Landscape Components Research Articles

The Evolution and Profitability of China's Futures Markets: A Comprehensive Review

Since its inception in the late 1980s, China's futures market has evolved into a pivotal component of the global financial landscape, serving purposes of price discovery, risk hedging, and trading opportunities across diverse commodities and financial instruments. By the end of 2023, the market boasted 131 listed futures and options products, underlining its growth and international influence. This comprehensive review explores the evolution and profitability of China's futures markets, encompassing historical developments, regulatory frameworks, and empirical insights. Key drivers of market expansion include regulatory reforms, technological advancements, and the market's resilience during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study underscores the market's significant role in global commodities trading, influencing economic policies, and integrating advanced trading technologies. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for policymakers, market participants, and researchers navigating the complexities and opportunities within China's dynamic futures market landscape. This review positions China's futures market as a cornerstone of global financial markets, shaping economic development and market stability in an interconnected world economy.

Spatiotemporal dynamics in the roosting ecology of the green toad: implications for urban planning and nature conservation

Continuously growing urbanisation and the ongoing rebuilding of urban habitats affect amphibians, the most threatened vertebrate groups. Even though the effects of urbanisation are mostly negative, some artificial components of the urban landscape may also display positive relationships with amphibian populations and therefore work in favour of their persistence in cities. Roosts provide protection from predation, desiccation and offer invertebrate prey availability; therefore, roost availability is an essential necessity of amphibian maintenance in urban areas. On the example of the European green toad Bufotes viridis, a typical urban dweller, we investigated roost-type occupancy and their distribution relative to a breeding pond during the active season (from June to October). The analysis was done with regard to the different life stages of individuals from three urban populations. Green toads used fissures situated in various man-made constructions (e.g., buildings, roads, pathways) for roosting cavities, however without any predominant pattern among toad life stages. The local architecture of the study sites mainly determined the type of occupied roosts. In adults and juveniles we recorded a gradually increased roost distance from breeding pond, while subadults were found roosting further from the water during the active season. Management measures aimed at maintaining a favourable state of green toad populations in urban environments should incorporate a complex of actions that consider general as well as the local ecological patterns of particular populations.

Mercury in the landscape components of the Don River Delta

The Don River Delta acts as a protective environmental barrier to the washout of pollutants from adjacent drainage areas. The priority pollutant is mercury, which comes as an industrial, agricultural and domestic wastewater`s part. The mercury concentrations levels in soils were determined by expeditionary and laboratory studies: the indicators ranged from 0,025 to 0,082 μg/g d.m. in the sandy-psammophyte meadow (section №1), in the sandy steppe (section №2) – from 0,012 to 0,022 μg/g d.m., in the true meadow (section №3) – from 0,027 to 0,4 μg/g d.m. and on the landscape with near-water vegetation (section №4) – from 0,035 to 0,565 μg/g d.m. The mercury accumulation in soils according to concentration coefficients is noted in the series «the Near-water landscape(13,5) > the True meadow landscape(5,9) > the Sandy-psammophyte meadow landscape(2,5) > the Sandy steppe landscape(1)». It was found that the soil moisture increased from the section №1 to the section №4 (on average from 18,06 to 35,4%), and the highest total biomass was recorded on the sandy-psammophyte landscape (46,55 t/ha) and the landscape with near-water vegetation (41,85 t/ha).

Sociocultural aspect of landscape components in the conditions of urban environment

Applying the scientific discourse approach, the article examines different aspects of landscape design related issues. We analyze the fundamental principles of landscaping to examine its connections with sociocultural aspect. Terrain, water, and vegetation, as aspects of landscape design and the connections with culture and society are analyzed. Their functional significance uncovered within the framework of sociocultural aspect. Various combinations and relations of the landscape design components are analyzed from the viewpoint of their social and cultural focus. We revealed the sociocultural aspect of landscape components in the conditions of the urban environment. The development of landscape components should be applied using a bionic formative element that includes the sociocultural aspect of the region. The cultural recognizability of scenery components creates a psychologically comfortable environment in the cityscape.

