Ecological Influences Research Articles

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A TOOL TO FACILITATE RESILIENCE AND GOOD MENTAL HEALTH: THE MY SEJAHTERA ECOLOGY MAP

Background: There has been a growing body of research on the influence of social environment on mental wellbeing. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecology Systems theory has proposed an extensive description of components and relationships of the social ecology of a person for their growth. However, there is a paucity of tools available for mental health professionals in implementing the theory within their practice. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a tool to explore the social ecology of a person to aid understanding the influence of social ecology on the state of mental wellbeing. Methods: This study developed instructions to draw and explore social ecology and established several validity evidences. Content validity used item-related content validity index employing five experts in psychiatry, psychology, and counselling to review the instructions for the tool. Face validity was established using face validity index among ten working adults. Finally, criterion-related validity was established by improvement in mental health self-efficacy measured using Mental Health Confidence Scale among 41 working adults. Descriptive analysis used frequency and percentage for categorical variables, and mean and standard deviation for numerical variables. Inferential analysis used paired-sample t-test analysed on SPSS 29. Results: The My Sejahtera Ecology Map (MySEM) tool showed good content and face validity indices ranging from 0.80 to 1.00. Mental health self-efficacy showed significant improvement in optimism (p < 0.05) and factor coping (p < 0.001) after the MySEM activity. Conclusion: The tool has promising benefits in improving mental health self-efficacy through increasing factor-coping and optimism. The MySEM tool provided a standardized approach to apply the Bronfenbrenner’s Ecology Systems theory for use by mental health professionals.

Weak evidence for a relationship between group size and flight initiation distance in response to underwater human presence in an exploited fish species

Group size can influence flight initiation distance (FID), a key antipredator behavior, in many animal species. In fishes, however, the effect of group size on FID remains unclear. Two different mechanisms might explain a putative relationship between group size and FID. If fish benefited from having more vigilant individuals around, we would expect group size to be positively associated with FID (considering collective vigilance in the context of the many eyes hypothesis). By contrast, if fish benefited from a predator dilution effect, we would expect group size to be negatively associated with FID. Importantly, such relationships should be critically sensitive to background risk levels. We capitalized on FID observations inside and outside marine protected areas and simulated risk by having a risky spearfisher or a non-risky snorkeler swim towards white seabream (Diplodus sargus) to estimate the relationship between FID and group size. Model selection provides weak evidence that group size positively influences FID of white seabream when group size was modelled two ways: categorically (alone vs. shoal), and continuously (range 2–15). While the results suggest that overall group size has a measurable impact on FID, the presence of spearfishers or snorkelers had a weak effect on the relationship of group size and FID, which seems to be more sensitive exclusively to the protection level (inside/outside marine protected areas). Our findings align with previous studies showing mixed results on the relationship between group size and FID. This study underscores the complexity of antipredator behaviors in natural settings and suggests that multiple interlinked factors, rather than group size alone, drive FID in fishes. Future research should integrate field observations, laboratory experiments, and modeling to study the ecological influence of group size on FID more comprehensively.

Response of incubated cyanobacterial biocrust on biomineralized soil to trampling disturbance and watering frequency

Biocrust has many ecological roles and the potential for land restoration. Major obstacles to biocrust inoculation in degraded areas are the low physical stability of soil and the frequent wet–dry cycle. Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology, a sand fixation technique, can increase soil stability and decrease soil evaporation. However, it is unclear what the ecological influence of MICP treatment is under the harsh environmental stress. We hypothesized that MICP‐treated soil could support biocrust establishment by moderating soil disturbance and improving water retention to mitigate frequent wet–dry cycles. To verify this hypothesis, we prepared cyanobacterial biocrusts (Oscillatoria tenuis) on bare soil and on MICP‐treated soil (Sporosarcina pasteurii) and cultivated them for 40 days under high‐ and low‐frequency rainfall. We also simulated disturbance at zero, half, or equal (0, 75, and 150 kJ) the intensity of field conditions during the cultivation. Generalized linear modeling revealed that cyanobacterial biocrust with MICP treatment had high wind erosion resistance but had low indicators of biocrust growth. We also found that MICP treatment facilitated the reduction in chlorophyll content by frequent rainfall and that MICP treatment and physical disturbance had no clear interacting effects on biocrust properties. In summary, our study found MICP treatment could hinder rather than support the cyanobacterial biocrust establishment under the frequent watering and heavy disturbance. Our finding suggests that the appropriate combination of rehabilitation techniques depends on the environmental characteristics of the target area.

