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Avila ASP, Bottezini SR, Diniz D, Bueno C, Perez L, de la Escalera GM, Piccini C, Leonhardt A, Garcia-Rodriguez F, Weschenfelder J. The effect of fluvial avulsion on the Holocene chronostratigraphic record and the agricultural signal of the world's largest coastal lagoonal system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 942:173757. [PMID: 38851329 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
This study identified the occurrence of Holocene chronology hiatuses in the sedimentary record of the Patos-Mirim system caused by river avulsion processes, as well as evidence of sharp anthropogenic changes in the surrounding region of the lagoon water bodies. The presence of chronology hiatuses demonstrates the importance of considering the disturbance effect of paleo-drainage processes on the paleoenvironmental resolution and expression of the sedimentary record of such coastal plains. Anthropogenic activities especially those related to agriculture and forestry have increased significantly during the great acceleration, resulting in modifications of both the landscape and the environmental conditions of the lagoon bodies. Such impacts were clearly reflected in the sedimentary record where abrupt changes in palynological trends, sedimentary DNA, isotopic and granulometric analyses were inferred. The climatic conditions combined with regressive sea level can explain the chronology hiatuses. Pollen analyses demonstrated changes in the landscape, particularly indicated by the shift from Cyperaceae to Poaceae dominance after the 1960 CE. Therefore, all proxies together demonstrate the modification in the landscape and changes in the environment, clearly influenced by anthropogenic action from unsustainable agricultural practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S P Avila
- Centro de Estudos de Geologia Costeira e Oceânica, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - S R Bottezini
- Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - D Diniz
- Laboratório de Palinologia e Paloceoanografia, Departamento de Oceanografia e Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - C Bueno
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
| | - L Perez
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
| | - G Martínez de la Escalera
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Acuática, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Ambientales del Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - C Piccini
- Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana Acuática, Departamento de Microbiologia, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Ambientales del Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - A Leonhardt
- Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - F Garcia-Rodriguez
- Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, Brazil; Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay
| | - J Weschenfelder
- Centro de Estudos de Geologia Costeira e Oceânica, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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2
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Sayegh F. Leveraging emotional intelligence to foster proactive climate change adaptation: A study of engineering decision-making. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 365:121669. [PMID: 38968887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
The impacts of climate change and development present significant challenges and complexities that require new solutions, wise choices, and multi-disciplinary integration. In this context, emotional intelligence (EI) plays a crucial role. However, traditional engineering education and practice overlook the importance of understanding and managing emotions. This research aims to determine the impact of EI as a tool to enhance proactive decision-making and implement sustainable measures within the engineering profession.The study makes three main research contributions. First, it confirms a positive relationship between EI and proactive sustainable decision-making among engineers. This means that engineers with high EI are more likely to consider the impacts of their decisions on various stakeholders and dimensions of sustainability. Second, it suggests that EI can enhance creativity and innovative thinking in engineering, helping engineers to develop effective solutions for challenges related to climate change. Third, the study advocates for incorporating EI training and assessment into engineering curriculums to foster a sustainable and ethical engineering culture. By improving EI, engineers can enhance their interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and emotional management, which in turn can significantly improve teamwork in addressing challenges related to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Sayegh
- UCAM (Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia), Spain.
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3
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Wang G, Dong J, Han T, Liu C, Luo F, Yang H, He M, Tang G, Zhao N, Zhang Q, Xue G, Dodson J, Li Q, Yan H. Quantitative reconstruction of a single super rainstorm using daily resolved δ 18O of land snail shells. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:2281-2288. [PMID: 38724301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
A "once-in-a-millennium" super rainstorm battered Zhengzhou, central China, from 07/17/2021 to 07/22/2021 (named "7.20" Zhengzhou rainstorm). It killed 398 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. A pressing question is whether rainstorms of this intensity can be effectively documented by geological archives to understand better their historical variabilities beyond the range of meteorological data. Here, four land snail shells were collected from Zhengzhou, and weekly to daily resolved snail shell δ18O records from June to September of 2021 were obtained by gas-source mass spectrometry and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The daily resolved records show a dramatic negative shift between 06/18/2021 and 09/18/2021, which has been attributed to the "7.20" Zhengzhou rainstorm. Moreover, the measured amplitude of this shift is consistent with the theoretical value estimated from the flux balance model and instrumental data for the "7.20" Zhengzhou rainstorm. Our results suggest that the ultra-high resolution δ18O of land snail shells have the potential to reconstruct local synoptic scale rainstorms quantitatively, and thus fossil snail shells in sedimentary strata can be valuable material for investigating the historical variability of local rainstorms under different climate backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jibao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; National Observation and Research Station of Earth Critical Zone on the Loess Plateau of Shaanxi, Xi'an 710061, China.
| | - Tao Han
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Chengcheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Fan Luo
- Xi'an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Haotian Yang
- Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Miaohong He
- State Key Laboratory of Isotope Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Guoqiang Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Nanyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Earth System Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Gang Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - John Dodson
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Qiuli Li
- State Key Laboratory of Lithospheric Evolution, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710061, China; Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266061, China; Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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4
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Suding KN, Collins CG, Hallett LM, Larios L, Brigham LM, Dudney J, Farrer EC, Larson JE, Shackelford N, Spasojevic MJ. Biodiversity in changing environments: An external-driver internal-topology framework to guide intervention. Ecology 2024:e4322. [PMID: 39014865 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Accompanying the climate crisis is the more enigmatic biodiversity crisis. Rapid reorganization of biodiversity due to global environmental change has defied prediction and tested the basic tenets of conservation and restoration. Conceptual and practical innovation is needed to support decision making in the face of these unprecedented shifts. Critical questions include: How can we generalize biodiversity change at the community level? When are systems able to reorganize and maintain integrity, and when does abiotic change result in collapse or restructuring? How does this understanding provide a template to guide when and how to intervene in conservation and restoration? To this end, we frame changes in community organization as the modulation of external abiotic drivers on the internal topology of species interactions, using plant-plant interactions in terrestrial communities as a starting point. We then explore how this framing can help translate available data on species abundance and trait distributions to corresponding decisions in management. Given the expectation that community response and reorganization are highly complex, the external-driver internal-topology (EDIT) framework offers a way to capture general patterns of biodiversity that can help guide resilience and adaptation in changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine N Suding
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Courtney G Collins
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Biodiversity Research Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lauren M Hallett
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Biology and Environmental Studies Program, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - Loralee Larios
- Department of Botany & Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Laurel M Brigham
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Joan Dudney
- Environmental Studies Program, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Emily C Farrer
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Julie E Larson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon, USA
| | - Nancy Shackelford
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marko J Spasojevic
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California, USA
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5
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Peng J, Xu D, Xu Z, Tang H, Jiang H, Dong J, Liu Y. Ten key issues for ecological restoration of territorial space. Natl Sci Rev 2024; 11:nwae176. [PMID: 38883299 PMCID: PMC11173174 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwae176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study innovatively puts forward the three-stage restoration goals and cutting-edge key scientific issues of ecological restoration, as well as their relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Peng
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China
| | - Dongmei Xu
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, China
| | - Hui Tang
- Key Laboratory for Environmental and Urban Sciences, School of Urban Planning and Design, Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Technology Innovation Center for Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Utilization, Ministry of Natural Resources, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China
| | - Jianquan Dong
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, China
| | - Yanxu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, China
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6
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Ceolini E, Ridderinkhof KR, Ghosh A. Age-related behavioral resilience in smartphone touchscreen interaction dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2311865121. [PMID: 38861610 PMCID: PMC11194488 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311865121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
We experience a life that is full of ups and downs. The ability to bounce back after adverse life events such as the loss of a loved one or serious illness declines with age, and such isolated events can even trigger accelerated aging. How humans respond to common day-to-day perturbations is less clear. Here, we infer the aging status from smartphone behavior by using a decision tree regression model trained to accurately estimate the chronological age based on the dynamics of touchscreen interactions. Individuals (N = 280, 21 to 87 y of age) expressed smartphone behavior that appeared younger on certain days and older on other days through the observation period that lasted up to ~4 y. We captured the essence of these fluctuations by leveraging the mathematical concept of critical transitions and tipping points in complex systems. In most individuals, we find one or more alternative stable aging states separated by tipping points. The older the individual, the lower the resilience to forces that push the behavior across the tipping point into an older state. Traditional accounts of aging based on sparse longitudinal data spanning decades suggest a gradual behavioral decline with age. Taken together with our current results, we propose that the gradual age-related changes are interleaved with more complex dynamics at shorter timescales where the same individual may navigate distinct behavioral aging states from one day to the next. Real-world behavioral data modeled as a complex system can transform how we view and study aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enea Ceolini
- Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden2333 AK, The Netherlands
- QuantActions, Zurich8001, Switzerland
| | | | - Arko Ghosh
- Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden2333 AK, The Netherlands
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7
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Anderies JM, Folke C. Connecting human behaviour, meaning and nature. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220314. [PMID: 38643792 PMCID: PMC11033052 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Much of the discourse around climate change and the situation of diverse human societies and cultures in the Anthropocene focuses on responding to scientific understanding of the dynamics of the biosphere by adjusting existing institutional and organizational structures. Our emerging scientific understanding of human behaviour and the mechanisms that enable groups to achieve large-scale coordination and cooperation suggests that incrementally adjusting existing institutions and organizations will not be sufficient to confront current global-scale challenges. Specifically, the transaction costs of operating institutions to induce selfish rational actors to consider social welfare in their decision-making are too high. Rather, we highlight the importance of networks of shared stories that become real-imagined orders-that create context, meaning and shared purpose for framing decisions and guiding action. We explore imagined orders that have contributed to bringing global societies to where they are and propose elements of a science-informed imagined order essential to enabling societies to flourish in the Anthropocene biosphere. This article is part of the theme issue 'Bringing nature into decision-making'.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. M. Anderies
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change and School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - C. Folke
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics and the Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Enquist BJ, Erwin D, Savage V, Marquet PA. Scaling approaches and macroecology provide a foundation for assessing ecological resilience in the Anthropocene. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230010. [PMID: 38583479 PMCID: PMC10999275 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In the Anthropocene, intensifying ecological disturbances pose significant challenges to our predictive capabilities for ecosystem responses. Macroecology-which focuses on emergent statistical patterns in ecological systems-unveils consistent regularities in the organization of biodiversity and ecosystems. These regularities appear in terms of abundance, body size, geographical range, species interaction networks, or the flux of matter and energy. This paper argues for moving beyond qualitative resilience metaphors, such as the 'ball and cup', towards a more quantitative macroecological framework. We suggest a conceptual and theoretical basis for ecological resilience that integrates macroecology with a stochastic diffusion approximation constrained by principles of biological symmetry. This approach provides an alternative novel framework for studying ecological resilience in the Anthropocene. We demonstrate how our framework can effectively quantify the impacts of major disturbances and their extensive ecological ramifications. We further show how biological scaling insights can help quantify the consequences of major disturbances, emphasizing their cascading ecological impacts. The nature of these impacts prompts a re-evaluation of our understanding of resilience. Emphasis on regularities of ecological assemblages can help illuminate resilience dynamics and offer a novel basis to predict and manage the impacts of disturbance in the Anthropocene more efficiently. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ecological novelty and planetary stewardship: biodiversity dynamics in a transforming biosphere'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Enquist
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Arizona, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Doug Erwin
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
- Department of Paleobiology, MRC-121, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA
| | - Van Savage
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Department of Computational Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Pablo A. Marquet
- The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
- Instituto de Sistemas Complejos de Valparaíso (ISCV), CP 2340000 Valparaíso, Chile
- Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciemcias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, CP 8331150, Santiago, Chile
- Centro de Modelamiento Matemático (CMM), Universidad de Chile, International Research Laboratory, 2807, CNRS, CP 8370456 Santiago, Chile
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9
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Fisher J, Allen S, Yetman G, Pistolesi L. Assessing the influence of landscape conservation and protected areas on social wellbeing using random forest machine learning. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11357. [PMID: 38762670 PMCID: PMC11102467 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61924-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The urgency of interconnected social-ecological dilemmas such as rapid biodiversity loss, habitat loss and fragmentation, and the escalating climate crisis have led to increased calls for the protection of ecologically important areas of the planet. Protected areas (PA) are considered critical to address these dilemmas although growing divides in wellbeing can exacerbate conflict around PAs and undermine effectiveness. We investigate the influence of proximity to PAs on wellbeing outcomes. We develop a novel multi-dimensional index of wellbeing for households and across Africa and use Random Forest Machine Learning techniques to assess the importance score of households' proximity to protected areas on their wellbeing outcomes compared with the importance scores of an array of other social, environmental, and local and national governance factors. This study makes important contributions to the conservation literature, first by expanding the ways in which wellbeing is measured and operationalized, and second, by providing additional empirical support for recent evidence that proximity to PAs is an influential factor affecting observed wellbeing outcomes, albeit likely through different pathways than the current literature suggests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Fisher
- AC4, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Summer Allen
- AC4, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Greg Yetman
- CIESIN, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Linda Pistolesi
- CIESIN, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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10
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Forgács B. A medical language for climate discourse. FRONTIERS IN CLIMATE 2024; 6. [DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2024.1384753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Innovative communication theories propose that we understand messages not by decoding their meaning but by inferring what speakers intend to express. However scientifically accurate the messages climate scientists have put forward, the appropriate inferences may not have been drawn by most of their audiences. One of the main reasons may be that scientific metaphors allow for multiple interpretations, yet, because of their expressive power, they impact discourses disproportionately. Climate communication took a path of euphemistic scientific expressions partially due to the noble scientific norms of self-restraint and modesty, but the hidden implications of climate jargon distort the way non-experts think about the heating climate. Consequently, the current climate jargon hinders informed decisions about Earth’s life support systems. Changing the softened expressions of climate language, from the cool of basic research to the heat and compassion of medical contexts, may allow for more productive public and political debates – which may lead to more powerful policy solutions. Speaking and thinking in medical terms could turn the perception of worst case scenarios from hypotheticals or doomism to life-saving interventions. We typically start reducing fever before it gets out of control, let alone crosses a threshold of potential death. Instead of putting on a positivist mascara, a calm and serious discussion of safety measures in medical terms, for example, talking about climatic tipping cascades as metastases, could foster a more honest evaluation of the required legal and regulatory steps to keep our home planet habitable.
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Svenning JC, Buitenwerf R, Le Roux E. Trophic rewilding as a restoration approach under emerging novel biosphere conditions. Curr Biol 2024; 34:R435-R451. [PMID: 38714176 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Rewilding is a restoration approach that aims to promote self-regulating complex ecosystems by restoring non-human ecological processes while reducing human control and pressures. Rewilding is forward-looking in that it aims to enhance functionality for biodiversity, accepting and indeed promoting the dynamic nature of ecosystems, rather than fixating on static composition or structure. Rewilding is thus especially relevant in our epoch of increasingly novel biosphere conditions, driven by strong human-induced global change. Here, we explore this hypothesis in the context of trophic rewilding - the restoration of trophic complexity mediated by wild, large-bodied animals, known as 'megafauna'. This focus reflects the strong ecological impacts of large-bodied animals, their widespread loss during the last 50,000 years and their high diversity and ubiquity in the preceding 50 million years. Restoring abundant, diverse, wild-living megafauna is expected to promote vegetation heterogeneity, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling and biotic microhabitats. These are fundamental drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem function and are likely to gain importance for maintaining a biodiverse biosphere under increasingly novel ecological conditions. Non-native megafauna species may contribute to these effects as ecological surrogates of extinct species or by promoting ecological functionality within novel assemblages. Trophic rewilding has strong upscaling potential via population growth and expansion of wild fauna. It is likely to facilitate biotic adaptation to changing climatic conditions and resilience to ecosystem collapse, and to curb some negative impacts of globalization, notably the dominance of invasive alien plants. Finally, we discuss the complexities of realizing the biodiversity benefits that trophic rewilding offers under novel biosphere conditions in a heavily populated world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens-Christian Svenning
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Robert Buitenwerf
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Elizabeth Le Roux
- Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO), Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
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12
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Kraak VI, Aschemann-Witzel J. The Future of Plant-Based Diets: Aligning Healthy Marketplace Choices with Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainable Food Systems. Annu Rev Public Health 2024; 45:253-275. [PMID: 38772624 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-060722-032021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The future of plant-based diets is a complex public health issue inextricably linked to planetary health. Shifting the world's population to consume nutrient-rich, plant-based diets is among the most impactful strategies to transition to sustainable food systems to feed 10 billion people by 2050. This review summarizes how international expert bodies define sustainable diets and food systems and describes types of sustainable dietary patterns. It also explores how the type and proportion of plant- versus animal-source foods and alternative proteins relate to sustainable diets to reduce diet-related morbidity and mortality. Thereafter, we synthesize evidence for current challenges and actions needed to achieve plant-based sustainable dietary patterns using a conceptual framework with principles to promote human health, ecological health, social equity, and economic prosperity. We recommend strategies for governments, businesses, and civil society to encourage marketplace choices that lead to plant-rich sustainable diets within healthy, equitable, and resilient agroecological food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivica I Kraak
- Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA;
| | - Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
- MAPP Centre, Department of Management, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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13
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Bucht C, Bachner J, Spengler S. Environmental attitude and affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability of secondary school children in Germany and their associations with gender, age, school type, socio-economic status and time spent in nature. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296327. [PMID: 38691517 PMCID: PMC11062540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
There are warnings that human actions will lead to irreversible environmental damage if they continue at their current pace and scale. With regard to individual aspects, a pro-environmental attitude and positive affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability represent fundamentals for a more sustainable future. However, there is little data regarding these constructs and relevant explanatory factors, especially with regard to young people. We examined environmental attitude (two-dimensional: utilization and preservation) and affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability with regard to gender, age, socio-economic status, school type and time spent in nature in 484 adolescents (11-14 years) living in German cities by means of univariate and multiple regression analyses. Mean values were high in preservation and affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability, and relatively low in utilization. Female adolescents had higher values compared to male students in affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability. Age did not play a substantial role. Although being strongly correlated with each other, school type and socio-economic status each exhibited positive associations to environmental attitude and affective-motivational beliefs towards sustainability. Furthermore, multiple regression analyses identified time spent in nature as a significant predictor of incremental value, suggesting a tentative recommendation to spend at least half an hour per week in nature in order to promote positive attitudes towards the environment and sustainability. In sum, special needs for topic-related education seem to exist for male students, students with lower formal level of education, students with a lower socio-economic status and students who spend little time in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotta Bucht
- Didactics in Sport and Health, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Bachner
- Didactics in Sport and Health, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sarah Spengler
- Sports Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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14
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Lin Q, Zhang K, Giguet-Covex C, Arnaud F, McGowan S, Gielly L, Capo E, Huang S, Ficetola GF, Shen J, Dearing JA, Meadows ME. Transient social-ecological dynamics reveal signals of decoupling in a highly disturbed Anthropocene landscape. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321303121. [PMID: 38640342 PMCID: PMC11046650 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321303121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the transient dynamics of interlinked social-ecological systems (SES) is imperative for assessing sustainability in the Anthropocene. However, how to identify critical transitions in real-world SES remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we present an evolutionary framework to characterize these dynamics over an extended historical timeline. Our approach leverages multidecadal rates of change in socioeconomic data, paleoenvironmental, and cutting-edge sedimentary ancient DNA records from China's Yangtze River Delta, one of the most densely populated and intensively modified landscapes on Earth. Our analysis reveals two significant social-ecological transitions characterized by contrasting interactions and feedback spanning several centuries. Initially, the regional SES exhibited a loosely connected and ecologically sustainable regime. Nevertheless, starting in the 1950s, an increasingly interconnected regime emerged, ultimately resulting in the crossing of tipping points and an unprecedented acceleration in soil erosion, water eutrophication, and ecosystem degradation. Remarkably, the second transition occurring around the 2000s, featured a notable decoupling of socioeconomic development from ecoenvironmental degradation. This decoupling phenomenon signifies a more desirable reconfiguration of the regional SES, furnishing essential insights not only for the Yangtze River Basin but also for regions worldwide grappling with similar sustainability challenges. Our extensive multidecadal empirical investigation underscores the value of coevolutionary approaches in understanding and addressing social-ecological system dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Lin
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing210008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing210008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Charline Giguet-Covex
- Laboratoire Environnements, Dyamiques et Teritoires de la Montagne, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Chambéry73000, France
| | - Fabien Arnaud
- Laboratoire Environnements, Dyamiques et Teritoires de la Montagne, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Chambéry73000, France
| | - Suzanne McGowan
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen6708PB, Netherlands
| | - Ludovic Gielly
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, GrenobleF-38000, France
| | - Eric Capo
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, UmeåSE-90187, Sweden
| | - Shixin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing210008, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gentile Francesco Ficetola
- Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, GrenobleF-38000, France
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan20133, Italy
| | - Ji Shen
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - John A. Dearing
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, SouthamptonSO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael E. Meadows
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing210023, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Environmental & Geographical Science, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch7701, South Africa
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15
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Addison SL, Rúa MA, Smaill SJ, Singh BK, Wakelin SA. Partner or perish: tree microbiomes and climate change. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024:S1360-1385(24)00064-5. [PMID: 38641475 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the complex relationships between plants, their microbiomes, and environmental changes is crucial for improving growth and survival, especially for long-lived tree species. Trees, like other plants, maintain close associations with a multitude of microorganisms on and within their tissues, forming a 'holobiont'. However, a comprehensive framework for detailed tree-microbiome dynamics, and the implications for climate adaptation, is currently lacking. This review identifies gaps in the existing literature, emphasizing the need for more research to explore the coevolution of the holobiont and the full extent of climate change impact on tree growth and survival. Advancing our knowledge of plant-microbial interactions presents opportunities to enhance tree adaptability and mitigate adverse impacts of climate changes on trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Addison
- Scion, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand; Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales 2753, Australia.
| | - M A Rúa
- Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435-0001, USA
| | | | - B K Singh
- Western Sydney University, Richmond, New South Wales 2753, Australia
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16
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Klein SG, Roch C, Duarte CM. Systematic review of the uncertainty of coral reef futures under climate change. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2224. [PMID: 38472196 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46255-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change impact syntheses, such as those by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, consistently assert that limiting global warming to 1.5 °C is unlikely to safeguard most of the world's coral reefs. This prognosis is primarily based on a small subset of available models that apply similar 'excess heat' threshold methodologies. Our systematic review of 79 articles projecting coral reef responses to climate change revealed five main methods. 'Excess heat' models constituted one third (32%) of all studies but attracted a disproportionate share (68%) of citations in the field. Most methods relied on deterministic cause-and-effect rules rather than probabilistic relationships, impeding the field's ability to estimate uncertainty. To synthesize the available projections, we aimed to identify models with comparable outputs. However, divergent choices in model outputs and scenarios limited the analysis to a fraction of available studies. We found substantial discrepancies in the projected impacts, indicating that the subset of articles serving as a basis for climate change syntheses may project more severe consequences than other studies and methodologies. Drawing on insights from other fields, we propose methods to incorporate uncertainty into deterministic modeling approaches and propose a multi-model ensemble approach to generating probabilistic projections for coral reef futures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon G Klein
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Cassandra Roch
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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17
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Goldwert D, Dev AS, Broos HC, Broad K, Timpano KR. The impact of anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty on climate change distress, policy support, and pro-environmental behaviour. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 63:1-15. [PMID: 37787079 PMCID: PMC11168247 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As the threat of climate change continues to grow, bolstering individual-level support for climate change initiatives is crucial. More research is needed to better understand how individual difference factors, such as climate change anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty (IU), may shape how people perceive climate change and respond to climate change messaging. To date, the majority of published studies have not taken these individual difference factors into consideration, and IU has been particularly neglected in the climate change literature. This study examined the independent effects of climate change anxiety and IU on three climate change-related outcomes: climate-related distress, support for climate change policies, and behavioural engagement. METHODS Participants were Florida residents (N = 441) who completed an online survey, including measures of climate change anxiety and IU. Participants then watched a video describing climate change consequences and completed three outcome measures: post-video distress, climate change policy support, and behavioural engagement. RESULTS Controlling for demographic covariates, both climate change anxiety (β = .43, p < .001) and IU (β = .27, p < .001) were associated with greater post-video distress, but only IU independently predicted greater policy support (β = .10, p = .034) and behavioural engagement (β = .12, p = .017). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that IU may be an important factor in promoting pro-environmental behaviour and policy support, but climate change anxiety may increase emotional distress without boosting meaningful behaviours or support. Our findings highlight the potential influence of cognitive factors on climate change engagement and suggest that invoking uncertainty rather than anxiety may be more effective in catalysing effective environmental engagement.
