Review
Ecology
Jianquan Dong, Hong Jiang, Tianwei Gu, Yanxu Liu, Jian Peng
Summary: This study proposes a scientific definition and conceptual connotation of Sustainable Landscape Pattern (SLP) and summarizes its application status in spatial planning. The results show that SLP effectively supports spatial planning by helping determine planning targets, analyze spatial patterns, and compare and select schemes. Future research directions include exploring frontier concepts like spatial resilience and applying SLP to ecological restoration and urban development.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Garcia-Martin, Lynn Huntsinger, Maria Jose Ibarrola-Rivas, Marianne Penker, Ugo D'Ambrosio, Thymios Dimopoulos, Maria E. Fernandez-Gimenez, Thanasis Kizos, Jose Munoz-Rojas, Osamu Saito, Karl S. Zimmerer, David J. Abson, Jianguo Liu, Cristina Quintas-Soriano, Irene Holm Sorensen, Peter H. Verburg, Tobias Plieninger
Summary: This article explores the multiple functions of seven landscape products worldwide, emphasizing that landscape products can improve food systems by promoting place-sensitive sustainability strategies and standards, thus addressing conflicts related to food production, social justice, and the environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiao Sun, Peng Yang, Yu Tao, Hongyan Bian
Summary: By promoting land use planning through ecosystem service protection, this study identified ES bundles to serve landscape functional zoning, established improved land use scenarios, and effectively conserved ecosystem services in different functional zones of Beijing.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Fiona Nevzati, Martti Veldi, Mart Kuelvik, Simon Bell
Summary: This study evaluates human well-being in the peri-urban area of Harku Municipality, Estonia by combining landscape character assessment and cultural ecosystem services frameworks. The findings highlight the restorative potential of blue and green elements, the social values of high-density settlements, and the cognitive values of mixed forests and wetlands.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Jato-Espino, Eliana Isabel Toro-Huertas, Leonor Patricia Guereca
Summary: Urban drainage is crucial for managing water-related disasters, and sustainable drainage systems are gaining attention as an alternative. This research compared the performance of traditional drainage systems and sustainable drainage systems in terms of economy, environment, and society and found that the latter outperforms in environmental and social aspects but needs improvement in economic feasibility.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenxu Wang, Xin Liu, Jincheng Wu, Wenguang Qiao, Yanxu Liu
Summary: In this study, a spatially explicit framework named Constraint-Pattern-Benefit was developed to plan ecological restoration patterns in Inner Mongolia, China. The framework considers water resources constraints and incorporates multiple indicators to achieve landscape sustainability. The results show that ecological restoration has the potential to increase ecosystem services under water constraints in Inner Mongolia.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. H. Anantha, Kaushal K. Garg, Ramesh Singh, Venkataradha Akuraju, Inder Dev, Cameron A. Petrie, Anthony M. Whitbread, Sreenath Dixit
Summary: Crop intensification is necessary to meet food demands, and this study compares landscape-based interventions with individual plot-level interventions in the Indian semi-arid tropics. The results show that landscape-based interventions, which primarily address moisture availability, lead to higher crop production, increased income, improved water productivity, and reduced soil loss and increased base flow availability compared to plot-level interventions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dahlia Byles, Salman Mohagheghi
Summary: The demand for electricity is increasing, leading to the need for continuous investments in upgrading and expanding power grids around the world. Traditional power system planning projects focused on minimizing capacity expansion costs and the amount of unserved energy. However, with the enforcement of climate change policies, new clean and renewable generation technologies are being considered, and their environmental impacts need to be assessed. This paper provides an overview of assessing the sustainability of power systems and generation technologies using life cycle assessment (LCA), discusses challenges and limitations, and explores opportunities for future research.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mary Rose Santillan, Jung Whan Syn, Saeid Charani Shandiz, Yubin Huang, Marina Pires de Lacerda, Behzad Rismanchi
Summary: This paper presents a technology assessment approach based on the triple bottom line framework for energy master planning. It demonstrates the application of this approach through a case study and discusses its connection with sustainable development goals and policies.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefan Schmidt, Paulina Guerrero, Christian Albert
Summary: This article presents a practical method for identifying nature-based solutions (NBS) opportunity spaces to contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The method includes synthesizing a catalog of NBS, estimating their potential to achieve development goals, and applying spatial indicators and data to explore opportunity spaces. The results in the Lahn river landscape showed existing NBS areas and areas with potential for further NBS creation. The proposed method offers a robust approach for mapping NBS to local SDGs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Marko Sostaric, Kresimir Vidovic, Marijan Jakovljevic, Orsat Lale
Summary: The transport system requires rapid adjustments to keep up with fast-changing society and environment, thus a efficient methodology is needed for analyzing and planning urban transport systems for sustainable urban mobility policies.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Antonio Mazzeo, Claudia Arcidiacono, Francesca Valenti, Mariagrazia Leonardi, Simona M. C. Porto
Summary: The visual impact of crop shelters in the rural landscape is crucial for landscape planning. This study proposes a methodology that combines viewshed analysis with landscape character assessment (LCA) to define landscape character areas and types. Applying this method to a study area in South Italy, the visual impact of greenhouses was evaluated using ECOVAST guidelines and indicators, and a visibility map was created. The results show that the proposed methodology is feasible and can support landscape and urban planning.
