Influence Of Environmental Variables Research Articles

Determinants of plant species richness along elevational gradients: insights with climate, energy and water–energy dynamics

BackgroundUnderstanding the patterns and processes of species distributions has long remained a central focus of biogeographical and ecological research. While the evidence for elevational patterns in species richness is widespread, our understanding of underlying causes and mechanisms remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to entangle the influence of environmental variables on plant species richness along elevational gradients in the Western Himalayas.MethodsWe compiled elevational distribution for about 1150 vascular plants using the published literature and available database. The species richness was estimated in 100-m elevational bands using the range interpolation method. We used the generalised linear model and structural equation modelling (SEM) framework to identify the direct and indirect effects of climatic factors on species richness.ResultsOur results indicated that primary environmental correlates of species richness varied with elevational gradients. Climatic variables combined with energy and water availability were more important than the topographic heterogeneity. Further, the direct and interaction effects of climatic variables were more substantial than their indirect effects. The indirect effects of climate are more strongly mediated by water–energy dynamics than the energy alone.ConclusionsOverall, our findings emphasise the importance of considering direct effects and interactions among environmental variables while studying the underlying mechanisms governing elevational biodiversity gradients. Species richness appeared to be shaped by climatic tolerances rather than habitat heterogeneity at regional scales. This information can have implications for biodiversity dynamics under environmental change.

Influence of regional environmental variables on the radiative forcing of atmospheric microplastics

Influence of regional environmental variables on the radiative forcing of atmospheric microplastics

Spatio-temporal analysis of habitat suitability for the endangered oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) in the wetland ecosystem of northeast China

Human-induced habitat transformation often leads to habitat degradation and loss, impacting suitable habitats for endangered and rare species. This study was conducted to assess suitable habitats for the endangered oriental white stork in the wetland ecosystem of northeast China, to facilitate successful species-habitat conservation. The study incorporated field surveys, literature reviews, vegetation index calculations, eDNA for assessing prey abundance and land use and land cover classification for the years 2000, 2011, and 2022. A fuzzy logic-based habitat model was developed to map suitable habitats for the oriental stork. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to assess the influence of various environmental variables on habitat suitability changes. Roosting locations of the oriental stork were used as reference points to evaluate the impact of environmental factors on habitat suitability. The results indicate that 20% of the area is highly suitable for the stork, 73.4% is moderately suitable, and 5.6% is less or not suitable. Habitats near lakes and rivers, with low Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and high Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), are more suitable compared to areas close to roads and built-up zones. Prey abundance, particularly fish, is a crucial determinant of oriental stork presence and survival. Marshlands, swamps, and water bodies were identified as the most suitable habitats, as they interface with lotic and lentic ecosystems providing abundant prey for the storks. Our findings emphasize the importance of ongoing efforts to protect wetland ecosystems and habitats for endangered and rare bird species. Priority should be given to habitats identified as critical roosting areas for the oriental stork.

Modelling the ecological niches of reptiles in highly biodiverse protected areas

ABSTRACT Species distribution modelling is a valuable tool for understanding and managing protected areas globally. This study used MaxEnt modelling with high-resolution environmental data and extensive in-situ observations to create habitat suitability maps for 16 reptile species in the highly biodiverse Souss-Massa National Park (SMNP), Morocco. The study examined the influence of environmental variables on species distribution and identified ecologically significant areas (species-rich areas). The results indicated that 94% of the models exhibited excellent predictive performance (AUC >0.9). Habitat types emerged as the most influential environmental variable for 75% of species, while the remaining taxa were primarily affected by soil type, vegetation density, and ocean proximity. Habitat suitability maps revealed distinct habitat preferences among species. The potential species richness map revealed variations within SMNP. Fenced reserves and undisturbed habitats both had a greater composition of highly diverse areas compared to unfenced and disturbed areas, respectively. The substantial proportion of disturbed areas with low species richness further supports the findings from a recent study conducted in the same area, which indicated that habitat disturbance can lead to the loss or decline of reptile populations. Priority for conservation should shift towards less protected areas to better safeguard reptile biodiversity, as most areas needing attention are outside well-protected reserves.

