Vital Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Managing soil to support soil biodiversity in protected areas agroecosystems: a comparison between arable lands, olive groves, and vineyards in the Conero Park (Italy).

Sustainable soil management is essential to conserve soil biodiversity and its provision of vital ecosystem services. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 highlights the key role of organic farming and land protection in halting biodiversity loss, including edaphic biodiversity. To assess the effectiveness of the proposed measures, a 1-year study was conducted in spring 2022 to determine the soil quality of three organically managed agroecosystems and four sites for each: arable lands, olive groves, and vineyards in the Conero Park, using the arthropod-based Biological Soil Quality Index (QBS-ar) and also considering soil chemical-physical characteristics. Soil microarthropods are sensitive indicators of the impact of agricultural practices on soil quality. Given the diversity of the agronomic practices applied in these agroecosystems, the study aimed to compare the soil quality and identify the system with the least impact on soil biodiversity conservation, with the goal of laying the basis for identifying soil quality benchmarks within each system to be used in monitoring activities in land protected areas. Results showed that organic farming combined with land protection had a positive impact on soil quality. The overall soil quality was excellent, with the highest levels found in arable lands. This is consistent with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis (IDH), which states that slightly disturbed habitats (i.e., arable land with minimum tillage) tend to have higher organism diversity than stable ones. The composition of microarthropod communities in arable land differed from those in stable arboreal crops. Olive groves showed a higher abundance and diversity of microarthropods compared to vineyards, which showed lower values. Promoting the use of QBS-ar, identifying benchmarks for prevalent agroecosystems, and ensuring continuous monitoring of protected areas are thus crucial issues.

Impact of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Plantation Management on Biomass, Carbon Sequestration Rates and Storage

Loblolly pine plantations have long been cultivated primarily for timber production due to their rapid growth and economic value. However, these forests are now increasingly acknowledged for their important role in mitigating climate change. Their dense canopies and fast growth rates enable them to absorb and store substantial amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide. By integrating sustainable management practices, these plantations can maximize both timber yield and carbon sequestration, contributing to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Balancing timber production with vital ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, demands carefully tailored management strategies. This study examined how the timing of thinning—specifically early thinning at 17 years and late thinning at 32 years—impacts biomass accumulation, carbon storage capacity, and carbon sequestration rates in loblolly pine plantations located in northern Iran. Two thinning intensities were evaluated: normal thinning (removal of 15% basal area) and heavy thinning (removal of 35% basal area). The results demonstrated that thinning significantly improved biomass, sequestration rates and carbon storage compared to unthinned stands. Early thinning proved more effective than late thinning in enhancing these metrics. Additionally, heavy thinning had a greater impact than normal thinning on increasing biomass, carbon storage, and sequestration rates. In early heavy-thinned stands, carbon storage reached 95.8 Mg C/ha, which was 63.0% higher than the 58.8 Mg C/ha observed in unthinned 32-year-old stands. In comparison, early normal thinning increased carbon storage by 41.3%. In late heavy-thinned stands, carbon storage reached 199.4 Mg C/ha, which was 29.0% higher than in unthinned stands of the same age (154.6 Mg C/ha at 52 years). In contrast, late normal thinning increased carbon storage by 13.3%. Similarly, carbon sequestration rates in unthinned stands were 1.84 Mg C/ha/yr at 32 years and 2.97 Mg C/ha/yr at 52 years. In comparison, 32-year-old stands subjected to normal and heavy thinning had sequestration rates of 2.60 and 2.99 Mg C/ha/yr, respectively, while 54-year-old normally and heavily thinned stands reached 3.37 and 3.83 Mg C/ha/yr, respectively. The highest carbon storage was concentrated in the stems for 52–58% of the total. Greater thinning intensity increased the proportion of carbon stored in stems while decreasing the contribution from foliage. These results indicate that heavy early thinning is the most effective strategy for maximizing both timber production and carbon sequestration in loblolly pine plantations.

