Ecological Transition Research Articles

Identifying the determinants of biorefineries location in a core-periphery polarised Europe

PurposeThe challenge posed by the new European bioeconomy strategy in support of green transition goals is significant and raises serious questions regarding its sustainability, from socio-economic, territorial and ecological perspectives. Such a strategy is indeed being implemented in a Europe divided between economically strong and weak areas and where regional divergences within countries have increased nearly everywhere. Considering this polarised context, the present paper investigates the determinants of biorefinery presence in Europe, adopting a core-periphery perspective.Design/methodology/approachSpatial analysis is employed to identify core and periphery regions at the NUTS2 level, and econometric estimates show that the factors determining biorefinery implementation differ between these regions.FindingsIn the core regions, socio-economic factors (e.g. higher income, education and social acceptability) are most significant, while in the periphery, agricultural and territorial determinants play a more prominent role. However, the differences between regions are mitigated when the sample is narrowed to focus on biorefineries with the greatest technological readiness.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, the determinants of biorefineries' presence in a territory is an under-explored topic. Moreover, the existence of core-periphery dynamics even within bio-based activities raises important questions and policy implications in ecological transition processes in Europe.

No Sign of Homogenisation in Reef Fish Communities Across an Ecological Transition Zone Exposed to Warming

ABSTRACTAimMarine organisms are responding to warming by altering their distribution ranges, causing biogeographic range shifts and in some cases, favouring the community homogenisation. Transition zones can act as natural laboratories to explore the consequences of homogenisation. However, these habitats are relatively poorly studied in coastal areas. In this study, we aimed to investigate biotic homogenisation and changes in reef fish community composition from both a taxonomic and trait‐based perspective.LocationSeven islands in the South‐western Atlantic transition zone.MethodsWe used a long‐term survey data set of reef fish species abundances and traits of communities to calculate beta‐diversity indices. By analysing the data, we derived temporal trends of beta‐diversity values by separately comparing the North and South regions of the transition zone and performed pairwise comparisons to explore their dynamics when considered together.ResultsContrary to previous expectations, we found no sign of homogenisation. The colder islands (Southern) experienced a decrease in taxonomic and trait richness metrics, whereas for the warmer islands (Northern), the taxonomic and trait richness fluctuated without any significant temporal trends.Main ConclusionsWhile taxonomic composition may change over time, the trait composition is generally more conserved, highlighting the trait redundancy in South‐western Atlantic communities and supporting the idea that these communities can maintain a range of ecological processes despite changes in taxonomic composition. Finally, the study revealed that despite non‐homogenisation, the species that contribute most to variation, especially in the South, have common trait combinations indicating an increase in the trait redundancy of fish communities over time. We underline that local‐scale conservation efforts may be particularly effective in preserving and protecting species and ecological functions in areas experiencing unique and fast changes in biodiversity.

Mid-Pleistocene aridity and landscape shifts promoted Palearctic hominin dispersals

Population expansions and contractions out of and into Africa since the early Pleistocene have influenced the course of human evolution. While local- and regional-scale investigations have provided insights into the drivers of Eurasian hominin dispersals, a continental-scale and integrated study of hominin-environmental interactions across Palearctic Eurasia has been lacking. Here, we report high-resolution (up to ∼5-10 kyr sample interval) carbon isotope time series of loess deposits in Central Asia and northwest China, a region dominated by westerly winds, providing unique paleoecological and paleoclimatic records for over ~3.6 Ma. These data, combined with further syntheses of Pleistocene paleontological and archaeological records and spatio-temporal distributions of Eurasian eolian deposits and river terraces, demonstrate a pronounced transformation of landscapes around the Mid-Pleistocene Climate Transition. Increased climate amplitude and aridity fluctuations over this period led to the widespread formation of more open habitats, river terraces, and desert-loess landscapes, pushing hominins to range more widely and find solutions to increasingly challenging environments. Mid-Pleistocene climatic and ecological transitions, and the formation of modern desert and loess landscapes and river networks, emerge as critical events during the dispersal of early hominins in Palearctic Eurasia.

