Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoliang Shi, Xinyue Zhang, Shuaiyu Lu, Tielong Wang, Jiayi Zhang, Yuanpeng Liang, Jifeng Deng
Summary: The research on international dryland ecological restoration has shown a significant increase in publications, indicating strong development potential. This field is highly interdisciplinary, with ecology and environmental science as the core disciplines. China has made significant contributions to international dryland ecological restoration research, but the average citation rate is low. Dryland ecological restoration and protection is a current hot research field, focusing on dynamic changes, key driving factors, and the utilization of machine learning and data mining to solve complex problems.
Article
Environmental Studies
Qiangqiang Sun, Ping Zhang, Wanbei Jiang, Wei Qu, Yanan Sun, Danfeng Sun
Summary: As the Earth enters the Anthropocene, the complexity and specificity of dryland social-ecological systems present new challenges for achieving land degradation neutrality (LDN) in drylands. Local environmental and scientific knowledge (LESK) of dryland SESs is crucial but scarce. This study proposes an analytical framework to understand LESK in relation to the interactions between ecological policy, households, and resource systems. Using Minqin as a case study, the authors find that ecological policy has contributed to socio-ecological benefits, such as increased water resources and restoration of natural vegetation, but conflicting aspects exist, such as the encroachment of agricultural land causing land degradation risk. The study suggests adaptive measures to balance short-term economic concerns and long-term LDN.
Article
Biology
Kristina E. Young, Sasha C. Reed, Scott Ferrenberg, Akasha Faist, Daniel E. Winkler, Catherine Cort, Anthony Darrouzet-Nardi
Summary: Dryland degradation is a persistent global issue, with challenges in restoring productivity and functioning. Water limitation and altered biogeochemical cycles are key factors limiting restoration success in this biome.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yihe Lu, Da Lu, Xiaoming Feng, Bojie Fu
Summary: Dryland sustainability is a global concern due to low carrying capacities, where land degradation neutrality is a challenging goal. Ecological restoration plays a crucial role in achieving this goal, with actions driving changes in ecosystem services. By incorporating multiscale monitoring and assessment, as well as establishing a research framework, the development of dryland ecosystem service science can be enhanced.
CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ben Yang, Kathleen R. Balazs, Bradley J. Butterfield, Katherine M. Laushman, Seth M. Munson, Elise S. Gornish, Albert Barberan
Summary: Despite the limited impact of plant community-based restoration practices on soil micro-organisms in the short term, our results emphasize the importance of considering site-specific targeted microbiome restoration to establish desired microbial communities quickly in dryland ecosystems where soil micro-organisms play crucial roles.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emin Zeki Baskent
Summary: The paper provides a methodological framework for the assessment of an integrated land management plan, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. Despite some shortcomings, the plan is considered a good initiative for a Sustainable Land Management paradigm. However, the lack of holistic planning vision, scenario analysis with sound decision-making tools and methods, and insufficient participation, implementation, and monitoring process were identified as major drawbacks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Kpienbaareh, Isaac Luginaah, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Jinfei Wang, Katja Poveda, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Esther Lupafya, Laifolo Dakishoni
Summary: Deforestation drives climate change and food insecurity, and the restoration of forests should take into account local perceptions and challenges. Sustainable farming strategies and agroecology can potentially restore forests and improve livelihoods.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Feras Ziadat, Omar Berkat, Rochdi Ouchna, Mouna Touami, Theodora Fetsi, Nicole Harari, Rima Mekdaschi Studer, Stefan Schlingloff
Summary: Land degradation and desertification have negative impacts on agricultural productivity and farmers' livelihoods in Morocco. However, implementing sustainable land management practices and territorial planning can help reduce and reverse these issues, leading to improved livelihoods and resource management.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sudhir K. Upadhyay, Sheikh Adil Edrisi
Summary: Land degradation is a major global environmental issue that requires attention. Sustainable practices are needed to restore contaminated sites efficiently. Identification of potential plant species and addressing critical bottlenecks are crucial in the restoration process.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Geography
Alison Martin, Anke Fischer, Rob McMorran
Summary: Rewilding is a conservation approach that focuses on restoring natural processes and ecosystem functionality. Recently, there has been a growing emphasis on the role of people in rewilding, particularly the involvement of local communities and public engagement. However, research on participation in rewilding and rewilding governance is lacking.
