Ecosystem Health Research Articles

Ecosystem health of Sasthamkotta Lake, a Ramsar site from India based on food web analysis and ecological indicators

Ecosystem health of Sasthamkotta Lake, a Ramsar site from India based on food web analysis and ecological indicators

Seasonal changes in ecosystem health and their spatial relationship with landscape structure in china's Loess plateau

Environmental managers have sought to optimize landscape structure to maintain regional ecosystem health (EH). However, we still lack a full understanding of the effects of changing landscape structure on EH, especially in terms of shorter time scales (e.g., monthly or seasonal scales) and spatial heterogeneity. To address this gap, this study used the vigor-organization-resilience-services (VORS) model to assess the annual and seasonal variation of EH in the Loess Plateau (LP) during 2000–2015, and then applied the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to investigate the spatial effects of different aspects (i.e., landscape composition and configuration) of the landscape structure change on EH over time. Our results showed that the EH level in the LP from 2000 to 2015 displayed temporal non-stationarity at annual and seasonal scales, and a spatial pattern of decreasing from southeast to northwest. The effects of landscape structure on EH had obvious spatial and temporal heterogeneity, depending on the local landscape composition and configuration. In general, landscape configuration exerted a greater impact on EH than landscape composition apart from Shannon’s diversity index and percentage of forestland area, but the intensity and direction of the impact displayed higher temporally instability and therefore should receive more attention. Furthermore, regulation of the dominant patch size, landscape connectivity and forest spatial spacing is the optimal choice for regional ecosystem management. The results suggest that EH responses to changes in landscape structure in the LP vary by time and place, and that the integrating temporal variation and spatial characteristics can help decision-makers make precise spatial arrangements and temporal adjustments to keep the negative ecological impacts within reasonable limits.

Repurposing Sewage and Toilet Systems: Environmental, Public Health, and Person‐Centered Healthcare Applications

AbstractGlobal terrestrial water supplies are rapidly depleting due to the consequences of climate change. Water scarcity results in an inevitable compromise of safe hygiene and sanitation practices, leading to the transmission of water‐borne infectious diseases, and the preventable deaths of over 800.000 people each year. Moreover, almost 500 million people lack access to toilets and sanitation systems. Ecosystems are estimated to be contaminated by 6.2 million tons of nitrogenous products from human wastewater management practices. It is therefore imperative to transform toilet and sewage systems to promote equitable access to water and sanitation, improve public health, conserve water, and protect ecosystems. Here, the integration of emerging technologies in toilet and sewage networks to repurpose toilet and wastewater systems is reviewed. Potential applications of these systems to develop sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, promote public health, and advance person‐centered healthcare are discussed.

Restoration of the soil fertility under Cr(VI) and artificial drought condition by the utilization of plant growth-promoting Bacillus spp. SSAU2.

The study explores the potential of an indigenous halo-tolerant microbe identified as Bacillus spp. SSAU-2 in enhancing soil fertility and promoting plant growth for sustainable agricultural practices under the influence of multiple abiotic stresses such as Cr(VI), high salinity, and artificial drought condition. The study investigated various factors influencing IAA synthesis by SSAU-2, such as pH (5 to 11), salinity (10 to 50g/L), tryptophan concentration (0.5 to 1%), carbon (mannitol mand lactose), and nitrogen sources (peptone and tryptone). The highest IAA concentration was observed at pH 10 (1.695mg/ml) and pH 11 (0.782mg/ml). IAA synthesis was optimized at a salinity level of 30g/l, with lower and higher salinity levels resulting in decreased IAA concentrations. Notably, the presence of mannitol and lactose significantly augmented IAA synthesis, while glucose and sucrose had inhibitory effects. Furthermore, peptone and tryptone played a pivotal role in enhancing IAA synthesis, while ammonium chloride exerted an inhibitory influence. SSAU-2 showed a diverse array of capabilities, including the synthesis of gibberellins, extracellular polymeric substances, siderophores, and hydrogen cyanide along with nitrogen fixation and ammonia production. The microbe could efficiently tolerate 45% PEG-6000 concentration and effectively produce IAA in 15% PEG concentration. It could also tolerate high concentration of Cr(VI) and synthesize IAA even in 50ppm Cr(VI). The findings of this study provide valuable insights into harnessing the potential of indigenous microorganisms to promote plant growth, enhance soil fertility, and establish sustainable agricultural practices essential for restoring the health of ecosystems.

