Essential Ecological Services Research Articles

Road corridors vegetation in the semi-arid region: functional trait diversity and dynamics

Road corridor vegetation plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem stability and providing essential ecological services, particularly in semi-arid regions where environmental conditions are challenging. In this study, we investigated the functional traits of native and non-native plant species along the N5 highway corridor in the semi-arid region of Punjab, Pakistan. The methodology involved extensive field surveys and systematic sampling of herbaceous vegetation, followed by detailed measurements of functional traits diversity. We classified 38 plant species into native and non-native categories and analyzed their distribution, life forms, leaf spectra, and flowering phenology. Our results revealed distinct patterns in the functional traits of native and non-native species, with non-native species exhibiting larger plant heights, leaf sizes, and leaf surface areas compared to native species. Additionally, native species displayed greater root and stem biomass, indicative of adaptations to nutrient-poor soils and water-limited environments. The findings suggest that non-native species possess traits associated with rapid growth and resource acquisition, enabling them to outcompete native vegetation and establish dominance in roadside ecosystems. These results provide valuable insights for understanding the ecological implications of non-native species and designing effective management strategies to mitigate their impacts on native biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in semi-arid regions.

Bibliometric Analysis and Ecological Challenges in the Era of Climate Change for Seagrass Conservation Research in Indonesia

Seagrass ecosystems in Indonesia provide essential ecological services, including carbon sequestration, marine biodiversity support, and coastal protection. However, these ecosystems face significant threats from human activities, climate change, and pollution. This study was conducted due to the lack of comprehensive analysis on seagrass conservation research trends in Indonesia, aiming to address this gap and provide insights that can enhance conservation strategies. This study utilizes bibliometric analysis to examine research trends in seagrass conservation in Indonesia from 2007 to 2024, identifying 118 publications with an annual growth rate of 18.53%. Key research topics include biodiversity conservation, seagrass roles in climate change mitigation, and the management of protected areas. This analysis highlights the need to address research gaps, such as limited studies on community-based conservation approaches and the impact of local policies on seagrass management. The findings indicate a growing awareness of seagrass functions, such as carbon storage and support for fisheries, but highlight ongoing challenges related to limited financial resources and public awareness. By applying bibliometric analysis, this study provides a crucial tool for evidence-based decision-making, enabling more targeted and effective conservation policies. Community perceptions and participation, especially through community-based conservation initiatives, are crucial for the success of seagrass conservation efforts. This study uniquely contributes to the field by offering a clear map of research trends and gaps, guiding future research and policy to more effectively address seagrass conservation challenges in Indonesia. The study emphasizes the need for adaptive management strategies and collaboration among stakeholders to overcome the challenges of seagrass conservation in Indonesia.

The Biodiversity and Climate Variability Experiment (BioCliVE): Quantifying the role of biodiversity in buffering ecosystems against climatic variability

Extreme climate events such as floods and droughts are becoming increasingly frequent and intense across the world. Future climate scenarios predict both an increase in individual extreme events, as well as chronic changes in climatic seasonality. Yet, the combined and relative effects of these pressures on ecosystems remain unknown. Concurrently, human-induced ecological disruption is accelerating species extinction rates, which are estimated to be 100 to 1000 times greater than pre-human levels. This is alarming as greater biological diversity is thought to buffer ecosystem functioning against extreme climate events, thereby safeguarding the provisioning of essential ecological services that contribute to human well-being. However, how and to what extent biodiversity buffers ecosystems against climate variability remains unclear. We recently constructed experimental grassland communities in a mesocosm-based field design representing a realistic gradient of plant diversity. Both extreme events (drought and flood) and a change in seasonality of precipitation are manipulated in a full factorial design to quantify the effects of future seasonal shifts and extremes in precipitation. We will: 1) determine to what extent higher biological diversity ensures that grasslands can continue to provide multiple ecosystem services even in the context of climate change and 2) unravel the fundamental mechanisms by which this is achieved including species asynchrony and positive species interactions. Results of our experimental approach will advance our understanding of the buffering potential of plant diversity and contribute to the development of strategies for sustainable service provisioning of our ecosystems in the face of climate change.

Genetic Variability in Mediterranean Coastal Ecosystems: Insights into Ostrea spp. (Bivalvia: Ostreidae).

