Environmental Shifts Research Articles

Ichnoguild analysis of the Bajocian-Bathonian Yellow Flagstone Member (Goradongar Formation) from the Kachchh Basin, Western India

The Yellow Flagstone is the oldest member of the Goradongar Formation exposed in the Pachchham Island, Kachchh Basin. The members exposed in four sections are mapped for trace fossils, and 17 ichnofossils have been documented. The concept of ichnoguild (IG) is applied to reveal the infaunal tiering structure and the strategies organisms adapt to exploit the resources. Ten IG of similar characteristics and ecological functions have been identified. Five are shallow-tier IGs ( Asterosoma IG, Gyrochorte IG, Nereites IG, Planolites IG and Bolonia IG), three middle-tier IGs ( Rhizocorallium IG, Arenicolites-Diplocraterion IG and Zoophycos-Teichichnus IG) and two deep-tier IGs ( Skolithos Arenicolites IG and Thalassinoides-Ophiomorpha IG). The analysis of three ichnological tiers and their IGs, namely shallow, middle and deep-tiers across the stratigraphy of Yellow Flagstone Member suggests a transition from a lower shoreface environment to offshore transition environments. The transition is supported by an increase in deep-tier IG and the marginal increase in the ichnodiversity and density. Changes in the composition and abundance of IGs over time can indicate shifts in sedimentation patterns, sea level fluctuations and paleoenvironmental conditions within the basin. Thus, the findings suggest an environmental shift from shoreface to offshore transition indicative of a transgression during the deposition of upper Bajocian to lower Bathonian Yellow Flagstone Member in the Kachchh Basin. The study also examines the temporal and spatial changes in the IGs, contributing to a better understanding of ecological changes within the basin. The findings contribute to the broader knowledge of paleoecology and provide valuable data for sedimentological and stratigraphic interpretations in sedimentary basins.

Effects of maize residue and biochar applications on soil δ13C and organic carbon sources in a subtropical paddy rice ecosystem

AbstractThis study investigates the utility of plant δ¹3C natural labeling in predicting the impacts of environmental shifts on carbon cycling within ecosystems, particularly focusing on paddy fields treated with maize (Zea mays L.) residues and biochar. Specifically, it examines how soil δ¹3C and the sources of soil organic carbon (SOC), respond in paddy fields (which cultivate C3 plants like rice) when amended with maize residues, maize biochar, and silica‐enriched biochar (derived from C4 plants). Conducted in the Fuzhou paddy fields, the experiment included control groups and treatment groups with maize residue (4 t ha⁻¹), maize biochar (4 t ha⁻¹), and silicon‐modified maize biochar (4 t ha⁻¹) during both the early and late rice growth periods. The results indicate that all soil treatments increased soil δ¹3C. The application of maize residues notably affected the δ¹3C of the upper soil profile (0–15 cm) differently from the deeper layers (15–30 cm), and it increased soil organic C more than biochar or silicon‐modified maize biochar. Soil available P (AP) and pH emerged as significant factors linking δ¹3C, influencing rice yield through changes in soil physicochemical properties. Unlike maize residues, which reduced rice yields, applications of biochar and silicon‐modified maize biochar increased rice yields. The latter, which was particularly effective in lowering SOC decomposition rates and addressing rice's silica needs, emerged as the preferred option. The study highlights maize biochar and silicon‐modified maize biochar as sustainable alternatives to maize residues for rice cultivation, enhancing soil fertility, carbon pool stability, and yields.

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma marginale in Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from Corrientes, Argentina.

