mingachevir cities)

State of the problem. The article outlines the natural and anthropogenic foundations of urban landscapes and the organization and modeling of ecological carcasses. Currently, the impact of human activity in the area, on the landscapes, especially on urban landscapes, sometimes leads to the fundamental change and reconstruction of several landscape units or components, the degradation of the sensitive ecosystems of the area, and the creation of completely anthropogenic complexes. Object learning. The main object learning is as follows; study of the differentiation characteristics of the factors influencing the formation of modern geosystems (relief, climate, hydrological and hydrogeological conditions, etc.), researching eco-geographical problems caused by anthropogenic changes, drawing up a map with appropriate content on a large scale, structural and functional characteristics of modern natural geosystems spreading in the research area, exposure to severe anthropogenic influences, study of ecological problems, studying the structural-functional aspects, levels of anthropogenic loading and assimilation, as well as the ecological condition of the modern natural geosystems spreading in the research area, complex study of optimization and large-scale ecological stability, drawing up of ecological potential assessment maps of landscapes. The purpose of this study is the landscape ecological formation of urban landscapes in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the optimization of urban landscapes, the analysis and generalization of urban development processes at the level of urban creation and living environment, and the determination of the main regularities of the formation of this environment, taking into account innovation and traditional processes. Methodology. Ecological analyses were carried out on relevant urban landscapes, and four environmental hazard zones were identified in Ganja, and three in Mingachevir (1: 20000) scale ecological risk maps were drawn up. In the end, the principles of the organization of "ecosystems" based on the optimization of both urban landscapes were analyzed. Research results. The degree of anthropogenic disturbance of the territory was determined, and a map-scheme of the ecogeographic assessment of landscape complexes was drawn up. The study of anthropogenic changes in natural landscapes and the evaluation of the anthropogenic impact in percentage according to digital electronic map fragments was carried out. In the ArcGIS program, the inclination and exposure of slopes in the area, the hypsometry of the relief in the area, the density of roads, the ecogeographical condition of modern urban landscapes, risk zones, and optimization of urban landscapes, etc. maps have been drawn up. The scientific novelty of the research. The importance and functional role of the city as a complex living environment for the country's population is defined. In the process of city planning in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the face of the city, the composition system of urban architecture, innovations, and traditional features are determined. The main city-forming function and role of the river were determined in the studied cities. And the linear features of the development of the cities, and the differences in formation were determined and analyzed. Accordingly, each of the cities has its own unique development models. Environmental problems of cities were investigated and environmental risk and optimization maps were drawn up.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ИНВЕСТИЦИОННОЙ ПРИВЛЕКАТЕЛЬНОСТИ ОСВОЕНИЯ ТЕХНОГЕННОГО ОТВАЛА С ВЫСОКОЙ КОНЦЕНТРАЦИЕЙ БАРИТА

The article provides technical and economic feasibility of the barite concentrate production from a technogenic tailing dump located in Ursk, Kemerovo region. The methods of extraction and options for implementation of the resulting concentrate were evaluated and key indicators of the investment projectand economical effectivity of obtaining barite concentrate were calculated. The analysis of formation and development of rational subsoil use in Russia and abroad was carried out. The paper presents periodization of various approaches and development of the subsoil users control from the state in relation to the legal aspects of the use of technogenic objects. The vocabulary of technogenic dumps and deposits was considered, methodological approaches of ecological and economic and ecological and geological assessments of investment attractiveness of the technogenic objects development were analyzed. Calculations of integrated approach for technogenic waste processing were carried out. The evaluation of cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted on the basis of method for evaluating the cost-effectiveness analysis of the solid minerals production.

Seasonal distribution, source apportionment and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in groundwaters in Owo, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract The study focused on evaluating the seasonal distribution, source apportionment, and probabilistic risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in groundwater. Groundwater samples were obtained from Owo, southwestern Nigeria and subjected to liquid–liquid extraction and quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Total PAH concentrations varied from about 180 to 23,600 ng/L during the dry season. The wet season, on the other hand, exhibited a wider range, from about 1,550 to 150,000 ng/L. Seasonal variations were also found in PAH types and concentrations, with relatively higher concentrations recorded during the wet season. Diagnostic ratios and positive matrix factorization indicated that coal/biomass combustion and traffic-related vehicular emissions were the prevalent sources of PAHs in groundwater. Health risk assessment indicated potential carcinogenic risks (incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) > 1E − 04), while ecological assessment suggested medium (RQNC < 800 and RQMPC ≥ 1) and high ecological risks (RQNC ≥ 800 and RQMPC ≥ 1). The study reflected the need for effective mitigation strategies.