Polystyrene Plastic Particles Result in Adverse Outcomes for Hyalella azteca When Exposed at Elevated Temperatures

Micro- and nano-plastics are pervasive pollutants in global ecosystems, yet their interactions with aquatic wildlife and abiotic factors are poorly understood. These particles are recognized to cause subtle detrimental effects, underscoring the necessity for sensitive endpoints in ecotoxicological exposure studies. We investigated the effects of particle uptake, size, and temperature on Hyalella azteca. Organisms were exposed to blue fluorescent polystyrene beads (500 nm and 1000 nm in diameter) at 0.43 mg/L for 96 h at temperatures mirroring climate predictions (21 °C, 24 °C, 27 °C). Besides survival and growth, particle uptake, visualized via confocal microscopy, and swimming behavior were analyzed. Mortality rates increased at 27 °C, and particle presence and temperature affected organism growth. Particle treatments influenced various behaviors (thigmotaxis, cruising, movement, acceleration, meander, zone alternation, and turn angle), with hypoactivity observed with 1000 nm particles and hypo- as well as hyper-activity responses with 500 nm particles. Particle uptake quantities were variable and increased with temperature in 500 nm treatments, but no migration beyond the gut was observed. Particle size correlated with uptake, and relationships with behavior were evident. Elevated temperatures exacerbated particle effects, highlighting the urgency of addressing plastic pollution in light of climate change for aquatic organism welfare and ecosystem health.

A Review on Bridging Molecular Biology and Ecological Dynamics through Integrative Approaches in Zoology

The integration of molecular biology with ecological dynamics has emerged as a transformative approach in zoology, enhancing our understanding of biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the adaptive responses of species to environmental changes. This review synthesizes key developments and methodological innovations at the intersection of molecular biology and ecological dynamics, highlighting the application of DNA barcoding, environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses, molecular phylogenetics, and advanced computational models in elucidating complex biological interactions and evolutionary patterns. Significant advancements include the use of high-throughput sequencing technologies and CRISPR-Cas systems that have expanded our ability to explore genetic diversity and manipulate genetic material for conservation purposes. The review discusses the predictive capabilities of integrative models that combine genetic with ecological data, offering insights into species resilience and ecosystem stability under varying environmental scenarios. Challenges in data integration, such as issues of scale, complexity, and the necessity for interdisciplinary cooperation, are critically examined. Technical limitations related to data management and ethical considerations in the use of genetic information are also explored. Looking forward, the review identifies emerging technologies and their potential impacts on ecological and conservation biology, emphasizing the need for policies that support sustainable management and conservation strategies. This review underscores the profound impact of integrating molecular biology with ecological dynamics, which not only enhances our scientific understanding but also provides practical frameworks for addressing global environmental challenges.

Identification of Key Areas for Ecological Conservation and Restoration based on Multi-source Data and Remote Sensing Time Series Analysis