Monitoring wildlife health is essential for understanding global disease patterns, particularly as vector-borne infections extend the geographic ranges and thereby hosts due to environmental shifts. Anaplasma marginale, primarily impacting cattle, has economic implications and has been found in diverse hosts, yet its presence in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), influential in tick-borne pathogen spread, lacks comprehensive understanding. From 2015 to 2022, 14 capybaras were surveyed across two different areas of northeastern Argentina. In 1 of 14 (7%) capybaras, the presence of A. marginale was confirmed through the amplification of specific genes, msp5 and msp1β. In addition, A. marginale DNA was detected in the capybara's blood sample through quantitative PCR, with a cycle threshold value of 30.81 (800 copies per reaction). Amplification of a fragment of the msp1α gene revealed PCR products of three different sizes, suggesting the presence of at least three coinfecting A. marginale variants in the capybara host. This study suggests that capybaras are wild hosts for A. marginale in the Ibera Wetlands in Argentina, potentially influencing the infection dynamics of both domestic and wild species. This finding highlights the necessity for thorough studies on the role of capybaras in disease dynamics, crucial for understanding wildlife health and the spread of disease.

Oceanographic monitoring in Hornsund fjord, Svalbard

Abstract. Several climate-driven processes take place in the Arctic fjords. These include ice–ocean interactions, biodiversity and ocean circulation pattern changes, and coastal erosion phenomena. Conducting long-term oceanographic monitoring in the Arctic fjords is, therefore, essential for better understanding and predicting global environmental shifts. Here we address this issue by introducing a new hydrographic dataset from Hornsund, a fjord located in the southwestern part of the Svalbard archipelago. Hydrographic properties have been monitored with vertical temperature, salinity and depth profiles in several locations across the Hornsund fjord from 2015 to 2023. From 2016 onward, dissolved oxygen and turbidity data are available for the majority of casts. The dataset contributes to the so far infrequent observations, especially in spring and autumn, and extends the observations, typically concentrated in the central fjord, to the areas adjacent to the tidewater glaciers. Because sediment discharge from glaciers and land is an inseparable part of the glacier–ocean interactions, the suspended sediment concentration in the water column and the daily sedimentation rate adjacent to the tidewater glaciers are monitored with regular water sampling and bottom-moored sediment traps. Here we present the planning and execution of the monitoring campaign from the collection of the data to the postprocessing methods. All datasets are publicly available in the repositories referred to in the “Data availability” section of this paper.

The Impact of Your Leadership in Human Resource Management: An Exploratory Study on the Oil Marketing Company

The importance of the marketing function at board level is often underestimated and its role in driving change in HR is often undervalued. This research examines how marketing can partner with organizational leadership for a mutually beneficial exchange of marketing skills and capabilities to be able to realign human resources quickly enough to deal with shifts in the external business environment and create a sustainable future for the business. The current research explores the concept of “marketing leadership” from an interpretive perspective that challenges the traditional view of marketing and leadership as two separate domains and offers a comprehensive approach to human resource management. The descriptive survey method was used for this research, and the research population was the oil marketing company. The current research assumed that marketing leadership affects human resources management. The research concluded that marketing leadership greatly affects human resources management and its dimensions, with an average effect of (0.52). This indicates a high and significant impact of marketing leadership on human resources management.

Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiling Reveals Low Methylation Variability in Moyamoya Disease.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular disorder that can lead to stroke and neurological dysfunctions. Given the largely sporadic nature and the role of gene-environment interactions in various diseases, we examined epigenetic modifications in MMD. We performed genome-wide DNA methylation using Illumina 850K Methylation EPIC BeadChip, in two racially distinct adult female cohorts: a non-Asian cohort (13 MMD patients and 7 healthy controls) and an Asian cohort (14 MMD patients and 3 healthy controls). An additional external cohort with both sexes (females: 5 MMD patients and 5 healthy controls, males: 5 MMD patients and 5 healthy controls) was included for validation. Our findings revealed strikingly low DNA methylation variability between MMD patients and healthy controls, in both MMD female cohorts. In the non-Asian cohort, only 6 probes showed increased variability versus 647 probes that showed decreased variability. Similarly, in the Asian cohort, the MMD group also displayed a reduced methylation variability across all 2845 probes. Subsequent analysis showed that these differentially variable probes are located on genes involved in key biological processes such as methylation and transcription, DNA repair, cytoskeletal remodeling, natural killer cell signaling, cellular growth, and migration. These findings mark the first observation of low methylation variability in any disease, contrasting with the high variability observed in other disorders. This reduced methylation variability in MMD may hinder patients' adaptability to environmental shifts, such as hemodynamic stress, thereby influencing vascular homeostasis and contributing to MMD pathology. These findings offer new insights into the mechanisms of MMD and potential treatment strategies.