Forest fragments matter: a look into the species richness and diversity patterns of birds in a small, isolated, Protected Landscape in Mindanao Island, Philippines

The establishment of Protected Areas is deemed of critical importance in global conservation initiatives, particularly in biodiverse regions and global biodiversity hotspots, such as the Philippines. However, the crucial role played by smaller Protected Areas in biodiversity conservation is frequently overlooked, making this a particular area of research interest. The Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape (hereinafter – ILPLS) is one of the last remaining karst forests with natural vegetation and refuge for wildlife conservation on the island of Mindanao, the Philippines. However, the landscape component of this Protected Area is very small (ca. 506 000 m2), bisected by a road, and heavily disturbed by illegal logging and frequent tourist visits. From 2014 to 2018, we assessed the community structure and revealed patterns of bird diversity in ILPLS. We recorded a total of 814 individuals of birds from 36 species and nine feeding guilds from a total sampling effort of 558 230.40 mist-net hours in the Protected Areas' two management zones, namely the Special Protection Zone (SPZ) and Tourism Zone (TZ). ILPLS has a high level of endemism at 33% (12 species), including nine Philippine endemics and three Mindanao Island endemics. We also recorded Gorsachius goisagi, a globally threatened species categorised by IUCN as Vulnerable. Species richness was higher in the SPZ than in the TZ (p = 0.012), whereas no significant differences were observed in the Shannon index values (p = 0.101) and mean capture rates (p = 0.378) between the two management zones. Species and feeding guild assemblages did not differ between the two management zones (p = 0.939) but varied between vertical strata (p = 0.001). Here, we show how this small, protected landscape harbours a comparatively diverse bird community, including restricted-range species and species with high conservation priority. This suggests that forest fragments, even of this size, are important habitats for bird conservation efforts and should not be undervalued. We recommend extending such studies to other fragments, especially those that are still not protected, to improve our biodiversity database, further our understanding of biodiversity and fragment dynamics, and make a case for the protection of other forest fragment habitats.

Wooded biocorridors substantially improve soil properties in low-altitude rural benchlands

This study examines soil properties in 30- and 60-year-old agricultural biocorridors and provides a comparative overview with neighbouring farmland. Both mixed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from six farmland/biocorridor study areas to assess a wide spectrum of physical, hydrophysical, chemical and biological soil properties. Biocorridor soils were characterised by higher water retention capacities, porosity, aeration and soil carbon stock, the latter increasing with depth. On the other hand, biocorridor bulk density under forest vegetation cover was lower, indicating progressive soil restoration. Slightly lower soil reactions in biocorridor soils disproved the hypothesis that nutrient-rich soils under biocorridors would form substrates with a high base cation content, leading to soil acidification. Biological activity, expressed through respiration coefficients, was generally low due to unfavourable physical conditions (clayey or silty-clay substrates), with the lowest levels in biocorridors. Nevertheless, biocorridor soil microbiota displayed more effective utilisation of organic matter as a carbon and nitrogen source, with lighter-textured soils tending to show more effective organic matter utilisation after excluding the influence of land use. Our results confirm biocorridors as an important landscape component, contributing to both soil stability and local revitalisation of soil environments and further emphasising their potential as climate-change mitigation tools in their role as carbon sinks.

Effect of Servicescape in Hair Shop on Relationship Persistence Intention

This study investigates the components of the service landscape, the physical environment of a hair shop, to determine whether these components affect relationship continuance intention and to suggest ways to improve the quality of hair shop services and strengthen the competitiveness of customized services. The data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 27.0 program with 541 questionnaires, and all empirical analyses were verified at the 5% significance level. As a result of analyzing whether there are differences in the service landscape according to the usage status of hair shops, the main services received at hair shops showed significant differences in aesthetics and newness, and scalp and hair care was the highest in both factors. When it comes to the reasons for choosing a hair shop, good atmosphere and facilities were higher for aesthetics and newness, and good technology was higher for convenience. The reason for using a hair shop was higher for stress relief than for aesthetics, indicating that consumers are more likely to visit a shop with good facilities and a good atmosphere for scalp and hair health, personal relaxation, and stress relief than for simple hairstyling.

