Restoration Outcomes Research Articles

Modelling of potential vegetation identifies diverging expectable outcomes of river floodplain widening

River re-naturalisations are at the forefront of conservation efforts. The hope is that these interventions will benefit both local ecosystems and facilitate flood mitigation. While hydrological modelling has been a standard procedure in assessing the outcomes of river re-naturalisations, vegetation modelling has not always been performed as part of these assessments. We hypothesised that the use of potential vegetation modelling, i.e. the modelling of self-sustainable vegetation that can survive after the intervention, can provide insight into vegetation outcome of river re-naturalisation and can thus support vegetation restoration and conservation planning. We investigated the utility of potential vegetation modelling under a specific, widespread element of river re-naturalisation: river floodplain widening at three study sites along the Tisza River in Hungary. We applied potential vegetation modelling, in addition to hydrological and groundwater modelling, to assess the expected vegetation outcome of the river floodplain widening. Flood frequency and duration were assessed by the HEC-RAS hydrological model. Based on the output this hydrological model provided, expected values of the water-related explanatory variables (including groundwater level) were calculated. Statistical relationships encompassed by the existing mulitple potential vegetation (MPV) models of Hungary were applied to the environmental variable sets corresponding to conditions before and after floodplain widening (pre- and post-treatment, respectively), including water-related and other explanatory variables. This resulted in predicted potential vegetation distribution for pre-treatment and post-treatment conditions, which were then compared via ordinations and PERMANOVA. At two of the study sites, post-treatment potential vegetation prediction typically showed vegetation types requiring wetter and less saline conditions when compared to the pre-treatment potential vegetation distribution. This pattern corresponds to general expectations given river floodplain widening. However, at one of the sites, the potentiality of saline and non-saline steppe vegetation was actually more pronounced under the expected post-treatment conditions than those before widening. The strengthening of the potentiality of dry vegetation types can be explained by the minor environmental differences related to the microrelief. As the studied sites were all located in the lowlands where geomorphological variation is small, the effect of these minor geomorphological differences on post-treatment potential vegetation would have remained hidden without applying MPV models. In conclusion, scenarios that employ MPV models help predict river restoration outcomes more accurately and can help identify factors that might otherwise be overlooked. Thus, when combined with physical modelling of river flow, their use can aid in the restoration and landscape planning decisions in river re-naturalisation projects.

Functional outcomes of reconstructive flap surgery for soft tissue sarcoma: Long-term outcomes of functional restoration using innervated muscle transplantation

Functional outcomes associated with prognostic factors and innervated muscle transplantation after wide soft tissue sarcoma resection remain unclear. We examined the functional outcomes of reconstructive flap surgery for soft tissue sarcoma retrospectively. Twenty patients underwent innervated muscle transplantation with pedicled or free flaps for functional reconstruction of resected muscles. Thirteen latissimus dorsi muscles and one vastus lateralis muscle combined with an anterolateral thigh flap were transferred as free flaps using the epi-perineural suture technique. Six latissimus dorsi muscles were transferred as pedicled flaps with neural continuity. Postoperative functional outcomes were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores for the upper and lower extremities of 22 and 24 patients, respectively. The mean MSTS score for all patients was 82.3 at 12 months postoperatively. The mean scores for patients who underwent reconstruction with pedicled and free flaps were 89.2 and 77.1, respectively. The MSTS scores for the lower extremity, tumor size ≥5cm, and free flap reconstruction were significantly lower than those for the upper extremity, tumor size <5cm, and pedicled flap reconstruction (P=0.02, 0.37, and 0.008, respectively). The postoperative MSTS score for innervated muscle transplantation was 76.7 at 12 months and was significantly higher (83.7) at 24 months (P=0.003). Functional outcomes were significantly associated with tumor location, tumor size, and reconstructive flap type based on the MSTS scores. Innervated muscle transplantation improved functional outcomes at 24 months postoperatively via sufficient recovery of the innervated muscle, not the compensatory recovery of the remaining muscle.