Ecological and geochemical assessment of soil cover on the territory of Ufa city

The relevance. The need for constant monitoring of the state of natural environments because of Ufa increasing industrialization. This study is especially relevant due to the presence of enterprises of various industries (petrochemical, energy, metal construction, timber processing, chemical) located on a fairly small territory of the millionaire city. The aim. To determine the degree of technogenic pollution of the soil cover from industrial facilities in the study area. It is necessary to assess the impact of industrial emissions, as well as emissions from stationary and mobile sources for development of measures aimed at reducing the impact of chemical elements on the environment. Methods. Instrumental neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, kappametry, mathematical statistics, mapping (spatial distribution of indicator geochemical indicators and content of the main pollutants). Results. The paper introduces the results of the analysis of the content of 29 chemical elements in the soil cover on the territory of Ufa according to the study of 104 samples. For each industrial area of the city, the priority elements-pollutants from the list of the analyzed ones were identified. Areas with high traffic congestion, as well as areas near oil refineries, are characterized by increased concentrations of As and LREE group (La, Ce, Nd). Elevated levels of Br and Sc are observed in areas near energy complexes. Increased concentrations of REE (Nd, Tb, Lu) were detected around the objects of the timber industry complex. A special situation is observed with the concentrations of some metals (Cr, Zn, Co). The entire territory of the city is characterized by increased concentrations of elements of the transition metal group due to the presence of a large metalworking complex and heavy automobile traffic. Using statistical methods of data interpretation, associations of chemical elements were identified and divided by possible genesis: mainly natural (Ca-Sr), mixed (Cs-Rb, Br-Ta-Na), mainly technogenic (Sb-Zn, Ba-As-Cr-Hg, Th-Lu-Hf-Yb, Ce-La-Nd). The constructed maps-schemes of spatial distribution, the total indicator of pollution and magnetic susceptibility determined that the territory of Ordzhonikidze district and the territory of the Dema railway station can be considered as the most susceptible to anthropogenic influence.

A framework for post‐processing bird tracks from automated tracking radar systems

Abstract Radar is an effective tool for continuous monitoring and quantification of aerial bird movement and used to study migration and local flight behaviour. However, systems with automated tracking algorithms do not provide the level of processing sufficient to guarantee reliable data. Therefore, post‐processing such radar data is required but often non‐trivial, especially in challenging environments such as open sea. We present a post‐processing framework that implements knowledge of the radar system and bird biology to filter the data and retrieve reliable, high‐quality tracking data. The framework is split into three modules, each with a specific aim: (I) sub‐setting based on prior knowledge of the radar system and bird flight, (II) improving bird track quality and (III) detecting and removing spatio‐temporal sections of data that have a clear bias for false observations. The effectiveness of the framework is demonstrated with a case study comparing track densities inside and outside an offshore wind farm, and by applying the workflow to a dataset of visually validated radar tracks. Application of Module I resulted in a dataset of 520.894 bird tracks (19.5% of total data) within a 10.4 km2 area. Additionally, 18.734 tracks were corrected for geometric errors in Module II, and Module III identified 236 of 719 observation hours and an area of 1.55 km2 as unreliable for spatio‐temporal analysis. No difference in track densities was found between the area inside and outside the wind farm when using the post‐processed data, whereas using the unprocessed bird tracks, lower track densities were observed outside the wind farm. Of the visually validated radar tracks, the framework removed 85% of false positive bird tracks, while retaining 80% of true positive bird tracks. The framework provides a logical workflow to increase the reliability and quality of a bird radar dataset while being adaptable to the radar system and its surroundings. This is a first step towards standardising the post‐processing methodology for automated bird radar systems, which can facilitate comparative analyses of bird movement in space and time and improve the quality of ecological impact assessments.

