Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function

The significance of spring water is fundamentally integral to the livelihood of the Himalayan population.
Springs are the chief providers of drinking water for households, agricultural, and industrial applications,
especially in the Himalayan region, and contribute to the ecological richness and ecosystems in the Himalayas.
Despite their crucial significance, springs continue to attract minimal attention. Over the last couple of decades, a
noticeable drop of about 60% in low-discharge springs has been documented. With the escalation of population
growth, relentless climate change, and rapid urbanization, springs face several significant threats to their survival.
There is growing evidence that the springs of the Himalayas are experiencing desiccation, a reduction in discharge,
and deterioration in water quality. In the Himalayan territories, springs hold significant importance in the context
of cultural and religious beliefs. They are considered purest form of water and are frequently associated with
different gods, rituals, and mythologies. These springs were regarded as sacred due to their intrinsic connections
to regional deities and rituals of worshipping water. Heat, glacial melting and rainfall patterns are the anticipated
alterations that are projected to influence the quality & quantity of water substantially. Springs rejuvenation could
offer a climate-adaptive approach benefiting the Himalayan ecosystems and livelihoods, improve water
accessibility, and help to accomplish any of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Spring-shed management
based on aquifer systems combines scientific knowledge, community participation and collaborative partnerships
in springs revival, thereby generating policy attention on spring water across the region.

The significance of spring water is fundamentally integral to the livelihood of the Himalayan population.
Springs are the chief providers of drinking water for households, agricultural, and industrial applications,
especially in the Himalayan region, and contribute to the ecological richness and ecosystems in the Himalayas.
Despite their crucial significance, springs continue to attract minimal attention. Over the last couple of decades, a
noticeable drop of about 60% in low-discharge springs has been documented. With the escalation of population
growth, relentless climate change, and rapid urbanization, springs face several significant threats to their survival.
There is growing evidence that the springs of the Himalayas are experiencing desiccation, a reduction in discharge,
and deterioration in water quality. In the Himalayan territories, springs hold significant importance in the context
of cultural and religious beliefs. They are considered purest form of water and are frequently associated with
different gods, rituals, and mythologies. These springs were regarded as sacred due to their intrinsic connections
to regional deities and rituals of worshipping water. Heat, glacial melting and rainfall patterns are the anticipated
alterations that are projected to influence the quality & quantity of water substantially. Springs rejuvenation could
offer a climate-adaptive approach benefiting the Himalayan ecosystems and livelihoods, improve water
accessibility, and help to accomplish any of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Spring-shed management
based on aquifer systems combines scientific knowledge, community participation and collaborative partnerships
in springs revival, thereby generating policy attention on spring water across the region.

Butterflies are among the most charismatic insects in forest ecosystems and serve as bioindicators of ecological health. This study documents the butterfly diversity of the Kurchiat range in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Field surveys carried out between February 2023 and March 2024 recorded 59 species of butterflies belonging to 6 families. The checklist includes several threatened and endemic taxa, especially Papilionid swallowtails restricted to the Western Ghats. Families Nymphalidae and Papilionidae were the most species-rich, while Lycaenidae and Riodinidae were represented by fewer taxa. The presence of endangered butterflies like the Malabar Rose (Pachliopta pandiyana), Malabar Banded Swallowtail (Papilio liomedon), and Malabar Banded Peacock (Papilio buddha) underlines the high conservation significance of this range. The study also highlights the importance of maintaining heterogeneous habitats that sustain both widespread and range-restricted species.

Mining for energy and mineral resources is a key economic activity. However, this activity causes serious disturbances to the natural environment. Identification of abiotic habitat conditions occurring in post-mining areas has revealed that these areas are nutrientpoor, mineral-rich, oligotrophic, often with significant salinity and distinct granulometric structure and hydrological conditions. Studies of spontaneous natural processes occurring in specific mineral habitats in post-mining areas have shown that they often lead to the creation of unique ecosystem systems, which, once identified, are protected, as is the case in Bytom city. The conducted research has shown that spontaneous natural processes observed in mineral habitats of the post-mining areas operate differently from what was erroneously assumed and stipulated in regulations. Current regulations arbitrarily define mineral habitats of the post-mining areas as biological deserts, requiring intensive human intervention to achieve any value - a very narrowly defined utility. The latest published research has shown that so-called reclamation activities* carried out without recognizing the course of spontaneous processes in a specific post-mining site, can cause serious damage to the natural environment, particularly to biodiversity. Orders not updated with the latest research often harm it by limiting spontaneous biodiversity. Taking action to improve the natural environment without scientific foundations is in direct contradiction to the foundations of cognitive methodology in the natural sciences.
The current approach is based on an agroforestry-based understanding of the natural environment, leaving no room for the spontaneous development of ecosystems or the creation of areas accessible to wildlife. The aim of this article is to present the effects of spontaneous natural processes observed in the post-mining areas of the city of Bytom over recent decades.
Spontaneous natural processes occurring on the mineral substrates of the post-mining areas have led to the development of unique, extremely biologically diverse novel ecosystems, which have been protected to preserve natural values and provide ecosystem services to the local community. The spontaneous processes observed on post-mining sites in Bytom are proof, that the approach to the mineral habitats has to be changed and based on scientific basics.
Keywords: spontaneous natural processes, post-mining mineral habitats, Grime's IDH, disturbances and functioning of ecosystems, factors increasing biodiversity.

Disturbances are a permanent element of ecosystem functioning at every stage of their development. Studies on the impact of disturbances on natural and semi-natural ecosystems have been conducted for many years. It has been shown that moderate disturbances contribute to increased diversity. However, the research work that led to the formulation of Grime's indirect disturbance hypothesis (Grime's IDH) was carried out on small scales and in a limited number of ecosystem types. To date, there is a lack of research testing this hypothesis (IDH) on a large scale of landscape systems. Areas created in connection with the exploitation of mineral resources create a unique system of large-area field experiment, randomly distributed objects that are the effect of or are under the influence of various levels of disturbance. An interesting example may be the places created as a result of the activity of numerous mines in Silesia and an isolated mine in the Lublin region where comprehensive observations and interesting research on spontaneous natural processes can be conducted, the results of which should be used in the practice of managing post-mining areas. The aim
of the presented article is to analyze the available literature sources and determine whether and to what extent knowledge about the course of spontaneous natural processes occurring in post-mining areas can be used in planning the management of these areas.

