Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongbo Yang, Qiongyu Huang, Jindong Zhang, Melissa Songer, Jianguo Liu
Summary: Protected areas are essential for global conservation efforts, but their impact on wildlife habitat quality is still poorly understood. Research indicates that nature reserves have a significant positive impact on giant panda habitat suitability, especially in areas vulnerable to human pressure, with central government-supported reserves performing better than locally supported ones.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tao Ruan, Han Han, Wei Wei, Lan Qiu, Mingshen Hong, Junfeng Tang, Hong Zhou, Zejun Zhang
Summary: The Liziping National Nature Reserve in the Xiaoxiangling Mountain of Sichuan Province is a critical habitat for giant pandas, with the suitable habitat mainly concentrated in the east of the reserve. Factors such as road interference, temperature, altitude, and slope gradient greatly influence the distribution of giant pandas, with wild pandas preferring areas far from human interference, high altitude, moderate temperature, and gentle slopes. These findings provide valuable insights for scientists to formulate habitat conservation and management measures for giant pandas in the reserve.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Xiaoyu Chen, Xiaorong Wang, Junqing Li, Dongwei Kang
Summary: The study evaluated the habitat suitability of giant pandas in Wanglang Nature Reserve, finding that only 16.33% of the area was suitable for giant pandas, with extensive overlap between the suitable habitats of livestock and takin having a significant impact on pandas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jingyi Dai, Jinzhi Chen, Zhongjie Luo, Wei Zhou
Summary: Understanding the role of social capital is crucial for addressing the cooperation dilemma in forest conservation. This study analyzed the impact of rural households' social capital on forest conservation behaviors in 17 giant panda nature reserves in China. The findings suggest that social capital plays a critical role in promoting forest conservation activities, filling in gaps left by formal institutions. Social trust, in particular, was found to influence rural households' participation in forest conservation, regardless of the cost involved. Moreover, social capital was found to enhance understanding of nature reserve policies and foster environmental awareness, leading to increased participation in forest conservation efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Xu, Biao Yang, Qiang Dai, Han Pan, Xue Zhong, Jianghong Ran, Xuyu Yang, Xiaodong Gu, Zhisong Yang, Dunwu Qi, Rong Hou, Zejun Zhang
Summary: This study evaluates the management of giant panda populations in China and proposes suggestions for landscape-scale conservation in the national park system.
Article
Forestry
Wei Duan, Nan Su, Yicheng Jiang, Jinyu Shen
Summary: Understanding the impact of social trust on rural households' ecological protection attitudes is crucial for effective biodiversity conservation. This study found that social trust has a significant positive impact on rural households' conservation attitudes, and different factors such as gender, education level, and family income can influence how rural households respond to social trust.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dengqiu Li, Dengsheng Lu, Yan Zhao, Mingxing Zhou, Guangsheng Chen
Summary: This study developed a new framework to assess habitat fragmentation by integrating spatial patterns of vegetation coverage and its change in the giant panda habitat ecosystem of China. The results revealed that most disturbed areas experienced negative abrupt vegetation change, while undisturbed areas mainly showed an increase in vegetation. By identifying spatial clusters and outliers, the study pinpointed areas in need of careful management to reduce habitat fragmentation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying Zeng, Han Han, Yihua Gong, Shibu Qubi, Minghua Chen, Lan Qiu, Youyou Huang, Hong Zhou, Wei Wei
Summary: Research on the feeding habits and foraging strategies of giant pandas is important for understanding their population ecology. In the Meigu Dafengding Nature Reserve in the Liangshan mountains, wild giant pandas primarily feed on Yushania maculata and Yushania ailuropodina, and prefer foraging patches with gentle slopes and closer proximity to water sources. The findings of this study can provide a scientific basis for the conservation and management of wild giant panda habitats in different mountain regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Wei Jia, Shasha Yan, Qingqing He, Ping Li, Mingxia Fu, Jiang Zhou
Summary: The recovery of vegetation within the Niba Mountain giant panda corridor has led to the emergence of giant panda activity in the area, which may have spread to the central part of the reserve through the corridor. The study clarified the habitat selection characteristics of giant pandas in the corridor by investigating the microhabitats of the giant panda corridor in Niba Mountain. These findings can provide a reference for scientists to formulate practical habitat conservation and management measures for giant pandas in the study area.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Zhou, Bin Zheng, Zi-qiang Zhang, Zhen-jiang Song, Wei Duan
Summary: The study found that income from community-based ecotourism can significantly promote the conservation behavior of local households, especially in forest maintenance and protection activities. However, there is no significant impact on reforestation activities.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yijing Zhang, Jinyu Shen, Zhenjiang Song, Wei Duan, Wei Zhou
Summary: This study conducted a case study using exploratory participatory scenarios analysis in the Wawushan giant panda nature reserve to explore local adaptation strategies. The study highlighted the importance of engagement and knowledge exchange between stakeholders to achieve better collaboration and reciprocity for the sustainable development of nature reserves.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Zhenjiang Song, Yi Li
Summary: The study found that the area of non-forested land in giant panda habitats decreased, with high-quality land-use types decreasing while low/middle-quality types increased. Chinese giant panda conservation projects have not only promoted changes in conservation thought and management, but also emphasize the balance between conservation and development, aiming to promote the coexistence of humans and giant pandas.
