Ecological Changes Research Articles

Beyond the Remote Sensing Ecological Index: A Comprehensive Ecological Quality Evaluation Using a Deep-Learning-Based Remote Sensing Ecological Index

Ecological integrity is fundamental to human survival and development. However, rapid urbanization and population growth have significantly disrupted ecosystems. Despite the focus of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) on terrestrial ecosystems and land use/cover changes, existing ecological indices, such as the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI), have limitations, including an overreliance on single indicators and inability to fully encapsulate the ecological conditions of urban areas. This study addresses these gaps by proposing a Deep-learning-based Remote Sensing Ecological Index (DRSEI) that integrates human economic activities and leverages an autoencoder neural network with long short-term memory (LSTM) modules to account for nonlinearity in ecological quality assessments. The DRSEI model utilizes multi-temporal remote sensing data from the Landsat series, WorldPop, and NPP-VIIRS and was applied to evaluate the ecological conditions of Hubei Province, China, over the past two decades. The key findings indicate that ecological environmental quality gradually improved, particularly from 2000 to 2010, with the rate of improvement subsequently slowing. The DRSEI outperformed the traditional RSEI and had a significantly higher Pearson correlation coefficient than the Ecological Index (EI), thus demonstrating enhanced accuracy and predictive performance. This study presents an innovative approach to ecological assessment that offers a more comprehensive, accurate, and nuanced understanding of ecological changes over time. Integrating socioeconomic factors with deep learning techniques contributes significantly to the field and has implications for ecological risk control and sustainable development.

Ecological restoration in valley area of semiarid region damaged by shallow buried coal seam mining

Abstract Coal seams in valley areas are shallow buried, and mining activities have a strong impact on the surface environment, so ecological restoration in this condition is very difficult. Strengthening the monitoring of ecological changes plays an important role in optimizing mining methods and ecological restoration. In this article, a valley area in the northern Shaanxi Province of China was selected as the research area, and a similar ecosystem around the study area was selected as the reference subject. The traditional remote sensing ecological index model was improved, and a new evaluation model was constructed based on the framework of Modified Remote Sensing Ecology index-Deviation from Reference Ecosystem Index-Ecological Restoration Quality Index (ERQI) to study the evolution of the environment in the study area from the perspective of the whole life cycle of mining activities. The results showed that ERQI values in the study area experienced an evolution process from high to low and then gradually increased, reflecting the impact of coal mine production and restoration activities on the environment, in which Burn Area Index and normalized difference vegetation index were more sensitive; after nearly 10 years of restoration, ERQI values in the study area still had a large gap with that of the reference area, some suggestions for improvement of ecological restoration were put forward. The research provided a quantitative approach to describe the evolution of the ecological environment and a scientific basis for the ecological restoration in the mining areas.

Ecological Impact on the Prevalence of Giant Scale Insect (Homoptera : Monophlebidae) in Jahangirnagar University Campus, Bangladesh

Most monophlebid insects are highly polyphagous, dimorphic, and well-known sap-sucking plant pests throughout the world. To determine their abundances, distribution, incidences, seasonal dynamics, feeding nature and the effects of ecological changes on their populations, an initial study (September 2004–August 2005) and a review study (March 2023–February 2024) were carried out in Jahangirnagar University Campus (JUC), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The host plants (trees and shrubs) were examined through biweekly visual counts. In the initial investigation, 14,802 monophlebid insects from three species (Biodiversity Index or BI = 0.002, H = 1, D = 0.387, 1-D = 0.613, 1/D = 2.58, and EH = 0.91) were documented from 10 plant species. In the review study, a total of 423 insects under five species (two previously identified and three new) (BI = 0.141, H = 0.22, D = 0.917, 1-D = 0.083, 1/D = 1.1, and EH = 0.14) detected from five plant species, including one new species. Within around 20 years from the first study, the percentage of total plants and infested plants decreased significantly by 47.14% and 92.96%, respectively. The amount of insects decreased by 2.86%, while 87.67% of shrubs decreased (F = 5.8, df = 1, P = 0.07). The pest insects from trees and shrubs reduced by 3.67% and 0.45%, respectively. The identified most suitable host plant was Ficus benghalensis for sheltering maximum scale insect in both studies. The only insect pest, Icerya aegyptiaca was consistently abundant throughout the period in both studies. The insect, I. aegyptiaca was found available on every part of the plant, though the majority of them survived on leaves. The present findings might contribute understanding ecological imbalances and helpful for developing effective management strategies against these insect pests. J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 50(1-2): 51-67, June-December 2024