Long‐Term Variability of Phytoplankton Primary Production in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea/Japan Sea Using Ocean Color Remote Sensing

AbstractIn recent years, significant changes in environmental conditions and marine ecosystems have been observed in the East Sea/Japan Sea. This study investigates the long‐term environmental dynamics and phytoplankton responses in the Ulleung Basin, situated in the southwestern East Sea/Japan Sea, utilizing satellite and in situ data from 2002 to 2021. Over this period, there was a noticeable increase in sea surface temperature (SST) (r = 0.5739, p < 0.01), accompanied by decreasing mixed layer depth (MLD) and chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a) concentration (r = −0.6193 and −0.6721, respectively; p < 0.01). Nutrient concentrations within the upper 50 m significantly declined for nitrate and phosphate. A reduction in the N:P ratio indicated a shift from phosphorus‐limited to nitrogen‐limited environment. Moreover, primary production (PP) demonstrated a decreasing trend (r = −0.5840, p < 0.01), coinciding with an increase in small phytoplankton contribution (r = 0.6399, p < 0.01). Rising SST potentially altered the water column's vertical structure, hindering nutrient entrainment from the deep ocean. Consequently, this nutrient limitation may increase small phytoplankton contribution, resulting in a decline in total PP. Under the IPCC's SSP5‐8.5 scenario, small phytoplankton contribution in the Ulleung Basin is projected to rise by over 10%, resulting in a 29% average PP decrease by 2100. This suggests a diminishing energy supply to the food web in a warming ocean, impacting higher trophic levels and major fishery resources. These findings emphasize the critical need for understanding and monitoring these environmental shifts for effective fisheries management and marine ecosystem conservation.

Exploring Port City Porosity and Flows within Port Regions: The Case Study of Port of Malaga and Port of Beirut

The term “porosity” refers to the idea of interconnectedness between the spaces and institutions of ports, cities, and their surrounding areas. While porosity refers to the overall interconnectedness between different entities, an interface specifically refers to the point of contact and interaction between the same two entities. This paper goes beyond the idea of an interface and emphasizes a continuous network of port-related spaces and practices that shape the port cityscape. It also provides a historical perspective on the evolution of port/city boundaries. Additionally, this paper explores maps and conceptualizes port city porosity on both sea and land sides, measures, and reconsiders porosity in these regions. The thematic issue opens questions for further research such as: Can the interconnectedness between port and city areas, along with maritime pockets in the city and surrounding territory, enhance the resilience of port city activities? Does the existence of porous borders between port and city allow for easier transitions? The idea of transitions is particularly relevant in the context of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of port and city activities. As economic, social, or environmental conditions shift, there may be a need for both the port and city to adapt and evolve. The degree of porosity between them can play a role in facilitating or hindering these transitions.

Enhancing Student Engagement: Technology Acceptance in Higher Education During Covid-19

COVID-19 has caused institutions across the sector to transition from conventional teaching and learning environments into virtual environments. Amidst this paradigm shift, academics have adopted a range of technology-based strategies to support the online learner. However, low attendance, engagement, and participation continue to challenge the execution of eLearning across the higher education (HE) sector. Within this narrative, there has been an interest in understanding the acceptance and adoption of technologies in education from the learners’ perspective. As a result, there has been an increased focus on technology acceptance models as a theoretical lens to unpack attitudes and beliefs relating to eLearning. Motivated by these environmental shifts, this study aims to capture themes and perspectives considered in educational literature worldwide to present future considerations for studied and practitioners as we emerge from the pandemic. By systematically reviewing global educational literature, the study aims to provide valuable insights and future considerations for both studied and practitioners as the HE sectors transitions out of the pandemic. The study is guided by the central study question: What influences the learners’ acceptance and continuation of use of education technologies during forced emergency conditions such as the COVID-19 pandemic? Based on these findings, we then share recommendations for education technology adoption in the HE sector.

