Natural Vegetation Cover Research Articles

Patterns of natural vegetation removal in the Caatinga biome in Prodes Project scope

Abstract. The native vegetation removal (NVR) of Caatinga Brazilian biome has been mapped by Prodes Project coordinated by National Institute for Spatial Research (INPE) between 2000 to 2023 year. Prodes is considered an official government product for achieving Brazilian and international targets for the conservation of natural vegetation. Therefore, Prodes is committed to achieving the highest possible accuracy associated with the history of mapping already carried out, by visual interpretation of satellite images and the use of past mapping masks techniques. Mapping NVR in Caatinga biome is a major challenge compared to biomes where the tree canopy with native vegetation prevails. Caatinga is one of the least protected of Brazilian biomes and is in one of the most pressured semi-arid regions on the planet. This work aims to present the NVR in Caatinga biome from Prodes data, in terms of its trajectory and main geographical patterns, concerning the municipalities, and areas that are the focus of monitoring, conservation or restoration. According to Prodes results, by 2023, the cumulative NVR in the entire Caatinga reached 43,05%; in 2000, this figure was 29,54%. The major NVR occurred in the easternmost areas of Caatinga and regions of Serrinha and Feira de Santana in Bahia State. Also, there are areas with considerable NVR further inside the biome, such as, Irecê and Guanambi region in Bahia, west of Pernambuco and Paraíba States and South and North of Ceará State. Areas prioritized for conservation actions showed high NVR values, indicating the urgent need for implementation of such actions. The fact that Desertification Cores showed low NVR values is important, and these regions should be closely monitored to prevent uncontrolled NVR rates. The two regions with high anthropic pressure or speculation showed contrasting behaviors; while the Araripe Gypsum Pole exhibited higher NVR levels compared to the control area, the São Francisco River integration project (PISF) so far does not appear significantly different from the rest of the biome. Overall, this study clearly demonstrates the potential of monitoring the Caatinga through Prodes in understanding and integrating the various factors influencing changes in the biome's native vegetation cover. Future approaches should move beyond descriptive studies to increasingly contribute to the territorial management of this important Brazilian region.

Understanding post‐fire vegetation recovery in southern California ecosystems with the aid of pre‐fire observations from long‐term monitoring

AbstractAimsPost‐fire vegetation recovery is often determined by the similarity of post‐burn with unburned sites because of a lack of in situ information on pre‐fire communities. The inclusion of pre‐fire data can help account for pre‐existing differences and explore recovery also in terms of return to pre‐fire conditions. We used long‐term monitoring data in coastal sage scrub and grasslands to: (a) examine vegetation cover recovery of different functional groups; and (b) determine whether vegetation composition in burned areas has recovered in 4 years after fire with burned to unburned and pre‐ to post‐fire comparisons.LocationOrange County, California, USA.MethodsWe analyzed long‐term vegetation monitoring (2007–2021) data from 39 grassland and 58 coastal sage scrub transects in southern California, including observations before and after the 2017 Canyon 2 fire. Linear mixed‐effect models were used to determine whether forb, grass, and shrub covers differed between burned and unburned sites while considering the effects of year and repeated monitoring. We used canonical analysis of principal coordinates to analyze vegetation composition based on burn status and time of sampling.ResultsWhereas vegetation cover in grassland recovered quickly, native vegetation cover in burned coastal sage scrub remained lowered 4 years after fire, though forb and non‐native grass cover were higher in some post‐fire years. Community composition in burned coastal sage scrub was still in recovery 4 years after fire when compared with unburned or pre‐fire composition. Although burned and unburned grassland differed after fire in dominant grass species, inclusion of pre‐fire data showed that this was a pre‐existing difference.ConclusionsCoastal sage scrub had not recovered pre‐fire vegetation cover and composition by 4 years after fire, whereas grassland cover rebounded quickly, albeit with shifts in composition over time; patterns that were detected only by having pre‐ and post‐fire data from long‐term monitoring efforts.