Article
Economics
Zhenjiang Song, Wei Zhou, Lan Gao
Summary: This paper reviews the history and development of Giant Panda Nature Reserves in China over the past 56 years, and discusses four main challenges facing the reserves. These challenges include declining local populations of wild giant pandas, incomplete coverage of panda habitats by the reserves, pressure on the management system, and conflicts between giant panda conservation and human livelihoods. The conclusions highlight the continuous evolution and improvement of the management system, the increasing level of socioeconomic development in communities within and around the reserves, and the ongoing development of a Giant Panda National Park.
JOURNAL OF FOREST ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Yan Zhigang, Buddhi Dayananda, Igor Popovic, Wang Xueli, Kang Dongwei, Zhang Yubo, Sheng Guozhen
Summary: The disturbance of wildlife habitats by human activities is a significant factor in the ecological landscape evolution. A study was conducted to analyze the temporal and spatial dynamics of human disturbances affecting panda populations, using information entropy and statistical methods. The results showed that farming, tourism, logging, and road infrastructure were the key factors impacting panda habitats. The impact of logging and shoot gathering has decreased over time, with road infrastructure emerging as the leading disturbance factor. These findings will contribute to the preservation of threatened panda populations and future research on habitat disturbance.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hongfei Zhuang, Wancai Xia, Chao Zhang, Li Yang, Kunyuan Wanghe, Junzhi Chen, Xiaofeng Luan, Wei Wang
Summary: The proper designation of management zones within protected areas is crucial for enhancing biodiversity conservation. A study focusing on protected areas in Sichuan Province, China, found spatial differentiation among core, buffer, and experiment zones, with significant differences in area and giant panda numbers.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andres Vina, Jianguo Liu
Summary: As global interconnections continue to strengthen, challenges are becoming more difficult to address due to the reliance on global supply chains. Global shocks such as wars, economic recessions, and pandemics can disrupt these connections and have cascading consequences. To assess these consequences comprehensively, integrated frameworks that consider the interactions between human and natural systems are crucial. Using the metacoupling framework, this study illustrates the effects of major global shocks on global interconnectedness from the early 1900s to the 2010s. Based on the findings, actionable recommendations are made to mitigate the negative impacts of the ongoing global shock, the COVID-19 pandemic, and promote global sustainability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sydney Waloven, Kelly Kapsar, Tobias Schwoerer, Matthew Berman, Jennifer Schmidt, Andres Vina, Jianguo Liu
Summary: Numerous narrow marine passages around the world serve as essential gateways for various activities, including transportation, migration, and interaction between humans and nature. However, the assessment and analysis of these global gateways are currently fragmented. To address this gap, the Bering Strait is used as an example to explore how different processes impact and are influenced by the coupled human and natural system of a global gateway. The findings from this study can provide a foundation for assessing other global gateways.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuqian Zhang, Yingjie Li, Jianguo Liu
Summary: The United Nations has adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote human welfare and conserve the planet. Our research examined the progress of SDGs 14 and 15, which directly address biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, between 2010 and 2020. The results showed a small growth in SDG 14 scores, but a significant increase in SDG 15 scores, especially in countries with biodiversity hotspots. It is important to prioritize low-income countries' sustainable development performance in implementing the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chunrong Mi, Kai Song, Liang Ma, Jiliang Xu, Baojun Sun, Yuehua Sun, Jianguo Liu, Weiguo Du
Summary: In order to address biodiversity loss and achieve the targets of the proposed Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, the Chinese government has updated the list of national key protected wildlife and expanded protected areas. However, the status of protected wildlife in these areas remains unclear. This study conducted a national assessment and proposed an optimization plan to overcome these shortcomings, including adding more protected areas and prioritizing certain regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, Daniel de Castro Victoria, Fabio Avila Nossack, Andres Vina, James D. A. Millington, Simone Aparecida Vieira, Mateus Batistella, Emilio Moran, Jianguo Liu
Summary: Private lands in Brazil play a crucial role in conservation efforts, but their effectiveness is hampered by inadequate policies. A recent analysis of over 4 million rural properties revealed that the 2012 policy review had a limited impact, particularly on the Amazon Forest. The amnesty granted to small landowners prevented the restoration of millions of hectares of agricultural land with significant carbon sequestration potential.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Liu, Bo Huang, Huadong Guo, Jianguo Liu