Family as Part and Whole in Mountain Communities: The Influence of Climate and Ecology on Family Structures

This article explores the concept of family as both a part and a whole within mountain communities, focusing on how climate and ecological conditions shape family structures and dynamics. Mountain environments present unique challenges, such as harsh weather conditions, limited resources, and geographical isolation, which significantly influence the way families organize, interact, and support each other. The study examines how these environmental factors foster a collective resilience among family units, emphasizing interdependence, communal support, and adaptation strategies that are distinct to mountainous regions. By analyzing the interplay between ecological conditions and social structures, the article highlights the critical role of the environment in shaping familial relationships and communal cohesion. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how families function as both individual units and integral parts of larger social and ecological systems in mountain communities.

Ecological influences on regeneration dynamics in the sundarbans, Bangladesh: Exploring biotic and abiotic factors across time and space

Ecological influences on regeneration dynamics in the sundarbans, Bangladesh: Exploring biotic and abiotic factors across time and space

Achieving ecological sustainability in European countries: Does low carbon energy lead to a carbon neutrality pathway?

The European Union (EU) recently intensified its focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve its net-zero emissions target. Thus, climate action and access to clean energy have become prominent research topics. Previous studies have predominantly explored the individual impacts of nuclear and renewable energy on EU economies within the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. Departing from this conventional approach, the present study examines the effect of low-carbon energy consumption (LEC) on environmental quality while controlling for ecological influences of natural resource rents (NAT) and foreign direct investment (FDI). The study adopts the CS-ARDL approach to analyze annual data from 1996 to 2022. This analysis is framed within a novel framework: the load capacity curve (LCC) hypothesis. The empirical assessment reveals the following findings: i) The LCC hypothesis is validated for EU economies, indicating that these countries are on a path towards achieving their net-zero emissions target. ii) LEC positively impacts the ecosystem. iii) FDI and NAT are found to degrade environmental quality. Given these findings, EU economies should continue to increase their LEC within the total energy mix. Environmental sustainability can be further supported by implementing green policies aimed at regulating NAT and FDI. In conclusion, this study offers policies that will put the EU on the zero-emission path within the framework of SDGs.

Weakening of subsurface ocean temperature seasonality over the past four decades

The seasonal cycle, responsible for much of the temperature variability in the upper ocean, exerts profound climatic and ecological influence. While surface intensification of temperature seasonality has been widely examined, changes beneath the ocean surface remain unknown. Here we analyze multiple ocean temperature datasets, revealing a robust, substantial weakening of subsurface seasonality by 5.7 ± 1.8% below the mixed layer in extratropical oceans since the 1980s. Using a hierarchy of climate models and an idealized diffusive model, we attribute this weakening to increased ocean heat uptake driven by rising greenhouse gases. This process strengthens upper ocean stratification, suppresses vertical mixing, and limits heat penetration into deeper ocean layers, resulting in a more quiescent subsurface ocean with reduced seasonal variability. Our findings highlight a new fingerprint of anthropogenic influence on subsurface ocean seasonality, with important implications for ocean biogeochemical processes and marine ecosystems.

The pollution and the ecological influence of chemical and industrial waste

Pollution from chemical and industrial wastes has far-reaching effects on ecosystems. Harmful substances such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), acid and alkali waste streams and other harmful substances enter the coastal and marine environments through rivers, sewage pipelines and other pathways, posing a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health. Not only do these pollutants tend to accumulate in sediments, but they are also gradually amplified through the food chain, eventually reaching high concentrations in top predators and leading to biomagnification effects. In addition, ocean acidification and discharge of highly alkaline waste streams further affect carbonate-dependent marine organisms and disrupt the marine ecological balance. Understanding the environmental behavior of these pollutants and their ecological impacts is essential for developing effective pollution control and ecological protection measures.