JOURNAL OF RURAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tong Li, Ranjay K. Singh, Lizhen Cui, Zhihong Xu, Rajiv Pandey, Yuexian Liu, Xiaoyong Cui, Yali Liu, Francesco Fava, Yaqian Yang, Yanfen Wang
Summary: Communities in dryland ecosystems face multiple stressors that threaten their livelihood resilience. This study provides potential entry points to support livelihood resilience pathways, ultimately strengthening livelihood resilience in dryland ecosystems.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Siyuan Feng, Wenwu Zhao, Tianyu Zhan, Yue Yan, Paulo Pereira
Summary: This study provides an overview of land degradation neutrality (LDN) research and discusses LDN assessment indicators, analysis methods for driver factors, predictions, and the relationship between LDN and land degradation, land restoration, and sustainable development goals. The study found a need for further research on LDN indicators in different regions, the development of qualitative and quantitative monitoring methods for LDN changes, quantification of LDN driver factors, clarification of future trends, and promotion of the implementation of sustainable development goals.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Percy M. Chimwamurombe, Paidamoyo N. Mataranyika
Summary: Agriculture is crucial but faces threats from climate change and other factors. Drylands particularly affect subsistence farmers in third world countries, highlighting the need for improved research and resource management to enhance agricultural productivity.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Roberto Porro, Noemi Sakiara Miyasaka Porro
Summary: This paper analyzes transformations within a land reform settlement in the Brazilian Amazon, focusing on how social relations and environmental conditions are affected by land use and forest conservation policies. The study finds that the Amazon forest frontier systems have limited capacity to endure extreme perturbations, and reaching a threshold in heavily institutionalized social asymmetries can result in drastic changes that compromise human wellbeing and ecosystem services.
Article
Ecology
J. F. Martin Duque, I Zapico, N. Bugosh, M. Tejedor, F. Delgado, C. Martin-Moreno, J. M. Nicolau
Summary: This research showcases a successful ecological restoration approach applied in the surroundings of Somolinos hamlet in Spain, where geomorphic-based restoration effectively controlled gully erosion risks and increased vegetation diversity. The monitoring process revealed minimal erosion zones attributed to minor design oversights and construction deviations, highlighting the importance of proper design and construction adherence in preventing erosion.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Narendra Nelli, Diana Francis, Ricardo Fonseca, Olivier Masson, Mamadou Sow, Emmanuel Bosc
Summary: This study investigates the changes in the atmospheric electric field (Ez) during foggy conditions in the hyperarid region of the United Arab Emirates. The results show that as fog persists, Ez becomes more variable due to the absorption and redistribution of charges by the fog, which alters the ion balance and affects electrical conductivity in the atmosphere.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Ezra Hadad, Amir Balaban, Jakub Z. Kosicki, Reuven Yosef
Summary: This study investigated whether the prey of striped hyenas has adapted to the change in the natural environment caused by human activities, particularly artificial light at night (ALAN). The results showed that ALAN had no impact on the diet or den distribution of the hyenas in central Israel. The study also found that domestic animals were the most common prey, and there were also some vegetative species in their diet. Overall, the feeding behavior of striped hyenas is influenced by geographical region, habitat, and human activities.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Rahim Najafi Tireh Shabankareh, Pardis Ziaee, Mohammad Javad Abedini
Summary: This study evaluated the IMERG satellite-based precipitation product in the Fars province of Iran using daily rain gauges as reference data. The results showed that the product tends to overestimate light rainfall and underestimate heavy rainfall, with the best performance in the 40-80 mm/day range. The accuracy of the product varies by month and is less biased in months with milder temperatures. Additionally, there was a higher correlation in mid-elevated areas, positive bias in low-elevated areas, and negative bias in high-elevated areas. Longer time scales showed considerable improvement in the IMERG estimates.
JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS
(2024)