Monitoring and evaluation of ecological restoration in open-pit coal mine using remote sensing data based on a OM-RSEI model

ABSTRACT Open-pit coal mining poses a severe threat to regional ecological security. Rapid and accurate monitoring of ecological quality changes is crucial for regional ecological restoration. In this study, taking the Wujiata open-pit coal mine as an example, the Red-Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (RENDVI), Salinity Index (SI-T), WETness index (WET), Normalized Differential Built Soil Index (NDBSI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Desertification Index (DI) were used to construct the Open-pit Mine Remote Sensing Ecological Index (OM-RSEI) through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The ecological quality and restoration conditions of typical mining areas in arid and semi-arid regions were monitored and evaluated. The results shown that: (1) The contribution rates and eigenvalues of OM-RSEI were higher than those of conventional RSEI, OM-RSEI was more applicable in open-pit mining areas. (2) From 2018 to 2023, the OM-RSEI of the Wujiata open-pit coal mine showed a ‘V’ shaped fluctuation that was damaged and then gradually recovered. (3) The degraded area of Wujiata open-pit coal mine and its 5 km buffer zone accounted for 78.02%, and the improved area accounted for 19.16%. (4) The average Moran’s I index of OM-RSEI in the study area was 0.8189, and the high–high clustering corresponded to the ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ distributions, while the low–low clustering corresponded to the ‘poor’ and ‘less-poor’ distributions. The OM-RSEI provided a new indicator for monitoring and evaluation of ecological restoration in open-pit coal mines, which can provide theoretical support for ecological restoration in open-pit coal mining areas.

P-278. Emerging Threat: Rising Incidence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Serratia marcescens in a Guatemalan Intensive Care Unit

Abstract Background Serratia marcescen, a gram-negative bacillus, is an important pathogen associated with hospital acquired infections. It ranks as the 5thmost common Gram-negative organism in Intensive Care Units infections globally. With a global case-mortality of 2.8%, Serratia marcescens poses a substantial threat to healthcare systems. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has led to increased antimicrobial resistance among Serratia strains. Rates of ESBL-producing isolates of Serratia have been reported ranging from 6-24% of all strains, in low- and middle-income countries. This study evaluates the incidence and resistance patterns of Serratia isolates in Guatemala City. Methods An ecological study was conducted at an intensive care unit from a third-level reference hospital in Guatemala City from 2022 to 2023. All microbiologic isolates of Serratia Marcescens were included, and antimicrobial resistance was determined through the use VITEK® MS (Maldi Tof) and VITEK® 2 systems. Antimicrobial resistance patterns were identified according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. GyrA/ParC phenotype was inferred through resistance to fluoroquinolones. Results A total of 20 isolates of Serratia were identified in 2022 and 49 in 2023. The majority of strains were isolated from respiratory samples (81.15%). There was a significant increase in Serratia positivity rates (4.72 vs 9.06 per 1000 cultures) and incidence of Serratia isolates (24.75 vs. 94.59 per 1000 admissions) from 2022 to 2023. An increase in antimicrobial resistance was observed between 2022 and 2023. In 2022, 70% of strains where susceptible, and 20% showed only one mechanism of resistance. Conversely, in 2023, only 6% of strains where susceptible and over 57% presented more than one mechanism of resistance. An increase in inferred GyrA/ParC (5% vs 83.6%) and confirmed ESBL (0% vs 36.7%) phenotypes were observed. Conclusion An increased use of antimicrobials in the ICU may be associated with the sudden and alarming rise in resistance in Serratia isolates. The clinical impact of these ecological changes is yet to be determined. The escalating incidence and resistance of S. marcescen in Guatemala City highlights the urgency for enhanced surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship programs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