What Drives Herbal Traditions? The Influence of Ecology and Cultural Exchanges on Wild Plant Teas in the Balkan Mountains

This study investigates the ethnobotanical diversity of wild plant teas across various populations in the Balkan mountain regions, focusing on cultural and ecological influences. Data were collected through ethnobotanical field surveys conducted in thirteen distinct areas, encompassing approximately 900 interviews with local populations, including Albanians, Bosniaks, North Macedonians, Goranis, and Serbs. The study identifies 143 genera used in traditional teas, with species frequency and distribution patterns analysed concerning elevation and cultural factors. Statistical analyses using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis revealed clear grouping patterns between populations based on ecological zones. The results show a clear correlation between altitude and the herbal use of plant genera, with higher elevations (above 700 m) supporting a greater variety of local species. Cultural practices, such as tea consumption during communal gatherings, also significantly shaped the selection of plants across different populations. For instance, Sideritis species were most prevalent among Albanian and North Macedonian communities, while Thymus and Mentha species were widely used across all groups. Moreover, cultural exchanges can explain the similarity of wild teas reported by Bosniaks (in Bosnia) and North Albanians, located far away from each other but showing similar traits due to possible common origins or the effect of centuries of pastoralism, which may have generated a constant exchange of local plant practices. The study concludes that ecological conditions and cultural exchanges significantly influence the choice, use, and resilience of wild plant herbal traditions in the Balkans. However, modern pressures such as urbanisation and market-driven consumption are increasingly threatening these practices. This highlights the need for conservation strategies that integrate ecological preservation and cultural heritage safeguarding.

Trophic Transfer of Fipronil Residues to Black-footed Ferrets: Implications for Flea Control and Plague Mitigation

Abstract Sylvatic plague, caused by the flea-borne bacterium Yersinia pestis, is an invasive disease in North America that causes reductions of native fauna and transforms ecosystems. Fipronil baits have shown promise in reducing flea loads on prairie dogs Cynomys spp. for plague mitigation. Many species depend on prairie dogs and their ecological influences, including the black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes (ferret), an obligate predator of prairie dogs. To better understand how fipronil affects ferrets, we offered carcass portions from black-tailed prairie dogs C. ludovicianus that had consumed fipronil bait (0.005% fipronil by weight) to captive ferrets and monitored their health. We fed carcass portions of three prairie dogs to four adult ferrets for 1 week. No ill effects were observed in the ferrets. We collected scat from the ferrets before, during, and after their feeding on treated prairie dogs. We evaluated potential effects of ferret scat on larval fleas, which feed on organic matter. Fipronil residues were not detected in ferret scat samples collected before treatment. During and shortly after treatment, ferret scat contained 3.76 ng/g fipronil and 13.75 ng/g fipronil sulfone, on average, demonstrating trophic transfer of the residues from prey to predator. We presented 0.5 mg of ferret scat to each of 96 larval Oropsylla montana (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) and assessed survival rates over 24 h. When exposed to ferret scat lacking fipronil residues, 85% of larvae survived. Survival was reduced to 61% and 35% for larvae contacting or consuming scat with fipronil-residue, respectively. Fipronil residues in scat from a variety of species on prairie dog colonies, perhaps especially the prairie dogs, may assist in flea control and plague mitigation. Hosts eliminate fipronil residues, and fipronil residues in the environment degrade over time, reducing but not eliminating potential concerns with bioaccumulation.