Abstract. Ecological conservation and restoration of national land space is an important aspect for implementing the national ecological civilization strategy, and an important measure for establishing the national ecological security pattern and coordinating the systematic management of mountains, water, forests, fields, lakes, grass and sand. The identification of key areas for ecological conservation and restoration is a precondition to spatially and temporally laying out ecological conservation and restoration planning, which is crucial for the ecological conservation and restoration of national land space. Therefore, this paper considers Henan Province as the study area and carries the research and practice of identifying key areas for ecological conservation and restoration by integrating multi-source data and remote sensing time series analysis. Firstly, based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform and MOD13A1 data, the Mann-Kendall method is used to analyze the trend of time series NDVI in the study area from 2011 to 2020. Secondly, based on multi-source data such as meteorological, soil, topographic, net primary production (NPP), etc., an ecosystem health analysis and assessment based on ecosystem service trade-off and synergy is used to select ecological source. Finally, based on the results of time series NDVI analysis and ecological source selection, fusion analysis is used to identify key areas for ecological conservation and restoration. The results show that this proposed research framework not only considers the “static” ecosystem services and ecosystem health attributes, but also measures the “dynamic” ecosystem change trends. It can effectively identify key areas for ecological conservation and restoration in national space. The results of the study can provide technical support for the background survey, problem identification, planning and engineering layout of ecological conservation and restoration in the national land space.

Perspectives on Conservation Impacts of the Global Primate Trade

AbstractThe global trade in nonhuman primates represents a substantial threat to ecosystem health, human health, and primate conservation worldwide. Most of the primate trade involves trade for pet-keeping, consumption, or biomedical experimentation. We present an overview of international primate trade through five case studies; each describes a different facet of this trade. We draw on published scientific literature, media outlets, and open access datasets, including the CITES Trade Database to build these case studies. Case study 1 describes the role of introduced island populations of Macaca and Chlorocebus in trade for biomedical experimentation; case study 2 covers the global health threats posed by the primate trade, including zoonotic disease transmission once animals enter the trade pipeline; case study 3 addresses the ways that changing patterns of primate trade, from local markets to online, have increased the demand for primates as pets; case study 4 recognizes the role that local environmental activism can play in mitigating trade; and case study 5 shows variation between global regions in their contribution to the primate trade. We recommend greater oversight of primate trade, especially domestic trade within primate range countries, and real-time reporting to CITES to accurately track primate trade. Effective conservation-focused regulations that can minimise the negative effects of primate trade must be tailored to specific regions and species and require transparency, careful regulation, field research, and an understanding of the magnitude of this trade.

Establishing present‐day Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka|sćwin) spawning capacity in the highly impacted sq,awsitkʷ|Okanagan River to guide population conservation and restoration

AbstractThe presence of dams on the Columbia River (CR) has reduced Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka|sćwin) numbers to a fraction of their historic numbers. The Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance (SONA) has led voices of concern regarding the impacts of diminishing Sockeye Salmon numbers on the ecosystem health of the sawsitkʷ|Okanagan River (s|OR), a tributary of the CR. In the early 2000s efforts commenced to rehabilitate the s|OR Sockeye population. These efforts have seen the population rise from a running average of 40,000 to 200,000. However, the contemporary spawning capacity of the s|OR is unknown, and this metric is critical to guide the conservation and restoration of this keystone species. We employed a spawning capacity model relating fish length and gravel size to spawning potential. We collected substrate data at 49 sites throughout our 37‐km study area, and used fish length and egg numbers from n = 269 Sockeye Salmon to establish s|OR specific fecundity metrics. The model estimated the s|OR has the capacity to support 147,687 (±33,346) Sockeye spawners, in its current condition. Whilst our model has limitations, we suggest a minimum escapement of 147,687 Sockeye spawners ought to be passed to the s|OR per annum. These fish will have broad ecosystem benefits and will be culturally beneficial to SONA peoples. Finally, continued restoration of s|OR habitat should enhance opportunities for Sockeye Salmon to continue their remarkable recovery.