Satellite-Based Assessment of Rocket Launch and Coastal Change Impacts on Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, Florida, USA

The Cape Canaveral Barrier Island, home to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Kennedy Space Center and the United States (U.S.) Space Force’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is situated in a unique ecological transition zone that supports diverse wildlife. This study evaluates the recent changes in vegetation cover (2016–2023) and dune elevation (2007–2017) within the Cape Canaveral Barrier Island using high-resolution optical satellite and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data. The study period was chosen to depict the time period of a recent increase in rocket launches. The study objectives include assessing changes in vegetation communities, identifying detectable impacts of liquid propellant launches on nearby vegetation, and evaluating dune elevation and tide level shifts near launchpads. The results indicate vegetation cover changes, including mangrove expansion in wetland areas and the conversion of coastal strands to denser scrubs and hardwood forests, which were likely influenced by mild winters and fire management. While detectable impacts of rocket launches on nearby vegetation were observed, they were less severe than those caused by solid rocket motors. Compounding challenges, such as rising tide levels, beach erosion, and wetland loss, potentially threaten the resilience of launch operations and the surrounding habitats. The volume and scale of launches continue to increase, and a balance between space exploration and ecological conservation is required in this biodiverse region. This study focuses on the assessment of barrier islands’ shorelines.

Ecological diversification of sea catfishes is accompanied by genome-wide signatures of positive selection

Habitat transitions have shaped the evolutionary trajectory of many clades. Sea catfishes (Ariidae) have repeatedly undergone ecological transitions, including colonizing freshwaters from marine environments, leading to an adaptive radiation in Australia and New Guinea alongside non-radiating freshwater lineages elsewhere. Here, we generate and analyze one long-read reference genome and 66 short-read whole genome assemblies, in conjunction with genomic data for 54 additional species. We investigate how three major ecological transitions have shaped genomic variation among ariids over their ~ 50 million-year evolutionary history. Our results show that relatively younger freshwater lineages exhibit a higher incidence of positive selection than their more ancient marine counterparts. They also display a larger disparity in body shapes, a trend that correlates with a heightened occurrence of positive selection on genes associated with body size and elongation. Although positive selection in the Australia and New Guinea radiation does not stand out compared to non-radiating lineages overall, selection across the prolactin gene family during the marine-to-freshwater transition suggests that strong osmoregulatory adaptations may have facilitated their colonization and radiation. Our findings underscore the significant role of selection in shaping the genome and organismal traits in response to habitat shifts across macroevolutionary scales.

Green Transition and Industrial Relations at the Workplace: Evidence From Italian Firms

ABSTRACTThis article analyses the role of green investments (GIs) in the adoption of decentralised bargaining and the single aspects negotiated therein. Using data on a large representative sample of Italian firms, we find that investing in green technologies increases the overall probability of decentralised agreements. Further, GIs lead to an increase in negotiations on performance‐related pay and welfare benefits. These results are robust to an econometric strategy that controls for unobserved heterogeneity and endogeneity issues. Our explanation for this evidence is that the current ecological transition in production processes is likely causing significant organisational changes. Managing these changes requires increased flexibility in negotiating critical issues at the company level, such as wage premiums and non‐monetary benefits to employees.

Development of a Process for Polyphenol Extraction and the Production of a Functional Powder for Food Fortification

The valorisation of co-products from food supply chains is consistent with the objectives of the national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP), which favours issues relating to the “green revolution and ecological transition”. The nutraceutical characteristics (antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-cancer, etc.) of grape pomace extracts are due to the presence of polyphenols. The objective of the following research was to develop an innovative extraction process in order to produce a special powder with high technological and nutraceutical value (polyphenols). For the experimentation, red grape pomace from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes was used. The first phase of the experimentation allowed the development of the extraction methods; the second involved the use of a pilot system for the extraction, filtration, and distillation phases. The result obtained is a powder with compositional characteristics suitable for the fortification of alcoholic and non-alcoholic food matrices, due to its colouring and antioxidant and nutraceutical properties.