Summary: This study uses open-source big data to assess the progress of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 254 Chinese cities and compares the results with those obtained using statistical data. The findings suggest that big data is a promising alternative for tracking the overall SDG progress of cities, including those lacking relevant statistical data. The analysis reveals that smaller Chinese cities have lower SDG Index scores, indicating the need to improve SDG progress in small and medium cities for more balanced sustainability.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Li An, Volker Grimm, Yu Bai, Abigail Sullivan, B. L. Turner II, Nicolas Malleson, Alison Heppenstall, Christian Vincenot, Derek Robinson, Xinyue Ye, Jianguo Liu, Emilie Lindkvist, Wenwu Tang
Summary: This article discusses the wide use of Agent-based modeling (ABM) in various disciplines and practice domains, as well as the advances and challenges in understanding agent behaviors. The authors emphasize the potential revolutionary impacts of artificial intelligence and data science in understanding agent decisions and behaviors in complex systems. They propose an innovative approach using reinforcement learning and convolutional neural networks to equip agents with self-learning intelligence. The article calls for further developments of ABM, particularly in modeling agent behaviors, with the integration of data science and artificial intelligence.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sarab S. Sethi, Avery Bick, Robert M. Ewers, Holger Klinck, Vijay Ramesh, Mao-Ning Tuanmu, David A. Coomes
Summary: Though eco-acoustic monitoring has potential for delivering biodiversity insights on large scales, existing analytical approaches behave unpredictably across different studies. Our research showed that neither univariate indices nor machine learning models were able to predict species richness across datasets, but changes in soundscapes consistently indicated changes in avian communities. Therefore, soundscape monitoring should be used cautiously and in conjunction with more reliable in-person ecological surveys.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yue Dou, Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, Mateus Batistella, Sara Torres, Emilio Moran, Jianguo Liu
Summary: Agricultural trade and climate change have significant impacts on land cover and land use worldwide. In this study, we used Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) to model the decision-making processes of crop producers in Brazil and simulated different land-use decisions under various trade and climate change scenarios. Our results indicate that climate change has a stronger overall impact than trade scenarios on local land-use changes and agricultural production. Improving technology packages and sharing accurate climate information can effectively mitigate climate change risks and have positive impacts on land-use intensification.
Article
Ecology
Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, Emilio Moran, Andres Vina, James D. A. Millington, Yue Dou, Simone A. Vieira, Maria Claudia Lopez, Jianguo Liu
Summary: The world has entered the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), but environmental degradation still persists in many regions. This study examines the human-environment conditions behind the net gains in natural forest cover in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil, a region that has experienced environmental degradation. The findings suggest that forest transition at the biome level is possible through a complex socio-economic pathway and taking advantage of specific context-dependent situations.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, Emilio F. Moran, James D. A. Millington, Andres Vina, Jianguo Liu
Summary: In recent years, there has been significant improvement in understanding the effects of global flows of agricultural commodities on human and natural systems. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding important factors of environmental change influenced by these commodity flows. This study presents a spatial modelling approach to assess the impact of trade destination on forest cover change in soybean-producing municipalities in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The results show that municipalities with greater soybean production not destined for international markets are strongly associated with deforestation, as well as with cattle and pasture expansion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nicholas Manning, Yingjie Li, Jianguo Liu
Summary: With rapid globalization and global environmental changes, complex sustainability issues in the Anthropocene are increasingly interconnected, not only within nearby systems but also between distant systems. Tobler's first law of geography (TFL), which states that near things are more related than distant things, is not always applicable for sustainability issues. The integrated framework of metacoupling (MCF) has shown greater applicability than TFL, especially in topics such as trade, governance, and agricultural development.
GEOGRAPHY AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Yingjie Li, Nan Jia, Xiang Yu, Nicholas Manning, Xin Lan, Jianguo Liu
Summary: This study makes the first attempt to develop a typology of transboundary flows and synthesizes a portfolio of quantitative and practical methods to characterize these flows. It highlights the need to recognize shared risks and goals, use system thinking, and enhance multilateral cooperation for effective governance of transboundary flows.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2023)