Natural Recovery Process Research Articles

Non-Invasive Photoacoustic Cerebrovascular Monitoring of Early-Stage Ischemic Strokes In Vivo.

Early-stage stroke monitoring enables timely intervention that is crucial to minimizing neuronal damage and increasing the extent of recovery. By monitoring collateral circulation and neovascularization after ischemic stroke, the natural recovery process can be better understood, optimize further treatment strategies, and improve the prognosis. Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT), a non-invasive imaging modality that captures multiparametric high-resolution images of vessel structures, is well suited for evaluating cerebrovascular structures and their function. Here 3D multiparametric transcranial PACT is implemented to monitor the early stage of a photothrombotic (PT)-stroke model in living rats. New vessels in the PT-induced region are successfully observed using PACT, and these observations are confirmed by histology. Then, using multiparametric PACT, it is found that the SO2 in the ischemic area decreases while the SO2 in newly formed vessels increases, and the SO2 in the PT region also recovers. These findings demonstrate PACT's remarkable ability to image and monitor cerebrovascular morphologic and physiological changes. They highlight the usefulness of whole-brain PACT as a potentially powerful tool for early diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making in treating ischemic stroke.

Exergy efficiency improvement by compression heat recovery for an integrated natural gas liquefaction-CO2 capture-NGL recovery process

For liquefied natual gas production, cryogenic distillation offers lower thermal energy consumption and a more compact footprint for carbon capture unit than the widely used chemical absorption. However, the reduction in thermal energy consumption comes at the cost of increased power consumption. To reduce the power consumption of cryogenic distillation based natural gas lqiuefaction plants, an integrated process for liquefied natual gas production, cryogenic CO2 capture and natural gas liquids recovery is proposed, which is called the base process. This base process is further integrated with a heat recovery unit (Organic Rankine cycle or Kalina cycle) to investigate the optimal utilization of compression heat in the system. The proposed processes are modeled in Aspen HYSYS and optimized using a genetic algorithm installed in Matlab. The results show that specific power consumption of the base case is 0.385 kWh/Nm3 NG. Due to the lack of compression heat recovery, significant exergy loss occurs at the water coolers, accounting for approximately 37 % of the total system exergy destruction. Among the evaluated methods, the supercritical Organic Rankine cycle, using R1234ze as the working fluid, recovers approximately 60 % of the exergy from compression heat with an 8.7 % improvement in system exergy efficiency. The subcritical Organic Rankine cycle, using R600a as the working fluid, achieves a slightly lower exergy efficiency improvement of 7.1 %. The Kalina cycle, while less efficient, still improves the system’s exergy efficiency by 6.3 %. Economic analysis reveals that the total annualized cost of the base process is $8,441,416, with a levelized cost of $0.1411/kg. The subcritical Organic Rankine Cycle provides the most cost-effective solution, with the lowest total annualized cost of $8,305,154 and a levelized cost of $0.1402/kg. The Kalina cycle ranks second in cost-effectiveness, with a total annualized cost of $8,345,914 and a levelized cost of $0.1405/kg NG. Although the supercritical ORC requires the highest capital investment, it proves more cost-effective than the base process due to its reduced annual operating costs.

Assessing the impact of sediment characteristics on vegetation recovery in debris flow fans: A case study of the Ohya Region, Japan