Soil Health: Concepts, Principles and Road Maps for Management in Regenerative Agriculture

Soil is a crucial nonrenewable resource for agriculture and has a direct impact on food security. However, the decline in crop yield post-Green Revolution suggested soil health deterioration due to soil degradation through harmful chemicals and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, restoring the health of the land and the environment is very important. In the last ten years, there has been a large increase in interest in soil health around the world. Many government, nongovernmental, and private sector groups are working on developing monitoring and assessment techniques. The concept of soil health is defined as the continuous capacity of soil to function as a vital ecosystem service supporting plants, animals, and humans. Biofertilizers, vermicompost, farmyard and green manure, and biopesticides are natural fertilizers that can be used instead of chemical fertilizers. This can help crops grow well while also being good for the land and climate. This brief study focused on soil health indicators such as soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and the urgent need for soil health restoration through the adoption of regenerative agriculture management practices.

Mapping Urban Changes Through the Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Vegetation and Built-Up Areas in Iași, Romania

Vegetation cover in urban and peri-urban areas is threatened by urban sprawl, through habitat fragmentation, loss of green space, biodiversity reduction, and the urban heat island effect intensifying. The intrusion of cities into natural landscapes reduces vital ecosystem services provided by vegetation. Hence, sustainable and integrated urban planning practices are required. Our study aims to investigate the dynamics of the urban and peri-urban fabric by exploring the relationship between the green fabric distribution and recent trends in urban expansion, focusing specifically on the peri-urban areas of Iași Municipality, Romania. We designed a mixed-method approach combining a multivariate analysis of four critical indicators (vegetation cover, built-up space, land surface temperature, and population density), emerging hot-spots, and space-time cubes in a GIS environment to achieve our research aims. Our results demonstrate that uncontrolled urban expansion has manifested in diverse patterns, impacting territories next to road transport networks and with construction-suitable topography. Concurrently, the development of green spaces prevails in forests and unexpected locations such as brownfields, railway corridors, and old industrial zones, through the growth of urban greenery. This approach provides a comprehensive understanding of how urban sprawl impacts the environment and how different land types are prone to this transformation, creating a path towards sustainability, resilience, and equitable development.

Assessment of Green Space Dynamics Under Urban Expansion of Senegalese Cities: The Case of Dakar

Senegalese cities have experienced rapid urbanisation, leading to profound landscape changes. Dakar, one of Senegalese’s fastest-growing cities, is experiencing rapid urban expansion, significantly reducing green spaces. These green spaces, essential for urban sustainability and resilience, have become increasingly scarce, affecting the city’s environment and the quality of life for its residents. This study aims to assess the spatiotemporal changes in Dakar’s green spaces from 1990 to 2022. Using satellite imagery, this study produces land use maps to quantify green space coverage over the years. The results show a gradual decline in green spaces in Dakar between 1990 and 2022. In 1990, green spaces covered an estimated 13.36% of Dakar’s area, which decreased significantly to 9.54% by 2022. In contrast, other land uses, such as built-up areas, increased significantly over this period, rising from 19.23% in 1990 to 39.34% in 2022. Moreover, built-up areas are not the sole contributor to the reduction of green spaces in Dakar. The study revealed that, between 1990 and 2022, 5.49% of green spaces were converted into bare soil due to excessive tree cutting. This pattern highlights the growing challenge of green space availability as built-up areas expand rapidly, particularly when growth is unplanned. This study underscores the importance of sustainable urban planning that integrates the protection and conservation of Dakar’s vegetation to preserve vital ecosystem services.

