Enhance Ecosystem Services Research Articles

No evidence for competition over floral resources between winter-active parasitoids and pollinators in agroecosystems

Warming temperate winters are resulting in increased insect winter activity. With modern agroecosystems largely homogenous, characterised by low floral diversity, competitive interactions may arise between flower-visiting species, with potential implications for the ecosystem services they provide (e.g. biological control and pollination). Flower strips may be implemented during winter months to support flower-visiting insects and enhance ecosystem service provision. Employing field trials conducted in Brittany, France between 2019 and 2021 and laboratory cage experiments, the current study examined the impact of winter flower strips on aphid biological control performed by parasitoid wasps and the potential for competitive interactions between winter-active parasitoids and pollinators. Results revealed that parasitism rate was not enhanced by the presence of winter flower strips. This lack of effect was not the consequence of pollinator presence, and the current study found no effect of pollinator abundance on parasitism rate. Flower strips may thus be implemented during winter months to support nectar-feeding insects when floral resources are scarce, with no evidence of exploitative competition between pollinators and parasitoids, nor a detrimental impact on biological control provision.

Effects of changing riparian topography on the decline of ecological indicators along the drawdown zones of long rivers in China

Riparian topographical features can drive a suite of ecological indicators (EIs) that shape the river ecosystem. The mechanisms that EIs reflect provide several ecosystem services. We know little about the responses of EIs (indicators of plant cover, regeneration, exotics, habitat, erosion, and stressors) to the changing stream-channel width, riparian width, and elevation of the lengthy drawdown zones (upstream, midstream, and downstream) of long rivers. We have discovered that changing topographical characteristics affect riparian buffer areas differently by using a rapid field-based method with 297 transects in inundated regions along the Yangtze River and other 36 linked tributaries in China. Changing stream-channel widths was most effective on downstream EIs and the least effective at midstream. The exotic parameters were the most affected (with a range of −0.36 < r < 0.401) by stream-channel widths, as determined using Pearson correlation (p < 0.05). In contrast, the changing riparian width had the uppermost impact on the upstream EIs and the lowermost impact downstream; riparian width had the most significant impact on habitat parameters (with r ≤ 0.787). The elevation followed the riparian width pattern and was negatively associated with habitat and exotics (r ≤ −0.645 and r ≤ −0.594) and positively correlated with regeneration (r ≤ 0.569). These results reaffirm the imperative need for studies on regionally dependent riparian areas maintained under the same management strategies regardless of their topographical features. Future policies should be formulated to enhance ecosystem service provision, promoting the sustainable use of extensive river ecosystems while considering EIs. Additionally, these future policies should acknowledge drawdown zone factors within the same river network. Furthermore, additional measures are imperative to conserve topographical features and prevent further destruction.

Study on the trade-off/synergy spatiotemporal benefits of ecosystem services and its influencing factors in hilly areas of southern China

IntroductionThis study aims to investigate the factors influencing ecosystem service trade-offs/synergies (TOSs) in major agricultural production areas in the southern hilly region and to propose optimization strategies to promote ecosystem sustainability in agricultural areas.MethodsThe study used a geographical detector to analyze the determinants influencing the ecosystem service trade-offs as well as correlation analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR), and a geographical detector to analyze the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service and TOS relationships from 2000 to 2020 in Hunan Province.ResultsThe results showed that the comprehensive value of ecosystem services in Hunan Province showed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2020. With spatial heterogeneity, the areas with high values were mainly distributed in the hilly areas in the west, south, and east of Hunan Province, and the areas with low values were mainly distributed in the Dongting Lake Plain and the Xiangzhong Hilly Basin. There was a trade-off relationship between food production (FP) and all other ecosystem services, of which FP has the strongest trade-off effect with habitat quality (HQ). The synergy effect between HQ, water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), and soil conservation (SC) shows an increasing trend. Gross domestic product (GDP) and SLOPE are the dominant factors for the strength of trade-offs between food supply and other ecosystem services, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are the dominant factors for the strength of synergy effects among ecosystem services. The strength of TOS effects of ecosystem services is determined by interactions or co-influences between the two services rather than by a single component.DiscussionThe results of this study can provide a reference basis for the enhancement of ecosystem services and the sustainable planning of agricultural landscapes in the southern hilly areas.