Changes in the Characteristics of Zooplankton Communities in Response to Shifts in the Aquatic Environment in the Shallow Waters of Northern Liaodong Bay, China

The characteristics of zooplankton communities and the relationships with the aquatic environment in the shallow waters of northern Liaodong Bay were investigated. Spot sampling surveys were carried out in April, June, September, and November 2018 to assess zooplankton species composition and diversity, abundance, biomass, and dominant species, and the associated relationships with environmental factors. A total of 45 species of zooplankton were recorded in the survey, comprising 18 Copepoda, 2 Amphipoda, 1 Mysidacea, 1 Decapoda, 1 Chaetognatha, 7 Hydrozoa, 1 Tunicate, and 14 planktonic larvae. Overall, the most dominant species was Aidanosagitta crassa (Tokioka, 1938), with copepods and planktonic larvae also dominating the zooplankton community. However, there was a seasonal alternation of species dominance. A cluster analysis showed that the zooplankton community in spring differed from other seasons and was mostly influenced by suspended particulate matter. Bioenv analysis indicated the main environmental factor affecting the zooplankton community in spring was suspended particulate matter. In summer, the determining variables were temperature, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), nitrate, and sediment pH. In autumn, temperature, DIN, and nitrate were determining variables, and dissolved oxygen (DO) and DIN in winter. Zooplankton abundance and biomass were influenced by salinity, suspended particulate matter, chemical oxygen demand (COD), chlorophyll, and water and sediment pH. In general, the shallow sea area north of Liaodong Bay is rich in zooplankton species and exhibits significant seasonal variations. Human activities have disturbed the biological community to a certain extent, and the environmental factors in this area are closely related to the diversity of zooplankton species.

Unravelling Technology Acceptance: Lessons Learnt from Teacher's Experience During COVID-19 for Post-Pandemic Systemic Education

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique environment to understand education technology acceptance and adoption. The pandemic acted as a catalyst, encouraging higher education (HE) institutions to rapidly transition from traditional learning environments to technology-driven learning environments. While the motivation for this transition at an institutional level was driven by the need for operational continuation and survival, this rapid transition transferred an increased responsibility to the teacher. Extant research in the context of education technology acceptance and adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic gives substantial emphasis to the learner’s experience since the learner is often seen as being on the receiving end of this transformation. However, in this narrative, the teacher is often overlooked. Through a systematic literature review of technology acceptance and adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine themes surrounding the teacher’s experience to address the research questions. When the teacher or instructor is the subject of the study, how have learning technologies influenced their role? and What factors encourage or influence teachers’ acceptance of learning technologies? Key findings from this study reveal that the role of the teacher in this technology-driven learning environment shifts from instructor to facilitator, positioning them as an extension of technology. As a result, the teacher determines how the educational technology is perceived by the learner as useful or easy to use. The findings of this study recognise considerations for HE institutions in this age of digital transformation while also presenting new avenues for research in the domain of technology acceptance and adoption.

Assessing the changes in marine microalgae diversity in the Nanji Islands Nature Reserve over the past decades using sediment eDNA

The Nanji Islands, designated as one of China’s national nature reserves, are renowned for their abundant microalgal resources. Changes in microalgae can serve as indicators of marine environmental shifts. Despite this significance, the absence of comprehensive historical records on microalgal diversity has limited the evaluation of marine environmental protection efforts. This study addresses this gap by analyzing surface sediments and sediment cores from the Nanji Islands, utilizing 210Pb dating and employing environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to trace historical shifts in the molecular diversity of microalgae. Chloroplast gene fragments were amplified using rbcL primers, and 210Pb dating determined the deepest sediment layer (78-80 cm) to date back to 1994. From the 70-72 cm layer to the 60-62 cm layer, the number of microalgal reads increased rapidly from 27,716 to 65,143, signifying enhanced abundance over the 10 years following the establishment of the nature reserve. This was followed by a deceleration in microalgal abundance growth over the subsequent 20 years, potentially reflecting variations in primary production of microalgae. Concurrently, the rise in operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the Margalef index suggest a boost in microalgal diversity, which may be attributed to improvements in the marine environment. The microalgal community composition has shifted from a dominance of Dinoflagellata and Streptophyta to a predominance of Bacillariophyta, the change in phosphate would be one of the impact factors worth noting. This study provides foundational data on the historical changes in microalgae in the Nanji Islands and serves as a reference for exploring the relationship between environmental conditions and microalgal dynamics.