Keywords: spontaneous natural processes; post-mining mineral habitats; Grime's IDH; disturbances and functioning of ecosystems; factors increasing biodiversity.

Philosophical Ecology is an emerging discipline with legal recognition that explores human-ecosystem relationships and environmental resources in the universe. It has roots in Islamic thought, with contributions from philosophers like Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Khaldun. This paper introduces a new theorem in Philosophical Ecology within the Islamic context, offering insights into the origin, nature, and development of the discipline. It examines the role of Tawhid as the foundation of belief in

Показано, что для России, начиная с 1990 г. (период кризиса и реформ), типична пространственно-факторная матрица динамики площадей сельскохозяйственных земель, которая характерна
и для второй половины XIX в. Установлено, что ведущими факторами, влияющими на процесс изменения площадей аграрных угодий, являются биоклиматический потенциал (БКП) и численность
сельского населения. Выявлено, что за период 1990–2015 гг. в российских регионах сформировались 3 типа изменений посевных площадей: «устойчивое сокращение», «смена сокращения на стабилизацию», «смена сокращения на увеличение». Модели показывают, что изменение почвенной эмиссии СО2 в результате распашки залежей может оказаться значительным и сопоставимым с вкладом изменений климата за тот же период наблюдений. Для областей, где распашка залежей не проводится, характерен больший вклад климатических факторов в изменение почвенной эмиссии СО2, а для областей с активным возвращением залежей в оборот – вклад землепользования.

The watershed is a typical area and has a very important function in hydrology. At the moment, the watershed area in Indonesia has been damaged. This damage has caused various disasters such as landslides, erosion and flooding. This is generally caused by changes in land use. Natural disasters and human activities have caused pollution in river. Today, most of the rivers in Indonesia have been polluted, even on Java, the river pollution is in an alarming stage. Changes in land use and river pollution have exceeded the carrying capacity. The causes are caused by population growth, institutions, poverty, the lack of people's living needs such as clothing, food and residents, plantations, mining and very low community participation in conservation. Several ways of mitigation have been carried out starting from technical conservation namely terraces and mounds, agroforestry, community involvement and institutional harmonization. But there is still damage in the watershed. Further st...

Уменьшению углеродного следа сельскохозяйственного производства на районном уровне может способствовать рациональная организация территорий, вмещающих агроландшафты, с учетом оптимального пространственного распределения площадей, снижающих агрогенную эмиссию углерода. Необходимость перехода к «углеродно-нейтральному сельскому хозяйству» и оптимизация структуры агроландшафта особенно актуальны для таких регионов, как Белгородская область, которая обеспечивает 4.8% общей стоимости производимой
сельскохозяйственной продукции России и где расположены целинные участки степей,
способные эффективно регулировать баланс углерода. 
В ходе анализа статистических показателей, картографических и литературных данных,
отчетов профильных ведомств и министерств, а также материалов многолетних полевых и экспериментальных исследований, проведенных авторами в Белгородской области, на внутрирайонном уровне за период с 1990 по 2020 гг. выявлены тенденции динамики
площадей сельскохозяйственных угодий в структуре современных агроландшафтов в сопоставлении с изменением площадей сохранившихся целинных степных участков и земель
природно-заповедного фонда. Установлены агро-ресурсные ареалы, вмещающие муниципальные районы со схожими
трендами изменения площадей сельскохозяйственных угодий в структуре агроландшафтов, со схожей специализацией сельского хозяйства, идентичными изменениями природной,
социальной, экономической и экологической ситуации: 1) агро-ресурсный ареал концентрации
промышленности вблизи крупных городов в западной и центральной частях области, 2) агроресурсный ареал наличия конфликтов сельскохозяйственного и промышленного
природопользования в северной части области, 3) агро-ресурсный ареал юго-восточной сельскохозяйственно-промышленной части области. В границах ареалов выявлены ключевые факторы, определяющие потенциальные возможности производства сельскохозяйственной продукции и тренды динамики площадей агроландшафтов. Оценена доля особо охраняемых природных территорий значимая для снижения агрогенной эмиссии углерода. Обозначена важность таких территорий для поддержания «углеродной нейтральности» при современном хозяйственном освоении. Отмечено, что в пределах установленных ареалов с запада на северо-восток и юго-восток прослеживается менее масштабное уменьшение площадей агроландшафтов, однако их агроприродный потенциал снижается. Данный факт объясняется
усилением действия негативных природных и экологических факторов, недостаточным внедрением адаптивно-ландшафтной системы земледелия в процесс сельскохозяйственного
производства, диспропорцией объемов инвестирования в агропромышленный комплекс, а также сокращением численности трудоспособного населения, занятого в сельском хозяйстве.
Показано, что масштабы проявления конфликтов сельскохозяйственного и промышленного
природопользования увеличиваются в восточном и северо-восточном направлении. 
С помощью методов математической статистики определены связи между ключевыми факторами (влияющими на задействование ландшафтов для аграрных целей) и динамикой площадей агроландшафтов, в границах сформировавшихся агро-ресурсных ареалов.
Рассмотрены перспективы территориальной охраны целинных участков степей в ракурсе решения задач «углеродного нейтрального земледелия» в условиях действия установленных в
статье трендов динамики изменения площадей агроландшафтов. Выявленные особенности трансформации агроландшафта Белгородской области позволят в перспективе оптимизировать
его структуру для достижения целей «углеродно-нейтрального сельского хозяйства» и повысить эффективность региональной сети особо охраняемых природных территорий.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the problems faced by green entrepreneur traders working in the agricultural sector in their contributions to the green economy and global climate change, and to offer solutions. The "interview technique", one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. In the study, interviews were conducted with 32 farmer entrepreneurs who carry out entrepreneurial activities working in the agricultural sector in The Southeastern Anatolia Region. The research data were analyzed with the MAXQDA 2024 program, and the problems encountered by the interview participants in green entrepreneurship were examined with the word cloud. In the research, entrepreneur farmers stated that farmer entrepreneurs in Turkey should be supported by the state, that large-scale entrepreneurs have been earning more, and that state support for small-scale entrepreneurs in Turkey is very little. They remarked that production planning should be made to prevent waste of surplus production, and that those who sell quality agricultural products increase their earnings more.