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18
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Kilner CL, Carrell AA, Wieczynski DJ, Votzke S, DeWitt K, Yammine A, Shaw J, Pelletier DA, Weston DJ, Gibert JP. Temperature and CO 2 interactively drive shifts in the compositional and functional structure of peatland protist communities. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17203. [PMID: 38433341 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Microbes affect the global carbon cycle that influences climate change and are in turn influenced by environmental change. Here, we use data from a long-term whole-ecosystem warming experiment at a boreal peatland to answer how temperature and CO2 jointly influence communities of abundant, diverse, yet poorly understood, non-fungi microbial Eukaryotes (protists). These microbes influence ecosystem function directly through photosynthesis and respiration, and indirectly, through predation on decomposers (bacteria and fungi). Using a combination of high-throughput fluid imaging and 18S amplicon sequencing, we report large climate-induced, community-wide shifts in the community functional composition of these microbes (size, shape, and metabolism) that could alter overall function in peatlands. Importantly, we demonstrate a taxonomic convergence but a functional divergence in response to warming and elevated CO2 with most environmental responses being contingent on organismal size: warming effects on functional composition are reversed by elevated CO2 and amplified in larger microbes but not smaller ones. These findings show how the interactive effects of warming and rising CO2 levels could alter the structure and function of peatland microbial food webs-a fragile ecosystem that stores upwards of 25% of all terrestrial carbon and is increasingly threatened by human exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Kilner
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Alyssa A Carrell
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Samantha Votzke
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katrina DeWitt
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Andrea Yammine
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jonathan Shaw
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dale A Pelletier
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - David J Weston
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jean P Gibert
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Chen Y, Liu Y, Hu S, Wu D, Zhang M, Cheng Z. Exploration of a novel electrochemical CN coupling process: Urea synthesis from direct air carbon capture with nitrate wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169722. [PMID: 38163593 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Direct air capture (DAC) can be used to decrease the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, but this requires substantial energy consumption. If residual waste carbon (in the form of bicarbonate solution) from DAC can be directly reused, it might present a novel method for overcoming the aforementioned challenges. Electrochemical CN coupling methods for synthesizing urea have garnered considerable attention for waste carbon utilization, but the carbon source is high-purity CO2. No research has been conducted regarding the application of bicarbonate solution as the carbon source. This study proposes a proof-of-concept electrochemical CN coupling process for synthesizing urea using bicarbonate solution from DAC as the carbon source and nitrate from wastewater as the nitrogen source. These results confirmed the feasibility of synthesizing urea using a three-electrode system employing TF and CuInS2/TF as the working electrodes via potentiostatic electrolysis. Under the optimal conditions (initial pH 5.0 and applied potential of -1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl), the urea yield after 2 h of electrolysis reached 3017.2 μg h-1 mgcat.-1 and an average Faradaic efficiency of 19.6 %. The in-situ attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy indicated a gradual increase in the intensity of the -CONH bond signal on the surface of the CuInS2/TF electrode as the reaction progressed. This implied that this bond may be a key chemical group in this process. The density functional theory calculations demonstrated that *CONH was a pivotal intermediate during CN coupling, and a two-step CN coupling reaction path was proposed. *NH + *CO primarily transformed into *CONH, followed by the conversion reaction of *CONH + *NO to *NOCONH2. This study offers a groundbreaking approach for waste carbon utilization from DAC and holds the potential to furnish technical underpinnings for advancing electrochemical CN coupling methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, Sichuan, China.
| | - Shujie Hu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Di Wu
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Mengyue Zhang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Zhiliang Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China.
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20
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Ebrahimi Sarindizaj E, Khorsandi M. Letter to the Editor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169115. [PMID: 38065484 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
A paper recently published entitled "Water crisis in Iran: A system dynamics approach on water, energy, food, land, and climate (WEFLC) nexus" (Barati et al., 2023). In the mentioned study, a WEFLC model is developed to analyze the water scarcity in Iran. Water crisis, as a complex and challenging issue, has different interdependencies in the context of socio-ecological systems (SES), making it an incorrigible issue. The original paper attempted to assess the water resource dynamics through a systemic lens and explore the impact of various driving forces of water resource planning and management on the water crisis. Iran is a well-studied country, especially around water-related problems. Many interesting facts and findings through the water scarcity analysis in the context of WEFLC are mentioned in the original paper. For instance, it is highlighted that "Mitigation and adaptation policies must be system-oriented and coherent at sectors." However, the original paper did not benefit enough from the previous studies and the full potential of available data. Moreover, some arguments contradict previous findings and, in some cases, are logically flawed. The original paper barely alludes to the nonlinear functional relationships among the components of WEFLC, the core expected component in complex system analysis. Incorrect problem statement formation, flawed methodology, insufficient information on the applied method, ambiguity in models' coupling or cohesion, lack of rational explanation, and inappropriate interpretations of abnormal findings may even mislead many readers. This paper aims to point out some concerns related to the problems mentioned above in the published study, with suggestions to improve the current study and methodological notes for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mostafa Khorsandi
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 490, rue de la Couronne, Québec G1K 9A9, Canada.
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21
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Fan J, Wang Y, Cui K. Three-century climate variations recovered from Lake Heilongtan in southwest China and potential Anthropogenic evidences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169094. [PMID: 38056659 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Under increasing influences of human activities on earth surface system, the concept of Anthropocene has been proposed and widely investigated to represent such a human-dominated geological epoch. To acquire further details about the Anthropocene, investigations on high-resolution continuous records are essentially necessary, especially for regions under notable human impacts. Here, a continuous sediment record covering the past three centuries was collected from Lake Heilongtan, a closed basin lake located in the Hengduan Mountains, in southwest China. High-resolution sedimentary proxies were examined to reconstruct past climate and environment changes, including grain size distribution, geochemical element composition, and organic matter content. The results indicated that water levels were relatively higher under generally warm and wet conditions between 1717 and 1800 CE, while a decline in regional moisture after 1800 CE caused serious shrinkage of the lake level. Comparisons with regional paleoclimate records revealed that solar activity played a significant role in promoting climate variations in southwest China. After 1910 CE, the sedimentary proxies revealed an out-of-phase with regional climate changes, especially the progressive increase after 1950 CE. With the expansion of regional population, the intensified human activities have possibly affected the catchment erosion and sedimentation processes, accounting for the deviation from natural climate changes. Accordingly, the reconstructed sedimentation history in Lake Heilongtan experienced a possible transition from natural-driven to human-dominant status during the past three centuries, revealing potential evidence for the Anthropocene in southwest China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Fan
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 100048 Beijing, PR China
| | - Yongbo Wang
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 100048 Beijing, PR China.
| | - Kai Cui
- College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, 100048 Beijing, PR China
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22
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Wang R, Liu L, Tao Z, Wan B, Wang Y, Tang X, Li Y, Li X. Effect of urbanization and urban forests on water quality improvement in the Yangtze River Delta: A case study in Hangzhou, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119980. [PMID: 38176386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
In the context of rapid global urbanization, the sustainable development of ecosystems should be considered. Accordingly, the Planetary Boundaries theory posits that reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants entering bodies of water is necessary as excess levels may harm the aquatic environment and reduce in water quality. Thus, based on the long-term monitoring data of representative urban rivers in the Yangtze River Delta region, we evaluated the nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of water bodies in different urbanization stages and further quantified the effect of urban forests on water quality improvement. The results showed that, with the continuous progression of urbanization, the proportion of impervious surface area increased, along with the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in water bodies. The critical period of water quality deterioration in urban rivers occurred during the medium urbanization level when the proportion of impervious surface area reached 55-65 %, and the probability of an abrupt increase in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentration exceeded 95 %. However, increasing the area of urban forests during this period reduced TN pollution by 36.64 % and TP pollution by 49.03 %. The results of this study support the expansion of urban forests during the medium urbanization stage to improve water quality. Furthermore, our results provide a reference and theoretical basis for urban forest construction as a key aspect of the sustainable development of the urban ecosystem in the Yangtze River Delta and similar regions around world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongjia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Forest Aromatic Plants-based Healthcare Functions, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Lijuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Zhizhong Tao
- Anji County Bureau of Water Resources, Huzhou, 313300, PR China
| | - Bing Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Xiangyu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China; College of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, 311300, PR China.