Ecological influences on informal property rights: Experimental evidence

Ecological influences on informal property rights: Experimental evidence

How Ecological Filters Influence the Dynamics of Re-Built Plant Communities and Functional Composition in Open-Pit Mine over 14 Years

The traditional ecological reclamation measurements and assessments for the grassland areas damaged by open-pit mining often fall short in revealing the dynamics of plant communities affected by environmental filters during reconstruction, making reclamation efforts crucial. The trait-based community framework has been widely applied due to its great potential to predict the restoration process and provide insight into its mechanisms, but how the traits and environmental factors interact to form communities over time is still uncertain. Therefore, to make this process clear, we used the trait-based community framework, defining target species, non-target species, and common grass species, examining how the mix seed sowing and environment (two surface-covering materials applied to mine dump) affect re-vegetation composition, diversity, and functional traits in 14 years. Four treatments were tested: bio-fence surface-covering materials + sowing (BFS), plant-barrier surface-covering materials + sowing (PBS), sowing without any surface-covering materials (SOW), and a control without seeding and covering (CK). Natural grassland sites were regarded as reference (REF). Our findings indicated that the mix seed sowing and the interaction of surface-covering and time were primarily driving the dynamics of the plant community, affecting composition, the value of diversity, coverage, numbers, richness, and functional traits, such as the community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional diversity (FD), which increased and approached the sites REF. There were significant differences between the treatments and CK for the most traits. Although several results in the treatments approached the REF, significant differences still remained in the last observation year. With the sowing and surface-covering treatment, the re-built communities became more resource-acquisitive in terms of the CWM traits; even the value of the specific leaf area (SLA) exceed the REF after 14 years reclamation. We found those communities were dominated by target species that had a higher traits value than the non-target species, while the CK treatment became more resource-conservative over time due to non-target species dominating. The CWM in treatments tended toward reference levels for specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and root dry matter content (RDMC), but not for seed mass (SM), thereby indicating that the above- and below-ground productivity of restored sites gradually overcame abiotic (surface-covering) and biotic (sowing) filters and approached target values. The functional diversity (FD) generally increased, with higher multivariate functional dispersion in the treatments containing more target species, suggesting that re-built communities achieve more resistance to invasion and disturbance over time. Hence, the trajectory of species and communities changing highlights the effectiveness of a trait-based approach in identifying better reclamation treatments and candidate species and provides a positive outlook for future re-vegetation community succession.

The asymmetry in the sagitta of the European eel Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from the Söke District of Aydın Province in Western Anatolia, Türkiye

AbstractOtolith features (length, width and weight) of 74 individuals of Anguilla anguilla collected from the Söke District of Aydın Province in Western Anatolia, Türkiye were studied for the first time to evaluate the level of asymmetry in the otolith features selected for this study. The asymmetry value of the otolith length was greater than that of otolith width and otolith weight. The asymmetry value of the three otolith features increased with an increase in the fish's length. The likely cause of asymmetry in the otolith parameters examined has been discussed in relation with the variability in growth provoked by ecological influence associated with the discrepancy in habitat setting and contaminants present in the Söke District of Aydın Province in Western Anatolia, Türkiye.

ViraLM: empowering virus discovery through the genome foundation model.

Viruses, with their ubiquitous presence and high diversity, play pivotal roles in ecological systems and public health. Accurate identification of viruses in various ecosystems is essential for comprehending their variety and assessing their ecological influence. Metagenomic sequencing has become a major strategy to survey the viruses in various ecosystems. However, accurate and comprehensive virus detection in metagenomic data remains difficult. Limited reference sequences prevent alignment-based methods from identifying novel viruses. Machine learning-based tools are more promising in novel virus detection but often miss short viral contigs, which are abundant in typical metagenomic data. The inconsistency in virus search results produced by available tools further highlights the urgent need for a more robust tool for virus identification. In this work, we develop ViraLM for identifying novel viral contigs in metagenomic data. By using the latest genome foundation model as the backbone and training on a rigorously constructed dataset, the model is able to distinguish viruses from other organisms based on the learned genomic characteristics. We thoroughly tested ViraLM on multiple datasets and the experimental results show that ViraLM outperforms available tools in different scenarios. In particular, ViraLM improves the F1-score on short contigs by 22%. The source code of ViraLM is available via: https://github.com/ChengPENG-wolf/ViraLM.

