Environmental Changes Research Articles

Comparative Muscle Physiology of Ringed (Pusa hispida), Bearded (Erignathus barbatus), and Spotted (Phoca largha) Seals from the Bering and Chukchi Seas

The physiological properties of marine mammal skeletal muscle are foundational in defining diving and foraging capacities. Further, these parameters can be useful when assessing the behavioral flexibility of species faced with environmental change or disturbance. Herein, we define species- and age-specific muscle physiology for three ice-associated seal species experiencing Arctic warming. Specifically, we evaluated myoglobin content ([Mb]), nonbicarbonate buffering capacity (β), and fiber type profiles of a major locomotor muscle, the longissimus dorsi. Muscle samples were obtained from subsistence harvested ringed (Pusa hispida; n = 11), bearded (Erignathus barbatus; n = 41), and spotted (Phoca largha; n = 12) seals of all ages in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Adult ringed seals had the highest [Mb] (6.67 ± 0.20 g 100 g wet tissue-1), followed by spotted (5.38 ± 0.29 g 100 g wet tissue-1) and bearded (4.55 ± 0.07 g 100 g wet tissue-1) seals. [Mb] increased with age for all species, but rates of increase differed by species. In contrast, β was similar for all species and age classes. We documented higher proportions of fast-twitch relative to slow-twitch fibers in these species, and fiber type proportions did not differ significantly with age. Adult bearded seals exhibited the greatest proportion of fast-twitch fibers (68.7 ± 1.5%), followed by ringed (59.0 ± 4.8%) and spotted (55.1 ± 2.1%) seals. Overall, our data suggest a strong link between muscle physiology, diving behavior, and life history strategies, and provide insight into the physiological capacities of these potentially vulnerable species.

Genomic analysis and phylogenetic characterization of Himalayan snow trout, Schizothorax esocinus based on mitochondrial protein-coding genes.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has become a significant tool for exploring genetic diversity and delineating evolutionary links across diverse taxa. Within the group of cold-water fish species that are native to the Indian Himalayan region, Schizothorax esocinus holds particular importance due to its ecological significance and is potentially vulnerable to environmental changes. This research aims to clarify the phylogenetic relationships within the Schizothorax genus by utilizing mitochondrial protein-coding genes. Standard protocols were followed for the isolation of DNA from S. esocinus. For the amplification of mtDNA, overlapping primers were used, and then subsequent sequencing was performed. The genetic features were investigated by the application of bioinformatic approaches. These approaches covered the evaluation of nucleotide composition, codon usage, selective pressure using nonsynonymous substitution /synonymous substitution (Ka/Ks) ratios, and phylogenetic analysis. The study specifically examined the 13 protein-coding genes of Schizothorax species which belongs to the Schizothoracinae subfamily. Nucleotide composition analysis showed a bias towards A + T content, consistent with other cyprinid fish species, suggesting evolutionary conservation. Relative Synonymous Codon Usage highlighted leucine as the most frequent (5.18%) and cysteine as the least frequent (0.78%) codon. The positive AT-skew and the predominantly negative GC-skew indicated the abundance of A and C. Comparative analysis revealed significant conservation of amino acids in multiple genes. The majority of amino acids were hydrophobic rather than polar. The purifying selection was revealed by the genetic distance and Ka/Ks ratios. Phylogenetic study revealed a significant genetic divergence between S. esocinus and other Schizothorax species with interspecific K2P distances ranging from 0.00 to 8.87%, with an average of 5.76%. The present study provides significant contributions to the understanding of mitochondrial genome diversity and genetic evolution mechanisms in Schizothoracinae, hence offering vital insights for the development of conservation initiatives aimed at protecting freshwater fish species.

An ecologically sound and participatory monitoring network for pan-Arctic seabirds.

