Natural Areas Research Articles

Bluer in the city: urban male lizards exhibit more intense sexual coloration and lower parasite loads than non-urban males.

Urbanization is a global phenomenon that involves the transformation of natural areas into urban spaces, thereby subjecting organisms to new selective pressures including a wide variety of pollutants and changes in intra- and interspecific interactions. Considering that projections indicate that by the year 2050, 65% of the human population will live in urban areas and that urbanization is a phenomenon with an upward pattern, identifying these phenotypic traits is vital to implementing conservation and management plans for urban fauna. The urban environment may exert different selective pressures on sexually selected traits than more pristine environments, a phenomenon which has been well studied in birds but is less understood in other vertebrates such as lizards, although they are common inhabitants of urban environments. Here, we compare sexual coloration, parasite load, and immune response in Sceloporus torquatus lizards in urban and non-urban environments of Central Mexico. Our study shows that sexual coloration is more saturated (bluer) in male lizards from urban environments, while UV chroma was higher in non-urban lizards. The average parasite load is lower in urban lizards than in non-urban lizards, and we found a negative relationship between hemoparasite count and sexual coloration in male lizards from non-urban environments but not in male lizards from urban environments. Additionally, non-urban lizards exhibited a higher immune response. In female lizards, sexual coloration differed significantly between urban and non-urban environments, but parasite load and immune response did not differ. These results may be useful to improve herpetofauna conservation plans in urbanized environments.

Evaluation of Green and Blue Hydrogen Production Potential in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has rich renewable energy resources, specifically wind and solar in addition to geothermal beside massive natural gas reserves. This paper investigates the potential of both green and blue hydrogen production for five selected cities in Saudi Arabia. To accomplish the said objective, a techno-economic model is formulated. Four renewable energy scenarios are evaluated for a total of 1.9 GW installed capacity to reveal the best scenario of Green Hydrogen Production (GHP) in each city. Also, Blue Hydrogen Production (BHP) is investigated for two cases of Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) with different percentages of carbon capture. The two BHP scenarios were compared with a base case scenario of hydrogen production from natural gas without CCS/U (gray hydrogen). The economic analysis for both GHP and BHP is performed by calculating the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) and cash flow. The LCOH for GHP range for all cities ($3.27/kg–$12.17/kg)) with the lowest LCOH is found for NEOM city (50% PV and 50% wind) ($3.27/kg). LCOH for the three SMR cases are $0.534/kg, $0.647/kg, and $0.897/kg for SMR wo CCS/U, SMR 55% CCS/U, and SMR 90% CCS/U respectively.

Assessing the Impact of Ship-Sourced Marine Pollution on Filyos Port

In 2021, Turkiye launched the Filyos Valley Project, a strategic initiative with the potential to serve as both a central hub for the transfer of Central Asian oil to the West and as a logistical bridge between China and Europe. Located near the city of Zonguldak in northern Turkiye, this project encompasses a range of logistical components, including the extensive and high-capacity Filyos Port, which is the third-largest port in the country. The port is situated in close proximity to the Sakarya gas field in the Western Black Sea, Turkiye's largest natural gas production area, and currently serves as a base for natural gas drilling ships and their support vessels. Filyos Port plays a crucial role in Turkiye's energy security due to its strategic location near the Istanbul Strait, a key convergence point for maritime traffic in the Black Sea. However, this proximity also poses a significant risk; pollution from a maritime accident along the approach routes to the Strait could severely disrupt the port's operational capabilities. This study aims to analyze the behavior and spread patterns of ship-sourced oil pollution near Filyos Port and to determine the timeframe within which the port would be exposed to such pollution. This research offers a comprehensive framework for port authorities to develop effective contingency plans, ensuring operational sustainability and enhancing the region’s energy security by mitigating the risks of marine pollution.

Residents’ Perceived Benefits as Determinants of Sustainable Tourism Development

ABSTRACT This study explores how the benefits residents perceive influence their support for tourism and sustainable practices in nature-based tourism. It highlights the importance of community involvement and local support in achieving sustainable tourism. The study uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. The research is conducted in Arribes del Duero Natural Park, a protected natural area spanning Spain and Portugal. Data were collected through an online survey with convenience sampling, resulting in 401 usable questionnaires. The findings demonstrate that community involvement has a positive and significant influence on perceived benefits, support for tourism, and sustainable market-oriented approaches. Perceived benefits also positively and significantly impact support for tourism and sustainable market-oriented approaches. Furthermore, support for tourism is found to have a positive and significant influence on sustainability.