Unstable pathogen profile in spotted seal (Phoca largha) gut microbiota and limited turnover with habitat microbiome.

It is vital that we monitor the gut microbiota of sentinel species such as spotted seals (Phoca largha) and their association with habitat microbiomes, which can provide critical data for assessing the health of marine mammals and their potential ecological influences. In this study, PacBio technology was used to sequence the full-length bacterial 16S rRNA gene from the feces of captive and wild spotted seals, as well as samples from a wild population and their habitats. Based on the pathogen identification results, the gut microbiota of wild and captive spotted seals showed similar levels of pathogen richness and abundance. In particular, the pathogen profiles in wild spotted seals were more variable, with a high risk of disease in a minority of individuals. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota of spotted seals was significantly less diverse than their habitat microbiomes. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria dominated the gut microbiota of spotted seals and their habitat microbiomes, respectively. Furthermore, network analysis revealed that the gut microbiota of spotted seals was simple and weak. The ratios of microbial turnover between spotted seal gut microbiota and their habitat microbiomes were further analyzed using SourceTracker, and the estimated values were low (< 0.1%). These results provide baseline data on pathogen profiles in spotted seals and their potential interactions with habitat microbiomes.

The Influence of Skin Microbial Ecology on γδ T Cell Immune Pathways in Allergic Dermatitis Models in Mice.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex disease influenced by alterations in the skin microbiome and immune dysregulation. Despite the recognized role of these factors, the specific pathways by which distinct microbial populations affect skin immunity remain insufficiently understood. On a molecular level, the pathogenesis of AD involves critical cytokines such as IL-4, IL-17, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and IL-10, which contribute to the imbalance in T helper (Th) cell responses. Importantly, gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, which produce these cytokines and infiltrate affected epithelial cells in AD, have been underexplored. This study seeks to alleviate AD symptoms in mice by adjusting both peripheral and local immune environments through the transplantation of skin microbiota. By employing 16S rRNA sequencing, we characterized the skin microbiome of the mouse model. Our results demonstrate that microbiota intervention significantly reduces skin thickening and serum IgE levels in DNFB-induced AD mice. Additionally, changes in skin microbiota modulated immune cell dynamics, restoring the Th1/Th2 balance and leading to clinical improvement. These findings highlight the critical role of skin microbiota in shaping immune responses, positioning microbiota-based therapies as a potential treatment for AD.

Ecological influences of sulfadiazine on rhizosphere soil microbial communities in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-soil potting systems: Perspectives on diversity, co-occurrence networks, and assembly processes

Microorganisms in the soil are crucial constituents of land ecosystems, significantly influencing their structure and functionality. However, the accumulation of antibiotics in agricultural practices may negatively affect these microbial communities. The objective of this study was to explore the ecological effects of the sulfonamide drug sulfadiazine (SDZ) on the rhizosphere soil microbial communities of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). A potting system experiment was constructed by exposing for 45 days after treatments with different initial concentrations of SDZ (0, 1, 10, and 30 mg/kg) to assess the effects of SDZ on soil microbial diversity, bacterial-fungal co-occurrence networks, and community assembly processes. The findings indicated that SDZ treatment significantly altered the community composition, especially for bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria and Gemmatimonadota and fungi in the phylum Mortierellomycota and Aphelidiomycota. Network analysis revealed that SDZ stress caused alterations in microbial interaction patterns, especially at high treatment concentrations, and reduced network connectivity. In addition, SDZ significantly affected microbial community assembly processes, where stochastic processes were enhanced in bacterial communities, while fungal communities showed a balance of stochastic and deterministic processes. Analysis of environmental variables revealed that the presence of SDZ may disrupt the link between soil microorganisms and soil nitrogen compounds. The results provide new perspectives for understanding the ecological impacts of antibiotic residues in agroecosystems and provide a scientific basis for soil health management.

