Quantification Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Multispectral Sensors to Model Forage Yield for Grasses of Semiarid Landscapes

Forage yield estimates provide relevant information to manage and quantify ecosystem services in grasslands. We fitted and validated prediction models of forage yield for several prominent grasses used in restoration projects in semiarid areas. We used field forage harvests from three different sites in Northern Utah and Southern California, USA, in conjunction with multispectral, high-resolution UAV imagery. Different model structures were tested with simple models using a unique predictor, the forage volumetric 3D space, and more complex models, where RGB, red edge, and near-infrared spectral bands and associated vegetation indices were used as predictors. We found that for most dense canopy grasses, using a simple linear model structure could explain most (R2 0.7) of the variability of the response variable. This was not the case for sparse canopy grasses, where a full multispectral dataset and a non-parametric model approach (random forest) were required to obtain a maximum R2 of 0.53. We developed transparent protocols to model forage yield where, in most circumstances, acceptable results could be obtained with affordable RGB sensors and UAV platforms. This is important as users can obtain rapid estimates with inexpensive sensors for most of the grasses included in this study.

Quantifying ecosystem services from trees by using i-tree with low-resolution satellite images

Air pollution on a worldwide scale poses significant risks to our health and food security. Trees, as ecosystem units, play a huge role in mitigating air pollution but quantifying this ecosystem service in the most polluted regions of the world is difficult due to a lack of relevant data. The ability of trees to mitigate air emissions is evaluated by the i-Tree Eco tool, which uses the tree inventory data based on high-resolution data such as LiDAR, which is predominantly available for the countries in the global north. In contrast, for most countries in the global south, collating such information is difficult and, therefore, obtaining the tree inventory and usage of i-Tree Eco is challenging. To circumvent these lacunae, in this study, we propose a method hinging on remote sensing based on readily available Landsat satellite images. We validate our approach on Balboa Park, San Diego, California, for which both LiDAR and Landsat data are available, and showcase its applicability to the South Delhi and Chennai city regions of India, where LiDAR data are not available.

Linking wilderness mapping and ecosystem services: Identifying integrated wilderness and ecological indicators to quantify ecosystem services of wilderness

Wilderness has proven to provide a wide range of ecosystem services (ES). Wilderness have been shown to play an important role in preserving biodiversity and providing ES, which is indispensable to both nature and people. It is essential to integrate ES quantification into wilderness conservation and management. This study presents a method that combines the wilderness mapping and ecological indicators to measure ES of wilderness. The method was applied in 155,800 km2 of Shandong province in China, across 23 types of land use. First, relative wilderness value (RWV) and ecosystem service capability (ESC) were quantified according to Weighted Linear Combination (WLC). Then, spatial autocorrelation between RWV and ESC were tested and analyzed using GeoDa software. Finally, the Redundancy analysis was used to investigate the primary drivers of RWV and ESC in different landscape types. The findings showed that, there were 27,263 km2 of wilderness in Shandong province, of which 6,294 km2 were high-quality wilderness. The region with the highest RWV was the Yellow River Delta (RWV = 0.82), and the area with the highest ESC was Laoshan Mountain (ESC = 0.76). Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a positive correlation between RWV and ESC (Pearson’s r = 0.637), both of which had significant spatial relevance (Moran’s I = 0.589, P < 0.005). The RWV and ESC high-high clusters were found to cover 5,223 km2 of high-quality wilderness areas. Regression analysis (R2 = 0.744) showed that RWV can quantify ESC of urban area reliably. Population density (Explaining 33.9 %-49.3 %) was found to be a key indicator of RWV and ESC changes through the Redundancy analysis. In addition, we discussed key drivers of RWV and ESC of high-quality wilderness according to different landscape types. This approach can be used and adopted to support planning decisions dealing with wilderness conservation and management.