Ecological and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Diverse Industrial Area of Al-Akrasha, Egypt

This study was conducted in one of a diverse industrial area in Al-Akrasha, Egypt. Concentrations of select metals (Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cd, Al, Ag, As, B, and Fe) were evaluated in ambient PM10 and surface soils at nine sites. Random samples of fresh edible tilapia fish were collected from Ismailia Canal at two sites near the Al-Akrasha region. In addition, blood and hair samples were collected from workers and residents living in Al-Akrasha as biomarkers of contamination with these metals. The ecological and health risks of these metals to the workers and residents living in the Al-Akrasha region were assessed. The results showed that heavy metal levels in the ambient air (PM10) of the Al-Akrasha region were higher than the national and international guidelines. There was a very high degree of contamination (CD > 32) of the surface soil in the Al-Akrasha area, which can be attributed to industrial activities emissions, mostly from smelters and the subsequent deposition on the surface soil. Ingestion was the dominant pathway for metals to enter the human body in the Al-Akrasha region. Adults have a higher daily intake and exposure risk than infants and children.

Evolution of marine ecology-industry symbiosis patterns and ecological security assessment: New evidence from coastal areas of China

Marine ecological security is an important precondition and foundation for the development of marine business. Scientific and effective assessment of marine ecological security is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of marine economy and building an ecological civilization. Based on the symbiosis theory, this paper focuses on the key role of human economic activities in the evolution of ecological security from the perspective of eco-industrial symbiosis and constructs a symbiotic system of indicators considering human economic activities and all subsystems with the help of the “Driver-Pressur-State-Impact -Response (DPSIR) model” analysis logic. This paper adopts the Lotka-Volterra symbiosis model to dynamically analyze the causes of the symbiotic coupling relationship of marine ecological security in China's coastal areas from 2006 to 2019. The research results show that the socio-economic development index shows a stable upward trend, the environmental capacity index basically remains stable, and the ecological impact index shows a fluctuating and undulating trend. During the sample period, there were only four modes of mutualism symbiosis, ecological single damage, industrial single damage, and mutual harm symbiosis in coastal areas. Hebei, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces are dominated by the optimal ecological security state. Tianjin, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Fujian are mainly in the security transition area; Shandong and Liaoning provinces are in a state of ecological security dominated by non-safe areas. Finally, relevant policy suggestions are put forward, in order to provide decision-making reference for improving marine ecological security and promoting the healthy development of the marine industry.

Identifying ecological degradation and restoration zone based on ecosystem quality: A case study of Yangtze River Delta

Approximately 60% of the world's ecosystems are in a degraded and unsustainable state, drawing significant attention to the issue of ecological degradation. Diagnosing the scope and extent of ecological degradation is important to enhance the efficiency of restoration. Ecosystem quality was used to identify ecological degradation of Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in this study, which was constructed on three dimensions: ecosystem structure, stability, and services. Sequential t-test analysis of regime shifts were utilized to assess the spatiotemporal changes in ecological quality over 2000–2020 in both raster and townships level. The results showed that ecological quality has remained stable since 2000, but 21% of YRD's total area was degraded. Ecological degradation was concentrated in the coastal and riverine regions. Central and southern parts of Jiangsu and Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province also underwent ecological degradation. Considering that the ecological degradation types of degraded townships within the same watershed were similar, the ecological degradation zones were divided into 10 ecological restoration zones based on watershed and administrative boundaries. The findings offer guidance for green ecological integration and sustainable development of the YRD; and the scientific methods devised here for ecological degradation assessment and restoration zoning are applicable to other regions.

Mapping Forest Abrupt Disturbance Events in Southeastern China—Comparisons and Tradeoffs of Landsat Time Series Analysis Algorithms

Forest change monitoring is a fundamental and routine task for forest survey and planning departments, and the resulting forest change information acts as an underlying asset for sustainable forest management strategy development, ecological quality assessment, and carbon cycle research. The traditional ground-based manual monitoring of forest change has the disadvantages of high time and labor costs, low accessibility, and poor timeliness over wide regions. Remote sensing technology has become a popular approach for multi-scale forest change monitoring due to its multiple available spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric resolutions and wide coverage. Particularly, the free access policy of long time series archive data of Landsat (around 50 years) has triggered many automated analysis algorithms for landscape-scale forest change analysis, such as VCT, LandTrendr, BFAST, and CCDC. These automated algorithms differ in their principles, parameter settings, execution complexity, and disturbance types to be detected. Thus, selecting a suitable algorithm to satisfy the particular forest management demands is an urgent and challenging task for forest managers in a given forested area. In this study, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, a typical plantation forest region in Southern China where forest disturbance widely and frequently exists, was selected as the study area. Based on the GEE platform, the algorithmic adaptability of VCT, LandTrendr, and CCDC in monitoring abrupt forest disturbance events was compared and assessed. The results showed that the kappa coefficients of the abrupt disturbance events detected by the three algorithms were at 0.704 (LandTrendr), 0.660 (VCT), and 0.727 (CCDC), and the corresponding overall accuracies were at 0.852, 0.830, and 0.862, respectively. The validated disturbance occurrence time consistency reached nearly 80% for the three algorithms. In light of the characteristics of forest disturbance occurrence in southeastern China as well as the algorithmic complexity, efficiency, and adaptability, LandTrendr was recommended as the most suitable one in this region or other similar regions. Overall, the forest change monitoring process based on GEE is becoming more simplified and easily implemented, and the comparisons and tradeoffs in this study provide a reference for the choice of long time series forest monitoring algorithms.

