Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change

Land Use and Ecosystem Services

Works Count: 86084

Wikipedia

Description

This cluster of papers focuses on the global analysis of ecosystem services and land use, including the impacts of urbanization, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability. It explores the spatial dynamics of human-nature interactions and provides insights for environmental policy and the management of social-ecological systems.

Keywords

Ecosystem Services; Land Use Change; Urbanization; Global Impact; Biodiversity Conservation; Sustainability; Spatial Dynamics; Human-Nature Interactions; Environmental Policy; Social-Ecological Systems

FRAGSTATS: spatial pattern analysis program for quantifying landscape structure.

1995-01-01

Kevin McGarigal , Barbara J. Marks

This report describes a program, FRAGSTATS, developed to quantify landscape structure. FRAGSTATS offers a comprehensive choice of landscape metrics and was designed to be as versatile as possible. The program … This report describes a program, FRAGSTATS, developed to quantify landscape structure. FRAGSTATS offers a comprehensive choice of landscape metrics and was designed to be as versatile as possible. The program is almost completely automated and thus requires little technical training. Two separate versions of FRAGSTATS exist: one for vector images and one for raster images. The vector version is an Arc/Info AML that accepts Arc/Info polygon coverages. The raster version is a C program that accepts ASCII image files, 8- or 16-bit binary image files, Arc/Info SVF files, Erdas image files, and IDRISI image files. Both versions of FRAGSTATS generate the same array of metrics, including a variety of area metrics, patch density, size and variability metrics, edge metrics, shape metrics, core area metrics, diversity metrics, and contagion and interspersion metrics. The raster version also computes several nearest neighbor metrics. In this report, each metric calculated by FRAGSTATS is described in terms of its ecological application and limitations. Example landscapes are included, and a dis-cussionis provided of each metric as it relates to the sample landscapes. Several important concepts and definitions critical to the assessment of landscape structure are discussed. The appendices include a complete list of algorithms, the units and ranges of each metric, examples of the FRAGSTATS output files, and a users guide describing how to install and run FRAGSTATS.

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Landscape ecology in theory and practice : pattern and process

2001-01-01

Monica G. Turner , Robert H. Gardner , R. V. O’Neill

Farming the planet: 2. Geographic distribution of crop areas, yields, physiological types, and net primary production in the year 2000

2008-02-29

Chad Monfreda , Navin Ramankutty , Jonathan A. Foley

Croplands cover ∼15 million km 2 of the planet and provide the bulk of the food and fiber essential to human well‐being. Most global land cover data sets from satellites … Croplands cover ∼15 million km 2 of the planet and provide the bulk of the food and fiber essential to human well‐being. Most global land cover data sets from satellites group croplands into just a few categories, thereby excluding information that is critical for answering key questions ranging from biodiversity conservation to food security to biogeochemical cycling. Information about agricultural land use practices like crop selection, yield, and fertilizer use is even more limited. Here we present land use data sets created by combining national, state, and county level census statistics with a recently updated global data set of croplands on a 5 min by 5 min (∼10 km by 10 km) latitude‐longitude grid. The resulting land use data sets depict circa the year 2000 the area (harvested) and yield of 175 distinct crops of the world. We aggregate these individual crop maps to produce novel maps of 11 major crop groups, crop net primary production, and four physiologically based crop types: annuals/perennials, herbaceous/shrubs/trees, C 3 /C 4 , and leguminous/nonleguminous.

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Challenges in integrating the concept of ecosystem services and values in landscape planning, management and decision making

2009-11-21

R.S. de Groot , Rob Alkemade , Leon Braat +2 more

Classifying and valuing ecosystem services for urban planning

2012-10-30

Erik Gómez‐Baggethun , David N. Barton

Spatiotemporal characteristics, patterns, and causes of land-use changes in China since the late 1980s

2014-01-07

Jiyuan Liu , Wenhui Kuang , Zengxiang Zhang +7 more

A Computer Movie Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region

1970-06-01

Waldo Tobler

(1970). A Computer Movie Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region. Economic Geography: Vol. 46, PROCEEDINGS International Geographical Union Commission on Quantitative Methods, pp. 234-240. (1970). A Computer Movie Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region. Economic Geography: Vol. 46, PROCEEDINGS International Geographical Union Commission on Quantitative Methods, pp. 234-240.

Defining and classifying ecosystem services for decision making

2008-10-29

Brendan Fisher , R. Kerry Turner , Paul Morling

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A Meta-Analysis of Global Urban Land Expansion

2011-08-18

Karen C. Seto , Michail Fragkias , Burak Güneralp +1 more

The conversion of Earth's land surface to urban uses is one of the most irreversible human impacts on the global biosphere. It drives the loss of farmland, affects local climate, … The conversion of Earth's land surface to urban uses is one of the most irreversible human impacts on the global biosphere. It drives the loss of farmland, affects local climate, fragments habitats, and threatens biodiversity. Here we present a meta-analysis of 326 studies that have used remotely sensed images to map urban land conversion. We report a worldwide observed increase in urban land area of 58,000 km2 from 1970 to 2000. India, China, and Africa have experienced the highest rates of urban land expansion, and the largest change in total urban extent has occurred in North America. Across all regions and for all three decades, urban land expansion rates are higher than or equal to urban population growth rates, suggesting that urban growth is becoming more expansive than compact. Annual growth in GDP per capita drives approximately half of the observed urban land expansion in China but only moderately affects urban expansion in India and Africa, where urban land expansion is driven more by urban population growth. In high income countries, rates of urban land expansion are slower and increasingly related to GDP growth. However, in North America, population growth contributes more to urban expansion than it does in Europe. Much of the observed variation in urban expansion was not captured by either population, GDP, or other variables in the model. This suggests that contemporary urban expansion is related to a variety of factors difficult to observe comprehensively at the global level, including international capital flows, the informal economy, land use policy, and generalized transport costs. Using the results from the global model, we develop forecasts for new urban land cover using SRES Scenarios. Our results show that by 2030, global urban land cover will increase between 430,000 km2 and 12,568,000 km2, with an estimate of 1,527,000 km2 more likely.

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Spatial Processes, Models and Applications

1983-07-01

Luc Anselin , Andrew Cliff , J. Keith Ord

Describing the various ways the degree of spatial autocorrelation in a set of variate values can be assessed and to which the pattern formed by the location of objects treatable … Describing the various ways the degree of spatial autocorrelation in a set of variate values can be assessed and to which the pattern formed by the location of objects treatable as points can be examined.

Panarchy: Understanding Transformations in Human and Natural Systems

2003-03-25

Martin F. Price

Mapping ecosystem service supply, demand and budgets

2011-09-16

Benjamin Burkhard , Franziska Kroll , Stoyan Nedkov +1 more

Agricultural abandonment in mountain areas of Europe: Environmental consequences and policy response

2000-05-01

David W. Macdonald , Jason Crabtree , Georg Wiesinger +5 more

Biodiversity and ecosystem services: a multilayered relationship

2011-09-22

Georgina M. Mace , Ken Norris , Alastair Fitter

Distance to Nearest Neighbor as a Measure of Spatial Relationships in Populations

1954-10-01

P. J. Clark , Francis C. Evans

The emergence of land change science for global environmental change and sustainability

2007-12-20

B. L. Turner , Éric F. Lambin , Anette Reenberg

Land change science has emerged as a fundamental component of global environmental change and sustainability research. This interdisciplinary field seeks to understand the dynamics of land cover and land use … Land change science has emerged as a fundamental component of global environmental change and sustainability research. This interdisciplinary field seeks to understand the dynamics of land cover and land use as a coupled human–environment system to address theory, concepts, models, and applications relevant to environmental and societal problems, including the intersection of the two. The major components and advances in land change are addressed: observation and monitoring; understanding the coupled system—causes, impacts, and consequences; modeling; and synthesis issues. The six articles of the special feature are introduced and situated within these components of study.

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Global forecasts of urban expansion to 2030 and direct impacts on biodiversity and carbon pools

2012-09-17

Karen C. Seto , Burak Güneralp , Lucy R. Hutyra

Urban land-cover change threatens biodiversity and affects ecosystem productivity through loss of habitat, biomass, and carbon storage. However, despite projections that world urban populations will increase to nearly 5 billion … Urban land-cover change threatens biodiversity and affects ecosystem productivity through loss of habitat, biomass, and carbon storage. However, despite projections that world urban populations will increase to nearly 5 billion by 2030, little is known about future locations, magnitudes, and rates of urban expansion. Here we develop spatially explicit probabilistic forecasts of global urban land-cover change and explore the direct impacts on biodiversity hotspots and tropical carbon biomass. If current trends in population density continue and all areas with high probabilities of urban expansion undergo change, then by 2030, urban land cover will increase by 1.2 million km(2), nearly tripling the global urban land area circa 2000. This increase would result in considerable loss of habitats in key biodiversity hotspots, with the highest rates of forecasted urban growth to take place in regions that were relatively undisturbed by urban development in 2000: the Eastern Afromontane, the Guinean Forests of West Africa, and the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka hotspots. Within the pan-tropics, loss in vegetation biomass from areas with high probability of urban expansion is estimated to be 1.38 PgC (0.05 PgC yr(-1)), equal to ∼5% of emissions from tropical deforestation and land-use change. Although urbanization is often considered a local issue, the aggregate global impacts of projected urban expansion will require significant policy changes to affect future growth trajectories to minimize global biodiversity and vegetation carbon losses.

