Ecological Terms Research Articles

Features of Definitions of Modern Terminology of Ecological and Economic Processes

The article considers approaches to definitions of terms used to analyze the impact of production and human activity on the environment. Understanding the essence of the term allows you to correctly assess and build actions to manage processes affecting environmental violations. The purpose of the article is to define a category reflecting the integration of economic and environmental goals of human activity. Definitions of the most common ecological and economic terms are considered. The author's approach to the definition of the term environmental friendliness of production is proposed and its significance is substantiated.

Foucault and Ecology

On the basis of a definition of ecology centred on Merleau-Ponty's thought, this essay examines the various phases of Foucauldian thought and their respective relationships to possible ecological outcomes: the Dionysian phase, which lasts until The Order of Things; the microphysics of power phase, in which a philosophy of the will that radically breaks with any idea of the original becomes central; and the late Foucault phase, characterised by the themes of the hermeneutics of the self, subjectivity and critique. In the latter period in particular, in which Foucault's rapprochement with Canguilhem and the idea of a living being immersed in a dialectical relationship with the environment and with others is very strong, a model is identified that is particularly amenable to interpretation in ecological terms. The essay concludes with some research hypotheses on the possible relationship between a philosophy of the will, such as that mediated by Foucault from Nietzsche and Schopenhauer, and ecology.

Thinning relationships of woody encroachers in a US southwestern shrubland

Woody plant encroachment degrades the economic and environmental potential of drylands by altering processes such as nutrient fluxes, ecohydrology, and ecosystem services. Though past research has investigated the encroachment process, relatively little is known about post-encroachment shrub community ecology. To better quantify dynamics within post-woody encroachment shrub communities, we combined USGS lidar height data and multispectral imagery to estimate shrub density, shrub height, shrub cover, and shrub volume across the Jornada Basin Long Term Ecological Research (JRN-LTER) site in southern New Mexico, USA. Structural estimates were analyzed in search of telltale signs of community competition, specifically, the presence of thinning relationships. Results demonstrated density-dependent thinning relationships in shrub communities of creosote and mesquite, indicating a large role for competition in arid shrub communities even at relatively low shrub densities and cover (∼35% cover). In addition, shrub volume estimates better modeled the expected thinning dynamics of shrub communities than shrub canopy cover measurements. Overall, our results indicate the utility of lidar data in extending two-dimensional descriptions of woody vegetation structure (i.e., woody canopy cover) into the critical third dimension (i.e., woody plant volume), as well as the relative importance of competition and demographic bottlenecks to vegetation structure in drylands.

Medicinal plants used by minority ethnic groups in China: Taxonomic diversity and conservation needs

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIndigenous communities have long relied on medicinal plants (MPs) for primary healthcare. The ethnomedicinal knowledge are different among ethnic groups since the local flora and people's health beliefs generally vary among biocultural backgrounds. China with its diverse biocultural environment is rich in culturally important plant species including MPs. They are also essential in the context of conservation of plant resources and the related traditional medical knowledge, requiring an integrated perspective on these MPs. Aim of the studyFocusing on the MPs used by the minority ethnic groups, this study assesses the diversity of MPs in China used in local indigenous traditions, as well as their conservation needs. Materials and methodsThe MPs used by the 18 selected minority ethnic groups were extracted from an ethnic MP dictionary. After standardizing, the names then were compiled as an inventory. Next, following statistics were computed: the number of species in each order and family, species used by each ethnic group, species documented in the national herbal resource dataset, species adopted in drug standards, and species at different levels of conservation lists. The overall similarity of the MPs used by the ethnic groups included was achieved using a cluster and principal component analysis. ResultsIn total 5886 vascular plant species are reported as medicines in the 18 ethnic groups, which belong to 1657 genera and 243 families. It is found that 3195 species are used exclusively by one ethnic group, indicating their cultural salience and potential restrictedness in ecological terms. Moreover, 1159 species are included in national/regional drug standards, indicating their importance in the national medical flora. However, only 3541 species of them are documented in the national herbal resource dataset, and 761 species are at different levels of threatened status, highlighting the conservation needs of Chinese MPs and the related traditional medical knowledge. ConclusionsUsing a quantitative approach, for the first time the present study reveals the high level of taxonomic diversity of MPs used by minority ethnic groups of China. However, of these species, 40% are still not inventoried in the national herbal resource dataset, and more than half are used exclusively by one ethnic group, and around 13% are included in the conservation lists of different levels. These together urge the conservation of MP resources and related traditional medical knowledge. Additionally, we recommend fostering the cross-cultural communication the regional ethnomedicinal knowledge, for the purpose of maximizing the benefits of regional plants to human.