URBAN AND SUBURBAN LAND FRAGMENTATION IN NORTHEASTERN POLAND

The authors prove that relic land fragmentation can be a valuable component of urban and suburban landscape as a remnant of its history and a testimony to the past economic and social phenomena, as shown in the case study of the City of Białystok and the Town of Łapy, located in northeastern Poland. Such relics deserve to be considered in spatial planning, inducing both problems and new opportunities. Accordingly, the relevant discussion focuses on two examples of places where land fragmentation reached unprecedented proportions, especially in the 1920s. The most extreme historic examples are described, such as a farm divided into 1,221 plots in Łapy (52°59´28˝N, 22°53´07˝E), mentioned in 1926. Based on the most recent cadastral maps (2020), the contemporary remnants of extreme land fragmentation in Białystok and its land district (approx. 52°51´00.8˝-53°23´02.4˝N; 22°28´09.1˝-23°56´45.4˝E) are assessed. Distribution of landscapes with prevailing plots narrower than 30 m and with plots narrower than 15 m is mapped. The results of the study are discussed against the background of broader historical and geographic context, in order to evaluate such “fossil landscapes” as a valuable cultural component. Recommendations are also formulated on the protection of relics of land fragmentation. In particular, the structure of their baulks should be locally restored to make highly fragmented arable lands discernible. The results of the study can contribute to discussions on the protection of fragmented land in other countries, especially in Eastern Europe, where the land fragmentation (‘checkerboard’) came into existence and perpetuated as a result of both settlement patterns and subsequent economic and social processes. However, compared to other urban areas, including those in neighboring countries, land fragmentation in Białystok is of a scale unknown elsewhere and deserves special attention from a conservation and heritage perspective.

Ethnographic Observations of the Wartime Everyday Life of the Population of Southern Ukraine: Post-Expedition Reflections

Based on field materials, an attempt has been made to analyze the state of self-awareness among modern residents of the former centre of freedoms of the Zaporizhzhian Army, which included parts of the present-day Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson regions. The transformations taking place in this socio-cultural space and their influence on self-identification processes are traced from an anthropological perspective. Examples of russian imperial attitude towards the cultural landscape of the southern Naddniprianshchyna in different historical periods are provided. Parallels are drawn with the testimonies of the renowned traveller and ethnographer, Alexander Afanasyev-Chuzhbinsky, who, in the mid‑19th century, exploring the region and noted negative trends regarding the economic practices of the new owners of Zaporizhzhia lands. It is argued that a similar destructive impact on nature and culture was the practice of constructing large dams on the Dnipro River during the Soviet period, which generated a distinct conflict between russian imperial and Ukrainian worldviews. Through the prism of the author’s collected testimonies during expeditions to the places of the Cossack Great Meadow visited by A. Afanasyev-Chuzhbinsky, contemporary events during the russian-Ukrainian war are comprehended. The focus is on the issue of the new genocide and ecocide brought by the occupiers to the south of Ukraine as a result of the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station. The study reveals family strategies for preserving cultural memory concerning the former landscape and the role of the Zaporizhzhian Cossacks in modern processes of self-identification, through which not only the indigenous inhabitants but also participants of new waves of migration mentally assimilated the Zaporizhzhia heritage. Consequently, the military component of the cultural landscape of the Southern Naddniprianshchyna under the new conditions of the russian-Ukrainian war is capable of indirectly influencing the Ukrainian society. All of this calls for active protective measures regarding the cultural heritage and further comprehensive organization of scientific research in various fields of natural and socio-humanitarian sciences in order to preserve the values of the region and the development of Ukraine as a whole.

Enhancing Durability of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzer through Incorporation of Gas Recombination Catalyst in Membrane

Hydrogen will become a critical component of the future energy landscape driven primarily by the growing use of renewable energy sources. Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) is a superior technology to facilitate hydrogen production from renewable electricity. However, durability remains a significant challenge for the widespread commercialization of electrolyzers.1 Cross-over of H2 from cathode to anode could lead to explosive mixtures in the anode causing safety concerns during operation. Hydrogen crossover also impacts the durability of the anode catalyst.2 Hydrogen permeation from the cathode to the anode through the membrane reduces the anodic Ir catalyst to a low valence state leading to increased dissolution of the Ir catalyst at a high cell voltage. Utilizing thin membranes (~50µm) can improve the electrolyzer system’s efficiency but also increase the hydrogen permeation, particularly at high pressures.In this study, we present a methodology to incorporate platinum as a gas recombination catalyst (GRC) layer into commercial membranes, significantly reducing hydrogen permeation rates and mitigating anode catalyst degradation. Membranes with GRC can mitigate the degradation of PEMWE, leading to more efficient and durable PEM electrolysis systems for hydrogen production. The methodology developed enables higher control of the GRC layer properties (Pt particle size and location in the membrane). Ex-situ measurement of hydrogen permeation, shown in Figure 1, indicates a significant reduction in the permeation rate for GRC incorporated NR 212. This study presents a systematic electrochemical evaluation of anode degradation in PEMWE with and without GRC in the membrane using accelerated stress tests. The durability of the GRC during long-term operation is also presented. Acknowledgment This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office through the Hydrogen from Next-generation Electrolyzers of Water (H2NEW) consortium.