Temporal dynamics in the composition of bird communities along a gradient of farmland restoration.

Revegetation plantings are a key activity in farmland restoration and are commonly assumed to support biotic communities that, with time, replicate those of reference habitats. Restoration outcomes, however, can be highly variable and difficult to predict; hence there is value in quantifying restoration success to improve future efforts. We test the expectation that, over time, revegetation will restore bird communities to match those in reference habitats; and assess whether specific planting attributes enhance restoration success. We surveyed birds in 255 sites in south-east Australia, arranged along a restoration gradient encompassing three habitat types: unrestored farmland (paddocks), revegetation plantings (comprising a chronosequence up to 52 years old) and reference habitats (remnant native vegetation). Surveys were undertaken in 2006/2007 and again in 2019, with data used to compare bird assemblages between habitat types. We also determined whether, in the intervening 12 years, bird communities in revegetation had shifted toward reference habitats on the restoration gradient. Our results showed that each habitat contained a unique bird community and that, over time, assemblages in revegetation diverged away from those in unrestored farmland and converged toward those in reference habitats. Two planting attributes influenced this transition: the bird assemblages of revegetation were more likely to have diverged away from those of unrestored farmland (with scattered mature trees) 12 years later if they were located in areas with more surrounding tree cover, and were mostly ungrazed by livestock (compared with grazed plantings). Our results highlight three key ways in which revegetation contributes to farmland restoration: (1) by supporting richer and more diverse bird assemblages than unrestored farmland, (2) by enhancing beta diversity in rural landscapes through the addition of a unique bird community, and (3) by shifting bird assemblages toward those found in reference habitats over time. However, revegetation plantings did not replicate reference habitats by ~40-50 years in our region, and complete convergence may take centuries. These findings have implications for environmental offset programs and mean that effective conservation in farmland environments depends on the retention and protection of natural and seminatural habitats as a parallel management strategy to complement restoration.

A decadal study reveals that restoration guided by an umbrella species does not reach target levels

Abstract Maintaining structural and functional elements of ecosystems are essential in order to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem function. As a means of guiding conservation work, the umbrella species concept was developed. In Sweden, one putative umbrella species, the white‐backed woodpecker, has guided conservation and restoration of deciduous forests for two decades. Here, we evaluate the decadal effects of restoration aimed at the white‐backed woodpecker on biodiversity of saproxylic beetles. We compare stands that were restored 12 to 21 years ago to non‐restored stands and historical white‐backed woodpecker habitats acting as restoration target stands. Restored stands contained higher deciduous deadwood volumes than non‐restored stands but lower volumes than restoration target stands. The deadwood in restored stands was concentrated in later decay stages, whereas target stand deadwood was more evenly distributed across decay stages. Restored stands had similar species richness and abundance of most groups of saproxylic beetles compared with non‐restored stands while not reaching the levels of restoration target stands. Species assemblages differed among all stand types with restored stands supporting late decay stage and generalist species while target stands supported more deciduous associated and threatened species. Synthesis and applications: We conclude that after one to two decades, restoration improve stand structure and benefit beetle diversity but that target levels are not yet reached. Thus, only partial restoration is achieved. Our results stress that for restoration to be successful both continuous and repeated restoration efforts are needed and that it is important to identify target levels of important habitat characteristics when assessing restoration outcome.

Analysis of the Implementation Status and Characteristics of Ecological Restoration Projects in Korea: Ecosystem Conservation Charge Return Projects

Research on the Ecosystem Conservation Charge Return Project (ECCRP), a restoration initiative guided by the polluter-pays principle, is limited. Moreover, certain projects lack location analyses and specific restoration goals. Here, we examined the ecological restoration trends in South Korea based on the ECCRP. We collected data from 277 projects completed between 2003 and 2022 and explored project characteristics, site types, locations, and restoration target species trends. Wetlands and urban areas were frequently targeted, with forestry as the primary land category. Such projects prioritize restoration in areas with a potential for increased biodiversity. Small-scale projects were the most common, likely because of budget constraints and site selection challenges. The establishment of guidelines in 2010 resulted in considerable changes in restoration projects. Forested areas and parks close to species supply sources became important, and specifying target species for restoration was emphasized. Target species primarily included birds, amphibians, and insects. From a sustainability perspective, it is crucial to consider post-monitoring. Species of high restoration value and animals with a small habitat must be selected as performance indicators of restoration outcomes. Our results can help the ECCRP to strengthen the ecological restoration approaches to better achieve sustainability goals—improving biodiversity and conserving and restoring ecosystems.