P-221. Ribotype Ecology and 90-day Mortality Changes after a CDI Diagnostic Change from a PCR-based to a 2-step Diagnostic Algorithm

Abstract Background Due to detection of Clostridioides difficile colonization, many hospitals changed from a PCR-based CDI diagnostic to a two-step diagnostic using a GDH/EIA assay. How this change affected the ecology of diagnostic C. difficile strains or patient outcomes is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in strain ecology and patient outcomes after a CDI-diagnostic change from a PCR-based to a GDH/EIA diagnostic assay. Methods Stool samples considered CDI positive by institutional policy were collected from a university-affiliated quaternary care hospital and associated community hospitals from 2016-21. Stool samples were cultured for C. difficile and ribotyped by fluorescent PCR. Patient’s health records were reviewed for 30- and 90-day mortality and CDI recurrence. Ribotype distribution and clinical outcomes were compared after the diagnostic change. Results The cohort included 418 patients (PCR+: n=315; GDH+/EIA+: n=103). An increased proportion of ribotype (RT) 027 was noted after the change to GDH/EIA and a decreased likelihood of RT014-020 and RT255. An increased likelihood of singletons (PCR ribotypes observed only once) was shown during use of the PCR diagnostic. CDI treatment failures and mortality was higher after implementation of the GDH/EIA diagnostic. Ninety-day mortality was 19.4% using the GDH/EIA diagnostic and 11.1% using the PCR (p=0.030). No differences in CDI recurrence were noted. Conclusion C. difficile ecology and clinical outcomes changed after implementation of a GDH/EIA diagnostic, likely due to PCR detection of colonization. Disclosures Anne J. Gonzales-Luna, PharmD, BCIDP, Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant|Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Merck and Co: Grant/Research Support|Paratek Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|Seres Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support Kevin W. Garey, PharmD, MS, Acurx: Grant/Research Support

The changing biodiversity of the Arctic flora in the Anthropocene.

The plants of the circumpolar Arctic occupy a dynamic system that has been shaped by glacial cycles and climate change on evolutionary timescales. Yet rapid climatic change can compromise the floristic diversity of the tundra, and the ecological and evolutionary changes in the Arctic from anthropogenic forces remain understudied. In this review, we synthesize knowledge of Arctic floral biodiversity across the entirety of the region within the context of its climatic history. We present critical gaps and challenges in modeling and documenting the consequences of anthropogenic changes for Arctic flora, informed by data from the Late Quaternary (~20 ka). We found that previous forecasts of Arctic plant responses to climate change indicate widespread reductions in habitable area with increasing shrub growth and abundance as a function of annual temperature increase. Such shifts in the distribution and composition of extant Arctic flora will likely increase with global climate through changes to the carbon cycle, necessitating a unified global effort in conserving these plants. More data and research on the continuity of tundra communities are needed to firmly assess the risk climate change poses to the Arctic.

Shifting Herbal Knowledge: The Ecological and Cultural Dynamics Behind Plant Use Changes in the Southern Occitan Alps

This study examines changes in medicinal and wild food plant knowledge in the Alpine Southern Occitan area, focusing on temporal and cultural shifts. Drawing from ethnobotanical data from the Maira Valley (1970, 2022), Stura Valley (2004), and Grana Valley (2011), we explore dynamics in plant use and how they may have been generated by ecological, socio-economic, and cultural changes. A total of 308 plant taxa were recorded, with notable declines in Asteraceae and Lamiaceae utilizations by 2022, suggesting a remarkable erosion of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Conversely, the use of families like Brassicaceae and Amaranthaceae increased, possibly due to socio-economic factors. This study also found in recent years a decrease in medicinal plant uses and a greater reliance on food system-related plants. Logistic regression models highlighted altitude (600–1600 masl) as a key factor in plant diversity use, with older participants showing more diverse ethnobotanical knowledge. This study underscores the resilience and transformation of plant knowledge in response to socio-economic and environmental changes in the Alpine area.