Geospatial mapping of carbon estimates for forested areas using the InVEST model and Sentinel-2: A case study in Galicia (NW Spain)

CO2 emissions have increased exponentially in recent years, so measuring and quantifying carbon sequestration is a step towards sustainable forest management and combating climate change. The overall goal of this study is to develop an accurate model for estimating carbon storage and sequestration for forest areas of the Atlantic Biogeographic Region. Specifically, the modelling and field sampling are carried out in the municipality of Baiona (Galicia, NW Spain), which was selected as a representative biome of this region. The methodology consists of carrying out two object-based image analysis (OBIA) classifications in spring and autumn to observe possible stocks of seasonal differences. Two carbon storage and sequestration models are built up (model 1 and model 2): model 1 for forest areas only and model 2 including all other land cover in the study area. Sentinel-2 geospatial data for 2021, Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) tools and geographic information systems (GIS) are used. A Kappa index of 0.92 is obtained for both classifications, thus ruling out any notable seasonal differences in the images used. The results from both models indicate that it is land covers associated with forest uses which store the most carbon in the study area, accounting for >50 % more than the other land covers. It is concluded that the methodology and data used are very useful for quantifying ecosystem services, which will help the governance of the region by implementing measures to mitigate some of the effects of climate change and help to create silvicultural models for the sustainable management of the Atlantic Biogeographic Region.

Spatiotemporal Evolution and Prediction of Land Use and Carbon Stock in Shanghai

Soil organic carbon (SOC) constitutes a critical component of carbon reservoirs within terrestrial ecosystems. The ramifications of urban land use transitions on SOC dynamics, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions such as Shanghai, remain insufficiently elucidated. This investigation synergizes a predictive land use change model (Logistic-CA-Markov) with an ecosystem service quantification framework (InVEST), aiming to delineate the interplay between SOC variability and Land Use and Land Cover Change (LUCC) under natural development and ecological protection scenarios. Empirical observations from 2010 to 2020 reveal a contraction in Shanghai’s agricultural land of 34,912.76 hectares, juxtaposed with an expansion of urban built-up areas of 36,048.24 hectares. Projections for 2030 under an ecological protection scenario indicate a moderated urban sprawl, reducing built-up area expansion by 13,518 hectares relative to the natural development scenario. Notably, the net carbon sequestration capacity of Shanghai is anticipated to diminish by approximately 0.418 million tons between 2020 and 2030. This trend is observed under both considered scenarios, forecasting a cumulative reduction in SOC stocks exceeding 1 million tons by 2030. The natural development pathway portends a more pronounced and accelerated depletion of SOC reserves. Although ecological conservation measures show the potential to decelerate this loss, they appear insufficient to reverse the ongoing decline in SOC stocks. This study advocates for strategic urban planning interventions focused on constraining the growth of building densities and augmenting the preservation and management of eco-lands. Such measures are imperative for bolstering Shanghai’s carbon sequestration capacity.

Research on the Optimization of Urban Ecological Infrastructure Based on Ecosystem Service Supply, Demand, and Flow

Ecological infrastructure plays a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between humans and the environment by optimizing ecological space and resource allocation in urban environments. However, there are few studies on the functional assessment and spatial and temporal evolution of ecological infrastructure and its layout optimization. In this study, we developed an ecological infrastructure optimization method based on ecosystem service supply, demand, and flow in Yantai City as the study area; identified the spatial extent of urban ecological infrastructure and its spatial and temporal changes based on the spatial quantification of multiple ecosystem services; assessed whether the existing ecological infrastructure could satisfy the needs of the urban residents by calculating the ecosystem service supply and demand indexes; and used the spatial quantification of ecosystem service flows to optimize the spatial layout of urban ecological infrastructure. This study shows that, from 2010 to 2018, ecological infrastructure in Longkou, Zhaoyuan, and Laiyang decreased, contrasting with the growth in the existing peripheral areas. The study found a clear spatial mismatch between the supply and demand of ecosystem services, especially in the central urban areas, suggesting that the existing infrastructure was unable to satisfy the needs of high-demand areas. This study assessed the peripheral areas of the city using comparative ecological radiation force (CERF), including 314.64 km2 of environmentally beautiful village units as key components of ecological infrastructure in Yantai City. These findings are crucial for sustainable environmental management and urban development strategies.