Long-Term Cumulative Effect of Management Decisions on Forest Structure and Biodiversity in Hemiboreal Forests

We evaluated the long-term impacts of various forest management practices on the structure and biodiversity of Estonian hemiboreal forests, a unique ecological transition zone between temperate and boreal forests, found primarily in regions with cold winters and moderately warm summers, such as the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. The study examined 150 plots across stands of different ages (65–177 years), including commercial forests and Natura 2000 habitat 9010* “Western Taiga”. These plots varied in stand origin—multi-aged (trees of varying ages) versus even-aged (uniform tree ages), management history—historical (practices before the 1990s) and recent (post-1990s practices), and conservation status—protected forests (e.g., Natura 2000 areas) and commercial forests focused on timber production. Data on forest structure, including canopy tree diameters, deadwood volumes, and species richness, were collected alongside detailed field surveys of vascular plants and bryophytes. Management histories were assessed using historical maps and records. Statistical analyses, including General Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs), Multi-Response Permutation Procedures (MRPP), and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA), were used to evaluate the effects of origin, management history, and conservation status on forest structure and species composition. Results indicated that multi-aged origin forests had significantly higher canopy tree diameters and deadwood volumes compared to even-aged origin stands, highlighting the benefits of varied-age management for structural diversity. Historically managed forests showed increased tree species richness, but lower deadwood volumes, suggesting a biodiversity–structure trade-off. Recent management, however, negatively impacted both deadwood volume and understory diversity, reflecting short-term forestry consequences. Protected areas exhibited higher deadwood volumes and bryophyte richness compared to commercial forests, indicating a small yet persistent effect of conservation strategies in sustaining forest complexity and biodiversity. Indicator species analysis identified specific vascular plants and bryophytes as markers of long-term management impacts. These findings highlight the ecological significance of integrating historical legacies and conservation priorities into modern management to support forest resilience and biodiversity.

Towards environmental sustainability: an empirical study on airports efficiency

ABSTRACT The transition to more environmentally sustainable production processes and managerial practices is an increasingly important topic. Many industries need to undergo radical change to meet environmental sustainability requirements; the air transport industry is no exception. In this respect, a particular aspect that needs further attention is the relationship between airport performances and investments in environmental sustainability policies. This work represents the first attempt to provide empirical evidence about this relationship. Through the application of a non-parametric method, we first assess the efficiency of the Italian airports’ industry. Secondly, we investigated the relationship between airports’ performance and management commitment towards the ecological transition using a Tobit regression model. The results show that airports’ adherence to formal multi-year ecological transition programmes has a positive and consistent impact on their performance.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of LULC change and implications for sustainable urban growth in Saudi Arabia

This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) change in Saudi cities between 2013 and 2023. Using Landsat satellite imagery and a Maximum Likelihood Classifier, LULC changes are analyzed in nine cities to understand the impact of Saudi Arabia’s rapid urbanization following the oil crisis. The objectives are: (1) to evaluate the LULC changes in nine cities between 2013 and 2023; (2) to explore the spatiotemporal patterns of LULC changes in this period; and (3) to interpret the urban expansion that occurs in Saudi Arabia in the light of the kingdom sustainable development plan. The results identifiy four primary LULC change models: Urbanization, Vegetation Recovery, Land Degradation, and Ecological Transition Models. The Urbanization and Land Degradation Models determine Saudi Arabia’s urban growth trend, posing significant challenges to sustainable development. Most cities experienced substantial increases in impermeable surfaces and developed lands, while concurrently losing high terrain and barren areas. However, the small cities showed lower urbanization and land degradation rates than major cities, showing an opportunity to sustainably grow by adopting sustainable planning approaches. The study’s findings show that more targeted and comprehensive policies are needed to address the challenges of urbanization and land degradation, mitigate environmental impacts, and ensure long-term resilience. It underscores the importance of considering Ecological Urbanism in urban development plans.