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23
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Tu Z, Tang L, Abo-Raya MH, Sun M, Shen H, Wang Y. Cloning and characterization of heat shock transcription factor 1 and its functional role for Hsp70 production in the sea slug Onchidium reevesii. Gene 2024; 893:147945. [PMID: 38381511 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
To investigate the regulatory role of heat shock transcription factor 1 of sea slug Onchidium reevesii (OrHSF1) on Hsp70 expression in the sea slug under stress , the OrHSF1 gene was cloned and bioinformatics analysis was performed, then the gene and protein expressions by RNA interference (RNAi) mediated knockdown of OrHSF1 expression were measured to clarify the regulatory relationship between OrHSF1 and Hsp70 under low-frequency noise (LFN) stress. Our study was the first to clone a 1572 bp sequence of the OrHSF1 gene, with the sequence coding for amino acids (CDS) being 729 bp, encoding 243 amino acids. O. reevesii shared a close evolutionary relationship with mollusks such as the Aplysia californica. OrHSF1 gene is widely expressed in different tissues of sea slugs, with the highest expression in the intestine and the lowest in the reproductive glands. Furthermore, we used RNA interference (RNAi) as a tool to silence the OrHSF1 gene in the central nervous system (CNS) and the results indicated that gene silencing was occurring systematically in the CNS and the suppression of OrHSF1 expression by RNAi-mediated gene silencing altered the expression of Hsp70; besides, the expression trends of OrHSF1 gene and Hsp70 were consistent in the 3 and 5-day RNAi experiment. Moreover, in sea slugs injected with siHSF1 and exposed to LFN, the mRNA expression and protein expression of Hsp70 in the CNS were significantly decreased compared to the low-frequency noise group (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that OrHSF1 regulates Hsp70 expression in marine mollusks under low-frequency noise, and HSF1-Hsp70 axis plays a key role in stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihan Tu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Liusiqiao Tang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Mohamed H Abo-Raya
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Mengying Sun
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Heding Shen
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Youji Wang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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24
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Simoni MU, Drielsma JA, Ericsson M, Gunn AG, Heiberg S, Heldal TA, Nassar NT, Petavratzi E, Müller DB. Mass-Balance-Consistent Geological Stock Accounting: A New Approach toward Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:971-990. [PMID: 38166114 PMCID: PMC10795188 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Global resource extraction raises concerns about environmental pressures and the security of mineral supply. Strategies to address these concerns depend on robust information on natural resource endowments, and on suitable methods to monitor and model their changes over time. However, current mineral resources and reserves reporting and accounting workflows are poorly suited for addressing mineral depletion or answering questions about the long-term sustainable supply. Our integrative review finds that the lack of a robust theoretical concept and framework for mass-balance (MB)-consistent geological stock accounting hinders systematic industry-government data integration, resource governance, and strategy development. We evaluate the existing literature on geological stock accounting, identify shortcomings of current monitoring of mine production, and outline a conceptual framework for MB-consistent system integration based on material flow analysis (MFA). Our synthesis shows that recent developments in Earth observation, geoinformation management, and sustainability reporting act as catalysts that make MB-consistent geological stock accounting increasingly feasible. We propose first steps for its implementation and anticipate that our perspective as "resource realists" will facilitate the integration of geological and anthropogenic material systems, help secure future mineral supply, and support the global sustainability transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark U. Simoni
- Geological
Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7040 Trondheim, Norway
- Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, Industrial
Ecology Programme, Høgskoleringen
5, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Magnus Ericsson
- Luleå
University of Technology, Department of Business
Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Andrew G. Gunn
- British
Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Sigurd Heiberg
- Petronavit
AS, C/o Heiberg, Stokkahagen
23, 4022 Stavanger, Norway
| | - Tom A. Heldal
- Geological
Survey of Norway, Leiv Eirikssons vei 39, 7040 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Nedal T. Nassar
- U.S.
Geological Survey, National Mineral Information
Center, 12201 Sunrise
Valley Dr., MS 988, Reston, Virginia 20192, United States
| | - Evi Petavratzi
- British
Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel B. Müller
- Norwegian
University of Science and Technology, Industrial
Ecology Programme, Høgskoleringen
5, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
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25
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Groll L, Kelly JA, Inoue S. Reactivity of NHI-Stabilized Heavier Tetrylenes towards CO 2 and N 2 O. Chem Asian J 2024; 19:e202300941. [PMID: 37996985 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202300941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
A heteroleptic amino(imino)stannylene (TMS2 N)(It BuN)Sn: (TMS=trimethylsilyl, It Bu=C[(N-t Bu)CH]2 ) as well as two homoleptic NHI-stabilized tetrylenes, (It BuN)2 E: (NHI=N-heterocyclic imine, E=Ge, Sn) are presented. VT-NMR investigations of (It BuN)2 Sn: (2) reveal an equilibrium between the monomeric stannylene at room temperature and the dimeric form at -80 °C as well as in the solid state. Upon reaction of the homoleptic tetrylenes with CO2 , both compounds insert two equivalents of CO2 , however differing bonding modes can be observed. (It BuN)2 Sn: (2) inserts one equivalent of CO2 into each Sn-N bond, giving carbamato groups coordinated κ2 O,O' to the metal center. With (It BuN)2 Ge: (3), the Ge-N bonds stay intact upon activation, being bridged by one molecule of CO2 respectively, forming 4-membered rings. Furthermore, the reactivity of 2 towards N2 O was investigated, resulting in partial oxidation to form stannylene dimer [((It BuN)3 SnO)(It BuN)Sn:]2 (6).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Groll
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Silicon Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - John A Kelly
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Silicon Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Shigeyoshi Inoue
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Silicon Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
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26
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Hamilton R, Amano N, Bradshaw CJA, Saltré F, Patalano R, Penny D, Stevenson J, Wolfhagen J, Roberts P. Forest mosaics, not savanna corridors, dominated in Southeast Asia during the Last Glacial Maximum. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2311280120. [PMID: 38147645 PMCID: PMC10769823 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311280120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The dominant paradigm is that large tracts of Southeast Asia's lowland rainforests were replaced with a "savanna corridor" during the cooler, more seasonal climates of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (23,000 to 19,000 y ago). This interpretation has implications for understanding the resilience of Asia's tropical forests to projected climate change, implying a vulnerability to "savannization". A savanna corridor is also an important foundation for archaeological interpretations of how humans moved through and settled insular Southeast Asia and Australia. Yet an up-to-date, multiproxy, and empirical examination of the palaeoecological evidence for this corridor is lacking. We conducted qualitative and statistical analyses of 59 palaeoecological records across Southeast Asia to test the evidence for LGM savannization and clarify the relationships between methods, biogeography, and ecological change in the region from the start of Late Glacial Period (119,000 y ago) to the present. The pollen records typically show montane forest persistence during the LGM, while δ13C biomarker proxies indicate the expansion of C4-rich grasslands. We reconcile this discrepancy by hypothesizing the expansion of montane forest in the uplands and replacement of rainforest with seasonally dry tropical forest in the lowlands. We also find that smooth forest transitions between 34,000 and 2,000 y ago point to the capacity of Southeast Asia's ecosystems both to resist and recover from climate stressors, suggesting resilience to savannization. Finally, the timing of ecological change observed in our combined datasets indicates an 'early' onset of the LGM in Southeast Asia from ~30,000 y ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hamilton
- isoTROPIC Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
- School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2050, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong, NSW2522, Australia
| | - Noel Amano
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
| | - Corey J. A. Bradshaw
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong, NSW2522, Australia
- Global Ecology | Partuyarta Ngadluku Wardli Kuu, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
| | - Frédérik Saltré
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong, NSW2522, Australia
- Global Ecology | Partuyarta Ngadluku Wardli Kuu, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
| | - Robert Patalano
- isoTROPIC Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Bryant University, Smithfield, RI02917
| | - Dan Penny
- School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW2050, Australia
| | - Janelle Stevenson
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Wollongong, NSW2522, Australia
- School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT2601, Australia
| | - Jesse Wolfhagen
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN47907
| | - Patrick Roberts
- isoTROPIC Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
- Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, Jena07745, Germany
- School of Archaeology, University of the Philippines, Quezon City1101, The Philippines
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27
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Oerther S. Role of the School Nurse in Addressing Climate-Associated Illnesses of School-Age Children. NASN Sch Nurse 2024; 39:18-20. [PMID: 37553986 DOI: 10.1177/1942602x231190409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is associated with global health emergencies. School-age children are particularly susceptible to the health effects associated with climate change. School nurses are uniquely positioned to address children's climate-associated illnesses. This article is the first in a series of articles that aims to inform existing knowledge gaps, raise awareness among school nurses, and equip school nurses with the skills they need to protect the health of school-age children. This series of articles will briefly discuss different aspects of the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health diagram, which was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Oerther
- Assistant Professor, Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
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28
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Alberti M. Cities of the Anthropocene: urban sustainability in an eco-evolutionary perspective. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220264. [PMID: 37952615 PMCID: PMC10645089 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cities across the globe are driving systemic change in social and ecological systems by accelerating the rates of interactions and intensifying the links between human activities and Earth's ecosystems, thereby expanding the scale and influence of human activities on fundamental processes that sustain life. Increasing evidence shows that cities not only alter biodiversity, they change the genetic makeup of many populations, including animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms. Urban-driven rapid evolution in species traits might have significant effects on socially relevant ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, pollination, water and air purification and food production. Despite increasing evidence that cities are causing rapid evolutionary change, current urban sustainability strategies often overlook these dynamics. The dominant perspectives that guide these strategies are essentially static, focusing on preserving biodiversity in its present state or restoring it to pre-urban conditions. This paper provides a systemic overview of the socio-eco-evolutionary transition associated with global urbanization. Using examples of observed changes in species traits that play a significant role in maintaining ecosystem function and resilience, I propose that these evolutionary changes significantly impact urban sustainability. Incorporating an eco-evolutionary perspective into urban sustainability science and planning is crucial for effectively reimagining the cities of the Anthropocene. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Alberti