Large variation in the radial patterns of sap flow among urban trees

Quantifying sap flow patterns along the sapwood radius is necessary for accurate up-scaling and estimation of tree and stand transpiration based on sap flow measurements. However, little information on radial patterns of sap flow exists in urban environments where precise estimates of tree water uptake and transpiration are important to quantify ecosystem services and plan tree management. Because of the heterogeneous conditions in urban environment, upscaling approaches specific to urban environments and species may be required to estimate whole-tree transpiration.We measured sap flow at four sapwood depths for Acer platanoides, Acer saccharinum and Tilia cordata, in two contrasting urban environments (site types): parks and streets, in Montreal, Canada. We then estimated the potential importance of tree-to-tree and temporal variation of radial patterns by comparing generalized additive models (GAM) with or without tree ID or a temporal effect, and using the models to upscale sap flow measurements conducted at the sapwood surface to tree-level daily water use estimates.The radial pattern of sap flow diverged between park and street trees, with a slightly more monotone pattern in park than street trees in the two Acer species. However, tree-to-tree variation was large even within a given species and site type, and partly associated with tree size. The radial pattern of sap flow varied in time in five of the twelve trees that were measured twice over the growing season. Sap flow in deeper layers relative to the sapwood surface correlated with vapor pressure deficit, solar radiation and the sap flow density at the sapwood surface. When comparing the two sources of uncertainty (tree-to-tree and temporal variation) in upscaling daily water use, a larger uncertainty was associated with tree-to-tree variation than with temporal variation. Thus, understanding the inter-tree variability in radial patterns of sap flow patterns should be prioritized in future studies.

Comparable diameter resulted in larger leaf area and denser foliage in the park trees than in street trees: A study on Norway maples of Karlsruhe city, Germany

The leaf area of trees is the main surface of energy and matter exchange between the plant canopy and the atmosphere. A better understanding of canopy structure variations in cities is a prerequisite to evaluating leaf area and ecosystem services. We selected 58 single-standing and healthy Norway maple trees (Acer platanoides L.), equally distributed between the park and street at the same tree size for canopy structure and leaf area measurements. The canopy structures of street trees and park trees were different. Street trees had significantly higher dieback (p < 0.01), crown damage (p < 0.01), and branch-free bole length (p < 0.001) than park trees. Even though we sampled trees with similar diameters, park tree crowns tended to be healthier and denser than street trees. The crown volume, crown projection area (CPA), light availability (Crown Light Exposure or CLE), and foliage density were lower in street trees than in park trees. The average foliage density of street trees is 20 % lower than park trees. All the above differences in crown volume and foliage density lead to a significantly lower leaf area in street trees. The total leaf area of a single street tree was only 83 m2 on average, compared to 186 m2 among park trees. We demonstrated that crown volume and growing habitats (i.e., park or street) are important explanatory variables for leaf area. We conclude that a precise and site-specific evaluation of leaf areas is a prerequisite for accuracy in quantifying ecosystem services from urban trees.

Transplanted Ginkgo growth rates indicate common Chinese nursery techniques may severely limit urban ecosystem services

China has experienced history's largest rural-to-urban migration. The social, economic, and environmental challenges brought about by urbanization are diverse and complex. Given China's national goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and commitment to urban sustainability, large cities have focused on urban greening initiatives. Yet, studies seeking to quantify ecosystem services and disservices only assess healthy, mature trees, rather than those with severe damage, declining health, or lack of vitality due to poor management. In this short communication, we conducted a case-study in one of China's major nursery stock-producing cities, Chengdu, on a common street tree, Ginkgo biloba, to assess the long-term impact of one of the most common yet extreme nursery transplant practices on tree growth (traumatic root-cutting of ‘super-large’ nursery stock). We used tree-ring data collected in a typical urban greenspace from 23 Ginkgo trees, including 18 trees transplanted as ‘super-large’ nursery stock and a control group (5 trees) transplanted as small-caliper trees. We found the trees transplanted as ‘super-large’ nursery stock experienced declining tree growth with decades of lost landscape potential likely due to traumatic root-cutting at the time of transplant from nursery to landscape. The control group allowed contrast between the growth patterns of ‘super-large’ transplanted trees with those that remained healthy, being transplanted as smaller-caliper trees. For the ‘super-large’ trees, we found a decrease in carbon sequestration from 7.6 kg C yr−1 on average per tree in 2001 to about 1.5 kg C yr−1 on average per tree in 2021, while no decreasing trends were observed among the control trees. This implies a negative impact on multiple expected ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, shade, canopy coverage, and pollutant mitigation. These results highlight the unrecognized costs of common Chinese nursery and transplant techniques on urban landscape trees, necessitating more research, science-based policies, and better management techniques.