Dynamics of drug delivery determines course of evolution of antibiotic responses in bacteria.

To adjust to sudden shifts in conditions, microbes possess regulated genetic mechanisms that sense environmental challenges and induce the appropriate responses. The initial evolution of microbes in new environments is thought to be driven by regulatory mutations, but it is not clear how this evolution is affected by how quickly conditions change (i.e. dynamics). Here, we perform experimental evolution on continuous cultures of tetracycline resistant E. coli in different dynamical regimens of drug administration. We find that cultures evolved under gradually increasing drug concentrations acquire fine- tuning mutations adapting an alternative efflux pump to tetracycline. However, cultures that are instead periodically exposed to large drug doses evolve transposon insertions resulting in loss of regulation of the main mechanism of tetracycline resistance. A mathematical model shows that sudden drug exposures overwhelm regulated responses, which cannot induce resistance fast enough. These results help explain the frequent loss of regulation of resistance in clinical pathogens.

A proof-of-concept multi-tiered Bayesian approach for the integration of physiochemical properties and toxicokinetic time-course data for Daphnia magna

The use of in silico and in vitro methods, commonly referred to as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), has been proposed to support environmental (and human) chemical safety decisions, ensuring enhanced environmental protection. Toxicokinetic models developed for environmentally relevant species are fundamental to the deployment of a NAMs-based safety strategy, enabling the conversion between external and internal chemical concentrations, although they require historical toxicokinetic data and robust physical models to be considered a viable solution. Daphnia magna is a key model organism in ecotoxicology albeit with limited and scattered quantitative toxicokinetic data, as for most invertebrates, resulting in a lack of robust toxicokinetic models. Moreover, current D. magna models are chemical specific, which restricts their applicability domain. One aim of this study was to address the current data availability limitations by collecting toxicokinetic time-course data for D. magna covering a broad chemical space and assessing the dataset's uniqueness. The collated toxicokinetic dataset included 48 time-courses for 30 chemicals from 17 studies, which was developed into an R package named AquaTK, with 11 studies unique to our work when compared to existing databases. Subsequently, a proof-of-concept Bayesian analysis was developed to estimate the steady-state concentration ratio (internal concentration / external concentration) from the data at three different levels of precision given three different data availability scenarios for environmental risk assessment. Specifically, an atrazine case study illustrates the multi-level modelling approach providing improvements (uncertainty reductions) in predictions of ratios for increasing amounts of data availability. Our work provides a consistent and self-contained Bayesian framework that irrespective of the hierarchy or resolution of individual experiments, can utilise the available information to generate optimal predictions of steady-state concentration ratios in D. magna. This approach is paramount to supporting the implementation of a NAMs based environmental safety paradigm shift in environmental risk assessment.

Naturalized species drive functional trait shifts in plant communities

Despite decades of research documenting the consequences of naturalized and invasive plant species on ecosystem functions, our understanding of the functional underpinnings of these changes remains rudimentary. This is partially due to ineffective scaling of trait differences between native and naturalized species to whole plant communities. Working with data from over 75,000 plots and over 5,500 species from across the United States, we show that changes in the functional composition of communities associated with increasing abundance of naturalized species mirror the differences in traits between native and naturalized plants. We find that communities with greater abundance of naturalized species are more resource acquisitive aboveground and belowground, shorter, more shallowly rooted, and increasingly aligned with an independent strategy for belowground resource acquisition via thin fine roots with high specific root length. We observe shifts toward herbaceous-dominated communities but shifts within both woody and herbaceous functional groups follow community-level patterns for most traits. Patterns are remarkably similar across desert, grassland, and forest ecosystems. Our results demonstrate that the establishment and spread of naturalized species, likely in combination with underlying environmental shifts, leads to predictable and consistent changes in community-level traits that can alter ecosystem functions.

