Ecosystem Quality Research Articles

A method for evaluating ecological quality levels and trends using natural evolution time series.

Ecological quality assessment serves as a valuable tool for impartially measuring the effects of development and utilization activities on ecosystems, forming the bedrock of ecological governance. The ecological quality evaluation method, relying on a reference frame, takes into consideration the comparability of ecological quality, thus guaranteeing the presence of external benchmarks for the assessment results. However, present research on absolute assessment of ecological quality is limited, as the majority of existing studies focus on large-scale regions, and overlooking regional differences in smaller-scale regions to a certain extent. Therefore, to achieve a comprehensive, convenient, objective, and accurate ecological quality evaluation, this study established a model for regional ecological quality assessment through remote sensing. This model was based on the analysis of natural evolutionary features and was applied to assess the ecological quality in the largest ecosystem within the arid area of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) - the grassland ecosystem. For this assessment, the Modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), the wetness components of tasseled cap transformations (WET), and net primary productivity (NPP) were selected as indicators of soil and water conservation capacity, water source conservation capacity, and carbon sequestration capacity, respectively. The evaluation units were established according to the geomorphic types, and the improved derivative dynamic time warping (DDTW) algorithm was used to compare the conformity between the time series of evaluation units and natural evolution time series, pixel by pixel. The ecological quality was classified into five levels (levels 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) using the natural breaks (Jenks) classification method. The Mann-Kendall trend test and the Sen's slope are used to analyze the trend of the conformity measurement results of the ecological quality each year at a significance level of 95%. The main results are as follows: (1) The indicators selected in the study are mostly independent of each other within each evaluation unit, with a correlation (0.552) observed only between MSAVI and WET in plain areas. (2) Spatial heterogeneity exists in the natural evolution characteristics, with significant variations in the similarity between the reference frames of different evaluation units. There is no strict rule linking the similarity results to the elevation of the terrain. (3) From the perspective of the evolutionary process and intensity, the soil and water conservation capacity, water source conservation capacity, and carbon sequestration capacity in the study area primarily fell within level 2. The advantageous level of each evaluation unit was also primarily at level 2. The overall trend of these three capacities demonstrated stability and remained constant. In summary, our assessment indicated that the overall quality of grassland ecosystems in the arid areas of the NHAR was relatively stable and superior. This method we employed has broad applicability and can serve as a general framework for ecological quality assessments. It can be adapted for ecological restoration assessments in other regions by fine-tuning regional parameters, offering valuable insights for regional ecological management.

Penerapan model kolaboratif dalam kebijakan data tunggal industri emas bagi penerimaan negara dengan pendekatan multi helix

Indonesia is one of the largest gold producing countries in the world. Based on mineral commodity data, Indonesia’s gold reserves reached 2,600 tons. In addition, the mining production reached 66 metric tons in 2021 and 70 metric tons in 2022. However, there are various problems and challenges related to efforts to utilize gold minerals, one of which is the limited availability and validity data. Therefore, this research aims to analyze how a collaboration model related to the gold industry’s single data policy for tax purposes can be implemented using a Multi Helix approach. In the Multi Helix concept, the role of each actor has very close participation to create success in creating quality data in the gold industry sector and sustainable development. Furthermore, it is expected to contribute significantly to tax revenues. Aside from that, the existence of the SDI policy is intended to provide benefits for sustainable economic development by maintaining a good quality of environmental ecosystems. Additionally, SDI data is expected to have a hand in state revenues both in the form of taxes and royalties to the state optimally, thereby creating competitive and growing businesses.

Benefit evaluation of sloping land conversion program in the upper reaches of the Yellow River