Effects of Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) on Biological Systems

Electromagnetic Field (EMF) is a natural phenomenon; however, anthropogenic activities have significantly shifted its equilibrium, leading to potential deleterious effects on biological systems. As technology becomes more integrated into daily life, the increased use of electronic devices has contributed to a rise in man-made EMF exposure. This exposure can affect biological systems on physiological and molecular levels, raising concerns about its potential effects on animal development, reproductive systems, and overall ecosystem health. The review explores the physiological effects of exposure to static, extremely low-frequency (ELF), and radiofrequency (RF) fields, analyzing how EMF impacts oxidative stress, reproductive physiology, cardiovascular function, brain and nervous system activity, and DNA/RNA integrity. It also acknowledges the emerging concern of EMF in aquatic environments, where underwater power supplies and extensive underwater cable networks are sources of EMF exposure that may affect marine and freshwater species. The potential effects on marine life include disruptions to migratory patterns, altered reproductive cycles, and changes in aquatic biodiversity. The review acknowledges that research on EMF has improved over time, but significant gaps and information remain. It emphasizes the need for immediate attention to address the challenges and opportunities in this field.

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces hepatotoxicity involving NRF2-NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice

Nanoplastic contamination has been of intense concern by virtue of the potential threat to human and ecosystem health. Animal experiments have indicated that exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) can deposit in the liver and contribute to hepatic injury. To explore the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity induced by polystyrene-NPs (PS-NPs), mice and AML-12 hepatocytes were exposed to different dosages of 20 nm PS-NPs in this study. The results illustrated that in vitro and in vivo exposure to PS-NPs triggered excessive production of reactive oxygen species and repressed nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NRF2) antioxidant pathway and its downstream antioxidase expression, thus leading to hepatic oxidative stress. Moreover, PS-NPs elevated the levels of NLRP3, IL-1β and caspase-1 expression, along with an activation of NF-κB, suggesting that PS-NPs induced hepatocellular inflammatory injury. Nevertheless, the activaton of NRF2 signaling by tert-butylhydroquinone mitigated PS-NPs-caused oxidative stress and inflammation, and inbihited NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression. Conversely, the rescuing effect of NRF2 signal activation was dramatically supressed by treatment with NRF2 inhibitor brusatol. In summary, our results demonstrated that NRF2-NLRP3 pathway is involved in PS-NPs-aroused hepatotoxicity, and the activation of NRF2 signaling can protect against PS-NPs-evoked liver injury. These results provide novel insights into the hepatotoxicity elicited by NPs exposure.

Molecular Simulation Studies of Pharmaceutical Pollutant Removal (Rosuvastatin and Simvastatin) Using Novel Modified-MOF Nanostructures (UIO-66, UIO-66/Chitosan, and UIO-66/Oxidized Chitosan).

The ubiquitous presence of pharmaceutical pollutants in the environment significantly threatens human health and aquatic ecosystems. Conventional wastewater treatment processes often fall short of effectively removing these emerging contaminants. Therefore, the development of high-performance adsorbents is crucial for environmental remediation. This research utilizes molecular simulation to explore the potential of novel modified metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in pharmaceutical pollutant removal, paving the way for the design of efficient wastewater treatment strategies. Utilizing UIO-66, a robust MOF, as the base material, we developed UIO-66 functionalized with chitosan (CHI) and oxidized chitosan (OCHI). These modified MOFs' physical and chemical properties were first investigated through various characterization techniques. Subsequently, molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) were employed to elucidate the adsorption mechanisms of rosuvastatin (ROSU) and simvastatin (SIMV), two prevalent pharmaceutical pollutants, onto these nanostructures. MCS calculations demonstrated a significant enhancement in the adsorption energy by incorporating CHI and OCHI into UIO-66. This increased ROSU from -14,522 to -16,459 kcal/mol and SIMV from -17,652 to -21,207 kcal/mol. Moreover, MDS reveals ROSU rejection rates in neat UIO-66 to be at 40%, rising to 60 and 70% with CHI and OCHI. Accumulation rates increase from 4 Å in UIO-66 to 6 and 9 Å in UIO-CHI and UIO-OCHI. Concentration analysis shows SIMV rejection surges from 50 to 90%, with accumulation rates increasing from 6 to 11 Å with CHI and OCHI in UIO-66. Functionalizing UIO-66 with CHI and OCHI significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity and selectivity for ROSU and SIMV. Abundant hydroxyl and amino groups facilitated strong interactions, improving performance over that of unmodified UIO-66. Surface functionalization plays a vital role in customizing the MOFs for pharmaceutical pollutant removal. These insights guide next-gen adsorbent development, offering high efficiency and selectivity for wastewater treatment.