Article
Environmental Studies
Helder F. P. de Araujo, Celia C. C. Machado, Frans G. C. Pareyn, Naysa F. F. do Nascimento, Lenyneves D. A. Araujo, Lais A. de A. P. Borges, Braulio A. Santos, Raphael M. Beirigo, Alexandre Vasconcellos, Bruno de O. Dias, Fredy Alvarado, Jose Maria Cardoso da Silva
Summary: The study found that landscapes with intermediate structure complexity are most efficient in producing food, water, and energy in the Caatinga region of South America. Increasing the percentage of natural lands in the landscape can enhance the production of biomass energy, water, and food. However, the proportion of agricultural land in the landscape should be carefully managed to avoid declines in the production of ecosystem services.
Article
Development Studies
Bo-sin Tang, Winky K. O. Ho, Siu Wai Wong
Summary: This research examines the economic sustainability of human settlement at a local project level, finding a tipping point in the development scale of housing estates. Housing values initially rise with the number of residential units but gradually fall beyond a critical limit. To optimize housing supply, urban planning should focus not only on increasing housing development bulk but also on addressing possible bottlenecks in the provision of shared amenities in the neighborhood.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Martina Venturi, Francesco Piras, Federica Corrieri, Beatrice Fiore, Antonio Santoro, Mauro Agnoletti
Summary: This study evaluated landscape diversity in Tuscany by analyzing land uses and landscape structures in 20 study areas, revealing correlations between landscape types and complexity. The methodology provided valuable data for assessing landscape structures and creating a database for future monitoring.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Xinxiang Lei, Wei Chen, Mahdi Panahi, Fatemeh Falah, Omid Rahmati, Evelyn Uuemaa, Zahra Kalantari, Carla Sofia Santos Ferreira, Fatemeh Rezaie, John P. Tiefenbacher, Saro Lee, Huiyuan Bian
Summary: This study evaluated the capability of convolutional neural network (NNETC) and recurrent neural network (NNETR) models for flood hazard mapping in urban areas. The NNETC model showed slightly better prediction performance than the NNETR model, with terrain ruggedness index identified as the most important predictor.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Azadeh Rezapour, Marika Truu, Martin Maddison, Gristin Rohula-Okunev, Arvo Tullus, Veiko Uri, Uelo Mander, Ivika Ostonen
Summary: This study investigated the morphological variation in absorptive roots in drained peatland forests and found that the dominating tree species had a significant effect on the variation. The distance from the ditch also affected the absorptive root morphological traits, indicating a potential shift in nutrient foraging. However, soil physical and chemical properties were not dependent on the distance from the ditch. The study also revealed a species-specific response in absorptive root morphological traits to soil properties.