This study used forestry statistical data and field survey data from 2000 to 2018 to analyze the ecological restoration effect of the returning farmland to forest project in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, considering four perspectives, namely, project construction goals, ecosystem quality, ecosystem service functions, and ecological restoration driving factors. One-way ANOVA and logit regression analysis methods were used for comparison. The results show that the implementation of the Grain for Green Project has reduced the carrying capacity of rural land, effectively curbed the continuous deterioration of the ecological environment, and protected and benefited the forest ecosystem. (1) Initiatives of the return farmland to forest project have achieved the expected goals, and the forest coverage rate has increased significantly from 5.26 % (in 2000) to 15.63 % (in 2019); the proportion of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries related to forestry has reached a reasonable level, and the economic benefits thereof continue to improve. (2) Indicators such as total forest and grass vegetation coverage, vegetation net primary productivity, and forest and grass health index reflect that the functional quality of the regional forest and grass ecosystem is gradually improving. (3) The ecosystem service function of the project region has improved considerably, and the ecological benefits are significant. (4) In terms of the contribution value of the driving forces for this ecological restoration project, they can be ranked as follows: government investment > reducing land carrying capacity > policy of returning farmland to forest > government management > hydrological factors > meteorological factors. (5) After the implementation of the Grain for Green Project, farmers' income has increased significantly, but the changes in livelihood capital income are not synchronized. As the ecological environment in the Grain for Green project areas gradually improved from deterioration, the natural capital and social capital of farmers' livelihood capital decreased significantly, while the physical capital and financial capital increased significantly, with no significant change in human capital. Farmers' satisfaction with the Grain for Green Project is as follows: natural capital has a significant negative impact, while financial capital and social capital have significant positive impacts, and there are no significant changes in physical capital and human capital. Finally, the consistency test results show that the fit is as high as 95 %, and the accuracy exceeds 90 %. Notably, the implementation of the Grain for Green Project has played a pivotal role in ecological restoration and contributed greatly to ecological benefits. These achievements provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for the country to formulate relevant policies for forestry projects, which holds great significance for the country in addressing the contradiction between economic and social development and ecological protection.

Analysis of the Characteristics Aquatic Ecosystem Poso Energy Hydropower Plant in Lake Poso Central Sulawesi

It is feared that the use of the Poso Energy Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) and various industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste disposal activities can reduce the quality of Poso Lake waters. Until now, studies on the impact of PLTA on waters quality have never been carried out. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the ecosystem quality of Lake Poso waters based on phisical, chemical, and biological parameters. The research was conducted using the sampling method at 6 location points in the area before the PLTA, around the PLTA, and after the PLTA from July to September 2022. Data were analyzed statistically with ANOVA. The results showed that phisical parameters (TSS, odor, colour, turbidity), chemical (pH, DO, BOD, COD, NO3-N, total phosphate), and biological (fecal coliform, plankton diversity) showed significantly different values in the area before PLTA, around PLTA, and after the PLTA. The existence of PLTA is concluded to have an impact on changes the waters quality. A management strategy that accomodates more environmental factors is needed to ensure the sustainability of Lake Poso aquatic resources.

Identifying the distribution and source of riverine plastic waste contamination: case study of Brantas River in Malang city

Brantas River experiences significant pollution due to domestic and industrial wastes. This condition also causes natural disasters such as floods. Single use plastics generally made up a large portion of local wastes. However, previous studies mostly investigated plastic waste pollution and local waste management habits as separate topics. Therefore, the objects of this study are the plastic wastes in Brantas River, as microplastic particles, and the identification of its source. The assessments were based on microplastic counts, macroinvertebrate bioassessment with SIGNAL-2 index, and the quantitative data of local domestic waste management at three Stations in Malang City area. Riverine microplastic pollutant concentrations and its sources were both successfully identified and solved. The results showed that the highest riverine microplastic particles were found in Station 3. This station only had four macroinvertebrate taxa with a SIGNAL-2 score of 4.42, indicating severe degradation. Quantitative data showed that 80 % of Station 3 residents threw plastic wastes directly to Brantas River. The low macroinvertebrate counts possibly caused by ingestion of microplastic from households and small-scale enterprises which heavily utilized single use plastics to trade their goods. The first distinctive feature of this study is the comparability of the microplastic, and macroinvertebrate counts with the river degradation status. Secondly, the quantitative data can serve as complementary evidence. Practically, the obtained results can be developed into an integrated plastic waste management plan for the residents surrounding the rivers, particularly in developing countries with similar socio-cultural conditions as elaborated in this study, to maintain the ecosystem quality

Assessing the sustainability and safety of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) liners for lead service lines (LSL) upgrades