The Effects of Wetland Degradation on Ecological Species

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services, including flood control, water filtration, carbon sequestration, and habitat for diverse flora and fauna. However, human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development have led to widespread wetland degradation worldwide. Wetland ecosystems diminished by 21-35% between 1700 and 2020 as a result of human interference, with at least 1.3 million square miles of wetlands lost globally—an area about the size of Alaska, Texas, California, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona combined. This research used a documented methodology for extracting information from different books, conversations, conferences, and international organizations to understand the effects of wetland degradation on the decline of species and strategies for wetland conservation and restoration. This paper aims to elucidate the multifaceted effects of wetland degradation on ecological species. The results indicate that wetland degradation declines water quality, leading to alterations in water flow patterns, decreased groundwater recharge, and increased flooding downstream. This can result in the loss of biodiversity, as many species depend on specific water levels and habitats within wetlands. Moreover, the loss of wetlands diminishes their volume to store carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate change. Furthermore, wetland degradation compromises water quality by reducing the natural filtration and purification functions of wetlands. Contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban pollution accumulate in degraded wetlands, posing risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the loss of wetlands exacerbates erosion and sedimentation, leading to habitat destruction and loss of coastal resilience against storms and sealevel rise. Addressing wetland degradation requires a multifaceted approach, including policy interventions, restoration efforts, and public awareness campaigns. Effective wetland conservation strategies involve the preservation of existing wetlands, restoration of degraded ones, and sustainable management practices to mitigate further degradation. Collaborative efforts between governments, NGOs, local communities, and stakeholders are essential to safeguarding these critical ecosystems and the invaluable services they provide to the environment and society.

Puzzling parrotfishes: Radiocarbon age validation and updated longevity estimates for western Atlantic species in support of sustainable fisheries management

For management efforts to succeed in Caribbean fisheries, local fishers must support and be willing to comply with fishing regulations. This is more likely when fishers are included in a stock assessment process that utilizes robust scientific evidence, collected in collaboration with fishers, to evaluate the health of fish stocks. Caribbean parrotfishes are important contributors to coral reef ecosystem health while also contributing to local fisheries. Scientifically robust stock assessments require regional species-specific information on age-based key life history parameters, derived from fish age estimates. Evaluation of the accuracy of age estimation methods for fish species is a critical initial step in managing species for long-term sustainable harvest. The current study resulted from a collaborative research program between fish biologists and local fishers investigating age, growth, and reproductive biology of the seven parrotfish species landed in U.S. Caribbean fisheries; specifically, we validated age estimation for stoplight parrotfish Sparisoma viride and queen parrotfish Scarus vetula. This is the first study to directly validate age estimation for any parrotfish species through analysis of Δ14C from eye lens cores. Our age estimation validation results show that enumeration of opaque zones from thin sections of sagittal otoliths for a Sparisoma and a Scarus species provides accurate age estimates. The oldest stoplight parrotfish and queen parrotfish in the Δ14C age estimation validation series were 14 y and 16 y; while the oldest stoplight parrotfish and queen parrotfish we aged to-date using the Δ14C validated age estimation method were 20 y and 21 y, respectively. Fish longevity (maximum age attained/life span) is a key life history parameter used for estimation of natural mortality, survivorship, and lifetime reproductive output. Past reviews on parrotfishes from the Pacific and Atlantic concluded that most Caribbean/western Atlantic parrotfish species are relatively short-lived with estimated maximum ages ranging from 3–9 y. However, information from our collaborative research in the U.S. Caribbean combined with recently published age estimates for Brazilian parrotfish species indicate that many western Atlantic parrotfishes are relatively long-lived with several species attaining maximum ages in excess of 20 y.