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Enhancement of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services by Ecological Restoration: A Meta-Analysis

2009-07-31

José María Rey Beñayas , Adrian C. Newton , Anita Díaz +1 more

Assessing Ecological Restoration In the wake of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the analysis of ecosystem services, and their relationship to biodiversity, has become one of the most rapidly developing research … Assessing Ecological Restoration In the wake of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the analysis of ecosystem services, and their relationship to biodiversity, has become one of the most rapidly developing research themes in environmental science. At the same time, ecological restoration is widely being implemented as a response to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Rey Benayas et al. (p. 1121 , published online 30 July) link these themes in a meta-analysis of the impacts of ecological restoration actions on provision of ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation. The analysis of 89 published restoration projects worldwide establishes that ecological restoration does, in general, have positive impacts on both biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services. These effects are especially marked in the tropics. Thus, ecological restoration actions may indeed deliver benefits, both in terms of biodiversity conservation and supporting human livelihoods.

Spatial Autocorrelation: Trouble or New Paradigm?

1993-09-01

Pierre Legendre

Autocorrelation is a very general statistical property of ecological variables observed across geographic space; it most common forms are patches and gradients. Spatial autocorrelation, which comes either from the physical … Autocorrelation is a very general statistical property of ecological variables observed across geographic space; it most common forms are patches and gradients. Spatial autocorrelation, which comes either from the physical forcing of environmental variables or from community processes, presents a problem for statistical testing because autocorrelated data violate the assumption of independence of most standard statistical procedures. The paper discusses first how autocorrelation in ecological variables can be described and measured, with emphasis on mapping techniques. Then, proper statistical testing in the presence of autocorrelation is briefly discussed. Finally, ways are presented of explicitly introducing spatial structures into ecological models. Two approaches are proposed; in the raw—data approach, the spatial structure takes the form of a polynomial of the x and y geographic coordinates of the sampling stations; in the matrix approach, the spatial structure is introduced in the form of a geographic distance matrix among locations. These two approaches are compared in the concluding section. A table provides a list of computer programs available for spatial analysis.

Global Change and the Ecology of Cities

2008-02-07

Nancy B. Grimm , Stanley H. Faeth , Nancy E. Golubiewski +4 more

Urban areas are hot spots that drive environmental change at multiple scales. Material demands of production and human consumption alter land use and cover, biodiversity, and hydrosystems locally to regionally, … Urban areas are hot spots that drive environmental change at multiple scales. Material demands of production and human consumption alter land use and cover, biodiversity, and hydrosystems locally to regionally, and urban waste discharge affects local to global biogeochemical cycles and climate. For urbanites, however, global environmental changes are swamped by dramatic changes in the local environment. Urban ecology integrates natural and social sciences to study these radically altered local environments and their regional and global effects. Cities themselves present both the problems and solutions to sustainability challenges of an increasingly urbanized world.

Ecological intensification: harnessing ecosystem services for food security

2012-11-12

Riccardo Bommarco , David Kleijn , Simon G. Potts

Estimating historical changes in global land cover: Croplands from 1700 to 1992

1999-12-01

Navin Ramankutty , Jonathan A. Foley

Human activities over the last three centuries have significantly transformed the Earth's environment, primarily through the conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture. This study presents a simple approach to derive … Human activities over the last three centuries have significantly transformed the Earth's environment, primarily through the conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture. This study presents a simple approach to derive geographically explicit changes in global croplands from 1700 to 1992. By calibrating a remotely sensed land cover classification data set against cropland inventory data, we derived a global representation of permanent croplands in 1992, at 5 min spatial resolution [Ramankutty and Foley, 1998]. To reconstruct historical croplands, we first compile an extensive database of historical cropland inventory data, at the national and subnational level, from a variety of sources. Then we use our 1992 cropland data within a simple land cover change model, along with the historical inventory data, to reconstruct global 5 min resolution data on permanent cropland areas from 1992 back to 1700. The reconstructed changes in historical croplands are consistent with the history of human settlement and patterns of economic development. By overlaying our historical cropland data set over a newly derived potential vegetation data set, we analyze our results in terms of the extent to which different natural vegetation types have been converted for agriculture. We further examine the extent to which croplands have been abandoned in different parts of the world. Our data sets could be used within global climate models and global ecosystem models to understand the impacts of land cover change on climate and on the cycling of carbon and water. Such an analysis is a crucial aid to sharpen our thinking about a sustainable future.

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Ecosystem services and agriculture: tradeoffs and synergies

2010-08-16

Alison G. Power

Agricultural ecosystems provide humans with food, forage, bioenergy and pharmaceuticals and are essential to human wellbeing. These systems rely on ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems, including pollination, biological pest … Agricultural ecosystems provide humans with food, forage, bioenergy and pharmaceuticals and are essential to human wellbeing. These systems rely on ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems, including pollination, biological pest control, maintenance of soil structure and fertility, nutrient cycling and hydrological services. Preliminary assessments indicate that the value of these ecosystem services to agriculture is enormous and often underappreciated. Agroecosystems also produce a variety of ecosystem services, such as regulation of soil and water quality, carbon sequestration, support for biodiversity and cultural services. Depending on management practices, agriculture can also be the source of numerous disservices, including loss of wildlife habitat, nutrient runoff, sedimentation of waterways, greenhouse gas emissions, and pesticide poisoning of humans and non-target species. The tradeoffs that may occur between provisioning services and other ecosystem services and disservices should be evaluated in terms of spatial scale, temporal scale and reversibility. As more effective methods for valuing ecosystem services become available, the potential for 'win-win' scenarios increases. Under all scenarios, appropriate agricultural management practices are critical to realizing the benefits of ecosystem services and reducing disservices from agricultural activities.

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All-scale spatial analysis of ecological data by means of principal coordinates of neighbour matrices

2002-07-01

Daniel Borcard , Pierre Legendre

How much wetland has the world lost? Long-term and recent trends in global wetland area

2014-01-01

Nick C. Davidson

It has been frequently stated, but without provision of supporting evidence, that the world has lost 50% of its wetlands (or 50% since 1900 AD). This review of 189 reports … It has been frequently stated, but without provision of supporting evidence, that the world has lost 50% of its wetlands (or 50% since 1900 AD). This review of 189 reports of change in wetland area finds that the reported long-term loss of natural wetlands averages between 54–57% but loss may have been as high as 87% since 1700 AD. There has been a much (3.7 times) faster rate of wetland loss during the 20th and early 21st centuries, with a loss of 64–71% of wetlands since 1900 AD. Losses have been larger and faster for inland than coastal natural wetlands. Although the rate of wetland loss in Europe has slowed, and in North America has remained low since the 1980s, the rate has remained high in Asia, where large-scale and rapid conversion of coastal and inland natural wetlands is continuing. It is unclear whether the investment by national governments in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has influenced these rates of loss. There is a need to improve the knowledge of change in wetland areas worldwide, particularly for Africa, the Neotropics and Oceania, and to improve the consistency of data on change in wetland areas in published papers and reports.

Indices of landscape pattern

1988-05-01

R. V. O’Neill , J.R. Krummel , Robert H. Gardner +7 more

Science for managing ecosystem services: Beyond the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

2009-01-29

Stephen R. Carpenter , Harold A. Mooney , John Agard +7 more

The linkage between abuse to artisanal cobalt miners—including children—in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and use of cobalt in advanced batteries has prompted global supply chain reviews, responsible … The linkage between abuse to artisanal cobalt miners—including children—in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and use of cobalt in advanced batteries has prompted global supply chain reviews, responsible sourcing initiatives, and ...From 2000 through 2020, demand for cobalt to manufacture batteries grew 26-fold. Eighty-two percent of this growth occurred in China and China’s cobalt refinery production increased 78-fold. Diminished industrial cobalt mine production in the early-to-mid ...

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Putting people in the map: anthropogenic biomes of the world

2007-11-26

Erle C. Ellis , Navin Ramankutty

Humans have fundamentally altered global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Surprisingly, existing systems for representing these global patterns, including biome classifications, either ignore humans altogether or simplify human influence … Humans have fundamentally altered global patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Surprisingly, existing systems for representing these global patterns, including biome classifications, either ignore humans altogether or simplify human influence into, at most, four categories. Here, we present the first characterization of terrestrial biomes based on global patterns of sustained, direct human interaction with ecosystems. Eighteen "anthropogenic biomes" were identified through empirical analysis of global population, land use, and land cover. More than 75% of Earth's ice-free land showed evidence of alteration as a result of human residence and land use, with less than a quarter remaining as wildlands, supporting just 11% of terrestrial net primary production. Anthropogenic biomes offer a new way forward by acknowledging human influence on global ecosystems and moving us toward models and investigations of the terrestrial biosphere that integrate human and ecological systems.