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) liners have been proposed by industry as a more cost effective and less disruptive alternative to lead service lines (LSL) replacement. However, concerns have been raised about their aging under real-use conditions and their potential health and environmental impacts. In this study, two approaches were implemented. First, bench and pilot scale experiments were carried out to investigate the aging of a PET liner under conditions that simulate normal usage. Results show early surface oxidation and leaching of potentially hazardous metals (lead, zinc and titanium). No short-term fragmentation of the PET liner into microplastics was observed. Next, a life cycle assessment (LCA) compared the health and environmental impacts of three LSL upgrade alternatives: PET liners and full LSL replacement using either copper or PEX pipes. The installation phase was shown to be the main contributor to impact scores, while the benefits of PET liners are highly dependent on their lifespan. PEX pipes installed by torpedoing lower impacts as compared to PET liners and copper pipes for equal lifespan, while the use of PET liners remains less impactful regarding human health and ecosystem quality when a complete excavation is needed. LCA derived global human health effects due to ingestion of leached metals from PET liners, copper pipes and unreplaced LSL, and showed that PET liners and copper pipes significantly reduce health impacts by 14 and 80 DALY respectively compared to unreplaced LSL. Finally, the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model was used to assess the impact of lead exposure specifically for drinking water ingestion. Estimated Blood Lead Levels (BLL) in children and infants in households with long unreplaced LSL was up to 263.7% and 207.8% greater compared to either replacement with copper pipes or rehabilitation with PET liners, showing the clear benefits of corrective action. Combining experimental results, LCA and biokinetic modeling provides actionable information for utilities to select the best upgrade options, considering environmental, health and practical constraints, whilst identifying remaining data gaps. The relative benefits of PET liners should be carefully evaluated considering their lifespan under real-life conditions, the complete replacement costs after failure, and the growing evidence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) risks.

Evaluation and driving force analysis of ecological environment in low mountain and hilly regions based on optimized ecological index.

In low mountain and hilly regions, vegetation cover is higher and plant growth has an accumulative effect, sequestering carbon more strongly. The traditional remote sensing based ecological index (RSEI) lacks the consideration of vegetation productivity, and using it to evaluate ecological environment in low mountain and hilly regions will be biased. In this study, the vegetation productivity was introduced to construct a natural remote sensing based ecological index (NRSEI) that responds to the low mountain and hilly regions, as an example of Gaizhou City, China. Additionally, this study explored the spatiotemporal evolution of ecological environment quality from 2014 to 2020 and quantified the influences of factors. The results show that the first principal component (PC1) increased from 56 to 67% to 65-87% and considered the accumulation process in the ecosystem. NRSEI was more valid. From 2014 to 2020, the quality of the ecological environment generally declined and then increased. The area with "Excellent" increased from 23 to 38%. The quality of ecosystems in the west, northwest, and south deteriorated significantly, a distribution pattern of "high in the center, low in the north and south". Landuse and topographic conditions dominate the impacts on the ecosystem in the context of social, economic and policy influences. The interactions of the factors were two-factor enhancement that together affect the ecological environment. The results contribute to the development of urban conservation policies in low mountain and hilly regions.

Improvement of water quality through coordinated multi-trophic level biomanipulations: Application to a subtropical emergency water supply lake

Artificial emergency water source lakes have been built in most cities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China, to ensure water safety for residents. However, these new ecosystems are prone to algal blooms or other degraded water quality conditions. A newly built water supply lake in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River was selected as a model system to test whether the coordinated manipulation of fish and submerged macrophyte communities could enhance ecosystem function and quality. The coordinated manipulations spanned a five-year period, aiming to enhance both top-down and bottom-up control of phytoplankton. As a result of these manipulations, the catch per unit effort of small-bodied zooplanktivorous fishes decreased by >95 % from year two and remained low. The coverage and biomass of submerged macrophytes increased year by year. Water transparency increased from 1.07 to 3.33 m. Total phosphorus and total nitrogen showed a decreasing trend (not significant though). The annual mean biomass of Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta decreased from 2.99 to 0.03 mg/L, 3.90 to 0.16 mg/L, and 3.50 to 0.3 mg/L, respectively. The biomass of phytoplankton in different groups decreased in all four seasons. The annual mean biomass of Cladocera and Copepoda remained low. The biomass of Cladocera and Copepoda decreased in summer, fall, and winter. The Ecosystem Health Index - increased from 15.9 to 32.0. The pros and cons of the various top-down and bottom-up control measures employed are discussed. This research presents a valuable case study on the enhancement of ecosystem structure and function in newly constructed emergency water supply lakes and offers insights into the restoration of other subtropical shallow lakes.