Advancing sustainable financial management in greening companies through big data technology innovation.

Incorporating sustainability into financial management procedures has emerged as a critical component in the modern business landscape for organizations looking to strengthen their environmental stewardship while guaranteeing financial viability. The study "Advancing Sustainable Financial Management in Greening Companies through Big Data Technology Innovation" explains the crucial role that big data technologies play in empowering businesses to incorporate environmental sustainability into their financial management strategies. The research the strong link between big data analytics and the optimization of sustainable financial management in businesses from year 1990 to 2022. The study's findings show that big data analytics enables firms to make data-driven decisions, significantly increasing the effectiveness of their sustainability activities. With the enormous amounts of data that big data technologies can analyze, businesses can access actionable insights that make it easier to identify and reduce environmental impacts, use resources more efficiently, and streamline supply chains to support sustainability. To emphasizes the businesses can match their financial goals with sustainability objectives through big data technology without sacrificing profitability. Big data analytics may help businesses assess environmental risks and find possibilities for sustainable investment, enabling them to make well-informed financial decisions consistent with their commitment to environmental stewardship. The conclusion emphasizes the businesses to adopt big data technology focusing on long-term financial management strategically. The growing environmental problems that endanger the world's ecosystems underscore even more how crucial it is to include these advancements. Therefore, integrating sustainability into financial management using big data technology is not just a choice but a requirement for businesses to succeed in this century. The study demonstrated that the businesses, decision-makers, and other stakeholders to understand and use big data technologies' potential to advance sustainable financial management and build more resilient and sustainable corporate environments.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the Amazonian savannas of French Guiana with a description of two new species.

Amazonian savannas are among the most noteworthy landscape components of the coastal plain of French Guiana. Although they cover only 0.22% of the territory, they bring together a large part of the animal and plant diversity of this overseas region of France. This article outlines the results of the first study dedicated to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Amazonian savannas. Samplings were conducted in eight independent savannas evenly distributed along a transect of 170 km on the coastal plain of French Guiana. A total of 50 mosquito species were recorded, which is about 20% of the culicid fauna currently known in French Guiana. Among them, Culex (Melanoconion) organaboensis sp. nov. and Cx. (Mel.) zabanicus sp. nov. are newly described based on both morphological features of the male genitalia and a DNA barcode obtained from type specimens. Diagnostic characters to assist their identification are provided and their placement within the infrasubgeneric classification of the subgenus Melanoconion is discussed.

The Evolution of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Materials

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a key component of the future energy landscape. Although there is considerable research on the physical properties and technology of classic oxide materials for electrode and electrolytes in SOFCs, the field is very active as new experimental and theoretical techniques are now available that can improve these systems. In the present review, we consider key systems such as perovskite-related materials, the impact of strain and interfaces and advanced concepts that can improve the properties of SOFC materials. In particular, we consider the oxygen diffusion properties of perovskite-related materials and focus on La2NiO4+δ and the double perovskites such as GdBaCo2O5.5. Then, we review the importance of interfaces and strain as a way to engineer defect processes. Finally, we consider advanced concepts to form designed structures that explore the effect of local high entropy on lattice stabilization.