Ramsar wetlands protected by complementary conservation strategies and natural areas in Colombia

Ramsar wetlands protected by complementary conservation strategies and natural areas in Colombia

Intrapopulation germinability may help the Mediterranean plant species Poterium spinosum L. to cope with climate changes and landscape fragmentation.

Poterium spinosum L. is a key plant species forming typical shrub communities, distributed across the Mediterranean eastern coasts. The conservation of P. spinosum is thus of the utmost importance, especially due to the ever-increasing environmental pressures like climate changes and habitat fragmentation. This study, in particular, investigated for the first time the germination variability of P. spinosum at intrapopulation level, by analysing the germination behavior of five different subpopulations growing along the coasts of Sicily. For a more exhaustive picture of the main drivers of biodiversity loss affecting the distributional area of P. spinosum, the trends of climate and land-cover changes were also studied over the periods 1931-2020 and 1958-2018, respectively. The results found significant intrapopulation variability in P. spinosum, whose germination parameters showed that fruits and seeds from distinct subpopulations respond differently to diverse temperatures. Seeds showed generally higher values of final germination percentage (FGP) compared to fruits, and at higher temperatures: the highest FGP in seeds was 70% at 20°C, whereas in fruits was 58.2% at 15°C. The environmental threats showed worrying trends across the study area: during 1931-2020, the average temperature increased by 1.5°C, whereas the average rainfall declined from 710 to 650mm. Similarly, in the period 1958-2018, the analysis of the CORINE land-cover changes showed a highly fragmented agricultural landscape, where natural areas were reduced to 2.5-5.0%. Germination variability at intrapopulation level should be considered as a fundamental adaptation strategy, which can increase the reproductive success of P. spinosum under climate and land-cover changes.

Shifts in Plant Phenology and Its Responses to Climate Warming in Three Temperate Cities of China during 1963–2020

The advance of spring phenology and the delay of autumn phenology caused by global warming have been documented by many studies. However, most research has focused on natural areas, with limited studies conducted on phenological observations in urban environments. Here, we selected the first flowering date (FFD), first leaf date (FLD), and leaf coloring date (LCD) at three sites (Beijing, Harbin, and Mudanjiang) from the China Phenological Observation Network. We analyzed the phenological changes of 84 species between 1963–1991 and 1992–2020 to examine their response to urban warming. We then quantified the correlations and regressions between phenological events and preseason temperature. The results show the following: (1) Among the three sites, the mean FFD and FLD were earliest in Beijing, while the mean LCD occurred earliest in Harbin and latest in Beijing. (2) FFD and FLD exhibited a significant trend towards earlier occurrences at all three sites, while LCD showed a significant delay trend except for the Mudanjiang site. Specifically, at the Beijing, Harbin, and Mudanjiang sites, the mean FFD advanced by 8.32 days, 6.11 days, and 2.60 days in the latter period (p < 0.05), whereas the mean FLD advanced by 11.30 days, 7.21 days, and 5.02 days (p < 0.05), respectively. (3) In Beijing, Harbin, and Mudanjiang, both FFD and FLD were significantly negatively correlated with preseason temperature. However, no consistent relationship was observed between LCD and preseason temperature. These results enhance our understanding of the response of plant phenology to urban warming.

Ecosystem service value and ecological compensation in Qilian Mountain National Park: Implications for ecological conservation strategies

Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) is a critical ecological barrier and water conservation area in northwestern China. Its diverse ecosystems provide significant ecosystem services, yet the valuation of these services and their dynamic responses to land use/cover (LULC) changes and ecological protection measures require detailed investigation. This study employs an improved equivalent factor method, tailored to the specific ecosystem types and LULC patterns of QMNP, to evaluate the ecosystem service value (ESV) across different LULC types. Using an elasticity analysis model, the sensitivity of ESV to LULC changes from 1990 to 2022 was quantitatively assessed. The results indicate that the ESV of QMNP increased from 46.13 billion RMB to 50.97 billion RMB between 1990 and 2022, mostly due to the growth of grassland and forest areas. The primary route for increasing the region’s ESV is the conversion of desert to grassland, and this should be a major area of emphasis for next ecological conservation initiatives. Regulating services form the core of the ESV in QMNP, with climate and hydrological regulation contributing significantly to the overall ESV. Maintaining the stability of forest, wetland, and water body areas is crucial for sustaining the total ESV of QMNP. Through the application of carbon emission coefficients and ESV methods, the average range for long-term ecological compensation standards in QMNP is expected to be between 3.78 billion RMB and 28.28 billion RMB annually. Additionally, we explore the impacts of ongoing ecological protection mechanisms on enhancing ESV. There is a pressing need to formulate integrated policy frameworks that balance ecological conservation with sustainable economic development. The study also highlights the necessity of strengthening the protection and foundational research of grasslands and water bodies to enhance the ESV of QMNP. These insights serve as a foundation for potential planning and management strategies in QMNP, aiming to maintain and enhance its ecosystem functions and services, thereby contributing to broader regional and global ecological stability.

Pest Control and Safety Management Monitoring in Outdoor Plantation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Captured Images

The National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, exhibits and studies Korea’s diverse ecosystems to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation to the general public. The site faces the challenge of preserving the natural environment while ensuring visitor convenience. This requires systematic data collection to quickly detect and respond to threats from pests and natural disasters. In this study, high-resolution orthoimages were acquired to monitor ecological changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. Images were captured through flights monthly from March to July 2024. Digital elevation models and orthoimages were generated to identify dead trees and assess areas of damage caused by heavy rainfall. The study covered an area of 998,655 m2, and the image resolution was 3.6 cm/pixel. The orthophotos were useful in identifying plant pest damage. They also helped evaluate damage caused by rain, showing that the total area of damage was 29,384 m2, mainly due to soil erosion. Furthermore, it is expected that the accumulation of such unmanned remote sensing image data can also be applied to the safety management of various natural conservation areas and public facilities.

Quantifying Post‐Colonial Peat Carbon Loss From a Drained Forested Peatland, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, USA

AbstractPeatland carbon storage is increasingly threatened by the combination of land‐use change and climate variability, though carbon losses from land‐use changes that span centuries are difficult to quantify, particularly in systems where little undisturbed area remains. Here we use a combination of vegetation change, fire history, and calculations of excess ash mass to quantify carbon loss in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GDS NWR), USA, a highly impacted oligotrophic temperate peat swamp. Our results indicate that ditch construction that began in the Colonial Era in the late 1700s and continued into the mid‐20th century across the swamp resulted in shifts from cypress‐tupelo swamps to a combination of maple‐gum and pine pocosin forests, consistent with drying surface conditions. Two large smoldering fires (2008, 2011) that were exacerbated by surface drainage, shifted vegetation from swamp to marsh, consumed peat over 25 km2, and caused losses of 1.05–1.34 Tg C due to peat burning. Across the Refuge as a whole, up to 48.2 Tg C has been lost to peat oxidation since ditch construction. Both stocks and rates of carbon loss remain higher than post‐disturbance accumulation across most of GDS NWR, suggesting that existing efforts to block drainages to elevate water tables may not be enough to offset carbon losses. Rewetting heavily impacted surface peats may reduce peat oxidation and carbon loss, and shift vegetation toward hydrologic conditions preferred by pre‐disturbance cypress‐tupelo swamps.

Concern about climate change in two protected natural areas of Spain: psychological barriers / La preocupación por el cambio climático en dos espacios naturales protegidos de España: barreras psicológicas

Climate change (CC) has been listed as the greatest risk to humanity, and the most appropriate strategies to address the situation depend largely on how the problem is perceived. The purpose of this study is to analyse social perceptions of CC in two natural areas of Spain (Garajonay and Sierra Espuña). Participants ( N = 334) showed high levels of concern and low levels of scepticism about CC. A factorial model was developed to explain the relationships between variables that affect concern about CC: scepticism, technological optimism, negative self-efficacy, political ideology and perceived signs of CC. The SEM model ( R2 = .65; χ2( df) = 223.65 (131); CFI = .968; RMSEA = .057) shows the strategic importance of considering the variables included (such as CC scepticism and technological optimism) so as to better understand the complex phenomenon of concern about CC.