In a warming Arctic, circumpolar long-term monitoring programs are key to advancing ecological knowledge and informing environmental policies. Calls for better involvement of Arctic peoples in all stages of the monitoring process are widespread, although such transformation of Arctic science is still in its infancy. Seabirds stand out as ecological sentinels of environmental changes, and priority has been given to implement the Circumpolar Seabird Monitoring Plan (CSMP). We assessed the representativeness of a pan-Arctic seabird monitoring network focused on the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) by comparing the distribution of environmental variables for all known versus monitored colonies. We found that with respect to its spatiotemporal coverage, this monitoring network does not fully embrace current and future environmental gradients. To improve the current scheme, we designed a method to identify colonies whose inclusion in the monitoring network will improve its ecological representativeness, limit logistical constraints, and improve involvement of Arctic peoples. We thereby highlight that inclusion of study sites in the Bering Sea, Siberia, western Russia, northern Norway, and southeastern Greenland could improve the current monitoring network and that their proximity to local populations might allow increased involvement of local communities. Our framework can be applied to improve existing monitoring networks in other ecoregions and sociological contexts.

Epitranscriptome insights into Riccia fluitans L. (Marchantiophyta) aquatic transition using nanopore direct RNA sequencing

BackgroundRiccia fluitans, an amphibious liverwort, exhibits a fascinating adaptation mechanism to transition between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Utilizing nanopore direct RNA sequencing, we try to capture the complex epitranscriptomic changes undergone in response to land-water transition.ResultsA significant finding is the identification of 45 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with a split of 33 downregulated in terrestrial forms and 12 upregulated in aquatic forms, indicating a robust transcriptional response to environmental changes. Analysis of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications revealed 173 m6A sites in aquatic and only 27 sites in the terrestrial forms, indicating a significant increase in methylation in the former, which could facilitate rapid adaptation to changing environments. The aquatic form showed a global elongation bias in poly(A) tails, which is associated with increased mRNA stability and efficient translation, enhancing the plant’s resilience to water stress. Significant differences in polyadenylation signals were observed between the two forms, with nine transcripts showing notable changes in tail length, suggesting an adaptive mechanism to modulate mRNA stability and translational efficiency in response to environmental conditions. This differential methylation and polyadenylation underline a sophisticated layer of post-transcriptional regulation, enabling Riccia fluitans to fine-tune gene expression in response to its living conditions.ConclusionsThese insights into transcriptome dynamics offer a deeper understanding of plant adaptation strategies at the molecular level, contributing to the broader knowledge of plant biology and evolution. These findings underscore the sophisticated post-transcriptional regulatory strategies Riccia fluitans employs to navigate the challenges of aquatic versus terrestrial living, highlighting the plant’s dynamic adaptation to environmental stresses and its utility as a model for studying adaptation mechanisms in amphibious plants.

The Food and Nutrition Policy Environment and Drivers of Changes in Key Food System Outcomes in Ethiopia

Background: There seems to be huge gap in our understanding of the changes over time in food system outcomes and their drivers in Ethiopia. The main aim of this study is to examine the food and nutrition programs and policies and their corresponding key food system outcomes in Ethiopia. Methods: The bulk of the information was generated using scooping review of relevant articles and policy documents. About 67 full text records were used for the review. In addition, data were collected using Key Informant Interview (KIIs) purposefully selected from sectoral offices from two major cities (Hawassa and Dire Dawa), of two regions. The analytical framework used in this paper was adopted from previous studies on related subjects and addressed three key components of food system: review of food and nutrition policy environment, key food system outcomes and key drivers. Results: Despite improvement in some food system outcomes (such as child nutrition and survival), food security crises in Ethiopia are still becoming more frequent and more acute, affecting the poor disproportionately. Most food and nutrition policies are constrained by lack of implementation capacities. Indicating the presence of various barriers (socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental). Poor human capital (such as knowledge and attitude), food taboos and tradition, cultural practices such as gender-based norms, poor education, poor delivery/supply chain, demographic pressure and other environmental drivers play critical role in food and nutrition security of most vulnerable population groups in Ethiopia. Conclusion and implications: Given the challenges confronting Ethiopia today, it is imperative to assume that meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (i.e., attaining zero hunger by 2030) becomes challenging. This calls for continuous capacity building to help implement, learn, and adapt a systems approach; and access to education and skill training on food production and consumption and narrowing down the gender differential in food access and consumption.