Информационное обеспечение мониторинга природных экосистем, нарушенных в ходе освоения георесурсов, при экоинвестиционном подходе к их восстановлению

Exploitation of georesources involves the haulage and storage of a large volume of rocks, which has a negative impact on the natural environment, particularly leading to the destruction of phytocenoses – the main component of natural landscapes. The relevance of the problem of preserving a sustainable state of the biosphere continually increases as its productivity declines amidst the growth of georesource production and consumption, highlighting the need for the restoration of natural ecosystems in light of the modern understanding of their role in ensuring sustainable development of civilization. Based on the study of self-organizing nature of soils at the Mining Institute of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a methodology and technology for restoring disrupted natural ecosystems in the exploitation of georesources has been justified and developed in accordance with the principle of their self-organization, through the creation of a biologically active environment. The formation of a biologically active environment through the establishment of seeded cereal phytocenosis without the application of a fertile layer represents an eco-investment approach, aimed at increasing the energy potential of the system-forming biota function to accelerate the restoration process of natural ecosystems. The large areas of disturbed land in the mining industry and the multifactorial impact of industrial enterprises on the natural environment determine the relevance of an integrated assessment of the dynamics of natural ecosystem restoration based on terrestrial and satellite data. The information support for monitoring the restoration of natural ecosystems disrupted by the exploitation of georesources includes data on the stages of biological organization of the rock: the state of disturbed land and the resource potential of their self-restoration, the terrestrial study of organic matter accumulation dynamics, genetic parameters, and functional indicators of developing soils, geobotanical descriptions of the forming phytocenosis in the forest stage of successional seeded cereal phytocenosis without the application of a fertile layer, and morphophysiological characteristics of dominant plants in the surrounding natural environment in the forming phytocenosis. Satellite data characterize the material composition of the rock, the vegetation index, and the moisture stress index of the forming phytocenosis.

Sustainable Approach of Innovative Wind Turbine Maintenance Using Biohydrogen Fuel Produced from Microalgae

This abstract provides an overview of the sustainable approach to innovative wind turbine maintenance using hydrogen fuel. As the world transitions towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, wind power has emerged as a crucial component of the renewable energy landscape. Wind turbines are key assets in generating this clean energy, and their efficient maintenance is paramount to ensure their long-term viability and performance. This abstract highlights the concept of utilizing hydrogen as a sustainable solution for wind turbine maintenance, addressing issues related to energy storage, transportation, and environmental impact. The adoption of hydrogen as a maintenance fuel is explored in the context of its environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, and technical feasibility. The abstract emphasizes the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the sustainability of wind energy systems through innovative hydrogen-based maintenance practices. This research initiative aims to bridge the gap between renewable energy generation and sustainable maintenance methods, offering a promising path towards a cleaner and more eco-friendly future.

ENHANCING THE PERCEPTION OF AN URBAN AREA - A CASE STUDY OF BATALA CITY

The city image defines how people see and recall aspects in urban environments. The most distinguishing components of urban landscape, classified as pathways, nodes, boundaries, districts, and landmarks, form people's mental representations of the city. Because to urbanisation, India's historic cities are in grave danger. The heritage zones are essential components of the city's fabric, contributing to the city's image. Apart from possessing magnificent examples of traditional architecture, these heritage neighbourhoods serve as cultural and social hubs for the city, providing citizens with a sense of worth. The development process over the last few decades has had such an impact on historic towns that evidence of their historic worth is being destroyed forever. This historical zone is plagued by numerous concerns and problems. People come to Batala to enjoy the city's Punjabi culture and traditions. Maximum tourist visit to the city during "BABE DA VIVAH". This cultural zone is a one-of-a-kind place where the ambiance blends both old and modern architecture, and it is a multifunctional area offering a mix of history, educational, entertainment, residential, culinary, and so on. This area has a rich history, as evidenced by the presence of four major ancient monuments: Shamsher Khan Tomb, Jal Mahal, Baring Chaple, and Maharaj Sher Singh Palace. During the British Raj, this region was also frequented by British people. This cultural district has a number of issues, including a lack of a pedestrian area, criminal activity, a change in space use, changes in scale and land use, and so on. Furthermore, Batala city has no space for social interaction or recreation; there is only 0.81% of recreational area in the city, which is almost negligible; thus, there is an urgent need to create one cultural district in the city, which will not only help the city's residents socialise but will also attract tourists, resulting in the preservation of heritage monuments and increased revenue for the city.