Casting light out of shadows: Assessing the coverage of data on endemic firefly distribution in the Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic Forest holds the greatest diversity of fireflies on Earth. Although the knowledge about lampyrids in the Atlantic Forest has increased in the last 10 years thanks to the efforts of new taxonomists and ecologists, both the total number of species and their geographic ranges remain largely unknown. Furthermore, the Atlantic Forest has been facing intense deforestation since the XV century, and now only 23 % of the natural vegetation cover remains, resulting in high vulnerability of its endemic species. Here, we assess the quality and coverage of the information available on the distribution of Lampyridae fireflies; i.e. the extent of the so-called Wallacean shortfall. To do this, we used a database that comprises 3010 records with geospatial and taxonomic information to evaluate the overall coverage of the geographical and environmental distribution of fireflies in the Atlantic Forest. Our assessment shows that the knowledge of Atlantic Forest's firefly diversity and distribution presents significant spatial and climatic biases. Firefly species remain largely under-collected in the Atlantic Forest; only around 16 % of its grid cells at a 50 km scale are well-sampled, and most of them are located in the Serra do Mar bioregion. The location of well-sampled cells is conditioned by recorders’ survey bias and is particularly biased towards protected areas, large forest remnants, the proximity to institutions holding entomological collections, and light-polluted sites surrounding urban spaces. Our findings also highlight that a considerable number of firefly species may remain undiscovered, which adds to the lack of reliable information on the geographic location of many valid species. Based on this assessment, we further point to areas where more sampling effort would provide maximum benefits in terms of geographical and environmental coverage, thus maximizing its value for biodiversity knowledge and conservation.

Time series land use/land cover mapping and change detection to support policies on sustainable environmental and economic management

The upper Tekeze River Basin is facing challenges of widespread deforestation and natural vegetation cover degradation that could exacerbate the water scarcity, food insecurity and extreme poverty in the region. Using remote sensing and GIS, this study quantified the land use land cover change trend in the last three decades and analyzed the current land use / cover statues in the basin. A hybrid classification technique is applied to obtain better classification accuracy. Moreover, for automated cloud and cloud shadow detection the newly developed Mountainous Fmask is used. Using post classification change detection technique, seven major land use/cover classes were identified. These classes remained the dominant classes during the study period, showing marked changes in the area coverage within them. Based on the error matrix statistical indices, the classification accuracies of each class are found to be strong. The overall accuracy and the kappa coefficient for the 2021 map are 91% and 89%, respectively. The techniques used have contributed to improving the accuracy of the classification process and helped the classified images to practically match the ground truths. The analysis revealed settlement expansion by 570.31% in parallel with the expansion of farmland by 52.32% during the period 1991–2021. In contrast, the forestland decreased significantly, by 75.55%. The environmental degradation and unplanned use of land resources could have contributed to why the upper Tekeze basin is experiencing worsening poverty, water scarcity and food insecurity. Thus, land use/cover time series modeling is essential for various purposes, including land use planning and, managing natural resources. In this regards this study provides basic information for implementing sustainable environmental conservation strategies in the area. Furthermore, the applied methodologies may have practical applications in other similar areas.

Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) diversity and arbovirus detection across an urban and agricultural landscape

Fragmented landscapes in Mexico, characterized by a mix of agricultural, urban, and native vegetation cover, presents unique ecological characteristics that shape the mosquito community composition and mosquito-borne diseases. The extent to which landscape influences mosquito populations and mosquito-borne diseases is still poorly understood. This work assessed the effect of landscape metrics -agriculture, urban, and native vegetation cover- on mosquito diversity and arbovirus presence in fragmented tropical deciduous forests in Central Mexico during 2021. Among the 21 mosquito species across six genera we identified, Culex quinquefasciatus was the most prevalent species, followed by Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. epactius. Notably, areas with denser native vegetation cover displayed higher mosquito species richness, which could have an impact on phenomena such as the dilution effect. Zika and dengue virus were detected in 85% of captured species, with first reports of DENV in several Aedes species and ZIKV in multiple Aedes and Culex species. These findings underscore the necessity of expanding arbovirus surveillance beyond Ae. aegypti and advocate for a deeper understanding of vector ecology in fragmented landscapes to adequately address public health strategies.

