Article
Ecology
Angeline Bertin, Adriana Lozada, Nicolas Gouin
Summary: This study provides new perspectives on species-genetic diversity relationships in high Andean wetlands. The use of causal modelling approaches and the inclusion of spatial information are shown to be useful in advancing the understanding of the processes driving both species and genetic diversity, as well as their interactions.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Daniel A. Griffith, Yan-Ting Liau
Summary: When data observations are missing, scientists often remove or replace them, which can impact the mathematical properties of data analyses and result in biased statistical results. This study compares spatial regression analyses between complete datasets and those with missing data imputed, emphasizing predictive modeling and spatial data quality.
SPATIAL STATISTICS
(2021)
Article
Remote Sensing
Daniel Griffith, Bin Li
Summary: This paper introduces two space-time model specifications, one based on the generalized linear mixed model, and the other on Moran eigenvector space-time filtering, to describe the spread of COVID-19 in the initial 19 and 58 days across the Chinese mainland and the coterminous US, respectively. The results from these case studies show that both models shed new light on the role of spatial structures in COVID-19 diffusion, and they are able to forecast new cases in subsequent days. A key finding is that supplementing the commonly employed contagion component with a hierarchical structural component benefits in describing the spatio-temporal diffusion of COVID-19.
GEO-SPATIAL INFORMATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Guanzhong Ma, Wenqiang Shen, Xiao Yao
Summary: In this paper, a framework for the construction of Moran set driven by dynamics is established. Under this framework, the Hausdorff dimension of the generalized intrinsic level set with respect to the given ergodic measure is studied in a class of non-uniformly hyperbolic interval maps with finitely many branches.
Article
Geography
Daniel A. Griffith
Summary: This article discusses how latent eigenvectors from spatial weights matrices depict spatial autocorrelation components on maps, and how linear combinations of Moran eigenvector maps can be used to explain SA. It focuses on positive SA, the most common type of autocorrelation in georeferenced data, and innovatively clarifies the meaning of synthetic SA variates on maps.
PROFESSIONAL GEOGRAPHER
(2021)
Article
Urban Studies
Yixiong Xiao, Peng Gong
Summary: Analyzing urban scaling relations and incorporating spatial autocorrelation can help predict future city development and derive scale adjusted metropolitan indicators (SAMIs) for evaluating city performance. In this study, an eigenvector spatial filtering (ESF) model is proposed to capture the spatial effect in modeling the scaling relations of cities. Based on the residuals of the ESF model, a new set of urban indicators called spatial and scale adjusted metropolitan indicators (SSAMIs) is proposed to address the influence of spatial autocorrelation on SAMIs. The results from experiments in China and the United States show that the ESF model generates better-fitted results compared to non-spatial models, and using SSAMIs can avoid overestimations or underestimations of cities in different regions.
Article
Economics
Daniel A. Griffith, Yongwan Chun, Jan Hauke
Summary: Entropy is commonly used in regional science to measure the distributional uniformity of phenomena in geographical space; however, spatial autocorrelation can introduce additional variation to entropy measures. By introducing a Moran eigenvector spatial filtering (MESF) entropy specification, spatial autocorrelation can be better controlled, enhancing the flexibility of entropy formulations.
PAPERS IN REGIONAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Swapan Kumar Sarker, Richard Reeve, Jason Matthiopoulos
Summary: The study proposes a novel synthesis by integrating a Bayesian hierarchical model to forecast productivity and stress in an ecosystem, applied in the world's largest mangrove forest. It reveals that tree species under stress show typical functional responses to environmental drivers, with reduced traits related to resource acquisition and enhanced traits related to resource conservation.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ken Aho, Susan Parsons, Antonio J. Castro, Kathleen A. Lohse
Summary: This study focuses on socio-ecological systems in Idaho and addresses previous shortcomings in SEZ mapping by considering method biases, cross-validating classifications, measuring predictor importance, and considering spatial autocorrelation. The results show that bio-geo-physical information explains more variation in SEZs than social system data, and both clustering methods result in similar classifications for similar numbers of clusters. The study also identifies critical regions of social-ecological overlap and emphasizes the need for rigorous SEZ designations to guide development and conservation in the region.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xueqiang Guo, Bingjun Li
Summary: This study examines the evolution process and influencing factors of vegetable circulation efficiency in Central China. The results show that the vegetable circulation efficiency in this region is generally low and exhibits a certain degree of spatial agglomeration effect. The level of scientific and technological innovation and the degree of government support have significant positive direct and indirect effects on the efficiency of vegetable circulation in the region, while the quality of workers and the level of economic development and industrial structure have significant indirect effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Kanchan Devi Upadhyay, Janardan Mainali, Narayan Prasad Ghimire
Summary: This study analyzed the relationships between the distribution of aquatic species in the Himalayan watershed and water quality and watershed characteristics. The results showed that human population density and water electrical conductivity had a significant impact on aquatic species composition, and the inclusion of spatial factors improved the predictive performance of species composition.