Agricultural management reshaped the diversity patterns and community assembly of rhizosphere bacterial communities in a desert farming system

Desert farming represents human intervention in previously untouched desert landscapes, transforming natural desert areas into managed agricultural farmland. Despite the growing prevalence of desert farming, the effects of agricultural management on soil and microbial dynamics in desert environments are not well understood. This study analyzed rhizosphere bacterial community from crops (corn and wheat) in desert farms and desert plants (Artemisia desertorum) in natural desert environments to explore how bacterial communities respond to agricultural management in desert farming systems. Our results showed that the composition and diversity of rhizosphere bacterial communities were influenced more by the sampling region than by plant type. Bacterial species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and functional traits were significantly affected by moisture and temperature, whereas pH and nitrogen-related factors (total nitrogen, NO3-N, and NH4-N) were stronger correlates of functional differences in the microbial community. We found that the co-occurrence network of bacterial communities exhibited tighter and more positive interactions in natural desert, but was more stable in desert farm. Deterministic processes predominantly governed bacterial community assembly in both desert farms and natural desert, but the importance of stochastic processes increased in desert farms due to reduced environmental stress from agricultural management. These findings provide valuable insights into the impacts of agricultural management on rhizosphere bacterial communities, highlighting the roles of temperature, moisture, and nutrient supply in predicting microbial diversity, function, species interactions, and community assembly. Given the crucial functional roles of rhizosphere microbes, our conclusions can inform desert farm management practices to better manipulate microbial communities for optimized crop production.

Relationships between Tree Species Diversity and Aboveground Biomass Are Mediated by Site-Dependent Factors in Northeastern China Natural Reserves on a Small Spatial Scale

Relationships between Tree Species Diversity and Aboveground Biomass Are Mediated by Site-Dependent Factors in Northeastern China Natural Reserves on a Small Spatial Scale

Transboundary Ecological Network Communities based on natural protected areas: A case study of the Mekong River Basin, Asia

Natural protected areas (NPAs) around the world play a crucial role in preserving Earth's biodiversity. Ecological networks can be used to identify the close connections between NPAs. The Mekong River, one of the most crucial international rivers in Southeast Asia, boasts a temperate climate and abundant water resources, serving as a hotspot for global biodiversity and a densely populated area with a complex macro-ecosystem. This study, based on the characteristics of cross-border ecosystems in the Mekong River Basin, introduces the concept of “Ecological Network Communities” (ENCs) and demonstrates its foundational construction methodology: firstly, the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model is employed to construct ecological networks based on NPAs, followed by applying Clauset-Newman-Moore (CNM) algorithm for community detection within the river basin. The results of the study indicate the presence of deep structures within the ecological networks of the Mekong River Basin and ENCs are observed to exhibit variations over time. The study delves into the complexities of transboundary ecological networks, offering an effective methodology for community detection and uncovering the "Community Merging Effect” observed during the research. It emphasizes the need for constructing ecological networks and community-based management of protected areas, providing new directions for cross-national environmental cooperation and ecosystem management oriented towards complexity.

Potential impact of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire on the marine environment: Modeling the transport of ash-laden benzo[a]pyrene and pentachlorophenol

The Lahaina urban/wildland fire event is considered the deadliest wildfire in the past century of U.S. history. This fire resulted in over 2200 building structures destroyed or damaged, approximately 4000 automobiles were incinerated and between 450 and 878 ha of grassland burned in areas adjoining the town of Lahaina, Maui County, State of Hawaii, U.S.A. One of the most abundant contaminants of both wildland and urban fires is the incomplete combustion product, benzo[a]pyrene. Pentachlorophenol from burned and unburned utility poles/residential burn sites enter into navigable waters, thus posing a serious risk to the water quality of coastal waters. The Risk Quotient Plumes for benzo[a]pyrene and pentachlorophenol, mobilized from Lahaina into coastal waters were calculated based on a hydrodynamic analysis and an integrated ecological risk assessment. This plume was simulated using rainfall events in November 2022 as a proxy for the first major rainfall event expected in Lahaina in 2024. The models indicated that the estimated levels of benzo[a]pyrene and pentachlorophenol posed a risk to near shore habitants within 2 km of Lahaina. The levels of pentachlorophenol were more widespread than benzo[a]pyrene and were predicted to pose a hazard to marine life as far away as Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District and ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve. Fisheries species captured near these areas should be tested for consumption safety.

