Article
Plant Sciences
Qian Shu, Dong Xia, Yueyang Ma, Yang Zhang, Ting Luo, Jiaxin Ma, Fang Liu, Shuxing Yan, Daxiang Liu
Summary: The introduction of AMF into vegetation concrete substrate is an effective solution to solve the inhibition of alkaline environment on plant growth. The effects of substrate cement content on the inoculation of AMF were different for different host plants. For Festuca elata, the maximum mycorrhizal infection rates of GM and MI inoculation were observed when the cement contents ranged from 5% to 8%, while the maximum mycorrhizal infection rate of GI inoculation was observed with the cement contents ranging from 5% to 10%. However, substrate cement content had little effect on the root system of Cassia glauca. Single inoculation was more effective than mixed inoculation for both plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Suzette G. A. Flantua, Henry Hooghiemstra
Summary: Pollen-based evidence is crucial for understanding human history, but the information is scattered in the literature, which may lead to the overlooking of important evidence. In this study, a comprehensive overview of major food plants worldwide was compiled, and human indicators from pollen-based paleoecological literature in Latin America were also summarized. This study provides valuable datasets for extracting human evidence from fossil pollen records.
Article
Forestry
Waira S. Machida, Leticia Gomes, Pamela Moser, Isabela B. Castro, Sabrina C. Miranda, Manoel C. da Silva-Junior, Mercedes M. C. Bustamante
Summary: Research shows that woody vegetation has largely recovered eight years after one fire event, while the vegetation structure remains relatively stable after two consecutive fire events over eight years, with growth only seen after 14 years without fire.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiajia Tang, Jie Liang, Yongjun Yang, Shaoliang Zhang, Huping Hou, Xiaoxiao Zhu
Summary: This study develops a hierarchical classification method using LiDAR and hyperspectral data for the monitoring and assessment of vegetation after restoration. The results show that the features of LiDAR data and hyperspectral data effectively differentiate different vegetation species compositions, with vegetation indices playing a significant role in the classification. This hierarchical classification method has high accuracy in distinguishing tree, shrub, and grass species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fatih Fazlioglu, Gulaycan P. Keskin, Oznur E. Akcin, Tugba Ozbucak
Summary: Anthropogenic activities such as mining and quarrying can alter plant community structure and functioning, leading to shifts in ecological strategies of plant species. Agricultural sites are dominated by ruderal strategy, while stress-tolerant species are abundant in mining sites.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Sergey A. A. Lednev, Ivan N. N. Semenkov, Tatiana V. V. Koroleva
Summary: This paper examines the effects of kerosene spillage on plants in forest and bog communities in Central Russia. The study finds that herbaceous plants are significantly affected and even minimal doses can cause death, while shrubs and mosses are more resistant to kerosene. The recovery processes of plant communities are observed within two years after the application of the pollutant.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chao Li, Shiqiang Zhang, Manyi Cui, Junhong Wan, Tianxing Rao, Wen Li, Xin Wang
Summary: Evaluation of the long-term effect of ecosystem recovery projects is critical for future ecological management and sustainable development. In this study, a vegetation ecological quality index (VEQI) was constructed to assess the Three-North Shelterbelt's (TNS) vegetation ecological quality (VEQ). The results showed an improving trend in VEQ over the study period, with areas of significant improvement concentrated in the central and eastern parts of the TNS. However, future unsustainable VEQ trends were also detected, highlighting the importance of sustainable management practices.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bruno Francisco Sant'Anna-Santos, Larisse de Freitas-Silva, Aristea Alves Azevedo, Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes
Summary: Fluoride is the most phytotoxic atmospheric pollutant and plants are commonly used for monitoring purposes. While tree species are often used, their high sensitivity and costly replacement processes can increase monitoring costs. This study found that Panicum maximum grass may be a suitable alternative for fluoride monitoring, as it shows fast fluoride uptake and reliable microscopic responses despite being fluoride-tolerant.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xi Liu, Huibin Du, Ling Tang, Xin Bo, Jiashuo Li, Jian Zuo, Marilyn A. Brown, Min Jia, Kuishuang Feng
Summary: This study assesses the impact of iron and steel plant relocation on air pollutant emissions in China's Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area using a bottom-up approach. The results show that relocation combined with stricter emission standards enforcement and production technological innovation can significantly reduce emissions without causing excessive emission spillovers in receiving cities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Megan J. McNellie, Ian Oliver, Simon Ferrier, Graeme Newell, Glenn Manion, Peter Griffioen, Matt White, Terry Koen, Michael Somerville, Philip Gibbons
Summary: Ensembles of artificial neural network models were trained to predict vegetation characteristics, with spatially-explicit models of different plant functional groups generated. The study demonstrated the importance of continuous maps of vegetation attributes for supporting decision-making across various spatial scales.