A Multimode Optical Sensor for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Harmful Heavy Metal Cr(VI) in Fresh Water and Sea Water.

Water pollution originating from heavy metals has shown great impacts on the ecological environment and human health due to their extremely low biodegradability. Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI), as one harmful heavy metal with strong oxidation, high biological permeability, and high carcinogenicity, is becoming an increasingly serious threat to human health. Therefore, conveniently but accurately, monitoring the Cr(VI) level in water to maintain its normal level and ensuring the stability of the ecosystem and human health become very valuable. However, most of these heavy metal sensors reported are turn-off type single-emission sensors. In this work, a ratiometric fluorescence/colorimetry/smartphone triple-mode turn-on optical sensor for Cr(VI) was developed based on a multifunctional metal-organic framework platform. The detection limits for these three mutual verification modes were only 1.28, 4.89, and 68.4 nM, respectively. Additionally, the color changes of the detection system under sunlight can also be observed directly by the naked eye. The accuracy and practicability of this multimode sensor were further proved by the detection of Cr(VI) in actual water and seawater samples, and the recovery rate ranged from 97.308 to 104.041%.

Heavy Metal Pollution Status in The Main Surface Waters of The N'djili River Basin in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Review with Application and Evaluation of Pollution Indices Evaluation

The aim of this study was to assess heavy metal pollution in the surface waters of the N'djili river watershed, as well as to determine the main sources of this pollution and their impact on water quality. Five sampling sites were selected in the watershed, representing a variety of urban and industrial influences. In these samples, trace metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The respective mean concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in the surface waters of the N'djili basin are 0.066 mg/L, 0.006 mg/L and 0.310 mg/L. The mean value of the degree of contamination (Dc) in the surface waters of the N'djili basin is greater than 3, indicating heavy contamination of these waters (Lukaya river, Matete river, N'djili river, Ntshuenge river, Ngwele river). The average values of for the trace metal pollution index (HPI) are below the threshold value of 100, so overall, these waters are not very polluted. Nevertheless, particularly high concentrations were observed in the waters of the Matete River, with values exceeding 100, indicating severe localized pollution. Correlation analysis between trace metals and HPI indicates that lead and cadmium are the main contributors to surface water toxicity in the N'djili basin. These results highlight the urgent need to develop targeted strategies to reduce pollution in order to preserve public health and aquatic ecosystems.

Functional trait-based phytoplankton biomass and assemblage analyses in the pre-growing season for comprehensive algal bloom risk assessment

Algal bloom (AB) risk assessment is critical for maintaining ecosystem health and human sustainability. Previous AB risk assessments have focused on the potential occurrence of ABs and related factors in the growing season, whereas their hazards, especially in the pre-growing season, have attracted less attention. Here, we performed a comprehensive AB risk assessment, including water trophic levels, phytoplankton biomass, functional trait-based assemblages, and related environmental factors, in the pre-growing season in Dongting Lake, China. Although mesotrophic water and low phytoplankton biomass suggested low AB potential, toxic taxa, which constituted 13.28% of the phytoplankton biomass, indicated non-negligible AB hazards. NH4+ and water temperature were key factors affecting phytoplankton motility and toxicity. Our study establishes a new paradigm for quantitative AB risk assessment, including both potential AB occurrence and hazards. We emphasize the importance of phytoplankton functional traits for early AB warning and NH4+ reduction for AB control in the pre-growing season.

Microbiome processing of organic nitrogen input supports growth and cyanotoxin production of Microcystis aeruginosa cultures.