Understanding tourist restoration: an integrated framework from the perspective of environmental change

ABSTRACT Travel has long been recognized as a beneficial method for rejuvenating individuals who are feeling exhausted. Drawing inspiration from theories of restorative environments, this study utilizes semi-structured interviews to explore the mechanisms through which tourism contributes to restorative outcomes. The findings reveal that tourism plays a significant role in restoring individuals across various dimensions, including physiological, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects. By adopting an environmental change perspective, six key mechanisms of the restorative process have been identified: being physically and psychologically away from the everyday environment, environmental stimulation from tourist destinations, emotional regulation, mental adjustment, physiological improvement, and negative factors.

Understanding carbon storage dynamics in Ayeyarwady delta's mangrove ecosystem in Myanmar: insights for restoration efforts

Mangroves are highly valued for their ecosystem services, providing a wide range of ecological, social, and economic benefits, including their role as carbon-rich ecosystems. Recent research suggests that preserving mangrove forests can offer a cost-effective strategy for mitigating CO2 emissions. However, extensive deforestation has placed mangrove ecosystems under severe global threats. Currently, the assessment of mangrove restoration outcomes, particularly regarding soil carbon stocks, is inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of restoration on soil organic carbon (SOC) in Shwe Thaung Yan, Ayeyarwady coastal region of Myanmar. The study aimed to quantify and compare carbon stocks in different soil layers, examine the carbon sequestration potential of various mangrove species, and evaluate the effectiveness of mangrove restoration efforts. Soil samples were collected in 2015 (pre-restoration) and 2021 (post-restoration) at various soil depths and analyzed for SOC concentration, organic matter content, and bulk density using the Loss on Ignition (LOI) procedure. Significant changes in soil properties were observed between 2015 and 2021, with higher SOC and carbon concentrations observed in 2021. The average soil carbon stocks in 2021 (1954.43 ± 33.24 Mg C ha−1) were approximately 2.7 times higher than the estimated carbon stocks in 2015 (732.26 ± 6.99 Mg C ha−1). Furthermore, the study revealed variations in SOC accumulation among different soil depths, with higher carbon stocks found in the upper soil layers. This study highlights the positive impact of mangrove restoration on SOC accumulation and emphasizes the significance of considering soil carbon dynamics in restoration initiatives. The findings offer valuable insights for the conservation and management of mangrove ecosystems, especially concerning their potential for carbon sequestration and their contribution to mitigating climate change.

Local site conditions, not landscape context, influence restored plant communities within urban contexts

Restoration outcomes are variable, which impairs our ability to plan projects, meet goals, and predict restoration outcomes. Understanding the drivers of this variation is an important research need, especially within urban ecosystems, which support altered abiotic and biotic conditions and face higher rates of loss and degradation than non‐urban areas. Despite the importance of urban areas for restoration, research and practice have largely focused on non‐urban areas. It is unclear if we can extend current knowledge from restoration ecology to urban systems. Here, we surveyed 30 urban prairie restoration plantings across southern Michigan. We collected plant community and site condition data (e.g. soil attributes) and we quantified landscape context as the percentage of urban land surrounding each site. Variation in plant community composition among restorations was related primarily to site‐level factors, such as soil compaction, texture, and water‐holding capacity, rather than landscape context. Non‐prairie species were structured primarily by the local site conditions. There was an increase in non‐prairie richness for sites that experienced warmer local climate conditions, while there was a decrease in non‐prairie richness for sites where soils were less compacted, sandier, and had elevated water‐holding capacity. Prairie species richness responded oppositely. Overall, our study revealed specific factors structuring restoration outcomes in urban contexts and illustrated the importance of local site conditions, not surrounding landscape context, for shaping plant community composition. Restoration practices developed in non‐urban areas should be extended to urban contexts to better understand the impact of local site conditions on plant community development.