River volunteers: emergent, popular and amusing water discoverers

The paper aims to verify whether volunteering and environmentalism are two phenomena that overlap both conceptually and empirically. The actions for the protection and enhancement of rivers in Italy are taken as a testing ground. Two packages of literature are used to understand the overlap between volunteering and environmentalism, one on neo-institutionalism and the other on new social movements. The starting framework is a general typology of voluntary organisations, which is then adapted to the environmental movement. The hypothesis of growing disintermediation and light commitment by the new generations of volunteers finds original answers in river volunteering. Alongside classic environmentalist militancy, forms of popular action in favour of rivers are emerging that show detachment from politics and attraction to intrinsic benefits, such as the pleasure of recreation and collective memory recovery. This raises new questions about the role of organised civil society in maintaining democracy and helping the ecological transition.

Enhancing wineries’ sustainability through territorial certifications: a case study in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Purpose As sustainability concerns become increasingly influential in shaping wineries’ strategies at the production and processing stages, this study aims to investigate the anticipated benefits, incentives and constraints associated with a territorial sustainability certification in the wine industry. Design/methodology/approach Focusing on wine producers from the Romagna Consortium (Italy), the research explores the influence of firm characteristics on sustainability attitudes and explores the Consortium potential role in facilitating the ecological transition. Data are collected through an online survey and analyzed by means of factor and cluster analysis. Findings Findings reveal the Consortium capacity to expand its scope, incorporating elements of sustainability, resilience and territorial development. In addition, it emerges that the perception of sustainability among local producers extends beyond environmental concerns, encompassing the economic and social domains. Practical implications Acting as a cluster constituent, the Consortium can stimulate collaborative behavior and promote knowledge dissemination contributing to a mature collaborative environment. A territorial sustainability certification is thus viewed as multifunctional tool, enhancing economic performance and collective reputation, while addressing the numerous environmental challenges faced by the sector. Originality/value The study’s originality lies in its direct engagement with a considerable number of producers in a geographic area boasting a mature wine industry but with limited research focusing on coordinated efforts for improved sustainability performance.

State of the art and working fluids for high temperature heat pumps

Abstract In the current framework of the European policy that pushes toward the ecological transition by promoting the use of low GWP refrigerants and the system electrification, high temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) can be considered as an important technology with huge applicative potential. Their capacity to boost the heat quality from lower to higher temperatures, in fact, makes these machines very interesting across numerous domains. On this regard, this paper presents a comprehensive critical review of the state of the art for applications and working fluids related to high temperature heat pumps. The focus is on the analysis of the heat pump thermodynamic cycles and performance, possible suitable refrigerants, operating source and sink temperatures, potential applications and related technical challenges. More than 25 scientific papers are reviewed, showing large application potential in the food, paper, metal and chemical industries, together with the residential sector.

Ecological and digital transition: "Travelling" in parallel for an everlasting future more sustainable

The text emphasizes that achieving climate neutrality and sustainability requires the simultaneous pursuit of green and digital transitions. These transformations are essential for economic and social systems but come with significant challenges and trade-offs. Acknowledging the interconnected nature of environmental, social, and economic sustainability is crucial to achieving these goals. Efforts toward sus-tainability and digitization must prioritize inclusivity and equality. Transforming businesses through digital and green initiatives is key to post-pandemic recovery, revitalizing production, and supporting the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRP), offering a unique opportunity for sustainable development. The "double transition" (green and digital) is seen as a cornerstone for post-pandemic recovery, influencing international competitiveness and economic growth. Amid the current global energy crisis and rising costs of raw materials and energy, companies must adapt to remain competitive. Technological investments and sustainable produc-tion are crucial for the future stability of the production system in Italy, Europe, and beyond. The integration of green and digital solutions is identified as essential for creating a competitive, fair, and sustainable future.

Ecological function transitions of land use in the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone from the perspective of production-living-ecological space

Ecological function transitions of land use in the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone from the perspective of production-living-ecological space

Elementi per la pianificazione di una transizione energetica sostenibile in Italia

Starting from analysing the Italian strategy for the ecological transition, this paper faces the sustainability of energy planning. While the need to decarbonise our economy is a matter of fact, the strategy to reach the carbon neutrality objective in 2050 must be more convincing. In particular, two aspects of renewable energy transition are analysed in this paper: spatial energy density and raw material consumption. The comparison between traditional fossil energy sources and renewable ones (in particular, solar and biomass energy), and related storage capacity demand through batteries or hydrogen generation, shows a much greater impact of the latter on land and raw materials consumption. The substantial implications reverberate on the techno-economical, environmental, social and political levels. The paper concludes with suggestions on integrating energy planning strategy with more sustainable solutions, including nuclear power plants.