Odonata assemblages at two urban wetlands in West Bengal, India

Adult Odonata represent valuable indicators of natural habitat quality, ecosystem integrity, and pollution status in freshwater ecosystems. This study aimed to investigate how varying climatic condition, sub-habitat types, and physicochemical ambience of wetlands impact Odonata diversity. We compared the abundance and richness of Odonata in two urban wetlands and their surrounding areas: Purulia Sahebbandh (PS) located amidst Purulia town and faced higher anthropogenic threats, and Adra Sahebbandh (AS) located in a slightly remote location. Sampling was conducted over a period of one year (December 2018 to November 2019) using the Pollard walk method and direct search technique. A total of 47 Odonata species were recorded, including 33 species of dragonflies (Anisoptera) and 14 species of damselflies (Zygoptera). AS exhibited significant higher overall abundance compared to PS, with the monsoon season showing the highest abundance in both wetlands. Water-associated vegetation zones harbored the highest species richness. Species richness and abundance significantly differed among most of the sub-habitat types. Physicochemical factors such as pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, nitrate and phosphate concentrations, and dissolved oxygen significantly influenced Odonata abundance and species richness. The urban location, pollution load, and lack of natural vegetation in PS’s surrounding areas likely contributed to the lower Odonata abundance. Implementing sustainable management measures for wetlands and their surroundings is crucial to enhancing ecosystem services and supporting Odonata populations.

Windthrow in riparian buffers affects the water quality of freshwater ecosystems in the eastern Canadian boreal forest

Despite the wide application of riparian buffers in the managed boreal forest, their long-term effectiveness as freshwater protection tools remains unknown. Here, we evaluate windthrow incidence in riparian buffers in the eastern Canadian boreal forest and determine the effect of windthrow on the water quality index of the adjacent freshwater ecosystems. We studied 40 sites—20 riparian buffers, aged 10 to 20 years after harvesting and 20 control sites within intact riparian environments—distributed among clay and sandy (esker) soils and black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands. We observed more windthrow in the harvested stands (36%) relative to the control sites (16%), regardless of substrate and species. We determined that the most important factors explaining windthrow were exposition, harvesting, aquatic environment size, and stand characteristics. These factors drive wind exposure, speed, and force, which determine post-harvest windthrow risk. Furthermore, windthrow negatively affected the water quality index of the adjacent aquatic systems, i.e., greater windthrow decreased the protective effect of the riparian buffer. We recommend increasing the use of partial harvest near riparian environments and adapting riparian buffers to site conditions to ensure the long-term protection of adjacent freshwater ecosystems.

Life cycle assessment of common urban trees - The environmental performance of three Mediterranean cities

Given the increasing pressure from extreme events due to climate change, the planting of new trees has become a priority in the political agendas of cities. However, the rush to plant trees often fails to account for the reduced performance and lifespan of trees in heavily urbanized areas and the environmental impact of their production, maintenance, and eventual disposal. By means of the Life Cycle Analysis, this study aims to investigate the potential environmental benefit and impact of trees planted in three European cities located in Mediterranean areas (Perugia, Thessaloniki, and Cascais), that have adhered to the management guidelines of the LIFE Clivut project. The environmental performance of each tree is mainly affected by the tree management operations performed, by the climatic conditions, and by the tree performance in carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake and Particulate matter (PM) capture. The impact assessment obtained by ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) methodology evidenced that the trees' beneficial effects widely overcome the impact of the operations carried out during the tree management. Broadleaved species showed an average environmental performance higher than conifers. The best results have been obtained by Tilia cordata Mill., Quercus ilex L., Populus spp. and Celtis australis L. in the case of broadleaved trees, and by Calocedrus decurrens (Torr.) Florin and Cedrus spp. for Conifers. The results of the Environmental Footprint (EF 3.1) method highlighted the urban trees' potentiality to mitigate Human Health problems and to improve Ecosystem Quality. Future studies may explore other management scenarios to optimize energy and materials use, reduce emissions, hence obtaining an increase of the environmental benefit for the urban areas.

Ecological Effects of the Huge Invasive Species Removal Project in Coastal China.