Peatland restoration in Norway – evaluation of ongoing monitoring and identification of plant indicators of restoration success

Norway launched a national action plan on wetland restoration in 2016. So far, 90% of the restoration effort has been on peatland restoration, with about 140 mires restored so far. There are three main restoration goals stated in the action plan: 1) limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, 2) climate adaptation and 3) improved ecological condition. Quantifying the outcome of the restoration actions is necessary to evaluate whether the goals of the action plan are met. A vegetation monitoring protocol was suggested before restoration started and has been implemented at five restoration sites. As the peatland restoration effort in Norway is increasing, it is timely to evaluate if the data currently collected can measure peatland restoration outcome. We evaluate the monitoring protocol based on statistical analyses of the data collected at two sites, describe how indicator species can be identified using generalized composition data used as the basis for classifying habitats in Norway (EcoSyst framework), and suggest the way forward for peatland restoration monitoring in Norway. Data collected according to the monitoring protocol can document changes in species composition at restoration sites, but has limitations when the ecological complexity at the sites increases and reference sites are unavailable. We argue that adjusting the monitoring protocol will: 1) facilitate alignment with existing peatland research; 2) connect better with monitoring programs where data is collected applying EcoSyst framework principles; and 3) enable upscaling to cover the wide variation emerging in peatland restoration.

Wildlife and the restorative potential of natural settings

How does the likelihood of encountering wildlife affect residents’ expectations about psychological restoration when visiting a local natural setting, and their choices among settings for future recreation? Do urban and rural residents differ in such expectations and choices? We addressed these questions in a web-based experiment with 223 adult residents randomly sampled from urban and rural areas in each of three regions in Sweden. Residents in all six areas can encounter fear-irrelevant wildlife (roe deer, squirrel) near the home, but the presence of fear-relevant wildlife (wolf, wild boar) differs across the areas. The respondents read scenarios concerning encounters with each of these four animals during recreational visits to a nearby natural setting. The scenarios varied in how frequently the person could expect to encounter each animal across visits (never, sometimes, often). For all 12 scenarios, respondents answered questions about anticipated experiences and restoration outcomes, and the effect of encounter likelihood on future recreational setting choices. Across all areas, with all outcomes, increased likelihood of encounters with the wolves and wild boar detracted from anticipated restorative potential, whereas increased likelihood of encounters with roe deer and squirrel enhanced anticipated restorative potential. A similar pattern showed in recreational setting choices. A domination wildlife value orientation moderated the effects of encounter likelihood for wolf and wild boar, whereas a mutualistic orientation moderated the effects of encounter likelihood for squirrel and roe deer. Our results suggest that wildlife management and public health practice could work together not only to address the fears of residents, but also to enhance the restorative quality of local natural settings by protecting wildlife.

Predicting restoration and aquaculture potential of eastern oysters through an eco-physiological mechanistic model

