High-resolution mass spectrometry reveals escalating concentrations of organophosphate esters in Yangtze River Basin soils along the upstream-to-downstream transect.

High resolution nitrogen source apportionment and critical area identification in the Yangtze River Basin

Accuracy degradation characteristics of SWOT water level products: Evidence from the Yangtze river

Effect of land use change on urban surface energy budget and future prediction: A case study of four typical cities in latitudinal distribution of the Yangtze River in China

Distinct meteorological drivers for hot-dry, warm-humid, and hot-humid heatwave–ozone events in China

Space-time variability modelling of landslide susceptibility for strategic infrastructure under changing climate scenarios: The case study of the mega clean energy transmission network (Yangtze River Basin, China)

Traditional indicator species approaches are widely used in freshwater bioassessment due to their simplicity, low cost, and operational efficiency. This study develops a Functional Trait-Based Indicator Value Index (FIVI) by integrating functional traits with the indicator species framework for benthic macroinvertebrates in the Yangtze River Basin. FIVI links functional trait-based indicator values of families to biological integrity gradients derived from the integration of total family richness and functional richness across diverse waterbody types (mainstem, primary and secondary tributaries, streams, river-isolated lakes, and river-connected lakes), thereby enhancing ecological interpretability and operational applicability. We classified 182 families into ten functional groups and quantified their indicator values across five biological integrity grades using specificity and fidelity metrics. These values were further translated into indicator grades and combined with dominance information to construct FIVI. Comparative validation of five configurations identified the top three dominant families as the optimal formulation. Across six waterbody types, FIVI showed more even grade distributions and stronger responses to anthropogenic disturbance gradients than the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) and the Family Biotic Index (FBI). Multi-dimensional evaluations demonstrated that FIVI achieved superior discriminatory power, higher precision, stronger responsiveness, lower misclassification rates, and greater relevancy to anthropogenic disturbance gradients. By linking functional traits with biological integrity gradients, FIVI provides an ecologically interpretable and operationally simple tool for rapid bioassessment across diverse freshwater ecosystems. The functional group classification and corresponding indicator value lookup tables enable efficient field application, supporting large-scale freshwater ecosystem monitoring and management decisions. • Developed FIVI, a functional trait-based index integrating the indicator species framework for rapid freshwater bioassessment. • Linked functional indicator values to biological integrity gradients derived from total family richness and functional richness. • Quantified functional indicator values (FIVs) using specificity and fidelity across diverse waterbody types. • Demonstrated superior performance over traditional indices (BMWP and FBI) in discriminatory ability, precision, responsiveness, and sensitivity. • Provided ready-to-use lookup tables for ecosystem monitoring and management with minimal taxonomic expertise.

Climate change overrides population dynamics in driving flood exposure in the Yangtze River Basin

Spatiotemporal response of depth‑to‑water table (ZWT) to the Three Gorges Reservoir impoundment across hydrological year types

Experimental performance analysis of inland vessel remote operation: A case study on the Yangtze River

Quantifying airborne vessel noise on large rivers: A novel approach combining acoustic drifters and machine learning.

Time-clustering behavior in the time dynamics of maritime accidents for maritime safety management in the Yangtze River

Disentangle climatic and anthropogenic controls on Holocene weathering signals in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Basin

Short-term dissolved oxygen forecasting in lakes of the middle and lower Yangtze River basin using generative AI–enhanced machine learning

Shifting water and energy controls on hydrological processes under climate change in the topographically complex Min–Tuo River Basin, southwest China

The impact of income inequality has attracted significant global attention as economies continue to develop. This study explores the potential influence of local culture, acting as an informal institution, in this complex process. Focusing on county-level regions within China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2014 to 2021, our research examines how Confucian traditional culture, as an informal institution, shapes the relationship between the digital economy and the urban–rural income gap. Our findings indicate that while the early stages of digital economic development may initially widen the urban–rural income gap, subsequent progress is likely to reduce it. Notably, Confucian culture plays a positive role in narrowing this gap, particularly due to its inherent values of innovation and integrity. Further analysis reveals that this effect varies across the upstream and downstream regions of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, influenced by local economic conditions. Building upon these insights, we recommend enhancing Confucian cultural education and formulating region-specific strategies to promote the development of Confucian culture.

Morphodynamic differences of vegetated and unvegetated mid-bars in the Jingjiang reach in the middle Yangtze River over 1960–2018

Sources and fate of parent and derivative PAHs in urban-industrial watersheds: A case study in Changzhou, China

Impacts of new urbanization on ecological efficiency: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Study on spatiotemporal evolution and regional control of financial risks in the Yangtze river delta based on SDM-GWR