The Food and Nutrition Policy Environment and Drivers of Changes in Key Food System Outcomes in Ethiopia

Background: There seems to be huge gap in our understanding of the changes over time in food system outcomes and their drivers in Ethiopia. The main aim of this study is to examine the food and nutrition programs and policies and their corresponding key food system outcomes in Ethiopia. Methods: The bulk of the information was generated using scooping review of relevant articles and policy documents. About 67 full text records were used for the review. In addition, data were collected using Key Informant Interview (KIIs) purposefully selected from sectoral offices from two major cities (Hawassa and Dire Dawa), of two regions. The analytical framework used in this paper was adopted from previous studies on related subjects and addressed three key components of food system: review of food and nutrition policy environment, key food system outcomes and key drivers. Results: Despite improvement in some food system outcomes (such as child nutrition and survival), food security crises in Ethiopia are still becoming more frequent and more acute, affecting the poor disproportionately. Most food and nutrition policies are constrained by lack of implementation capacities. Indicating the presence of various barriers (socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental). Poor human capital (such as knowledge and attitude), food taboos and tradition, cultural practices such as gender-based norms, poor education, poor delivery/supply chain, demographic pressure and other environmental drivers play critical role in food and nutrition security of most vulnerable population groups in Ethiopia. Conclusion and implications: Given the challenges confronting Ethiopia today, it is imperative to assume that meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (i.e., attaining zero hunger by 2030) becomes challenging. This calls for continuous capacity building to help implement, learn, and adapt a systems approach; and access to education and skill training on food production and consumption and narrowing down the gender differential in food access and consumption.

Role of atomic substitution in first coordination shell of Fe–N–C single atom catalyst towards oxygen reduction reaction: A theoretical study

Due to structural complexity and limited understanding, precise chemical modification in atomically dispersed metal-nitrogen-carbon (M-N-C) catalysts requires theoretical calculations to optimize electronic, geometric, and catalytic performance and experimental implementation of learned lessons to improve their catalytic performance towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we conducted a density functional theory (DFT) investigation to understand the effect of the replacement of O-atoms in Fe–O4–C by N-atoms in the first coordination shell of Fe-site (constructing five models: Fe–O4–C, Fe–O3N–C, Fe–N2O2–C, Fe–ON3–C and Fe–N4–C) towards ORR. The geometric and electronic calculations of these models suggested that replacing all the O-atoms with N-atoms around the Fe-site would make it more conducive to the adsorption of ORR intermediates. Moreover, the Gibbs free energy calculations demonstrated that the Fe-site becomes the active centre for 2e− ORR, leading to the dominant generation of H2O2 when Fe is coordinated with four O-atoms (Fe–O4–C). Whereas in compounds like Fe–N2O2–C, Fe–O3N–C, and Fe–N4–C, where the Fe-site displays 4e− ORR, form water is a preferred product if the O-atoms are replaced by N-atoms, as in Fe–N2O2–C, Fe–O3N–C, and Fe–N4–C. This study would provide a fundamental understanding of how atomically dispersed M-N-C catalysts' electrocatalytic activity is affected by changes in the coordination environment of metal sites.

Order–disorder phase transitions in front of the exit during human crowd evacuations

Human crowds often exhibit collective behaviors through self-organization, such as orderly queueing and disordered congestion at exits. Understanding the dynamic mechanisms behind these behaviors is crucial for pedestrian traffic management and the handling of mass crowds. Although current models and experiments have provided profound insights into ordered and disordered pedestrian groups separately, the transition mechanism from order to disorder within pedestrian crowds in front of exits remains unclear. In this study, a pedestrian queueing evacuation experiment was presented to demonstrate the phase transition process of pedestrian movement states as urgency levels in the environment change. We discovered the migration pattern of the phase transition point under evacuation control and identified different propagation modes of pedestrian velocity waves. Furthermore, a pedestrian motion model based on experimental data and observed phenomena was established. This model not only replicates the observed phenomena and regularities from the experiments but also reveals the quantitative phase transition mechanism of pedestrian movement under the influence of a single factor (i.e., urgency level or queueing ratio). Our findings hold significant implications for various domains, including pedestrian management, traffic control, and pedestrian dynamics.