Article
Ecology
Celia Hein, Hossam E. Abdel Moniem, Helene H. Wagner
Summary: As the field of landscape genetics advances towards comparative empirical studies and meta-analysis, it is crucial to understand how to compare the strength of spatial genetic structure between different studies and species. Moran's Eigenvector Maps and MEMgene are promising methods for analyzing genetic variation across spatial scales, although their effectiveness in comparing spatial genetic structure across studies remains unclear. The study highlights the importance of developing more robust measures of effect size before accurate comparisons of spatial genetic structure can be made, both within a meta-analysis of independent studies and in a comparative, multispecies landscape genetic study.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Wang, Yu Wang, Xiaoqiang Cheng, Jiaying Wang
Summary: This paper explores the impact of green finance on environmental pollution by analyzing the relationship between green finance and energy structure. The results show that green finance has a significant effect on the improvement of energy structure, leading to a reduction in environmental pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Haoran Wei, Ying Zhang, Pishi Xiu, Huifang Zhang, Sikun Zhu
Summary: The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between urban sewage discharge scale and environmental regulatory status, with larger scale observed when pollution is highly correlated with spatial characteristics. Additionally, regional differences impact discharge efficiency, with longer distances between cities in central regions and provincial capitals leading to lower efficiency.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniel C. Reuman, Max C. N. Castorani, Kyle C. Cavanaugh, Lawrence W. Sheppard, Jonathan A. Walter, Tom W. Bell
Summary: Spatial synchrony is a fundamental feature of population dynamics. The Moran effect is a common mechanism, and different environmental drivers can interact to produce more or less population synchrony. Through theoretical case studies and application to giant kelp populations, we argue that Moran interactions are common.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucia Santorufo, Valeria Memoli, Speranza Claudia Panico, Francesco Esposito, Luca Vitale, Gabriella Di Natale, Marco Trifuoggi, Rossella Barile, Anna De Marco, Giulia Maisto
Summary: The study demonstrates the significant impact of different land uses on soil biotic and abiotic properties, with agricultural sites showing lower soil quality compared to forest and urban sites.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pasquale Napoletano, Claudio Colombo, Erika Di Iorio, Valeria Memoli, Speranza Claudia Panico, Anna Gabriella Ruggiero, Lucia Santorufo, Giulia Maisto, Anna De Marco
Summary: The assessment of Technosols quality in urban environments is crucial for maintaining ecosystems impacted by human activities. This study analyzed various indices to evaluate mineral accumulation, ecological risk, edaphon activity, fertility, and overall soil quality of Technosols in suburban Naples over eight years. The study found changes in chemical and biological indices, indicating a decrease in soil quality and increase in ecological risk over time.