The offshore wind power industry is relatively new but increasing globally, hence it is important that the whole life-cycle is managed. The construction-operationdecommissioning cycle is likely to take 20-30 years and whilst decommissioning may not be undertaken for many years, its management needs to be addressed in both current and future marine management regimes. This can be defined within a Drivers-Activities-Pressures-State Changes-Impacts (on human Welfare)-Responses framework. This paper considers the main decommissioning optionspartial or complete removal of all components. A SWOT analysis shows environmental and economic benefits in partial as opposed to complete removal, especially if habitat created on the structures has conservation or commercial value. Benefits (and repercussions) are defined in terms of losses and gains of ecosystem services and societal benefits. The legal precedents and repercussions of both options are considered in terms of the 10-tenets of sustainable marine management. Finally a 'renewables-to-reefs' programme is proposed.

Globally, through the lenses of pro forma, strategic ambiguity and conventional presentations, it is important to elucidate the intricate challenges, issues and opportunities concerning sustainable development, particularly focusing on environment, health and healthcare delivery, agriculture, insecurity and governance. These highlight the multifaceted impacts of climate change and socio-political instabilities, proposing a holistic approach to sustainable governance. Whether by regulatory affairs using pro forma approaches and/or strategic ambiguity in governance and/or research, the erstwhile and extant journals or records constitute greater than mere historical depositories or memoirs. However, their usage must be appreciated constructively and collaboratively with caution, transparency, credibility and ethical standards. We must keep in mind that flexibility is key, taking into cognizance as policy makers, scholars, lawmakers and politicians continue to debate pro forma and strategic ambiguity with further increases in citizen participation in local, regional and global affairs as applicable to humanity. It is pertinent that a vast majority of valiant stakeholders in research and governance encompassing environment, agriculture, insecurity, and employment in convergence with interdisciplinary approaches of pro forma and strategic ambiguity to tinker with challenges, issues and opportunities which will pave the pathways for sustainable development in our society. In the absence of challenges, issues and opportunities, there will be stagnation and no exploration in diverse aspects of scientific and technologic advancement without inter alia Insecurity, maladministration, hunger and unemployment. The approaches and roles to pro forma and strategic ambiguity can be formidable in governance and research for sustainable development, but tend to create challenges, issues and opportunities. Whereas pro forma strategies may provide a structured approach for assessment, ascertainment, progression and assurance of transparency, on the contrary, strategic ambiguity can variably suppress implementation, management and accountability. Formulating an equilibrium between these pathways is pivotal to achieving sustainable development goals, SDGs. The appreciation and insights of pro forma and strategic ambiguity of research into governance and sustainable development are of extant value and pertinence with cognizance in enhanced future refurbishments which enure and encompass the expansive potential in geopolitics and sustainability. Embracing both pro forma approaches and strategic ambiguity may be promising in research and governance for sustainable development, human welfare, and wellbeing. However, it is pertinent to understand the nuances and potential caveats. Pro forma provides a structured framework for planning and evaluation, whereas strategic ambiguity grants the latitude for flexibility and adaptability in intricately complex situations. Both require careful management to obviate hindering progress or stifling trustworthiness.

This is to certify that the assignment titled "Threats to Western Ghats conservation efforts" is a bona fide work carried out and submitted by Amjada Yasmin Roll No. 201 of the 3rd Semester Sociology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for internal evaluation. The work embodied in this assignment is original and has been carried out under the supervision and guidance of Mr. Shameer Mohammed, Department of History, during the academic year 2024-25. Introduction.

Bird diversity plays an important role for the endangered ecosystem, because birds are good indicator species and their presence shows the overall health of the system. The study was carried out at Samoha Dam which is highly productive and unique ecosystem that supports large number of birds, for the period of one year during June 2015 to May 2016. In the present study total 57 species of were recorded belonging to 34 families and 28 order. Bird Diversity was calculated by using the Shannon-Weinner Index methods to compare the avifaunal diversity of the study area.

Purpose-This study aims to examine the role and application of extinction accounting as a governance tool to address biodiversity loss in the context of rapid urbanisation. Focusing on the motivations, strategies and institutional dynamics of government bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Hong Kong, an indepth analysis of the challenges and opportunities for urban biodiversity conservation within constrained metropolitan settings is presented. Design/methodology/approach-Using interpretive content analysis, the study evaluates the Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (HKBSAP) and annual reports from selected Hong Kong government agencies and NGOs (2016-2023). Context-specific processes, challenges and tensions in extinction accounting practices are identified, highlighting the way institutional dynamics and power disparities influence biodiversity conservation efforts. Findings-The research reveals significant divergence in extinction accounting approaches between government and NGO bodies: government entities prioritise quantifiable, urban planning-driven metrics, while NGOs emphasise ecocentric values and grassroots engagement. Although cross-sector collaboration has advanced certain conservation efforts, persistent power asymmetries and the predominance of anthropocentric motivations continue to constrain broader transformation. Drawing on these empirical insights, the study proposes pathways that integrate measurable approaches such as habitat-hectare metrics and open data portals, paired with participatory governance structures. These improvements can foster more inclusive, ecocentric and effective biodiversity governance in urban contexts. Research limitations/implications-This study expands both the theoretical and practical understanding of extinction accounting by situating it within metropolitan public-sector biodiversity governance. The analysis demonstrates how integrating evidence-based practices with adaptive and inclusive recommendations can guide the development of context-sensitive frameworks in diverse urban settings. Originality/value-The study addresses a significant gap in the biodiversity governance literature by positioning evidence-based research on extinction accounting within densely urbanised environments. The actionable recommendations provide scalable, evidence-based strategies that empower policymakers and practitioners to strengthen biodiversity stewardship in cities worldwide.