THE GEOLOGICAL-GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF WATER SPRINGS FORMATION, THEIR CADASTRE, AND PROSPECTS FOR THEIR CONSERVATION IN THE VOLYN REGION

The presented research aims to explore the potential for preserving and conservation water springs in the Volyn region. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the comprehensive approach developed by the author, encompassing various measures to protect, conserve, and pass down these vital water springs in the Volyn region. The research methods employed include both general scientific approaches and specialized scientific techniques, such as analysis, synthesis, synergistic analysis, data collection through field surveys and descriptions, content analysis, cartography, and physical-geographical zoning. The analysis of existing scientific literature has enabled the formulation of a comprehensive interpretation of the term «water spring» as a landscape component resulting from the intricate interplay of various factors, including hydrological, geomorphological, geological, climatic, and sometimes anthropogenic elements. This interplay shapes the state of surface waters and maintains a close relationship with the hydrogeological environment. The examination of regulatory documents from Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Kazakhstan has revealed some ambiguity concerning the classification of water sources as either surface or underground waters. However, the methods employed to determine water quality and discharge often overlap with those used for surface water bodies. The geological, hydrogeological, hydrological, and meteorological conditions of the Volyn region significantly contribute to the formation of water springs, which are most commonly found in river valleys, streams, and ravines. A substantial portion of these springs are associated with fissure-type waters, originating within karst massifs featuring underground voids interconnected through a network of cracks. Field research conducted by the authors, coupled with information from the Regional Office of Water Resources in the Volyn region, has identified approximately 90 natural water sources within the study area. The majority of these sources are concentrated within the Volyn Polissia boundaries, particularly within the Upper Pripyat and Liuboml-Kovel physiographic districts. Of special significance among these water sources are the sacred or hallowed ones, which fulfill not only a natural role but also serve a social function by meeting the spiritual needs of local residents and pilgrims. An analysis of the Volyn region's natural reserve assets confirms that natural water sources enjoy protection within 22 different objects and territories, including sanctuaries (hydrological, general zoological, and landscape), hydrological nature monuments, a protected tract, and a park-monument of horticultural art. Most frequently, these water bodies are safeguarded as natural hydrological monuments. The paper advocates for the inclusion of landscape-sacred monuments as a distinct category within the legal framework, ensuring the preservation not only of the sacred source itself but also its surrounding environment or landscape. Several water sources in the studied region, particularly the sacred ones, are located in proximity to other objects and territories of the Natural Reserve Fund (NRF). Given their combined natural and social significance, there is a pressing need to incorporate such sources into the existing nature conservation areas within the region. The article delineates key measures for safeguarding, conserving, and passing down water sources in the Volyn region. These measures encompass certification and continuous monitoring of water sources, the adoption of practices that include water sources in the natural reserve fund to expand it, integration into regional and local ecological networks, active involvement in environmental education initiatives, and the dissemination of information about water sources through various means, such as scientific and journalistic publications, including articles, booklets, and brochures. The outcomes of this study, which pertain to enhancing nature protection legislation and expanding the Volyn region's natural reserve fund by incorporating unprotected water springs, can be valuable resources for legislative bodies in Ukraine and local self-government entities within the Volyn region.
 Keywords: water spring, Volyn region, nature reserve fund.

Landscape-ecological carcass model of urban landscape and methods of optimize urban landscapes (on the patterns of Ganja and Mingachevir cities)