- Department of Urban Design and Planning, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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29
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Dorninger C, Menéndez LP, Caniglia G. Social-ecological niche construction for sustainability: understanding destructive processes and exploring regenerative potentials. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220431. [PMID: 37952625 PMCID: PMC10645119 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Through the exponential expansion of human activities, humanity has become the driving force of global environmental change. The consequent global sustainability crisis has been described as a result of a uniquely human form of adaptability and niche construction. In this paper, we introduce the concept of social-ecological niche construction focusing on biophysical interactions and outcomes. We use it to address destructive processes and to discuss potential regenerative ones as ways to overcome them. From a niche construction point of view, the increasing disconnections between human activities and environmental feedbacks appear as a success story in the history of human-nature coevolution because they enable humans to expand activities virtually without being limited by environmental constraints. However, it is still poorly understood how suppressed environmental feedbacks affect future generations and other species, or which lock-ins and self-destructive dynamics may unfold in the long-term. This is crucial as the observed escape from natural selection requires growing energy input and represents a temporal deferral rather than an actual liberation from material limitations. Relying on our proposal, we conclude that, instead of further taming nature, there is need to explore the potential of how to tame socio-metabolic growth and impact in niche construction processes. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Dorninger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstraße 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
- Institute of Social Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Schottenfeldgasse 29, Vienna 1070, Austria
| | - Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Department of Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Oxfordstraße 15, 53111 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Martinstraße 12, Klosterneuburg 3400, Austria
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30
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Søgaard Jørgensen P, Weinberger VP, Waring TM. Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220251. [PMID: 37952619 PMCID: PMC10645096 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
How did human societies evolve to become a major force of global change? What dynamics can lead societies on a trajectory of global sustainability? The astonishing growth in human population, economic activity and environmental impact has brought these questions to the fore. This theme issue pulls together a variety of traditions that seek to address these questions using different theories and methods. In this Introduction, we review and organize the major strands of work on how the Anthropocene evolved, how evolutionary dynamics are influencing sustainability efforts today, and what principles, strategies and capacities will be important to guide us towards global sustainability in the future. We present a set of synthetic insights and highlight frontiers for future research efforts which could contribute to a consolidated synthesis. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Søgaard Jørgensen
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Stockholm 10405, Sweden
- Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Stockholm 10405, Sweden
| | - Vanessa P. Weinberger
- Center for Resilience, Adaptation and Mitigation (CReAM), Universidad Mayor, Temuco, 4801043, Chile
| | - Timothy M. Waring
- Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, University of Maine Orono, ME 04473, USA
- School of Economics, University of Maine Orono, ME 04473, USA
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31
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Giammarese A, Brown J, Malik N. Reconfiguration of Amazon's connectivity in the climate system. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2024; 34:013134. [PMID: 38260937 DOI: 10.1063/5.0165861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
With the recent increase in deforestation, forest fires, and regional temperatures, the concerns around the rapid and complete collapse of the Amazon rainforest ecosystem have heightened. The thresholds of deforestation and the temperature increase required for such a catastrophic event are still uncertain. However, our analysis presented here shows that signatures of changing Amazon are already apparent in historical climate data sets. Here, we extend the methods of climate network analysis and apply them to study the temporal evolution of the connectivity between the Amazon rainforest and the global climate system. We observe that the Amazon rainforest is losing short-range connectivity and gaining more long-range connections, indicating shifts in regional-scale processes. Using embeddings inspired by manifold learning, we show that the Amazon connectivity patterns have undergone a fundamental shift in the 21st century. By investigating edge-based network metrics on similar regions to the Amazon, we see the changing properties of the Amazon are noticeable in comparison. Furthermore, we simulate diffusion and random walks on these networks and observe a faster spread of perturbations from the Amazon in recent decades. Our methodology innovations can act as a template for examining the spatiotemporal patterns of regional climate change and its impact on global climate using the toolbox of climate network analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Giammarese
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - Jacob Brown
- Department of Mathematics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, USA
| | - Nishant Malik
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
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32
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Carmona R, Reed G, Ford J, Thorsell S, Yon R, Carril F, Pickering K. Indigenous Peoples' rights in national climate governance: An analysis of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). AMBIO 2024; 53:138-155. [PMID: 37819439 PMCID: PMC10692065 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01922-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' contributions to climate governance by the international community has gradually increased, a rights-based approach in national climate action is still largely absent. This article analyses the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' rights in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. We conducted a content analysis of all NDCs submitted between 2016 and May 2022. Through a five-pronged framework of sustainable self-determination, we assessed how the NDCs recognise: i. Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders; ii. Indigenous jurisdiction over land; iii. Indigenous knowledge systems; iv. Indigenous Peoples' right to full and effective participation in climate governance; and v. the legacy of colonialism. NDCs with references related to Indigenous Peoples are increasing. However, questions remain regarding their sincerity and commitment to implementation. States must therefore make more significant efforts to ensure that the NDCs take a rights-based approach and contribute to strengthening Indigenous Peoples' role and say in climate governance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Carmona
- Department for the Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (CIGIDEN), Santiago, Chile.
| | - Graeme Reed
- Centre for Indigenous Knowledges, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - James Ford
- Priestley International Centre for Climate, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Stefan Thorsell
- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rocío Yon
- Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francisca Carril
- Center for Intercultural and Indigenous Research (CIIR), Santiago, Chile
| | - Kerrie Pickering
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, Brock University, St. Catharines, Canada
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33
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Søgaard Jørgensen P, Jansen REV, Avila Ortega DI, Wang-Erlandsson L, Donges JF, Österblom H, Olsson P, Nyström M, Lade SJ, Hahn T, Folke C, Peterson GD, Crépin AS. Evolution of the polycrisis: Anthropocene traps that challenge global sustainability. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220261. [PMID: 37952617 PMCID: PMC10645130 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Anthropocene is characterized by accelerating change and global challenges of increasing complexity. Inspired by what some have called a polycrisis, we explore whether the human trajectory of increasing complexity and influence on the Earth system could become a form of trap for humanity. Based on an adaptation of the evolutionary traps concept to a global human context, we present results from a participatory mapping. We identify 14 traps and categorize them as either global, technology or structural traps. An assessment reveals that 12 traps (86%) could be in an advanced phase of trapping with high risk of hard-to-reverse lock-ins and growing risks of negative impacts on human well-being. Ten traps (71%) currently see growing trends in their indicators. Revealing the systemic nature of the polycrisis, we assess that Anthropocene traps often interact reinforcingly (45% of pairwise interactions), and rarely in a dampening fashion (3%). We end by discussing capacities that will be important for navigating these systemic challenges in pursuit of global sustainability. Doing so, we introduce evolvability as a unifying concept for such research between the sustainability and evolutionary sciences. This article is part of the theme issue 'Evolution and sustainability: gathering the strands for an Anthropocene synthesis'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Søgaard Jørgensen
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raf E. V. Jansen
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel I. Avila Ortega
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lan Wang-Erlandsson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Member of the Leibnitz Association, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jonathan F. Donges
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Member of the Leibnitz Association, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Henrik Österblom
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Olsson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magnus Nyström
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Steven J. Lade
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Thomas Hahn
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl Folke
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere Programme, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Anthropocene Laboratory, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Garry D. Peterson
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne-Sophie Crépin
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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34
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Većkalov B, Zarzeczna N, McPhetres J, van Harreveld F, Rutjens BT. Psychological Distance to Science as a Predictor of Science Skepticism Across Domains. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2024; 50:18-37. [PMID: 36062322 PMCID: PMC10676051 DOI: 10.1177/01461672221118184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article presents and tests psychological distance to science (PSYDISC) as a domain-general predictor of science skepticism. Drawing on the concept of psychological distance, PSYDISC reflects the extent to which individuals perceive science as a tangible undertaking conducted by people similar to oneself (social), with effects in the here (spatial) and now (temporal), and as useful and applicable in the real world (hypothetical distance). In six studies (two preregistered; total N = 1,630) and two countries, we developed and established the factor structure and validity of a scale measuring PSYDISC. Crucially, higher PSYDISC predicted skepticism beyond established predictors, across science domains. A final study showed that PSYDISC shapes real-world behavior (COVID-19 vaccination uptake). This work thus provides a novel tool to predict science skepticism, as well as a construct that can help to further develop a unifying framework to understand science skepticism across domains.