Health is the most basic human right and one of the most important indicators of sustainable development. Individuals, communities and societies depend on healthy ecosystems support to remain healthy. Well-functioning ecosystems provide goods and services essential for human health. These goods and services include nutrition and food security, clean air and fresh water, medicines, cultural and spiritual values, and contributions to local livelihoods and economic development. They can also help to limit disease and stabilize the climate. However, over the years human activities have been constantly placing pressure on earth’s natural resources to meet the demands of the economies and the needs of a rapidly growing global population, which has resulted in the transformation of basic natural processes such as weather/climate, biogeochemical cycling, and more so the biological diversity in which the evolutionary changes depend. It is projected that less than 25% of Earth’s surface remai...

Tank bromeliads have the capacity to accumulate water and leaf litter in their leaves providing habitat for animal species ranging from mosquito larvae to amphibians with arthropods being the main group associated with these plants. However, there have been no studies made in Mexico that document the association between the macroarthropods and the tank bromeliads during the different seasons in different species of bromeliads. The objective of the present work was to determine species richness, abundance and diversity of macroarthropods present in the rosettes of T. carlos-hankii and T. oaxacana during the two seasonal periods (rainy and dry) and evaluate the degree of association of said parameters with the morphological characteristics of the bromeliads. The present work was carried out in the pine-oak forest near Peña Prieta, in the municipality of Santa Catarina Ixtepeji, at an elevation of 2850 meters above sea level. Four random collections were made of ten adult rosettes in each sample. Each plant was bagged and transferred to the laboratory where the macroarthropods were collected and identified. One hundred twenty-six morphospecies of adult macroarthropods, belonging to 114 genera, 70 families and 17 orders with a total of 1061 individuals were collected. The orders with the greatest species richness and abundance were Hemiptera, Araneae and Coleoptera. More species richness and abundance were found in T. carlos-hankii (105 morphospecies and 847 individuals) than in T. oaxacana (61 morphospecies and 214 individuals). For T. carlos-hankii, the species richness and abundance was greater during the rainy season while for T. oaxacana they were greater in the dry season. The Shannon Diversity Index was greater for both species during the dry season with H'=1.40 and H'=1.51 respectively. There exists a significant correlation between the size of the bromeliad and richness (R=0.489**), abundance (R=0.459**) and diversity (0.511**) of the macroarthropods without taking into account the species of bromeliad. This may be because the larger plants are more likely to be found and colonized by the arthropods and, consequently, more likely to support a greater diversity of species. Both species of bromeliads in this study are an important resource for macroarthropods.

Background: Canopy structure, defined by leaf area index (LAI), fractional vegetation cover (FCover) and fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR), regulates a wide range of forest functions and ecosystem services. Spatially consistent field-measurements of canopy structure are however lacking, particularly for the tropics. Methods: Here, we introduce the Global LAI database: a global dataset of field-based canopy structure measurements spanning tropical forests in four continents (Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas). We use these measurements to test for climate dependencies within and across continents, and to test for the potential of anthropogenic disturbance and forest protection to modulate those dependences. Results: Using data collected from 887 tropical forest plots, we show that maximum water deficit, defined across the most arid months of the year, is an important predictor of canopy structure, with all three canopy attributes declining significantly with increasing water deficit. Canopy attributes also increase with minimum temperature, and with the protection of forests according to both active (within protected areas) and passive measures (through topography). Once protection and continent effects are accounted for, other anthropogenic measures (e.g. human population) do not improve the model. We conclude that canopy structure in the tropics is primarily a consequence of forest adaptation to the maximum water deficits historically experienced within a given region. Climate change, and in particular changes in drought regimes may thus affect forest structure and function, but forest protection may offer some resilience against this effect.

The Cerrado biome, a biodiversity hotspot, faces challenges such as soil degradation and water resource depletion. Passive restoration is a strategy used to recover its ecosystem, with remote sensing technology enabling monitoring of forest recovery and environmental changes. This study applied multi-temporal analysis using environmental data and vegetation indices to assess a passive restoration area in a reserve at Brotas, Brazil. Data were gathered from a meteorological station and Landsat-8 satellite images. Vegetation indices such as the Simple Ratio Index (SRI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) were calculated and analyzed over time (2014-2020) by year and season (winter and summer). The environmental analysis revealed seasonal differences, highlighting the contrast between the dry winter months and wet summer months. All vegetation indices varied across years, SRI and EVI also showing seasonal differences. A noticeable deviation was observed in 2014-2015, attributed to the severe drought of 2014, with a lagged response in vegetation. Our results demonstrate that vegetation indices are effective tools for assessing ecological resilience under climate extremes and can provide evidence for designing public policies. Specially, linking passive restoration outcomes to land tenure security and watershed conservation highlights the role of tenurerestoration nexus in ensuring log-term success. These findings have implications for conservation policy in Brazil and elsewhere, reinforcing that ecological recovery strategies must be integrated with land use and land tenure frameworks to achieve sustainable climate adaptation and ecosystem services.

In the tranquil village of Cholti Kheri, nestled within Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib district, stands a natural wonder that has silently observed centuries of history unfold beneath its vast canopy. The Kaya Kalp Vriksh, affectionately known as the Great Banyan Tree, is far more than a tree-it is a living testament to nature's resilience and the cultural reverence it inspires. Spanning an impressive 3.5 acres and estimated to be over 300 years old, this majestic banyan was declared Punjab's first Biodiversity Heritage Site in 2021, a fitting recognition of its ecological and cultural significance.