Insights into Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus L.) Population Movements in the Galapagos Archipelago and Southeast Pacific.

The Galapagos Marine Reserve is vital for cetaceans, serving as both a stopover and residency site. However, blue whales, occasionally sighted here, exhibit poorly understood migratory behavior within the Galapagos and the broader Eastern Tropical Pacific. This study, the first to satellite tag blue whales in the Galapagos (16 tagged between 2021 and 2023), explored their behavior in relation to environmental variables like chlorophyll-a concentration, sea surface temperature (SST), and productivity. Key findings show a strong correlation between foraging behavior, high chlorophyll-a levels, productivity, and lower SSTs, indicating a preference for food-rich areas. Additionally, there is a notable association with geomorphic features like ridges, which potentially enhance food abundance. Most tagged whales stayed near the Galapagos archipelago, with higher concentrations observed around Isabela Island, which is increasingly frequented by tourist vessels, posing heightened ship strike risks. Some whales ventured into Ecuador's exclusive economic zone, while one migrated southward to Peru. The strong 2023 El Niño-Southern Oscillation event led to SST and primary production changes, likely impacting whale resource availability. Our study provides crucial insights into blue whale habitat utilization, informing adaptive management strategies to mitigate ship strike risks and address altered migration routes due to climate-driven environmental shifts.

Relationship between environmental evolution and human activities in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau throughout the past millennium and its implications for the onset of the Anthropocene

AbstractIn current research on the Anthropocene, assessing the impact of human activities via stratigraphic records of sediments and demarcating the Anthropocene epoch globally are critical scientific issues that urgently need to be addressed. The northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP), where humans first settled permanently in large numbers in the QXP, has varying sedimentary environments that are extremely sensitive to human activities. In contrast to other regions of the QXP, the northeastern sector boasts a richer array of climatic and environmental reconstruction sequences. This distinctive feature renders it an exemplary locale for investigating the stratigraphic boundary of the Anthropocene. Through in-depth analysis and integration of existing paleoclimate and paleoenvironment sequences in the northeastern QXP, we draw the following conclusions: (1) Throughout the past millennium, the impact of human activities on the environment of the northeastern QXP has become increasingly significant, especially in the past 200–300 years, gradually overshadowing climatic factors. (2) Since AD 1950, multiple physicochemical indicators related to human activities in the northeastern QXP have shown exponential growth, forming a distinct peak within the past millennium and clearly depicting the global “Great Acceleration” phenomenon and its development process. (3) Intensified human activities have driven swift environmental shifts and “decoupled” the interplay between climatic variations and the ecological environment, propelling the northeastern QXP into the “Early Anthropocene” from the “Late Holocene”. On the basis of the above findings, we construct a model suitable for identifying the stratigraphic boundary of the Anthropocene in the northeastern QXP and note that since the ecological environment in the northeastern QXP has entered the “Early Anthropocene”, the climate signals of certain physicochemical indicators in sediments are gradually becoming weaker, whereas the signals of human activities are becoming stronger.

MECHANISM OF TAX CONSULTING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE TAX COMPONENT OF ENTERPRISE ECONOMIC SECURITY