Speciation patterns of Aedes mosquitoes in the Scutellaris Group: a mitochondrial perspective

The Scutellaris Group of Aedes comprises 47 mosquito species, including Aedes albopictus. While Ae. albopictus is widely distributed, the other species are mostly found in the Asia–Pacific region. Evolutionary history researches of Aedes species within the Scutellaris Group have mainly focused on Ae. albopictus, a species that raises significant public health concerns, neglecting the other species. In this study, we aimed to assess genetic diversity and estimate speciation times of several species within the Scutellaris Group. Mosquitoes were therefore collected from various Asia–Pacific countries. Their mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and subunit 3 (cox3) sequences were analyzed alongside those of other Scutellaris Group species available in the GenBank database. To estimate the divergence time, we analyzed 1849 cox1 gene sequences from 21 species, using three species (Aedes aegypti, Aedes notoscriptus and Aedes vigilax) as outgroups. We found that most of the speciation dates occurred during the Paleogene and the Neogene periods. A separation between the Scutellaris Subgroup and the Albopictus Subgroup occurred approximately 64–61 million years ago (MYA). We also identified a split between species found in Asia/Micronesia and those collected in Melanesia/Polynesia approximately 36–35 MYA. Our findings suggest that the speciation of Aedes species within the Scutellaris Group may be driven by diversity in mammalian hosts, climate and environmental changes, and geological dynamics rather than human migration.

Excessive Eutrophication as a Chemical Barrier for Fish Fauna Dispersion: A Case Study in the Emblematic Tietê River (São Paulo, Brazil)

The Tietê River receives most of the effluents and diffuse wastes from the São Paulo metropolis (21.9 million inhabitants). The study aimed to assess the extent to which environmental changes affected the fish fauna. We compared, in rainy and dry seasons, three sites in Tietê and three in tributaries with much better water quality conditions. No physical barriers exist between the sites. Fish were sampled with gillnets (exposed overnight) and the assemblage’s ecological attributes calculated. Water depth, transparency, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total dissolved solids, pH, redox potential, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll were simultaneously determined. Low oxygen concentrations (near zero in the rainy period), and the opposite for nutrients and total solids, separated the predominantly hypereutrophic Tietê from the tributaries (PCA). Differences in the fish assemblages were also evidenced (nMDS), including a higher richness per sample in tributaries (11 to 14 spp.) compared to Tietê (3 to 4 spp.). Siluriformes with accessory breathing dominated in Tietê and the highly tolerant detritivorous Prochilodus lineatus (the main commercial fish) was the only species found in all sites. The species correlated positively with oxygen in the tributaries and with turbidity, redox potential, and nutrients in Tietê (DistLM) (rainy season). Recovery measures are urgently required.

Hydrological Factor and Land Use/Land Cover Change Explain the Vegetation Browning in the Dosso Reserve, Niger

The West Sahel is facing significant threats to its vegetation and wildlife due to the land degradation and habitat fragmentation. It is crucial to assess the regional vegetation greenness dynamics in order to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of protection in the natural reserves. This study analyzes the vegetation greenness trends and the driving factors in the Dosso Partial Faunal Reserve in Niger and nearby unprotected regions—one of the most important habitats for endemic African fauna—using satellite time series data from 2001 to 2020. An overall vegetation browning trend was observed throughout the entire region with significant spatial variability. Vegetation browning dominated in the Dosso Reserve with 17.7% of the area showing a significant trend, while the area with significant greening was 6.8%. In a comparison, the nearby unprotected regions to the north and the east were found to be dominated by vegetation browning and greening, respectively. These results suggest that the vegetation protection practice was not fully effective throughout the Dosso Reserve. The dominant drivers were also diagnosed using the Random Forest model-based method and the Partial Dependence Plot tool, showing that water availability (expressed as soil moisture) and land use/land cover change were the most critical factors affecting vegetation greenness in the study region. Specifically, soil moisture stress and specific land management practices associated with logging, grazing, and land clearing appeared to dominate vegetation browning in the Dosso Reserve. In contrast, the vegetation greening in the central Dosso Reserve and the nearby unprotected region to the east was probably caused by the increase in shrubland/forest, which was related to the effective implementation of protection. These findings improve our understanding of how regional vegetation greenness dynamics respond to environmental changes in the Dosso Reserve and also highlight the need for more effective conservation planning and implementation to ensure sustainable socio-ecological development in the West Sahel.

Foraging in a non-foraging task: Fitness maximization explains human risk preference dynamics under changing environment.