Tamarix laxa (Tamaricaceae), a new species in the flora of Ukraine

Tamarix laxa, a new species for the flora of Ukraine, is first reported for the Bilosaraiska Spit on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov in the Meotyda National Nature Park, Donetsk Region, Ukraine. Its main range extends from the eastern coast of the Sea of Azov to China. Thus, the new location is the extreme northwestern point of the species' natural distribution range. The presence of representatives of the genus Tamarix at the Bilosaraiska Spit has been known for more than 100 years, but T. laxa probably appeared here only in the early 1990s. In ecological and phytosociological terms, the species is confined mainly to the shores of shallow brackish and periodically drying water bodies (bakai) and occupies the same eco­logical niche as T. gracilis; the latter has long been known in the Bilosaraiska Spit and is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Represen­tatives of the genus Tamarix are reliably identified only during the flowering period, so the growth of related species together makes it difficult to identify them during other periods. The diagnostic characters used for identification of the species of the genus growing in the Bilosaraiska Spit are discussed. It is suggested that the range of T. laxa has been gradually expanding westward during recent decades.

Ecological design of a production plant

The concepts and solutions of sustainability, resource efficiency, and waste-free production are increasingly influencing our thinking, policy guidelines, and corporate strategies. However, some strategies extend beyond conventional sustainable approaches by embracing the fundamental operating principles of ecosystems. In this context, resilience—a natural risk management strategy—is incorporated into the design of a manufacturing company, considering all types of material flows, including solid, liquid, gaseous, and thermal. This ecological approach to resilience is applied to both the operational and financial aspects of the company, via concurrent analysis.Results indicate that merely achieving zero waste emissions does not ensure sufficient resilience, a core requirement of ecosystems and a fundamental principle of the blue economy. Furthermore, it is found that a production system with a flexible product portfolio can adapt into a more ecologically resilient system, despite technological constraints. The resilience level of the production system in ecological and financial terms is similar. Several types of sensitivity analyses are conducted to deepen the insights into the processes.

Evolutionary ecology of dispersal in biodiverse spatially structured systems: what is old and what is new?

Dispersal is a well-recognized driver of ecological and evolutionary dynamics, and simultaneously an evolving trait. Dispersal evolution has traditionally been studied in single-species metapopulations so that it remains unclear how dispersal evolves in metacommunities and metafoodwebs, which are characterized by a multitude of species interactions. Since most natural systems are both species-rich and spatially structured, this knowledge gap should be bridged. Here, we discuss whether knowledge from dispersal evolutionary ecology established in single-species systems holds in metacommunities and metafoodwebs and we highlight generally valid and fundamental principles. Most biotic interactions form the backdrop to the ecological theatre for the evolutionary dispersal play because interactions mediate patterns of fitness expectations across space and time. While this allows for a simple transposition of certain known principles to a multispecies context, other drivers may require more complex transpositions, or might not be transferred. We discuss an important quantitative modulator of dispersal evolution-increased trait dimensionality of biodiverse meta-systems-and an additional driver: co-dispersal. We speculate that scale and selection pressure mismatches owing to co-dispersal, together with increased trait dimensionality, may lead to a slower and more 'diffuse' evolution in biodiverse meta-systems. Open questions and potential consequences in both ecological and evolutionary terms call for more investigation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Diversity-dependence of dispersal: interspecific interactions determine spatial dynamics'.