Article
Ecology
Eugeniusz Koda, Jan Winkler, Pawel Wowkonowicz, Martin Cerny, Agnieszka Kiersnowska, Grzegorz Pasternak, Magdalena Daria Vaverkova
Summary: Despite the widespread use of landfills for waste disposal, their negative impact on human health and the environment, mainly due to gas and leachate emissions, remains a concern. The study explores the relationship between leachate composition and seepage points, aiming to assess the mineral sealing of landfill surfaces and the potential utilization of bioindicative methods for monitoring pollution.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Violeta Stakeliene, Izolda Pasakinskiene, Kristina Loziene, Darius Ryliskis, Audrius Skridaila
Summary: A unique vertical greening structure was built using turf rolls of semi-natural meadows wrapped on 197 columns at the Botanical Garden of Vilnius University. Over a five-year period, the vegetation composition changed, with initial species being replaced by ruderal, nitrophilous, and pioneer plants. The study highlights the benefits of using semi-natural meadow turfs in vertical greening of buildings in harsh climates.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ping Liu, Xinrui Li, Ruikang Zhang, Mengrou Yao, Junfeng Chen, Yanrong Li, Xiangru Jia, Yunfei Xing
Summary: The study examined the temporal and spatial changes in surface vegetation in buffer zones around the Dalong Reservoir in Sanya, Hainan. Results showed that vegetation coverage initially decreased and then increased over the years 2000 to 2010. The impact of reservoir construction on vegetation coverage decreased over time, with different trends observed in different construction periods and locations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Oscar D. Pedrayes, Dario G. Lema, Ruben Usamentiaga, Daniel F. Garcia
Summary: This article proposes an effective approach based on convolutional neural networks for the location and automated detection of fugitive emissions in industrial plants. By utilizing existing surveillance cameras and state-of-the-art image segmentation methods, the proposed solution helps to detect and locate points of failure, reducing pollution and ensuring compliance with regulations.
COMPUTERS IN INDUSTRY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Javiera Diaz-Forestier, Sebastian Abades, Nelida Pohl, Olga Barbosa, Karina Godoy, Gabriella L. Svensson, Maria Undurraga, Camila Bravo, Camila Garcia, Meredith Root-Bernstein, Juan J. Armesto, Juan L. Celis-Diez
Summary: The Mediterranean central Chile boasts high terrestrial biodiversity but has also experienced significant habitat loss. Despite this, natural areas within the rural landscape still exist, especially on less productive slopes and vegetation strips. A study on vineyards in central Chile found that vegetation corridors within agricultural areas play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity conservation and enhancing habitat quality.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fangfang Wang, Shiliang Liu, Hua Liu, Yixuan Liu, Lu Yu, Qingbo Wang, Yuhong Dong, Jian Sun, Lam-Son Phan Tran, Weiqiang Li
Summary: Nitrogen losses from crop-livestock production on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have increased significantly between 2000 and 2018, with hotspots of N losses expanding from the east and south to the north and west of the plateau. Ammonia and manure were identified as the main sources of atmospheric and water N losses respectively, while the use of chemical fertilizer and agricultural output value were found to be the main driving forces. Uneven distribution of crop production and livestock further contributed to the aggravation of N losses.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jianxiang Zhang, Yafeng Wang, Jian Sun, Junhe Chen, Jingtian Zhang, Dong Wang, Huangyu Huo, Eryuan Liang
Summary: This study quantified the changes in net primary production (NPP) and other key ecosystem services (water yield, soil conservation, and crop production) in the Yanhe basin of the Loess Plateau using RS/GIS techniques and ecosystem modeling. The results showed that NPP doubled from 1990 to 2020 and there were increasing trade-offs between NPP and other ecosystem services at the sub-basin scale. The combined action of check dams and the Grain-for-Green program promoted NPP and balanced the trade-offs, while terracing indirectly decreased NPP.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junhe Chen, Yafeng Wang, Jian Sun, Jianxiang Zhang, Jingtian Zhang, Yingxin Wang, Tiancai Zhou, Huangyu Huo, Eryuan Liang