Indigenous Knowledge on Shifting Cultivation and Sustainable Agriculture

Indigenous knowledge on shifting mountainous farm management of Arfak farmers is the original culture of Arfak people, held firm passed down to generations. This can be seen in the agricultural activities of Arfak farmers who are still applying indigenous knowledge to this day. Modernization can affect the existence and can also be a threat to the indigenous knowledge of Arfak farmers. The low level of education of farmers, the oral transfer of indigenous knowledge and the absence of written documentation of indigenous knowledge are the causes of indigenous knowledge being swept away in the flow of modernization. Apart from that, the existence of indigenous knowledge is increasingly threatened by the development of plantations and urban areas. Especially the increasing demand for land for plantations, infrastructure, settlements and mining. Based on data from the West Papua Agriculture Service, in 2017 plantation development reached 53,806 ha and mining reached 89,256 ha in the Arfak Mountains. Agricultural modernization and industrialization will certainly reduce shifting cultivation and the value of indigenous knowledge. The high biodiversity makes Arfak Mountains a conservation area and makes this region a center of highland vegetable production in West Papua. In 2021, agricultural sector contributed 33.61% to growth Arfak Mountains Gross Regional Domestic Product. This study aims to describe how Arfak farmers apply their indigenous knowledge, namely the concept of igya ser hanjob in managing land to support sustainable agricultural activities. This research uses qualitative approach with inductive methods and case study techniques to document the knowledge and experience Arfak farmers selected with the snowball technique. Data was collected through interviews and observations. This study found that sustainable land management in agricultural activities is based on the ecological concept of the Arfak people, namely igya ser hanjob. This concept regulates appropriate management areas for agriculture and ensures environment sustainability and family food. This ecological concept was socialized for generations Arfak farming family. However, in reality there is a threat of landslides in agricultural areas due to socio-economic and ecological changes in mountainous farming are of Arfak community.

The transition from resistance to acceptance: Managing a marine invasive species in a changing world

Abstract Marine invasive species can transform coastal ecosystems, yet mitigating their effects can be difficult, and even impractical. Often, marine invasive species are managed at poorly matched spatial scales, and at the same time, rates of spread and establishment are increasing under climate change and can outpace resources available for population suppression. These circumstances challenge traditional conservation goals of maintaining a historic environmental state, especially for a species like the European green crab (Carcinus maenas), a formidable invader with few examples of successful long‐term removal programs. A management paradigm where decision alternatives include resisting or accepting a new ecological trajectory may be needed. We apply mathematical concepts from decision theory to develop a quantitative framework for navigating management decisions in this new resist‐accept paradigm. We develop a model of European green crab growth, removal and colonization, and we find optimal levels of removal effort that minimize both ecological change and removal cost. We establish a benchmark of colonization pressure at which green crab density becomes decoupled from a decision maker's actions, such that population control can no longer shape the invasion trajectory. For informing the decision boundary between resistance and acceptance, our results highlight that a decision maker's understanding of how removal cost scales with removal effort is more important than understanding the density‐impact relationship. We show that assuming stationary system dynamics can result in sub‐optimal levels of species removal effort, highlighting the importance of developing anticipatory management strategies by accounting for non‐stationary dynamics. Policy implications. For marine invasive species that can disperse across long distances and recolonize rapidly after removal, the focus of conservation policy should shift away from understanding how to resist change to understanding when to stop resisting change. Navigating this decision problem involves trade‐offs among competing objectives, highlighting the need for structured approaches to elicit objective weights that reflect the values of the decision maker. For natural resource managers facing possible ecosystem transformation, this decision framework can enable proactive and strategic decisions made under uncertainty in a changing world.