Modelling pollination maps in agroecosystems of a Chilean biodiversity hotspot

ABSTRACT Wild pollinators play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and sustaining agricultural productivity. However, their survival is at risk due to habitat loss and land use changes, exacerbating the ongoing biodiversity crisis, and jeopardising global food security. We assessed the contribution of native vegetation cover to pollination and avocado crop yield by modelling the abundance of native bees and the pollination services they provide in agroecosystems of the Aconcagua River basin in Central Chile. This region stands as a critical biodiversity hotspot, currently confronted with the challenge of land use change, especially due to the expansion of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) monocultures. Our findings revealed a clear relationship between native bee abundance, pollination services, and avocado yield as a function of natural vegetation cover surrounding the crops. Areas with a higher proportion of native vegetation exhibited the most abundant supply of pollination services, while within avocado crops show lower levels of pollination support. A spatial mismatch between supply and demand for pollination revealed by our results indicates that agricultural expansion threatens native pollinators and agricultural yield production in this region. The development of pollination maps has been proposed as a strategic tool to guide land-use planning decisions within agricultural landscapes. Prioritizing the conservation of native vegetation or adopting biodiversity-friendly practices can help mitigate the effects of agricultural expansion on wild pollinators. These strategies are vital for safeguarding biodiversity, ensuring food security, and mitigating the far-reaching impacts of the current biodiversity crisis.

SYNTAXONOMICAL COMPOSITION AND COENOTIC STRUCTURE OF THE RIPARIAN-AQUATIC VEGETATION IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER BODIES OF POLTAVA CITY

The article deals with the results of studying the syntaxonomical composition and structure of the communities of riparian-aquatic vegetation in different types of water bodies of the city of Poltava (artificial and natural reservoirs, the urban section of the middle River Vorskla), where, according to the ecological and floristic classification, 16 associations (including 2 variants) of six alliances and four orders of the class PHRAGMITO-MAGNOCARICETEA were identified. Of these, only two associations (Phragmitetum communis and Typhetum latifoliae) are the most typical in urban hydroecotopes.The studied plant associations are characterized by a low species richness, the absolute majority of them represents a simplified version of the original natural associations. Relatively higher species richness of some associations is due to the participation of species of hygro-mesophilic forbs, primarily elements of the synanthropic floral complex, which is associated with a significant disturbance of the natural vegetation cover in the urban area. The nature of the development of the described riparian-aquatic plant communities and the peculiarities of their floristic composition reflect the tendency to shallowing and waterlogging of urban hydroecotopes.In the rank of associations there are 14 communities in urban lentic water bodies and 8 communities on the urban section of the middle river. Most of the identified associations (8) are confined exclusively to urban reservoirs, while only 2 associations are specific to the urban section of the river. Of those 6 associations found both in urban reservoirs and in the middle river’s urban section, the river coenoses are more diverse and better developed.In the conditions of an urbanized environment, the middle river ecosystems show a higher resistance to anthropogenic influence compared to ecosystems of artificial urban water bodies, which is evidenced, in particular, by a more complex coenotic structure of common associations.

Estimating thresholds of natural vegetation for the protection of water quality in South African catchments

Many of South Africa's current water quality problems have been attributed to diffuse pollution derived from poorly regulated land use/land cover (LULC) transformations. To mitigate these impacts, the preservation of an adequate amount of natural vegetation within catchment areas is an important management strategy. However, it is not clear how much natural vegetation cover is required to provide adequate levels of protection, nor at which scale(s) this strategy would be most effective. To investigate the possibility of estimating minimum thresholds of natural vegetation required to protect water resources, regression analysis was used to model relationships between water quality (measured using Nemerow's Pollution Index) and metrics of natural vegetation at multiple scales across a sample of sub-catchments located along the western, southern, and south-eastern coast of South Africa. With conspicuous outliers removed, the models were able to explain up to 82 % of the variability in the relationship between land use and water quality. Moreover, a statistically significant, nonlinear, and inverse relationship was found between proportions of natural vegetation cover and pollution levels. This relationship was strongest when measured (1) across the whole catchment and (2) within a 200 m riparian buffer zone. The models further indicated that approximately 80 to 90 % natural vegetation cover was necessary at these scales to maintain water quality at ecologically acceptable levels. Additional nonlinear thresholds estimated using breakpoint analysis suggested that if proportions of natural vegetation fall below 45 % (across the whole catchment) and 60 % (within a 200 m riparian buffer zone) a dramatic increase in pollution levels can be expected. The estimated thresholds are recommended as guidelines that can be used to inform integrated land and water resources management strategies aimed at protecting water quality in the study area. Likewise, the methods described are recommended for the estimation of similar thresholds in other regions.