What factors influence natural vegetation recovery in debris flow-prone areas, and how do sediment dynamics play a role? This study investigates these questions in the Ohya debris flow fan, Japan, utilizing various analytical techniques. Through the application of Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification, grain size analysis, accuracy assessment, debris flow analysis, and hotspot analysis, this study assess the distribution of sediments, vegetation classes, and the extent of debris flow events. The findings shed light on the dynamics of vegetation recovery and its relationship with sediment dynamic. The SVM classification outcomes reveal distinct trends in sediment and vegetation distribution along the flow path, particularly noting a significant decrease in vegetation cover from upstream to downstream sections. By employing SVM classification, this study successfully identified 3,282,910 sediment particles and determined their average, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation grain sizes as 7.3 cm, 0.27 cm, 415 cm, and 9.18, respectively. Accuracy assessments of image classification and grain size measurements demonstrate high levels of accuracy, with an overall classification accuracy of 98.82 % and a kappa coefficient of 0.977. Validation of grain size measurements reveals a strong correlation (R2 = 0.997 and y = 1.005× + 0.0661) between field-observed sediment sizes and sizes derived from classified images. Debris flow analysis reveals that the total area affected by debris flow in 2022 was 36,232.7 square meters, decreasing to 14,213.9 square meters in 2023. Hotspot analysis identifies regions of both high and low sediment size concentrations, providing valuable insights into sediment distribution patterns. Examining the natural recovery of vegetation, present study identifies vegetation spots across different study sections. Results show that 55 % of naturally recovering vegetation areas are located in regions unaffected by debris flow events between 2022 and 2023. Among the study sections, the area affected by debris flow in 2023 exhibits the lowest density of vegetation spots. Overall, this study highlights the new generation vegetation recovery and its association with sediment dynamic in the Ohya debris flow fan. The findings contribute valuable insights for understanding natural recovery processes in highly dynamic sedimentation areas, informing the development of effective strategies for ecosystem restoration and management in debris flow-prone regions.

Cryogenic-membrane separation process for helium extraction and ethane co-production from natural gas

In order to address the defects of high energy consumption and low efficiency in the single cryogenic separation process for helium extraction, this paper integrate post-expansion nitrogen cycle refrigeration with membrane separation to establish a novel natural gas cryogenic-membrane helium recovery process. Based on four mainstream processes for ethane recovery from natural gas, an optimal ethane recovery method is selected and incorporated into the proposed cryogenic-membrane helium recovery process. The process is then simulated using ASPEN HYSYS software. The effects of operating parameters on critical equipment energy consumption, helium product concentration and ethane recovery were evaluated. The simulation results indicate that in the proposed helium recovery process, the concentration of refined helium reaches 99.6 %, and the ethane recovery rate is 90.13 %. Compared to the single helium extraction process, the total compressor energy consumption in our process is reduced by 23.10 %, and the integrated energy consumption is reduced by 20.4 %.

Ecological and cenotic features of natural regeneration of forests in the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine

The research relevance of the complex, multi-stage process of natural regeneration of forest communities, as well as interactions and transformations, is determined by the rapidly growing challenges posed by climate change, deforestation and biodiversity loss. The study aims to assess the state and to identify the ecological and coenotic specificity of natural seed regeneration of the leading forest-forming species of the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine. The study was carried out using a set of methods, primarily geobotanical, population and mathematical and statistical. The process of natural recovery was studied in communities that are typical for the region and belong to 42 syntaxa in the rank of associations and 24 syntaxa in the rank of association groups. The study revealed the specifics of such forest-forming species as Pinus sylvestris L., Quercus robur L., Acer platanoides L., Betula pendula Roth., Populus tremula L., and Tilia cordata Mill. The study established that the representation of the undergrowth of the main forest-forming species in the forest plant communities of the Left-Bank Polissya of Ukraine varies quite significantly. The study described the determinants of the species composition of restoration, including the peculiarities of seed (fruit) dispersion and the adaptive potential of plants. The study determined that the condition of the understory and its population density are determined by the level of soil moisture (the highest values of understory density in most species were recorded in forests with soils moistened at the level of fresh and wet hygro-tops), and this process may intensify against the background of climate change. The results of the study can be used to develop effective strategies for forest management, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in the Left Bank Polissia region, which will help improve the environmental situation and create favourable conditions for the restoration of forest ecosystems

Assessing Ecological Restoration in Arid Mining Regions: A Progressive Evaluation System

The mining activities in arid regions have resulted in significant ecological environmental issues, exacerbating the already challenging ecological conditions and leading to severe ecosystem damage. Merely relying on natural recovery processes proves inadequate, thus necessitating the implementation of artificial restoration measures to facilitate ecosystem recovery in these arid mining regions. However, it is difficult to scientifically answer the questions of how artificial restoration can be effectively combined with natural recovery, and to what extent can artificial assistance can define the beginning of natural recovery in ecosystems. To address this issue, this study proposed a stepwise ecological restoration model for arid mining regions. The model delineated the ecological restoration process in arid mining regions into three phases: “artificial reconstruction”, “auxiliary ecological restoration”, and “natural recovery”, and constructed an evaluation index system of the stepwise ecological restoration process. Taking an example of a mining ecological restoration in Aksu, Xinjiang, this study examined the evaluation effects of the stepwise ecological restoration model on ecological restoration projects in arid mining regions. The research showed that adopting the stepwise ecological restoration model in arid mining regions can achieve scientific and moderate artificial restoration, better clarify ecological restoration goals, and facilitate the implementation of ecological restoration projects.