Navigating Urban Sustainability: Urban Planning and the Predictive Analysis of Busan’s Green Area Dynamics Using the CA-ANN Model

While numerous studies have employed deep learning and high-resolution remote sensing to predict future land use and land cover (LULC) changes, no study has integrated these predictive tools with the current urban planning context to find a potential issues for sustainability. This study addresses this gap by examining the planning context of Busan Metropolitan City (BMC) and analyzing the paradoxical objectives within the city’s 2040 Master Plan and the subordinate 2030 Busan Master Plan for Parks and Greenbelts. Although the plans advocate for increased green areas to enhance urban sustainability and social wellbeing, they simultaneously support policies that may lead to a reduction in these areas due to urban development. Using the CA-ANN model in the MOLUSCE plugin, a deep learning-based LULC change analysis, we forecast further urban expansion and continued shrinkage of natural green areas. During 1980–2010, Busan Metropolitan City (BMC) underwent high-speed urban expansion, wherein the urbanized areas almost doubled and agricultural lands and green areas, including forests and grassland, reduced considerably. Forecasts for the years 2010–2040 show continued further expansion of urban areas at the expense of areas for agriculture and green areas, including forest and grasslands. Given the master plans, these highlight a critical tension between urban growth and sustainability. Despite the push for more green spaces, the replacement of natural landscapes with artificial parks and green areas may threaten long-term sustainability. In view of these apparently conflicting goals, the urban planning framework for BMC would have to take up increasingly stronger conservation policies and adaptive planning practices that consider environmental preservation on a par with economic development in the light of the planning context and trajectory of urbanization.

Mesocarnivores in residential yards: influence of yard features on the occupancy, relative abundance, and overlap of coyotes, grey fox, and red fox

Context As conversion of natural areas to human development continues, there is a lack of information about how developed areas can sustainably support wildlife. While large predators are often extirpated from areas of human development, some medium-bodied mammalian predators (hereafter, mesocarnivores) have adapted to co-exist in human-dominated areas. Aims How human-dominated areas such as residential yards are used by mesocarnivores is not well understood. Our study aimed to identify yard and landscape features that influence occupancy, relative abundance and spatial-temporal overlap of three widespread mesocarnivores, namely, coyote (Canis latrans), grey fox (Urocyon cineroargenteus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Methods Over the summers of 2021 and 2022, we deployed camera-traps in 46 and 96 residential yards, spanning from low-density rural areas (<1 home per km2) to more urban areas (589 homes per km2) in north-western Arkansas, USA. Key results We found that mesocarnivore occupancy was marginally influenced by yard-level features as opposed to landscape composition. Fences reduced the occupancy probability of coyotes, although they were positively associated with the total area of potential shelter sites in a yard. We found that relative abundance of grey fox was highest in yards with poultry, highlighting a likely source of conflict with homeowners. We found that all three species were primarily nocturnal and activity overlap between the species pairs was high. Conclusions Thus, these species may be using spatio-temporal partitioning to avoid antagonistic encounters and our data supported this, with few examples of species occurring in the same yards during the same 24-h period. Implications As the number of residential yards continues to grow, our results suggested that there are ways in which our yards can provide resources to mesocarnivores and that homeowners also have agency to mitigate overlap with mesocarnivores through management of their yard features.

Climbing route development affects cliff vascular plants more than subsequent climbing: A guide to evidence‐based conservation management to regulate climbing