Changes in risk preference have been reported when making a series of independent risky choices or non-foraging economic decisions. Behavioral economics has put forward various explanations for specific effects on risk preference in non-foraging tasks, but a consensus regarding the general principle underlying these effects has not been reached. In contrast, recent studies have investigated human economic risky choices using tasks adapted from foraging theory, which require consideration of past choices and future opportunities to make optimal decisions. In these foraging tasks, human economic risky choices are explained by the ethological principle of fitness maximization, which naturally leads to dynamic risk preference. Here, we conducted two online experiments to investigate whether the principle of fitness maximization can explain risk preference dynamics in a non-foraging task. Participants were asked to make a series of independent risky economic decisions while the environmental richness changed. We found that participants' risk preferences were influenced by the current and past environments, making them more risk-averse during and after the rich environment compared to the poor environment. These changes in risk preference align with fitness maximization. Our findings suggest that the ethological principle of fitness maximization might serve as a generalizable principle for explaining dynamic preferences, including risk preference, in human economic decision-making.

Morpho-physiological studies of sandalwood-host interaction under individual and interactive water and salt stress.

To find out the possibilities of growing white sandalwood in sub-tropical regions of India where farmers facing the problem of water deficit and salinity stress, a RBD experiment was conducted. Sandalwood grown alone and with five selected hosts (Alternanthera sp., Neem, Shisham, Dek and Agarwood) on the basis of prior study under water deficit, salinity stress and combined water deficit and salinity stress. Sandalwood plants were harvested after 180days of imposing stress treatments. Morphological traits (plant height, collar diameter, shoot fresh and dry biomass) showed significant reduction under water deficit and salinity stress, which were further aggravated under combined water deficit and salinity stress. Studied plant water traits, ionic balance and gas exchange attributes were also reduced by these stresses. While among studied host, Shisham and Dek identified as the best host species under water deficit, salinity and interactive stress by maintaining ion homeostasis, osmotic adjustments and plant water regulation. Results depicted that sandalwood plants cultivated alone were not able to survive under salinity and combined stress conditions and showed poor growth under water deficit and control conditions. Different indices were also calculated based on morpho-physiological and ionic traits and also indicated that sandalwood grown with Dalbergia sissoo and Melia dubia showed higher drought, salt and stress tolerance potential, which made sandalwood adaptable under these stresses. Therefore, the present study signifies the importance of host especially D. sissoo and M. dubia which might be excellent long-term host species for sandalwood cultivation under sub-tropical conditions to thrive under changing environments.

Финансовые аспекты моделирования устойчивого роста в проектах развития энергетических компаний

The goal of this study is to elaborate the recommendations of managing the energy companies’ financial results for maintaining their sustainable growth. According to determined criteria various models of sustainable growth were chosen and tested. Some of them which showed the best prediction power were taken for the further study. Financial analysis of companies’ reports was done and the evidence about the existence of a pattern in forming their financial results was given. The factor analysis was carried out in order to find the impact of changes in external environment on the net income. The main factors that influence the amount of net profit and the sustainable growth ratio and the quantitative extent of their impact are determined. Final recommendations are the set of financial tools, using ones will increase the effectiveness of business of energy companies.

Linking farmers’ perceptions and management decision toward sustainable agroecological transition: evidence from rural Tunisia

Global food systems face sustainability challenges like undernourishment, inequity, resource degradation, and pollution. Food production and consumption drive environmental change with greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and land-system shifts. The climate change crisis has intensified concerns about the ecological impact of these systems. Sustainable food networks, such as community-supported agriculture, are promoting sustainable production and consumption through short supply chains. International bodies like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) are also spearheading initiatives for more equitable and sustainable food systems. In Tunisia, where dryland areas predominate, the ongoing implementation of the Agroecology Initiative provides the context for this study, which explores the drivers and barriers of agroecological transformation in this challenging environment. The research focuses on stakeholder engagement, with a gender perspective to explore farmer perceptions. The study, conducted in the northwest of Tunisia in 2022–2023, involved focus groups, workshops, surveys, and questionnaires with various stakeholders. Findings highlight farmer organizations’ potential in promoting sustainable farming, with clear goals, diversified systems, and collaborations. However, challenges such as input scarcity, water shortage, low income, and marketing must be addressed. Results also indicate that over 90% of farmers who received assistance with agroecological practices reported a change in their ideas and practices. Fifty seven percent of the workshops participants identified the olive oil value chain as having the greatest potential for agroecological transformation, but it faces constraints such as climate, lack of policy incentives, training, funding, and difficulty in adopting technical innovations. Women’s inclusion in agriculture, environmental, social, and economic challenges were also highlighted. Despite these obstacles, key drivers for agroecological transition were identified. These include the compatibility of many agroecological practices with existing farmer capabilities, their cultural and economic benefits, and the positive outcomes for environmental sustainability and health. The study advocates for a socio-technical systems analysis to address the root causes hindering Tunisia’s agroecological transformation. A participatory approach is crucial to understanding priorities and developing a sustainable and resilient food system. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of considering diverse farmer perspectives and tailoring strategies to support this critical transition effectively.