Mass development of aquatic plants: Effects of contrasting management scenarios on a suite of ecosystem services

Abstract Dense beds of aquatic plants are often perceived as nuisance and therefore mechanically removed, often at substantial cost. Such removal, however, may affect a range of ecosystem functions and consequently also the ecosystem services that benefit society. We studied five cases: River Otra (Norway), River Spree (Germany), Lake Kemnade (Germany), Lake Grand‐Lieu (France) and Hartbeespoort Dam (South Africa). In all, nuisance aquatic plant growth is managed, but dominant species, geographic setting and major societal uses are different. We quantified 12 final ecosystem services as flows per area and year in biophysical and monetary terms. Quantified services were food and fodder production, commercial fisheries, hunting and gathering wild products, hydropower production, drinking and irrigation water production, flood prevention, carbon sequestration, active and passive recreation and biodiversity conservation (nonuse). These services were related to aquatic plant cover via a range of ecosystem functions, and the effects were estimated of three plant removal regimes on the relative importance of the quantified ecosystem services and on the total sum of the monetary estimates (total economic value, TEV). The three removal regimes were ‘maximum removal’, ‘current practice’ and ‘do nothing’. In all five cases, TEV was dominated by different forms of recreation. TEV was highest for Lake Kemnade, where visitor densities were highest. TEV was most sensitive to the different management regimes in Lake Kemnade, because a threshold in aesthetic appreciation was passed in the ‘do‐nothing’ regime, and in Hartbeespoort Dam, because of the effect on boating and angling. In the other cases, the different removal regimes had little effect on the estimated TEV. Synthesis and applications. Since recreation dominated the estimated societal benefits in the studied ecosystems, also where provision of hydropower, drinking water or irrigation water were relevant, effects on recreation should be a core consideration in the management of nuisance aquatic plants. Furthermore, aquatic plant management strategies will benefit from taking into account the differences in perceived nuisance among different categories of recreative users before engaging in costly removal.

Analysis of mangrove dynamics and its protection effect in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Coastal Area based on the Google Earth Engine platform

Mangroves are rapidly disappearing in several places of the world, and mangrove dynamics are becoming important evidence of ecological restoration and protection along the coast. Mangrove populations in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Coastal Area (GCA) have experienced a substantial impact of anthropogenic pressure in the 20th century. Monitoring its spatio-temporal variation and protection effect has been regarded as an important task in coastal management. In this study, we provided the comprehensive assessment of mangrove dynamics in the GCA and typical sites from 1988 to 2020 at eight-year intervals. At this time interval, mangrove ecosystems changed significantly as a result of global warming and human impacts. The geographical distribution of mangroves was obtained by applying the Random Forest (RF) classifier on Landsat images with a 30 m spatial resolution on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, based on relevant indices such as Normalized Difference Mangrove Index (NDMI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Suspended Sediment Index (NDSSI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) and Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI). Quantitative evaluation indicated that overall accuracy of over 88% was achieved with RF classifier for mangrove extraction. In the GCA, mangrove area was 95.4 km2 in 1988, dropped to 71.4 km2 in 1996, then expanded to 127.5 km2 in 2020, with an overall dynamic rate of 1.02%. In typical sites, mangroves show a similar trend to the overall area. The subsequent mangrove growth is attributed to reserve establishment, accompanied by the expansion of replanted mangrove areas. In the GCA, provincial-level and county-level reserves show a high rate of mangrove dynamic, while national-level reserves display a low rate of mangrove dynamic. The dynamic rate in reserves of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is higher than other parts of the GCA, indicating that the effect of mangrove protection is better in the GBA. The results of this study will provide scientific foundations for the sustainable management and conservation of mangrove ecosystem, the quantification of ecosystem services (such as coastal protection and carbon storage), as well as the formulation of strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Can Agroforestry Contribute to Food and Livelihood Security for Indonesia’s Smallholders in the Climate Change Era?

In Indonesia, smallholders have historically practiced agroforestry, which warrants examination in terms of food and livelihood security within sustainable community forest frameworks. Based on a literature review, we analyzed these two forms of security related to smallholder agroforestry practices. Findings indicate diverse agroforestry systems, with 88% focusing on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and 12% on timber. While 42% prioritize direct food supply, 58% emphasize income generation through product sales. However, agroforestry that does not produce food for direct consumption by smallholders generates revenue for purchasing food necessities. Agroforestry supports both food needs (46–61%) and income (51–54%) for smallholders, surpassing traditional agriculture (13%). Semi-commercial agroforestry (57%) is a predominant livelihood prospect. The remaining 27% are purely subsistence, and 15% are purely commercial. However, the commercialization of agroforestry that focuses only on high-value commodities results in a negative impact on biodiversity. There is a concomitant decrease in environmental services for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Biodiversity remains crucial for climate resilience, health care, and food security in rural communities. Semi-commercial agroforestry is a midpoint for achieving multifunctional agriculture (biodiversity, soil and water conservation, food security, and income) in the climate change era. The research directly related to food security and ecosystem services quantification remains limited, necessitating further investigation. Policy support and incentives are essential for smallholders practicing complex agroforestry for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Quantification of Ecosystem Services from Urban Mangrove Forest: A Case Study in Angke Kapuk Jakarta

