Springs ecosystem classification.

A review of lacustrine paleomagnetic records from western North America: 0–40000 years BP

1. In western North America, populations of the leaf-galling aphid Pemphigus betae are concentrated in natural zones of overlap and hybridization between species of cottonwoods (Populus). Averaged over seven drainages in four American states and one Canadian province, P. betae galls were 28-fold more abundant in hybrid zones than in adjacent pure zones of the narrowleaf host species. 2. The strength of this pattern is impressive in that it occurred in all of the river drainages surveyed and spanned a north-south gradient of 1600 km (15° latitude). Furthermore, this pattern was not restricted to one species-pair of cottonwoods, but occurred in zones of narrowleaf x Fremont, narrowleaf x Eastern, and narrowleaf x balsam x Eastern cottonwood. 3. The concentration of galls in the hybrid zone was not influenced by the absolute size of the hybrid zone. However, there was a significant inverse relationship (P = 0.02) between relative gall density and the relative size of the hybrid zone. All else being equal, small hybrid zones supported higher concentrations of aphids than large hybrid zones. Three hypotheses, 'hybrid zones as aphid sinks', 'hybrid zones as aphid sources' and an 'introgression' hypothesis, are proposed which may explain this regional pattern. 4. Riparian cottonwood forests shelter a rich diversity of animal and plant species that is threatened by habitat loss through anthropogenic activities. If the concentration of P. betae in cottonwood hybrid zones is a pattern common to other hybridizing plants and their dependent species, preserving these relatively small areas could have a disproportionately positive role in preserving biodiversity.

The enemy release hypothesis proposes that invasion by exotic plant species is driven by their release from natural enemies (i.e. herbivores and pathogens) in their introduced ranges. However, in many cases, natural enemies, which may be introduced or managed to regulate invasive species, may fail to impact target host populations. Landscape heterogeneity, which can affect both the population dynamics of the pathogen and the susceptibility and the density of hosts, may contribute to why pathogens fail to control hosts despite established negative disease impacts.We explored patterns of post‐fire infection of the fungal head‐smut pathogenUstilago bullataon the invasive annual cheatgrassBromus tectorum, which has caused the notorious grass‐fire cycle and ecosystem degradation across Western North America. We asked whether infection level was a driver of host density or vice‐versa, and how weather affected infection and how spatial patterns of infection varied with time since fire, using a combination of structural equation modelling (SEM), proportional odds modelling and entropy‐based local indicator of spatial association (ELSA) on data from >700 plots spanning >100,000 ha remeasured annually for 4 years.Observed infection levels increased with greater prior‐year cheatgrass cover, and disease severity did not suppress cheatgrass populations. Warm, humid fall/winters and proximity to fire refugia (unburned patches) were associated with more infections. Infection clustering was most evident 2–3 years following fire with warm‐wet fall–winter conditions and decreased after two drier, colder winters.Synthesis. Severity of fungal disease did not result in measurable reductions of populations of a non‐native, invasive host species, cheatgrass, which suggests that natural enemies may not strongly regulate cheatgrass in its introduced range. Landscape heterogeneity associated with disturbance and weather limited population‐level infection of hosts by the fungal pathogen. Disturbance (specifically wildfire) and variable weather are key components of this and similar invasion systems, and likely need to be considered when evaluating disease dynamics and potential for natural enemies to influence invasion potential.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common but poorly understood gastrointestinal illness. One explanation for this lack of awareness is the absence of clear recommendations on the use of biochemical markers to identify this illness. This is because knowledge in this field is always expanding. Serum amylase and lipase are two extensively utilized biochemical indicators in the diagnosis of AP. The lack of agreement on the optimal use of these markers, notably amylase and lipase, has an impact on diagnostic outcomes. Through a critical study of the current literatures, this review intends to explore in depth the use of biochemical markers in the diagnosis of AP. A comprehensive review of the literature had a glance at biochemical indicators in the context of AP diagnosis, diving into topics including pancreatic anatomy, functions, pathology, mechanisms of AP, etiologies, symptoms, and also diagnostic approaches. This review revealedareas of agreement and disagreement about biochemical indicators in the diagnosis of AP, as well as potential future research directions.