Characterising the distribution of mangroves along the southern coast of Vietnam using multi-spectral indices and a deep learning model

Mangroves are an ecologically and economically valuable ecosystem that provides a range of ecological services, including habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal species, protection of coastlines from erosion and storms, carbon sequestration, and improvement of water quality. Despite their significant ecological role, in many areas, including in Vietnam, large scale losses have occurred, although restoration efforts have been underway. Understanding the scale of the loss and the efficacy of restoration requires high resolution temporal monitoring of mangrove cover on large scales. We have produced a time series of 10-m-resolution mangrove cover maps using the Multispectral Instrument on the Sentinel 2 satellites and with this tool measured the changes in mangrove distribution on the Vietnamese Southern Coast (VSC). We extracted the annual mangrove cover ranging from 2016 to 2023 using a deep learning model with a U-Net architecture based on 17 spectral indices. Additionally, a comparison of misclassification by the model with global products was conducted, indicating that the U-Net architecture demonstrated superior performance when compared to experiments including multispectral bands of Sentinel-2 and time-series of Sentinel-1 data, as shown by the highest performing spectral indices. The generated performance metrics, including overall accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score were above 90 % for entire years. Water indices were investigated as the most important variables for mangrove extraction. Our study revealed some misclassifications by global products such as World Cover and Global Mangrove Watch and highlighted the significance of our study for local analysis. While we did observe a loss of 34,778 ha (42.2 %) of mangrove area in the region, 47,688 ha (57.8 %) of new mangrove area appeared, resulting in a net gain of 12,910 ha (15.65 %) over the eight-year period of the study. The majority of new mangrove areas were concentrated in Ca Mau peninsulas and within estuaries undergoing recovery programs and natural recovery processes. Mangrove loss occurred in regions where industrial development, wind farm projects, reclaimed land, and shrimp pond expansion is occurring. Our study provides a theoretical framework as well as up-to-date data for mapping and monitoring mangrove cover change that can be readily applied at other sites.

Driving Factors Influencing Soil Microbial Community Succession of Coal Mining Subsidence Areas during Natural Recovery in Inner Mongolia Grasslands.

Soil microorganisms significantly influence the energy flow and material cycle of soil ecosystems, making them highly susceptible to environmental changes, such as those induced by mining activities. Studying the succession of soil microbial communities after mining subsidence is crucial for comprehending the significance of soil microbes in the natural recovery process following subsidence. Therefore, the soil properties, vegetation communities, and soil microbial communities of the subsidence area, as well as unexploited areas, were analyzed during the natural restoration process (1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 years). The results demonstrate that mining subsidence has a significant impact on the aboveground vegetation community, soil properties, and microbiological community. Following an extended period of natural recovery, a new stable state has emerged, which differs from that observed in non-subsidence areas. The total nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen amounts may be key factors driving the natural recovery of bacterial communities, and total potassium and available potassium may be key factors driving the natural recovery of fungal communities. The natural recovery mechanism of soil microorganisms was analyzed along with the changes related to vegetation and soil physicochemical properties. The mechanism was explained from three perspectives, namely, plant-led, soil-led, and soil-microbial-led, which could provide a theoretical basis for the natural restoration of grassland ecosystems and provide guidance for the treatment of coal mining subsidence areas.