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35
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Mahalik MK, Pal S, Le TH, Mishra S. Does environmental policy stringency improve nature's health in BRICS economies? Implications for sustainable development. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:509-528. [PMID: 38015395 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
In our groundbreaking exploration, we meticulously delve into the relationship between environmental policy stringency, international trade dynamics, and financial openness within the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) spanning from 1996 to 2021. With a focus on critical variables such as economic growth and technological innovation, our empirical findings challenge conventional wisdom. Surprisingly, we found that those stringent environmental policies, when standing alone, do not invariably lead to reduce CO2 emissions. Equally interesting is our startling discovery that the anticipated moderating influence of environmental policy stringency, catalyzed by trade and foreign direct investment, on the well-being of our environment does not materialize; contrarily, both trade and foreign direct investment moderating channels exhibit unanticipated positive correlations with CO2 emissions. These revelations provoke us with the presence of a "pollution haven" phenomenon within the BRICS economies. Furthermore, our investigation reveals that, when examined individually, trade and foreign direct investment also appear to contribute to elevated emission levels. These findings provide a resolute solution to our research quandary, underlining the indispensable requirement for cutting-edge and robust environmental policies. These policies must possess the prowess to effectively counteract the adverse environmental consequences stemming from the amalgamation of global trade and financial integration. In doing so, they shall propel BRICS nations toward a future firmly grounded in principles of sustainability and ecological integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mantu Kumar Mahalik
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Shreya Pal
- Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
- School of Business and Management, Christ University (Deemed to be University), 560029, Bengaluru, India
| | - Thai-Ha Le
- VinFuture Foundation, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- IPAG Business School, Paris, France.
| | - Sagarika Mishra
- School of Rural Management, XIM University, Bhubaneswar, India
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Essl F, García‐Rodríguez A, Lenzner B, Alexander JM, Capinha C, Gaüzère P, Guisan A, Kühn I, Lenoir J, Richardson DM, Rumpf SB, Svenning J, Thuiller W, Zurell D, Dullinger S. Potential sources of time lags in calibrating species distribution models. JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY 2024; 51:89-102. [PMID: 38515765 PMCID: PMC10952696 DOI: 10.1111/jbi.14726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The Anthropocene is characterized by a rapid pace of environmental change and is causing a multitude of biotic responses, including those that affect the spatial distribution of species. Lagged responses are frequent and species distributions and assemblages are consequently pushed into a disequilibrium state. How the characteristics of environmental change-for example, gradual 'press' disturbances such as rising temperatures due to climate change versus infrequent 'pulse' disturbances such as extreme events-affect the magnitude of responses and the relaxation times of biota has been insufficiently explored. It is also not well understood how widely used approaches to assess or project the responses of species to changing environmental conditions can deal with time lags. It, therefore, remains unclear to what extent time lags in species distributions are accounted for in biodiversity assessments, scenarios and models; this has ramifications for policymaking and conservation science alike. This perspective piece reflects on lagged species responses to environmental change and discusses the potential consequences for species distribution models (SDMs), the tools of choice in biodiversity modelling. We suggest ways to better account for time lags in calibrating these models and to reduce their leverage effects in projections for improved biodiversity science and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Essl
- Division of BioInvasions, Global Change & Macroecology, Department of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Adrián García‐Rodríguez
- Division of BioInvasions, Global Change & Macroecology, Department of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Bernd Lenzner
- Division of BioInvasions, Global Change & Macroecology, Department of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - César Capinha
- Centre of Geographical StudiesInstitute of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of LisbonLisboaPortugal
- Associate Laboratory TERRALisbonPortugal
| | - Pierre Gaüzère
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRSLECAGrenobleF‐38000France
| | | | - Ingolf Kühn
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZHalleGermany
- Martin Luther University Halle‐WittenbergHalleGermany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Jonathan Lenoir
- UMR CNRS 7058, Ecologie et Dynamique des Systèmes Anthropisés (EDYSAN)Université de Picardie Jules VerneAmiensFrance
| | - David M. Richardson
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Centre for Invasion BiologyStellenbosch UniversityStellenboschSouth Africa
- Department of Invasion EcologyCzech Academy of Sciences, Institute of BotanyPrůhoniceCzech Republic
| | - Sabine B. Rumpf
- Department of Environmental SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Jens‐Christian Svenning
- Department of Biology, Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) & Center for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE)Aarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Wilfried Thuiller
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRSLECAGrenobleF‐38000France
| | - Damaris Zurell
- Institute for Biochemistry and BiologyUniversity of PotsdamPotsdamGermany
| | - Stefan Dullinger
- Division of Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation, Department of Botany and Biodiversity ResearchUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
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Wang L, Wang E, Mao X, Benjamin W, Liu Y. Sustainable poverty alleviation through forests: Pathways and strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:167336. [PMID: 37748615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Forests are the most productive terrestrial ecosystems across the world. They can play both a direct and indirect role in global poverty alleviation through their social, economic and environmental functions. However, the potential of forests in poverty alleviation is underestimated to a great extent. Sustainability, the most essential advantage and characteristic of forests for poverty alleviation, has not been fully recognized. To that end, we propose the concept of sustainable poverty alleviation through forests (SPAF). This concept shifts the vision of poverty alleviation through forests from a narrow focus on subsistence and livelihood to a sustainable poverty alleviation that promotes all dimensions of human development. There is abundant evidence that forests can at least contribute to sustainable poverty alleviation through a synergy of seven pathways: subsistence materials, health, income, employment, women's empowerment, climate change mitigation and biodiversity, which are highly consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. SPAF also faces enormous implementation challenges, so a sustainable global strategy is urgently needed to provide direction for worldwide poverty alleviation at the crossroads of nature and humanity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Wang
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Enheng Wang
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuegang Mao
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Research and Development Center of Big Data for Ecosystem, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
| | - Watson Benjamin
- College of Foreign Languages, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
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Angeler DG, Smith E, Berk M, Ibáñez A, Eyre HA. Navigating the multiple dimensions of the creativity-mental disorder link: a Convergence Mental Health perspective. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 3:24. [PMID: 37971612 PMCID: PMC10654284 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-023-00051-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper discusses a paradox in mental health. It manifests as a relationship between adverse "bad" effects (suffering, clinical costs, loss of productivity) in individuals and populations and advantageous "good" aspects of mental disorders. These beneficial aspects (scientific, artistic and political accomplishments) emanate at the societal level through the frequently unprecedented creativity of people suffering from mental disorders and their relatives. Such gains can contribute to societal innovation and problem-solving. Especially in times of accelerated social-ecological change, approaches are needed that facilitate best-possible mental health care but also recognize creative ideas conducive to beneficial clinical and social-ecological innovations as soon as possible. DISCUSSION This paper emphasizes the need to account for creativity as a crucial component in evolving mental health systems and societies. It highlights the need for wide-ranging approaches and discusses how research targeting multiple facets (e.g., brain level, cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, socio-cultural, economic and other factors) might further our understanding of the creativity-mental disorder link and its importance for innovating mental health systems and societies. CONCLUSION Our discussion clarifies that considerable research will be needed to obtain a better understanding of how creativity associated with mental disorders may help to create more sustainable societies on a fast-changing planet through innovative ideas. Given the current-state-of-the-art of research and healthcare management, our discussion is currently speculative. However, it provides a basis for how pros and cons might be studied in the future through transdisciplinary research and collaborations across sectors of society.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 7050, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
- IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
- The Brain Capital Alliance, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Erin Smith
- Neuroscience-Inspired Policy Initiative, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the PRODEO Institute, Paris, France
- Global Brain Health Institute at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michael Berk
- Neuroscience-Inspired Policy Initiative, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the PRODEO Institute, Paris, France
- IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Orygen Youth Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Global Brain Health Institute at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Latin American Brain Health (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center (CNC), Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Harris A Eyre
- Neuroscience-Inspired Policy Initiative, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) and the PRODEO Institute, Paris, France
- Global Brain Health Institute at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
- Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- IMPACT, the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- The Brain Capital Alliance, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Mazzocchi F. We have never been apart: Rediscovering interdependence in order to address the great challenges of the 21st century. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57845. [PMID: 37781936 PMCID: PMC10626422 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding how we and all other agents on Earth interact and depend on each other may help to build a more sustainable and fairer society.