A simple, non-negotiable truth of ensuring success in the restoration of ecological engineers (EE) and the functions they support is the need for the focal species to survive, grow and reproduce. Using mechanistic modeling, such as a dynamic energy budget (DEB), to map an EE's fundamental niche supports restoration and management predictive of EE resilience under current and future conditions. One EE, the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, provides critical estuarine habitat and supports a valuable fishery across the northern Gulf of Mexico. Recent declines in oyster populations in this region from anthropogenic activities and extreme events have led to significant efforts to restore wild, self-sustaining broodstock reefs, and develop off-bottom aquaculture. To explore potential outcomes for oyster restoration and aquaculture development, we used an individual bioenergetic model based on DEB theory to derive an aquaculture index, based on survival and time to market size, and a restoration index, based on survival and reproductive output. The model was run across six major Texas and Louisiana estuaries under current (2014–2020) and future (2041–2050) projected environmental conditions. Aquaculture scores using daily averaged current conditions reproduce an observed gradient of oyster growth success increasing from the upper estuary to lower estuary (Texas) or offshore areas (Louisiana), with lower variation occurring in Texas estuaries. Restoration scores under daily averaged current conditions showed similar trends with more variability than the aquaculture index due to spawning potential, which is important for reef sustainability. In general, Louisiana estuaries showed higher growth rates and reproduction than Texas estuaries, but due to the higher variability and more frequent extremes in salinity and temperature, Louisiana estuaries were more likely to experience mortal conditions in any given year, as compared to Texas estuaries. Comparison between current and future conditions indicated that oyster aquaculture and restoration potential in presently occupied areas might decrease in the future; however, the spatial resolution of currently available climate model outputs within coastal and estuarine areas limits planning information. Addressing this gap represents a necessary improvement to better evaluate the physiological response of EE to future conditions, especially since most aquaculture and restoration developments are likely to occur close to the coastline. Finally, this work demonstrates the potential of mechanistic modeling to inform future planning under environmental conditions not currently within the realized niche of EE.

Wetland geomorphology and tidal hydrodynamics drive fine-scale fish community composition and abundance

Effective restoration of tidal wetlands for fish communities requires clear goals and mechanistic understanding of the ecosystem drivers which affect fish distribution and abundance. We examined fish community responses to abiotic habitat features in two adjacent but dissimilar freshwater tidal wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, CA, USA, each of which represents a potential restoration configuration. The first wetland was characterized by a broad, intertidal basin with relatively high hydrodynamic exchange with surrounding waterways. The second wetland was characterized by a dendritic network of shallow subtidal channels with relatively low hydrodynamic exchange. Fish community composition significantly differed between the two wetlands, based on permutational analysis of variance. Fish abundance within and among the two wetlands was also highly affected by specific geomorphic and hydrodynamic characteristics: distance from connection with the main external waterway, bed elevation, and water surface elevation. The physical configuration of a restored tidal wetland, in conjunction with the way tides move across the restored landscape, has strong implications for local fishes. Manipulating these elements to create a landscape mosaic of habitat configurations can be an effective tool for targeting desired restoration outcomes, such as specific fish communities or target fish densities.

DiffMAR: A Generalized Diffusion Model for Metal Artifact Reduction in CT Images.

X-ray imaging frequently introduces varying degrees of metal artifacts to computed tomography (CT) images when metal implants are present. For the metal artifact reduction (MAR) task, existing end-to-end methods often exhibit limited generalization capabilities. While methods based on multiple iterations often suffer from accumulative error, resulting in lower-quality restoration outcomes. In this work, we innovatively present a generalized diffusion model for Metal Artifact Reduction (DiffMAR). The proposed method utilizes a linear degradation process to simulate the physical phenomenon of metal artifact formation in CT images and directly learn an iterative restoration process from paired CT images in the reverse process. During the reverse process of DiffMAR, a Time-Latent Adjustment (TLA) module is designed to adjust time embedding at the latent level, thereby minimizing the accumulative error during iterative restoration. We also designed a structure information extraction (SIE) module to utilize linear interpolation data in the image domain, guiding the generation of anatomical structures during the iterative restoring. This leads to more accurate and robust shadow-free image generation. Comprehensive analysis, including both synthesized data and clinical evidence, confirms that our proposed method surpasses the current state-of-the-art (SOTA) MAR methods in terms of both image generation quality and generalization.