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A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services

2002-06-01

R.S. de Groot , Matthew Wilson , Roelof Boumans

Dynamics of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change in Tropical Regions

2003-11-01

Éric F. Lambin , Helmut Geist , Erika Lepers

We highlight the complexity of land-use/cover change and propose a framework for a more general understanding of the issue, with emphasis on tropical regions. The review summarizes recent estimates on … We highlight the complexity of land-use/cover change and propose a framework for a more general understanding of the issue, with emphasis on tropical regions. The review summarizes recent estimates on changes in cropland, agricultural intensification, tropical deforestation, pasture expansion, and urbanization and identifies the still unmeasured land-cover changes. Climate-driven land-cover modifications interact with land-use changes. Land-use change is driven by synergetic factor combinations of resource scarcity leading to an increase in the pressure of production on resources, changing opportunities created by markets, outside policy intervention, loss of adaptive capacity, and changes in social organization and attitudes. The changes in ecosystem goods and services that result from land-use change feed back on the drivers of land-use change. A restricted set of dominant pathways of land-use change is identified. Land-use change can be understood using the concepts of complex adaptive systems and transitions. Integrated, place-based research on land-use/land-cover change requires a combination of the agent-based systems and narrative perspectives of understanding. We argue in this paper that a systematic analysis of local-scale land-use change studies, conducted over a range of timescales, helps to uncover general principles that provide an explanation and prediction of new land-use changes.

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MATRIX POPULATION MODELS: CONSTRUCTION ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

2001-12-01

Floyd W. Weckerly

A standard protocol for describing individual-based and agent-based models

2006-06-15

Volker Grimm , Uta Berger , Finn Bastiansen +7 more

Adaptive Comanagement for Building Resilience in Social?Ecological Systems

2004-06-21

Per Olsson , Carl Folke , Fikret Berkes

Global estimates of the value of ecosystems and their services in monetary units

2012-07-01

R.S. de Groot , Luke Brander , Sander van der Ploeg +7 more

This paper gives an overview of the value of ecosystem services of 10 main biomes expressed in monetary units. In total, over 320 publications were screened covering over 300 case … This paper gives an overview of the value of ecosystem services of 10 main biomes expressed in monetary units. In total, over 320 publications were screened covering over 300 case study locations. Approximately 1350 value estimates were coded and stored in a searchable Ecosystem Service Value Database (ESVD). A selection of 665 value estimates was used for the analysis. Acknowledging the uncertainties and contextual nature of any valuation, the analysis shows that the total value of ecosystem services is considerable and ranges between 490 int$/year for the total bundle of ecosystem services that can potentially be provided by an 'average' hectare of open oceans to almost 350,000 int$/year for the potential services of an 'average' hectare of coral reefs. More importantly, our results show that most of this value is outside the market and best considered as non-tradable public benefits. The continued over-exploitation of ecosystems thus comes at the expense of the livelihood of the poor and future generations. Given that many of the positive externalities of ecosystems are lost or strongly reduced after land use conversion better accounting for the public goods and services provided by ecosystems is crucial to improve decision making and institutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management.

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Multi-Agent Systems for the Simulation of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change: A Review

2003-06-01

Dawn C. Parker , Steven M. Manson , Marco A. Janssen +2 more

Abstract This article presents an overview of multi-agent system models of land-use/cover change (MAS/LUCC models). This special class of LUCC models combines a cellular landscape model with agent-based representations of … Abstract This article presents an overview of multi-agent system models of land-use/cover change (MAS/LUCC models). This special class of LUCC models combines a cellular landscape model with agent-based representations of decision making, integrating the two components through specification of interdependencies and feedbacks between agents and their environment. The authors review alternative LUCC modeling techniques and discuss the ways in which MAS/LUCC models may overcome some important limitations of existing techniques. We briefly review ongoing MAS/LUCC modeling efforts in four research areas. We discuss the potential strengths of MAS/LUCC models and suggest that these strengths guide researchers in assessing the appropriate choice of model for their particular research question. We find that MAS/LUCC models are particularly well suited for representing complex spatial interactions under heterogeneous conditions and for modeling decentralized, autonomous decision making. We discuss a range of possible roles for MAS/LUCC models, from abstract models designed to derive stylized hypotheses to empirically detailed simulation models appropriate for scenario and policy analysis. We also discuss the challenge of validation and verification for MAS/LUCC models. Finally, we outline important challenges and open research questions in this new field. We conclude that, while significant challenges exist, these models offer a promising new tool for researchers whose goal is to create fine-scale models of LUCC phenomena that focus on human-environment interactions.

Ecosystem Service Supply and Vulnerability to Global Change in Europe

2005-10-28

Dagmar Schröter , Wolfgang Crämer , Rik Leemans +7 more

Global change will alter the supply of ecosystem services that are vital for human well-being. To investigate ecosystem service supply during the 21st century, we used a range of ecosystem … Global change will alter the supply of ecosystem services that are vital for human well-being. To investigate ecosystem service supply during the 21st century, we used a range of ecosystem models and scenarios of climate and land-use change to conduct a Europe-wide assessment. Large changes in climate and land use typically resulted in large changes in ecosystem service supply. Some of these trends may be positive (for example, increases in forest area and productivity) or offer opportunities (for example, "surplus land" for agricultural extensification and bioenergy production). However, many changes increase vulnerability as a result of a decreasing supply of ecosystem services (for example, declining soil fertility, declining water availability, increasing risk of forest fires), especially in the Mediterranean and mountain regions.

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Global Consequences of Land Use

2005-07-22

Jonathan A. Foley , Ruth DeFries , Gregory P. Asner +7 more

Land use has generally been considered a local environmental issue, but it is becoming a force of global importance. Worldwide changes to forests, farmlands, waterways, and air are being driven … Land use has generally been considered a local environmental issue, but it is becoming a force of global importance. Worldwide changes to forests, farmlands, waterways, and air are being driven by the need to provide food, fiber, water, and shelter to more than six billion people. Global croplands, pastures, plantations, and urban areas have expanded in recent decades, accompanied by large increases in energy, water, and fertilizer consumption, along with considerable losses of biodiversity. Such changes in land use have enabled humans to appropriate an increasing share of the planet's resources, but they also potentially undermine the capacity of ecosystems to sustain food production, maintain freshwater and forest resources, regulate climate and air quality, and ameliorate infectious diseases. We face the challenge of managing trade-offs between immediate human needs and maintaining the capacity of the biosphere to provide goods and services in the long term.

Spatial modelling: a comprehensive framework for principal coordinate analysis of neighbour matrices (PCNM)

2006-03-24

Stéphane Dray , Pierre Legendre , Pedro R. Peres‐Neto

Ecosystem service bundles for analyzing tradeoffs in diverse landscapes

2010-03-01

Ciara Raudsepp‐Hearne , Garry Peterson , Elena M. Bennett

A key challenge of ecosystem management is determining how to manage multiple ecosystem services across landscapes. Enhancing important provisioning ecosystem services, such as food and timber, often leads to tradeoffs … A key challenge of ecosystem management is determining how to manage multiple ecosystem services across landscapes. Enhancing important provisioning ecosystem services, such as food and timber, often leads to tradeoffs between regulating and cultural ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, flood protection, and tourism. We developed a framework for analyzing the provision of multiple ecosystem services across landscapes and present an empirical demonstration of ecosystem service bundles, sets of services that appear together repeatedly. Ecosystem service bundles were identified by analyzing the spatial patterns of 12 ecosystem services in a mixed-use landscape consisting of 137 municipalities in Quebec, Canada. We identified six types of ecosystem service bundles and were able to link these bundles to areas on the landscape characterized by distinct social–ecological dynamics. Our results show landscape-scale tradeoffs between provisioning and almost all regulating and cultural ecosystem services, and they show that a greater diversity of ecosystem services is positively correlated with the provision of regulating ecosystem services. Ecosystem service-bundle analysis can identify areas on a landscape where ecosystem management has produced exceptionally desirable or undesirable sets of ecosystem services.

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Understanding relationships among multiple ecosystem services

2009-10-21

Elena M. Bennett , Garry Peterson , Line Gordon

Ecosystem management that attempts to maximize the production of one ecosystem service often results in substantial declines in the provision of other ecosystem services. For this reason, recent studies have … Ecosystem management that attempts to maximize the production of one ecosystem service often results in substantial declines in the provision of other ecosystem services. For this reason, recent studies have called for increased attention to development of a theoretical understanding behind the relationships among ecosystem services. Here, we review the literature on ecosystem services and propose a typology of relationships between ecosystem services based on the role of drivers and the interactions between services. We use this typology to develop three propositions to help drive ecological science towards a better understanding of the relationships among multiple ecosystem services. Research which aims to understand the relationships among multiple ecosystem services and the mechanisms behind these relationships will improve our ability to sustainably manage landscapes to provide multiple ecosystem services.