Saltmarsh wetlands are recognized as some of the most ecologically valuable yet vulnerable ecosystems globally. However, since the 1970s, saltmarsh wetlands in coastal China have been seriously threatened by the invasive Spartina alterniflora. Although the Chinese government has initiated a nationwide S.alterniflora removal project, the potential benefits and risks of this project remain unknown. Here, we focus on the Yangtze River Estuary Saltmarsh Wetland (YRESW) and simulate its future ecosystem structure, function, and quality under three scenarios based on remote sensing and field investigation data. The simulation scenarios include the absence of a removal project, natural regeneration postproject (NRP), and planted restoration postproject. The results show that the removal project will reverse the escalating invasion trend of S.alterniflora in the YRESW. Compared to the baseline year of 2022, there is a remarkable increase in ecosystem structure (composition: +107%, configuration: +27%) and ecosystem quality (+10.5%) under the NRP scenario. Although blue carbon storage sharply decreases under both scenarios involving project implementation, planted restoration can restore YRESW's carbon sequestration capacity to 0.19 Tg C per year, achieving 87% of the carbon storage present before the project. This study underscores the necessity of comprehensive and detailed risk assessments in ecological projects, particularly when dominant species are involved. Our findings hold significant implications for stabilizing coastal wetland ecosystems and promoting sustainable development in coastal areas.

Valorization of phosphate mine waste rock as alternative aggregates for high-performance concrete

Natural aggregate quarrying significantly impacts the environment while phosphate mine waste rock (PMWR) offers alternative aggregates for use in high-added value construction materials. This study was the first to investigate the application of three aggregate types from PMWR as a complete substitute to natural aggregate to produce high-performance concrete (HPC). For this aim, three coarse aggregate (CA) types: Flint (F), Phosflint (PF), and Dolomite (D) from PMWR in Morocco were selected and compared with a natural Reference CA (R). Two mixtures were tested: HPC-0.40 and HPC-0.36 with a w/c ratio equal to 0.40 and 0.36. D-HPC and PF-HPC achieved a slump exceeding 20 cm and a 28-d compressive strength (CS) equal to 55 MPa ± 5 MPa on average, similar to the R-HPC, while F-HPC did not meet the requirement for HPC (i.e. a 28-d CS superior to 55 MPa). Scanning electron microscope observations showed that D-HPC exhibited a very dense and indistinguishable interfacial transition zone (ITZ), while F-HPC showed a debonding of F-CA and a larger ITZ size which explain its lower CS. Life ycle assessment revealed a major positive environmental impact on ecosystem quality that reduced land occupation and land transformation by up to 32 %. A secondary evaluation of the valorization of PMWR as alternative fine aggregate (FA) in high-strength mortar (HSM) was investigated and showed that the 28-d CS is equal to 93 MPa for PF-HSM and equal to 81 MPa for D-HSM, superior to RS-HSM which is equal to 61 MPa. Dolomite and Phosflint FA offered a better alternative to natural River sand to overcome the ceiling effect. These findings encourage the construction sector to adopt a sustainable consumption of aggregates by using PMWR as alternative CAs and FAs to produce high-strength construction materials.

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variation of Water Quality: A Case Study of Kotagala Wetland, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Water quality of wetland ecosystems is a critical concern due to its implications on human health and aquatic life. This study was conducted to assess the spatial and temporal variation of water quality in Kotagala wetland to understand its impact on water safety for domestic uses and ecosystem health. Water samples were collected (n = 70) from six inlets and the wetland outlet from November 2021 to August 2022, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate, and phosphate. The pH, EC, and nitrate showed significant correlations. Spatial clustering divided the monitoring sites into two clusters, as areas of higher and lower pollution levels. Discriminant analysis highlighted the significance of EC, pH, and nitrate concentrations in differentiating these clusters. Principal According to principal component analysis (PCA) 88.8% of the total variance of spatial variation in water quality was explained by the first two components. Temporal clustering following seasonal variations revealed the influence of rainfall pattern on water quality. EC, TDS, TSS, and nitrate concentrations emerged as the most important factors in this temporal categorization. In PCA, 76.8% of the total variance of temporal variation in water quality was explained by the first two components. Findings highlight the urgent need for sustainable strategies and policies to mitigate the impacts of human activities on wetland water quality, since water quality variations in the wetland was significantly impacted by direct human activities, and variations in rainfall trends in the area.

