Supporting Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Community-based valuation of wetland ecosystem services: insights from Bamenda, Cameroon

Wetlands provide important benefits in terms of provisioning, cultural, regulating and supporting ecosystem services to societies all over the world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the existence of multiple approaches for the valuation of these services, economic methods have dominated the scientific debate with infrequent integration of non-monetary valuation methods to capture community perceptions. This paper aims to assess the value of ecosystem services provided by wetlands based on the perception of the local community in Bamenda Cameroon. We explore if this perception is influenced by factors such as gender, education, and sub-division of residence in relation to the wetland area using a questionnaire administered purposively to a total of 400 respondents living/carrying out activities in and around wetlands. We complemented this methodology with field observation to explore aspects of wetland utilisation on the ground beyond the pre-defined survey questions assessing communities’ perception of the importance of different ecosystem services. Data was entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 20) for wrangling and visualisation in R (version 4.3.0). The results indicate that the most valued wetland ecosystem services are directly linked to peoples’ livelihood such as the provision of food, traditional agricultural practices and the support of habitats to various plants and animals collected or hunted by local people. We also found a significant difference between the perception of the importance of ecosystem services based on educational level and sub-division of location in relation to wetlands (P-value ≤ 0.01), suggesting that communities living closer to the wetlands appreciate the importance of the ecosystem services relatively more than those living further away. Our results are relevant for improved recognition and integration of local community interest and engagement for inclusive wetland conservation and management.

Optimizing plant species composition of green roofs for ecological functionality and biodiversity conservation

Green roofs provide vital functions within the urban ecosystem, from supporting biodiversity, to sustainable climate-positive ESS provisioning. However, how plant communities should best be designed to reach these objectives, and how specific green roof systems vary in their capacity to support these functions is not well understood. Here we compiled data on plant traits and plant–insect interaction networks of a regional calcareous grassland species pool to explore how designed plant communities could be optimised to contribute to ecological functionality for predefined green roof solutions. Five distinct systems with practical functionality and physical constraints were designed, plant communities modelled using object-based optimization algorithms and evaluated using five ecological functionality metrics (incl. phylogenetic and structural diversity). Our system plant communities supported a range of plant–insect interactions on green roofs, but not all species were equally beneficial, resulting in wide-ranging essentiality and redundancy in ecological processes. Floral traits were not predictive of pollinator preferences, but phylogeny was observed to govern the preferences. Large differences in ecological functionality can be expected between green roofs depending on system design and the extent of the plant community composition. Multifunctionality covariance diverged between systems, suggesting that ecological functionality is not inherently universal but dependent on structural limitations and species pool interactions. We conclude that informed system design has a potential to simultaneously support ecosystem services and urban biodiversity conservation by optimising green roof plant communities to provide landscape resources for pollinating insects and herbivores.

Effects of single-tree selective harvest method on ecosystem services in a mixed temperate broadleaf forest in Iran

IntroductionThis study examines the effects of the single-tree selective harvesting method on ecosystem services in a mixed temperate broadleaf forest in Iran. Key indicators such as carbon sequestration, tree species diversity, soil nutrient cycling, and stand volume are analyzed, emphasizing their significance for sustainable forest management.MethodsThe research was conducted in four districts, each comprising two parcels: one managed using the single-tree selective harvesting method and the other serving as a control. Data on ecological and biodiversity parameters were collected, and statistical analyses, including two-way ANOVA and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were performed to assess the impact of management practices.ResultsThe findings reveal that the single-tree selective harvesting method significantly influences regulating and supporting ecosystem services. Carbon storage varied with elevation, affecting both soil and forest floor litter. Tree species diversity increased, with more species present and a reduction in dominance by certain species. However, this method also resulted in reduced stand volume in the managed areas. Elevation significantly impacted diversity indices, litter carbon storage, available potassium, and stand volume. Additionally, the interaction between management and elevation was significant for soil carbon storage, richness, diversity, total nitrogen, available potassium, and stand volume.DiscussionThe single-tree selective harvesting method appears to be a viable forest management strategy for preserving ecosystem services in mixed temperate broadleaf forests, maintaining ecosystem health without significant negative effects on soil. However, careful consideration of site-specific ecological conditions and trade-offs between provisioning and regulating services is crucial. These findings have important implications for sustainable forest management in Iran and similar forest ecosystems globally.