Ecological zoning and dynamic assessment of effectiveness in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

Human activities render ecological conservation a formidable challenge. The rational zoning and dynamic evaluation of ecological regions are critical for the protection of regional biodiversity and the promotion of ecological sustainability. Here, the InVEST-HFI model was used to evaluate both the habitat quality (HQ) and the human footprint index (HFI) of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA), a representative ecologically vulnerable area in southwest China. Superimposition analysis was employed to identify eco-regional zoning types and the PLUS model was applied to simulate and evaluate the benefits of ecological zoning. The results showed that the overall HQ of the TGRA area is satisfactory, with high-grade HQ areas covering 50.16 % of the entire reservoir area, mainly distributed in the Hubei section. The HFI displays a spatial distribution pattern, with higher values concentrated in the southwest and lower values in the northeast; there was also a concentration of high-value areas in Chongqing. Based on the HQ and HFI, the TGRA can be divided into three ecological protection zone types—a strict ecological protection zone, accounting for 57.18 % of the total area and distributed in the head and belly of the reservoir; a habitat restoration zone, accounting for 17.45 % of the total area and distributed in the tail of the reservoir; and a moderate development zone, which is scattered along the main stream of the Yangtze River in the middle of the reservoir. Simulation projections of land use in the TGRA for natural development and zoning protection scenarios until 2035 revealed that the ecosystem service value (ESV) of the latter scenario is 2.25 billion yuan higher than that of the former. Ecological zoning management can improve the ESV of the TGRA. We demonstrated the effectiveness of utilizing the HQ and HFI measures in ecological zoning, thus providing a valuable reference for assessing its benefits.

Variations in copepod composition and diversity in relation to eutrophication and hydrology in İzmir Bay, Aegean Sea

Hyrographic and trophic gradient along Izmir Bay used to assess their effects on the copepod composition and diversity. Trophic state of the bay varied from oligotrophic in the outer region to hypertrophic condition in the inner region as stated by trophic index (TRIX). Aegean Sea water entrance and trophic conditions of the bay affected species assemblages. Oithona davisae, Oithona nana and Acartia clausi were associated with hyper-eutrophic conditions whereas the typical Aegean Sea species, such as Oncaea media group, Oithona similis, Paracalanus parvus, A. clausi, Farranula rostrata and Calocalanus styliremis were related to oligotrophic condition. Copepod diversity indices decreased linearly along the trophic gradient, from oligotrophic to hyper-eutrophic conditions, highlighting the substantial impact of eutrophication on the copepod community structure in the inner region. These findings emphasize TRIX's value in assessing eutrophication in anthropized systems, and immense potential for using copepod composition and diversity in monitoring programs for ecological assessments studies.

DETERMINATION OF ECOTOXIC SUBSTANCES IN WASTEWATER FORMED IN THE PURIFICATION PROCESS OF PETROLEUM OILS WITH HYDROGEN BY SPECTRAL METHODS

The article analyzes the determination of the amount of dissolved ecotoxicants in the sample taken from the industrial wastewater obtained during the process of hydrogen treatment of petroleum oils. During the hydrogenation process, different types of wastes are formed, depending on the nature of each compound contained in petroleum distillates. Every gas, liquid, solid waste formed during the process of hydrogen purification of petroleum distillates by the oil refining industry has a negative impact on the environment in various ways. One of the main directions of our scientific research is the ecological assessment of the environmental impact of wastewater formed in the process of hydrogen treatment of petroleum distillates.Based on the results obtained, the environmental impact of the wastewater was assessed. The amount of volatile ecotoxicants in the wastewater sample was determined by spectral methods and is shown in the table. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; optical emission spectrometry method for metals; spectrometry method for phenols, dyes and fluorine; nephelometry method for turbidity; the gravimetry method for total suspended particles. Based on the results obtained, it is possible to assess the environmental impact of wastewater generated during the technological process at the hydrogen treatment plant. According to the results of the research, it can be noted that the industrial wastewater discharged from the oil refinery's facility № 501 has a content that will damage the ecosphere and biosphere, despite the fact that the discharge standards meet the permissible discharge limits