La relación entre lluvia y vegetación es bidireccional: donde llueve, crece vegetación, pero donde hay vegetación que transpira, llueve más.
La vegetación a gran escala, como los bosques y las selvas, es a menudo percibida como un receptor pasivo de las condiciones climáticas. Sin embargo, su potencial para influir activamente en el clima se subestima con frecuencia. Este artículo de síntesis explora los mecanismos biofísicos fundamentales a través de los cuales estos ecosistemas generan sus propios patrones de lluvia y clima. Se revisan cuatro procesos clave respaldados por evidencia científica reciente: (1) la bomba de humedad por evapotranspiración, (2) la emisión de partículas biológicas para la siembra de nubes, (3) la alteración de la dinámica atmosférica local por efectos térmicos, y (4) el ciclo de "agua pesada" como huella dactilar de la transpiración. Al analizar estos macroprocesos, este documento presenta un marco científico para comprender el rol de los ecosistemas forestales más allá de ser elementos pasivos  receptores de lluvia, sino como generadores activos y vitales de las precipitaciones regionales.

Globally, there has been an increase in the effects of climate change. This has also affected the agricultural sector and crop production in Kanongesha area of Mwinilunga District, Zambia. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of climate change on agricultural production. The objectives were to; identify the indicators of climate change in the area, determine effects of climate change on agriculture production and assess the adaptation strategies used by the local farmers. The method used to collect data was questionnaires and observation sheets. The target population for the study was 133 respondents. Data analysis was done using SPSS and Microsoft excel. The study revealed several climate change indicators which included; extreme weather events having the biggest with 32.3%, followed by unpredictable rainfall with 22.6%, then rising temperature with 25.6%, and the one with the lowest had 19.5% biotic stressors. Further, some effects of climate change on crops included crop loss with 35.3%, followed by drying of crops with 24.1%. The area also experienced proliferation of diseases, insects and obnoxious weeds with 21.1%. The small-scale farmers are willing to assist government deal with climate change crisis. However, there is need for support from government to effectively implement climate smart initiatives. A study could be done to look at the effectiveness of the climate change measures being used by small scale farmers to build their resilience to climate impacts.

The study evaluated the current status (i.e., species diversity, regeneration, and productivity) of the community forests conserved under indigenous knowledge known as Ngitili of northwest Tanzania. We conducted a field study in 10 community forests using phytosociological approaches. Quantitative data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, while the differences between mean was checked by LSD at p < 0.05 using SPSS software. Results indicated that, out of 10 surveyed community forests, 4 were highly threatened (40 %), 5 were highly disturbed (51 %), while 1 (9 %) was converted to other land use. A total of 66 plant species belonging to 54 genera and 27 families were recorded. Biomass production varied significantly between plants (p < 0.001). Lack of environmental education and anthropogenic activities pose a great challenge among community forests. Therefore, appropriate management interventions are highly required to rectify the situation for the sustainability of these f...

Drawing from scientific perspectives, the ecological system is defined as a functional, interconnected community of species and abiotic environments within a limited region. These systems include not just separate parts but interconnected components capable of continuous feedback among coexisting species, ensuring their shared habitat. Classical ecological philosophy— “philosophical ecology”—views Earth as an ecosystem or superorganism. Scientific evidence suggests that this view will eventually come to an end, yet the underlying motivation remains compelling. The main tasks involve exploring alternative interpretations and identifying approaches aligned with current ecological and Earth sciences, as well as developing new arguments for the unity of Earth as an ecological system. This analysis transforms “classical” ecological philosophy into a unified approach for philosophical ecology, combining it with scientific inquiry in a detailed examination of the interaction between scientific and philosophical methods. This interaction produces a consistent body of empirical evidence, with a broad “philosophical ecology” emerging as a key strategy for understanding ecological functionality. Both scientific and philosophical perspectives recognize functional interdependence among components as central to ecological unity—an interdependence that, from a philosophical standpoint, qualifies as “unity.” This approach offers opportunities to connect philosophical, political, and ethical considerations with the integration of Earth, while recognizing a specific form of philosophical ecology—“ecological epistemology”—that effectively addresses previous challenges.

IntroductionRecent decades have seen a major international effort to inventory tree communities in the Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield (Amazonia), but the vast extent and record diversity of these forests have hampered an understanding of basinwide patterns. To overcome this obstacle, we compiled and standardized species-level data on more than half a million trees in 1170 plots sampling all major lowland forest types to explore patterns of commonness, rarity, and richness.MethodsThe ~6-million-km2Amazonian lowlands were divided into 1° cells, and mean tree density was estimated for each cell by using a loess regression model that included no environmental data but had its basis exclusively in the geographic location of tree plots. A similar model, allied with a bootstrapping exercise to quantify sampling error, was used to generate estimated Amazon-wide abundances of the 4962 valid species in the data set. We estimated the total number of tree species in the Amazon by fitting the me...

The use of sophisticated tools and unconventional methods in wildlife exploitation is a threat to wildlife conservation. This study analysed the influence of bushmeat harvesting on wildlife abundance in the Tofala-Mone Forest Corridor (TMFC), Cameroon. Data were collected across 8 villages using semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews and transect survey. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were used for quantitative data while content analyses were used for qualitative data. The key finding revealed that the main reason for bushmeat harvesting was for income generation. Agriculture, large family sizes and motivation were some of the factors influencing harvesting. An average of 16.0 ± 2.0 animals was harvested weekly per harvester, giving an annual average of 272.8901tons per harvester. Annual bushmeat harvested stood at 2,665,156 Francs CFA (5,330 US Dollar) per harvester. Most harvesters (97.3 %) reported a decrease in wildlife abundance. Hunting time per...

1. Despite becoming one of the main pressures on aquatic ecosystems globally, understanding of the ecological impacts of altered water-level regimes in lakes lags far behind that of other human disturbances (e.g. eutrophication, acidification). 2. We employed a multifaceted approach to explore the potential importance of water-level fluctuations (WLF) for the structure and functioning of littoral zones and multiple trait responses of primary producers and benthic consumers across a range of natural lakes. 3. We found that lakes with high WLF had significantly more coarse littoral substrata with less coverage of macrophyte vegetation in the shallows than in lakes with low WLF. Lakes with high WLF also had greater proportions of motile diatom species and omnivorous benthic invertebrates in shallow waters, altered taxonomic and trophic structure of benthic consumers and more homogeneous algal and benthic invertebrate assemblages. 4. Variation along the littoral depth gradient needs to be examined when assessing the impacts of hydrological pressures in lakes. We found that depth interacted with WLF in its effects on habitat structure and mediated the response of both producer and consumer benthic assemblages to WLF. 5. Our results indicate that amplified WLF significantly affect both the structure and functioning of lake ecosystems. Given the growing importance of WLF as an increasingly pervasive pressure on lake ecosystems worldwide, our findings have important implications for the conservation and management of global aquatic biodiversity. Inclusion of both biological traits and sampling along a depth gradient in existing and in future monitoring programmes could improve significantly the ability to detect and predict effects of altered patterns of WLF on lake ecosystems.