Oysters are sessile, filter-feeding bivalve molluscs widely distributed in estuarine and coastal habitats worldwide. They constitute a valuable resource for fisheries and extensive aquaculture and provide essential ecological services. Yet, their genetic diversity and distribution remain understudied. The variability in shell morphology complicates species classification, which is influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Although molecular phylogenetics research has refined oyster taxonomy and identified approximately 100 extant species, numerous taxonomic uncertainties persist. In the present study, we aimed to document the occurrence of small flat oysters of the genus Ostrea along the Mediterranean coastal areas of Liguria and Sardinia (Italy). Specifically, 16S rRNA sequence data were used to identify Ostrea species. Our findings offer novel insights into the O. stentina species complex and O. neostentina, a new species in the Mediterranean coastal areas of Italy. The study data further our understanding of Ostrea species diversity, distribution, and evolutionary patterns.

Mapping Vegetation Types and Land Use Dynamics in Kanyabaha Wetland from 1990 to 2021

Wetlands are crucial ecosystems providing essential ecological services, yet they face increasing threats from human activities. This study focuses on Kanyabaha Wetland in Uganda, examining its vegetation dynamics over three decades (1990-2021) using Landsat satellite imagery. The research characterizes land use and cover types including papyrus, grasslands, farmlands, tree plantations, built-up areas, and woodlands. Remote sensing data was processed and classified using ArcMap software, validated through field verification, resulting in high overall accuracy (>75%) across all study years. The images were analyzed using a hybrid of unsupervised (ISO data) and supervised (Maximum Likelihood) classification techniques. Findings reveal significant shifts in vegetation cover, with papyrus dominating initially but declining over time due to expansion in farmlands and settlements. Grasslands also decreased, while areas under farming and built-up structures expanded. Transition matrices illustrate these changes, highlighting stable and shifting landscape dynamics. Statistical analyses indicate a decrease in papyrus cover from 51.5% in 1990 to 39.1% in 2021, while farmland and built-up areas increased from 3.0% to 31.6% and 3.2% to 5.1%, respectively. This study highlights the vulnerability of Kanyabaha Wetland to anthropogenic impacts, necessitating targeted conservation strategies to sustain its ecological integrity amid ongoing land use changes.

Understanding Key Stressors for Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Loss: An Overview

Biodiversity hotspots are the regions with high levels of endemic species and significant habitat loss. Coastal areas can exhibit distinct biodiversity hotspots due to their diverse habitats, such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, and intertidal zones. These hotspots often support unique assemblages of species adapted to specific coastal conditions. Ecosystem services provided by marine biodiversity include provisioning services (seafood, resources for medicine); regulating services (stable climate and clean water); cultural services (recreational and mental benefits: sea bathing); and supporting services (nutrient circulation and photosynthesis). Despite some successful conservation efforts, biodiversity continues to decline. Marine ecosystems are vulnerable to rapid changes in diversity and function. Major pressures and threats causing increasing pressure on coastal and marine biodiversity include climate change, ocean acidification, habitat destruction and changes in sea use, invasive species, overexploitation, and pollution. Preservation of coastal biodiversity is of prime importance for human wellbeing. The coastal ecosystems sustain diverse life forms and also safeguard essential ecological services. Therefore conservation and restoration of coastal biodiversity is a timeless responsibility for sustainable development. In light of these observations, this review aims to update recent information from the available literature on the key stressors of marine and coastal biodiversity loss. This study also suggests the strategies to be implemented for successful conservation and restoration of coastal and marine biodiversity.

Assessing changes in land cover, NDVI, and LST in the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh and India: A GIS and remote sensing approach

Mangrove ecosystems, although limited in diversity and area compared to tropical forests, provide essential ecological and economic services, such as carbon sequestration and coastal protection. The Sundarbans mangrove forest, shared by Bangladesh and India, is one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in the world and is crucial for biodiversity, economy, and climate regulation. Unfortunately, this ecosystem has been under severe stress over the years, with alarming rates of deforestation leading to habitat loss and a decline in ecosystem services. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal changes in the Sundarbans mangrove forest coverage from 1973 to 2023 using supervised image classification on Landsat images. It also assesses the relationship between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Land Surface Temperature in the Sundarbans using MODIS data which were extracted in Google Earth Engine. It finds that, despite the loss of denser mangrove areas, an improvement in overall vegetation health is visible, which suggests a natural resilience within the Sundarbans mangrove forest. The Land Surface Temperature result shows a weak but statistically significant negative correlation with the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, indicating that the depletion of the Sundarbans mangrove forest could have an impact on the area's surface temperature. As such, the study regressed the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index on Land Surface Temperature. The results confirm that although the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index has a statistically significant negative impact on Land Surface Temperature, the Coefficient of Determination is low. This suggests that other factors such as water bodies that intersect with the mangrove forest in the area may play an important role in influencing Land Surface Temperature. The paper reveals a nuanced picture of the Sundarbans' ecological state, with both declining mangrove densities and signs of vegetation recovery. It highlights the need for comprehensive conservation strategies to mitigate further ecosystem degradation.