Article
Ecology
Oleksandr Karasov, Stien Heremans, Mart Kulvik, Artem Domnich, Iuliia Burdun, Ain Kull, Aveliina Helm, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: This study utilized an integrated remote sensing-social media framework to analyze the suitability of landscape pattern for cultural ecosystem services (CES) use and explore CES availability in Estonia. The findings revealed discrepancies between population density and CES supply, highlighting the importance of in-depth CES assessment and prioritization for maintaining and improving CES resources.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kuno Kasak, Keit Kill, Evelyn Uuemaa, Martin Maddison, Raivo Aunap, Kersti Riibak, Isaac Okiti, Alar Teemusk, Ulo Mander
Summary: Wetland ecosystems used for carbon sequestration and water treatment are significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. Research findings indicate that water depth and temperature are the main factors influencing nitrous oxide emissions, with shallow water areas emitting a substantial percentage of total annual emissions. It is important to minimize nitrous oxide flux by avoiding shallow zones and water level drawdown in created or restored wetland areas.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Desalew Meseret Moges, Alexander Kmoch, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: This study evaluates the hydrological applicability of five satellite and reanalysis precipitation products in the Porijogi catchment in Estonia, and finds that three of them perform well in monthly precipitation detection and streamflow simulation.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexander Kmoch, Desalew Meseret Moges, Mahdiyeh Sepehrar, Balaji Narasimhan, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: This study investigates the impact of input data on the performance of the SWAT model. The results show that using high-resolution local data for soil does not necessarily improve model performance, while in the case of land use data, using local high-resolution data can enhance model performance.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Alexander Kmoch, Ivan Vasilyev, Holger Virro, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: A Discrete Global Grid System (DGGS) is a spatial reference system that divides the globe into individual cells for location encoding. We evaluated the suitability of different DGGS implementations for global statistical data cube construction by analyzing the characteristics of their cell geometries. Our findings suggest that rHEALPix, OpenEAGGR, and DGGRID are the most suitable for global statistics, while Uber H3 and Google S2 have more mature software library functionalities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Holger Virro, Alexander Kmoch, Marko Vainu, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: Water quality modeling is essential for effective mitigation efforts, and recent advancements in machine learning methods have shown promising results in predicting nutrient concentrations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Reti Ranniku, Thomas Schindler, Jordi Escuer-Gatius, Ulo Mander, Katerina Machacova, Kaido Soosaar
Summary: Nutrient-rich northern peatlands, once drained for enhancing forest productivity, result in peatland soils becoming methane (CH4) sinks and nitrous oxide (N2O) sources. In addition to soil, tree stems can also emit CH4 and N2O. This study investigates the winter-time dynamics of CH4 and N2O fluxes in a drained peatland forest, considering both soil and stem emissions. The results show that tree stems are a net source of CH4 and N2O during winter, and their emissions can offset the CH4 sink and contribute to forest floor N2O emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anne Menert, Triin Korb, Kaja Orupold, Alar Teemusk, Holar Sepp, Ulo Mander, Tanel Ilmjarv, Jaak Truu, Paarn Paiste, Kalle Kirsimae, Terje Menert, Inna Kamenev, Eeva Heinaru, Ain Heinaru, Sirli Sipp Kulli, Maia Kivisaar
Summary: This study investigates the impact of microorganisms on the decomposition of organic matter and leaching/precipitation of metals in Estonian sedimentary deposits. It reveals the microbial diversity associated with methane production and metal leaching and explains the role of betaine in the biodegradation of organic matter. A tentative mechanism for simultaneous organic matter degradation and methanogenesis is proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bruno Montibeller, Michael Marshall, Ulo Mander, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: This study analyzed the monthly trends in gross primary productivity and evapotranspiration in undisturbed core forest areas in Europe. The results showed that increases in productivity during spring and autumn led to improved water-use efficiency, but these increases were not enough to compensate for decreases in summer. Overall, around 20% of forest areas exhibited a net decrease in productivity during summer.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Abdalla, Ziyin Shang, Mikk Espenberg, Xiaoqing Cui, Ulo Mander, Pete Smith
Summary: This study aims to estimate the BNE from Chinese cropland soils and to assess the impacts of crop type, management, and soil quality indicators on BNE. The results showed that crop type has a significant impact on BNE, and it is variably controlled by soil quality indicators, climate, and management. Estimating the BNE at a national level is suggested to reduce uncertainty in total N2O emissions from Chinese croplands.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-ATMOSPHERES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Bruno Montibeller, Jaak Jaagus, Ulo Mander, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: Climate change driven by anthropogenic land use and land cover changes is expected to impact land-atmosphere interactions, particularly in terms of evapotranspiration. Studying trends in precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration in the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia revealed varying patterns, with precipitation showing less significant trends, temperature consistently increasing, and evapotranspiration showing different trends by month and land cover type. These findings provide insights into how temperature changes may be affecting the growing season and water balance in the region.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alexander Kmoch, Arno Kanal, Alar Astover, Ain Kull, Holger Virro, Aveliina Helm, Meelis Partel, Ivika Ostonen, Evelyn Uuemaa
Summary: The article introduces the EstSoil-EH dataset, which synthesizes over 20 eco-hydrological variables for Estonia, making it the most detailed and information-rich dataset for soils in the country. By translating text codes into numerical values, including soil layering, soil texture, and other key parameters, the dataset provides valuable information for modeling applications. Aggregating and predicting physical variables related to water and carbon cycles, the methodology and dataset developed will serve as an important resource for the Baltic region and other regions with detailed field-based soil mapping data.
EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE DATA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yongcui Lan, Jinliang Wang, Qianwei Liu, Fang Liu, Lanfang Liu, Jie Li, Mengjia Luo
Summary: This study focuses on the five major plateau lake basins in central Yunnan, China, and constructs an ecological security pattern using the source-resistance surface-corridor-pinch point framework. The study simulates land use/cover change in the region and identifies early warning regions where future urban expansion poses a threat to current ecological source areas and corridors.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pingping Huang, Feng Zhao, Bailing Zhou, Kuidong Xu
Summary: This study investigates the distribution of benthic microeukaryotes in the China Seas and finds that they can stride over the ecological barrier of 32 degrees N. The study also highlights the significant influence of depth, temperature, and latitude on communities in the China Seas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Federico Morelli, Yanina Benedetti, Jesse Stanford, Leszek Jerzak, Piotr Tryjanowski, Paolo Perna, Riccardo Santolini
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) are numerical tools used for predicting species' spatial distribution. This study found that ecological characteristics, such as habitat specialization, play a role in improving the accuracy of SDMs.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaoxuan Wu, Hang Liu, Wei Liu
Summary: Global climate change, urbanization, and economic development have increased the need for sustainable human development, urban ecological governance, and low-carbon energy transformation. This study analyzes the green ecological transition in Chengdu based on panel data from 2010 to 2020, exploring its spatiotemporal evolution and key factors. The results show an overall upward trend in Chengdu's green ecological development and positive spatial autocorrelation in certain districts.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Castaldi Simona, Formicola Nicola, Mastrocicco Micol, Morales Rodriguez Carmen, Morelli Raffaella, Prodorutti Daniele, Vannini Andrea, Zanzotti Roberto
Summary: Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly important for global and national environmental policies and economy. This study compared the sustainability of grape production under integrated and organic management using multiple indicators. The results showed that organic management was more beneficial for most environmental aspects of the agroecosystem compared to integrated management, without affecting grape yield.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gaia Vaglio Laurin, Alexander Cotrina-Sanchez, Luca Belelli-Marchesini, Enrico Tomelleri, Giovanna Battipaglia, Claudia Cocozza, Francesco Niccoli, Jerzy Piotr Kabala, Damiano Gianelle, Loris Vescovo, Luca Da Ros, Riccardo Valentini
Summary: Phenology monitoring is important for understanding forest functioning and climate impacts. This research compares the phenological behavior of European beech forests using Tree-Talker (TT+) and Sentinel 2 satellite data. The study finds differences in the information derived by the two sensor types, particularly in terms of season length, phenology changepoints, and leaf period variability. TT+ with its higher temporal resolution demonstrates precision in capturing the phenological changepoints, especially when satellite image availability is limited.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Huanhuan Pan, Ziqiang Du, Zhitao Wu, Hong Zhang, Keming Ma
Summary: The land use and cover changes resulting from coal mining activities and ecological restoration have had a significant impact on ecosystem services in mining areas. This study investigates the relationship between ecosystem services and land use intensity in coal mining areas, emphasizing the importance of understanding this interdependence for balanced human-land system development. The research examines the evolving relationship across different reclamation stages in Shanxi, China, using a coupling coordination degree model. The findings suggest the need for timely and judicious reclamation of coalfields, considering the land's bearing capacity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jingjuan He, Yijun Shi, Lihua Xu, Zhangwei Lu, Mao Feng
Summary: This study examines the spatial interplay between changes in the blue-green spatial distribution and modifications in land surface temperature grades in Shanghai. The findings reveal that the transformation of the blue-green spatial pattern differs between different sectors of the city, and the impact on the thermal environment varies spatially.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yi Xu, Di Zhang, Junqiang Lin, Qidong Peng, Xiaohui Lei, Tiantian Jin, Jia Wang, Ruifang Yuan
Summary: This study analyzed the response relationship between phytoplankton growth and water environmental parameters in the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China using long-term monitoring data and machine learning models. The results revealed the differences between monitoring sites and identified the key parameters that affect phytoplankton growth.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