The article considers the mechanism of tax consultancy as an important element of the management of the tax component of the economic security of an enterprise, which is particularly relevant in the context of constant changes in tax legislation and growing requirements for transparency of financial statements. Tax consultancy is a complex process of providing companies with qualified assistance in the field of tax planning, optimisation of tax liabilities and management of tax risks. It is substantiated that tax consulting not only helps to reduce the tax burden, but also ensures compliance of the company's tax policy with the requirements of current legislation, which, in turn, is a guarantee of long-term stability and financial sustainability of the company. The article examines the structural elements of the tax liability management mechanism, which include tax planning, ensuring conditions for timely and correct calculation of tax liabilities, as well as organisational and control components. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the tax planning process as one of the key stages of tax consulting. It is determined that effective tax planning allows an enterprise to optimise the structure of income and expenses, thereby reducing the tax burden and ensuring the rational use of financial resources. This paper considers the methods of ensuring compliance with tax reporting requirements as an important factor in the process of tax consulting. The function of tax consultancy in the formulation and execution of strategies designed to mitigate tax risks and enhance the efficacy of enterprise financial management is established. The necessity of utilising contemporary information technologies in the domain of tax consulting is underscored, as this enables the enhancement of the precision and efficacy of managerial resolutions pertaining to taxation. It can be concluded that effective tax consulting plays a pivotal role in enhancing the economic resilience of an enterprise. It serves to fortify the enterprise against external and internal threats, including those posed by shifts in the tax environment and economic challenges.

Interplay of Environmental Shifts and Anthropogenic Factors with Vegetation Dynamics in the Ulan Buh Desert over the Past Three Decades

In arid and semiarid regions, vegetation provides essential ecosystem services, especially retarding the desertification process. Vegetation assessment through remote sensing data is crucial in understanding ecosystem responses to climatic factors and large-scale human activities. This study analyzed vegetation cover changes in the Ulan Buh Desert from 1989 to 2019, focusing on the impacts of human activities and key meteorological factors. The results showed that both climatic and human activities contributed to an increasing trend in vegetation cover (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)) over the 30-year period. Temperature and precipitation significantly affected the NDVI in the desert, with temperature having a more substantial influence. The combined impact of average temperature and precipitation on the NDVI was notable. Human activities and meteorological factors caused the vegetation restoration area in the desert to be approximately 35% from 1989 to 2019. Human activities were the primary influencers, responsible for about 60% of vegetation restoration across the study area. Especially from 2004 to 2019, the conversion to farmland driven by human activities dominated the region’s NDVI increase. The research underscores the importance of considering both climatic and human factors in understanding and managing ecosystem dynamics in arid areas like the Ulan Buh Desert. By integrating these factors, policymakers and land managers can develop more effective strategies for sustainable ecosystem management and combating desertification.

Cost-efficiency analysis of multiple ecosystem services across forest management regimes

Forest management is at the crossroads of economic, environmental, and social goals, often requiring strategic trade-offs. As global demands surge, it's vital to employ management strategies fostering multifunctional landscapes, enabling ecosystem integrity while procuring resources. Historically, the boreal forest in Fennoscandia has been intensively managed for timber, causing environmental shifts and conflicts with biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation policies. Application of current management practices while increasing harvests are a threat to both biodiversity and carbon stocks. To explore this issue, we quantify the cost-efficiency of two forest management regimes: rotation forestry (RF) and continuous cover forestry (CCF), considering specific forest attributes like soil type (mineral and peat soils), site type (fertility classes) and tree stand age, which have been underexplored in previous research. We simulated 45,559 forest stands for 100 years in Northern boreal forests of Finland. We proposed two straightforward cost-efficiency indices (CEI) to evaluate the performance of these management regimes, specifically focusing on their impact on economic output, biodiversity conservation (measured as a biodiversity index for six forest vertebrates, including five bird species and one mammal) and carbon stock. Our findings suggest that continuous cover forestry holds the potential to deliver more cost-efficient ecosystem services and maintain greater biodiversity compared to rotation forestry approaches. Continuous cover forestry, however, is not optimal for all at management units, which calls for alternative management options depending on the stand characteristics. The cost-efficiency indices performance of rotation forestry and continuous cover forestry depend on the characteristics of the initial stand which is largely determined by the previous management of the stand. Our results contribute to guiding forest management towards enhanced sustainability and ecological balance. The great variation in stand characteristics suggest a need for diverse management strategies to create multifunctional landscapes. Our proposed cost-efficiency indices could serve as practical tools for decision-making.