Preliminary new study indicates possible dramatic decline in the diversity of insects visiting flowers of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) in Kings Park over 26 Years

The recent decline of terrestrial insects in many parts of the world is of growing concern due to the fundamental ecosystem services they perform. Pollination is a vital ecosystem service predominantly performed by insects, with inestimable environmental and economic benefits. Accurate assessment and management of insect pollinator declines, and of other ecosystem impacts are hindered by a lack of long-term monitoring data and notably an absence of Southern Hemisphere studies. This preliminary study aims to address some of these gaps by determining if the diversity of insect floral visitors and potential pollinators of the canopy tree species Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) within Kings Park may have changed over 26 years by replicating the methods employed by previous research (undertaken by Yates et al. in 2005). Additionally, this study aims to determine if the relative abundance of the introduced European honeybee (Apis mellifera) compared to native bees visiting Jarrah flowers may have also changed. We observed insect visitors to flowers at three trees across the morning, midday, and evening over three consecutive days in mid-December 2023 (peak flowering). A total of 3023 individual observations were made, recording insects of 7 orders, 25 families, 39 genera, and 45 species. We found that abundances were comparable to 26 years ago but found a substantial shift in the composition of insect visitors with 46% less species documented and only 25% of species reoccurring. Ten additional families were observed that were not documented 26 years ago, with most visitors capable of performing pollination to varying efficacies. Ants had replaced the European honeybee as the most common visitor to Jarrah flowers, and while the relative abundance of honeybees was still significantly greater than native bees, the proportion of honeybee visitors had declined, at least at the time of our study. The documented shift in the composition of Jarrah insect pollinators should be confirmed by more replicated studies in Kings Park, and highlights the importance of long-term monitoring, and the need for further avenues of urban pollination research to accurately assess and address any widespread decline of insects. This is important for protecting the pollination services that insect pollinators provide at local and global scales.

O Papel Crucial das Áreas Protegidas no Combate ao Desmatamento na Amazônia

Protected areas are crucial in combating deforestation in the Amazon, playing an essential role in conserving the tropical rainforest and maintaining vital ecosystem services for the planet. These areas, which include national parks, reserves, and indigenous lands, act as barriers against agricultural expansion and illegal logging, helping to preserve large tracts of native vegetation. Protecting these regions is critical for maintaining biodiversity, providing refuge for numerous threatened species, and contributing to climate and hydrological cycle regulation. Additionally, protected areas help mitigate climate change by sequestering large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, serving as important carbon sinks. They are also vital for promoting sustainable land use practices and implementing effective conservation policies. However, to ensure these areas fulfill their role, rigorous enforcement and proper resource allocation are essential. Integrating local, regional, and international efforts is necessary to strengthen their protection and ensure that the Amazon continues to play its vital role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

(Dis)connecting the Globe Through Water-Driven Ecological and Biogeochemical Corridors in the Polar-Alpine Biome.

Global change is causing the melting of ice masses, permafrost thawing, and the shrinking of glaciers, thereby reshaping nature's rhythms. Longer thaw phases and more frequent dry periods are transforming water-driven transitional ecosystems (e.g., glacier-fed streams) in the Polar-Alpine biome. This shift risks replacing unique, specialist species with more generalist ones, leading to "biotic homogenization"-a loss of diversity that reduces ecosystems' adaptability to change. While more species may be present at local levels, this often comes at the expense of the critical roles that specialists play. These changes disrupt nature's balance and the provision of vital ecosystem services.

Cost‐efficiency and effectiveness of coral restoration pathways

Coral reefs play a crucial role in supporting over half a billion human livelihoods through their contributions to fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection. In light of substantial global declines in coral cover and the deterioration of reef habitats due to climate change and other human‐driven influences, the urgency of coral reef restoration has escalated to help preserve their vital ecosystem services. Comprehending the economic costs associated with existing and potential future coral restoration approaches has become time‐sensitive. The median cost of coral reef restoration is estimated to be 400,000 USD/ha (at base year 2010). This estimate comes with limitations due to its reliance on reported project costs associated with various techniques. Here we look to standardize expenses through uniform costing of reported efforts based on the time invested to estimate specific per‐unit costs for restoration methods. We complement literature‐extracted values with independent estimates based on real‐world operations. Using this approach, we decipher comparative costs of different nursery and outplanting approaches and identify incorporated dependencies. To gain insights into the impact of labor costs on global coral reef restoration expenditures, we examine variations in the costs of labor in two coral reef regions. Overall, our data‐based approach identifies limitations within the most commonly practiced restoration pathways, opportunities to reduce operational costs, and points toward priorities for future research and development.