Using unmanned aerial vehicle multispectral data for monitoring the outcomes of ecological restoration in mining areas

AbstractThe effective and efficient monitoring of revegetation outcomes is a key component of ecosystem restoration. Monitoring often involves labor‐intensive manual methods, which are difficult to deploy when sites are inaccessible or involve large areas of revegetation. This study aimed to identify plant species and quantify α‐diversity index on a sub‐meter scale at Manlailiang Mine Site in Northwestern China using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a means to semiautomate large‐scale vegetation monitoring. UAVs equipped with multispectral sensors were combined with three industry‐standard supervised classification algorithms (support vector machine [SVM], maximum likelihood, and artificial neural network) to classify plant species. Spectral vegetation indices (normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI], difference vegetation index [DVI], visible‐band difference vegetation index, soil‐adjusted vegetation index, modified soil‐adjusted vegetation index, and excess green–excess red) were used to assess vegetation diversity obtained from on‐ground survey plot data (the Margalef, Pielou, Simpson, and Shannon–Wiener indices). Our results showed that SVM outperformed other algorithms in species identification accuracy (overall accuracy of 84%). Significant relationships were observed between vegetation indices and diversity indices, with the DVI performing significantly better than many more commonly used indices such as the NDVI. The findings highlight the potential of combining UAV multispectral data, spectral vegetation indices and ground surveys for effective and efficient fine‐scale monitoring of vegetation diversity in the ecological restoration of mining areas. This has significant practical benefits for improving adaptive management of restoration through improved monitoring tools.

Left Atrial Reduction Plasty and Sinus Rhythm Restoration in patients undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery with Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: To assess outcome of Left Atrial reduction plasty and sinus rhythm restoration in patients undergoing Mitral valve surgery with chronic Atrial Fibrillation. Study Design: Longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Adult Cardiac Surgery Unit, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan 2017-Jun 2022. Methodology: Thirty three (n=33) patients with mitral valve disease were recruited via convenience sampling, all of whom exhibited an enlarged left atrium and pre-operative Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Pre-operative cardiac evaluations were performed using Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE). Pre- and post-surgery trans-esophageal echocardiography studies were conducted as a routine procedure. Follow-up echocardiographic assessments were carried out at intervals of 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, alongside Electrocardiograms (ECGs). During surgery, median sternotomy was done. Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) time was established followed by cardiac arrest. After Mitral valve Repair/Replacement (MVR), Left Atrial (LA) plication was done by a double needle. Results: Out of thirty three (n=33) patients, 25(75.7%) females and 8(24.2%) male patients, with mean age of 44.3±15.5 years, underwent mitral valve surgery(repair/replacement) followed by LA reduction &amp; sinus rhythm restoration procedure. Complete restoration of sinus rhythm with re-appearance of “a” wave on echocardiography, signifying LA transport function through mitral valve was observed in 31(93.9%) patients on 3rd month and only 1(3.0%) individual continued to have persistent AF after 6 months. (83.70±2.50 mm vs. 47.50±1.08 mm) (p&lt;0.001).................. Conclusion: Left atrial reduction by “Plication technique” followed by “Diathermy Fulguration” as a part of mitral valve surgery has yielded ...............

The perceived ecological and human well‐being benefits of ecosystem restoration

Abstract Traditionally, ecosystem restoration has focussed on standard ecological indicators like water or habitat quality, species population abundance or vegetation cover to determine success. However, there is growing interest in how restoration might impact people and communities. For example, researchers have documented positive socio‐ecological links between restoration and human well‐being indicators like property value, natural hazard mitigation, recreation opportunity and happiness. Furthermore, public health benefits from restoration have been linked to public support for programmes. Drawing from this research, the United Nations declared 2021–2030 the ‘Decade of Ecosystem Restoration’ and set a goal to promote more socio‐ecological goals in ecosystem restoration. Nonetheless, there is still a lack of information on the extent to which restoration practitioners consider well‐being because many granting programmes only require ecological goals and monitoring. To explore how restoration practitioners design, implement and measure the success of their projects, we used the federally funded Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) as a case study. Since 2010, GLRI has awarded over $3.5 Billion to over 5300 projects across the midwestern United States, but it does not presently require human well‐being considerations. We performed an online survey targeting project managers with a sample of GLRI projects (N = 1574). We received 437 responses and found that almost half set a human well‐being goal, and more than 70% of those who did believe they reached it. In comparison, 90% of project managers believed they met their ecological goals. These documented perceptions of positive impacts for both people and nature suggest that restoration may already transcend traditional indicators and monitoring for socio‐ecological metrics could capture many ‘unseen’ benefits. Therefore, we recommend that ecosystem restoration programmes adopt a socio‐ecological lens to document the full extent of their restoration outcomes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Tourist Rural Destination Restorative Capacity: Scale Development and Validation

