Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bernardo A. Bastien-Olvera, David Batker, Jared Soares, John Day, Luke Boutwell, Tania Briceno
Summary: Despite increased hurricane intensity, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast has experienced population growth, but areas with wetland loss in coastal Louisiana have witnessed population declines. Wetland loss has a significant and persistent negative effect on population growth in coastal Louisiana, with an average reduction of approximately 1000 persons for every hectare lost.
Article
Ecology
John R. White, Brady Couvillion, John W. Day
Summary: Coastal systems around the globe are being re-integrated with adjacent river systems to restore the natural hydrologic connection to riparian wetlands. This study analyzed the effects of river reconnection on wetland land change and found a net land gain in the receiving areas of the Davis Pond Diversion.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kihwan Song, Yun-Eui Choi, Hyo-Joo Han, Jinhyung Chon
Summary: This study analyzes land use change and fragmentation of the Songdo wetlands through spatial-temporal simulation, proposing adaptation and transformation plans for different scenarios such as current state maintenance, development acceleration, and wetland restoration. The plans presented in this study can provide prediction results suitable for various contingencies and are meaningful in terms of proposing resilience plans for the Songdo area's development until 2030.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Adam Kimberley, Danny Hooftman, James M. Bullock, Olivier Honnay, Patricia Krickl, Jessica Lindgren, Jan Plue, Peter Poschlod, Anna Traveset, Sara A. O. Cousins
Summary: Increasing landscape connecting elements cannot compensate for large-scale grassland area loss, leading to significant declines in both structural and functional connectivity. Generalist species are negatively affected by connectivity, with structural connectivity having the strongest impact, while functional connectivity determines the presence of grassland specialist species in focal grasslands.
Article
Soil Science
Sofie Sjogersten, Betsabe De La Barreda-Bautista, Chloe Brown, Doreen Boyd, Hugo Lopez-Rosas, Elizabeth Hernandez, Roberto Monroy, Matilde Rincon, Christopher Vane, Vicky Moss-Hayes, Jose Alberto Gallardo-Cruz, Dulce Infante-Mata, Jorge Hoyos-Santillan, Jonathan Vidal Solorzano, Candelario Peralta-Carreta, Patricia Moreno-Casasola
Summary: The study revealed the significant carbon stocks in Mexican wetlands, with unprotected swamp forests and marshes containing substantial peat deposits, while grazed areas showed lower carbon storage effectiveness. Differences in carbon storage among wetland vegetation types in different regions highlight the need for region-specific government policies to protect coastal wetland carbon stocks.
Article
Environmental Studies
Olaf Kuehne, Lara Koegst
Summary: This paper delves into the social implications of land loss in southern Louisiana, focusing on the region's vulnerability to anthropogenic climate change and the ramifications of the local petrochemical industry. By examining online discussions and interviewing Louisiana residents, the study reveals contrasting perceptions of coastal land loss between affected and non-affected individuals. To address the complexities of the topic, the authors employ a meta-theoretical framework rooted in neopragmatism and an analytical framework based on Popper's theory of three worlds.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Courtney Creamer, Claudia Laurenzano, Eric J. Ward, Mark P. Waldrop, Melissa M. Baustian, Tiong Aw, Sergio Merino, Rachel Villani, Laura Scott
Summary: Coastal wetlands have high potential for carbon sequestration, but excessive flooding can lead to wetland loss and potential soil carbon loss. Research shows that soil carbon losses following wetland submergence occur over long periods of time rather than immediately.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Xue Wang
Summary: Cultivated land area and fragmentation are crucial factors influencing food production in China. This study analyzed the spatial distribution and changes of cultivated land area and landscape fragmentation from a national perspective using land-cover data. The findings showed that the total cultivated land area in China decreased over time, but at a decreasing rate, while landscape fragmentation showed an increasing trend but also at a decreasing rate. Urban expansion and ecological protection programs were identified as major causes of these changes in cultivated land.
Article
Geography, Physical
Nicholas M. Enwright, Michael J. Osland, Karen M. Thorne, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, James B. Grace, Greg D. Steyer, Nate Herold, Bogdan Chivoiu, Minoo Han
Summary: This study demonstrates how coastal land cover maps can be used to assess and understand changes in estuarine vegetated wetlands. By quantifying these changes, it can help inform decisions regarding land management and resource stewardship. The study also highlights the importance of utilizing contemporary information for coastal land cover programs.
PROGRESS IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY-EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Le Li, Mengmeng Gou, Na Wang, Wei Ma, Wenfa Xiao, Changfu Liu, Lumeng La
Summary: This study developed an integrated approach to identify the effects of climate and landscape changes on runoff and nitrate loading in watersheds in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China. It found that landscape pattern changes primarily affected surface runoff and nitrate load, while baseflow and water yield were mainly influenced by precipitation change. The findings highlight the importance of considering landscape configuration and seasonal climatic characteristics in ecological restoration strategies for effective control of nitrate loss.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leanne N. Phelps, Niels Andela, Mathieu Gravey, Dylan S. Davis, Christian A. Kull, Kristina Douglass, Caroline E. R. Lehmann
Summary: The fire regimes in Madagascar are similar to 88% of tropical burned areas, indicating that it is not a global exception. The decline in landscape-scale fires in Madagascar does not explain the high tree loss anomalies, which are centered in forests. This study highlights the need to consider socio-ecological context when discussing fire and ecosystem degradation.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Fernando Cesar Goncalves Bonfim, Pavel Dodonov, Eliana Cazetta
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of landscape composition and configuration on taxonomic and functional diversity of frugivorous birds in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Results showed that landscape composition was more important than configuration in explaining diversity, highlighting the need to maintain high habitat amount for these birds.
Article
Agronomy
Yolanda Sanchez Sanchez, Antonio Martinez Grana, Fernando Santos-Frances, Joan Leandro Reyes Ramos, Marco Criado
Summary: This study analyzed changes in land use in the Jerte Valley, Spain, over the past 40 years, indicating a slight decrease in wooded areas, an increase in crop cultivation at higher altitudes, and negative impacts from major environmental disturbances. The study also found that land use development led to larger but more isolated landscape units, emphasizing the importance of using landscape metrics to inform decision-making for conservation and management efforts.
Article
Forestry
Arundhati Das, Tarun Menon, Jayashree Ratnam, Rajesh Thadani, Gopalakrishnan Rajashekar, Rakesh Fararoda, Ghazala Shahabuddin
Summary: The study shows that in the Western Himalayan landscape, Banj oak forests have undergone significant degradation and loss of area between 1991 and 2017, while chir pine forests have expanded. This transition is more likely to occur in areas with lower winter precipitation and Topographic Wetness Index values, as well as more surrounding pine forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melissa M. Baustian, Camille L. Stagg, Carey L. Perry, Leland C. Moss, Tim J. B. Carruthers
Summary: Coastal marshes in Louisiana play a significant role in soil carbon accumulation and burial, affecting the global carbon budget. Saline marshes have lower total carbon density and accumulation rates compared to other marsh habitats. The total carbon burial rate in Louisiana in 2013 was estimated at 4.3 Tg TC yr(-1), with a potential significant impact on the global carbon budget if wetland loss continues.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)