Ecological and Cultural Balance in Traditional Agriculture: An Environmental Anthropological Approach


 
 
 
 This journal article employs an environmental anthropological lens to investigate the intricate equilibrium between ecological sustainability and cultural traditions within the context of traditional agriculture. Traditional agricultural practices have often proven to be highly sustainable, as they incorporate indigenous knowledge, community dynamics, and cultural values in the management of natural resources. This research explores the interplay between traditional agricultural systems, biodiversity conservation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines ethnographic fieldwork, ecological assessments, and cultural studies, we delve into the ways in which traditional agricultural practices contribute to maintaining ecological balance and cultural continuity. The article highlights the importance of indigenous knowledge, sustainable land use practices, and the cultural significance of crop diversity, seed saving, and community-based natural resource management. Our findings reveal that traditional agriculture is not merely a means of subsistence but a holistic approach to life, deeply rooted in cultural values and respect for the environment. It provides insights into the resilience of traditional systems in the face of contemporary environmental challenges.
 
 
 

Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution and its sources in agricultural soils near Hongfeng Lake in the mining area of Guizhou Province, China.

Accelerated modern industrial processes, extensive use of pesticides and fertilizers and remaining issues of wastewater irrigation have led to an increasingly severe composite pollution of heavy metals in arable land. Soil contamination can cause significant damage to ecological environments and human health. Mineral resource mining can result in varying degrees of heavy metal pollution in surrounding water systems and soil. As a plateau lake, Hongfeng Lake has a fragile watershed ecosystem. Coupled with the rapid development of the current socio-economy and the ongoing activities of mining, urbanization and agricultural development, the water and soil environment of the lake and arable land are facing serious heavy metal pollution. Therefore, the situation warrants attention. This study focused on characterizing soil types and conducted sampling and laboratory testing on the farmland soil in Hongfeng Lake. The integrated Nemero comprehensive pollution assessment and potential ecological pollution assessment methods were used to evaluate the heavy metal pollution status. The APCS-MLR model was employed to explore the sources of heavy metal pollution. In addition, the human health risk model was used to analyze the association between heavy metal content in cultivated land and human health risks. The single-factor pollution of each element was ranked in descending order: Hg > As > Pb > Cr > Cd, with Hg being the main pollutant factor. The entire area was subjected to mild pollution according to the pollution index. Pollution source analysis indicated two main pollution sources. Hg, As, Pb and Cr pollution mainly resulted from Source 1 (industrial and natural activities), accounting for 71.99%, 51.57%, 67.39% and 68.36%, respectively. Cd pollution was mainly attributed to Source 2 (agricultural pollution source), contributing 84.12%. The health risk assessment model shows that heavy metals posed acceptable carcinogenic risks to humans rather than non-carcinogenic risks. As was the main non-carcinogenic risk factor, while Cr was the main carcinogenic risk factor, with higher risks in children than adults. Our study identified the heavy metal pollution in farmland soil in Hongfeng Lake, evaluated and analyzed the pollution sources and identified the heavy metal elements in cultivated lands that have the greatest impact on human health risks. The aim of this study is to provide a scientific basis for soil heavy metal pollution control.

Research on CLUFS and Its Application in Rapid Prediction of the Impact of Regulating Services Value in Construction Projects

With the development of human society and the acceleration of urbanization, the impact of construction projects on the ecological environment is increasingly attracting attention. Conducting an ecological environmental impact assessment of construction projects is crucial to protect the ecological environment and achieve sustainable development. To estimate how construction projects would affect the value of ecosystem services, this paper develops the China Land Use Feature Data Sets (CLUFS) and uses the Beijing “One Line Four Mines” project as an example. Research found that the project’s conservation and restoration zone and the landscape construction zone will significantly enhance the ecosystem regulation services value. The conservation and restoration zone will increase by 30% from the current 1.413 billion yuan per year to 1.836 billion yuan per year, and the landscape construction zone will increase by 69% from the current 400 million yuan per year to 676 million yuan per year. The tourism development zone, dominated by urban construction, will result in a decrease in ecosystem regulation services, from 19.26 million yuan per year to 17.60 million yuan per year by 9%. Overall, the “One Line Four Mines” project achieved a balance of ecological value and surplus. The method proposed in this paper for predicting the impact of ecosystem regulation services value on construction projects can be used to quickly evaluate the effects of different planning schemes on the ecosystem services value of land parcels to help urban planning decision-makers control the condition of land use. It can provide new indicators for the ecological environment department to incorporate ecological benefits into the evaluation system of planning schemes and new methods for evaluating the ecological protection effectiveness of projects.