Invasive control and native restoration: Directing ecosystem transformation through purposeful food web manipulations

ABSTRACT Ecosystems are abruptly changing due to invasive species and global climate change. In lakes, invasive Rainbow Smelt Osmerus mordax can cause negative ecosystem effects through competitive and predatory interactions with native species leading to food web shifts away from native species dominance, altered zooplankton communities, and the decline or extirpation of native cool and coldwater fishes. We conducted two whole-lake removals of invasive Rainbow Smelt and simultaneous introductions of native Cisco Coregonus artedi through stocking. About 327 and 1.6 adult Rainbow Smelt/ha were removed and about 45 adult Cisco/ha were stocked over 4 years into the two experimental lakes. In one system, native Yellow Perch Perca flavscens relative abundance and density significantly increased by 556% and 143% post-manipulation, respectively. In the other system, native Walleye Sander vitreus relative abundance increased by 26% and became consistently present in the pelagic zone post-manipulation (allowing for density estimation). Rainbow Smelt relative abundance and density decreased by >85% in both experimental lakes. The two ecosystems shifted to native species dominance while invasive Rainbow Smelt became insignificant components of the food webs. In these two intensive whole-lake manipulations, we applied the Resist–Accept–Direct (RAD) climate adaptation framework to test an applicable ecological adaptation strategy and used panarchy theory as an ecologically grounded pathway to purposefully direct ecosystem transformation. We used this holistic management framework to better understand and manage undesired ecological change—“food web thinking.” In the context of our study, two ecosystems were purposefully directed towards native food web structures, species interactions, and processes, which mitigated Rainbow Smelt driven negative effects.

Wildfires: Burning our way to a 'hot house Earth'?

A new global analysis shows that wildfires turn temperate and boreal forests into major emitters of greenhouse gases- instead of storing carbon. Without sustainable forest fire management, forest fires may amplify climate change, leading to irreversible ecological changes.

Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Specimens from Khartoum Hospitals, Sudan

Background: One of the most common causes of nosocomial infection is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial resistance has expanded globally as a result of profound changes in microbial genetic ecology caused by the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials. Objective: The aim of study was to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens. Materials and Methods: The present study used purposive sampling as the sampling technique. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from 77 clinical specimens, Susceptibility Test was determined using Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion. Results: The results revealed that and the isolated organism test is Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from all the clinical Specimen by 100%, The results revealed that the frequencies of Cefpodoxime antibiotics for the Urine 32.4% (11/31) was sensitive, while 58.8% (20/31) was resistant., for the wound 20.6% (7/34) was sensitive, while 79.4% (27/34) was resistant., for the Ear 5.9% (2/12) was sensitive, while 29.4% (10/12) was resistant. Resistant average for cefpodoxime was 74.0%, and there is a high statistically significant relation between Cefpodoxime antibiotics and samples (Urine and wound) and a normal relation with Ear. Conclusion: Drug resistance in P. aeruginosa is a multifactorial increasing phenomenon. Estimated frequencies were between 12-36%. Mechanisms of resistance either through membrane permeability and efflux system or through its virulence factors or acquired genetically by plasmid. Combination of these mechanisms leads to a superbug, which is very difficult to be treated.

Spatio-temporal ecological assessment of Camellia oleifera plantations using Sentinel-2 images based on deep learning

ABSTRACT The widespread cultivation of Camellia oleifera in subtropical regions has played a significant role in promoting economic development in southern China. In recent years, the cultivation area has continuously expanded, highlighting the importance of extracting Camellia oleifera plantations automatically and monitoring ecological changes in these regions. This study proposes a novel method based on deep learning, utilizing Sentinel-2 images for efficient assessing ecological quality of Camellia oleifera plantations. First, we undertook a comprehensive examination and assessment of different semantic segmentation models, utilizing a dataset of Camellia oleifera plantations that we compiled. The most effective segmentation model was then employed to automatically extract Camellia oleifera plantations in Shaoyang City. Finally, to gain a deeper understanding of the ecological status of Camellia oleifera plantations, the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was introduced to analyse ecological changes from 2018 to 2022. The research results indicate that when the U-Net++ model is applied to extract Camellia oleifera plantations from Sentinel-2 images, its performance surpasses other semantic segmentation methods. This method achieves notable metrics: accuracy of 0.80, recall of 0.79, F1-Score of 0.81, and MIoU of 0.88, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying Camellia oleifera plantations. The research findings of Camellia oleifera plantations in Shaoyang City show a notable increase in the mean RSEI, with a rise from 0.166 in 2018 to 0.345 in 2022. Through the application of deep learning for automated Camellia oleifera plantation extraction and RSEI for ecological assessment, the study discovers a continuous expansion of Camellia oleifera plantations and a yearly increase in ecological quality.