Are prevailing policy tools effective in conserving ecosystem services under individual private tenure? Challenges and policy gaps in a rapidly urbanizing region

Forestlands worldwide provide vital ecosystem services (ES) essential for human well-being yet are facing rising threats from land-use/land-cover change. Land ownership patterns and property rights significantly influence land management practices and the protection of ES. Family forest owners (FFOs) are the targets of numerous conservation policies and programs, many of which are built around economic incentives and market-based instruments. This study combines a mail-administered survey with land use-land cover change modeling results to better understand whether FFOs plan to convert their properties, what motivates FFOs to adopt prevailing policies, and what other conservation policy models might be attractive. Our research focuses on FFOs whose parcels are identified as having high conservation values in a rapidly urbanizing watershed. Survey results show strong motivations among FFOs to protect biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and ES while expressing concerns about property taxes, regulations, and land-use threats. Our analysis indicates a relationship between anticipated land transfers or residential development and predicting factors including parcel size, government regulations, and tax concerns. Results reveal a gap between the design of existing conservation programs and FFOs’ interest in adoption. Limited interest in conservation easements and carbon markets underscores the need for more flexible conservation tools aligned with landowner preferences. Moreover, FFOs’ considerable awareness of existing conservation programs, alongside ongoing forest loss in the study region, underscores enrollment obstacles such as minimum-size eligibility requirements, thereby highlighting inadequacy of current frameworks in incentivizing long-term conservation outcomes. The findings from the studied watershed may have broader relevance for regions with similar land ownership patterns, land use dynamics, and political contexts worldwide.

Divergent dynamics of coastal wetlands in the world’s major river deltas during 1990–2019

Coastal wetlands provide vital dynamic ecosystem services. They have become increasingly important after being linked to several sustainable developmental goals, resulting in a focus on their protection, management, and restoration. Therefore, there is an increasing need to detect and compare coastal wetland spatiotemporal dynamics in deltas at a global scale. In this study, we mapped and characterized coastal wetland spatiotemporal patterns for 1990–2019 in the world’s major river deltas using pixel frequency algorithms and Landsat-4/5 (TM), −7 (ETM + ), −8 (OLI), and Sentinel-2 (MSI) time-series imagery obtained from Google Earth Engine (GEE). Our map had a high overall accuracy (91.84 %) for 2019. Tidal flats were primarily distributed in North America (∼6.87 %) and Asia (∼5.91 %), whereas salt marshes were more commonly found in North America (∼45.39 %) and South America (∼10.61 %). Mangroves are more common in South America (∼11.86 %) and Asia (∼5.83 %), primarily because of the Amazon River Delta and tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, which host several large river deltas. South America had the largest coastal delta wetland area (798,569 km2), followed by Asia (640,251 km2), North America (581,977 km2), Africa (181,977 km2), Europe (140,759 km2), and Oceania (15,915 km2). There was a minor difference in the distribution of wetland vegetation and tidal flats in Asian coastal deltas, and the wetland vegetation area in Asia was greater than that in tidal flats on other continents. We found that the coastal wetland areas increased during 1990–2001, decreased during 2001–2012, and steadily increased during 2012–2019. Our study provides a baseline for monitoring the area, status, and health of the coastal wetlands in these river deltas.

Evaluating soil quality and carbon storage in Western Ghats Forests, Karnataka, India, for sustainable forest management.