Shading effects in agrivoltaic systems can make the difference in boosting food security in climate change

Photovoltaic (PV) systems play an important role in the sustainable energy transition, but their impact on food security is ambiguous due to the shift in land use from agriculture to energy production. Currently, agrivoltaic is emerging as an alternative sustainable energy source that optimises multifunctional land use by simultaneously supporting electricity generation and agricultural activities. While many studies have extolled the benefits of shade provided by agrivoltaic on crop water balance and evapotranspiration, plant ecological adaptation, such as Shade Avoidance Syndrome (SAS), and its implications for food security remain relatively unexplored. In this context, we have investigated the influence of a panel-generated shadow on chicory crop production in terms of plant biomass yield and its quality for human health under different water irrigation regimes. For each chicory plant, fresh weight and leaf dimensions were measured to estimate edible biomass, while leaf water content, chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids, metabolite profile and antioxidant capacity were evaluated to assess food quality. Our results show that the shading system has a remarkable capacity to increase edible chicory biomass production compared to full sunlight conditions of 69% and 23%, respectively for high water supply and low water supply, and greater capacity to promote pollination ecosystem services. The shade, provided by a well-designed agrivoltaic system, improves SAS and directly increase yield without altering food quality. Thus, agrivoltaic systems can combine renewable energy strategies with food security, while enhancing ecosystem services for human well-being.

Response of plant species to impact of climate change in Hugumbrda Grat-Kahsu forest, Tigray, Ethiopia: Implications for domestication and climate change mitigation

This study aimed to predict distribution and Total Carbon Stock (TCS) dynamics of Acacia abyssinica, Carissa edulis, and Juniperus procera in the Hugumbrda Grat-Kahsu National Forest in current (1970–2000) and future climate scenarios (2021–2100). Bioclimatic, soil, and elevation data were used for modeling using Maxent, with model accuracy evaluated using Area Under the Curve (AUC), Kappa test and True Skill Statistic (TSS). Significant differences were observed in distribution of species between current and future periods under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) of SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. The main contributing predictors of the species distribution were temperature seasonality, altitude, and precipitation of the warmest quarter. All species were projected to shift to higher altitudes in the future. Acacia abyssinica’s current potential distribution (42.9 %) could expand to 77.1–99.2 % (SSP2-4.5) and 63.8–72.9 % (SSP5-8.5). Carissa edulis could extend from 54.2 % to 89.5–100 % (SSP2-4.5) and 77.1–87.9 % (SSP5-8.5). Juniperus procera’s might increase from 63.8 % to 91.8-99.7 % (SSP2-4.5) and 78–88.1 % (SSP5-8.5). The projected future climate is expected to result in an expansion of new suitable areas for all three species. The TCS estimates per km2 were 169 (Acacia abyssinica), 46 (Carissa edulis), and 1381 ton (Juniperus procera). In SSP2-4.5, Acacia abyssinica’s TCS could rise from 25,688 to 59,319 tons, Carissa edulis from 8,832 to 16,284 tons, and Juniperus procera from 312,106 to 487,493 tons. In SSP5-8.5, projections indicated 43,602 tons (Acacia abyssinica), 14,306 tons (Carissa edulis), and 430,872 tons (Juniperus procera). The study concludes by recommending the strategic planting of these species in both current and future suitable areas to enhance ecosystem services and ensure their sustained existence in the face of changing climates.

Agroecology and beyond: enhancing ecosystem services provided by natural vegetation and inventing "service weeds".

Agroecology and beyond: enhancing ecosystem services provided by natural vegetation and inventing "service weeds".