Validation of Gross Primary Production Estimated by Remote Sensing for the Ecosystems of Doñana National Park through Improvements in Light Use Efficiency Estimation

Doñana National Park is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, where water scarcity is recurrent, together with a high heterogeneity in species and ecosystems. Monitoring carbon assimilation is essential to improve knowledge of global change in natural vegetation cover. In this work, a light use efficiency (LUE) model was applied to estimate gross primary production (GPP) in two ecosystems of Doñana, xeric shrub (drought resistant) and seasonal marsh (with grasslands dependent on water hydroperiod) and validated with in situ data from eddy covariance (EC) towers installed in both ecosystems. The model was applied in two ways: (1) using the fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) from Sentinel-2 and meteorological data from reanalysis (ERA5), and (2) using Sentinel-2 FAPAR, reanalysis solar radiation (ERA5) and the Sentinel-2 land surface water index (LSWI). In both cases and for both ecosystems, the error values are acceptable (below 1 gC/m2) and in both ecosystems the model using the LSWI gave better results (R2 of 0.8 in marshes and 0.51 in xeric shrubs). The results also show a greater influence of the water status of the system than of the meteorological variables in this area.

Exploring the influence of vegetated mid-channel bar on flow and turbulence in bifurcated channels: An experimental approach

The evolution of fluvial systems is greatly impacted by mid-channel bars, a typical morphodynamic process in natural rivers. Sometimes, the growth of vegetation over these bars complicates the morphological behaviour by interacting with the flow. It is therefore necessary to have a fundamental interpretation of the flow-turbulence structure around the mid-bar in presence of vegetation cover in order to understand braiding dynamics, still studies in this area are scarce. The present study investigates the process-form-vegetation-interaction through experimental investigation at a flume scale mid-channel bar model with different natural vegetation cover arrangements (paddy, leafy, and rigid stem). The flow-turbulence behaviour has been observed through the bifurcated channel using the three-dimensional Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). Results showed that the longitudinal velocity component varies with the different vegetation cover, and it was highest with leafy vegetation (about 32%). Similarly, the Reynolds Stress and Turbulence Intensity were also observed to be higher in case of leafy vegetation. A unique pattern of flow-turbulence parameters was observed near the bar level, the lower canopy level, and the upper canopy level. Moreover, it was found that vegetation structure and its flexible nature influence both longitudinal velocity reduction and momentum transfer at and over the canopy, as well as the thickness of the shear layer region.

Sustainable use of composted sewage sludge: Metal(loid) leaching behaviour and material suitability for application on degraded soils

Composted sewage sludge was investigated as a promising material for the reclamation or remediation of degraded sites. Using sewage sludge as soil amendment provides environmental benefits and risks while supporting circularity and waste minimisation. This study aims to comprehensively assess the suitability of locally available low-cost sludge treatment for sustainable and environmentally safe topsoil disposal in a brownfield area affected by coal mining. A nine-month composting was conducted before field application to the soil environment. The objectives were to assess: (i) composting time-dependent and pH-dependent metal(loid) leachability from composted sludges, (ii) the effect of sludges on metal(loid) leachability from soil over the first six months, and (iii) metal(loid) plant uptake during the first vegetation season as well as the bioaccumulation and translocation factors. The set of standardised leaching experiments confirmed the positive effect of compost maturity, i.e. despite some fluctuations over time, metal(loid) availability from the final composts was very low. Some metals showed unusual pH-dependent behaviour with the highest leachability at pH 8 due to excessive release of dissolved organic matter from the not-yet-stabilised matrix. Ecotoxicity testing confirmed the safety of the final composts for further soil application. The sludge-amended plots displayed similar metal(loid) leaching and pH evolution in time compared to the control biomass-amended plot. However, plant species (Artemisia vulgaris L.) that formed the natural vegetation cover of the experimental plots showed cumulative metal(loid) uptake. Cadmium and zinc were identified as the critical metals possibly related to the applied sludges, yielding high bioaccumulation and translocation factors. Yet, the quality of the compost feedstock, heterogeneity, and background values of the brownfield site need to be considered. Nevertheless, soil respiration indicated no adverse effects on soil health six months after sludge application. Overall, the composted material demonstrated potential suitability for remediation application in the studied area.