Summary: There is a need to link grazing exclusion policy with fence layout management and assess the benefits. By constructing an intensity index and quantifying ecosystem service benefits, this study provides a new perspective on evaluating fence layout and optimizing it.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aleksandra Bogdan, Ana Alejandra Robles Aguilar, Olivier Nys, Evi Michels, Erik Meers
Summary: This study investigated the P availability of recycled phosphorus fertilizers through eleven different chemical P extractions. The results showed that STRSL and STRLQ had higher P concentrations extracted, while ASH2 and FeP had highly variable P concentrations. The plant P uptake efficiency followed the order: STRSL > STRLQ > ASH1 > FeP > ASH2.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pedda Ghouse Peera Sheikh Kulsum, Rubina Khanam, Shreya Das, Amaresh Kumar Nayak, Filip M. G. Tack, Erik Meers, Meththika Vithanage, Mohammad Shahid, Anjani Kumar, Sukalyan Chakraborty, Tanushree Bhattacharya, Jayanta Kumar Biswas
Summary: This review focuses on the dynamics of cadmium (Cd) in paddy soil, the translocation pathways from soil to rice consumption, and the bio-accessibility of Cd in human consumption. The factors affecting Cd movement in soil and its transfer to rice grains are elucidated. Ecologically viable remediation approaches and advances in understanding Cd transport in rice plants are also highlighted.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zaheer Ahmed Shariff, Laurent Fraikin, Aleksandra Bogdan, Angelique Leonard, Erik Meers, Andreas Pfennig
Summary: This study presents a new process called 'PULSE' for the recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge, which can handle high metal contents. The process involves drying of sludge prior to acidic leaching to overcome challenges in solid-liquid separation and reduce material flows. The process also includes the removal of metals using reactive extraction to obtain a high-quality product. Laboratory experiments were conducted to optimize the process.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Erika De Keyser, Anke De Dobbelaere, Jan Leenknegt, Erik Meers, Erik Mathijs, Liesbet Vranken
Summary: To reduce dependency on non-renewable resources, valuable bio-based fertilizer components can be recovered through the valorization of organic waste streams. Optimization research in the fertilizer domain focuses on minimizing costs while ensuring crop nutrient uptake. This paper develops a model to minimize fertilizer costs for vegetable farmers by considering the use of bio-based fertilizer through composting and anaerobic digestion, as well as leaving crop residues on the field.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Axel Herrera, Giuliana D'Imporzano, Elisa Clagnan, Ambrogio Pigoli, Elena Bonadei, Erik Meers, Fabrizio Adani
Summary: Using membrane technology to treat manure can reduce its volume and produce a nutrient-rich concentrate, allowing the recovery of 46% of total nitrogen and 43% of total phosphorus. Compared to synthetic mineral fertilizers, this process has lower environmental impacts in 12 categories studied. The study also suggests precautions to further reduce environmental impacts and reduce energy consumption.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Narges Mehrab, Mostafa Chorom, Mojtaba Norouzi Masir, Jayanta Kumar Biswas, Marcella Fernandes de Souza, Erik Meers
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the impact of adding the chelating agent NTA on cadmium fractions and microbial biomass in a calcareous soil contaminated with cadmium (Cd) under cultivated and uncultivated conditions subjected to soil leaching. Investigating soil-plant interactions on metal-contaminated soils with insights on microbial activity and soil toxicity perspective provides new perspectives on using metal-chelating agents for soil remediation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fangfang Wang, Shiliang Liu, Yixuan Liu, Lu Yu, Qingbo Wang, Hua Liu, Yuhong Dong, Jian Sun