Coastal urban areas in Indonesia commonly encounter complex environmental problems, including bad air pollution and high risk of flooding due to sea level rise and land subsidence. The existence of urban mangrove forests potentially contributes to mitigating the environmental problems. Preserving mangrove forests in coastal urban areas requires continuous support from all stakeholders, which can be strengthened by good understanding on the comprehensive benefits provided by these ecosystems. This study aims to quantify key ecosystem services from urban mangrove forest, with a case study in Angke Kapuk Jakarta. Four types of key ecosystem services were quantified, i.e., carbon storage, air pollutant absorption, microclimate regulation, and nature recreation. A vegetation survey was conducted in 30 sample plots to collect data for carbon storage, which covers above-ground carbon, below-ground carbon, and carbon on deadwood. The absorption of six pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5) was analysed using the i-Tree Eco model. Field measurements of air temperature and humidity, as well as interviews with 99 visitors, were performed to analyse microclimate regulation. This study found a high quantity of carbon storage within mangrove trees and deadwood in the study area (111.6 tonnes C/ha) as well as high amounts of air pollutants absorbed by mangrove trees (11.3 tonnes/year). Mangrove trees in the study area effectively regulated microclimate conditions, indicated by a significant difference in average daily air temperature and humidity between inside and outside the mangrove forest. Meanwhile, the number of visitors benefiting from its recreation services has fluctuated during the last five years, with an average of 138,550 people per year. We discuss the implications of the findings of this study for urban mangrove forest management, including how to integrate ecosystem services quantification into mangrove preservation and rehabilitation.

Improved quantification of cover crop biomass and ecosystem services through remote sensing-based model–data fusion

Cover crops have long been seen as an effective management practice to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and reduce nitrogen (N) leaching. However, there are large uncertainties in quantifying these ecosystem services using either observation (e.g. field measurement, remote sensing data) or process-based modeling. In this study, we developed and implemented a model–data fusion (MDF) framework to improve the quantification of cover crop benefits in SOC accrual and N retention in central Illinois by integrating process-based modeling and remotely-sensed observations. Specifically, we first constrained and validated the process-based agroecosystem model, ecosys, using observations of cover crop aboveground biomass derived from satellite-based spectral signals, which is highly consistent with field measurements. Then, we compared the simulated cover crop benefits in SOC accrual and N leaching reduction with and without the constraints of remotely-sensed cover crop aboveground biomass. When benchmarked with remote sensing-based observations, the constrained simulations all show significant improvements in quantifying cover crop aboveground biomass C compared with the unconstrained ones, with R 2 increasing from 0.60 to 0.87, and root mean square error (RMSE) and absolute bias decreasing by 64% and 97%, respectively. On all study sites, the constrained simulations of aboveground biomass C and N at termination are 29% and 35% lower than the unconstrained ones on average. Correspondingly, the averages of simulated SOC accrual and N retention net benefits are 31% and 23% lower than the unconstrained simulations, respectively. Our results show that the MDF framework with remotely-sensed biomass constraints effectively reduced the uncertainties in cover crop biomass simulations, which further constrained the quantification of cover crop-induced ecosystem services in increasing SOC and reducing N leaching.

Ecosystem services provided by striped hyenas in the human-dominated landscape of Rajasthan, India

In human-dominated landscapes, quantifying ecosystem services in terms of economic benefits could contribute to establishing peaceful coexistence between humans and large carnivores. In this study, we estimated the monetary value of scavenging benefits provided by striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) in an anthropogenic landscape in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. We converted the value of domestic livestock carcasses consumed by striped hyenas from opportunity costs to quantify the value of this important ecosystem service to local people. We determined the monetary value of carcass disposals using two methods, including (1) electric cremation, and (2) pyre burning of animal carcasses. To determine the minimum number of striped hyenas, present in the study area, we employed a photo-capture approach, and we used scat analysis to determine the livestock consumed by striped hyenas. We estimated that striped hyenas removed 23.13 tons (4.4 %) of livestock carcass waste from the total of 525.68 tons of waste generated per year in the Intensive Study Area (ISA). The annual monetary value of livestock carcass waste removal by striped hyenas in the ISA was estimated to be ~US$ 7095 for electric cremation and US$ 49,665 for pyre burning. Our study demonstrates the economic benefit of scavenging services provided by striped hyenas in areas where anthropogenic food is abundant. In such areas, as hyenas scavenge anthropogenic food, local communities benefit from waste management. Using alternative carcass disposal methods without striped hyenas would be expensive and likely environmentally damaging.