Willingness to Pay for Nature Protection: Crowdfunding as a Payment Mechanism

AbstractIn this study, we use a discrete choice experiment to elicit the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for preventing and mitigating the effects of oil spills on marine and coastal ecosystem services, along a particularly vulnerable coastal region of mainland Portugal. We used a split-sample design to analyze the differences between two payment vehicles (PV): a mandatory extra income tax and a voluntary contribution collected by a crowdfunding campaign with a provision point mechanism and a money-back guarantee. The difference between the two PVs is examined in a setting where the local population has a negative perception of the quality of institutions. We find that respondents are more willing to contribute when presented with the crowdfunding version. Also, regardless of the payment vehicle, respondents who express a mistrust in institutions are more likely to choose the status quo. These results suggest the potential of using crowdfunding to support ecosystem services’ conservation initiatives.

Balancing conservation and development for achieving land degradation neutrality

The loss of biodiversity has risen dramatically in the face of a global emergency and worsened by human activities which involves habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development, supporting ecosystem services crucial for agriculture, forestry and climate regulation. These services are threatened by biodiversity loss, which also has an impact on world cultural heritage, economic stability and human well-being. Moreover, a decline in biodiversity exacerbates the effects of climate change, undermining ecosystem resilience and making food poverty worse. Achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), a global goal to stop and reverse land degradation through sustainable land management techniques, depends on effective biodiversity protection. LDN projects aim to balance restoration efforts against deterioration in order to preserve or improve land-based natural capital. This chapter highlights the biophysical and socioeconomic factors driving land degradation, including unsustainable agricultural practices, urbanization and climate change impacts. It underscores the importance of integrated approaches that consider ecological, social and economic dimensions in achieving LDN. Principles such as respecting human rights, promoting good governance, and engaging stakeholders are critical for successful LDN implementation. This chapter emphasizes the need for global cooperation and policy reforms to mitigate biodiversity loss, combat land degradation and ensure sustainable land use practices for future generations.

Geostatistical modelling of soil properties towards long-term ecological sustainability of agroecosystems

A profound grasp of the quantitative spatial heterogeneity and distribution of the soil physicochemical attributes is crucial in understanding agricultural landscapes for ensuring the provisioning of soil ecosystem services. However, the analysis of data from remote sensing, like NDVI, can be of help in analysing the capacity of the landscape to provide supporting ecosystem services such as primary productivity. The research investigated and addressed the dispersion of important soil physico-chemical attributes in agricultural lands of the temperate Himalayan region of India using a geostatistical method and combining normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time-series data and the regression Kriging method. A 206 soil samples were gathered and assessed for soil parameters like pH, EC, OC, and available N, P, K, Ca, and Mg from Kishtwar district of Jammu. The coefficient of variation (CV) for pH and electrical conductivity (EC) ranged notably from 8.75 % to 118.98 %, highlighting diverse soil characteristics critical for local management practices. Mean elevation averaged 2743.32 m (m), with a moderate NDVI of 0.15, indicating dynamics in vegetation cover. Soil pH ranged from intensely acidic to marginally alkaline, with varying EC levels. Seemingly high organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), and potassium (K) levels, accompanied by medium phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) levels were found in the region. The study employed ordinary kriging (OK) to map the spatial distribution of soil parameters, utilizing mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and the Moran’s I index. Exponential models were the best fit models for OC, while spherical models were fit for pH, EC, N, P, and Ca. Mathematical models were best fit for K and Mg. Spatial analysis using spherical and exponential models revealed distinct distribution patterns for pH, N, P, Ca, and Mg. The results of the degree of spatial dependence from the semi-variogram analyses indicated a strong (0.06 %) to moderate (0.51 %) to weak (2.81 %) dependence. The interpolated maps showed a distinct gradient in elevation (1053–4413 m), OC (0.13–2.80 %), NDVI (−0.16–0.54), pH (4.80–8.00), EC (0.03–9.80 dS m−1), N (201.15–993.19 kg ha−1), P (3.00–96.00 kg ha−1), K (124.88–1110.71 kg ha−1), Ca (7.00–46.00 meq 100 g soil−1), and Mg (2.30–21.50 meq 100 g soil−1) at the regional scale, indicating a wide range of spatial soil heterogeneity. The heterogeneity maps of soil parameters generated by this research can be effectively used by land planners and farm managers at a regional scale for crop nutrient management to reduce soil contamination risk. These maps serve as baseline materials and effective tools for suitable land management strategies such as conservation-effective tillage, integrated nutrient management, and organic farming based on the spatial distribution of soil properties and they can significantly enhance the long-term ecological sustainability of agro-ecosystems’ management.