Three-dimensional modeling of Alkaline Water Electrolyzers

Abstract The main purpose of this paper is the development of a CFD modelling methodology for the simulation of alkaline water electrolysis. The growing concern about climate change is pushing more and more countries to facilitate ecological transition programmes. Hydrogen perfectly fits the characteristics to become one of the main actors in many industrial sectors to reduce the emission of polluting gases in hard-to-abate sectors. In this framework, hydrogen must be produced through zero-impact technologies. Alkaline water electrolysis is the most widespread technology to produce green hydrogen, and through its CFD modelling it is possible to accurately simulate the behaviour of these components and enhance their performance. In this study, two three-dimensional models have been created representing two types of alkaline electrolysis cell: the first one is a standard laboratory configuration (wide-gap), the second one is a zero-gap type. Both models are based on a two-phase model (liquid: water and potassium hydroxide electrolyte, gas: hydrogen and oxygen) using a Euler-Euler approach to describe the gas bubble flow. With these models it has been possible to investigate how temperature and electrolyte flow rate affect the production of hydrogen, with particular emphasis on the pressure effect. Increasing the pressure at which hydrogen is produced could mean a significant reduction in storage compression costs, giving new horizons to this technology.

초등학교 ‘즐거운 생활’ 통합교과서의 생태음악교육 내용 분석

The necessity of ecological education for coexistence between nature and humans, such as environmental education, ecological education, and ecological transition education, is increasingly emphasized through gradual changes in schools. Therefore, ecological education is now an important educational topic that should be addressed not only in specific subjects such as social studies, morals, science, and environment, but also in all fields. Ecological education in the music field starts from ecological musicology, which explores the relationship between music, culture, and the natural environment, and includes the area of environmental sounds. Therefore, the types of ecological music education that appear in the integrated textbook for elementary schools, “Pleasure Life,” which is being used for the first time in accordance with the revised 2022 curriculum this year, were analyzed by dividing them into ecological education through the text of the original song and sound activities such as exploring, listening to, and imitating environmental sounds. Through this, we examined whether the 2022 revised curriculum music text composition is appropriate in terms of ecological and environmental education, and the most common text related to the 'land ecosystem', while few or no texts such as 'climate change and response', 'marine ecosystem', and 'eco-friendly energy' were used. In addition, the sound activity area was classified into three categories based on soundscape ecology: 'geophony', 'biophony', and 'anthrophony', and it was confirmed that sound activity appeared in all three categories, and that the activity area had a variety of organization ranging from search, listening, and imitation of sound. This analysis is considered to be helpful in setting the direction of ecological music education and operating the subject.

Public resources and communities: the role of the university in ecological transition

The promotion of participatory processes in initiatives such as Energy Communities (ECs) can prompt behavioural change in ecological transition. The paper presents the experience of the Municipality of Cesena and the University in the EN-ACTION project aimed at increasing awareness among students and citizens about energy transition through initiatives involving various stakeholders. The first section outlines the state of the art on energy citizenship and universities in ecological transition. The methodological section illustrates the participatory approach of EN-ACTION. The third section describes the results. The conclusions emphasise the central role of active citizenship in the transition, and the role of the public in shared management of energy.

Green Connections: Adaptive, Integrated, and Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Historic Centres

Choosing adaptation and mitigation actions, through nature-based solutions, fosters the ecological transition process, which is necessary to face the challenges of climate change. However, these interventions are often discontinuous and disconnected, especially within dense and delicate urban fabrics such as historic centres. The research proposes a multi-scalar methodological approach aimed at defining an integrated design tool to improve the microclimatic well-being, accessibility and aesthetic quality of open spaces located in consolidated urban environments. Through the synergy between natural, technological and social components, the aim is to create replicable minimum intervention units designed to foster democratic and ecosystemic connections.