Nutrient-induced blooms of the globally abundant freshwater toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis cause worldwide public and ecosystem health concerns. The response of Microcystis growth and toxin production to new and recycled nitrogen (N) inputs, and the impact of heterotrophic bacteria in the Microcystis phycosphere on these processes are not well understood. Here, using microbiome transplant experiments, cyanotoxin analysis, and nanometer-scale stable isotope probing to measure N incorporation and exchange at single cell resolution, we monitored the growth, cyanotoxin production, and microbiome community structure of several Microcystis strains grown on amino acids or proteins as the sole N source. We demonstrate that the type of organic N available shaped the microbial community associated with Microcystis, and external organic N input led to decreased bacterial colonization of Microcystis colonies. Our data also suggest that certain Microcystis strains could directly uptake amino acids, but with lower rates than heterotrophic bacteria. Toxin analysis showed that biomass-specific microcystin production was not impacted by N source (i.e., nitrate, amino acids or protein) but rather by total N availability. Single-cell isotope incorporation revealed that some bacterial communities competed with Microcystis for organic N, but other communities promoted increased N uptake by Microcystis, likely through ammonification or organic N modification. Our laboratory culture data suggest that organic N input could support Microcystis blooms and toxin production in nature, and Microcystis-associated microbial communities likely play critical roles in this process by influencing cyanobacterial succession through either decreasing (via competition) or increasing (via biotransformation) N availability, especially under inorganic N scarcity.

A meta-analysis on global change drivers and the risk of infectious disease.

Anthropogenic change is contributing to the rise in emerging infectious diseases, which are significantly correlated with socioeconomic, environmental and ecological factors1. Studies have shown that infectious disease risk is modified by changes to biodiversity2-6, climate change7-11, chemical pollution12-14, landscape transformations15-20 and species introductions21. However, it remains unclear which global change drivers most increase disease and under what contexts. Here we amassed a dataset from the literature that contains 2,938 observations of infectious disease responses to global change drivers across 1,497 host-parasite combinations, including plant, animal and human hosts. We found that biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, climate change and introduced species are associated with increases in disease-related end points or harm, whereas urbanization is associated with decreases in disease end points. Natural biodiversity gradients, deforestation and forest fragmentation are comparatively unimportant or idiosyncratic as drivers of disease. Overall, these results are consistent across human and non-human diseases. Nevertheless, context-dependent effects of the global change drivers on disease were found to be common. The findings uncovered by this meta-analysis should help target disease management and surveillance efforts towards global change drivers that increase disease. Specifically, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, managing ecosystem health, and preventing biological invasions and biodiversity loss could help to reduce the burden of plant, animal and human diseases, especially when coupled with improvements to social and economic determinants of health.

Coupled Short-Ig Wave Dunamics Over A Shallow Barrier Reef

Reef barriers play a major role many coral islands, by sheltering the lagoon from the ocean wave energy and then creating a unique habitat for many species. This filtering action becomes increasingly crucial for ecosystems health and shoreline protection in the context of climate change and related sea level rise, degradation of coral systems and modification of wave conditions. A strong research effort has therefore been engaged by the coastal oceanographers community for the last two decades to improve our knowledge and prediction skills of wave dynamics over coral reef systems. A widely reported observation is the importance of infragravity waves (IG) over wave-driven reef systems, whether fringing or barrier reefs. IG are primarily forced by groups in the incoming short-wave (SW) field, either by the release of bound waves or the breakpoint oscillations (Bertin et al. 2018). IG period typically ranges between 30 and 200s, which makes them prone to excite or interact with natural seiching modes in reef-lagoon systems often ranging in the Very Low Frequency (VLF) band. Further research efforts are now necessary to better understand the interaction between long IG/VLF oscillations and SW field. In particular, long waves are expected to play a dynamic depth-filtering role on SW energy, acting as long carrier wave able to promote the propagation of larger SW groups by IG/VLF crests. More generally, the spectral energy transfers over the reef crest-flat system and their relative importance w.r.t. frictional and breaking dissipation are not fully understood over the complete range of surface waves. The aim of the present study is to analyse and to discuss a series of field observations performed on the barrier reef of Maupiti Island, French Polynesia. A particular focus is placed on the interaction between SW and IG wave fields across the reef crest-flat system.