Article
Soil Science
A. De Marco, S. C. Panico, V. Memoli, L. Santorufo, A. Zarrelli, R. Barile, G. Maisto
Summary: The research findings show that in Mediterranean areas, the accumulation of C in afforested pine forest soils is higher than in natural shrubland soils, especially at lower elevations. The stability of organic matter is greater in pine forests compared to shrublands, with a higher concentration of N in the upper organic layer stimulating soil C accumulation, particularly at lower elevations. The afforestation with pine trees at lower elevations could enhance long-term soil C storage.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Speranza Claudia Panico, Valeria Memoli, Lucia Santorufo, Stefania Aiello, Rossella Barile, Anna De Marco, Giulia Maisto
Summary: This study investigates the properties of burnt soils under different vegetation types in Mediterranean areas and assesses the impact of abiotic and biotic factors on soil microbial biomass and activity. The results show that the post-fire soil conditions are less favorable for microorganisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
G. Santini, A. G. Ruggiero, M. T. Ceccherini, L. Santorufo, V. Memoli, G. Pietramellara, A. Giarra, M. Trifuoggi, R. Barile, G. Maisto, A. De Marco, G. Di Natale
Summary: The Mediterranean area is a fragile ecosystem with a high level of biodiversity, and fires have a significant impact on the soil microbial community and biogeochemical cycles. This study evaluated the effects of fires on the microbial populations involved in the nitrogen cycle in soils with different vegetation cover. The results showed that fires slightly affected the soil abiotic properties but significantly increased the abundance of eubacteria, nitrifiers, and denitrifiers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuliano Bonanomi, Mohamed Idbella, Ahmed M. Abd-ElGawad, Riccardo Motti, Francesca Ippolito, Lucia Santorufo, Paola Adamo, Diana Agrelli, Anna De Marco, Giulia Maisto, Maurizio Zotti
Summary: The study found that prescribed burning and mowing are effective in countering the negative effects of grassland abandonment, including reducing plant diversity and increasing the risk of wildfires. Abandonment management promotes the spread of tall grasses, while prescribed burning and mowing can reduce the amount of tall grasses and increase the abundance of short-lived species. Additionally, burning and mowing also affect soil microbiota and the abundance of soil arthropods.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giorgia Santini, Giulia Maisto, Valeria Memoli, Gabriella Di Natale, Marco Trifuoggi, Lucia Santorufo
Summary: Plastic sheets are commonly used in agriculture to improve crop productivity. Biodegradable films have been proposed as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic films, but their impact on soil is not well-studied. This research compared the effects of conventional plastic and bioplastic sheets on the concentrations of various elements in soil, and found that bioplastic sheets may act as a source or less-effective sink for metals in soils.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rosangela Addesso, Stefano Pingaro, Bruno Bisceglia, Daniela Baldantoni
Summary: Underground ecosystems, with their important natural and cultural heritage, are vulnerable to disruption from external factors such as human presence. This study used finite element analysis and modeling to investigate the airflow and particle dispersion caused by tourists in a cave, providing valuable information for the management and preservation of these ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Valeria Memoli, Lucia Santorufo, Giorgia Santini, Anna Gabriella Ruggiero, Antonella Giarra, Pasquale Ranieri, Gabriella Di Natale, Maria Teresa Ceccherini, Marco Trifuoggi, Rossella Barile, Anna De Marco, Giulia Maisto
Summary: Climate change has increased fire frequency in Mediterranean forests, leading to changes in soil bacterial, fungal, and microarthropod communities. The impact of fire on soil properties depends on vegetation cover. This study found that fire had a stronger effect on bacterial development in shrub stands compared to tree stands. However, the fungal community was not significantly affected by fire in either shrub or tree stands. The density and richness of microarthropods returned to pre-fire conditions in both vegetation covers.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Enrica Picariello, Daniela Baldantoni, Flavia De Nicola
Summary: Soil microbial community plays a critical role in the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soil, and bioremediation offers a promising and cost-effective approach for soil cleanup. Enzymatic activity and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) were analyzed in different soils contaminated with 3- and 5-rings PAHs to assess the contribution of microbial groups in PAH degradation. The Metabolic Activity Index (MAI) was used to evaluate microbial community stability. Gram+ and Gram- bacteria were the dominant microbial groups in all soils. The composition and physiological functions of the microbial community changed in response to PAH contamination, indicating a different response of natural soils compared to the industrial soil.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alessandro Bellino, Bruno Bisceglia, Daniela Baldantoni
Summary: The exposure of plants to weak magnetic fields has been shown to enhance plant growth, but its effects on plant chemical composition and related ecosystem processes are not well understood. This study evaluated the effects of weak MF exposure on the chemical composition of four edible crops and found that most of the studied parameters decreased, except for litter decomposability traits. The reduction in absorption/accumulation of chemical elements and synthesis of metabolites was the main cause of the observed decrease. The largest reduction was observed for non-useful elements, which have toxic and biomagnifiable characteristics.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alessandro Bellino, Daniela Baldantoni
Summary: Charophytes are endangered primary producers in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. This research focused on the distribution and ecology of charophytes in the southern Campania region of Italy, an area of exceptional environmental value that has been understudied. The study discovered 17 populations belonging to 4 taxa of the Chara genus, occupying different ecological niches such as rivers and small ponds. The presence of few widespread taxa forming ephemeral populations indicates constraints on charophyte biodiversity in the area.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marco Cantonati, Chiara Casoria, Reinhard Gerecke, Olena P. Bilous, Giulia Maisto, Stefano Segadelli, Daniel Spitale, Alana Steinbauer, Sebastian Vogel, Abdullah A. Saber
Summary: This study examines the use of springs as sentinel environments of climate change and identifies several endangered species through genetic analysis. It concludes that these springs are greatly affected by discharge variability.