Enhanced Soil Fertility and Carbon Dynamics in Organic Farming Systems: The Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Abundance.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are critical for soil ecosystem services as they enhance plant growth and soil quality via nutrient cycling and carbon storage. Considering the growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices, this study investigated the effects of conventional and organic farming practices on AMF diversity, abundance, and ecological functions in maize, pepper, and potato-cultivated soils. Using next-generation sequencing and quantitative PCR, we assessed AMF diversity and abundance in addition to soil health indicators such as phosphorus content, total nitrogen, and soil organic carbon. Our findings revealed that, while no significant differences in soil physicochemical parameters or AMF diversity were observed across farming systems when all crop data were combined, organic farming significantly enhances AMF abundance and fosters beneficial microbial ecosystems. These ecosystems play vital roles in nutrient cycling and carbon storage, underscoring the importance of organic practices in promoting robust AMF communities that support ecosystem services. This study not only deepens our understanding of AMF's ecological roles but also highlights the potential of organic farming to leverage these benefits for improving sustainability in agricultural practices.

Spatiotemporal Evaluation and Driving Factor Screening for Regulating and Supporting Ecosystem Service Values in Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou Metropolitan Area’s Green Space

The green space system in metropolitan areas is crucial for maintaining environmental health and stability by regulating and supporting ecosystem service values (ESVs). The Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area is located in the core of the Yangtze River Delta, and its green space exemplifies this importance, despite facing challenges from rapid urbanization in past decades. Studying the categories of ESVs and their driving factors can facilitate the comprehension of ESVs’ dynamics, thereby promoting regional sustainable development. In this article, we used the inVEST module to calculate six ESV indicators (soil retention, annual water yield, habitat quality, carbon storage, nitrogen, and phosphorus absorption) of the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area’s green space system from 2015 to 2020 and combined it with the entropy weight method (EWM) to allocate weights for these indicators and evaluate the total value of the ESVs. To address the weakness of the inVEST model in calculating the total value of multiple ESVs, the Xgboost algorithm was combined with PCA methods to screen its main driving factors from numerous measures. Finally, the GWR method was used to reveal the spatial and temporal change in the main driving factors’ impacts on ESVs in the study area over five years. The result shows (1) the spatial distribution of the total value of regulating and supporting ESVs in the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area has become more uneven in 2020 compared with 2015; (2) the most important driving factors include landscape diversity, topographic gradient, economic activity intensity, humidity, and surface temperature; and (3) based on the analysis of GWR results, the study area has an overall increase in regional soil erosion due to the expansion of impervious areas. And some mountainous areas have habitat fragmentation because of incorrect economic activity. This study provides a new perspective for evaluating the sum of multiple types of ESVs and exploring their driving factors, as well as revealing the ecosystem problems of the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area in recent years. It also provides a reference for policymakers to maintain local ecological stability and security.

Modeling food web and fisheries dynamics in Lake Baringo, Kenya

AbstractLakes are important in supporting ecosystem services and livelihoods. However, their food webs and ecological functioning are continuously threatened by anthropogenic influences. Food web models have been widely used in studying trophodynamics, fisheries impacts, and ecological functioning of temperate lakes, but less often in Afrotropical lake systems. We used Ecopath mass‐balanced trophic models annually in 1999, 2010, and 2020 to assess trends in ecosystem function, and the impact of fisheries on the Lake Baringo Ecosystem, a shallow freshwater lake in Kenya. Pre‐balance (PREBAL) and Pedigree analyses supplemented Ecopath models. Model input data were from field sampling, published and gray literature. Food web trophic models indicated a bottom‐up grazer and detrital food chains in all 3 years. Odum's ecosystem development indicators (total productivity to total biomass and total respiration ratios; TPP/TB and TPP/TR) showed that the lake was in a low to intermediate developmental stage, with room for bio‐manipulation, and a highly reduced mean transfer efficiency (TE) (6.4%–0.49%) indicated low trophic transfer of internal production. System omnivory (SOI) and connectance (CI) indices that varied among years indicated temporal variation in food web complexity. Indices of system resilience (overhead and ascendency) indicated an increasing potential for the lake to recover from perturbations. The mean trophic level of the catch (MTLc) increased from 1999 to 2010 and decreased in 2020, by fishing down the food chain as fishing pressure increased. Oreochromis niloticus, an endemic cichlid, was the keystone species (KSi >0) controlling community structure, while the lungfish Protopterus aethiopicus, the top predator in the lake, was not a keystone species (KSi <0). We recommend an integrated approach to lake management that incorporates watershed regulations, regulates fishing effort on the keystone species (O. niloticus), and monitors water quality for sustainable management of the Lake Baringo ecosystem.