Vegetation diversity and structure influence small‐mammal communities in native and restored northern mixed grasslands

AbstractCurrent grassland restoration strategies aim to recreate grassland vegetation communities, and often rely on high‐diversity native seeding to promote vegetation diversity. Questions remain concerning the influence of vegetation richness and diversity on grassland fauna. Small‐mammal communities are integral parts of grassland ecosystems, but their responses to restoration are often mixed or overlooked. During July 2014 to 2016, we used Sherman live traps to survey grassland small‐mammal communities of 24 study sites in northeastern South Dakota and southeastern North Dakota, USA, to better understand their responses to vegetation cover type, diversity, richness, and site‐specific vegetation structure. Sites represented a vegetation species richness gradient and 3 vegetation cover types including low‐diversity restorations planted with dense nesting cover (DNC) seed mix, high‐diversity seeded restorations, and unseeded reference grasslands. Small‐mammal abundance was highest at low‐diversity DNC restoration sites and lowest in reference grassland. Small‐mammal diversity was highest at high‐diversity restoration sites and lowest at low‐diversity DNC restoration sites. Models assessing the influence of vegetation structure on the abundance of focal taxa differed. Deer mice (Peromyscus spp.) were negatively influenced by percent native vegetation cover, and voles (Microtus spp.) showed yearly variation and were influenced positively by litter depth and negatively by vegetation richness. Small‐mammal communities of low‐diversity DNC restorations differed from reference sites, but high‐diversity restorations were not different from reference or low‐diversity DNC sites. Thirteen‐lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) abundance was higher at reference and high‐diversity restored sites, while low‐diversity DNC sites had higher deer mice abundance. Results indicate small mammals are unlikely to respond uniformly to vegetation characteristics, and diversity of seed mixes used in grassland restoration is likely to influence grassland small‐mammal communities.

Fire–climate–human dynamics over the last 1800 years in the mesic Araucaria‐Nothofagus forests

AbstractAimFew palaeoenvironmental studies have been performed in Araucaria‐Nothofagus forests, which are highly vulnerable to ongoing threats from climate change and anthropogenic activities. The primary goal of this work is to reconstruct past environmental changes related to fire disturbances over the last 1800 years in Tolhuaca National Park (TNP), Chile.LocationTNP, Araucanian region (38.2°S; 71.8°W), Northwestern Patagonia, Chile.TaxaAraucaria araucana (Araucariaceae), Nothofagus spp. (Nothofagaceae).MethodsWe completed charcoal and pollen analyses to create two new palaeoecological records that span 1800 years. We compared the lake‐based reconstruction with the available local tree‐ring fire scar chronologies from the last 430 years. Using these data, we compute forest index changes, biomass burning trends and compare with estimates of archaeological radiocarbon density. We place our inferences with context of published regional palaeoclimatic proxies from the Patagonian‐Andean region.ResultsOur results showed that fire activity was higher than present between 200 and 1500 CE, with peaks around 200–400 CE and 1100–1500 CE. Periods with high fire activity are associated with reduced forest cover, as Araucaria declined when mixed‐severity fire regime occurred for extended periods. Pollen assemblages suggested a shift from dry to wet climate conditions at 1500 CE, and from 1750 CE onward, the arrival of exotic species reflected the land‐use changes related to forest clearance and transhumance practices.Main ConclusionsThe palaeoenvironmental reconstructions showed changes in vegetation, fire and climate over the past 1800 years in TNP. Wildfires have been the main disturbance process modifying the vegetation structure in the Araucaria and Nothofagus forests. Since 1750 CE intensive post‐Hispanic land‐use changes (forest clearances by fire and logging) took place in the study area, reducing the native vegetation cover. Climate variability, modulated by SAM‐like and ENSO‐like conditions, influenced the fire activity (availability and flammability of fuels), concomitantly with high archaeological density. The recent (after 2000 CE) increase of catastrophic wildfires may negatively affect the conservation strategies of Araucaria‐Nothofagus forests.