Influence of environmental and biological factors on mercury accumulation in fish from the Atrato River Basin, Colombia

Understanding variations in total mercury (T-Hg) levels in fish is crucial for protecting aquatic biota and human health. This article evaluates the influence of environmental factors (temperature, pH) and biological variables (feeding habits, trophic level, total length, total weight), on T-Hg concentrations in fish from the Atrato River basin, Colombia. Utilizing a robust secondary data set of 842 fish samples from 16 species collected in 2019, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of these influences. We examined differences in T-Hg accumulation rates by habitat type (pelagic, benthopelagic and demersal) and probabilistically classified species based on their feeding habits and trophic levels. Our analysis identified a hierarchy of variables influencing T-Hg levels: feeding habits > total length > estimated total weight > trophic level > water temperature > pH, with temperature being the only predictor exerting a negative influence. Together, these variables accounted for over 60% of the variability in T-Hg accumulation in fish muscle tissue. Furthermore, fish in the Atrato River exhibited differential T-Hg based on habitat type, grouping into three distinct subpopulations stratified by feeding habits and trophic levels. These findings suggest that observed T-Hg accumulation patterns are driven by the functional ecology of the organisms, phenological characteristics, metabolism, contamination patterns, biogeography, land use, and the spatial and chemical configuration of the environmental matrices of the basin. Our results emphasize the importance of understand how biological and environmental factors influence T-Hg concentrations in fish, as these factors vary across aquatic systems. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective biodiversity management strategies. While we used a machine learning approach to identify key predictors of T-Hg accumulation, we also caution against potential biases in modeling T-Hg concentrations for aquatic biota management.

Exploring anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and effects in eagle owl (Bubo bubo) nestlings from a Mediterranean semiarid region

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are widely used for pest control, resulting in their pervasive presence in the environment and posing significant toxicological risks to a range of predatory and scavenging species. Our study mainly aimed to evaluate AR exposure and effects in nestlings of eagle owl (Bubo bubo) from the Region of Murcia (southeastern Spain). We analysed ARs in blood samples (n = 106) using high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole (HPLC-TQ), assessed the influence of potential anthropogenic (presence of livestock farms, landfills and human population density) and environmental (land uses and proximity to watercourses) variables, and measured prothrombin time (PT) and plasma biochemical parameters as biomarkers of effects. Our results showed the presence of AR residues in 91.5% of the nestlings, with 70.8% exhibiting multiple ARs (up to six compounds in a single individual). Second-generation ARs (SGARs) were the most prevalent compounds. The analysis of biochemical parameters indicated that the sampled individuals were in good physiological condition. Although PT was positively correlated with total AR concentration (ΣARs), the relationship was not significant (Rho = 0.04; p = 0.49). Regarding environmental factors, higher ΣARs were associated with the most urbanised study site and the presence of landfills, likely due to the increased availability of rodent prey. The prevalence of two SGARs (brodifacoum and difenacoum) was linked to closer proximity to riverbeds, suggesting a contamination pathway associated with inland aquatic ecosystems, where these AR compounds may concentrate due to water scarcity. This study underscores the widespread exposure of eagle owls to ARs and highlights the importance of effective monitoring and management of these pollutants to protect conservation-concern wildlife in Mediterranean semiarid regions.

Microbial Bioremediation of Petroleum Contaminated Soil: Structural Complexity, Degradation Dynamics and Advanced Remediation Techniques

Soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons poses a significant environmental challenge, necessitating effective remediation strategies to mitigate ecological risks. This review paper systematically examines the current state of knowledge regarding soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, focusing on diverse sources and the extent of contamination. The investigation encompasses a range of hydrocarbon compounds, including aliphatic and aromatic fractions, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the contamination scenarios. A thorough review of bioremediation techniques, which have shown promise and sustainability as methods for cleaning up soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons are also involved in order to solve these issues. Each of the three microbial processes, biodegradation, bioaugmentation, and biostimulation, is covered in detail in the paper, along with the complex mechanics underlying each technique. The report also emphasises new developments in genetics and molecular biology that add to our understanding of the metabolic pathways and microbial interactions involved in hydrocarbon breakdown. The effectiveness of plant-assisted bioremediation coupled with bioaugmentation and stimulation, specifically phytoremediation, is also explored, emphasizing the potential of certain plant species to enhance the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soils through rhizosphere interactions and plant-associated microbial activities. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the influence of environmental variables including soil composition, temperature, and moisture content on the effectiveness of bioremediation techniques, offering valuable perspectives on enhancing remediation efficiency through optimal conditions. The possibility for enhancing conventional bioremediation techniques through the incorporation of cutting-edge technology like nano-remediation is also explored.

Assessing the conservation status of Mediterranean coastal ponds: Checklist, ecological and functional diversity of diatom communities

Coastal ponds are peculiar and threatened habitats, considered biodiversity hotspots. In many ecosystems ponds can be a valuable resource for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity. The Castelporziano Presidential Estate is a Mediterranean protected area hosting numerous ponds which are suffering severe droughts and a general decline in number and hydroperiod length. Hydroperiod changes can be particularly relevant for biodiversity inhabiting ponds, in particular diatom communities. Here, for the first time, we evaluate the conservation status of Mediterranean ponds inside the Castelporziano Reserve. The aims of this research are to i) investigate the influence of environmental variables on diatom communities of ponds; (ii) analyse diatom community structure in function of species richness and competitive interactions; (iii) highlight the potential and effectiveness of diatom ecological guilds in supporting the interpretation of the ecological status of threatened small waterbodies. Overall, 122 diatom taxa in the 29 ponds were described. Nitzschia (18 species) was the most species-rich genus, followed by Gomphonema (14) and Navicula (13). 17 species were included in the Red List of endangered species. Intra-pond distance and anthropogenic impacts didn't influence diatom assemblages. On the contrary, diatom communities were influenced by altitude and the distance from the sea. Furthermore, temporary ponds showed the lowest values for Shannon, evenness and Simpson indexes Considering Beta-diversity, both Bray-Curtis and Jaccard dissimilarity matrices highlighted a large dissimilarity between sampling sites. Inter-variability between sites and intra-variability within the sites resulted both very low. Our results highlight that diatom species are not influenced by hydroperiod length. Moreover, a structured diatom community emerged, where segregation processes predominating over aggregation ones. Finally, the average water quality of the ponds, calculated using the EPI-D index, was described as “good”. This study represents the most complete checklist of diatom communities inside coastal ponds of Castelporziano, providing valuable insights into the effects of natural and anthropogenic influences on ponds conservation and management activities. However, spatial-temporal changes and anthropogenic impacts should be deeply investigated.

Rainfall is associated with divorce in the socially monogamous Seychelles warbler.

Divorce-terminating a pair bond whilst both members are alive-is a mating strategy observed in many socially monogamous species often linked to poor reproductive success. As environmental factors directly affect individual condition and reproductive performance, they can indirectly influence divorce. Given current climate change, understanding how environmental fluctuations affect partnership stability has important implications, including for conservation. Yet, the relationship between the environment and divorce remains largely unstudied. We examined the influence of temporal environmental variability on the prevalence of within- and between-season divorce and the possible underlying mechanisms in a socially monogamous passerine. Analysing 16 years of data from a longitudinal dataset, we investigated the relationship between rainfall and divorce in the Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis). First, we performed climate window analyses to identify the temporal windows of rainfall that best predict reproductive success and divorce. Then, we tested the effects of these temporal windows of rainfall on reproductive success and divorce and the influence of reproductive success on divorce whilst controlling for covariates. Annual divorce rates varied from 1% to 16%. The probability of divorce was significantly associated with the quadratic effect of 7 months of total rainfall before and during the breeding season, with divorce increasing in years with low and high rainfall. This quadratic relationship was driven by a heavy rainfall event in 1997, as excluding 1997 from our analyses left a significant negative linear relationship between rainfall and divorce. Although the same temporal window of rainfall predicting divorce significantly influenced reproductive success, we found no significant correlation between reproductive success and divorce. Our findings suggest that rainfall impacts divorce. Given that this effect is likely not directly mediated by reproductive success, we discuss other possible drivers. Although the 1997 super El Niño event shows how heavy rainfall may affect socially monogamous partnerships, more data are required to estimate the robustness of this effect. By adding to the growing body of literature showing that environmental conditions influence the stability of socially monogamous partnerships, we provide novel insights that may also be important for conservation efforts in times of climate change.