Completion of the 2011 National Land Cover Database for the Conterminous United States – Representing a Decade of Land Cover Change Information

2015-05-01

Collin G. Homer , Jon Dewitz , Limin Yang +7 more

Resilience, Adaptability and Transformability in Social-ecological Systems

2004-01-01

Brian Walker , C. S. Holling , Stephen R. Carpenter +1 more

Walker, B., C. Holling, S. R. Carpenter and A. P. Kinzig 2004. Resilience, adaptability and transformability in social–ecological systems. Ecology and Society 9(2): 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-00650-090205 Walker, B., C. Holling, S. R. Carpenter and A. P. Kinzig 2004. Resilience, adaptability and transformability in social–ecological systems. Ecology and Society 9(2): 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-00650-090205

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Ecology and the aging process.

1973-01-01

M. Powell Lawton , Lucille Nahemow

An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm

2017-01-30

Eric Dinerstein , David M. Olson , Anup R. Joshi +7 more

We assess progress toward the protection of 50% of the terrestrial biosphere to address the species-extinction crisis and conserve a global ecological heritage for future generations. Using a map of … We assess progress toward the protection of 50% of the terrestrial biosphere to address the species-extinction crisis and conserve a global ecological heritage for future generations. Using a map of Earth's 846 terrestrial ecoregions, we show that 98 ecoregions (12%) exceed Half Protected; 313 ecoregions (37%) fall short of Half Protected but have sufficient unaltered habitat remaining to reach the target; and 207 ecoregions (24%) are in peril, where an average of only 4% of natural habitat remains. We propose a Global Deal for Nature-a companion to the Paris Climate Deal-to promote increased habitat protection and restoration, national- and ecoregion-scale conservation strategies, and the empowerment of indigenous peoples to protect their sovereign lands. The goal of such an accord would be to protect half the terrestrial realm by 2050 to halt the extinction crisis while sustaining human livelihoods.

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Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go?

2017-09-27

Robert Costanza , R.S. de Groot , Leon Braat +5 more

Global land change from 1982 to 2016

2018-08-01

Xiao‐Peng Song , Matthew C. Hansen , Stephen V. Stehman +4 more

The Economic Theory of a Common-Property Resource: The Fishery

1954-04-01

H. Scott Gordon

Ecosystem services in decision making: time to deliver

2009-02-01

Gretchen C. Daily , Stephen Polasky , Joshua Goldstein +6 more

Over the past decade, efforts to value and protect ecosystem services have been promoted by many as the last, best hope for making conservation mainstream – attractive and commonplace worldwide. … Over the past decade, efforts to value and protect ecosystem services have been promoted by many as the last, best hope for making conservation mainstream – attractive and commonplace worldwide. In theory, if we can help individuals and institutions to recognize the value of nature, then this should greatly increase investments in conservation, while at the same time fostering human well‐being. In practice, however, we have not yet developed the scientific basis, nor the policy and finance mechanisms, for incorporating natural capital into resource‐ and land‐use decisions on a large scale. Here, we propose a conceptual framework and sketch out a strategic plan for delivering on the promise of ecosystem services, drawing on emerging examples from Hawai‘i. We describe key advances in the science and practice of accounting for natural capital in the decisions of individuals, communities, corporations, and governments.

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Ecological Methodology

1984-01-01

Geraint Parry , Michael S. Johnson , R. M. Bell +2 more

Anticipating ecological transformation in the Coorong, Australia: Capacities and knowledge for upstream engagement

2025-06-25

Carla Alexandra | Environmental Science & Policy

Policy-Driven Land Use Optimization for Carbon Neutrality: A PLUS-InVEST Model Coupling Approach in the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle

2025-06-25

Lei Hu , Guangjie Wang , Qiang Huang +1 more | Sustainability

In the context of global “dual carbon” objectives, land use dynamics exhibit a strong correlation with regional carbon storage. Facing significant ecological–economic conflicts, the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle in western China … In the context of global “dual carbon” objectives, land use dynamics exhibit a strong correlation with regional carbon storage. Facing significant ecological–economic conflicts, the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle in western China necessitates multi-scenario modeling of carbon storage. This research integrates the PLUS model (simulation accuracy Kappa = 0.84) and InVEST model to project land use and carbon storage trajectories under natural development (NDS), urban development (UDS), carbon peak (CPS), and carbon neutrality (CNS) scenarios from 2030 to 2060, leveraging historical data from 2000 to 2020. The results show the following: (1) The study area is dominated by forest land and cultivated land (accounting for more than 90%). From 2000 to 2020, cultivated land decreased, and construction land increased; construction land continued to expand under all future scenarios. (2) Carbon storage showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, reaching 4974.55 × 106 t in 2020 (an increase of 4.0 × 106 t compared with 2000). The peak carbon storage in the CPS scenario reached 5015.18 × 106 t, and the overall spatial pattern was “high around and low in the middle”. (3) The CPS achieved a carbon peak through intensive land use and ecological restoration, and the CNS further strengthened carbon sink protection and promoted carbon neutrality. Constructing a multi-scenario coupling model chain provides a new method for regional carbon management, which has important guiding significance for the low-carbon development of the Chengdu–Chongqing Twin Cities Economic Circle.

Ecosystem service trade-offs and synergies based on the mechanical equilibrium model: A case study of the urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains

2025-06-25

Jiazhen Chen , Alimujiang Kasimu , Lina Tang +2 more | Ecological Indicators

Unveiling the driving mechanisms of the network land use efficiency: a multi-model research

2025-06-24

Xiuli Cao , Xiaoshun Li , Yang Zhou | Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment

A Multi-Dimensional Evaluation of Street Vitality in a Historic Neighborhood Using Multi-Source Geo-Data: A Case Study of Shuitingmen, Quzhou

2025-06-24

Guoquan Zheng , Lu Ding , Jiehui Zheng | ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information

Territorial tourism has brought new development opportunities for historic and cultural neighborhoods. However, an insufficient understanding of the spatial distribution and influencing mechanisms of neighborhood vitality continues to constrain effective … Territorial tourism has brought new development opportunities for historic and cultural neighborhoods. However, an insufficient understanding of the spatial distribution and influencing mechanisms of neighborhood vitality continues to constrain effective revitalization strategies. This study takes the Shuitingmen Historical and Cultural Neighborhood in Quzhou, China, as a case study and develops a multi-dimensional vitality evaluation framework incorporating point-of-interest (POI) data, location-based service (LBS) heatmaps, street network data, historical resources, and environmental perception indicators. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is applied to assign indicator weights and calculate composite vitality scores across 19 streets. The results reveal that (1) comprehensive evaluation corrects the bias of single indicators and highlights the value of integrated assessment; (2) vitality is higher on rest days than on weekdays, with clear temporal patterns and two types of daily fluctuation trends—similar and differential; and (3) vitality levels are spatially uneven, with higher vitality in central and western areas and lower performance in the southeast, often related to low accessibility and functional monotony. This study confirms a strong positive correlation between street vitality and objective spatial factors, offering strategic insights for the micro-scale renewal and sustainable revitalization of historic neighborhoods.

Analysing urban sprawl as a response to land use & land cover change dynamics using geospatial techniques: a study of Kolkata and surrounding area

2025-06-24

Labani Sarkar , Priyanka Chakraborty | GeoJournal

Does urban density always boost smart productivity? Evidence of an inverted U-shaped relationship in Chinese cities

2025-06-24

Tao Chen , Yike Zhang , Yaoning Yang +2 more | PLoS ONE

Does urban density always boost smart productivity? Based on panel data from 28 major Chinese cities (2011–2021), this study reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between urban density and smart productivity. … Does urban density always boost smart productivity? Based on panel data from 28 major Chinese cities (2011–2021), this study reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between urban density and smart productivity. Using entropy weight method, we construct comprehensive indices to measure both urban density and smart productivity levels. Our findings demonstrate that urban density positively influences smart productivity up to a threshold of 0.497, beyond which the relationship becomes negative. The results from fixed effects modeling show that a 1% increase in urban density is associated with a 0.114% increase in smart productivity before reaching the threshold. Through mediation analysis, we find that urbanization level serves as a significant mediator, accounting for 49.1% of the total effect. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis reveals distinct regional patterns: urban density exhibits stronger positive effects in western regions (coefficient = 0.181) compared to central regions (coefficient = 0.156), while showing negative impacts in eastern regions. These findings suggest that optimal urban density levels vary across regions, and cities should adopt differentiated development strategies accordingly. Our study contributes to the literature by quantifying the non-linear relationship between urban density and smart productivity, while providing empirical evidence for urban planning policies.