Efficiency of six light sources viz., light emitting diode (LED), Solar LED, compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), mercury, ultraviolet (UV) and tungsten bulbs in trapping of adult Lepidiota mansueta Burmeister was evaluated in Majuli river island of Assam during 2015-17. Results revealed that the maximum number of beetles (781.2; sex ratio: 3.7:1) got trapped in solar LED light trap and found to be significantly superior over the other light sources. With CFL bulbs, the maximum number of beetles were trapped in 15-watt bulb (725.3; sex ratio: 4.1:1). In mercury and UV lamp it was 389.2 and 199.1 beetles with a male: female sex ratio of 4.4:1 and 4.4:1, respectively. Relatively less beetles were attracted to the light traps with tungsten and normal LED bulbs. Based on these observations, a modified battery-operated LED light trap was designed and its performance was compared with solar LED and 15-watt CFL bulb during 2017. The modified battery-operated light trap trapped 427.3-469.3 beetles as compared to the ones with solar LED (641.0) and 15-watt CFL bulb (582.0).

Agroforestry habitats, which integrate trees, crops and other vegetation, support diverse insect populations, including moths, which play crucial roles as pollinators, bioindicators, and agricultural pests. This study explores moth diversity in agroforestry landscapes of Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh, where farming is a primary livelihood and agricultural fields are surrounded by a variety of forest trees. A year-long survey (January–December 2024) recorded 128 moth species using light traps and opportunistic searches. The findings emphasize the significance of agroforestry habitats in sustaining moth populations and highlight the need for planting forest trees near agricultural fields to enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem stability, and promote sustainable farming practices.

In the face of escalating environmental crises, the role of education in shaping young learners' ecological consciousness has gained critical importance. School textbooks, particularly language textbooks, play a foundational role in constructing students' perceptions of nature and their relationship with the environment. The current research paper examines the representation of human-nature relationships in school textbooks and how it may impact the ecological awareness of young students. Drawing upon the ecolinguistics framework by Greta Gaard, this study aims to understand how textbook language and approach towards natural ecology may construct students' perceptions of the environment. The analysis focuses on the degree of emphasis on ecological issues, the approach to human-nature interaction, and the presence of anthropocentric or eco-centric perspectives in the portrayal of nature in grades sixth and eighth English textbooks taught in government schools in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Through purposive sampling technique, lessons were critically evaluated using a qualitative approach to identify patterns, themes, and underlying ideologies in the language used to describe nature. The findings reveal that, on the one hand, ecological issues are not openly and adequately addressed in textbooks. On the other hand, texts that deal with any aspect of living or non-living natural ecology show a prevalence of anthropocentric language-depicting nature as a resource for human activities or merely a backdrop to such activities rather than emphasizing its intrinsic value. The current study found that the textbook material predominantly adopted a human-centered approach towards naturedepicting it in anthropocentric terms, thereby lacking students' practical engagement with the environment. The paper examines the implications of this approach and highlights the need to revise textbook's content and to include ecologically balanced narratives that foster a deeper respect for nature and promote sustainable thinking among students from an early age.

Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, with sub-Saharan Africa being one of the most vulnerable regions. Ghana, a biodiversity hotspot, faces increasing pressure from climate change, which threatens its diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and coastal areas. This study assessed the current state of biodiversity in Ghana using ten (10) biodiversity indicators. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. Additionally, the study employed a convenience sampling technique to select 50 respondents, and the data were collected using a structured questionnaire.

Constructed wetlands are engineered and managed wetland systems that are increasingly receiving worldwide attention for wastewater treatment and reclamation. Compared to conventional treatment plants, constructed wetlands are cost-effective and easily operated and maintained, and they have a strong potential for application in a small community. Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment have substantially developed in the last decades. As an eco-friendly treatment process, constructed wetlands may enable the effective, economical, and ecological treatment of agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastewater.In this paper the inlet and outlet wastewater physico-chemical parameters were analysed during the retention period. The parameters studied were pH, BOD, COD, DO, Total Suspended Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Nitrogen and Phosphorus. The percentage removal of the parameters were analysed and studied until the percent removal rate gets stabilized.

It is my pleasure to inform readers about a new academic book titled Exploring the Connection between Science and Philosophy in Ecology. This work provides an overview of philosophical ecology. As a cutting-edge topic, it is highly relevant for both scientific and philosophical audiences.
The author has worked as a professional environmental scientist for over forty years. However, some readers have shown interest in understanding how the scientific community perceives philosophical ecology. Initially, I was hesitant to agree to write this book. Since then, I have been passionately studying philosophical ecology for more than six years (2019-2025).
This work (Book) aims to examine the complex issue of philosophical ecology from a purely scientific perspective, thereby presenting the results of engaging with classical ecological philosophy by systematically evaluating each argument in scientific terms. To achieve this goal, ten chapters that explore how scientific evidence either supports or challenges traditional ecological philosophies are as follows:

The paper reports on a preliminary survey of the forests on the southern slope of Bale Mountains, carried out in 1984. According to this study, five principal zones are recognized, albeit with some difficulty. The zones are chiefly based on floristic criteria: 1) A zone with a drier forest type, forming a transition zone to the Combretaceous woodland below the forest and characterized by two species of trees, Fiiicium decipiens and Warburgia ugandensis, occurring in mixed forest dominated by Podocarpus gracilior. It ranges from c. 1450 to between 1550 m and 1650 m and would in
Hedberg's classification be referred to as the lowermost part of the Montane Rain Forest Zone of the Montane Forest Belt. 2) A zone including the most humid and dense forest of the region, with very tall trees, of which Aningeria adolfi-friederici and Olea capensis subsp. welwitschii
may act as emergents. Ocotea kenyens·is characteristic here, as are a number of other species which are rare elsewhere in Ethiopia. It ranges from between 1550 m and 1650 m to between 2100 m and 2250 m and corresponds to the middle part of the Montane Rain Forest Zone of Hedberg's Montane Forest Belt. 3) An extensive, more open zone with
less complex stratification and with lower trees than in the previous zone. The most frequent are Schefflera abyssinica and Syzygium guineense subsp. afromontanum. Patches of bamboo thicket (Arundinaria alpina) are recorded from this zone which ranges from between 2100 m and 2250
m to c. 2 700 m and corresponds to the upper part of the Montane Rain Forest Zone of Hedberg ' s Montane Forest Belt. 4) An open to dense zone dominated by medium sized trees, espcially Hagenia abyssinica and Hypericum revolutum, but with patches where other species are also frequent . It ranges from c. 2700 m to c. 3200 m and corresponds to
Hedberg' s Hagenia Hypericum zone. 5) A zone with low forest or tall scrub which, however, has the physiognomy of forest, with trees up to 1 O m tall. The most frequent species is Erica arborea, but Discopodium penninervium and a few other species are also common. It ranges from c. 3200 m to c. 3500 m, but Erica arborea ascends higher as a low
shrub; it corresponds to part of Hedberg's Ericaceous Belt. The floristic boundaries on the Bale Mountains do not appear to be as well marked as in the East African mountains, and the physiognomy of the zones changes gradually from the lower to the upper Zimit of the forest. The comparison with East Africa is discussed and the general interest of the forest from the point of view of conservation is briefly mentioned.

Tree on the road side or out of forest have critical role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Present research work is focused on the importance of road side trees in ecosystem and biodiversity conservation for sustainable development. The present research was conducted in Chitrakoot, U.P.-M.P. Border, India from November to May. Fiftythree animal species, dependent on tree occurred in ten different tree ecosystems. The present investigation assists to distinguish why and how an individual tree play critical role in ecological conservation and sustainable development.

This study assessed the effects of tree species harvesting practices on Taraba state natural ecosystems, a case study of Karim Lamido local government area (LGA). The study identified tree species, explores harvesting reasons, methods, implications, and measures for control. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select four (4) districts. Using Solvin's formula, a sample size of 399 respondents was selected, and the administration of the structured questionnaire was done at random. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency, bar chart, likert scale and chi-square. A total of 33 tree species from 21 families were identified, with Prosopis africana recording the highest percentage (99.50%) and Strychnos spinosa recording the lowest (0.50%). 45.61% strongly agreed they harvest tree species for food. These species have experienced major alterations due to the growing demands for food, medicine, fuel, and fiber, which have been made worse by overharvesting. The Pearson Chi-Square has a value of 527.920a, while the number of valid cases was 1995, and the p-value was less than the critical p-value of 0.05 (P < 0.05), making it statistically significant at all levels. This implies that various harvesting reasons lead to demand for various tree species which in turn leads to a variety of unsustainable harvesting practices. The population of the study area have expressed interest in forest protection but remained unwilling to stop tree species harvesting. This necessitates the need to development and execute sustainable harvesting and forest management initiatives, such as awareness campaigns, afforestation, agroforestry and silvicultural practices.

Contemporary predictions about the environmental impacts of the crisis during the nineties in the Gulf region are necessarily based on hypothetical scenarios. They involve estimating the effects on all parts of Iraq's environment if the war had not occurred. Without action on changeable events, we must assume that the progression of these events will follow patterns observed in similar situations nearby. Therefore, the following paragraph summarizes the predictions made using this reasoning. Before explaining this logic, I will outline the basic steps taken to estimate these environmental impacts in hypothetical scenarios. However, even academic sources only offer this information as predictions. Since it is an ongoing process, and at this stage, these predictions are unlikely to reveal the truth until after the crisis (Okorodudu-Fubara, 1991). I will proceed step by step, showing both the secondhand , indirect data and the reasoning behind them, which can lead to a better understanding of the process. Various representations of army fields from standard libraries were used instead of specially drawn ones with smaller angular steps. Using the exact base representation, the invariance of military fields and the tanks' approximability at a sound level again enable their computation to be significantly faster than loading from a given file.

autores del documento agradecen a Raúl O'Ryan (del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo), a Juan Fernández, Álvaro Ríos, Darío Vargas y Carolina Ascui (del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente de Chile), por su apoyo en la obtención de información referente a los casos de estudio del documento. Se expresan especiales agradecimientos a las siguientes personas por sus comentarios, sugerencias y revisiones del documento: Felipe Livert-Aquino y Beatriz Valenzuela. De igual forma, se agradece a Roxana Hernández por la revisión final del texto. Las opiniones expresadas en este documento, que no ha sido sometido a revisión editorial, son de exclusiva responsabilidad de los autores y pueden no coincidir con las de la organización.

Sundarban is the largest productive contiguous mangrove forest in the world, located in the south-western part of Bangladesh. UNESCO declared three wildlife Sanctuaries of the Sundarban as 522 nd World Heritage Site in 1997. The unique and a house of diverse biodiversity of the Sundarban is not just a good to be conserved for its intrinsic value, but has a critical role in ecosystem processes that provide essential services to the country and the community living nearby. Species level traits were found to benefit a number of ecosystem services, with species abundance being particularly important for pest regulation, pollination and recreation, and species richness for timber production and freshwater fishing. It is also the hub of natural resources and beauties with several types of tourist destination which may be used as a potential tool for sustainable ecotourism promotion in future aiming one hand to protect the natural environment and cultural diversity, and on the other hand, generating a source of revenue for the local people without harming the nature. A new paradigm of management should look forward to considering climate change, ecological integrity, sustainable harvesting and ensuring continuity of the ecosystem services of the Sundarban. This paper, therefore, attempts to examine ecosystem services of the selected sites of the Sundarban in context of exploring their sustainable uses for both enhancing livelihood and promoting ecotourism.