Ecosystem Approach in Agrivoltaic Parks Design

The approach to strategic landscape design faces today two challenges: a) the reduction of biodiversity loss b) the mitigation of the negative impact that anthropic activities have on ecosystems. As these are subject to a continuous transformation process, it is essential that the design methodology considers its underlying properties. Hence, arises the need of a profound paradigm shift: integrate better the human landscape into the natural one. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to understand first landscape dynamics as well as the mechanisms that facilitate its resilience and functionality in ecological terms. This is possible thanks to the strategic framework of the Ecological Infrastructure. The landscape proposal must evaluate then the sequence of actions to be carried out, the measures necessary for the improvement of the recognised systems, and its possible evolution over time. Then, according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed by the EU 2030 biodiversity strategies, the proposal must demonstrate: How biodiversity will improve and how it will be preserved - How ecological processes linked to biodiversity will be upgraded - How cultural and social processes linked to the site will be enhanced - How agricultural and energy production will increase land efficiency - How disturbances will be modulated and controlled. This methodology carried out in Spain aims to demonstrate that the implementation of agrivoltaic fields create an optimal synergy to ensure food security and mitigate the effects of climate change, but also provide the chance to make the landscape more sustainable, efficient, and beautiful.

Genetically- and environmentally-dependent processes drive interspecific and intraspecific divergence in the Chinese relict endemic genus Dipteronia

China is a hotspot of relict plant species that were once widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Recent research has demonstrated that the occurrence of long-term stable refugia in the mountainous regions of central and south-western China allowed their persistence through the late Neogene climate fluctuations. One of these relict lineages is Dipteronia, an oligotypic tree genus with a fossil record extending to the Paleocene. Here, we investigated the genetic variability, demographic dynamics and diversification patterns of the two currently recognized Dipteronia species (Dipteroniasinensis and D.dyeriana). Molecular data were obtained from 45 populations of Dipteronia by genotyping three cpDNA regions, two single copy nuclear genes and 15 simple sequence repeat loci. The genetic study was combined with niche comparison analyses on the environmental space, ecological niche modeling, and landscape connectivity analysis. We found that the two Dipteronia species have highly diverged both in genetic and ecological terms. Despite the incipient speciation processes that can be observed in D. sinensis, the occurrence of long-term stable refugia and, particularly, a dispersal corridor along Daba Shan-west Qinling, likely ensured its genetic and ecological integrity to date. Our study will not only help us to understand how populations of Dipteronia species responded to the tectonic and climatic changes of the Cenozoic, but also provide insight into how Arcto-Tertiary relict plants in East Asia survived, evolved, and diversified.

Review of Methods for Converting Biomass into Biofuels

Thermochemical processes are among the most effective methods of obtaining hydrogen-rich gases from biomass. These technologies mainly include pyrolysis, gasification and hydrothermal liquefaction. Thermochemical conversion of dry biomass is similar to the conversion of fossil fuels using gasification and pyrolysis methods. Products obtained through thermochemical processes (CO and CH4) can be processed into other biofuels, e.g. syngas, a raw material for producing synthetic hydrocarbons, methanol and alcohols. In recent years, advanced research has been carried out using biomass to produce liquid fuels. The biomass pyrolysis process in the presence of a catalyst is based on the rapid heating of the biomass to a temperature of approximately 500°C in the so-called inert atmosphere in which there are no reactive gases. This process produces a liquid product: pyrolysis oil, gas and charcoal. The bio-oil produced in this process constitutes 60-75% of the mass of the biofuel and is thermally unstable because it contains up to 300 different chemical compounds. However, the bio-oil obtained in this way is incompatible with conventional liquid transport fuels (gasoline, diesel) due to its high oxygen content. Pyrolysis in the presence of a zeolite catalyst is a process that allows for the effective conversion of biomass in economic and ecological terms. A zeolite catalyst makes it possible to remove oxidized compounds in situ and modify the properties of the biofuel to ensure its compatibility with conventional transport fuels. The catalyst plays a crucial role in this process because it removes oxygen from oxygenates and, consequently, creates stable reaction products that can then be treated to obtain renewable transport fuels or other useful chemicals. The article presents methods of biomass conversion via pyrolisis, microorganisms usage, zeolite-based catalysis, biocatalysis and photo-fermentation, which poses a big possibility of diversification of renewable energy sources.