Paleolimnological evidence of anthropogenic influence and environmental changes in a tropical high mountain lake (Lake Tota, Colombia).

In this study, we focused on Lake Tota (Colombia) as a model for investigating the impact of anthropogenic activities on lake productivity. Two sediment cores collected from the two main basins of the lake (Lago Grande and Lago Chico) were dated using alpha spectrometry for 210Pb. Changes in organic matter, carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, C:N ratios, diatoms and elemental fractions were examined as indicators of productivity. The results indicated two periods of environmental change: (1) a prolonged pre-eutrophication period before 1960CE dominated by alkaline conditions, mesotrophic diatoms, and inorganic sediment accumulation characteristic of erosion, and (2) an accelerated anthropogenic eutrophication period (1960-2021CE) related to human population growth, rapid land-use change, and organic accumulation in the sediments. Analysis of Lago Grande and Lago Chico identified two distinct diatom zones, aligned with shifts in biogeochemical proxies. These zones indicated changes from well oxygenated and moderately productive period to hypoxic and highly productive conditions, as reflected by changes in the S/Fe ratio. Notably, a progressive increase in organic matter and diatom concentration in sediments was observed after 1960CE. The study revealed that increases in δ15N values, point to elevated nutrient inputs due to agricultural runoff, which stimulate primary productivity. Additionally, shifts in δ13C values indicated changes in organic carbon sources associated with nutrient enrichment and greater terrestrial input due to erosion. These isotopic shifts reflected ecological changes in response to human influence.

Leaders of Academic Health Systems as Drivers of Climate Action and Sustainability

Climate change is killing people. Whether directly or indirectly through extreme weather events, excessive heat, rising sea levels, air pollution, changes in vector ecology, water scarcity, or reduced food production caused by climate change, the impact is an increase in human morbidity and mortality. The health care sector in general — and academic health systems in particular — are part of the problem, responsible for significant amounts of carbon pollution emissions. Various how-to guides and manuals aim to inform and instruct health system leaders on addressing climate change in their institutions. However, the authors note they are unaware of studies that have documented the enablers that propel and the barriers that impede academic health system leaders’ engagement in climate change efforts from the experience of these executive leaders themselves. In this article, the authors report the findings of a multi-institutional qualitative descriptive study exploring to what extent academic health system executive leaders think about, plan for, and lead institutional efforts to address climate change and reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions. The study found variability in how executive leaders are engaged in and lead sustainability and climate-change efforts in their institutions and communities. Academic health systems that are reducing their institutional greenhouse gas emissions and improving their sustainability and resilience demonstrated five key elements associated with organizational transformation: (1) responding to drivers of change; (2) demonstrating leadership commitment; (3) driving improvement initiatives; (4) aligning organizational strategies and goals; and (5) integrating across organizational boundaries. In turn, these elements suggest a road map for other academic health systems that are not yet assertively tackling their carbon pollution. This study lends evidence to why academic health systems should — and how they can — address climate change through leadership action. Academic health systems can and should be leaders in the sustainability space because of the primacy of their missions to improve the health of people and communities; to this end, they must exercise their leadership role to influence the health care delivery, research, and health professions education domains.

Ecological and Functional Changes in the Hindgut Microbiome of Holstein Cows at High Altitudes.

The extreme environmental conditions of the Qinhai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) challenge livestock survival and productivity, yet little is known about how high-altitude environments impact the gut microbiota of dairy cows. To fill this gap, we systematically investigated the differences in the hindgut microbiome between 87 plateau Holstein cows and 72 plain Holstein cows using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our analysis revealed that the hindgut microbiota of the plateau group exhibited lower species richness but higher evenness than that in the plain group. Additionally, significant separation in hindgut microbiota composition between the two groups was observed based on altitude, while parity, days in milk, and age did not show a comparable impact. Moreover, altitude had a lasting impact on bacterial communities and their co-occurrence networks, resulting in reduced microbial interactions and lower modularity in the plateau group. Furthermore, we identified four key microbial taxa, the Bacteroidaceae and Rikenellaceae families, as well as the Prevotella and Treponema genera, which were associated with the regulation of carbohydrate digestion and energy metabolism and might help the Holstein cows adapt to the plateau environment. Our findings provide insights into strategies for enhancing the adaptability of dairy cows to high-altitude environments through microbiota modulation, which could ultimately contribute to improving livestock management and sustainability in these extreme environments.