Multispectral Satellite Datasets for Detection and Mapping of Land Cover Change in a Mediterranean Area of North Africa, Belezma (Algeria)

Multispectral satellite images are valuable sources of information for ecologists, agriculture climatologists, or environmentalists. Handling satellite images represents a challenge for better understanding the global change. The Belezma massif by its exceptional geographical position in the Mediterranean region of Northeast Algeria constitutes a fragile hot spot ecosystem with all the degradation factors that directly affect all landcovers. The objective of this study is to determine the contribution of satellite images in the detection of land cover global changes between 1986 and 2021 and landscape monitoring in Belezma region. The methodology adopted is the spatial remote sensing of the evolution of forest stands and the change in land cover, from the processing of Landsat images (L05 TM 1986, L07 ETM+ 2001 and L08 OLI_TIRS 2021) and sampling work for confrontation with the reality on the ground. The outcomes of this investigation demonstrate a general regression rate in the natural vegetation cover that the cedar forest, the steppe, and the wetlands lost 42%, 49%, and 97%, respectively, of their areas between 1986 and 2021, while the degraded and anthropic occupations have increased in favor of market gardening, bare soil, urban areas, and arboriculture by 836%, 158%, 131%, and 50%, respectively, over the same period. This study made it possible to identify and analyze 13 main land uses and plant formations over a period of 35 years, which can be used as a decision-making aid model for the managers of these territories.

The Importance of Spatial Configuration When Restoring Intensive Production Landscapes for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Multifunctionality

Intensive production landscapes provide low levels of many ecosystem services and support limited biodiversity, so they require restoration to enhance their multifunctionality. International guidelines suggest that restoration should aim to establish natural woody vegetation cover across 30% of landscapes. Such restoration may be implemented in varied spatial configurations and complemented by additional land use changes from intensive to extensive semi-natural pastoral grasslands. To restore multifunctional landscapes, we need to understand the impacts of restoration spatial configuration and complementary grassland extensification, both in isolation and in combination. We used a virtual landscape simulation to systematically analyse the impacts of alternative restoration strategies on the provision of nine indicators of ecosystem services and biodiversity, and the overall multifunctionality of the landscapes. All restored landscapes achieved improvements in the performance of individual ecosystem services and multifunctionality compared to the baseline. The benefits of a given restored natural vegetation effort were increased by adding extensive grassland and modifying the spatial configuration of restoration. Randomly distributed patterns of restoration provided higher multifunctionality than restoration adjacent to existing natural areas or as large land blocks. The virtual landscape approach allowed systematic exploration of alternative restoration strategies, providing a mechanistic understanding that will inform restoration tailored to local priorities and conditions.

Unraveling the genetic diversity of Ceiba pubiflora (Malvaceae) in isolated limestone outcrops: Conservation strategies.

Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTFs) located on limestone outcrops are vulnerable to degradation caused by timber logging and limestone extraction for cement production. Some of these forests represent the last remnants of native vegetation cover, functioning as isolated islands. Ceiba pubiflora (Malvaceae) is a tree frequently found on limestone outcrops in the central region of Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and identify suitable populations for the establishment of Management Units (MUs) for conservation. Inter-simple sequence repeat markers were employed to assess the genetic diversity in ten populations sampled from the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes. The species exhibited substantial genetic diversity (HT = 0.345; PLP = 97.89%). Populations SAH, JAN, and MON demonstrated elevated rates of polymorphic loci (> 84.2%) along with notable genetic diversity (He > 0.325). Additionally, these populations were the primary contributors to gene flow. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that most genetic variation occurs within populations (91.5%) than between them. In the Bayesian analysis, the ten populations were clustered into five groups, revealing the presence of at least three barriers to gene flow in the landscape: 1) the Central Plateau or Paranã River valley; 2) near the Espinhaço mountains or the São Francisco River valley; and 3) around the Mantiqueira mountain range, Chapada dos Veadeiros plateau, and disturbed areas. A positive and statistically significant correlation was observed between genetic (θB) and geographic distances (r = 0.425, p = 0.008). Based on these findings, we propose the establishment of Management Units in Minas Gerais state, encompassing the (1) southern region (MIN population), (2) central region (SAH population), and (3) north region (MON population), as well as in Goiás state, covering the (4) Central Plateau region. These units can significantly contribute to preserving the genetic diversity of these trees and protecting their habitat against ongoing threats.