Agroforestry and Its Potential for Sustainable Land Management and Climate Action: A Review

Agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock, stands as a pivotal strategy in sustainable land management and climate action. This review synthesizes current knowledge and practices of agroforestry, focusing on its diverse systems, contributions to sustainable land management, role in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the challenges and future prospects, with a special emphasis on the Indian context. Agroforestry systems, classified into silvopastoral, agrosilvicultural, and silvoarable, along with specialized practices like alley cropping and forest farming, demonstrate significant adaptability across various climatic and geographical regions. These systems have shown promising results globally, evident in case studies highlighting their effectiveness in different environmental settings. In the realm of sustainable land management, agroforestry is instrumental in soil conservation, enhancing soil fertility, and nutrient cycling. It also plays a critical role in biodiversity conservation and the enhancement of ecosystem services, such as water regulation and pollination. Socioeconomically, agroforestry contributes to improving livelihoods and economic resilience, as demonstrated in various local community case studies. In addressing climate change, agroforestry systems are notable for their carbon sequestration capabilities. Compared to traditional agricultural practices, these systems exhibit a higher potential for carbon storage, both above and below ground. They also enhance resilience to climate extremes, offering adaptive strategies for farmers and communities facing climatic variability. Policy and global initiatives increasingly recognize agroforestry's role in climate action, with international agreements and organizations fostering its integration into national policies. The implementation of agroforestry is not without challenges. Technical complexities, the need for site-specific knowledge, economic and policy barriers, and sociocultural factors pose significant hurdles. For India, a country with diverse agro-ecological zones, these challenges are coupled with opportunities for research, technological innovation, policy improvement, and global-local collaborations. The future prospects for agroforestry are vast, particularly in the Indian context, where it can significantly contribute to sustainable agriculture and rural development. Continued research, policy support, and collaborative efforts are essential to fully realize the potential of agroforestry in environmental conservation, climate change mitigation, and socioeconomic development.

A lack of focus on data sharing, stakeholders, and economic benefits in current global green infrastructure planning

Green infrastructure (GI) is increasingly popular in solving urban environmental challenges and enhancing ecosystem services. Yet the research status and challenges of GI planning have not been comprehensively benchmarked to date. We explored the GI types, actions, goals, and spatiotemporal characteristics of GI planning cases worldwide based on the available literature. The challenges of GI planning were also investigated by the cases included in this manuscript. Additionally, the urban governance solutions to address these challenges were proposed. We found that multi-type GI planning is the most popular. Data sharing, stakeholder participation, economic benefits and research funding for GI planning research were generally inadequate, although they have improved trend over time. Multiple-goal GI planning frequently has higher levels of data sharing, stakeholder participation and economic benefits than GI planning that just takes into account one purpose. We conclude that the future transformation of GI planning requires efficient data sharing mechanisms, effective co-design among stakeholders, systematic business models, and available research funding.

Cover crop cultivars and species differ in root traits potentially impacting their selection for ecosystem services

Background and aimsCover crops have the potential to aid in adapting agricultural systems to climate change impacts through their ecosystem services, such as preventing soil erosion, remediating soil structure, and storing carbon belowground. Though roots are integral to these processes, there is a lack of cover crop root trait data. This study aims to characterize rooting behavior of several commercially available cover crops and assess how differences in root system architecture potentially impact their selection for ecosystem services.MethodsTwenty-two cover crop cultivars across the grass, legume, and brassica families were grown in O’Fallon, Missouri, USA. Canopy cover was monitored throughout the growing season. Shoot and root biomass samples were collected and analyzed.ResultsCereal rye and winter triticale were the most winter hardy cultivars and provided the highest percent canopy cover. Cereal rye and winter triticale also generated the highest amount of shoot and root biomass among treatments but diverged in their root system architectures. Winter triticale forms coarser roots and exhibited deeper rooting, which may be better suited for carbon sequestration. Rapeseed and Siberian kale have favorable C:N ratios for nutrient recycling, but rapeseed may invest more into lateral root formation and have a higher potential to “catch” excess nutrients.ConclusionSelection of cover crops for ecosystem services should account for root system architecture and their suitability for these ecosystem services. Differences in root traits among cultivars within the same family highlight the potential to breed cover crop root system architecture to further enhance ecosystem service efficacy.