Beyond provisioning: Unveiling ecosystem services of agricultural landscapes

2025-06-24

Wenche Dramstad , Diress Tsegaye , Svein Olav Krøgli +2 more | Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift - Norwegian Journal of Geography

Project LIFE PRIMED: Integrating interdisciplinary and ecosystem-based approaches in restoring endangered mediterranean coastal forests and freshwater ecosystems

2025-06-24

Vito Emanuele Cambria , Dario La Montagna , Marzia Beccaccioli +7 more | Journal of Coastal Conservation

Spatio-temporal variability in forest biodiversity associated with human well-being across socio-economic deprivation gradients

2025-06-24

Jessica C. Fisher , Martin Dallimer , Gail E. Austen +6 more | Nature Ecology & Evolution

Biodiversity declines are accelerating globally, impacting ecosystem functioning, with consequences for human health. Interactions with biodiversity can be associated with human well-being benefits at the individual level, leading to substantial … Biodiversity declines are accelerating globally, impacting ecosystem functioning, with consequences for human health. Interactions with biodiversity can be associated with human well-being benefits at the individual level, leading to substantial gains for society when scaled up across populations. However, existing research has not accounted for the species within ecological communities and their effect traits (for example, colours, sounds) that can elicit well-being responses. Many species' effect traits are seasonal, and spatial variation in exposure to ecosystems by different sectors of society can lead to unequal opportunities to gain well-being. Here we use an interdisciplinary analytical approach to explore how the association between forest biodiversity and well-being fluctuates: (1) temporally, between different seasons and (2) spatially, across socio-economic deprivation gradients at a national scale (England and Wales). Species' effect traits and participant well-being were derived through a series of seasonal participatory workshops and questionnaires that incorporated BIO-WELL (a biodiversity-well-being psychometric scale). By generating spatially explicit data, we could examine variability in forest biodiversity associated with human well-being across socio-economic deprivation gradients. Forest species' effect trait richness was spatially heterogeneous, particularly in autumn, spring and summer. Broadleaf forests had greater species' effect trait richness than other categories of forest. Forests with higher species' effect trait richness and forests that were associated with higher self-reported participant well-being were in areas with the least socio-economic deprivation. Forest creation/restoration and nature-health interventions must recognize this ecological and social diversity to ensure initiatives are equitable and socially just.

Spatial and temporal characteristics of water conservation services and rapid response framework for water yield in key ecological zones of the Yiluo River basin

2025-06-24

Junqiang Xu , F. Wang , Chao Ren +3 more | Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies

Dynamic Analysis and Regional Exploration of Land Use Change: A Case Study of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

2025-06-24

Dekun Yan , Haoran Gao , Hai Lou | International Journal of Environmental Research

A symbiosis theory-based strategic framework for rural landscape assessment: a case study utilizing AHP and system dynamics

2025-06-24

Xiaomei Xiao , Junling Zhuang , Mo Wang +1 more | Frontiers in Environmental Science

Rural landscape quality assessments are crucial for sustainable development, particularly in the context of China’s rural revitalization strategy. This study delineates the integration of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and … Rural landscape quality assessments are crucial for sustainable development, particularly in the context of China’s rural revitalization strategy. This study delineates the integration of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and System Dynamics (SD) within a symbiotic framework to assess rural landscape quality, using Pingpan Village as a case study. The research highlights the importance of focusing on symbiotic environmental factors and demonstrates how such a focus enhances the integration of ecological, cultural, and functional elements essential for the sustainability and resilience of rural communities. By employing AHP, the study systematically quantifies and weights diverse landscape features, while SD captures the temporal and psychological dimensions of visitor experiences. The results reveal that ecological quality is the highest-scoring indicator, with a composite score of 0.6190, categorizing the landscape quality as satisfactory. However, areas such as landscape dynamism and functional diversity require significant improvement. This study provides an important framework for policymakers and planners aiming to enhance rural sustainability, emphasizing the integration of diverse landscape components. Future research should explore its application across various rural settings and incorporate advanced technologies like GIS for improved assessment precision.

Scenario techniques for cultural landscapes: a systematic review and framework

2025-06-24

Yan Tang , Jing Xie , Shixian Luo +1 more | Landscape Research

Kunnskapsstøtte for naturansvarlig lokal arealpolitikk: Fylkeskommunens veiledningsrolle

2025-06-24

Gro Sandkjær Hanssen , Audun Ruud | Kart og plan

Area-based development of ecologically sensitive urban areas: systematic literature review to understand prevailing concepts and practices

2025-06-23

Deeksha Chhachhiya , Ashwani Kumar , Satish Pipralia | Deleted Journal

Land use land cover change detection and prediction using land change modeler – A case study of Kerala

2025-06-23

R Akhila , S. K. Pramada | Journal of Earth System Science

Identification and attribution analysis of integrated ecological zones based on the XGBoost-SHAP model: A case study of Chengdu, China

2025-06-23

Xiaobin Huang , Xiaosheng Liu , Yuanhang Jin +2 more | Ecological Indicators

Analysis and Prediction of Land Use Land Cover Dynamics for Northwest Syria Using Artificial Neural Network Model

2025-06-23

Waseem Ahmad Ismaeel , J. Satish Kumar | Earth Systems and Environment

Green infrastructure planning and balanced territorial development: Insights from Milan Rural Metropolis

2025-06-23

Hamed Mazaherylaghab | Journal of Environmental Management

Rapid urbanisation trends have significantly diminished, degraded, and fragmented greenspaces, threatening biodiversity and landscape sustainability in and around cities. This study provides comprehensive insights into green infrastructure (GI) planning through … Rapid urbanisation trends have significantly diminished, degraded, and fragmented greenspaces, threatening biodiversity and landscape sustainability in and around cities. This study provides comprehensive insights into green infrastructure (GI) planning through an in-depth analysis of territorial transformation, using Milan as a case study of confronting urban sprawl. It emphasises balanced territorial development, widely practiced promoting regional GI and socio-ecological sustainability, meeting key EU policies. Despite existing studies on GI implementation, knowledge gaps remain in planning frameworks, stakeholder participation, funding, and political interference. The research examines ambitious GI interventions and mechanisms in Milan using an integrative literature review with critical analysis and synthesis to produce a long-term multifaceted territorial evaluation of Milan's GI planning. The findings interpret how GI formation is facilitated through rural-urban linkages, agricultural heritage practices, and robust socio-political interactions among public and private stakeholders. They reveal that GI planning extends beyond jurisdictions, across levels and sectors, thereby enhancing ecosystem services and socio-ecological values. The insights can inform future GI planning research and practice in metropolitan regions, highlighting democratic multi-actor partnerships, multi-scale planning, and balanced territorial development.

Deciphering land use carbon emissions through landscape pattern changes: a case study of the Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

2025-06-23

Jiaping Zhang , Ruhizal Roosli | Environment Development and Sustainability

Technical feasibility analysis of text-to-image generated nature-based urban interventions

2025-06-23

Iago Longue Martins , Roberta Lisboa , Bruno Massara Rocha | International Journal of Architectural Computing

This study explores the potential of text-to-image generative AI tools in supporting early-stage urban adaptation design through nature-based solutions (NBS). Focusing on Vila Velha, Brazil, five participants used these tools … This study explores the potential of text-to-image generative AI tools in supporting early-stage urban adaptation design through nature-based solutions (NBS). Focusing on Vila Velha, Brazil, five participants used these tools to visualize adaptive strategies against pluvial flooding at building, street, and city scales. Participants first generated images with basic prompts, then with technically detailed ones based on established NBS guidelines. The results revealed that while all tools could represent NBS elements conceptually, their technical accuracy and contextual responsiveness varied significantly depending on the intervention scale. The study demonstrates generative AI’s promise as a co-creative agent in resilient urban design, though limitations in ecological and functional understanding remain.

Examining the reliable trend of global urban land use efficiency from 1985 to 2020 using robust indicators and analysis tools

2025-06-23

Cheng Zhong , J. H. Chen , Bangjin Yi +1 more | Habitat International

A systematic review of green infrastructure and ecosystem-based technologies for climate resilience: Development trends, research outlook and future projections

2025-06-23

Sakibu Seidu , Daniel W.M. Chan , David J. Edwards +1 more | Environmental Research Letters

Abstract The first and current global stocktake (GST) launched by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) unveils lags and regional differences in climate resilience efforts and stresses … Abstract The first and current global stocktake (GST) launched by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) unveils lags and regional differences in climate resilience efforts and stresses the need to improve the effective adoption of ecosystem-based climate adaptation systems. The current study provides a critical analysis of literature on the application of green infrastructure (GI) and ecosystem-based technologies for climate resilience (CR). The review revealed regional disparities in implementation, technological applications, and scales of integration. Analysis conducted indicated that the United States, the United Kingdom and China are key pioneers in implementation; while developing nations, tropical and Mediterranean regions need more research and execution. Emergent findings showed that research on GI-CR achieved exponential growth in 2016, after the Paris Agreement. Further, built environment-scale climate resilience considerations have accomplished significant developments. At the built environment-scale, the review systematically developed a five-stage implementation framework for GI-CR from grey infrastructure to broader systems, such as nature-based solutions (NBS) and green cities. At the building-scale, the review revealed a weak linkage between climate resilience and sustainability studies. The analysis therefore delineates the need to consider integrated climate resilience systems that effectively incorporate mitigation and adaptation guidelines. Holistically, key directions provided include willingness to pay, the need for integrated sustainability and resilience systems, digital technologies application for indicator selection and effective monitoring. This study provides clear future research directions by highlighting existing knowledge gaps, scope considerations, geographic factors, and key areas for exploration within the realm of GI-CR.