An ecohydrological approach to assess water provisioning and supporting ecosystem services in the Budhabalanga River Basin, India.

Rivers are vital and complex natural systems that provide a wide range of ecosystem services. This study presents a methodology for assessing the riverine provisioning and supporting ecosystem services, whose applicability has been demonstrated over the Budhabalanga River Basin of India. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is used to generate streamflow time series at various ungauged sites, and then the streamflow is characterized for the evaluation of provisioning services. Further, the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates, along with the Lotic-invertebrate Index for Flow Evaluation (LIFE), is used to study the riverine supporting ecosystem services. The streams show intermittent behavior and strong seasonality for low flows, which limits the water availability, particularly during pre-monsoon season. The Baseflow Index (BFI) is greater than 0.6, indicating that groundwater contributes more than 60% of the total streamflow. Interestingly, despite the high BFI, the streams did not conform to the prevailing opinion that a greater baseflow contribution results in a later commencement of the low-flow period in the hydrological year. Furthermore, the study depicts significant variations in the diversity and abundance of the macroinvertebrates across the various sampling sites. However, the LIFE score across the sites remained consistent within a narrow range, i.e., 8 to 9, suggesting a steady supply of supporting ecosystem services. The results of the study can help the policymakers towards an informed decision making and the simplistic methodology proposed in this study can be replicated in other river basins for identifying vulnerable watersheds and prioritizing management actions.

Public Attitudes towards Insect Pollinators in Morocco: Insights from a Pilot Study with Broader Applications

This pilot study provides insights into the Moroccan public’s understanding and willingness to engage in insect pollinator preservation, highlighting widespread awareness alongside significant knowledge gaps. The success of biodiversity conservation efforts, especially those aimed at insect pollinators, is greatly enhanced by an informed and committed populace. Understanding public perceptions of insect pollinators is important as it shapes the effectiveness of conservation strategies and their implementation. Although our pilot study does not include every demographic of Moroccan society, it does include an important portion of the populace: educated urban youth. This is a key portion of the population that will be crucial in developing future conservation strategies, especially given the tendency towards increasing urbanization putting cities at the forefront of sustainable development. Our study aimed to assess opinions on insect pollinators, their services, and their declining population numbers in Morocco. We conducted a survey distributed mainly through the media over four months, receiving responses from 301 individuals. The results indicate that the public is aware of decreasing insect pollinator populations and their main threats, and shows a willingness to participate in conservation strategies. However, gaps persist in understanding the roles and ecology of pollinators. While honey bees and bumble bees are well-recognized for their role in pollinating agricultural and wild plants, there is less awareness about other common pollinators such as solitary bees and flies. Additionally, the essential contributions of non-bee pollinators remain widely overlooked. To address these findings, we recommend implementing specialized educational initiatives to increase public understanding of the vital functions of non-bee pollinators in supporting ecosystem services. In order to adopt a more encompassing strategy for the conservation of insect pollinators, upcoming outreach efforts within the national biodiversity strategy should emphasize the contributions made by lesser-known non-bee insect pollinators and strive to engage sectors of the population currently less involved in pollinator conservation. However, while this pilot study provides valuable insights, the sample size limits the generalizability of these conclusions. Future research with larger and more diverse samples would be beneficial to validate and expand upon these findings in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of all areas of public perception and engagement in pollinator conservation in Morocco. Expanding sampling to include older, less educated, and less urban demographics would strengthen these initial insights and broaden their application, especially beyond urban attitudes.

Squamate scavenging services: Heath goannas (Varanus rosenbergi) support carcass removal and may suppress agriculturally damaging blowflies.