Deep genetic divergence among bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) of the Southwestern Atlantic

AbstractNeglected cryptic diversity can lead to the permanent loss of locally adapted alleles, which can reduce resilience to rapid environmental change. It can also result in overestimation of fisheries stock sizes that can result from treating different species as if they belonged to one. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) is considered a circumtropical and subtropical species and an important fishery resource all over the world. Differences in ecologically relevant traits are observed among isolated populations. Also, in the Southwestern Atlantic, molecular data suggest multiple populations, but these are treated as a single fish stock by regulatory agencies due to a lack of definitive information. We used whole mitogenome sequences, nuclear (rho) and mitochondrial (coxI and cytb) genes, as well as microsatellites to investigate historical and current genetic population structure and parameters of bluefish in the Western Atlantic. A total of 263 samples were collected along the Brazilian coast and in the USA (New Jersey, Northwest Atlantic). Data revealed the existence of two evolutionarily significant units (ESU) of bluefish along the South American coast, later confirmed by whole mitogenome sequencing of both haplogroups. These two ESUs have a mostly parapatric distribution, with some areas of overlap, which vary along the year. We also conducted seasonal sampling in Brazil to investigate migration patterns. ESUs occur mostly north and south of parallel 23° 40′ S, with an overlap area that varied seasonally. The level of differentiation between those two ESUs in the SW Atlantic, even in sympatry, is as high as that found between them and those from the NW Atlantic and Europe. Parapatric distribution and restricted gene flow suggest the existence of ecological barriers and local adaptation. The splitting of an ancient population from the Southwestern Atlantic into two putative species is important to understand bluefish evolutionary diversification and has implications for fishery regulatory measures in Brazil.

Distribution and ecology of shallow-water black corals across a depth gradient on Galápagos rocky reefs

AbstractAntipathes galapagensis is a prevalent habitat-forming black coral in subtidal ecosystems of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR). Despite their ecological importance and status as a CITES-regulated order, little is known about their depth distribution, population structure and ecology in the GMR. Surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022 at 9 sites in the central Galápagos Archipelago to investigate how black coral densities, occupancy, size, habitat utilization, and epizoan overgrowth varied between 2.0 and 20.0 m depth. The shallowest black corals occurred at 3.4 m depth, one of the shallowest occurrences of an Antipathes spp. in the world. Coral density increased with depth, with a maximum density of 5.2 colonies per m2 observed across the depth range surveyed. Occupancy modeling also yielded curves with increasing probabilities of black coral presence with depth at all sites. Colony height increased with depth at 8 out of 9 sites and was positively correlated with coral density at 6 of 9 sites. Overall, 47% of colonies surveyed occupied cryptic habitats and 53% were attached to exposed substrate, but black coral habitat usage patterns varied with depth at 5 of 9 sites. At these sites, colonies on shallower transects (5.0, 10.0 m depth) more frequently displayed cryptic habitat usage while colonies along the deeper transects (15.0, 20.0 m) were more often exposed. In general, coral density, probability of occupancy, height, and exposed habitat utilization increased with depth, while the average degree of overgrowth and number of epibiont taxa were unrelated to depth. Five hypotheses regarding factors potentially limiting the shallow (upper) depth distribution of A. galapagensis—ranging from negative impacts of the physical environment to high predation on exposed substrates—are presented for future testing. These results provide a comprehensive ecological characterization of Galápagos black coral populations that can be used to assess the impact of future environmental change and applied to management decisions for this key marine foundation species in the GMR.