State of the problem. The article outlines the natural and anthropogenic foundations of urban landscapes and the organization and modeling of ecological carcasses. Currently, the impact of human activity in the area, on the landscapes, especially on urban landscapes, sometimes leads to the fundamental change and reconstruction of several landscape units or components, the degradation of the sensitive ecosystems of the area, and the creation of completely anthropogenic complexes. Object learning. The main object learning is as follows; study of the differentiation characteristics of the factors influencing the formation of modern geosystems (relief, climate, hydrological and hydrogeological conditions, etc.), researching eco-geographical problems caused by anthropogenic changes, drawing up a map with appropriate content on a large scale, structural and functional characteristics of modern natural geosystems spreading in the research area, exposure to severe anthropogenic influences, study of ecological problems, studying the structural-functional aspects, levels of anthropogenic loading and assimilation, as well as the ecological condition of the modern natural geosystems spreading in the research area, complex study of optimization and large-scale ecological stability, drawing up of ecological potential assessment maps of landscapes. The purpose of this study is the landscape ecological formation of urban landscapes in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the optimization of urban landscapes, the analysis and generalization of urban development processes at the level of urban creation and living environment, and the determination of the main regularities of the formation of this environment, taking into account innovation and traditional processes. Methodology. Ecological analyses were carried out on relevant urban landscapes, and four environmental hazard zones were identified in Ganja, and three in Mingachevir (1: 20000) scale ecological risk maps were drawn up. In the end, the principles of the organization of "ecosystems" based on the optimization of both urban landscapes were analyzed. Research results. The degree of anthropogenic disturbance of the territory was determined, and a map-scheme of the ecogeographic assessment of landscape complexes was drawn up. The study of anthropogenic changes in natural landscapes and the evaluation of the anthropogenic impact in percentage according to digital electronic map fragments was carried out. In the ArcGIS program, the inclination and exposure of slopes in the area, the hypsometry of the relief in the area, the density of roads, the ecogeographical condition of modern urban landscapes, risk zones, and optimization of urban landscapes, etc. maps have been drawn up. The scientific novelty of the research. The importance and functional role of the city as a complex living environment for the country's population is defined. In the process of city planning in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the face of the city, the composition system of urban architecture, innovations, and traditional features are determined. The main city-forming function and role of the river were determined in the studied cities. And the linear features of the development of the cities, and the differences in formation were determined and analyzed. Accordingly, each of the cities has its own unique development models. Environmental problems of cities were investigated and environmental risk and optimization maps were drawn up.

Presence of coronaviruses in the common pipistrelle (P. pipistrellus) and Nathusius´ pipistrelle (P. nathusii) in relation to landscape composition.

Changes in land use can modify habitat and roosting behaviour of bats, and therefore the transmission dynamics of viruses. Within bat roosts the density and contact rate among individuals increase and may facilitate the transmission of bat coronaviruses (CoVs). Landscape components supporting larger bat populations may thus lead to higher CoVs prevalence, as the number of roosts and/or roost size are likely to be higher. Hence, relationships between landscape composition and the presence of CoVs are expected to exist. To increase our understanding of the spread and shedding of coronaviruses in bat populations we studied the relationships between landscape composition and CoVs prevalence in the species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus nathusii. Faecal samples were collected across The Netherlands, and were screened to detect the presence of CoV RNA. Coordinates were recorded for all faecal samples, so that landscape attributes could be quantified. Using a backward selection procedure on the basis of AIC, the landscape variables that best explained the presence of CoVs were selected in the final model. Results suggested that relationships between landscape composition and CoVs were likely associated with optimal foraging opportunities in both species, e.g. nearby water in P. nathusii or in areas with more grassland situated far away from forests for P. pipistrellus. Surprisingly, we found no positive association between built-up cover (where roosts are frequently found) and the presence of bat-CoVs for both species. We also show that samples collected from large bat roosts, such as maternity colonies, substantially increased the probability of finding CoVs in P. pipistrellus. Interestingly, while maternity colonies of P. nathusii are rarely present in The Netherlands, CoVs prevalence was similar in both species, suggesting that other mechanisms besides roost size, participate in the transmission of bat-CoVs. We encourage further studies to quantify bat roosts and colony networks over the different landscape compositions to better understand the ecological mechanisms involved in the transmission of bat-CoVs.

Did COVID-19 Reshape Visitor Preferences in Urban Parks? Investigating Influences on Sentiments in Shanghai, China

Urban parks can be critical components of city landscapes. In the wake of COVID-19, understanding the role of urban parks in helping to elicit positive sentiment and improve the overall well-being of visitors has gained new traction in the literature. This research distinctively investigates whether the COVID-19 pandemic altered preferences regarding urban parks and identifies the key landscape attributes and environmental factors that influenced positive visitor sentiment, thereby addressing a critical gap in understanding the evolving dynamics of urban green spaces in the post-pandemic era. We use a mixed methods approach that includes natural language processing techniques to analyze crowd sourced data across more than 100 urban parks in Shanghai, China. Not surprisingly, our results highlight a post-pandemic rise in preferences for neighborhood parks and features typically associated with neighborhood parks, such as walking accessibility and surrounding residential densities. In addition, we found six park features, the presence of grasslands, water bodies, walking paths, and proximity to shopping facilities, significantly impacted the ways in which people perceived their park experience. These insights can guide urban park planning, design, and management in our evolving post-pandemic landscape to help ensure that urban parks continue to serve as essential urban spaces.