Human-induced environmental change has caused widespread loss of species that support important functions for ecosystems and society. For example, vertebrate scavengers contribute to the functional health of ecosystems and provide services to agricultural landscapes by removing carcasses and associated pests. Widespread extirpation of native Australian mammals since the arrival of Europeans in Australia has removed many scavenging species from landscapes, while scavenging mammals such as European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been introduced. In much of Australia, squamate reptiles are the largest native terrestrial scavengers remaining, where large native mammals are extinct and conservation management is being undertaken to remove invasive mammals. The contribution of reptiles to scavenging functions is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the ecosystem functions provided by large reptiles as scavengers to better understand how populations can be managed to support ecosystem services. We investigated the ecosystem services provided by vertebrate scavengers in Australian coastal mallee ecosystems, focusing on the heath goanna (Varanus rosenbergi), the only extant native terrestrial scavenger in the region. We carried out exclosure experiments, isolating the scavenging activity of different taxonomic groups to quantify the contribution of different taxa to scavenging services, specifically the removal of rat carcasses, and its impact on the occurrence of agriculturally damaging blowflies. We compared areas with different native and invasive scavenger communities to investigate the impact of invasive species removal and native species abundance on scavenging services. Our results indicated that vertebrate scavenging significantly contributes to carcass removal and limitation of necrophagous fly breeding in carcasses and that levels of removal are higher in areas associated with high densities of heath goannas and low densities of invasive mammals. Therefore, augmentation of heath goanna populations represents a promising management strategy to restore and maximize scavenging ecosystem services.

Quantifying farm sustainability through the lens of ecological theory.

The achievements of the Green Revolution in meeting the nutritional needs of a growing global population have been won at the expense of unintended consequences for the environment. Some of these negative impacts are now threatening the sustainability of food production through the loss of pollinators and natural enemies of crop pests, the evolution of pesticide resistance, declining soil health and vulnerability to climate change. In the search for farming systems that are sustainable both agronomically and environmentally, alternative approaches have been proposed variously called 'agroecological', 'conservation agriculture', 'regenerative' and 'sustainable intensification'. While the widespread recognition of the need for more sustainable farming is to be welcomed, this has created etymological confusion that has the potential to become a barrier to transformation. There is a need, therefore, for objective criteria to evaluate alternative farming systems and to quantify farm sustainability against multiple outcomes. To help meet this challenge, we reviewed the ecological theories that explain variance in regulating and supporting ecosystem services delivered by biological communities in farmland to identify guiding principles for management change. For each theory, we identified associated system metrics that could be used as proxies for agroecosystem function. We identified five principles derived from ecological theory: (i) provide key habitats for ecosystem service providers; (ii) increase crop and non-crop habitat diversity; (iii) increase edge density: (iv) increase nutrient-use efficiency; and (v) avoid extremes of disturbance. By making published knowledge the foundation of the choice of associated metrics, our aim was to establish a broad consensus for their use in sustainability assessment frameworks. Further analysis of their association with farm-scale data on biological communities and/or ecosystem service delivery would provide additional validation for their selection and support for the underpinning theories.

Observing change in pelagic animals as sampling methods shift: the case of Antarctic krill

Understanding and managing the response of marine ecosystems to human pressures including climate change requires reliable large-scale and multi-decadal information on the state of key populations. These populations include the pelagic animals that support ecosystem services including carbon export and fisheries. The use of research vessels to collect information using scientific nets and acoustics is being replaced with technologies such as autonomous moorings, gliders, and meta-genetics. Paradoxically, these newer methods sample pelagic populations at ever-smaller spatial scales, and ecological change might go undetected in the time needed to build up large-scale, long time series. These global-scale issues are epitomised by Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), which is concentrated in rapidly warming areas, exports substantial quantities of carbon and supports an expanding fishery, but opinion is divided on how resilient their stocks are to climatic change. Based on a workshop of 137 krill experts we identify the challenges of observing climate change impacts with shifting sampling methods and suggest three tractable solutions. These are to: improve overlap and calibration of new with traditional methods; improve communication to harmonise, link and scale up the capacity of new but localised sampling programs; and expand opportunities from other research platforms and data sources, including the fishing industry. Contrasting evidence for both change and stability in krill stocks illustrates how the risks of false negative and false positive diagnoses of change are related to the temporal and spatial scale of sampling. Given the uncertainty about how krill are responding to rapid warming we recommend a shift towards a fishery management approach that prioritises monitoring of stock status and can adapt to variability and change.