Summary: This study constructed a city-scale food nitrogen footprint (FNF) framework for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and quantitatively analyzed the FNF during food production and consumption from 1998 to 2018. The results showed that the per capita FNF of the QTP increased from 24.92 kg N cap(-1) in 1998 to 27.70 kg N cap(-1) in 2018, and the total FNF increased by 35.11% during the same time period. The main contributing sources to the FNF were N losses from crop production and animal production, and the main drivers behind the FNF increase were economic development and urbanization.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Beatrice De Vos, Marcella Fernandes de Souza, Sofie Vermeire, Pieter Vermeir, Evi Michels, Alexandra De Raeve, Erik Meers
Summary: Industrial hemp is a sustainable alternative for textile production and phytoremediation on heavy metal-contaminated soil. After demineralization and bleaching treatments, Cd and Pb concentrations in hemp fibers were below safety limits. Cd was mainly concentrated in the primary wall, while Pb could be bound to lignin and hemicellulose in the secondary wall of the fiber.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ruben Vingerhoets, Marc Spiller, Joris De Backer, Anne Adriaens, Siegfried E. Vlaeminck, E. Vlaeminck, Erik Meers
Summary: The agri-food value chain is a significant contributor to nitrogen and phosphorus emissions and their impacts. The EU's farm-to-fork strategy aims to reduce nutrient emissions and fertilizer use. Substance flow analysis is a useful method for studying the agri-food chain, but current studies lack detail in distinguishing between nodes, products, and emissions. This study presents a highly-detailed SFA for the livestock-intensive region of Flanders, Belgium, which identifies recoverable streams and calculates novel indicators. Optimized nutrient recycling could exceed the targets set by the F2F strategy. Future research should consider concentration and quality in SFAs.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Konstantinos P. Papadopoulos, Marcella Fernandes de Souza, Lorraine Archer, Ana Camila Zenteno Illanes, Ellen L. Harrison, Fiona Taylor, Matthew P. Davey, Daniela Ahuatzin Gallardo, Allan J. Komakech, Shahla Radmehr, Andre Holzer, Erik Meers, Alison G. Smith, Payam Mehrshahi
Summary: Anaerobic digestion is a sustainable solution for converting organic waste into biogas, and it can also generate nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as fertilizer. This study found that substantial amounts of vitamin B-12 can be synthesized during anaerobic digestion, and a microalgae called Chlorella vulgaris can effectively accumulate B-12 when grown in the digestate. The study also identified pH-induced ammonia toxicity as the main inhibitor for microalgae growth in the digestate, and productivity can be significantly enhanced through pH control.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoxia Li, Eryuan Liang, J. Julio Camarero, Sergio Rossi, Jingtian Zhang, Haifeng Zhu, Yongshuo H. Fu, Jian Sun, Tao Wang, Shilong Piao, Josep Penuelas
Summary: Under warmer springs, growth reactivation in trees is advanced while delayed in shrubs at the alpine treeline. This phenological mismatch creates a competitive advantage for trees and offers a new explanation for the dynamics of alpine treeline under climate change. A combination of long-term monitoring and meta-analysis revealed that shrubs are more sensitive to chilling accumulation, leading to delayed response in warmer winters and a shorter growing season. The findings suggest that the warming-induced phenological mismatch may contribute to the increasing shifts in alpine treeline.
NATIONAL SCIENCE REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Gregory Reuland, Steven Sleutel, Haichao Li, Harmen Dekker, Ivona Sigurnjak, Erik Meers
Summary: The untapped potential for carbon sequestration in agricultural soils is a cost-effective tool for mitigating climate change. Increasing soil organic matter brings various agronomic benefits and can be achieved by increasing carbon inputs and reducing carbon outputs. In this study, the addition of organic amendments resulted in significant carbon storage in the soil, with digestate showing the highest potential. Further research is needed to understand the interactions between soil and digestate.
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)