Assessing the sources and spatiotemporal variability of dissolved trace elements in the upper Nakdong River based on multivariate analysis

Various sources associated with mining activities adversely affect water quality in aquatic ecosystems. This study aimed to estimate the sources of dissolved trace elements (DTEs: Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, U, and Zn) affecting water chemistry in the upper Nakdong River (UNR) catchment and determine the hydrological processes associated with the inflow from anthropogenic sources. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to estimate main sources affecting water chemistry and its spatiotemporal variability in the four tributaries and main channel of the UNR. Water samples were classified into four groups based on their chemistry. The spatiotemporal variations of DTEs were driven by the presence of anthropogenic sources (including smelters, AMD, mining-related sources), while running toward downstream. The correlations among PCA (and HCA), Zn as smelter impact, and deuterium excess (d-excess = δ2H – 8 × δ18O) indicated that smelters had a strong influence on water chemistry in the main channel after passing through the smelter. In the dry season, d-excess < ~12 ‰ was observed with increasing Zn levels and factor score for PC2, especially samples influenced by DTEs from smelter, indicating that groundwater affected by the smelters recharged mainly by summer rainwater impacted the spatiotemporal variability of DTEs. This multivariate study suggests that the spatiotemporal variation in DTEs is associated with the complex contributions of natural and anthropogenic sources to water chemistry, which are strongly influenced by hydrological processes and seasonality.

Economic optimization of sustainable soil management: a Dutch case study

Soil quality is pivotal for crop productivity and the environmental quality of agricultural ecosystems. Achieving sufficient yearly income and long-term farm continuity are key goals for farmers, making sustainable soil management an economic challenge. Existing bio-economic models often inadequately address soil quality. In this study, we apply the novel FARManalytics model, which integrates chemical, physical, and biological indicators of soil quality indicator, quantitative rules on how these indicators respond to farmers’ production management over time, and an economic calculation framework that accurately calculates the contribution of production management decisions towards farm income. This is the first study applying this model on existing arable farms. FARManalytics optimizes crop rotation design, cover crops, manure and fertilizer application and crop residue management. Nine Dutch arable farms were analyzed with a high variation in farm size, soil type, and cultivated crops. First, we assessed farm differences in soil quality and farm economics. Second, we optimized production management to maximize farm income while meeting soil quality targets using farm-specific scenarios. Third, we explored the impact of recent policy measures to preserve water quality and to increase the contribution of local protein production. The results show that the case farms already perform well regarding soil quality, with 75% of the soil quality indicators above critical levels. The main soil quality bottlenecks are subsoil compaction and soil organic matter input. We show that even in front-runner farms, bio-economic modeling with FARManalytics substantially improves economic performance while increasing soil quality. We found that farm income could be increased by up to €704 ha−1 year−1 while meeting soil quality targets. Additionally, we show that to anticipate on stricter water quality regulation and market shift for protein crops, FARManalytics is able to provide alternative production management strategies that ensure the highest farm income while preserving soil quality for a set of heterogenous farms.

Ecotoxicity of alkaline residue from the pulp and paper industry to soil faunal organisms

The increased production and expanding demand for cellulosic products have required companies to provide solutions for the proper disposal of generated residues without compromising soil quality. In this context, the current research aimed at evaluating the ecotoxicological impacts of dregs application in subtropical soils. The experiments were carried out with the earthworm Eisenia andrei, the springtail Folsomia candida, and the potworm Enchytraeus crypticus in two subtropical soils (Neosol and Cambisol) collected in the southern region of Brazil. The considerable differences in texture and organic matter content motivated the choosing of these soils. The reproductive rate of all organisms was influenced, with varying EC50 values depending on the soil type. However, more pronounced effects were observed for Neosol. The springtail F. candida proved to be the most sensitive to contamination (EC50 = 5.8 g kg−1 for Neosol and 48.5 g kg−1 for Cambisol), followed by the earthworm E. andrei (EC50 = 62.4 g kg−1 for Neosol and 129.5 g kg−1 for Cambisol) and the potworm E. crypticus (EC50 = 67.2 g kg−1 for Neosol and 230.4 g kg−1 for Cambisol). As a result, while dregs can be used to correct soil acidity, they have been shown to have negative effects on important organisms responsible for functions critical to maintaining ecosystem quality.