How Can Data Elements Empower the Improvement of Total Factor Productivity in Forestry Ecology?—Evidence from China’s National-Level Comprehensive Big Data Pilot Zones

2025-06-23

Xiaomei Chen , Yuxuan Ji , Jingling Bao +2 more | Forests

In the context of global climate change and the deepening of ecological civilization construction, forestry, as an ecological security barrier and green economic engine, faces many challenges to the enhancement … In the context of global climate change and the deepening of ecological civilization construction, forestry, as an ecological security barrier and green economic engine, faces many challenges to the enhancement of its ecological total factor productivity in the traditional development model. As a new type of production factor, the data factor provides a new path to crack the bottleneck of forestry eco-efficiency improvement. Based on China’s provincial annual panel data from 2014 to 2022, this study systematically examines the impact and mechanism of data factors on forestry ecological total factor productivity by using the SBM-GML model and dual machine learning model. It was found that data factors have a significant contribution to forestry ecological total factor productivity, a conclusion that passes a series of robustness tests and endogeneity tests. The analysis of the mechanism shows that the data factor enhances the total factor productivity of forestry ecology mainly through three paths: promoting the progress of forestry technology and promoting the rationalization and advanced structure of the forestry industry. Further analysis showed that the promotional effect of data elements is more obvious in regions with a high level of green finance development, high intensity of environmental regulation, and strong financial autonomy. It is recommended to systematically promote the in-depth application of data elements in forestry, build a data element-driven innovation system for the whole chain of forestry, and implement regionally differentiated data element-enabling strategies.

From Land Conservation to Famers’ Income Growth: How Advanced Livelihoods Moderate the Income-Increasing Effect of Land Resources in an Ecological Function Area

2025-06-23

Xinyu Zhang , Yiqi Zhang , Yanjing Yang +2 more | Land

Balancing ecological conservation and rural livelihoods in protected areas remains a global challenge, particularly under strict land use regulations and economic development constraints. Territorial spatial planning (TSP) in an ecological … Balancing ecological conservation and rural livelihoods in protected areas remains a global challenge, particularly under strict land use regulations and economic development constraints. Territorial spatial planning (TSP) in an ecological function area (EFA) faces constraints such as land use restrictions, ecological redlines, and economic development limits. This study investigates how ecological land resources influence farmers’ incomes in ecological function areas (EFAs), with a focus on the moderating role of advanced livelihoods (ALI). Using an integrated Fixed-Effects–SVM–Genetic Algorithm framework, we quantify nonlinear policy-livelihood interactions and simulate multi-scenario governmental interventions (e.g., ecological investment, returning farmland to forest/RFF) across Beijing’s EFA, which can obtain the key findings as follows: (a) Ecological land resources have a significant positive effect on farmers’ incomes due to production-manner adjustment guided by governmental green strategy and corresponding TSP in an ecological restoration area of an EFA, while they have a non-significant impact in the core ecological reserve areas on account of the strict environmental protection restrictions on economic activities. (b) Differences in financial support between lower and higher economic development zones can bring about adverse impact results on farmers’ incomes in an EFA. (c) ALI significantly amplifies the positive impact of ecological land use on farmers’ incomes, demonstrating its critical role in bridging ecological and economic goals. (d) Sensitivity analysis results under RFF, targeted government investment, and ALI can maximize income gains through policy interaction from the government and farmer sides jointly. The above obtained results are beneficial to balance ecological protection and economic interests of farmers’ sustainably in an EFA.

The impact of land use transition on ecosystem services in the Poyang Lake Basin

2025-06-23

Peiqi Wang , Wenbo Chen , Feiying Guan +2 more | Environmental Earth Sciences

Spatial Association Network of Land-Use Carbon Emissions in Hubei Province: Network Characteristics, Carbon Balance Zoning, and Influencing Factors

2025-06-23

Yong Huang , Wang Zhong , Heng Zhao +3 more | Land

Understanding the spatial association network structure and carbon balance zoning of land-use carbon emissions (LUCEs) is essential for guiding regional environmental management. This study constructs a LUCE spatial association network … Understanding the spatial association network structure and carbon balance zoning of land-use carbon emissions (LUCEs) is essential for guiding regional environmental management. This study constructs a LUCE spatial association network for Hubei Province using a modified gravity model to uncover the spatial linkages in carbon emissions. Carbon balance zones are delineated by integrating LUCE network characteristics with economic and ecological indicators. To further examine the network dynamics, link prediction algorithms are employed to anticipate potential emission connections, while quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression analyzes how intercity differences in socioeconomic, ecological, and land-use attributes influence LUCE connectivity. The results reveal a pronounced core–periphery structure, with potential carbon spillover pathways extending toward both eastern and western cities. Based on the carbon balance analysis, six functional zones are identified, each aligned with targeted collaborative mitigation strategies. The QAP results indicate that intercity differences in innovation capacity, industrial structure, and economic development are positively associated with the formation of LUCE spatial networks, whereas disparities in urbanization level, government expenditure, and construction land use are negatively associated with LUCE connectivity. This study provides a differentiated governance framework to address the dual challenges of carbon emissions and land-use transformation in agro-urban regions.

Regional differences and convergence of land use efficiency towards carbon neutrality in China’s Yangtze river economic belt

2025-06-23

Kang Wang , Yifei Wang , Jining Zhang | Frontiers in Environmental Science

Beyond traditional carbon reduction approaches, vegetation carbon sinks play a critical role in advancing carbon-neutral urban development. This study refines the evaluation framework for land use efficiency (LUE) by incorporating … Beyond traditional carbon reduction approaches, vegetation carbon sinks play a critical role in advancing carbon-neutral urban development. This study refines the evaluation framework for land use efficiency (LUE) by incorporating regional carbon balance, and applies a global super-efficiency epsilon-based measure (EBM) model to assess LUE in 69 cities across the urban agglomerations of the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 2005 to 2020. To examine regional disparities, the Dagum Gini coefficient and kernel density estimation are utilized, while spatial convergence models are employed to explore the dynamic evolution of LUE. The results reveal a U-shaped temporal trend in LUE across the YREB, alongside significant spatial heterogeneity among agglomerations. Inter-regional disparities and transvariation intensity are the main contributors to spatial differences, whereas intra-regional disparities have narrowed over time, particularly in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River—with the exception of the Chengdu-Chongqing region. Spatial convergence analysis further indicates significant absolute and conditional convergence within each agglomeration. These findings suggest that policy efforts to enhance LUE in the YREB should be tailored to the specific regional contexts of economic development, industrial structure, fiscal capacity, and business environment.

Protected area targets: Spatially evaluating progress and prioritizing areas to reach 30 × 30 in Canada

2025-06-23

Jessica Currie , Chris Liang , James Snider | Conservation Science and Practice

Abstract Protected and conserved areas (PCAs) continue to be a cornerstone of nature conservation, with several international agreements and frameworks setting targets to increase their global coverage. However, the focus … Abstract Protected and conserved areas (PCAs) continue to be a cornerstone of nature conservation, with several international agreements and frameworks setting targets to increase their global coverage. However, the focus on area‐based expansion has resulted in drawbacks related to the quality of PCAs, including widespread gaps in species protection and connectivity. Here, we temporally evaluate progress in terrestrial and freshwater PCA coverage in Canada and associated biophysical component indicators (i.e., ProtConn, Species Protection Index, Key Biodiversity Area [KBA] coverage) under Target 3 of the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Our analysis reveals progress made from 2010 to 2022, while outlining gaps where accelerated action is needed to deliver upon both the quantity and quality of PCAs. Large gaps in PCA coverage and associated Target 3 component indicators were prevalent in the Northern Arctic, Prairie and Mixedwood Plains ecozones. Further, we systematically prioritize areas for protection that could maximize targets for headline and component indicators under Target 3 of the GBF. Our findings build upon a history of spatial conservation efforts in Canada and offers a novel lens—contextualized within the commitments of the GBF—to advance conservation planning and implementation for achieving 30% protection by 2030 nationally.