Combining a multi-environment trial and a diagnosis method to assess potential yield and main limiting factors of three highly different pea types

A framework to assess the vulnerability of estuarine systems for use in ecological risk assessment

Diversity and distribution of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in seven national mangrove nature reserves, South China

Broad-leaved subtropical forests are the most productive, diversified, and complex ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, they are currently under severe threat from anthropogenic activities, such as. deforestation, housing settlements, and agricultural expansion. In response to these severe effects, the present study was conducted to explore the current conservation status and population structure of a wide range of bird species inhabiting different subtropical broad-leaved urban forests of Pakistan. In total, 2879 individuals comprising 53 species and 28 families were detected between December 2017 and November 2018 as revealed through the distance sampling line transect method. The habitat selection among bird species varied according to vegetation structure and composition, food resources, adjoining habitats, and human settlements. According to IUCN Red List data, one species was deemed vulnerable out of 53 bird species, while the remaining 52 species were ranked as ofleast concern. The findings of the density analysis revealed that bird density varied between six subtropical broad-leaved forests. Palamar (3.954 ± 0.221 birds/ha) and Kityari (3.138 ± 0.162 birds/ha) were densely populated, whereas Kamal Khan (1.102 ± 0.178 birds/ha) was of the least concern. Likewise, the diversity analysis showed that Kamal Khan was a more diverse habitat (Shannon–Wiener Index; H’ = 3.581 ± 0.021). Shahabad was richer (Margalef Richness Index; R1 = 8.007 ± 0.053) and Dob Ghar was evenly distributed (Pielou J Evenness Index; E = 0.940 ± 0.005) compared to other urban habitats studied. Eight foraging guilds were identified among the bird species. Insectivores were the most abundant bird species utilizing the urban dwelling habitats. carnivores/piscivores/insectivores utilized Dob Ghar forest, while more frugivores utilized Kamal Khan and Dob Ghar. Based on the data, it was concluded that subtropical broad-leaved urban forests are dynamic, complex, and of vital significance for a diverse range of bird species.

The existence of marine debris can be a threat to marine ecosystems. Several studies have shown that marine debris can cause death of marine organisms and a degradation of ecosystems. The West Bali National Park (TNBB) is a conservation area in Bali that is also susceptible to be affected by marine debris pollution, due to its high population and anthropogenic activity in the area. Bali generates about 4.281 tons of waste per day, where 11% of it ends up in the ocean. Therefore, research about marine debris in TNBB is important. The purpose of this research is to find out the characteristics and distribution of stranded marine debris in the TNBB coastal area. This research was conducted in February 2020 at 23 stations by the shoreline. Marine debris data collection was carried out by adapting the method developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Global Plastic Pollution Project. Marine debris exists along the coastline with the concentration range between 0.05 – 28.47 items/m2 with the average of 4.29 items/m2. As much as 92.3% of waste were plastic, dominated by three major debris classes, including soft plastic (44.8%), foam (30.8%), and hard plastic (12.4%). Marine debris in the area has various sizes and shapes. As much as 57.9% of debris at TNBB were whole items and the rest of it were fragment items. Marine debris size at TNBB tend to have a big relative size, i.e. between 8-16 cm (32%). Generally, marine debris at TNBB were mostly daily consumer items. Therefore, public awareness play an important role to decrease the amount of marine debris on the TNBB coastal area.