Brief communication: On the environmental impacts of the 2023 floods in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)

Abstract. The impacts of floods on environmental assets are often not assessed. In this communication, we reflect on this issue by analysing the reported environmental consequences of the 2023 Emilia-Romagna floods. The information on the environmental impacts is constructed by collecting data from reports, press releases, and interviews in the aftermath of the events. The most frequently reported damage involves water resources and water-related ecosystems, with cultural and supporting ecosystem services particularly affected. Indirect effects in time and space, intrinsic recovery capacity, cascade impacts on socio-economic systems, and the lack of established monitoring activities appear to be the most challenging aspects for future research.

Morphological and biochemical changes in Quercus humboldtii in response to warmer and polluted urban areas in a tropical Andean city

Abstract The rapid growth of urban population has significantly changed human settlement patterns, leading to a decline in air quality and changes in climatic conditions in urban areas. Trees are recognized as nature-based solutions because they can remove particles from the air and regulate the climate. However, trees are negatively affected by pollution and temperatures, which represent a challenge for urban planning, management, and human health. To assess the impact of urban pollution and warmer climates on functional traits, we conducted a study using Quercus humboldtii, an endangered tree species endemic to Colombia and Panamá that dominates Andean forests and urban green areas in Bogotá. We selected three localities with contrasting pollution levels and climate conditions and measured 10 morphological and biochemical traits in six individuals at each location. Our findings revealed that Q. humboldtii adjusted morphological and biochemical traits in response to the environmental challenges posed by urban environments. The functional strategies varied between individuals with thin and large leaves and acidic pH in the colder and unpolluted native forest, while others displayed a conservative resource strategy (high leaf dry matter content) and neutral pH in the warmer and most polluted locality. Despite these differences, several traits indicate that Q. humboldtii is not a species tolerant to pollution. This is further supported by the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) values. Our results suggest that Q. humboldtii should be planted in areas of Bogotá with low pollution levels in order to promote its long-term survival and support ecosystem services.

Exploring Sustainability Concerns and Ecosystem Services: The Role of the New Ecological Paradigm Scale in Understanding Public Opinion

This study mainly explores people’s environmental attitudes and perceptions and their motivations for protecting and improving ecosystem services in Italy. The environmental perceptions of people were explored through the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, a tool for gauging environmental consciousness and perceptions, especially in the context of ecological sustainability. Data were collected from a sample of more than 1500 respondents residing in Italy using computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI). The results showed that respondents have a high level of environmental concern for most scale issues. The application of principal component analysis (PCA) to the respondents’ responses revealed the multidimensionality of the NEP scale: anti-anthropocentrism (pro-NEP items), human domination (pro-dominant social paradigm (DSP) items), and limits of nature. The results also showed that socio-demographic characteristics and people’s knowledge and beliefs are associated with a strong concern for nature, which can support ecosystem service conservation. Different cultural backgrounds may place varying emphasis on sustainability, conservation, or economic development.

Remote Sensing-Based Long-Term Assessment of Water Dynamics and Influencing Factors in Abaya and Chamo Lakes, East African Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Lakes are essential to global freshwater systems, supporting ecosystem services and ecological processes, but they are increasingly impacted by climate change and human activities. This study examined the long-term dynamics of Lakes Abaya and Chamo in the Ethiopian Rift Valley using Landsat images, altimetry-derived lake level data, and a machine learning method within Google Earth Engine, specifically a Multi-Index-based Random Forest (MIRF) classifier. The MIRF classifier achieved high accuracy, ranging from 97.58% to 99.13%, in extracting lake surface water. Substantial fluctuations in lake areas and lake levels were observed: Lake Abaya’s area decreased from 2000 to 2005 at a rate of 6.67 km²/year, then expanded until 2022 at the same increasing rate; Lake Chamo’s area decreased from 2000 to 2010 at a rate of 1.62 km²/year, then expanded until 2022 at a rate of 2.88 km²/year. The correlation analysis between lake areas and environmental factors such as Rainfall (RF), Temperature (TEMP), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Groundwater Storage (GWS), Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS), and Soil Moisture (SM) revealed important associations. For Lake Abaya, strong correlations were identified with NDVI and TWS, suggesting that vegetation cover and terrestrial water significantly influence its area changes. In contrast, for Lake Chamo, NDVI emerged as the key driver, indicating that vegetation dynamics play a crucial role in the lake’s fluctuations. Furthermore, higher-order polynomial regression models were developed to better capture the complex relationships between lake area and water levels for both lakes. In general, this study integrates remote sensing, machine learning, and cloud computing, offering valuable insights into the lakes’ long-term characteristic and providing critical information for future water resource management strategies.