Gentle Motion, Deep Sleep and Enhanced Rehabilitation: Investigating the Impact of Rocking Movements on Sleep – A Narative Review

Sleep plays a crucial role in physical and mental well-being, being a fundamental component of the body's natural rehabilitation and recovery process. Adequate sleep not only facilitates tissue repair but also enhances cognitive function and mood. For those undergoing physical rehabilitation or recovering from injuries, prioritizing restorative sleep is indispensable, as it accelerates healing processes. Recent studies explore innovative technologies like rocking movements to enhance sleep quality. While anecdotal evidence suggests benefits, scientific literature on rocking movements remains limited. This narrative review examines the impact of rocking movements on sleep quality and memory processes. Studies suggest potential benefits, such as such as a shorter duration of N1, increased spindle density in the N2, and longer time spent in N3, indicating enhanced sleep quality. The potential relevance of these findings lies in advancing non-pharmacological treatments for individuals with insomnia or mood disorders, and they may also have implications for foraging populations dealing with reduced deep sleep and memory impairments. Further research in clinical settings is imperative to explore the impact of sleep quality on rehabilitation training, determining if the positive influences of sleep consolidation translate into substantial clinical outcomes in rehabilitative care.

Attenuation of the contribution of groundwater to a wetland caused by groundwater overexploitation

AbstractThe continuous exploitation of groundwater has made wetland degradation an ecological and geological environmental problem that cannot be ignored and has had impacts on the ecological environment and human production and life. In this study, Modflow was used to simulate the wetland‐aquifer interaction during the multiyear pumping process, establish a quasi‐ideal model of wetlands based on the actual area of the Baiyangdian Basin, simulate the relationship of water quantity change between wetlands and piedmont plain aquifers during groundwater exploitation and its natural recovery process, and quantify the attenuation of the contribution of groundwater to wetlands caused by groundwater overexploitation. Two components of wetland water reduction are explored through the simulation and calculation of wetland‐aquifer interactions under different exploitation conditions. The results show that in the process of groundwater exploitation, the impact of groundwater overexploitation on wetland degradation is mainly divided into two parts: one is the reduced base flow from the piedmont plain to the wetland, and the other is the induced infiltration caused by the reverse recharge of groundwater from the wetland due to the pumping effect. Compared with the wetland water reduction during the pumping process, the process of water recovery during the natural recovery process is much slower, which indicates the residual effect of exploitation will continue for a long time. The findings provide a scientific reference for the management of water resources in wetland areas.

Post Mining Ecosystem Life Of Vertebrate Animals In The Emil Salim Sawahlunto Biodiversity Park.

Emil Salim Sawahlunto Biodiversity Area, formerly a mining site, presents a significant case study concerning ecosystem transformation post-mining activities. Intensive mining activities have deeply impacted the ecology, dramatically altering the landscape and causing serious environmental damage. The decline in biodiversity is a crucial indicator of ecosystem degradation. Biodiversity, encompassing both flora and fauna, plays a central role in the reclamation and restoration processes of former mining lands. Being an integral part of the ecosystem, vertebrates play a vital role in aligning and expediting the natural recovery processes of the environment. This study aims to identify and document the vertebrate species still present in the Emil Salim Sawahlunto Biodiversity Area. The research employs a descriptive qualitative approach involving direct observations, trapping, and using calls to identify vertebrate species within the area. Direct observations revealed a total of 34 vertebrate species, distributed across 5 groups: 19 bird species, 5 reptile species, 6 amphibian species, 2 mammal species, and 2 fish classes. The identified vertebrate species within the area fall under the category of 'Least Concern' (LC) status, indicating a low risk of endangerment and are not protected by Law No. 92 of 2018."

Australia’s Black Summer wildfires recovery: A difference-in-differences analysis using nightlights