Ecological acclimation: A framework to integrate fast and slow responses to climate change

2025-06-23

Michael Stemkovski , Joey R. Bernhardt , Benjamin Blonder +7 more | Functional Ecology

Abstract Ecological responses to climate change occur across vastly different time‐scales, from minutes for physiological plasticity to decades or centuries for community turnover and evolutionary adaptation. Accurately predicting the range … Abstract Ecological responses to climate change occur across vastly different time‐scales, from minutes for physiological plasticity to decades or centuries for community turnover and evolutionary adaptation. Accurately predicting the range of ecosystem trajectories will require models that incorporate both fast processes that may keep pace with climate change and slower ones likely to lag behind and generate disequilibrium dynamics. However, the knowledge necessary for this integration is currently fragmented across disciplines. We develop ‘ecological acclimation’ as a unifying framework to emphasize the similarity of dynamics driven by processes operating on dramatically different time‐scales and levels of biological organization. The framework focuses on ecoclimate sensitivities, measured as the change in an ecological response variable per unit of climate change. Acclimation processes acting at different time‐scales cause these sensitivities to shift in magnitude and even direction over time. We highlight shifting ecoclimate sensitivities in case studies from diverse ecosystems, including terrestrial plant communities, coral reefs and soil microbiomes. Models predicting future ecosystem states inevitably make assumptions about acclimation processes; these assumptions must be explicit for users to evaluate whether a model is appropriate for a given forecast horizon. Similarly, decision frameworks that clearly account for multiple acclimation processes and their distinct time‐scales will help natural resource managers plan for ecological impacts of climate change from years to many decades into the future. We outline a synthetic research programme focused on the time‐scales of ecological acclimation to reduce uncertainty in ecological forecasts. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Nexus of Land for Food and Urbanisation: Application of <scp>DPSIR</scp> Model and Remote Sensing Data in a Developing Economy

2025-06-22

Narges Siamian , Hossein Azadi , Saleh Yousefi +4 more | Land Degradation and Development

ABSTRACT Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) are regarded as serious environmental problems globally. LULC assessment is a process that leads to a beneficial understanding of how people … ABSTRACT Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) are regarded as serious environmental problems globally. LULC assessment is a process that leads to a beneficial understanding of how people and the environment interact. The objective of the current study was to quantify LULC change and to determine its primary causes in the metropolis of Tehran in Iran over a 30‐year period (1990–2020) using the DPSIR framework, which includes drivers, pressures, state, impact, and responses. In this study, Landsat 5, Landsat 7, and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS satellite images were employed for LULC change detection analysis in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The DPSIR framework was used to identify the main reasons for the LULC changes. The LULC maps were created based on focus group discussions (FGDs) and a survey of farmers for the three dates. The findings indicated that this study region has experienced considerable changes in LULC over the last four decades, largely due to a transition from agricultural and forest land into built‐up residential areas. The urban and built‐up area expanded by 384.94 km 2 (47.15% of study area), forest land was depleted by 43.06 km 2 (5.9% of study area), and farmland declined by 61.05 km 2 (8.02%) during the study period (1990–2020). Surveys from participants and FGDs recognized population growth, urbanization, degraded lands, urban and rural land tenure systems, and climate change as main driver factors for LULC changes. In addition, the significant increase in migration from the rural to the urban areas caused an increase in population and land scarcity and a decline in land productivity. These findings could be practical for policymakers and decision makers to improve resource sustainability, effective land use planning, and appropriate decision‐making.

Evaluating trends in the consideration of urban green spaces in strategic spatial planning: Insights from Romania

2025-06-22

Andreea Raluca Slave , Ana Popa , Diana Andreea Onose +5 more | Landscape and Urban Planning

Anthropogenic subsidies affect arthropod communities and native litter decomposition in an urban riparian forest

2025-06-21

Vashti Devi B. Mahadeo , Dave J. Colucci , Weixing Zhu | Urban Ecosystems

Climate Change Impacts on Land Surface Temperature and Vegetation Health: A Case Study of Henry Island, Sundarbans Region

2025-06-21

Ayan H. Chaudhuri | International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology

The research focuses on annual and decadal variations of LST over Henry Island, West Bengal, for the year 2023. LST datasets derived from MODIS satellites processed in Google Earth Engine … The research focuses on annual and decadal variations of LST over Henry Island, West Bengal, for the year 2023. LST datasets derived from MODIS satellites processed in Google Earth Engine were used for the analysis. Spatiotemporal changes of LST were studied by observing seasonal dynamics. This research offers essential knowledge regarding the thermal behavior of the area, thus important in explaining the local microclimate and possible ecological impacts. Results have significant annual and decadal variations of LST with peaks in summer and troughs in winter. Spatial analysis reveals hotspots in some parts of Henry Island, meaning that heat retention occurs in those localized areas through land cover or human activity. The study demonstrates the utility of MODIS LST data and GEE for monitoring thermal dynamics in Henry Island, providing valuable insights for ecological conservation and sustainable land use planning. The findings of this study have significant implications for understanding the impacts of climate change on the Sundarbans region and inform strategies for mitigating these impacts.

A Study on the Optimization of Ecological Spatial Structure Based on Landscape Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Wensu County, Xinjiang, China

2025-06-21

Qian Li , Junjie Yan , Junhui Cheng +5 more | Land

Ecological network construction has been widely accepted and applied to guide regional ecological conservation and restoration. For arid regions, ecological networks proposed based on ecological risk assessments are better aligned … Ecological network construction has been widely accepted and applied to guide regional ecological conservation and restoration. For arid regions, ecological networks proposed based on ecological risk assessments are better aligned with the sensitive and fragile characteristics of local ecosystems. This study assesses landscape ecological risk in Wensu County, located on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in the arid region of northwestern China, and it further proposes an optimized ecological network. A multidimensional framework composed of the natural environment, human society, and landscape patterns was employed to construct an ecological risk assessment system. Spatial principal component analysis (SPCA) was applied to identify the spatial pattern of ecological risk. Morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and a minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model integrated with circuit theory were used to extract the ecological sources and delineate the ecological corridors. The results reveal significant spatial heterogeneity in terms of ecological risk: Low-risk zones (16.26%) are concentrated in the southwestern forest and water areas. In comparison, high-risk zones (28.27%) are mainly distributed in the northern mountainous mining region. A total of 24 ecological source patches (4105.24 km2), 44 ecological corridors (313.6 km), 39 ecological pinch points, and 38 ecological barriers were identified. Following optimization, the Integral Index of Connectivity (IIC) increased by 89.04%, and the Landscape Coherence Probability (LCP) rose by 105.23%, indicating markedly enhanced ecological connectivity. The current ecological network exhibits weak connectivity in the south and fragmentation in the central region. Targeted restoration of critical nodes, optimization of corridor configurations, and expansion of ecological sources are recommended to improve landscape connectivity and promote biodiversity conservation.

Geometric accessibility as a complementary variable to geographic accessibility in the study of spatial inequality in the Municipality of Metepec, State of Mexico

2025-06-21

Nydia Lorena Campos Apodaca , Noel Bonfilio Pineda Jaimes , Marcela Virginia Santana Juárez | Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Geographica

Inequality in access to urban services exacerbates social segregation and constrains the spatial integration of people with the resources distributed across the territory, thereby limiting their opportunities to benefit from … Inequality in access to urban services exacerbates social segregation and constrains the spatial integration of people with the resources distributed across the territory, thereby limiting their opportunities to benefit from them. Various approaches have been utilized in the study of spatial inequality. Traditionally, geographical indicators have been widely employed in conjunction with indices of marginalization and lag. It is crucial to explore robust methodological alternatives in situations where data is scarce or insufficiently robust for scientific study. This paper proposes the use of geometric accessibility as a complementary alternative to geographic accessibility, employing the set of theories and methods of space syntax to expose spatial inequality in the municipality of Metepec, State of Mexico. The significance of this approach lies in its capacity to highlight spatial inequality in an environment where data on marginalization and lag exhibit inconsistencies at the scale of a homogeneous area. Geographic accessibility was measured based on the availability of basic health and education facilities at the homogeneous area level. Conversely, geometric accessibility was calculated by applying the road network, considering the integration variable of space syntax. The results obtained reveal congruence between the geometric and geographic accessibility metrics, indicating that both approaches complement accessibility analysis. The values generated by space syntax consistently reflect accessibility conditions traditionally assessed using location-based methods. In conclusion, these findings support the proposal to employ both perspectives to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of physical accessibility and highlight spatial inequality.