Lake eutrophication, often driving harmful algal blooms (HABs) and ecosystem degradation, involves complex biogeochemical shifts within sediments. Changes in the sedimentary dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition during transitions from macrophyte to algal dominance are thought to critically regulate internal phosphorus (P) loading, yet the underlying mechanisms, especially in vulnerable plateau lakes like Qilu Lake, require further elucidation. This study investigated the coupled cycling of carbon (C) and P in response to historical ecosystem succession and anthropogenic activities using a 0–24 cm sediment core from Qilu Lake. We analyzed the total organic carbon (TOC), total phosphorus (TP), sequential P fractions, and DOM fluorescence characteristics (EEM-PARAFAC), integrated with chronological series data. The results revealed an asynchronous vertical distribution of TOC and TP, reflecting the shift from a submerged macrophyte-dominated, oligotrophic state (pre-1980s; high TOC, low TP, stable Ca-P dominance) to an algae-dominated, eutrophic state. The eutrophication period (~1980s–2010s) showed high TP accumulation (Ca-P and NaOH85 °C-P enrichment), despite a relatively low TOC (due to rapid mineralization), while recent surface sediments (post-2010s) exhibited a high TOC, but a lower TP following input controls. Concurrently, the DOM composition shifted from microbial humic-like dominance (C1) in deeper sediments to protein-like dominance (C3) near the surface. This study demonstrates that the ecosystem shift significantly regulates P speciation and mobility by altering sedimentary DOM abundance and chemical characteristics (e.g., protein-like DOM correlating negatively with Ca-P), reinforcing a positive feedback mechanism that sustains internal P loading and potentially exacerbates HABs. DOM molecular characteristics emerged as a key factor controlling the internal P cycle in Qilu Lake, providing critical insights for managing eutrophication in plateau lakes.

The human population explosion and rapidly increasing urbanization are two major problems of the current century. According to an estimate world human population is about 8 billion, while in the previous century, it was about 2.0 billion. These figures and facts shows that the future impacts of anthropogenic activities will be more harsh and comprise a more complex nature. Carbon emission induced in environment by anthropogenic activities is major cause for global warming. Climate change, different types of environmental pollution, wastage of raw materials, and ecosystem degradation are major important ecological challenges which are being faced by humanity. These problems are increasing every year due to increasing human population. Forests represent one of most frequent types of green area in cities. Their environmental settlement include perfection in air, water and soil quality, conservation of energy, carbon sequestration, low air temperatures, reduction in ultraviolet radiation and reduction in environmental pollution especially air pollution. The political ecology approach is based on interactions between humans and nature, talking about climate change mitigation and adaptation and technologies that are used for these purposes. Many environmental experts have initiated concept of green revolution to achieve mitigation and adaptation strategies. If human population explosion and establishment of new industrial structures go on increasing without considering the importance of trees then certainly there would be more critical changes for living organisms on surface of the earth in near future. So, “green revolution is the best solution to arrest the environmental pollution” in this changing climate of the world.

Bivalve molluscs as bioindicators of multiple stressors in the marine environment: Recent advances

Graphical Abstract Highlight Research Highlights from this results research: Restoration is a method to restore degraded mangrove ecosystems The success of restoration is measured by improvements in ecosystem services such as water quality, mangrove diversity, phytoplankton community structure and diversity Phytoplankton as bioindicator of water quality Anthropogenic activities are the main factor causing degradation of mangrove ecosystems Abstract The mangrove ecosystems in Bawean Island are degraded due to anthropogenic activities and land conversion. Plantation has carried out periodic which was continued in several mangrove ecosystems. This study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical water quality of several mangrove ecosystems in Bawean Island, and phytoplankton as bioindicators. The evaluation of mangroves in Bawean Island was carried out at 11 locations based on different naturalness and human activities surrounding. The physical and chemical parameters of water observed were air temperature, water temperature, pH, TSS, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), salinity, conductivity, nitrate, and orthophosphate. Community structure and plankton diversity measured include the Importance Value Index (IVI), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Simpson dominance index (Id), evenness index (E), trophic diatom index (TDI), and pollution tolerant value (% PTV). The physical parameters of water chemistry show that it meets the quality standards based on Indonesian Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021 except for nitrate and orthophosphate, but it is still under plankton tolerant. A total of 63 species from 7 phytoplankton classes were found based on the importance value index. Based on the TDI index, mangrove ecosystems Sawahmulya, Sidogedungbatu, Hijau Daun, Pamona, Pasir Putih, Sungai Rujing, Bangsal, Jherat Lanjheng, and Lebak were classified as eutrophic while Pulau Cina and Dekatagung were hyper-eutrophic. Based on %PTV, the Hijau Daun mangrove is the best mangrove ecosystem while other mangroves were classified as moderate and heavily level polluted.

Cumulative impact of anthropogenic nutrient inputs on lagoon ecosystems — A case study of Xincun Lagoon, Hainan, China

Changes in accumulation of land-based organic matter under recent climate change and anthropogenic impact: A tropical coastal perspective