This study examines how communities of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, recovered from the extreme wildfire event of 2019–2020 (i.e., the Black Summer fires). Using monthly night-time radiance as an indicator of economic activity in a geographic area (i.e., a mesh block) from January 2017 to June 2021, I conducted a spatio-temporal and socio-economic analysis of economic recovery after the 2019–2020 wildfires using the difference-in-differences method. This is the first study to examine the intersectional role of space with time and socio-economic characteristics for extreme wildfire recovery. The findings reveal that wildfire-affected locations had about 0.038σ and 0.026σ lower night-time radiance in major cities and rural hinterlands (i.e., inner regions), respectively, than the unaffected areas. These numbers translate to approximately 30% reduction in economic activities in both areas. The findings remain consistent when using Facebook’s movement range data. The pace of recovery varied spatially across time and socio-economic groups. In rural hinterlands of NSW, wildfire-affected communities, both poor and non-poor, followed a slower recovery trajectory than wildfire-affected city dwellers. In major cities, the economic recovery of poor communities lagged behind non-poor communities. Accounting for such spatial, temporal and socio-economic heterogeneity in the natural hazard recovery process can support the design of equitable wildfire risk reduction and management strategies and programs. If unaddressed, gaps in wildfire recovery can increase location and economic group specific vulnerabilities to future wildfires. Note that nightlights are not a good proxy for economic activity in heavily forested remote and rural areas; thus limiting the application of the use of high frequency satellite data for wildfire recovery analysis only in major cities and rural hinterlands.

Novel neuromuscular controller application method to improve the balance recovery ability of lower limb exoskeletons

In recent years, several biological frameworks have been proposed to imitate human motion and control lower limb exoskeletons. Compared with position or impedance tracking of defined joint trajectories, this kind of strategy can reproduce human walking dynamics, and tolerate external disturbance. The output of this kind of strategy is anticipatory feedforward torque, which means that the controller needs to have sufficient prior knowledge on neurology. Moreover, lower limb exoskeletons are fundamentally different from humans, which weakens the ability of the controller to resist external internal interference. Thus, pure feedforward control hardly achieves a flexible movement like that of a human. In this study, we propose a feedback control framework based on repetitive learning control (RLC) to enhance the anti-interference capability of a neuromuscular controller. The controller consists of two parts: (1) A data-driven morphed nonlinear phase oscillator is used as a state observer to learn the changing law of an exoskeleton’s posture and center of mass and to construct a stable limit cycle in the state space. (2) A posture and centroid tracker based on RLC is utilized to track the output of oscillators and achieve a natural balance recovery process. Simulation and experimental results show that the integrated control system has a better control effect than the simple biological control method.

Fecal microbiota transplantation affects the recovery of AD-skin lesions and enhances gut microbiota homeostasis.

Accumulating evidence has shown that gut microbiota plays a key role in the progression of atopic dermatitis (AD). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as an effective method to restore gut microbiota homeostasis, has been successfully applied for treating many inflammatory diseases. However, the therapeutic effect of FMT on AD remains unclear. The following study examined the effect and mechanism of FMT on AD-skin lesions in an AD mouse model. In this study, we exposed the shaved back skin of BALB/c mice to calcipotriol (MC903) to induce AD model. Mice were then treated with FMT, which was performed with gut microbiota from healthy mice. The gut microbiota of treated mice was tracked by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Mice skin tissues were examined by histopathology and inflammatory cytokines change in serum by ELISA. FMT had a faster trend on the reversion of the increases in skin epidermal layer thicknesses and suppressed some of the representative inflammatory cytokines. The gut microbial community in the natural recovery process varied significantly in the FMT group at day 7 (ANOSIM P=0.0229, r=0.2593). Notably, FMT had a long-lasting and beneficial impact on the gut microbial compositions of AD mice by increasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and the amount of butyric-producing bacteria (BPB), including Erysipelotrichaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Eubacteriacea. Furthermore, the relative abundances of gut microbiota-mediated functional pathways involved in the cell growth and death, amino acid, energy, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolisms, and immune system increased after FMT treatment. FMT modulated the gut microbiota homeostasis and affected the recovery from AD-related inflammations, suggesting that it could be used as a treatment strategy for AD patients in the clinic.

Differential Modulation of Cerebellar Flocculus Unipolar Brush Cells during Vestibular Compensation.