Merging Various Types of Remote Sensing Data and Social Participation GIS with AI to Map the Objects Affected by Light Occlusion

2025-06-21

Yen-Chun Lin , Teng-To Yu , Yu-En Yang +3 more | Remote Sensing

This study proposes a practical integration of an existing deep learning model (YOLOv9-E) and social participation GIS using multi-source remote sensing data to identify asbestos-containing materials located on the side … This study proposes a practical integration of an existing deep learning model (YOLOv9-E) and social participation GIS using multi-source remote sensing data to identify asbestos-containing materials located on the side of a building affected by light occlusions. These objects are often undetectable by traditional vertical or oblique photogrammetry, yet their precise localization is essential for effective removal planning. By leveraging the mobility and responsiveness of citizen investigators, we conducted fine-grained surveys in community spaces that were often inaccessible using conventional methods. The YOLOv9-E model demonstrated robustness on mobile-captured images, enriched with geolocation and orientation metadata, which improved the association between detections and specific buildings. By comparing results from Google Street View and field-based social imagery, we highlight the complementary strengths of both sources. Rather than introducing new algorithms, this study focuses on an applied integration framework to improve detection coverage, spatial precision, and participatory monitoring for environmental risk management. The dataset comprised 20,889 images, with 98% being used for training and validation and 2% being used for independent testing. The YOLOv9-E model achieved an mAP50 of 0.81 and an F1-score of 0.85 on the test set.

Ecological resilience in China's ten urban agglomerations: evolution and influence under the background of carbon neutrality

2025-06-21

Xiao Ouyang , Jian Chen , Xiao Wei +1 more | Ecological Modelling

Spatio-temporal analysis of Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Mitidja plain (1983–2023): impact of urbanization on agricultural land

2025-06-21

Imene Senadi , Ayoub Zeroual , Hind Meddi +2 more | Modeling Earth Systems and Environment

Building the neighborhood for the trees: Illuminating win–wins for housing densification and nature

2025-06-21

Max R. Lambert , Simone Des Roches , Daniel A. Auerbach +4 more | Conservation Science and Practice

Abstract Housing deficits are pervasive because of multiple factors including insufficient new construction, rising costs, restrictive zoning, and income inequality. Policies to address housing deficits—both through housing densification or sprawl—have … Abstract Housing deficits are pervasive because of multiple factors including insufficient new construction, rising costs, restrictive zoning, and income inequality. Policies to address housing deficits—both through housing densification or sprawl—have varied implications for ecosystem processes, biodiversity, and human well‐being. Communities that achieve a given housing density while minimizing ecosystem degradation have been termed “brightspots.” Building on the brightspot concept, we use tree and housing data for western Washington, USA to assess tree:housing “brightening” and “dimming” relationships through time. Our analysis highlights three brightening or dimming pathways: (1) housing density increases with little or no tree cover loss, (2) modest housing density increases with modest or large tree cover losses, and (3) little to no change in housing with tree cover losses. Most neighborhoods show small changes in the tree:housing relationship. While dimming was about three times as common as brightening, most brightening occurred in existing urban areas, emphasizing that housing densification can and does occur while maintaining tree canopy. Our work illustrates policies and pathways to meet housing needs while reducing harm to natural systems and improving human well‐being.

Delineation of management zones in clover-grass for site-specific management of subsequent crops

2025-06-21

Tobias Reuter , Konstantin Nahrstedt , Thomas Jarmer +2 more | Precision Agriculture

Abstract Modern agriculture faces the challenges of food security with increasing world population and the need to protect natural resources. Organic farming is known as more environmentally friendly, but has … Abstract Modern agriculture faces the challenges of food security with increasing world population and the need to protect natural resources. Organic farming is known as more environmentally friendly, but has a deficit of around 80% yield compared to conventional farming due to lower availability of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. Site-specific management based on subfields can improve the use efficiency of nitrogen, but organic agriculture lacks fast dissolving N fertilizer. Spatial differences must therefore even out strategically within the crop rotation. Between 2020 and 2023 a trial for management zone (MZ) delineation was developed on three organically farmed fields located in northwest Germany. The clover-grass period and the subsequent cereal crop were observed. During the clover-grass period, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based images were recorded for calculation of the normalized difference red edge index (NDRE), which was used to divide the study sites into site-adapted management zones using a fuzzy-C-means clustering algorithm. On each of the three fields, a subfield with high productivity and one with low productivity were identified. The more productive subfield during clover-grass-period also had higher cereal yield on all fields. At one field, the high productive MZ was characterized by lower terrain elevation and higher clay content, while on other fields, the differences in yield might be due to land use history and soil depth. This research shows a promising approach to delineate management zones of clover-grass based on NDRE index and offers the potential of site-specific management withing the crop rotation.

Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanism of ecosystem services in typical hilly and gully areas of the loess Plateau: A case study in Yan’an Region, Shaanxi Province

2025-06-21

Qian Yang , Hui Qian , Yanyan Gao +7 more | Ecological Indicators

Experiments in nature-based solutions: pursuing conservation, climate action, and land use planning in California

2025-06-21

Clare Cannon , Eric K. Chu | npj Climate Action

Abstract Nature-based solutions that include conservation are an increasingly important arena for advancing climate action. Conservation planning decisions can depend on what kinds of tradeoffs are made and which benefits … Abstract Nature-based solutions that include conservation are an increasingly important arena for advancing climate action. Conservation planning decisions can depend on what kinds of tradeoffs are made and which benefits need to be prioritized. What then does local implementation look like when governance of land use planning tradeoffs is confronted by potentially competing priorities in climate, nature, and development? In this paper, we analyze institutional instruments – namely, local and state plans from across California – to better understand how nature-based solutions include conservation strategies to deliver co-benefits. California is an important site of study because the state is an early adopter of progressive climate policies in the United States and serves as a climate leader in the U.S. and globally. Our analysis of local planning documents shows that subnational governments, such as California, are experimenting with different governance arrangements to decipher co-benefits and to manage trade-offs. Specifically, we find the presence of supportive citizen coalitions, funding and financing, and regional collaborations as notable enablers of nature-based solutions in California.

Land Use and Land Cover Change Analysis in Choke Mountain, Ethiopia (2013-2023)

2025-06-21

Agegnehu MEKONNEN | Asian Journal of Environmental Research.

In this study, spatial and temporal trends of Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) in Choke Mountain, Ethiopia, between 2013 and 2023 were explored employing a mixed-methods approach. Satellite … In this study, spatial and temporal trends of Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC) in Choke Mountain, Ethiopia, between 2013 and 2023 were explored employing a mixed-methods approach. Satellite imagery (Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS) was analyzed through supervised classification and post-classification change detection techniques, supported by field observations, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The results reveal extreme changes: agricultural land raised by 4.5% (1,207.95 ha), predominantly at the expense of grasslands (−11.9%) and shrublands (−34.8%). Forest cover unexpectedly raised by 28.6% (1,156.26 ha) due to Eucalyptus plantations, while natural forest decline persists. Settlement areas raised by 133%, which reflects heavy urbanization. Slope analysis revealed that 67.4% of the area is composed of gentle slopes (<30%), and 32.6% is composed of steep slopes that are susceptible to erosion. The main drivers of these changes are population growth, agricultural expansion, fuelwood requirements, and unsustainable land-use policies. These changes have deep implications for ecosystem services, soil conservation, and climate resilience in this critical Upper Blue Nile Basin region. The study recommends that integrated land-use planning, forest conservation programs, and sustainable agriculture practices are required to balance ecological integrity with livelihood needs. These findings constitute the scientific basis on which policymakers can base policies to facilitate sustainable land management in the highland ecosystems of Ethiopia.

A GIS-Based Approach to Land Take Monitoring and Actual Land Use Analysis

2025-06-21

Peter Lamovec , K. Kuk , Barbara Černič +2 more | Land

In September 2023, the European Commission approved a proposal for a Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience, representing a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts toward more sustainable land … In September 2023, the European Commission approved a proposal for a Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience, representing a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts toward more sustainable land use management. The proposal mandates the monitoring of land take and soil sealing indicators but does not specify the method for determining their values. Instead, it allows for the use of scientific literature or other publicly available methods. This study presents a methodology based on GIS analyses for monitoring artificial land and the land take indicator. A quantitative analysis of two municipalities in the Podravska region in Slovenia is complemented by a qualitative assessment of detailed actual land use in these municipalities. The results show that the annual land take rate in the period 2019–2022 amounted to 881.96 m2/year·km2 in the municipality of Maribor and 731.31 m2/year·km2 in the municipality of Kungota. If current trends continue, the extent of (semi-)natural land will continue to decline, which is considered unsustainable. Further analysis reveals that the expansion of artificial land in these areas is mainly due to the development of new residential land, accounting for 60.8% of newly converted land in the municipality of Maribor and 50.2% in the municipality of Kungota during the period under review. As the results point to unsustainable land management, the study is aimed at policymakers and public authorities, highlighting the urgent need to limit the conversion of (semi-)natural land and to initiate land restoration measures as compensation for new land take. It may also be of interest to scientists and researchers developing methodologies for monitoring artificial land and refining land take indicators.

Strategically identifying optimal locations for multifunctional green infrastructure: A case study in the Taipei Basin

2025-06-20

Zih-Hong Lin , Shawn W. Laffan , Graciela Metternicht | Land Use Policy

Optimal land sharing/sparing pattern to synergize grain yield and ecosystem services of cropland: A case study of Chengdu, China

2025-06-20

Shuruo Li , Xiaobin Jin , Bo Han +5 more | Applied Geography