Effects of woody debris on alluvial sediment differentiation and particulate organic matter accumulation in a mountainous forest stream in the Polish Carpathians

Woody debris (WD) stabilizes riverbeds, creates habitats, supports biodiversity, and enhances water quality in ecosystems. This study investigates the impact of WD on sediment characteristics and particulate organic matter (POM) accumulation in the Roztoka stream, located within a forested catchment in the Polish Carpathians. The focus is on the influence of different WD types: coarse (CWD, length &amp;gt; 1 m and diameter &amp;gt; 10 cm), fine (FWD, length &amp;lt; 1 m and diameter &amp;lt; 10 cm), and mixed (MWD, a combination of CWD and FWD) on sediment differentiation and POM accumulation. Stand age, ranging from 20 to over 120 years (in 20-year intervals), was also analyzed as a factor affecting WD structure and POM deposition. Results indicate that MWD had the greatest effect on sediment differentiation, with mean grain size (Mz) ranging from −3.91 phi to −0.95 phi. Stand age significantly influenced POM accumulation, with the highest content (19.51%) observed in age classes III and VI. Older stands (&amp;gt; 120 years) had a diminished effect on both WD structure and POM accumulation. This study underscores the critical role of WD in sediment differentiation and provides insights for improving the ecological function of natural streams. Although the findings are region-specific, they have broader implications for similar temperate mountainous forests.

One century of carbon dynamics in the eastern Canadian boreal forest under various management strategies and climate change projections

Partial cutting has lower canopy removal intensities than clearcutting and has been proposed as an alternative harvesting approach to enhance ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and storage. However, the ideal partial cutting/clearcutting proportion that should be applied to managed areas of the eastern Canadian boreal forest to enhance long-term carbon sequestration and storage at the landscape scale remains uncertain. Our study projected carbon dynamics over 100 years (2010–2110) under a portfolio of management strategies and future climate scenarios within three boreal forest management units in Quebec, Canada, distributed along an east–west gradient. To model future carbon dynamics, we used LANDIS-II, its Forest Carbon Succession extension, and several extensions that account for natural disturbances in the boreal forest (wind, fire, spruce budworm). We simulated the effects of several management strategies on carbon dynamics, including a business-as-usual strategy (clearcutting applied to more than 95 % of the annually managed area), and compared these projections against a no-harvest natural dynamics scenario. We projected an overall increase in total ecosystem carbon storage, mostly because of increased productivity and broadleaf presence under limited climate change. The drier Western region under climate scenario RCP8.5 was an exception, as stocks decreased after 2090 because of the direct negative effects of extreme climate change on coniferous species’ productivity. Under the natural dynamic scenario, our simulations suggest that the Quebec Forest in the Central and Western regions may act as a carbon sink, despite high fire-related carbon emissions, particularly under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 Conversely, the eastern region periodically switched from carbon sink to source following SBW outbreaks, thus being a weak sink over the simulation period. Applying partial cutting to over 50 % of the managed forest area effectively mitigated the negative impacts of climate change on carbon balance, reducing differences in stand composition and carbon storage between naturally dynamic forests and those managed for timber. In contrast, clearcutting-based scenarios, including the business-as-usual approach, substantially reduced total ecosystem carbon storage— by approximately double (10 tC ha−1 yr−1) compared to partial cutting scenarios (<5 tC ha−1 yr−1). Clearcutting led to higher heterotrophic respiration due to the proliferation of fast-decomposing broadleaves, resulting in lower carbon accumulation compared to partial cuts. Our findings underscore the importance of balancing canopy removal intensities to increase carbon sequestration and storage while preserving other ecosystem qualities under climate change.

Do establishment of protected areas and implementation of regional policies both promote the forest NPP? Evidence from Wuyi Mountain in China based on PSM-DID

Establishing protected areas has been a longstanding strategy to conserve forests. Net Primary Productivity (NPP) offers a reflection of ecosystem quality and vegetation vitality compared to traditional spatial indicators, making it a valuable metric for evaluating conservation outcomes in protected areas. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge about the concurrent influence of in situ conservation and pertinent policies on forest conservation. Through Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and the Difference-in-Difference (DID) model, we evaluated the conservation outcomes of NPP within protected areas and identified different policies’ impacts. Wuyi Mountain in China, known for its rich forest resources, was selected as the study area. The results revealed: (1) NPP within all protected areas fluctuated within a stable range from 1985 to 2021, with some exhibiting a significant upward trend; (2) A total of 62.5 % of protected areas demonstrated a positive effect on forest NPP. There is a 72 % effective conservation rate for nature reserves, one type of protected area in China, making them the most effectively protected in Wuyi Mountain; (3) In 50 % of the cases, the policies resulted in positive outcomes. The impact of policies on forest NPP varies across different types of protected areas; (4) Only 16.67 % of policy scenarios demonstrated a concurrent positive effect from both protected areas and conservation policies. By analyzing the impact of protected area establishment and conservation policy implementation on NPP, our research can offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance forest conservation in mountain areas.