Assessing the Feasibility and Socioecological Benefits of Climate-Smart Practices at the Watershed Scale

Resource allocation in climate-smart productive practices depends on the explicit recognition and accountability of the expected costs and benefits in socioeconomic and ecological terms. This study assessed the private and social costs and benefits of 10 practices compatible with the transition to sustainable agricultural practices under an integrated landscape management (ILM) approach. First, the financial and economic viability of the alternatives was evaluated with a cost-benefit analysis. Then, the potential contribution of these practices in terms of carbon sequestration and landscape connectivity was determined in an ILM scenario where at least three practices (live fences, isolated trees in pastures, and riparian vegetation recovery) could be implemented and assessed at the watershed scale. These practices were evaluated in three Mexican pilot watersheds with contrasting biophysical and sociocultural contexts but with high importance in biodiversity conservation and cattle production. The results showed that most climate-smart practices are viable in the medium and long term from a private standpoint. However, more significant benefits are achievable over a shorter period when social co-benefits are included. The results could contribute to decision-making in terms of public policy, providing evidence of the financial and economic feasibility of the analyzed climate-smart practices that also have ecological benefits. In this sense, decision-makers who promote such practices have more arguments to seek funding for implementation.

Sentinel protist taxa of the McMurdo Dry Valley lakes, Antarctica: a review

High-latitude meromictic lakes such as those in the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) harbor aquatic ecosystems dominated by the microbial loop. Within this habitat, which is limited year-round by light and nutrients, protists, or single celled eukaryotes, play outsized roles in the food web as the dominant primary producers and the apex predators. Thus, the MDV lake ecosystem represents an ideal system to study the role of sentinel protist taxa in carbon and nutrient cycling. The perennially ice-covered lakes are part of the McMurdo Long Term Ecological Research (McM LTER; mcmlter.org) established in 1993. In this review we will highlight the diversity and trophic roles of the MDV lake protist community and compare environmental factors driving spatiotemporal patterns in key protist taxa in two lakes within the McM LTER, Lakes Bonney and Fryxell. We will then discuss lessons learned from manipulated experiments on the impact of current and future climate-driven environmental change on sensitive protist taxa. Last, we will integrate knowledge gained from 25 years of lab-controlled experiments on key photosynthetic protists to extend our understanding of the function of these extremophiles within the MDV aquatic food webs. Our research group has studied the distribution and function of the MDV microbial community for nearly two decades, training the next generation of scientists to tackle future problems of these globally significant microbes. This review article will also highlight early career scientists who have contributed to this body of work and represent the future of scientific understanding in the Anthropocene.

“Autumn”: John Clare and the Altered Fenland

abstract: The draining of the fens has been described as “England’s greatest ecological disaster.” This article delineates how John Clare’s ‘flitting’ to Northborough in the spring of 1832 fatefully coincided with a new, more efficient—or, in ecological terms, more disastrous— era of wetland drainage projects in the late 1820s and 30s. Focusing on his late (and sadly neglected) prose essay “Autumn” (1841), I explore how Clare recalls and recasts some of the enduring themes of both Romanticism and his own early poetry as he surveys the ecological disaster he had lived to see unfold.

Calculation and Cause Analysis of Hidden Unemployment—A Case Study of the Northeast State-Owned Forest Areas in China

The Northeast State-owned Forest Areas comprise the largest region of resources in China. The transformation of the Northeast State-owned Forest Areas is due to various stimuli, such as policies, systems, and markets. In the context of ecological construction and the reform of the state-owned forest system in Northeast China, these have undergone a transformation in terms of economy, society, and ecology. However, a mismatch persists between employment and industrial structures, leading to hidden unemployment. This study employs the framework of hidden unemployment theory, utilizing the Cobb–Douglas production function to quantify the hidden unemployment rate, revealing the relationship between transformation and hidden unemployment. Through this analysis, the underlying causes of hidden unemployment in Northeast China’s state-owned forest regions are scrutinized. There is a bidirectional causal relationship between ecological transformation and hidden unemployment, while there is a unidirectional causal relationship between economic transformation and hidden unemployment. Variance decomposition analysis highlights the substantial contribution of social transformation, followed by economic transformation, with ecological transformation playing a comparatively smaller role. Based on the above research, this article proposes expediting the reforms within the forest industry groups, facilitating the separation of governmental and corporate interests. Additionally, it advocates for strategic forestry development planning to effectively absorb surplus labor, and proposes three policy directives aimed at supporting forest area employees, including provisions for job transfers and reemployment opportunities.