Delineation of high‐resolution soil carbon management zones using digital soil mapping: A step towards mitigating climate change in the Northeastern Himalayas, India

AbstractDelineation of carbon management zones (CMZs) by capturing geospatial distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) stock down the profile is an effective strategy for precision agriculture and climate change mitigation. Satellite (Landsat OLI 8), terrain (SRTM 30 m DEM) and bioclimatic (WorldClim dataset) factors were used as covariables in this digital soil mapping approach. Depth harmonization using the quadratic spline method (equal‐area) was carried out prior to quantile regression forest (QRF) algorithm‐based modelling to estimate SOC stock at six standard soil depths (0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–100 and 100–200 cm). Soil depth and SOC stock for the whole soil profile were used for the delineation of CMZs using fuzzy k‐means clustering. The predicted SOC stock, varied from 14.68 to 42.35 Mg ha−1 in the top layer (0–5 cm depth), while 17.91 to 36.88, 14.15 to 34.70, 12.55 to 35.59, 10.30 to 28.52 and 7.26 to 20.16 Mg ha−1 in the depths of 5–15, 15–30, 30–60, 60–100 and 100–200 cm, respectively. The QRF algorithm performed well in predicting SOC stock with high R2, which ranged from .67 to .83 for all the soil depths. To delineate three CMZs, modified partitioning entropy and the fuzzy performance index were used. In CMZ2, there was a significant increase in SOC stock, followed by CMZ1 and CMZ3. This zone (CMZ2) was located in the central region of the study area and was mostly covered by dense forest and perennial plantations (rubber). The CMZs provided the necessary foundation for the development of site‐specific carbon management techniques that can enhance ecosystem service and meet climate change mitigation goals.

Advancements in Agronomic Practices for Sustainable Crop Production: A Review

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in agronomic practices that contribute to sustainable crop production. In the context of escalating global food demand, climate change, and environmental concerns, sustainable agriculture has become a pivotal focus. This paper systematically examines the evolution of agronomic practices from traditional methods to contemporary innovations, highlighting the integration of technology, sustainability, and socio-economic factors in modern agriculture. The historical perspective of agronomic practices reveals a transition from rudimentary, labor-intensive methods to technologically driven, precision-based approaches. Traditional practices, while sustainable, often faced limitations in scalability and efficiency. The advent of the Green Revolution marked a significant shift, introducing high-yield crop varieties and synthetic inputs. However, the long-term ecological impacts of these methods prompted a reevaluation towards more sustainable practices. Contemporary advancements in agronomy are largely characterized by precision agriculture, which employs satellite and drone technology, sensor-based monitoring systems, and AI applications. These tools have revolutionized farming by enabling precise resource management and data-driven decision-making. In tandem, the rise of organic farming and integrated pest management reflects a growing emphasis on ecological balance and reduced chemical inputs. The paper also delves into the crucial role of education and extension services in disseminating modern agronomic knowledge, particularly in developing regions. Government policies and international regulations are analyzed for their impact on promoting sustainable practices. Additionally, the review addresses the vital aspect of environmental sustainability, focusing on strategies for carbon footprint reduction, biodiversity preservation, and ecosystem services enhancement. Technological innovations, especially in genetics and digital tools, are identified as key drivers in shaping future agronomic practices. The potential of CRISPR in crop improvement and the application of big data and IoT in farming are discussed as future trends.

Ensuring Ecosystem Service Provision of Urban Water Nature-Based Solutions in Infill Areas: Comparing Green Factor for Districts and SWMM Modeling in Scenario Assessment

This study aims to explore the measurement of potential synergies between water management objectives and other ecosystem services generated by Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the context of urban planning. The research also investigates the comparative benefits of two analytical methods, Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) and green area factor for districts (GAFD). The study employs Malmi district in Helsinki, Finland, as a case study, examining five distinct NBS scenarios with varying degrees of integration. The results affirm that NBS can indeed enhance ecosystem services provision and stormwater management. The comparative analysis of the two methods, reveals that scenarios with high green factors exhibit effective flood risk reduction, while those with low green factors struggle to manage water, emphasizing the importance of balancing green and built elements in urban planning for optimal flood risk reduction. Furthermore, the study underscores the advantages of the two methods: GAFD offers simplicity and lower expertise requirements, generating valuable insights into ecosystem services, while SWMM provides precise stormwater management data. The findings emphasize the significance of diverse NBS combinations that harness the multifunctional aspects of green infrastructure, highlighting the need for integrated urban planning. The utilization of GAFD analysis provides a comprehensive districtwide perspective in a flexible manner, thereby improving the comprehension of the interconnected nature of urban green spaces.HighlightsNature-based solutions (NBS) support urban stormwater management in infill areas.Green Area Factor for Districts (GAFD) is a practical tool to compare NBS options.GAFD and SWMM modeling results on stormwaters are comparable for common rain events.NBS size, quality and diversity reduce peak flows and enhance ecosystem services.Assessment of scenarios with the GAFD tool helps to identify multiple benefits of NBS.