Monitoring soil quality index (SQI) and soil organic carbon (SOC) stock status of the Western Ghats (WG) forests in India is crucial for providing vital ecosystem services alongside sustainable forest management practices. However, comprehensive profile data on SQI and SOC stock across different forest types under WG forests are limited. The study evaluated SQI and SOC stock under three forest types, i.e. tropical wet evergreen (TWE), tropical semi-evergreen (TSE), and tropical moist deciduous (TMD) across WG in Karnataka. SQI was assessed using principal component analysis with two indexing approaches and scoring methodologies, with weightage indexing through nonlinear scoring functions (NLSF) showing superiority over other methodologies. TMD forests exhibited the highest SQI, followed by TWE and TSE, while the lowest was observed in Rippon Pet RF (0.36 surface, 0.28 control section), primarily due to limitations in organic carbon and clay content. SOC stock mirrored SQI trends (TMD > TWE > TSE), with the highest values in Kollegal RF (339.3 MG ha-1) and lowest in Rippon Pet RF (102.5 MG ha-1). Although SOC and SQI were established to be ideal indicators for dynamic ecosystem services (ESs), high OC content in surface soils of Poomale NF induces pedogenic acidification and Al toxicities, indicating potential forest soil degradation. Significant correlation with control section SQI and SOC (p < 0.05) emphasises monitoring subsurface soil status to identify soil degradation, sustainable forestry practices, and complex ESs in forest systems.

Shedding light with harmonic radar: Unveiling the hidden impacts of streetlights on moth flight behavior

One of the most dramatic changes occurring on our planet is the ever-increasing extensive use of artificial light at night, which drastically altered the environment to which nocturnal animals are adapted. Such light pollution has been identified as a driver in the dramatic insect decline of the past years. One nocturnal species group experiencing marked declines are moths, which play a key role in food webs and ecosystem services such as plant pollination. Moths can be easily monitored within the illuminated area of a streetlight, where they typically exhibit disoriented behavior. Yet, little is known about their behavior beyond the illuminated area. Harmonic radar tracking enabled us to close this knowledge gap. We found a significant change in flight behavior beyond the illuminated area of a streetlight. A detailed analysis of the recorded trajectories revealed a barrier effect of streetlights on lappet moths whenever the moon was not available as a natural celestial cue. Furthermore, streetlights increased the tortuosity of flights for both hawk moths and lappet moths. Surprisingly, we had to reject our fundamental hypothesis that most individuals would fly toward a streetlight. Instead, this was true for only 4% of the tested individuals, indicating that the impact of light pollution might be more severe than assumed to date. Our results provide experimental evidence for the fragmentation of landscapes by streetlights and demonstrate that light pollution affects movement patterns of moths beyond what was previously assumed, potentially affecting their reproductive success and hampering a vital ecosystem service.

Distinct Communities of Bacteria and Unicellular Eukaryotes in the Different Water Masses of Cretan Passage Water Column (Eastern Mediterranean Sea).

Elucidating marine microbiota diversity and dynamics holds significant importance due to their role in maintaining vital ecosystem functions and services including climate regulation. This work aims to contribute in the understanding of microbial ecology and networking in one of the world's most understudied marine regions, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. High-throughput 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing analysis was applied to study the diversity of bacteria and unicellular eukaryotes in the different water masses of the Cretan Passage during two seasonally-different sampling expeditions. We assumed that microbial associations differ between the surface and deepwater masses and created co-occurrence networks to evaluate this hypothesis. Our results unveiled vertical variations in both bacterial and unicellular eukaryotic diversity with species fluctuations indicative of seasonality being recorded in the surface water mass. Heterotrophic taxa and grazers related to organic matter degradation and nutrient cycling were enriched in the deepest water layers. Moreover, surface waters presented a higher number of microbial associations indicating abundant ecological niches compared to the deepest layer, possibly related to the lack of bottom-up resources in the oligotrophic deep ocean. Overall, our data provide insight in a heavily stressed, yet underexplored, marine area that requires further research to unravel the ecological roles of marine microbes. To our knowledge, this is the first study that combines molecular biology tools to provide data on both planktic prokaryotes and unicellular eukaryotes across the different water masses in this marine region of the Eastern Mediterranean basin.

Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics: Drivers of Climate Change-induced Soil Organic Carbon Loss at Various Ecosystems

At roughly 2500 Peta gram (Pg) C, soil organic carbon (SOC) is the biggest carbon store in terrestrial ecosystems and is a crucial contributor to vital soil functions and ecosystem services, such as agricultural soil productivity. SOC stocks are in a dynamic equilibrium between C inputs, primarily from crop residues and organic manures, and C loss owing to decomposition and mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) under long-term constant land management and environmental circumstances. In addition, the rate of C addition in native ecosystems is governed by the nature and productivity of the local flora, which is mostly influenced by climatic conditions. However, being a complex system, various factors, such as soil management and land-use change influence the soil C pool. Along with temperature gradients from temperate to tropical regions, SOC supplies were shown to be shrinking on a global and regional basis. This reflects the rates of SOM decomposition as a function of temperature, which fluctuates more rapidly than net primary production (NPP). SOM decomposition rates are also influenced by several parameters, including soil temperature and moisture, soil respiration and pH, and soil physical properties including texture and clay mineralogy. Nonetheless, increased temperatures as a result of climate change are thought to be the primary driver of accelerated decomposition, which results in considerable reductions in SOC supplies and sequestration. Furthermore, climatic change contributes to soil deterioration by increasing the mineralization of the SOC pool and causing desertification (irreversible expansion of desert landforms). Similarly, erosion is a degrading process that affects C dynamics and leads to terrestrial carbon loss through the breakdown of structural aggregates, as well as lower productivity in eroding areas due to a lack of soil nutrients. Thus, for an in-depth understanding of worldwide soil C dynamics and to provide support to C management and decision support systems to policymakers and land managers in the face of changing climates, comprehensive research on the influence of multiple climate-induced drivers on soil C is required.

Improving Carbon Sequestration in Wetlands Using Native Poplar Genotypes for Reforestation Purposes

From the early 2000s, many forestation projects were carried out in the flooding areas of the Po River to preserve abandoned or damaged riverbanks and establish natural populations of Populus nigra L. for species conservation and future seed collection activities. Different clones of P. nigra, belonging to a collection of the Centre for Forestry and Wood (CREA-FL), were planted. The group named ‘POBIA’ comprises 35 selected clones chosen for their survival ability and fast growth. After plantation and a few essential cultural inputs, four establishments were left undisturbed. This study highlights the survival, growth, and performance results of the ‘POBIA’ group compared to other not-selected clones. The ‘POBIA’ clones showed a higher survival than the not-selected clones. Moreover, the ‘POBIA’ groups showed a significantly higher C sink performance in three of four establishments, reaching 278.6 t ha−1 of CO2 obtained in thirteen years in one site. The management of ‘POBIA’ clones in reforestation projects agrees with the EU recommendations for a vital ecosystem service.

The Effect of Land Cover Change on Soil Erosion in Awach Kibuon Sub-basin, Kenya

Land cover change is a significant driver of soil erosion. While soil erosion is a natural process, human activities can significantly alter the landscape, making soil more vulnerable to erosion. This erosion reduces a watershed&amp;apos;s capacity to sustain vital natural resources and ecosystem services. This study investigated the impact of these changes on soil erosion within four hydrological units (Awach Kibuon, Awach Owade, Awach Kasipul, and Awach Kabondo) of the Awach Kibuon sub-basin between 2018 and 2023. The specific objective of the study was to quantify the effect of land cover change on soil erosion rate and determine how specific land cover types affect soil erosion in the study area. This study employed a quasi-longitudinal design to assess the influence of land cover changes on soil erosion. Sentinel-2 NDVI satellite imagery provided land cover data. The land cover maps, soil data, rainfall data and the Digital Elevation Model were used in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation Model within a GIS environment to estimate soil erosion rates. The study revealed a consistent decline in vegetation cover across all hydrological units, as indicated by a decrease in NDVI. The mean NDVI decreased by 12.88%, 10.92%, 4.78%, and 11.92% in Awach Kibuon, Awach Owade, Awach Kasipul and Awach Kabondo respectively. Conversely, the mean soil erosion rate increased by 23.9% in Awach Kibuon, 17.85% in Awach Owade, 24.43% in Awach Kasipul, and 20.54% in Awach Kabondo. Sediment yield increased by 33% in Awach Kibuon, 18% in Awach Owade, 17% in Awach Kasipul, and 23% in Awach Kabondo. These findings suggest a direct relationship between reduced vegetation and elevated soil erosion. The relationship between land cover and erosion varies depending on the density of vegetation. Areas with dense vegetation cover have an inverse relationship, highlighting the protective role of vegetation cover. However, the study also observed that very dense vegetation areas which were also found in high-sloped areas experienced high soil erosion rates. The erosion rate increases even in areas that have experienced an increase in vegetation cover. This is because these areas are also found in high-sloped areas. The slope factor superseded the ability of vegetation cover to protect against soil loss. In conclusion, the change in land cover has significantly increased soil erosion in the Awach Kibuon Sub-basin, however, the slope factor also accelerated soil loss in the basin. Therefore, a holistic approach that combines promoting vegetation cover with land management techniques like terracing and drainage channels is crucial for mitigating soil degradation and water sedimentation in sub-basin.