Do we speak one language on the way to sustainable soil management in Europe? A terminology check via an EU‐wide survey

AbstractEuropean soils are under increasing pressure, making it difficult to maintain the provision of soil ecosystem services (SESs). A better understanding of soil processes is needed to counteract soil threats (STs) and to promote sustainable soil management. The EJP SOIL programme of the EU provides a framework for the necessary research. However, different definitions of soil‐related terms potentially lead to varied understandings of concepts. Furthermore, there are numerous indicators available to quantify STs or SESs. As unclear communication is a key barrier that hinders the implementation of research results into practice, this study aimed to answer the question about whether the terminology of large‐scale initiatives is adequately understood within the soil‐science community and non‐research stakeholders. An online questionnaire was used to provide definitions for 33 soil‐related terms in both scientific and plain language, as well as indicators for seven SESs and 11 STs. Participants were asked to rate their agreement with the definitions and indicators on a seven‐grade Likert scale. The level of agreement was calculated as the percentage of ratings above 4, the neutral position. The survey was available from June to September 2023 and was distributed by a snowball approach. More than 260 stakeholders assessed the survey; 70% of respondents were researchers, and 15% were practitioners. Mean agreement levels for the definitions and indicators were generally high, at 85% and 78% respectively. However, it was apparent that the lowest agreement was found for terms that are relatively new, such as Ecosystem Services and Bundle, or unfamiliar for certain subgroups, such as ecological terms for stakeholders working at the farm scale. Due to their distinct majority, the results of this study primarily reflect the opinions of scientists. Thus, broad conclusions can only be drawn by comparing scientists with non‐scientists. In this regard, the agreement was surprisingly high across all types of questions. The combined outcomes indicate that there is still a need to facilitate communication between stakeholders and to improve knowledge distribution strategies. Nevertheless, this study can support and be used by future projects and programmes, especially regarding the harmonization of terminology and methods.

A KAJIAN LOKASI UNTUK OCEANARIUM DI SURABAYA: KESEIMBANGAN ANTARA WISATA, PENDIDIKAN DAN RISET

This research examines the siting factors of an oceanarium in Surabaya, Indonesia. The research stems from the need to explore the optimal location for an oceanarium, taking into account the main objectives and functions of the development. The research aims to determine the most suitable location for an oceanarium, with recreation, education, conservation and research being the main considerations. The methodology involved a qualitative analysis of location factors, including accessibility, availability of natural resources, and environmental and socio-economic impacts. The discussion in this study emphasizes the importance of choosing a location that not only supports the oceanarium's objectives but also takes into account the availability of quality seawater resources. The ideal location recommended is an area adjacent to a clean source of seawater and protected from contamination, such as a location away from a river mouth. In addition, the location should be easily accessible to visitors and support recreation, education, conservation and research activities. The conclusion of this study shows that the best location for oceanarium development in Surabaya is the coastal area that fulfills these criteria, namely Kenjeran Lama beach and Ria Kenjeran Beach. This location stands out as the most strategic location in terms of access and travel time. These locations not only support the sustainability of the oceanarium in terms of ecology but also provide added value in terms of economy, education, recreation and research. This research provides valuable guidance for future oceanarium development, both in Surabaya and other locations in Indonesia.

Sustainable farm work in agroecology: how do systemic factors matter?

Agroecological farming is widely considered to reconcile improved working and living conditions of farmers while promoting social, economic, and ecological sustainability. However, most existing research primarily focuses on relatively narrow trade-offs between workload, economic and ecological outcomes at farm level and overlooks the critical role of contextual factors. This article conducts a critical literature review on the complex nature of agroecological farm work and proposes the holistic concept of sustainable farm work (SFW) in agroecology together with a heuristic evaluation framework. The latter was applied to ten case studies to test its relevance, affirming positive outcomes of agroecology on SFW, such as improved food sovereignty, biodiversity conservation, and social inclusiveness, but also showing trade-offs, including increased workload and potential yield reductions. Further, results show that contextual factors, such as policy support, market regulation, and access to resources, heavily influence the impact of agroecological practices on SFW. This article strongly argues for the importance of a holistic understanding of SFW and its contextualization within multiple socio-ecological system levels. The proposed framework establishes clear relationships between agroecology and SFW. An explicit recognition of these multidimensional relationships is essential for maximizing positive outcomes of agroecology in different contexts and fostering SFW. On a theoretical level, this research concludes that, from a holistic perspective, work is an entry point to studying the potential of agroecology to drive a sustainable agroecological transition in economic, social, and ecological terms.