This study developed and validated a five-dimension scale of tourist rural destination restorative capacity. Following the scale development procedure recommended by Churchill, the present study validated that such capacity comprises the dimensions of fascination, compatibility, extent, being away, and life atmosphere. The results showed that restorative capacity directly affects restorative outcomes for tourists. This study contributes to the scarce literature on the issue of interest and provides an important index that destination managers can use to improve the restorative capacity of their vacation sites and promote the image of these attractions among travelers.

Health and Wellbeing Implications of Urban Green Exposure on Young Adults in a European City

Urbanization has caused a disconnect between people and nature. There has also been a rise in health and well-being issues in urban dwellers. In recent years, many cities, especially in Europe, have consciously developed urban parks and green spaces to allow the urban population to experience nature without having to travel out of the city. This study explores the health and well-being benefits of exposure to urban green spaces on urban young adults. A sample of young adults living in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, were studied using Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS) and Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) to discover psychological benefits. Blood pressure and heart rate monitoring were also employed to examine the physiological benefits of urban green exposure. It was found that there was a direct relationship between urban green exposure and health and well-being. There was a significant increase in restorative benefits and an increase in the overall vitality level.

Multi-habitat carbon stock assessments to inform nature-based solutions for coastal seascapes in arid regions

Coastal ecosystems are integral to global carbon cycling and are increasingly recognised for their role in mitigating climate change. Within these ecosystems, the dynamics of carbon storage are diverse, varying significantly across different habitats. However, existing management strategies often focus predominantly on vegetated habitats neglecting the contributions of non-vegetated areas. We address this knowledge gap by providing a quantitative spatial assessment of carbon storage across coastal seascapes varying in plant biomass. Our comprehensive multi-habitat inventory of carbon stocks in the United Arab Emirates confirmed that mangroves are the largest carbon-storing habitat per hectare (94.3 t/ha), followed by saltmarshes (63.6 t/ha), microbial mats (51.6 t/ha), mudflats (46.8 t/ha), seagrass (32.5 t/ha), and coastal sabkha (31.0 t/ha).Mean carbon content in the top 50 cm of mangrove soils (53.9 t/ha) was similar to saltmarshes (52.7 t/ha), microbial mats (51.6 t/ha), and mudflats (46.8 t/ha). We highlight the importance of including non-vegetated habitats in carbon accounting and management strategies. Our findings suggest that a more context-specific whole-system approach is essential for guiding effective ecosystem management and designing ecologically meaningful Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Adopting this broader perspective in NbS can ensure more comprehensive conservation and restoration outcomes, which not only protect and enhance blue carbon ecosystems but also contribute to broader ecological and social benefits. This approach is pivotal for advancing our understanding of interconnected coastal ecosystems and their role in climate change mitigation.

Intellectual deficits and restoration to competency to stand trial: An examination of IQ cut off scores.

Intellectual functioning impacts defendants' competence to stand trial, though research on this population remains limited. This study replicated and advanced prior work, focusing on defendants' demographic, clinical, cognitive, and criminal justice variables and their association with length of hospitalization and restoration determinations. Participants were 74 male and female criminal defendants in a midwestern state who were adjudicated incompetent to stand trial, had a diagnosis related to intellectual deficits, and completed competency restoration. Most defendants (83.7%) were restored to competency. Demographic factors were unrelated to restoration outcomes; violence of alleged offense predicted shorter hospitalization. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve analyses determined an IQ score cut-off of 63.5 for which participants were of greater likelihood to be determined restored, providing guidance on the likelihood of restoration for defendants with intellectual disability related diagnoses. Specifically, this score can be used with clinical data to inform competency determinations for defendants with cognitive deficits.