Tracing the dynamics of Late Holocene Tropical Peatland: A case study from the Bram Itam Peatland Protection Area, Coastal Sumatra, Indonesia

Tropical peatland ecosystems in Southeast Asia offer essential ecological services but face various threats such as sea level alterations, climate change and human activities. However, our understanding of the origins of peatlands and their dynamics is still limited. Reconstruction of historical vegetation and environmental changes is imperative to comprehend tropical peatlands' origins, evolution and responses to natural factors (e.g., precipitation, sea level) and to human influences (e.g., agriculture). This study employed a multi-proxy palaeoecological analysis, encompassing pollen and spore analysis, macro-charcoal examination, and radiocarbon dating, using a sediment core extracted from the Bram Itam Peatland protection area in Tanjung Jabung Barat, Jambi province. The investigation highlights four distinct palynological periods: from ca. 4750 to 1250 cal yr BP, a dominant mangrove forest thrived in the study area during high sea levels; from 1250 to 450 cal yr BP, as sea levels receded, the mangrove forest was replaced by swampy vegetation, and peatland forests developed under the influence of high precipitation, while agricultural activities with possible rice cultivation were conducted remote from the study area; from 450 cal yr BP to 1950 CE, a mature peatland forest developed. There was no evidence of agricultural practice during this period. After 1950, intensive human activities, including logging, oil palm plantation, and rice cultivation, profoundly impacted the peatland vegetation. The presence of cereal pollen dates back to around 1250 cal yr BP and the introduction of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) since roughly 1950 CE may indicate potentially enduring changes in agricultural practices of local people in the study area. This study of peatland vegetation dynamics and environmental changes in the Bram Itam peatlands highlights its change from mangrove forest to a matured peatland forest influenced by climate, sea level and human activities.

Occurrence and distribution of antibiotic pollution and antibiotic resistance genes in seagrass meadow sediments based on metagenomics

Seagrass meadows are one of the most important coastal ecosystems that provide essential ecological and economic services. The contamination levels of antibiotic and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in coastal ecosystems are severely elevated owing to anthropogenic disturbances, such as terrestrial input, aquaculture effluent, and sewage discharge. However, few studies have focused on the occurrence and distribution of antibiotics and their corresponding ARGs in this habitat. Thus, we investigated the antibiotic and ARGs profiles, microbial communities, and ARG-carrying host bacteria in typical seagrass meadow sediments collected from Swan Lake, Caofeidian shoal harbor, Qingdao Bay, and Sishili Bay in the Bohai Sea and northern Yellow Sea. The total concentrations of 30 detected antibiotics ranged from 99.35 to 478.02 μg/kg, tetracyclines were more prevalent than other antibiotics. Metagenomic analyses showed that 342 ARG subtypes associated with 22 ARG types were identified in the seagrass meadow sediments. Multidrug resistance genes and RanA were the most dominant ARG types and subtypes, respectively. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that Halioglobus, Zeaxanthinibacter, and Aureitalea may be potential hosts at the genus level, and the relative abundances of these bacteria were higher in Sishili Bay than those in other areas. This study provided important insights into the pollution status of antibiotics and ARGs in typical seagrass meadow sediments. Effective management should be performed to control the potential ecological health risks in seagrass meadow ecosystems.

Complex nitrogen sources from agro-industrial byproducts: impact on production, multi-stress tolerance, virulence, and quality of Beauveria bassiana blastospores.

Biological control through entomopathogenic fungi provides essential ecological services in the integrated management of agricultural pests. In the context of submerged liquid fermentation, the nutritional composition significantly influences the ecological fitness, virulence and quality of these fungi. This study specifically explores the impact of various complex organic nitrogen sources derived from agro-industrial byproducts on the submerged liquid fermentation of Beauveria bassiana, a versatile entomopathogenic fungus known for producing hydrophilic yeast-like blastospores. Notably, manipulating the nitrogen source during submerged cultivation can influence the quality, fitness, and performance of blastospores. This research identifies cottonseed flour as the optimal low-cost nitrogen source, contributing to increased production yields, enhanced multi-stress tolerance, heightened virulence with extended shelf life and long-term bioactivity. These findings deepen our understanding of the critical role of nitrogen compound selection in liquid media formulation, facilitating the production of ecologically fit and virulent blastospores for more effective pest biocontrol programs.