Ecological Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of Tympanotonus fuscatus in Iko River Basin

Background: Ecological assessment of heavy metal contamination of Tympanotonus fuscatus in Iko River Basin was investigated for a period of twelve (12) months between September 2022 – August, 2023 with aim of understanding the ecological status and the safety of consuming the mangrove periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) obtained from the Estuary. Methodology: Samples of T. fuscatus were bought from landings of artisanal isheries in Iko River Basin on a monthly basis for a period of 12 months. The samples were placed immediately in poly-ethylene bags, put into an isolated container of polystyrene icebox, and then brought to the laboratory prior to laboratory analysis. In the laboratory standard analytical procedures were adhered to in the preparation of samples prior to heavy metal determination using Perkin-Elmer Analysts 800 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: From the results it was found out that the mean concentration of heavy metal throughout the study duration followed the trend Fe > Zn > Cr > Mg > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cd for the dry season while a different trend Fe > Zn Pb >> Mg > Ni >> Cu > Cr > Cd was observed during the wet season. Amongst the metals studied, seasonal variation was observed for zinc. The dominance of Fe and Zn throughout the study duration was attributed to their abundance in the earth’s crust. Correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between metal pairs in the dry season which portends that an increase in the concentration of one metal mandates a corresponding increase in the other while a negative correlation was observed between metals pairs in the wet season which signiies an inverse relationship. The hierarchical cluster dendrogram delineated the metals into four (4) cluster groups in the dry season and three (3) cluster groups in the wet season based on concentration gradient and source of contamination. Conclusion: However, the results of the indings showed that the concentration of heavy metal in the tissue of the studied species fell within the WHO/FAO recommended threshold limit for safe consumption of aquatic seafood. By mitigating the sources of contamination and implementing effective conservation strategies, we can safeguard T. fuscatus and preserve the ecological balance of the vital estuarine environments they inhabit through collaborative efforts from regulatory bodies, industries, and local communities.

Taxonomic and functional diversity of nematode fauna: two sides of the same coin in the ecological quality assessment of transitional environments

The spatiotemporal variation in taxonomic indices and functional traits of the nematode fauna was investigated along two major environmental (salinity and organic matter enrichment) gradients in the Cabras Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy). We aimed to assess, for the first time in a transitional system of western Mediterranean Sea, how taxonomic and functional components of nematode assemblage respond to such environmental factors. The taxonomic structure was the most sensitive metric to document changes in the nematode assemblage, showing significant differences in relation to all the factors and their interactions. All the taxonomic and functional nematode features, except for the maturity index (MI), proved salinity and organic enrichment to be the primary drivers of nematode distribution. The lack of significant variation in the MI is quite interesting and can be interpreted because of the marked adaptation of nematodes to highly dynamic environmental conditions of brackish and confined habitats. Temperature mainly affected faunal composition, abundance, and diversity, due to its influence on fecundity and biological cycles on almost all species. Integrating the taxonomic and functional components of nematodes as “two-sides of the same coin”, the Shannon diversity index, the percentage of coloniser–persisters and the MI were used together to assess the Ecological Quality Status (EQS) of the study sites, which ranged from poor to bad. Nematodes proved to be good indicators of the environmental variations in the investigated lagoon ecosystem. Importantly, the joint use of taxonomic and functional approaches provided integrative knowledge of nematode response to environmental gradients. We conclude that combining nematode-based taxonomic and functional indicators represent a valuable tool to assess the environmental quality of lagoonal ecosystems and may provide complementary information to macrofauna.