Damage detection for railway bridges using time‐frequency decomposition and conditional generative model

AbstractA novel damage detection model, which utilizes the spatiotemporal characteristics of the acceleration data, is proposed to assess the structural integrity of railway bridges. For this, the measured acceleration data are decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using the sparse random mode decomposition model. The generated IMFs are subsequently integrated into the enhanced time series conditional generative adversarial network model to identify possible damage in bridges across various frequency bands. The influence of environmental and operational variables (EOVs), particularly temperature fluctuations, was also investigated. The proposed model was verified using both numerical and experimental data from a plate girder bridge. Further validation was conducted using the Z24 bridge dataset, and damage cases under the influence of EOVs were successfully predicted. Throughout the validation process, various anomaly metrics were introduced to establish a threshold value, and a covariance‐based time domain metric was proven to be the most effective in our cases.

Index for Assessing the Performance Level of Vehicular Traffic on Urban Streets

Vehicular transportation is one of the most widely used modes in modern cities for reaching key destinations such as workplaces, healthcare facilities, recreational areas, and educational institutions, among others. However, the performance of vehicular traffic on these roads can vary significantly due to the influence of different environmental variables. In the literature, factors such as traffic incidents, weather conditions, road infrastructure, and driving habits, among others, have been identified as impacting vehicular traffic performance. In this context, predictive models have been developed to anticipate congestion at specific points in cities based on statistics, machine learning, simulation, and complex networks. This study proposes a novel index aimed at assessing the level of performance of vehicular traffic on streets based on the relationship among relevant urban environmental variables. This index is generated through Genetic Programming, considering a set of variables related to traffic, incidents, and services. The case study will focus on the streets of the Tlalpan Municipality in Mexico City.

Modeling Ecological Niches And Sustainable Management Of Piper Guineense In Côte d'Ivoire For Conservation And Domestication

Background: Ecosystem degradation due to anthropogenic pressure is a major threat to biodiversity in Côte d'Ivoire. Piper guineense, a medicinal and aromatic plant, is particularly affected by overexploitation in the areas around the Taï and Azagny national parks. This study aims to model the ecological niches conducive to the domestication of P. guineense, to analyze current harvest levels and commercial dynamics. Materials and Method: Data on the presence and exploitation of Piper guineense in Côte d'Ivoire were collected from a literature review. The Maximum Entropy model was used to establish the ecological niche of the species and identify the most influential environmental variables. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in the localities surrounding the Taï and Azagny national parks. Data on local dynamics around the exploitation of Piper guineense were collected. Results: Piper guineense is mainly present in the dense rainforests of southern Côte d'Ivoire, with a marked dependence on minimum and maximum rainfall. Ecological modeling indicates probable areas of presence in the studied parks, with an AUC of 0.822, demonstrating the robustness of the model. Furthermore, ethnobotanical surveys reveal that 55.79% of harvesters around Taï Park and 47.5% around Azagny Park are non-natives, suggesting a strong economic dependence of these populations on this resource. Reported harvests are more abundant around Taï Park (1968 kg) than Azagny (1274 kg). Conclusion: Domestication of P. guineense is proposed as a viable alternative to meet the growing demand, while reducing pressure on natural ecosystems. Conservation efforts will need to include awareness-raising initiatives, harvest quotas, and the introduction of agroforestry practices for sustainable management of this resource

Measuring the Response Diversity of Ecological Communities Experiencing Multifarious Environmental Change.