Nature-based solutions for future earth: harnessing the power of ecosystems

Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer a promising approach to address the complex environmental challenges facing Future Earth. By harnessing the power of ecosystems, NbS provides innovative and sustainable strategies for solving a wide range of societal issues while promoting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. This article explores the concept of NbS and its potential applications in shaping a sustainable and ecologically sound future. The article begins by defining NbS and highlighting its fundamental principles, which include the use of natural processes, the integration of social and ecological systems, and the enhancement of ecosystem services. It then delves into the various domains where NbS can make a significant impact, such as climate change adaptation and mitigation, water management, urban planning, and disaster risk reduction. Drawing upon real-world examples and case studies, the article showcases the effectiveness of NbS in diverse contexts. From restoring coastal wetlands to protect against sea-level rise to implementing green infrastructure in urban areas for stormwater management, NbS demonstrates its potential as a cost-effective and resilient alternative to conventional approaches. Furthermore, the article discusses the multiple co-benefits associated with NbS, including improved air and water quality, enhanced human health and well-being, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods. It highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration among scientists, policymakers, communities, and businesses in implementing NbS at various scales. Lastly, the article addresses the challenges and barriers to widespread adoption of NbS, such as policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and knowledge gaps. It calls for integrated approaches that combine scientific knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, and innovative technologies to unlock the full potential of NbS. In conclusion, this article emphasizes the crucial role of NbS in creating a sustainable and resilient Future Earth. By recognizing and valuing the services provided by ecosystems, we can forge a path towards a harmonious coexistence with nature while addressing pressing societal needs. Through the harnessing of the power of ecosystems, NbS offers a transformative approach to building a sustainable future for all.

Low variation in microbial carbon sequestration between farmland and apple orchards in typical loess-covered regions

The cultivation of deep-rooted vegetation greatly alters the tradeoffs between water and carbon dynamics, yet their impact on microbial carbon sequestration (MCS) remains inadequately documented, particularly in thick vadose zones. This information is crucial for global climate mitigation and ecosystem service enhancement. As such, we collected triplicate samples for each land use type, exploring the abundance and structure of cbbL-harboring microbial communities within 10-m deep profiles under cultivated farmland and two apple orchards of varying ages (n = 72). Our findings indicated a shift from water-dominated (improved water retention at the expense of reduced carbon sequestration) to carbon-dominated benefits (enhanced carbon sequestration at the expense of decreased water retention) in deep soil layers (2–10 m) after the transformation from farmland to apple orchards. Despite the lack of significant differences among the three land use types, the gene abundances and microbial diversity indices reduced with soil depths because of variations in substrates, resources, and microenvironments. The cbbL-harboring microorganisms consisted of 5 phyla, 7 classes, 19 orders, 30 families, and 55 genera, with Proteobacteria as the predominant bacterial phylum. The relative contributions of different genera varied with soil depths, reflecting their distinct survival strategies. The microbial network was positively connected in various soil layers under farmland and apple orchards. Furthermore, the results of correlation, redundancy analysis, and structural equation modeling jointly indicated that plant roots and soil properties, including total nitrogen and organic carbon, governed MCS processes in deep unsaturated zones. Specifically, the low microbial variation between farmland and apple orchards can be attributed to the predominant effects of climatic and pedogenic factors on soil properties, the restricted contribution of plant roots to soil nutrient levels per unit depth, and the adverse effects of plant-induced ecohydrological consequences on root systems and microbial populations. This study offers new insights within thick vadose zones containing deep-rooted plants, thereby contributing to a better understanding of global terrestrial carbon cycle processes.