Abstract Cliff ecosystems provide refuge to 35%–66% of the world's endemic plants. However, they face growing threats from sport climbing. Evidence suggests that unclimbed cliffs harbour approximately twice the plant richness compared with climbed cliffs, with increasing impact as climbing intensity increases. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether the climbing impact on cliff vegetation originates from the development (opening) of climbing routes or from temporal changes resulting from subsequent climbing. We recorded cliff vascular plants and lichens at the protected natural area of El Potrero Chico (Mexico) before and after the development of new climbing routes. Subsequently, we re‐recorded the routes at sequential timepoints after 10, 20, and 30 ascents. Additionally, we examined whether the abundance of cliff vegetation influences the extent of climbing impact and whether the surroundings of the routes were also affected. We found that the opening of climbing routes exerted the strongest negative effects on cliff plants, reducing species richness by 38%, while subsequent ascents generated a minimal impact. Worryingly, route opening affected not only species richness in the route itself but also the surroundings of the routes. After 30 ascents, cliff plant abundance decreased by 60.6% within the bolted routes, whereas it decreased by 42.3% in the surroundings. However, this impact depended on the original cliff vegetation abundance. Lichen cover showed a gradual decrease, indicating that cliff‐dwelling lichens are affected not only by the opening of the route but also by subsequent ascents. Synthesis and applications: Given the almost non‐existent regulation of outdoor climbing activities in most countries, we urge the implementation of a conservation management protocol that defines clear strategies to regulate climbing activities and preserve pristine cliffs. On yet unclimbed cliffs with narrow endemic, rare, or threatened species, we propose banning the establishment of new climbing areas. On climbed cliffs lacking protected species, dynamic management actions should be implemented, such as setting a maximum number of routes that can be established and defining limits of acceptable change as climbing intensity increases. The proposed conservation management should help to halt the loss of unique cliff biodiversity and safeguard pristine cliff ecosystems.

Use of Natural Areas among Latinxs Living in South Carolina

The Latinx population in the United States (US) is growing. While Latinxs have historically been present in US cities and southwestern states, there is a notable surge in migration to new destination states, including South Carolina (SC). As the Latinx population grows and extends to new geographies, there is a need to examine the evolution of Latinxs’ outdoor recreation patterns. Exploring their changing preferences regarding public spaces can inform park management planning and policy. This study examines outdoor recreation use among SC-based Latinxs, exploring three central questions: 1. What are the outdoor recreation preferences among Latinxs living in SC? 2. What constraints do Latinxs face while engaging in outdoor recreation? 3. What are Latinxs’ primary motivations in visiting natural areas? This study employs a convergent parallel mixed method design. The quantitative phase consists of a cross-sectional sampling approach via online surveys, while the qualitative phase utilizes focus groups. Analyses of survey results include descrip-tive statistics and ANOVA and Chi-square tests for select variables. Qualitative analyses are based on a priori open coding with thematic development. Quantitative and qualitative data were first examined separately and later compared. Results suggest that walking/hiking is the primary outdoor recreation activity in which Latinxs engage. Focus-group participants also mentioned a variety of land- and water-based outdoor recreation activities. The most prevalent motivations for recreation experiences included relaxation, escape, and improved health. The top five factors preventing survey respondents from visiting natural areas were tiredness after work, insufficient time off work, insufficient time and money to visit natural areas, and proximity to natural areas. Focus group participants also reported various constraints hindering their visits to natural areas, including time, cost, safety, inadequate on-site amenities, weather, and Latinx-specific constraints. The findings indicate that natural resource agencies wanting to improve Latinx outdoor recreation experiences should have bilingual front-line staff and provide communicative media, such as website information or on-site signage, in Spanish. Our findings also underscore the importance of Latinx-focused social media groups as useful tools for disseminating information.

Long cycle life Zn-I2 batteries: Utilizing Co/N Co-doped carbon matrix derived from zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 as a bifunctional iodine host

Zinc-iodine batteries (ZIBs) emerge as a clean energy transfer device with very excellent application prospects due to its abundant natural reserves, environmental friendliness, low cost, and good safety. However, the severe shuttle effect of soluble polyiodide in aqueous medium and the sluggish reaction kinetics of iodine substances restrict the application potential of ZIBs. Herein, we report a promising iodine host material for ZIBs by deriving from zeolite imidazole framework-67 (ZIF-67) with co-doping of cobalt and nitrogen. The synergistic effect of porous carbon and cobalt and nitrogen co-doping is revealed by employing in-situ Raman spectroscopy and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. It is found that the outstanding electrochemical behavior could be attributed to the efficient adsorption for polyiodide and catalyzing the conversion reaction between iodine substances, inhibiting the shuttle effect of polyiodide, and ensuring cycling stability. Consequently, the resultant ZIBs possess a high specific capacity of 152.4 mAh g−1 at rate of 5 C (1 C = 211 mA g−1), and long cycle stability of 24,000 cycles with more than 80 % capacity retention. This work provides a feasible and efficient strategy to realize high-performance ZIBs.