DNA metabarcoding reveals the impact of Cu2+ on soil cercozoan diversity

Although copper (Cu2+) is a micronutrient, the metal may be toxic if present in high concentrations in soil ecosystems and subsequently affect various organisms, ranging from microorganisms to earthworms. We performed a microcosm study with an array of Cu2+ concentrations, with a specific focus on Cercozoa, an important protozoan group in most soil food webs. Research on Cercozoa is still scarce in terms of both diversity and ecology; hence, to explore this group in more depth, we used high-throughput sequencing to detect Cu2+ induced community changes. Increased levels of Cu2+ caused a shift in the cercozoan community, and we observed decreased cercozoan relative abundance across the majority of orders, families and genera. Due to their key role in soil food webs, especially as bacterial predators and providers of nutrients to plants, the reduction of cercozoan abundance and diversity may seriously affect soil functionality. Our results indicate that the increase of Cu2+ concentrations in the soil could potentially have this effect and the consequences need exploration.

Analysis of Performance Parameters of Engines with Spark Ignition with Variable Regulations of the Fuel-Injection System, Powered by E100 Fuel

Emission limits imposed on gas-powered vehicles, which have gradually been introduced by the European Commission, as well as the exhaustibility of the planet’s natural resources involve the need to search for alternative solutions and restore renewable fuel markets. In terms of ecology, using biofuels for powering spark-ignition engines has a positive impact on the natural environment. This kind of fuel, however, has a negative effect on the drive unit performance parameters, such as power and torque. This study presents test results of performance parameters of a spark-ignition engine fueled by E100 (pure ethanol). Parameters that have been analyzed are power, torque, exhaust emission components (oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons), solid particles included in exhaust gases and emission of noise generated by the drive unit. The vehicle control system software adjustments have also been tested. Twelve regulations have been tested to evaluate performance parameters of a spark-ignition engine powered by E100 fuel. An analysis of the test results has confirmed the advisability of the introduction of control system software regulation. The aim of the work was to develop a model that will help select the appropriate software adjustment for an engine powered by E100 fuel. Due to the introduced emission restrictions, there is an important issue that concerns users of combustion vehicles. The research presented in the manuscript concerns a joint analysis of the engine’s fueling with alternative fuel and the introduction of changes to its software in order to reduce emissions.

Pengelolaan Budi daya Rumput Laut dengan Pendekatan Sosial-Ekonomi dan Ekologi di Pulau Pari

Seaweed plays an essential role in the people's economy in Pari Island because its cultivation has been the main livelihood for a long time. Currently, seaweed cultivation activities are no longer found, possibly due to tourism activities that directly degrade the cultivation activities. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status of sustainability and determine the strategy of cultivation management in 5 aspects: ecological, social, economic, institutional, and infrastructure. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources related to socio-ecology in Pari Island. The assessment of the level of sustainability in each dimension was carried out using multidimensional scaling analysis, and a fairly sustainable average suitability value was obtained, namely the infrastructure (73.37), institutional (71.24), ecological (62.48), and economics (62.16). Meanwhile, the dimension with a very suitable sustainability value is the social dimension, with a value of 76.33, meaning that it is very suitable. Overall, the sustainability of seaweed cultivation, if viewed from several dimensions, shows the level of suitability of cultivation, both in terms of infrastructure, institutions, ecology, and economics. However, several dimensions, such as economic and ecological dimensions, must still be considered and continue to be encouraged so that sustainability can be achieved in all dimensions.
 
 Keywords: cultivation, management, Pari Island, seaweed, socio-ecology