Bamboo’s Role in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: An Analysis of Biomass, Carbon Stock, and Economic Potential in Tanzania

Bamboo, a rapidly growing member of the grass family, thrives across diverse climates worldwide and offers vital ecosystem services essential for human well-being and economic development. Notably, bamboo releases 35% more oxygen than other trees and sequesters an average of 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, highlighting its significant ecological benefits. This study analyses the contribution of bamboo to climate change adaptation and mitigation, focusing on Tanzania as a case study. Specifically, the study aims to determine the amount of biomass and carbon stock of bamboo in Tanzania, and estimate the financial benefits from including bamboo in carbon payment projects like REDD+. Utilizing adapted allometric models and data from the National Forest Resources Monitoring and Assessment (NAFORMA) of 2015, the study reveals that Tanzania possesses 4.04 billion tons of stored bamboo biomass and 1.9 billion tons of stored bamboo carbon, translating to an estimated 7.6 billion US dollars in unutilized conservation profit from carbon trading. The findings indicate that 51.4% of the stored bamboo biomass, carbon, and potential conservation profit are concentrated in the genus Bambusa, with nearly half of these resources located in the southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara. These results underscore the substantial ecological and economic benefits of bamboo ecosystem services, emphasizing the need for stakeholders to formulate strategies for the sustainable production, conservation, and management of bamboo in Tanzania. The study provides a benchmark for developing policies and plans that leverage bamboo's potential in climate change adaptation and mitigation, promoting environmental sustainability and economic growth.

The heat is on: reduced detection of floral scents after heatwaves in bumblebees.

Global climate change disrupts key ecological processes and biotic interactions. The recent increase in heatwave frequency and severity prompts the evaluation of physiological processes that ensure the maintenance of vital ecosystem services such as pollination. We used experimental heatwaves to determine how high temperatures affect the bumblebees' ability to detect floral scents. Heatwaves induced strong reductions in antennal responses to floral scents in both tested bumblebee species (Bombus terrestris and Bombus pascuorum). These reductions were generally stronger in workers than in males. Bumblebees showed no consistent pattern of recovery 24 h after heat events. Our results suggest that the projected increased frequency and severity of heatwaves may jeopardize bumblebee-mediated pollination services by disrupting the chemical communication between plants and pollinators. The reduced chemosensitivity can decrease the bumblebees' abilities to locate food sources and lead to declines in colonies and populations.

Chemical and micronutrients assessment in Himalayan Foothill highway soil surface

This study examines the chemical properties and micronutrient concentrations of roadside soil in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, India. The primary objective is to assess soil contamination levels and their implications for urban ecosystem services. Soil samples from 13 locations were systematically collected, processed, and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results indicated average concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni at 9.94, 3.28, 24.32, 17.35, and 0.28 mg/kg, respectively. Significant variations in soil chemical properties and micronutrient levels (p < 0.05) were observed across different sites, excluding phosphate levels. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted environmental management strategies to mitigate soil contamination and preserve vital ecosystem services in urbanized regions. The data provided can guide administrators in developing policies that promote sustainable development and environmental resilience.