From how to why

This is a longitudinal case study of student perspectives on Western Sydney University’s strategic initiatives to promote technology-enhanced learning (TEL) from 2012 to 2017. The study analyses data from students throughout this period, and includes consideration of how the student experience is being shaped by academic and institutional support for TEL. Initially the University focus was on use of mobile technologies and ‘blended’ learning environments; as a platform for transforming pedagogy. In 2013, teaching staff and new undergraduate students were issued with tablet devices. As well as investing in the devices and supporting campus infrastructure, the institution also provided additional support for curriculum and staff development. For two years, students’ feedback about the tablets was overwhelmingly positive about their value for learning. In 2015, most undergraduates had tablet devices and TEL was becoming business as usual. However, the evaluation feedback that year showed that use of tablets had begun to decrease and there was a corresponding increase in use of smartphones. For some activities, laptops were preferred. In 2016, multiple types of device were issued to students, with some disciplines choosing laptops and in 2017 the University provided free digital textbooks instead of devices. Students’ use of different devices for learning activity has been shifting and evidence gathered internally from students and staff has played a role in adapting to this. While TEL strategies differ between universities, the analysis provides an example of how systematic evaluation evidence can support systemic adaptation as the learning technology environment changes.

Contribución a la sostenibilidad de los emprendimientos turísticos, utilizando la metodología Desing Thinking

The objective of this work was to base the use of the design thinking methodology as a tool to improve the sustainability of tourism ventures in Ecuador, based on the consequences caused by the pandemic in this sector so hit during the years of 2019 to 2021. For this, information is collected from four tourist enterprises located in the parish of Mindo in Quito, in which the resulting prototype of the methodology will be tested. This is chosen firstly because it is a complex problem and secondly because it is focused on people, in this particular case, on tourism entrepreneurs, empathizing with their needs and problems, as well as analyzing the changing environment, challenges and offering innovative solutions. Among the main results obtained in the research, the opinion of the tourism entrepreneurs interviewed about the importance of training as one of the factors to guarantee the success of their businesses and their sustainability stands out, which allowed the design of a prototype of a course of good environmental practices, which includes general bases on the environment, waste management and basic actions to minimize the environmental impact of these undertakings.

The impact of land use and cover changes on river flows in Wundanyi Catchment of Taita Hills, Kenya (1970–2030)

<p>Taita hills are one of the most important biodiversity hotspots of Kenya but experiencing a high rate of deforestation due conversion of its original forestland to agriculture and settlement during the last century. These landscape dynamics coupled with rainfall fluctuations in these critical ecosystems may significantly affect water resource distribution and food security in Taita Taveta County and its environs. This study aimed to establish the trends of land use/cover change (LUCC) in Wundanyi catchment from 1970 to 2030 and predict their specific and combined effects on surface runoff and stream flow in the same period. The analysis was based on statistical trend analysis and dynamic landscape modeling using both historical and primary data from Wundanyi catchment, and Landsat TM and ETM+ imagery of Taita Hills for 1990, 2000, and 2010. Results show highly variable mean seasonal and annual values of discharge in Wundanyi catchment probably attributed to environmental changes affecting Taita Hills in general and Wundanyi catchment in particular. Compared to 1990, major land use/cover changes in 2010 were featured by the expansion of built-up area (250%), plantation forest (23.7%), broadleaved forest (17.4%), and thicket (15.9%). Was also notable the decrease in woodland (−30.3%), cropland (−21.6%), and shrubland (−0.8%). Dynamic spatial trends by the year 2030 will be evidenced by increased thicket by 0.41% per annum (<em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 81.6%), and by decreased plantation forests (−0.13%; <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 91.3%), woodland (−0.10%; <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 77.6%), shrubland (−0.11%; <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 85.2%), broadleaved forests (−0.03%; <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> = 56.6%) and cropland (−0.09%; <em>R</em><sup>2</sup> of 84.4). These changes will shape the catchment landscape and influence its hydrology, unless the existing forest and agricultural policy interventions are enforced. Hence, crop diversification, agroforestry, and soil and water conservation structures are recommended to maintain effective control of LUCC on hydrological processes going on in the Wundanyi catchment.<strong></strong></p>