An Assessment of Local People's Knowledge and Management Practices of Freshwater Macrophytes in Three Kenyan Lakes

ABSTRACTIt is increasingly being recognised that local people's knowledge can contribute to the ecological and socioeconomic goals of natural resource management programmes. Yet, few studies have examined local people's knowledge concerning freshwater macrophyte diversity. Consequently, the extent to which local people's knowledge can contribute to mitigating freshwater macrophyte degradation and supporting their management remains largely unknown. To contribute towards filling this knowledge gap, we investigated local people's knowledge, perceptions and management practices of freshwater macrophyte species. Data collection involved conducting face‐to‐face in‐depth interviews and focus group discussions among local people who lived in areas adjacent to Lake Baringo, Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria and the Kenyan side of Lake Jipe. The sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents were summarised using descriptive statistics. Then, generalised linear mixed‐effect models were used to test whether the respondent's sociodemographic characteristics were associated with their macrophyte species recognition skills, benefits and problems associated with macrophytes and management practices. Our respondents named a total of 35 macrophyte species, with each respondent naming an average of six species. Our results showed that respondents who were not involved in fishing and fish‐related activities identified more macrophytes than those who participated in such activities. Additionally, individuals who frequently visited the lake named more macrophyte species compared to those who visited either daily or occasionally. While our respondents acknowledged various benefits and problems associated with macrophytes, there was a higher recognition rate for those that directly impacted humans. Regarding local management practices, it was observed that macrophytes were not conserved, with management efforts focusing solely on problematic species. Overall, macrophyte naming skills, knowledge on provisioning and supporting ecosystem services, direct adverse macrophyte impacts and management methods increased with age. We identified knowledge gaps regarding alien species and the indirect impacts of macrophytes. Addressing these gaps is crucial.

Carbon content and other soil properties of near-surface peats before and after peatland restoration.

Peatland restoration usually aims at restarting the peatlands' function to store carbon within peat. The soil properties of the near-surface peat can give a first understanding of this process. Therefore, we sampled pH value, total organic carbon content (TOC), total nitrogen content (TN), C/N ratio as well as dry bulk density (BD), and describe the structure of near-surface peats in six restored fens in North-East Germany before (2002-2004) and after (2019-2021) restoration. Before restoration, the study sites showed peat degradation to various extents in their near-surface peats. pH values remained relatively stable over time. Comparing the degraded peat horizons, TOC increased significantly in four study sites, ranging from 35.7% to 47.8% in 2002-2004 and from 42.5% to 54.0% in 2019-2021. TN varied from 1.5% to 3.5% in 2002-2004 and from 1.8% to 3.2% in 2019-2021, but changes were only significant in one site, showing a slight decrease. In three sites, the increase in C/N ratio was significant, indicating lower nutrient availability. BD ranged from 0.08 to 0.48 g/cm3 in 2002-2004 and from 0.10 to 0.16 g/cm3 in 2019-2021, decreasing significantly in four sites. The structure of the degraded peat horizons changed after restoration to a more homogenous, sludge mass with larger re-aggregates. In three sites, new peat moss peat layers above the degraded soil horizon were present in 2019-2021, with a mean thickness of 6.8 to 36.1 cm. The structure was comparable to typical, slightly decomposed peat moss peat. Our findings suggest that within about 17 years after fen restoration, and thereby a water table rise close to surface, TOC of the near-surface peats increased to values that are typical for undisturbed peatlands. This indicates that restoration can lead to the re-establishment of peatlands as potential carbon sinks, with TOC within the near-surface peat as one key factor in this process. Further, we assume that the decrease in nutrient availability, decrease of BD, and new, undisturbed peat layers can favor the establishment of mire-specific biodiversity and support ecosystem services similar to near-natural mires.