Merging multiple sensing platforms and deep learning empowers individual tree mapping and species detection at the city scale

The precise estimation of the number of trees, their individual tree locations, along with species information, is crucial for enhancing ecosystem services in urban areas. Previous studies largely used satellite or airborne images for mapping trees, but they were insufficient to generate a large number of species distributions. Ground-level data also led to inaccurate positional information of individual trees, although they provided reliable species detection results. In this study, we propose a novel framework that fully explores the complementary strengths of air- and ground-level sensing platforms by leveraging various deep neural networks to generate a detailed tree maps at a city-wide scale. Our strategy includes individual tree mapping and tree species detection using three-color channel images acquired from multiple sensing platforms. Through publicly available airborne imagery, we estimate the presence of over 1.2 million trees in Suwon city of South Korea spanning 121.04 km2 (R2 of 0.95 and relative bias of −1.9 %), achieving more accurate individual tree positions (positional uncertainty around 2.0 m) than conventional methods. Our comprehensive experiments also demonstrate the effectiveness of utilizing tree bark photos and street-level imagery taken by citizens and vehicles to identify urban tree species, with accuracy rates of over 80 % for citizen-sensed tree species maps and 66 % for vehicle-sensed tree species map. Along with the proliferation of web-based airborne images, the widespread use of smartphones, and the advancements in vehicle-mounted sensors, this study can facilitate efficient and accurate management of urban trees across scales. For reproducibility of the study, we share the source code and datasets at https://github.com/landkwon94/ryoungseob-master.

Pestilential or Productive? Tracking Two Centuries of Environmental Change and Current Perceptions About Ecosystem Services of the East Kolkata Wetlands

Nature-based solutions (NbS) have gained popularity for their capacity to address sustainability chllenges in multiple ways. A historically grounded understanding of NbS framing in older urban areas, coupled with an examination of their resilience in contemporary times, can be very useful, especially in the global South, in the context of its urbanisation. The east Kolkata wetlands are a unique urban ecosystem for waste management and food provisioning in peri-urban Kolkata, one of India’s largest metropolitan cities. Using archival data, dating back to colonial times (mid-eighteenth century), secondary data on land use changes and in-depth interviews, we map the changes in perception and use of this wetland. By studying how food production and waste management supported by the wetland are in danger of being compromised, our research highlights why it is critical to acknowledge the multiple services of urban wetlands that are often undervalued by policymakers. We argue that if these services historically provided by the wetland are viewed as emerging NbS, they can contribute to enhancing ecosystem services, provide a better understanding of trade-offs between ecosystem services and disservices and help address sustainability challenges in today’s urban planning.

Can poverty alleviation policy enhance ecosystem service value? Evidence from poverty-stricken regions in China

Existing literature indicates that poverty-stricken regions often exhibit characteristics such as poor resource endowment and weak environmental carrying capacity, which can lead to excessive exploitation of natural resources and degradation of the ecological environment in pursuit of economic development. However, previous research has primarily focused on the economic benefits of development in impoverished areas, overlooking the importance of ecosystem services. This study aims to fill this research gap by examining the impact of China's Poverty Alleviation Policy on ecosystem service values in 51 impoverished counties from 2011 to 2019. Our analysis reveals that the Poverty Alleviation Policy effectively enhances ecosystem service values in poverty-stricken areas, and the fiscal pressure faced by local governments significantly influences the policy's effectiveness in boosting ecosystem service values. Notably, we also find that environmental management policies demonstrate a greater capacity to enhance ecosystem service values in poverty-stricken regions compared to industrial development-led poverty-reduction policies.