Angesichts des Klimawandels wird der Wasserrückhalt in der Landschaft immer bedeutender: für den Hochwasserschutz, als Puffer während Trockenphasen, im Sinne der Grundwasserspeisung und Biodiversität. Natürlichen Gewässern mit ausreichend gross bemessenen Gewässerräumen kommt dabei entscheidende Bedeutung zu. Das Bild zeigt eine grossflächig wiedervernässte Bachaue (Projekt Biberaue Ferenbalm), die neben der wiederhergestellten Schwammwirkung auch Raum für die wertvolle Dynamik des Bibers bietet.

Due to anthropogenic pressures, Ethiopian Afromontane forests, particularly Lewi Mountain and Wetland, are threatened and require urgent restoration planning and implementation. However, there is a lack of scientific baseline information to provide efficient restoration planning and implementation. Thus, this scientific research is being conducted to evaluate the condition of the vegetation and soil properties, specific to environmental variability in the study area. The study area was stratified as a natural forest patch, plantation stands, and wetland, and transect lines were established at a distance of 200 m across the elevation. The 0.04-ha plots were established at transects with a distance of 200 m. The biophysical and environmental data were collected and analyzed at each plot using descriptive and inferential statistics. The vegetation and soil parameters of natural forest patches, slopes, aspects, and elevation gradients vary considerably (p 0.029). The natural forest patches, gentle slopes, lower elevations, and northeast-facing gradients had the largest species diversity (1.7-2.4) and carbon stock (1105.9 tons ha-1). At the natural forest patch, there was significant human and livestock disturbance (3) and sporadic vegetation cover (< 50%). Natural forest patches and plantation stands had the best textural proportion, organic carbon (2.5-2.63%), total nitrogen (0.22-0.23%), available phosphorus (27.9 ppm), and available potassium (11.3-12.9 ppm). The study discovered that the soil and vegetation state at Lewi Mountain and the wetland fluctuated in response to environmental changes, necessitating restoration design and implementation tailored to environmental variability. This data is critical as a foundation for local, national, and international ecological restoration agents.

The use of Traditional medicine in developed as well as developing countries as basis for the treatment of many ailments has been in existence for thousands of years and there is no doubt that their importance has been widely acknowledged. The present study points out the fact that, medicinal plants have continued to play vital roles in the Nigerian healthcare sector, although traditional medical practitioners have not been fully recognized. Findings from this study also showed that the government is yet to adequately contribute positively to the conservation and sustainable use of these flora species. In general, this paper examines previously published articles on medicinal plants in Nigeria, presents the uses of some of these plants as earlier reported, discusses the challenges facing their availability and argues for rational conservation methods to be employed on time.

Forests are crucial for climate change due to their significant capacity to act as carbon sinks. This study aimed to evaluate the carbon storage capacity of the Gantamie Natural Forest, which is in the Bure Zuria woreda in Northwestern Ethiopia. The study were employed systematic random sampling to collect field data across the study site. The main 20 m × 20 m plot was used for aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) measurements, while smaller 1 m × 1 m subplots provided soil and litter samples. Additionally, we utilized allometric models to estimate carbon stock across different carbon pools. The results showed that the mean carbon stock of AGC, BGC, LC, and SOC was 320.3t/ha, 64.1t/ ha, and 1.50t/ha and 40.4 t/ha, respectively. The study underscores the significance of precise carbon stock estimates and the role of allometric models in achieving this objective. Gantamie Natural Forest had 426.3 t/ha of total carbon and was sequestering 1563.3t/ha of CO2-equivalent. Using the linear regression equation y = a + bx, the regression study between NDVI readings and carbon stock produced a model equation of Y = 1048.6x + 43.192 with R2 = 0.7958. After a month, the index's correctness was confirmed, and a model equation of Y = 1071x + 32.844 with an R2 of 0.7863 was found. Gantamie Natural Forest has the potential to store significant amounts of carbon, with above-ground and soil organic carbon pools having the greatest potential for building up carbon stocks. These results offer valuable insights into carbon distribution across different pools, aiding the development of strategies for carbon stock management to mitigate climate change. Sustainable forest management and use will be crucial in minimizing the temperature rise, and further research should focus on quantifying dead wood, shrubs, and herbaceous carbon stock of Gantamie Natural Forest to have more comprehensive information and strengthen management systems.

Classic biological control of pest non-marine molluscs has a long history of disastrous outcomes, and despite claims to the contrary, few advances have been made to ensure that contemporary biocontrol efforts targeting molluscs are safe and effective. For more than half a century, malacologists have warned of the dangers in applying practices developed in the field of insect biological control, where biocontrol agents are often highly host-specific, to the use of generalist predators and parasites against non-marine mollusc pests. Unfortunately, many of the lessons that should have been learned from these failed biocontrol programs have not been rigorously applied to contemporary efforts. Here, we briefly review the failures of past non-marine mollusc biocontrol efforts in the Pacific islands and their adverse environmental impacts that continue to reverberate across ecosystems. We highlight the fact that none of these past programs has ever been demonstrated to be effective against...

Difficulties in scaling up theoretical and experimental results have raised controversy over the consequences of biodiversity loss for the functioning of natural ecosystems. Using a global survey of reef fish assemblages, we show that in contrast to previous theoretical and experimental studies, ecosystem functioning (as measured by standing biomass) scales in a nonsaturating manner with biodiversity (as measured by species and functional richness) in this ecosystem. Our field study also shows a significant and negative interaction between human population density and biodiversity on ecosystem functioning (i.e., for the same human density there were larger reductions in standing biomass at more diverse reefs). Human effects were found to be related to fishing, coastal development, and land use stressors, and currently affect over 75% of the world's coral reefs. Our results indicate that the consequences of biodiversity loss in coral reefs have been considerably underestimated based on existing knowledge and that reef fish assemblages, particularly the most diverse, are greatly vulnerable to the expansion and intensity of anthropogenic stressors in coastal areas.