Development of Fractional Vegetation Cover Change and Driving Forces in the Min River Basin on the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau

Fractional vegetation cover (FVC) is an important indicator of regional ecological environment change, and quantitative research on the spatial and temporal distribution of FVC and the trend of change is of great significance to the monitoring, evaluation, protection, and restoration of regional ecology. This study estimates the FVC of the eastern Tibetan Plateau margin from 2000 to 2020 using the image element dichotomous model based on the Google Earth Engine platform using MODIS-NDVI images. It also investigates the temporal and spatial changes of the FVC in this region and its drivers using the Theil–Sen and Mann–Kendall trend tests, spatial autocorrelation analysis, geodetector, and machine learning approaches impact. The results of this study indicated a generally erratic rising tendency, with the Min River Basin (MRB) near the eastern tip of the Tibetan Plateau having an annual average FVC of 0.67 and an annual growth rate of 0.16%. The percentage of places with better vegetation reached 60.37%. The regional FVC showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation and was clustered. Driver analyses showed that soil type, DEM, temperature, potential evapotranspiration, and land use type were the main drivers influencing FVC on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. In addition, the random forest (RF) model outperformed the support vector machine (SVM), backpropagation neural network (BP), and long short-term memory network (LSTM) in FVC regression fitting. In summary, this study shows that the overall FVC in the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is on an upward trend, and the regional ecological environment has improved significantly over the past two decades.

Evaluating historical changes in a mussel bed community in northern California

Marine foundation species are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic stressors, driving a loss of diversity within these critical habitats. Prior studies suggest that species diversity within mussel beds has declined precipitously in southern California, USA, but it is unclear whether a similar loss has occurred farther north. Here, we resurvey a mussel bed community in northern California first sampled in 1941 to evaluate changes in diversity after 78 years. More broadly, we explore the value and potential challenges of using imperfect historical data to assess community changes. Our 2019 survey documented 90 species/taxa across 10 phyla. The majority of species (~ 72%) were common to all replicate plots, suggesting that variation in species diversity over small spatial scales was unlikely to mask temporal changes. In contrast to results from southern California, we observed no decline in species diversity between timepoints. However, there were shifts in species composition, with an increase in the abundance of southern species and a decrease in northern species, consistent with warming observed at a nearby shoreline site. Overall, our findings are an encouraging sign for the health of this mussel bed community in northern California and illustrate how non-traditional data can contribute to assessments of long-term ecological change.

Exploring the Transmission Process of Carbon Sequestration Services and Its Applications: A Case Study of Hainan

The pressing need to address climate change and advance global sustainable development has heightened the emphasis on ecosystem services, especially carbon sequestration. This research assesses the supply and demand dynamics of carbon sequestration services on Hainan Island, China, highlighting its significant contributions to global biodiversity conservation and carbon balance. The analysis considers the spatial distribution and interrelation of these services in light of recent land use and ecological policy changes. The methodology incorporates land use and land cover data, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), meteorological data, and soil data. A gravity model is employed to elucidate the supply–demand relationship for carbon sequestration services, examining the flow across different regions and identifying spatial connections and their intensities. The results indicate a notable increase in carbon sequestration supply in Hainan from 2000 to 2020, particularly in the central mountainous areas. Conversely, the demand for these services has risen, especially in the northern plains’ urban areas and southern coastal towns. The gravity model reveals a strong spatial interdependence between the central mountainous supply zones and the high-demand urban locales. This study underscores the disparities in carbon sequestration supply and demand on Hainan, emphasizing the need for the strategic management of these elements. It provides critical data for ecological compensation policies and offers insights into the roles of regional ecosystems in climate change mitigation. The research highlights the necessity of incorporating ecosystem services into land-use planning and decision-making to foster sustainable development and strengthen climate resilience.