Vestibular compensation is a natural behavioral recovery process following unilateral vestibular injury. Understanding the mechanism can considerably enhance vestibular disorder therapy and advance the adult central nervous system functional plasticity study after injury. The cerebellum, particularly the flocculonodular lobe, tightly modulates the vestibular nucleus, the center for vestibular compensation; however, it is still unclear if the flocculus on both sides is involved in vestibular compensation. Here we report that the unipolar brush cells (UBCs) in the flocculus are modulated by unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). UBCs are excitatory interneurons targeting granule cells to provide feedforward innervation to the Purkinje cells, the primary output neurons in the cerebellum. According to the upregulated or downregulated response to the mossy fiber glutamatergic input, UBC can be classified into ON and OFF forms of UBCs. Furthermore, we discovered that the expression of marker genes of ON and OFF UBCs, mGluR1α and calretinin, was increased and decreased, respectively, only in ipsilateral flocculus 4-8 h after UL. According to further immunostaining studies, the number of ON and OFF UBCs was not altered during UL, demonstrating that the shift in marker gene expression level in the flocculus was not caused by the transformation of cell types between UBCs and non-UBCs. These findings imply the importance of ipsilateral flocculus UBCs in the acute response of UL, and ON and OFF UBCs may be involved in vestibular compensation in opposite directions.

Determinants of initiation of natural recovery in the case of slot machine abusers

Participating in slot machine games is a growing phenomenon in Romania in the context of the development of this industry. Along with this expansion of participation are the problems associated with the abuse and addiction of these games. This paper explores factors associated with initiating and sustaining the process of natural recovery in the case of this category of addicts. In this context is the present research that aimed to determine the factors that support the motivation for recovery from abusive or addictive gambling in the case of slot machines players. In order to achieve the goals of this research, 21 interviews were conducted with players from the city of Alba Iulia and Sebeş. These interviews allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the motivations and life context of the subjects in which the problem was recognized and the recovery process began. The results obtained in the research showed that the impetus for initiating recovery came according to the results obtained from the participants' need to achieve certain personal goals in life, fulfilling social roles, significant changes in life, and the inconsistency between personal values and excessive gambling.

The Role of Technological Rehabilitation in Patients with Intensive Care Unit Weakness: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Intensive-Care-Unit-Acquired Weakness (ICU-AW) is the most common neuromuscular impairment in critically ill patients and can have a significant impact on long-term disability. Early rehabilitation has been suggested to facilitate the natural recovery process. This is a pilot, randomized, single-blind study that aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intensive combined technological rehabilitation treatment including focal muscle vibration and non-immersive virtual reality for patients with severe acquired brain injury (sABI) and ICU-AW. Twenty-four patients were randomized into the conventional group, which performed only conventional rehabilitation, and the experimental group, which also performed technological treatment. At baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment, assessments of motor function, autonomy, disability and quality of life were conducted. At the end of the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements. However, patients in the experimental group achieved greater improvements in disability (p = 0.001) and quality of life (p = 0.001). The results show that intensive structured rehabilitation is effective in improving the motor function, disability and quality of life of patients with severe acquired brain injury and acquired weakness. The combination of non-immersive virtual reality training and focal muscle vibration can result in a significant improvement in overall disability and quality of life compared with conventional treatment alone.

Response of heterotrophic respiration to vegetation restoration in a karst area of SW China

AbstractThe Grain‐for‐Green Program in China aims to restore sloping karst cropland severely degraded by intensive agriculture to secondary forest. Heterotrophic respiration (Rh) is a major process of carbon release from soils and is associated with the sequestration of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, we still do not have a comprehensive understanding of Rh and what drives it along soil profile horizons during the natural vegetative recovery process in typical karst soils. We investigated the responses of Rh (C release per gram of soil) and specific Rh (C release per gram of SOC) in soil horizons from the soil surface to bedrock at the different vegetation recovery stages in a karst region. Coincident soil microbial properties (e.g., bacterial and fungal abundance, total microbial biomass, potential enzyme activities) and physicochemical properties were quantified. Vegetation restoration after cropland abandonment significantly increased Rh rates due to increased soil nutrients and microbial biomass, bacterial abundances, and hydrolase activities (all, p < 0.05). The rates of Rh enhanced in sloping cropland (SC) from the soil surface to bedrock but reduced in the recovering stages (ASC: abandoned sloping cropland and SF: secondary forest) and primary forest (PF). The specific Rh between SF (1.34 mg CO2‐C g−1 SOC d−1) and PF (1.32 mg CO2‐C g−1 SOC d−1) were not significantly different but both of them were greater than those in SC (0.79 mg CO2‐C g−1 SOC d−1) and ASC (0.8 mg CO2‐C g−1 SOC d−1). Soil physicochemical properties and microbial properties explained approximately 48% and 22% of the variations in Rh along vegetation recovery, respectively. Nitrogen to phosphorus stoichiometry exerted the most direct and positive effects on Rh, suggesting the importance of managing soil nutrient status to regulate carbon decomposition during vegetation recovery in karst soils. The increased microbial biomass was the most important microbial factor regulating Rh in later vegetation recovery phases. Our results provide scientific insight into the impact of vegetation restoration on Rh in degraded ecosystems, which is important for reducing carbon loss in karst soils.