Digital government initiatives for sustainable innovations, digitalization, and emission reduction policies to balance conservation impact

AbstractThe rapid advancement of digital technologies in China, America, India, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, Iran, South Korea, and Russia presents both significant opportunities and challenges for achieving sustainable development, particularly in balancing economic growth with environmental conservation. This study rigorously assesses the impact of digital government initiatives on sustainable innovations and emission reduction policies from 2002 to 2022, focusing on their ability to balance ecological and economic influences. By employing a sophisticated model that integrates second‐generation tests to confirm cross‐sectional dependence and gradient variation, this research ensures the precision of its findings. The analysis reveals that digitalization, clean energy adoption, and the utilization of these countries' abundant natural resources over this two‐decade period have contributed substantially to reducing their ecological footprints. However, the study also identifies structural discontinuities in the linear trends and intercepts due to the integration of these technologies. By incorporating variables such as e‐commerce, income from natural resources, economic growth, conservation‐friendly technologies, sustainable energy sources, and carbon dioxide emissions, the model provides a comprehensive evaluation. The results highlight a consistent decline in ecological impact driven by technological and economic advancements. The policy implications are clear: to sustain and enhance these positive trends, governments must continue to promote digitalization and innovation while carefully managing the integration of new technologies to prevent potential disruptions.

Exploration of the Path of Industrial Structure Adjustment Forced by the Rigid Constraint of Water Ecology in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Considering the two-way influence of water ecology and industrial structure, decompose and quantify the water ecological rigidity constraints into water environment constraints and water resources constraints, construct the evaluation system based on the theoretical framework of PSR, and analyze the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of water ecological rigidity constraints of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2010 to 2021 by using the entropy weighting method, the method of catastrophe progression, and the kernel density estimation. Then, putting forward the types of zoning in the Yangtze River Economic Zone through K-means algorithm analysis to explore the rigid constraints of water ecology to force the path of industrial structure adjustment. The results indicate that: (1) the water ecological rigidity constraints show a decreasing trend, and the decreasing amplitude is upstream &gt; downstream &gt; midstream; (2) the water ecological rigidity constraints generally show the characteristic of “gradually decreasing from east to west”, and the degree of regional differences first decreases, then increases, and then decreases again; (3) it can be divided into six types, and the zoning results gradually change from the concentration in the medium-high type and high-high type to the concentration in the low-low type and medium-low type, and the rigidity constraint of water ecology is obviously improved. In light of the findings, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is divided into five types of development regions and further discusses that the industrial restructuring in different zones has different influencing effects on the regional socio-economic development, which provides suggestions for differentiated paths of water ecological protection and industrial restructuring.

Diversity and abundance of large old trees in Hainan Island: Spatial analysis and environmental correlations

AbstractLarge old trees (LOTs) are invaluable natural treasures and cultural legacies, holding ecological, historical, social, and economic significance. However, climate change and human impacts threaten their existence. Understanding their species composition, age structure, biomass, and distribution patterns in relation to environmental factors is essential for effective conservation. In Hainan Island, South China, we analyzed 1081 LOTs from 74 species across 35 families, using a combination of field surveys and government data. The dominant families were Moraceae, Sapindaceae, and Fagaceae, with key species including Ficus altissima, Litchi chinensis, and Tamarindus indica. The age distribution followed a reverse J‐shape, indicating a prevalence of trees aged 300–399 years. In contrast, diameter at breast height (DBH) and height distributions were unimodal, favoring medium to large‐sized trees. Spatial analysis revealed uneven distribution patterns: the western zone exhibited the highest species diversity, the central zone moderate diversity, and the eastern zone low diversity, reflecting uneven urban and agricultural impacts. Most LOTs were concentrated at elevations of 0–50 m. Factors such as GDP, urbanization, and forest cover positively correlated with LOT abundance and diversity, with forest cover and average annual temperature particularly favoring these trees. The findings emphasize the intricate relationship between environmental factors and LOT distribution. They advocate for tailored conservation strategies that address the complex interplay of ecological, socioeconomic, and cultural influences on their preservation.Abstract in Chinese is available with online material.