Deciphering the impact of wind erosion on ecosystem services: An integrated framework for assessment and spatiotemporal analysis in arid regions

Wind erosion, a crucial disruptor of ecosystem health and stability, especially in arid regions, remains unincorporated in extensively utilized ecosystem services (ESs) quantification models such as InVEST. This neglect results in a gap: the profound influence of wind erosion on ESs remains largely underexplored and unquantified. Moreover, current models predominantly concentrate on individual ESs, thus bypassing the necessary comprehensive evaluation of various ESs' developmental status. To address this gap, we propose a systematic framework based on the Distance between Indices of Simulation and Observation (DISO), which integrates the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) and key modules of the InVEST model to derive a Comprehensive Ecosystem Services Assessment Index (CESAI) for arid regions. We evaluated five ESs, including water yield, soil retention, sand fixation (measured by wind erosion), carbon storage, and habitat quality. To further investigate the influence of each ES on the comprehensive assessment, we employed a suite of statistical methods, including independent samples t-tests and a generalized additive model (GAM), to elucidate the complex relationships and significant effects of wind erosion on the CESAI. The results of the t-tests and GAM highlighted the significant influence of wind erosion, which demonstrated the highest edf-value (2.000) and the highest F-value (1039.6, p < 0.001). Spatiotemporal dynamics show that ES functionality in Uzbekistan has deteriorated from 1992 to 2020, a trend starkly exemplified by the severe harm inflicted by the Aral Sea crisis. Drawing upon the DISO concept, we have innovatively designed a framework that steers the CESAI index, a comprehensive instrument for evaluating ESs. Beyond providing a holistic perspective on ESs assessments, this framework also deciphers the multifaceted interplay within ecosystems through statistical dissection of each service's influence. Collectively, our findings deepen the understanding of ESs dynamics, shedding light on the crucial role of wind erosion within arid ecosystem service assessments.

Considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands: Overview of research and its gaps.

The concept of ecosystem services provides a useful framework for understanding how people are affected by changes to the natural environment, such as when a contaminant is introduced (e.g., oil spills, hazardous substance releases) or, conversely, when contaminated lands are remediated and restored. Pollination is one example of an important ecosystem service; pollinators play a critical role in any functioning terrestrial ecosystem. Other studies have suggested that consideration of pollinators' ecosystem services could lead to better remediation and restoration outcomes. However, the associated relationships can be complex, and evaluation requires synthesis from numerous disciplines. In this article, we discuss the possibilities for considering pollinators and their ecosystem services when planning remediation and restoration of contaminated lands. To inform the discussion, we introduce a general conceptual model of how pollinators and the ecosystem services associated with them could be affected by contamination in the environment. We review the literature on the conceptual model components, including contaminant effects on pollinators and the direct and indirect ecosystem services provided by pollinators, and identify information gaps. Though increased public interest in pollinators likely reflects increasing recognition of their role in providing many important ecosystem services, our review indicates that many gaps in understanding-about relevant natural and social systems-currently impede the rigorous quantification and evaluation of pollinators' ecosystem services required for many applications, such as in the context of natural resource damage assessment. Notable gaps include information on non-honeybee pollinators and on ecosystem services beyond those benefitting the agricultural sector. We then discuss potential research priorities and implications for practitioners. Focused research attention on the areas highlighted in this review holds promise for increasing the possibilities for considering pollinators' ecosystem services in the remediation and restoration of contaminated lands. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:322-336. © 2023 SETAC.