The 2022 Diadema antillarum die-off event: Comparisons with the 1983-1984 mass mortality

The 1983-1984 die-off of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum stands out as a catastrophic marine event because of its detrimental effects on Caribbean coral reefs. Without the grazing activities of this key herbivore, turf and macroalgae became the dominant benthic group, inhibiting coral recruitment and compromising coral reef recovery from other disturbances. In the decades that followed, recovery of D. antillarum populations was slow to non-existent. In late January 2022, a new mass mortality of D. antillarum was first observed in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We documented the spread and extent of this new die-off using an online survey. Infected individuals were closely monitored in the lab to record signs of illness, while a large population on Saba, Dutch Caribbean, was surveyed weekly before and during mortality to determine the lethality of this event. Within four months the die-off was distributed over 1,300 km from north to south and 2,500 km east to west. Whereas the 1983-1984 die-off advanced mostly with the currents, the 2022 event has appeared far more quickly in geographically distant areas. First die-off observations in each jurisdiction were often close to harbor areas, which, together with their rapid appearance, suggests that anthropogenic factors may have contributed to the spread of the causative agent. The signs of illness in sick D. antillarum were very similar to those recorded during the 1983-1984 die-off: lack of tube feet control, slow spine reaction followed by their loss, and necrosis of the epidermis were observed in both lab and wild urchins. Affected populations succumbed fast; within a month of the first signs of illness, a closely monitored population at Saba, Dutch Caribbean, had decreased from 4.05 individuals per m2 to 0.05 individuals per m2. Lethality can therefore be as high as 99%. The full extent of the 2022 D. antillarum die-off event is not currently known. The slower spread in the summer of 2022 might indicate that the die-off is coming to a (temporary) standstill. If this is the case, some populations will remain unaffected and potentially supply larvae to downstream areas and augment natural recovery processes. In addition, several D. antillarum rehabilitation approaches have been developed in the past decade and some are ready for large scale implementation. However, active conservation and restoration should not distract from the primary goal of identifying a cause and, if possible, implementing actions to decrease the likelihood of future D. antillarum die-off events.

Coral-Focused Climate Change Adaptation and Restoration Based on Accelerating Natural Processes: Launching the “Reefs of Hope” Paradigm

The widespread demise of coral reefs due to climate change is now a certainty, and investing in restoration without facing this stark reality risks failure. The 50 Reefs Initiative, the dominant adaptation model for coral reefs is examined, and a new coral-focused paradigm is proposed, based on helping coral reefs adapt to rising temperature, to ensure that as many coral species as possible survive locally over time. With pilot sites established in six Pacific Island nations, genebank nurseries of bleaching resistant corals are secured in cooler waters, to help prevent their demise as heat stress increases. Unbleached corals selected during bleaching events are included. From these nurseries corals are harvested to create nucleation patches of genetically diverse pre-adapted corals, which become reproductively, ecologically and biologically viable at reef scale, spreading out over time. This “Reefs of Hope” paradigm, modelled on tropical forest restoration, creates dense coral patches, using larger transplants or multiple small fragments elevated on structures, forming fish habitat immediately. The fish help increase coral and substratum health, which presumably will enhance natural larval-based recovery processes. We also hypothesize that incoming coral recruits, attracted to the patch, are inoculated by heat adapted algal symbionts, facilitating adaptation of the wider reef. With global emissions out of control, the most we can hope for is to buy precious time for coral reefs by saving coral species and coral diversity that will not likely survive unassisted.