Are Land Use and Cover Changes and Socioeconomic Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Dengue Fever? A Case Study in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Several studies have already demonstrated the relationship between the loss of natural habitats and the incidence of diseases caused by vectors, such as dengue, which is an acute fever disease that is considered a serious public health problem. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the number of dengue cases and land use and cover changes (LUCC) and socioeconomic and climatic factors by municipality, using the state of Minas Gerais as a case study. For this, secondary data obtained from openly available sources were used. Natural vegetation cover data were obtained from the MAPBiomas platform and dengue occurrence data from the Ministry of Health, in addition to eight socioeconomic parameters from the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics and precipitation data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA, Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais). Between 2015 and 2019, 1,255,731 cases of dengue were recorded throughout the state of Minas Gerais, ranging from 0 to 227 per thousand inhabitants between municipalities. The occurrence of dengue was distributed throughout all regions of Minas Gerais and was associated with LUCC and socioeconomic factors. In general, municipalities with a net loss of natural vegetation, predominantly located in the Cerrado biome, had the highest number of dengue cases in the studied period. Additionally, the occurrence of dengue was associated to three socioeconomic parameters: population density, human development index (both positively), and Gini inequality index (negatively). These results indicate that, contrary to expectations, municipalities with better social conditions had more dengue cases. Our study indicates that natural vegetation is, directly or indirectly, involved in the ecosystem service of dengue control, despite the occurrence of this disease being affected by multiple factors that interact in a complex way. Thus, policies towards reducing deforestation must be complemented by a continuous investment in public health policies and a reduction in social inequalities to efficiently control dengue fever.

Habitat fragmentation erodes taxonomic and functional diversity of waterbird communities of the South Pacific coast of Mexico

We characterize the taxonomic and functional diversity of waterbird communities in mangrove forests of 23 coastal lagoons in the southern Mexican Pacific coast, to evaluate the hypothesis of decline of taxonomic and functional richness of waterbird communities in the face of loss of natural habitat cover and increased fragmentation. We quantified patterns of land use cover, considering the heterogeneity of natural and anthropized vegetation cover as a proxy for human-caused fragmentation, and used generalized linear models to explore the relationship between these two covers with the taxonomic richness and functional richness of bird communities. Results show that both aspects of biodiversity positively relate to larger natural habitat areas, while higher fragmentation values have a negative effect on them. Our results suggest that habitat loss and fragmentation of vegetation cover negatively affect the diversity of waterbird communities and can compromise their link to ecosystem functioning processes in coastal lagoons, by decreasing their functional diversity.

Ecological Regeneration of Wetland: Case Study of Kanwar Lake, Begusarai

The wetlands are the partially water-submerged environments that are highly productive, and support fauna and flora species in significant numbers that are dependent for their survival on the organic production of wetlands. Kanwar Lake is situated about 22 kilometers to the northwest of Begusarai. The Gandak River, a tributary of the Ganges, meanders across the area, creating the largest oxbow lake in Asia. It is a natural body of water that is significant on many different levels, including ecological, floral, faunal, geomorphological, and zoological. In 1989, the state government of Bihar designated Kanwar as a protected area for avian species. It has been considered a Ramsar site since 1987, but the wetland was not one of the 13 designated sites. In 1984, the lake’s area was 6,786 hectares (ha), but by 2004, it had shrunk to 6,043.825 ha. Only 2,032 hectares remained of the original lake area by 2012. Wealthy farmers and locals have rapidly colonized the lake bed. Lake biodiversity has declined as weeds have grown across the wetland. Widespread deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural methods and over-exploitation of biomass for wood, fodder, and timber have stripped the land of its natural vegetative cover and exacerbated erosion. The research deals with the ecological study of the area and how urbanization has caused impacts on it. It focuses on how this has caused the deterioration of the lake and the measures for restoring the lake ecology, safeguarding the trend of urbanization. After analyzing the major key issues and analyzing the issues at the edge of the lake and around the Manjhaul, some of the major findings conclude that there is a need for stormwater management of the whole city, restoration of Kanwar wetland, and industrial control around the lake.

Investigating the Loess Plateau’s coevolution of precipitation and natural vegetation cover

Investigating the Loess Plateau’s coevolution of precipitation and natural vegetation cover