The diversity in organismal responses to environmental changes (i.e., response diversity) plays a crucial role in shaping community and ecosystem stability. However, existing measures of response diversity only consider a single environmental variable, whereas natural communities are commonly exposed to changes in multiple environmental variables simultaneously. Thus far, no approach exists to integrate multifarious environmental change and the measurement of response diversity. Here, we show how to consider and quantify response diversity in the context of multifarious environmental change, and in doing so introduce a distinction between response diversity to a defined or anticipated environmental change, and the response capacity to any possible set of (defined or undefined) future environmental changes. First, we describe and illustrate the concepts with empirical data. We reveal the role of the trajectory of environmental change in shaping response diversity when multiple environmental variables fluctuate over time. We show that, when the trajectory of the environmental change is undefined (i.e., there is no information or a priori expectation about how an environmental condition will change in future), we can quantify the response capacity of a community to any possible environmental change scenario. That is, we can estimate the capacity of a system to respond under a range of realistic or extreme environmental changes, with utility for predicting future responses to even multifarious environmental change. Finally, we investigate determinants of response diversity within a multifarious environmental change context. We identify factors such as the diversity of species responses to each environmental variable, the relative influence of different environmental variables and temporal means of environmental variable values as important determinants of response diversity. In doing so, we take an important step towards measuring and understanding the insurance capacity of ecological communities exposed to multifarious environmental change.

THE EFFECT OF COMPENSATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AT D’BESTO CHICKEN & BURGER RESTO MARDANI RAYA CENTRAL JAVA

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of compensation and work environment on employee performance at Resto D'Besto Chicken & Burger Mardani Raya Central Jakarta. The research method used in this study uses a quantitative approach. The population is 41 people. The sampling technique uses saturated samples so that the number of samples in this study is 41 respondents. The data analysis technique uses multiple regression. The results of the study show that: (1) There is a positive and significant effect of compensation variables on employee performance at Resto D'Besto Chicken & Burger Mardani Raya Central Jakarta. This is evidenced by the t count> t table value, namely 7.325> 2.024 with a probability value (significance) = 0.000, which is below 0.05. (2) There is a positive and significant effect of work environment variables on employee performance at Resto D'Besto Chicken & Burger Mardani Raya Central Jakarta. This is proven by the value of t count > t table, which is 6.304 > 2.024 with a probability value (significance) = 0.000 which is below 0.05. (3) There is a positive and significant influence of compensation and work environment variables together on employee performance at Resto D'Besto Chicken & Burger Mardani Raya Central Jakarta. This is proven by the value of F count > F table, which is 28.299 > 3.24.

Pengaruh Disiplin Pegawai, Kepemimpinan dan Lingkungan Kerja terhadap Kinerja Pegawai dengan Kepuasan Kerja sebagai Variabel Mediasi pada Kantor Kecamatan Maulafa Kota Kupang

The aim of this research is to determine the influence of leadership, work environment and job satisfaction variables on employee performance at the Maulafa District Office, and the ability of job satisfaction variables to mediate the influence of work discipline, leadership and work environment on the performance of Maulafa District Office employees. The quantitative approach used in this research, while the sample consisted of 37 employees of the Maulafa District Office. Questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then analyzed using the SmartPLS program and descriptive and inferential statistics. The research results show that work discipline, leadership, and work environment have a significant influence on employee job satisfaction. This also shows a significant influence on employee performance, with job satisfaction mediating the influence of leadership and work environment on employee performance compared to job satisfaction mediating the influence of work discipline on employee performance.

Discovery of Chemical Constituents with Anti-Atopic Dermatitis Properties from Aster koraiensis.