Reforestation and sylvopastoral systems in Sahelian drylands: evaluating return on investment from provisioning ecosystem services, Senegal

Since the 1960s, droughts have caused significant degradation of Sahelian ecosystems, particularly resulting in a reduction in tree cover. Despite the challenges posed by climate change, the rural Sahelian population continues to depend on natural resources for pastoral livestock farming, which remains a critical source of livelihood. To address this issue of land degradation, Sahelian states and international coalitions are prioritizing efforts to restore pastoral land through reforestation programs. These initiatives aim to enhance ecosystem services, generate new income for the population, and safeguard biodiversity.In practice, however, reforestation has often led to a depletion of resources for communities due to enclosure policies. This paper explores various land management models for reforestation within a pastoral context through provisioning ecosystem services (PES) modeling.This study quantifies the economic potential of PES offered by reforestation programs in Senegal. It employs a quantitative methodology to assess the profitability of these operations from the perspective of pastoral economies. The analysis reveals that the PES benefits of reforestation can significantly enhance the economic potential of sylvo-pastoral productions if resource access is negotiated collaboratively between pastoralists and forestry extension services during reforestation activities and after. From an investment perspective, the economic viability of reforestation operations in drylands is questionable. The findings suggest that when evaluated solely in terms of PES profitability, these programs may not be financially sustainable. The sustainability of these investments would require taking into account supporting and regulating ecosystem services.

Light grazing intensity enhances ecosystem services in semi-arid grasslands through plant trait associations

Grasslands provide multiple ecosystem services (ESs) including provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services that are largely affected by livestock grazing. Linking plant functional traits (PFTs) to ecosystem processes and functions has attracted extensive ecological research to explore the responses and inter-relations of ecosystem services to environmental and management changes. However, little information is available on the links between PFTs and ESs in most ecosystems. We conducted a grazing experiment to investigate the response of PFTs at different levels, including in plant organs (leaves and stems), individual plants, and the overall community in a typical steppe region of Inner Mongolia. Additionally, we examined the effect of animal grazing at four intensities (nil, light, moderate, and heavy) and explored the dynamic interconnections between PFTs and ecosystem services in grasslands. Our analysis revealed that the highest total ecosystem service and provisioning service were achieved under light- and moderate-grazing treatments, respectively. Heavy grazing also increased provisioning service but with a large decline in regulating and total ecosystem services. These changes in ESs were closely associated with grazing-induced variations in PFTs. Compared to no grazing, light grazing increased plant size-related functional traits, such as height, leaf length, leaf area, stem length, and the ratio of stem length to diameter. In contrast, heavy grazing decreased these PFTs. Provisioning and regulating services were determined by plant above-ground community function and structural properties, while supporting service was jointly affected by the below-ground community and soil properties. Our results indicate that light grazing should be recommended for the best total ESs, although moderate grazing may lead to high short-term economic benefits. Moreover, PFTs are powerful indicators for provisioning and regulating services. These findings provide a valuable reference for developing effective management practices to achieve targeted ESs using PFTs as indicators.

Impact of spatial structure on the functional connectivity of urban ecological corridors based on quantitative analysis

Building urban ecological corridors (UECs) and enhancing their functional connectivity are of great significance for biodiversity conservation and the enhancement of ecosystem services in urbanised areas. However, the key spatial structural indicators that affect the functional connectivity of UECs are unclear, resulting in ineffective ecological corridor optimisation measures. Therefore, this study attempted to reveal the quantitative relationship between the spatial structure and functional connectivity of UECs, using Minhang District, Shanghai, as a representative area. It analysed the type, morphological structure, area, habitat quality, and spatial location of the ecological space, and applied the results to the selection of ecological source patches and construction of resistance surfaces. Considering the species types, this study identified the spatial boundaries of UECs with different cost-weighted distance widths based on least-cost paths to optimise the UEC identification method. It used effective conductance to measure the functional connectivity of UECs and regression modelling to identify the spatial structural factors that contributed to their variation. The results showed that three spatial indicators affected the functional connectivity of UECs: the cost-weighted distance of the least-cost path (LCD), average spatial width (SW), and shape index; of which the LCD was the most critical and negatively-correlated indicator. The functional connectivity of UECs could be enhanced by increasing the SW within a certain width range, but the enhancement rate was inconsistent, and most corridors had transition points. This study screened nine key component types that affected the functional connectivity of UECs, of which the percentage of woodland area was the most critical and positively-correlated indicator. This study provides insights for adjusting the spatial structure and setting appropriate SWs of UECs to effectively improve their functional connectivity, which will help identify specific and actionable optimisation strategies for UECs.