Impact Analysis of Human Activities on Mangrove Conservation in Coastal Sulawesi

Mangrove ecosystems are invaluable coastal habitats that provide essential ecological services and support diverse flora and fauna. However, human activities have increasingly threatened the sustainability of these ecosystems, particularly in regions like Coastal Sulawesi, Indonesia. This qualitative analysis investigates the impact of human activities on mangrove conservation in Coastal Sulawesi, employing semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. The study reveals that drivers such as aquaculture expansion, unsustainable logging, pollution, and coastal development are contributing to mangrove degradation. Stakeholder perspectives vary, with local communities emphasizing the importance of mangroves for livelihoods and culture, while government officials stress the need for balancing conservation with economic development. Existing conservation efforts include protected area designation, community-based management projects, and awareness-raising campaigns. Collaborative action involving government, NGOs, academia, and local communities is essential to promote sustainable mangrove conservation in Coastal Sulawesi.

Interpreting the Haor Eco-System through Sustainable Design: Haor (Wetland) Eco-Interpretation Center, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Wetlands, known as 'Haors' in Bangladesh, are vital ecosystems that provide essential ecological services and support diverse biodiversity. However, they face increasing threats due to extensive tourists visits, unawareness about environment preservation and unsustainable development practices. The "Haor Eco-Interpretation Center" in Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Bangladesh, emerges as a pioneering initiative to address these challenges by combining environmental education and sustainable design principles. This paper provides an overview of the Haor Eco-Interpretation Center's objectives, strategies, and significance. The center serves as a unique model for interpreting the Haor ecosystem while promoting sustainability through its architectural and operational features. The key elements of this initiative include visitor education, research facilities, and eco-sensitive design principles.

Unveiling the Marvels of Indian Wetlands: Distribution, Ecological Importance, Challenges, and Conservation

Comparable to tropical evergreen forests or coral reefs, wetland ecosystems are among the most dynamic and productive ecosystems on the planet. A region's dynamism may have a substantial impact on its ecological sustainability. Exploring the distribution, range, categorization, ecological functions, biological variety, and dangers to India's wetland diversity is the goal of this article. The management of irrigation water, groundwater, fisheries, non-timber forest products, water supply, recreation, and pollution control through carbon sequestration, flood control, nutrient cycles are just a few of the essential ecological services that wetlands typically provide for sustainable development in many areas. However, the growing anthropogenic activity in and around the wetlands put them under ongoing stress, which is seen as a reduction in area and has a severe impact on their hydrological, ecological, and economic functions. Wetlands are one of the most imperilled ecosystems due to the global decline in their number. India has 75 wetlands that are currently recognised as Ramsar sites, with a total coverage of roughly 1.09 million hectares and an estimated 757.06 thousand wetlands, making up around 4.7% of the total land area. India has the most wetlands in South Asia, and it sustains nearly a fifth of the region's total biodiversity. Unfortunately, between 35–60% of India's wetlands have been lost over the course of the last 40 years, necessitating the creation of new conservation techniques and a rethinking of the laws governing their protection.

Assessment of forest food–water resources nexus and its utilization efficiency based on the Gaussian model

Abstract Forest resources are an important foundation for human survival and development, and their utilization and management are of great significance for sustainable development. Forests are important ecosystems that provide essential ecological services for human survival and development. Based on the Gaussian model, this article evaluates the grain and water resources in forest areas to explore the efficiency of forest resource utilization. By collecting and processing sample data from the forest areas of the Yangtze River Basin from October to December 2021, the food and water resources of the forest areas under different vegetation types and soil moisture content were obtained. The results indicate that the total amount of grain resources varies among different sample areas. The maximum weight is 6,000 kg and the minimum weight is 3,500 kg. The total amount of water resources varies among different sample areas, ranging from 600 to 2,000 m3.

Diversity of Cyanobacteria and Algae in Biological Soil Crusts of the Northern Ural Mountain Region Assessed through Morphological and Metabarcoding Approaches

In mountain regions, biological soil crusts (BSCs) provide essential ecological services by being involved in primary production and nitrogen fixation. Eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria are important photosynthetic components of these unique cryptogamic communities. Here, we present an overview of the eukaryotic and prokaryotic diversity of such phototrophs in BSCs in the mountain tundra of the northern Ural Mountains. Such assessment is based on morphological surveys and the first metabarcoding analysis in the region. In total, 166 taxa of Cyanobacteria and 256 eukaryotic algae (including Euglenophyta, Ochrophyta, Dinophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Charophyta) were identified. For the first time, 86 taxa new to the BSCs of the high-mountain belt of the region were discovered. Considering species composition, Cyanobacteria and Chlorophyta are the most abundant taxa in all the analyzed BSCs. The genera Nostoc, Coccomyxa, Chlamydomonas, Leptolyngbya, Stenomitos, Pycnacronema, Stigonema, and Eunotia had the highest number of taxonomic units. These groups shape the structure, function, and ecology of the BSC communities in the studied region. Our results show that BSCs in the tundras of the Ural Mountains have a high active and passive biodiversity of terrestrial cyanobacteria and algae. Both implemented methods resulted in similar results with a comparable number of algae and cyanobacteria species per sample. Metabarcoding could be implemented in future in the region to accurately screen photosynthetic organisms in BSCs.