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory dermatological disease characterized by persistent scratching and recurrent eczema. Due to the influence of environmental variables on the cause of this disease, there remains an ongoing interest in the development of therapeutic interventions. Previous studies have shown that various plants of the genus Aster and its derived phytochemicals possess efficacy in treating inflammatory-mediated diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Therefore, the present study investigated a potential compound with anti-atopic dermatitis properties derived from Aster koraiensis leaves, specifically targeting HaCaT keratinocyte cells. First, we isolated eleven compounds with three unknown compounds, including two polyacetylenes (1 and 3) and a benzoic acid derivative (4). The chemical structures of the isolates were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, specific rotation, acid hydrolysis, and quantum chemical calculations. Next, we treated an A. koraiensis extract and all isolates to HaCaT keratinocyte, followed by stimulation with TNF-α/IFN-γ. Among bioactive compounds, astersaponin J (7) exhibited a significant reduction in the levels of inflammatory cytokines associated with atopic dermatitis at a concentration of 2.5 μM. These findings suggest that chemicals obtained from an A. koraiensis 95% ethanol extract and derived compounds are potential therapeutics to help reduce the immunological response driven by atopic dermatitis.

Assessing the influence of environmental variables on energy efficiency changes in the provision of drinking water services

Within the context of the water-energy nexus in drinking water provision, it is crucial to evaluate temporal shifts in energy efficiency. Utilizing the Stochastic Nonparametric Envelopment of Data (StoNED) approach, this research estimates longitudinal variations in the energy efficiency of drinking water services integrating multiple environmental variables. The analysis, conducted in England and Wales from 2008 to 2020, indicates that the source and quality of raw water, as well as population density, influenced the energy performance of water utilities. Quantitative findings evidenced marked disparity in energy efficiency among different companies, with an average efficiency of 0.617 and a range from 0.437 to 0.944. The dynamic assessment indicates an average annual enhancement of 1.1% in the sector, predominantly propelled by technical advancements (0.9%) rather than by improvements in efficiency (0.2%). This study emphasizes the critical need for bespoke policies and incentives to boost energy efficiency and support sustainable urban water management.

Prediction and Analysis of the Global Suitable Habitat of the Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Based on the MaxEnt Model.

The Asiatic rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is a destructive invasive species that poses a serious threat to palms, oil palms, and other plants. Defining a suitable area for the distribution of O. rhinoceros is essential for the development of appropriate policies and preventive measures. In this work, the MaxEnt niche model and ArcGIS software were used to predict the potential geographic distribution of O. rhinoceros in the world based on occurrence data and related environmental variables and to speculate on the influence of environmental variables on the distribution of O. rhinoceros. The results showed that the suitable areas of O. rhinoceros beetle were mainly distributed in 30° N-30° S, and the highly suitable areas were concentrated in South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Oceania. The key environmental variables that determine the distribution location of O. rhinoceros are Precipitation of Wettest Month (bio13), Temperature of July (tmin7), Minimum Temperature of November (tmin11), and Precipitation of September (prec9). The prediction results of the MaxEnt model can reflect the global distribution of O. rhinoceros. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of O. rhinoceros and the development of relevant quarantine measures.

Evaluation and Influencing Factors of Regional Environmental Efficiency in China Based on Three-Stage DEA Model

China needs high-quality economic development while environmental problems are intensifying. The deteriorating resource and environmental situation have caused serious hindrances to economic and social development. Therefore, we decided to explore the primary causes of environmental pollution and resource waste and provide efficient solutions for future ecological management and environmental optimization. Our study is based on panel data of inter-provincial regions in China from 2011 to 2020 and uses a three-stage [Formula: see text] model to evaluate the level of environmental efficiency, the trend of change and its variability among regions under the same environment, which accurately and objectively reflects the true level of environmental efficiency of each region in China. The results found that: (1) The adjusted environmental efficiency levels of the inter-provincial regions in China change significantly. (2) Without the influence of external environmental factors and random error factors, the real environmental efficiency among provinces in China is significantly unbalanced. (3) There is a significant influence of external environmental variables on the actual environmental efficiency. Therefore, to further improve the level of environmental efficiency in China, it is imperative to encourage a wider range of market accessibility; optimize the industrial structure; learn from excellent development experiences; reasonably increase capital investment in environmental management; and improve the environmental awareness of enterprises.

Unraveling the influence of environmental variability and cryptic benthic assemblages on reef-scale primary production and calcification

Unraveling the influence of environmental variability and cryptic benthic assemblages on reef-scale primary production and calcification