Exhaust Emissions from Euro 6 Vehicles in WLTC and RDE—Part 1: Methodology and Similarity Conditions Studies

The article is an attempt to perform an ecological assessment of passenger cars with various types of engines in road emission tests. The main research problem and, at the same time, the goal was to develop a method for determining the exhaust emissions from motor vehicles in real traffic conditions based on results obtained in homologation tests. The tests were carried out on vehicles equipped with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid engines, and the obtained results were analyzed. All of the selected vehicles were of the same class—passenger cars, with a similar curb weight, similar maximum engine power, and in the same emission class (Euro 6d). The authors compared the dynamic parameters of vehicle motion in established emission tests: Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles and Real Driving Emissions. Four procedures were used to analyze and compare the operating conditions of the vehicles in the WLTC and RDE tests, differing in how the phases in the tests were divided as well as having a different methodology for determining the road emissions in the tests. The procedures were as follows: WLTC (where the test was divided and the determination of the road emission of exhaust gases was carried out according to the standard WLTP procedure), RDE (the road test was divided into sections and the exhaust emission was determined according to the standard RDE procedure), WLTC1+2 (the test was divided into phases: 1 + 2, 3, and 4; a combination of phases 1 and 2 corresponding to the urban section of the RDE test), WLTCRDE (where drive phases were divided and emissions determined in the same way as in the RDE procedure, which assumes the division of the test into sections based on vehicle speed). The implementation of the research task in the form of an algorithm procedure when comparing the dynamic parameters of the movement in the WLTC and RDE tests is the leading goal presented in this article. The division of the WLTC test into sections (urban, rural, and motorway) according to the RDE procedure and also the calculation of the total emissions in the test according to this procedure resulted in obtaining similar road emission values in the test.

Diversity and distribution of benthic dinoflagellates in Tonga include the potentially harmful genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa

Benthic dinoflagellates that can cause illness, such as ciguatera poisoning (CP), are prevalent around the Pacific but are poorly described in many locations. This study represents the first ecological assessment of benthic harmful algae species in the Kingdom of Tonga, a country where CP occurs regularly. Surveys were conducted in June 2016 in the Tongatapu island group, and in June 2017 across three island groups: Ha'apai, Vava'u, and Tongatapu. Shallow subtidal coastal habitats were investigated by measuring water quality parameters and conducting quadrat surveys. Microalgae samples were collected using either macrophyte collection or the artificial substrate method. Benthic dinoflagellates (Gambierdiscus and/or Fukuyoa, Ostreopsis, and Prorocentrum) were counted using light microscopy, followed by molecular analyses (real-time PCR in 2016 and high throughput sequencing (metabarcoding) in 2017) to identify Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa to species level. Six species were detected from the Tongatapu island group in 2016 (G. australes, G. carpenteri, G. honu, G. pacificus, F. paulensis, and F. ruetzleri) using real-time PCR. Using the metabarcoding approach in 2017, a total of eight species (G. australes, G. carpenteri, G. honu, G. pacificus, G. cheloniae, G. lewisii, G. polynesiensis, and F. yasumotoi) were detected. Species were detected in mixed assemblages of up to six species, with G. pacificus and G. carpenteri being the most frequently observed. Ha'apai had the highest diversity with eight species detected, which identifies this area as a Gambierdiscus diversity ‘hotspot’. Vava'u and Tongatapu had three and six species found respectively. Gambierdiscus polynesiensis, a described ciguatoxin producer and proposed causative agent of CP was found only in Ha'apai and Vava'u in 2017, but not in Tongatapu in either year. Ostreopsis spp. and Prorocentrum spp. were also frequently observed, with Prorocentrum most abundant at the majority of sites. In 2016, the highest number of Gambierdiscus and/or Fukuyoa cells were observed on seagrass (Halodule uninervis) from Sopu, Tongatapu. In 2017, the highest numbers of Gambierdiscus and/or Fukuyoa from artificial substrate samples were recorded in the Halimeda dominant habitat at Neiafu Tahi, Vava'u, a low energy site. This raised the question of the effect of wave motion or currents on abundance measurements from artificial substrates. Differences in detection were noticed between macrophytes and artificial substrates, with higher numbers of species found on artificial substrates. This study provides a baseline of benthic dinoflagellate distributions and diversity for Tonga that may be used for future studies and the development of monitoring programmes.

Ecological Compensation Assessment from the Perspective of Spatial Game: a Case Study of the Watershed Ecological Compensation in Anhui Section of the Huaihe River Basin, China

Ecological Compensation Assessment from the Perspective of Spatial Game: a Case Study of the Watershed Ecological Compensation in Anhui Section of the Huaihe River Basin, China