Strategies for Tree Improvement under Stress Conditions

Forests are vital ecosystems, covering a significant portion of the Earth’s land area and providing essential ecological services and valuable products for human society [...]

The microbial landscape in bioturbated mangrove sediment: A resource for promoting nature-based solutions for mangroves.

Globally, soils and sediments are affected by the bioturbation activities of benthic species. The consequences of these activities are particularly impactful in intertidal sediment, which is generally anoxic and nutrient-poor. Mangrove intertidal sediments are of particular interest because, as the most productive forests and one of the most important stores of blue carbon, they provide global-scale ecosystem services. The mangrove sediment microbiome is fundamental for ecosystem functioning, influencing the efficiency of nutrient cycling and the abundance and distribution of key biological elements. Redox reactions in bioturbated sediment can be extremely complex, with one reaction creating a cascade effect on the succession of respiration pathways. This facilitates the overlap of different respiratory metabolisms important in the element cycles of the mangrove sediment, including carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and iron cycles, among others. Considering that all ecological functions and services provided by mangrove environments involve microorganisms, this work reviews the microbial roles in nutrient cycling in relation to bioturbation by animals and plants, the main mangrove ecosystem engineers. We highlight the diversity of bioturbating organisms and explore the diversity, dynamics and functions of the sediment microbiome, considering both the impacts of bioturbation. Finally, we review the growing evidence that bioturbation, through altering the sediment microbiome and environment, determining a 'halo effect', can ameliorate conditions for plant growth, highlighting the potential of the mangrove microbiome as a nature-based solution to sustain mangrove development and support the role of this ecosystem to deliver essential ecological services.

Spatial sedimentation and plant captured sediment within seagrass patches

Habitat degradation in coastal ecosystems has resulted in the fragmentation of coastal aquatic vegetation and compromised their role in supplying essential ecological services such as trapping sediment or sequestering carbon. Fragmentation has changed seagrass architecture by decreasing the density of the canopy or engendering small patches of vegetated areas. This study aims to quantify the role different patch sizes of vegetation with different canopy densities have in the spatial distribution of sediment within a patch. To this aim, two canopy densities, four different patch lengths, and two wave frequencies were considered. The amounts of sediment deposited onto the bed, captured by plant leaves, remaining in suspension within the canopy, and remaining in suspension above the canopy were used to understand the impact hydrodynamics has on sediment distribution patterns within seagrass patches. In all the cases studied, patches reduced the suspended sediment concentrations, increased the capture of particles in the leaves, and increased the sedimentation rates to the bed. For the lowest wave frequency studied (0.5 Hz), the sediment deposited to the bottom was enhanced at canopy edges, resulting in spatial heterogeneous sedimentation patterns. Therefore, restoration and preservation of coastal aquatic vegetation landscapes can help face future climate change scenarios where an increase in sedimentation can help mitigate predicted sea level rise in coastal areas.

Microbial-Based Plant Biostimulants

Beneficial microorganisms offer essential ecological services to both natural and agricultural ecosystems [...].

Exploring spatio-temporal patterns of sediment load and driving factors in Lancang-Mekong River basin before operation of mega-dams (1968–2002)

Sediment is of great importance for the Lancang-Mekong River (LMR) ecosystem, providing essential ecological services for local communities. Understanding sediment change and its driving factors are critical to the sustainable management of this large transboundary river system. Insufficient background knowledge of sediment dynamics driven by climate change and land cover change hinders our understanding of sediment change in the long term. In this study, a distributed hydrological model coupled with a sediment module was developed to address the sediment dynamics and its driving factors of the LMR basin from 1968 to 2002, i.e., the pre-dam period. A new index was also proposed to quantify the regional sediment composition by considering riverbed deposition. The major results are: 1) the leading factor influencing the suspended sediment concentration has changed over the study period, i.e., from rainfall before the 1980s to land cover change after the 1980s; 2) from 1968 to 2002, the land cover change had the greatest impact on the suspended sediment load followed by rainfall; 3) the contribution ratio of the upstream area could be overestimated without considering sediment deposition onto riverbed. The approach presented here provides additional insights into quantifying the regional sediment composition for the dynamic Lancang-Mekong River basin experiencing rapid anthropogenic stresses.