A modified ecological footprint calculation method for drylands and its application to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Calculating the ecological footprint at the regional scale is a complicated topic for researchers in quantifying ecosystem services, but as well a crucial step for local decisionmakers to formulate pertinent and feasible polices in guiding the region's sustainable development, particularly in such a severe dryland region as Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang Region), China, with vastly extensive drylands covered by deserts up to more than million square kilometers. Aiming at improving the effectiveness of ecological footprint calculation (EFC) for dryland areas, this study has modified the methodology of EFC for drylands by incorporating both ecological and productive contributions from desert areas into the EFC process, including the net primary production, emissions from energy consumption, and contaminant discharge, as well as water resources use. The modified method of EFC for drylands involved some recalibrated equivalence factors for desert areas in the calculating process to determine the yield factors for each local administrative unit at prefecture level based on its net primary production (NPP). The results from this study revealed the following: (1) From 2009 to 2020, the average ecological deficit in Xinjiang Region was 16.172 global hectares per capita (gha/cap), with average human use of the desert at 0.22 gha/cap, representing approximately 1.41% of the total ecological footprint. The average biocapacity of desert was 0.12 gha/cap, accounting for approximately 6.73% of the total biocapacity. (2) During the same period, the ecological footprint exhibited an initial increasing trend followed by a subsequent decrease. The ecological biocapacity demonstrated a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.05). All prefectural administrative units within Xinjiang Region exhibited an ecological deficit from 2009 to 2020, whereas a desert ecological surplus occurred only in the Kyzylsu, Kashgar, and Hotan prefectures. (3) As the ecological deficit in Xinjiang was on an increasing trend, it is recommended that in these regions, replacing thermal power with wind and/or photovoltaic power might be a way out to alleviate much of the deficit, since it could reduce the ecological footprint by 8.44%, and would decrease the ecological deficit by benefiting from deserts' carbon reduction. Based on this study, we would like to advocate for optimizing the energy structure in regions with significant desert coverage and enhancing desert production through implementing ecological farming practices.

Field-Scale Floating Treatment Wetlands: Quantifying Ecosystem Service Provision from Monoculture vs. Polyculture Macrophyte Communities

Global water security is critical for human health, well-being, and economic stability. However, freshwater environments are under increasing anthropogenic pressure and now, more than ever, there is an urgent need for integrated approaches that couple issues of water security and the remediation of degraded aquatic environments. One such strategy is the use of floating treatment wetlands (FTW), which are artificial floating mats that sustain and support the growth of macrophytes capable of removing nutrients from over-enriched waterbodies. In this study, we quantify a range of indicators associated with FTWs, planted with different vegetation community types (i.e., monocultures and polycultures) over the course of a three-year field-scale study. The composition of the two different types of FTWs changed significantly with a convergence in diversity and community composition between the two types of FTWs. Phytoremediation potential of the two FTW communities, in terms of nutrient standing stocks, were also similar but did compare favourably to comparable wild-growing plant communities. There were few substantial differences in invertebrate habitat provision under the FTWs, although the high incidence of predators demonstrated that FTWs can support diverse macroinvertebrate communities. This field-scale study provides important practical insights for environmental managers and demonstrates the potential for enhanced ecosystem service provision from employing nature-based solutions, such as FTWs, in freshwater restoration projects.

Exploring the Spatial Pattern of Urban Forest Ecosystem Services based on i-Tree Eco and Spatial Interpolation: A Case Study of Kyoto City, Japan.

Urban forest, as an essential urban green infrastructure, is critical in providing ecosystem services to cities. To enhance the mainstreaming of ecosystem services in urban planning, it is necessary to explore the spatial pattern of urban forest ecosystem services in cities. This study provides a workflow for urban forest planning based on field investigation, i-Tree Eco, and geostatistical interpolation. Firstly, trees across an array of land use types were investigated using a sampling method. Then i-Tree Eco was applied to quantify ecosystem services and ecosystem service value in each plot. Based on the ecosystem services estimates for plots, four interpolation methods were applied and compared by cross-validation. The Empirical Bayesian Kriging was determined as the best interpolation method with higher prediction accuracy. With the results of Empirical Bayesian Kriging, this study compared urban forest ecosystem services and ecosystem service value across land use types. The spatial correlations between ecosystem service value and four types of point of interest in urban places were explored using the bivariate Moran's I statistic and the bivariate local indicators of spatial association. Our results show that the residential area in the built-up area of Kyoto city had higher species richness, tree density, ecosystem services, and total ecosystem service value. Positive spatial correlations were found between ecosystem service value and the distribution of urban space types including the tourist attraction distribution, urban park distribution, and school distribution. This study provides a specific ecosystem service-oriented reference for urban forest planning based on land use and urban space types.