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Li H, Terrer C, Berdugo M, Maestre FT, Zhu Z, Peñuelas J, Yu K, Luo L, Gong JY, Ye JS. Nitrogen addition delays the emergence of an aridity-induced threshold for plant biomass. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad242. [PMID: 37900195 PMCID: PMC10600907 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Crossing certain aridity thresholds in global drylands can lead to abrupt decays of ecosystem attributes such as plant productivity, potentially causing land degradation and desertification. It is largely unknown, however, whether these thresholds can be altered by other key global change drivers known to affect the water-use efficiency and productivity of vegetation, such as elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N). Using >5000 empirical measurements of plant biomass, we showed that crossing an aridity (1-precipitation/potential evapotranspiration) threshold of ∼0.50, which marks the transition from dry sub-humid to semi-arid climates, led to abrupt declines in aboveground biomass (AGB) and progressive increases in root:shoot ratios, thus importantly affecting carbon stocks and their distribution. N addition significantly increased AGB and delayed the emergence of its aridity threshold from 0.49 to 0.55 (P < 0.05). By coupling remote sensing estimates of leaf area index with simulations from multiple models, we found that CO2 enrichment did not alter the observed aridity threshold. By 2100, and under the RCP 8.5 scenario, we forecast a 0.3% net increase in the global land area exceeding the aridity threshold detected under a scenario that includes N deposition, in comparison to a 2.9% net increase if the N effect is not considered. Our study thus indicates that N addition could mitigate to a great extent the negative impact of increasing aridity on plant biomass in drylands. These findings are critical for improving forecasts of abrupt vegetation changes in response to ongoing global environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - César Terrer
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Miguel Berdugo
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef,” Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, Spain
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF), Barcelona08003, Spain
| | - Fernando T Maestre
- Instituto Multidisciplinar para el Estudio del Medio “Ramón Margalef,” Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, Spain
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante 03690, Spain
| | - Zaichun Zhu
- School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Peking University, Shenzhen518055, China
| | - Josep Peñuelas
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Barcelona 08193, Spain
- CREAF, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Kailiang Yu
- High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Lin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Jie-Yu Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
| | - Jian-Sheng Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou730000, China
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Bellamy R. Public perceptions of climate tipping points. PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE (BRISTOL, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:1033-1047. [PMID: 37377214 PMCID: PMC10631267 DOI: 10.1177/09636625231177820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Coverage of climate tipping points has rapidly increased over the past 20 years. Despite this upsurge, there has been precious little research into how the public perceives these abrupt and/or irreversible large-scale risks. This article provides a nationally representative view on public perceptions of climate tipping points and possible societal responses to them (n = 1773). Developing a mixed-methods survey with cultural cognition theory, it shows that awareness among the British public is low. The public is doubtful about the future effectiveness of humanity's response to climate change in general, and significantly more doubtful about its response to tipping points specifically. Significantly more people with an egalitarian worldview judge tipping points likely to be crossed and to be a significant threat to humanity. All possible societal responses received strong support. The article ends by considering the prospects for 'cultural tipping elements' to tip support for climate policies across divergent cultural worldviews.
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Marcantonio R, Fuentes A. Environmental violence: a tool for planetary health research. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e859-e867. [PMID: 37821164 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00190-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
From climate change to toxic pollution and the interactive effects of multiple pollution streams, human health is under siege. Human-produced environmental risks to health and wellbeing are high and contributing to patterns of global morbidity, mortality, economic inequality, displacement, and insecurity. The implications of human-produced environmental harms to global health are complex just as are their causes. The concept of environmental violence offers a potentially robust frame for engaging this issue. We argue that a more specified and structured framework and definition of environmental violence-focusing on human-produced harms by way of pollution emissions-is both timely and beneficial for engaging the complexities of global public health. To clarify why and how this is the case, we review the literature for publications that use the term environmental violence and we subsequently propose a specific definition focused on human-produced pollution along with a framework for tracking and analysing environmental violence and its constituent components. Finally, we discuss the potential value of our framework for research and policy making regarding human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Marcantonio
- Department of Management and Organization, Environmental Change Initiative, and Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
| | - Agustín Fuentes
- Department of Anthropology and High Meadows Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Wen Y, Ye Q, Román-Palacios C, Liu H, Wu G. Physiological cold tolerance evolves faster than climatic niches in plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1257499. [PMID: 37746020 PMCID: PMC10515087 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1257499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how plants respond to thermal stress is central to predicting plant responses and community dynamics in natural ecosystems under projected scenarios of climate change. Although physiological tolerance is suggested to evolve slower than climatic niches, this comparison remains to be addressed in plants using a phylogenetic comparative approach. In this study, we compared i) the evolutionary rates of physiological tolerance to extreme temperatures with ii) the corresponding rates of climatic niche across three major vascular plant groups. We further accounted for the potential effects of hardening when examining the association between physiological and climatic niche rates. We found that physiological cold tolerance evolves faster than heat tolerance in all three groups. The coldest climatic-niche temperatures evolve faster than the warmest climatic-niche temperatures. Importantly, evolutionary rates of physiological cold tolerance were faster than rates of change in climatic niches. However, an inverse association between physiological cold tolerance and responding climatic niche for plants without hardening was detected. Our results indicated that plants may be sensitive to changes in warmer temperatures due to the slower evolutionary rates of heat tolerance. This pattern has deep implications for the framework that is being used to estimate climate-related extinctions over the upcoming century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Ye
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China
| | | | - Hui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guilin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Botany, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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Angeler DG, Heino J, Rubio-Ríos J, Casas JJ. Connecting distinct realms along multiple dimensions: A meta-ecosystem resilience perspective. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 889:164169. [PMID: 37196937 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Resilience research is central to confront the sustainability challenges to ecosystems and human societies in a rapidly changing world. Given that social-ecological problems span the entire Earth system, there is a critical need for resilience models that account for the connectivity across intricately linked ecosystems (i.e., freshwater, marine, terrestrial, atmosphere). We present a resilience perspective of meta-ecosystems that are connected through the flow of biota, matter and energy within and across aquatic and terrestrial realms, and the atmosphere. We demonstrate ecological resilience sensu Holling using aquatic-terrestrial linkages and riparian ecosystems more generally. A discussion of applications in riparian ecology and meta-ecosystem research (e.g., resilience quantification, panarchy, meta-ecosystem boundary delineations, spatial regime migration, including early warning indications) concludes the paper. Understanding meta-ecosystem resilience may have potential to support decision making for natural resource management (scenario planning, risk and vulnerability assessments).
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Angeler
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7050, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden; School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; The Brain Capital Alliance, San Francisco, CA, USA; IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jani Heino
- Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Juan Rubio-Ríos
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Andalusian Centre for the Evaluation and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), Almería, Spain
| | - J Jesús Casas
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain; Andalusian Centre for the Evaluation and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), Almería, Spain; Universitary Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, 18003 Granada, Spain
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45
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Schäfer RB, Jackson M, Juvigny-Khenafou N, Osakpolor SE, Posthuma L, Schneeweiss A, Spaak J, Vinebrooke R. Chemical Mixtures and Multiple Stressors: Same but Different? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1915-1936. [PMID: 37036219 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems are strongly influenced by multiple anthropogenic stressors, including a wide range of chemicals and their mixtures. Studies on the effects of multiple stressors have largely focussed on nonchemical stressors, whereas studies on chemical mixtures have largely ignored other stressors. However, both research areas face similar challenges and require similar tools and methods to predict the joint effects of chemicals or nonchemical stressors, and frameworks to integrate multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors are missing. We provide an overview of the research paradigms, tools, and methods commonly used in multiple stressor and chemical mixture research and discuss potential domains of cross-fertilization and joint challenges. First, we compare the general paradigms of ecotoxicology and (applied) ecology to explain the historical divide. Subsequently, we compare methods and approaches for the identification of interactions, stressor characterization, and designing experiments. We suggest that both multiple stressor and chemical mixture research are too focused on interactions and would benefit from integration regarding null model selection. Stressor characterization is typically more costly for chemical mixtures. While for chemical mixtures comprehensive classification systems at suborganismal level have been developed, recent classification systems for multiple stressors account for environmental context. Both research areas suffer from rather simplified experimental designs that focus on only a limited number of stressors, chemicals, and treatments. We discuss concepts that can guide more realistic designs capturing spatiotemporal stressor dynamics. We suggest that process-based and data-driven models are particularly promising to tackle the challenge of prediction of effects of chemical mixtures and nonchemical stressors on (meta-)communities and (meta-)food webs. We propose a framework to integrate the assessment of effects for multiple stressors and chemical mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1915-1936. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | | | - Noel Juvigny-Khenafou
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Stephen E Osakpolor
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Leo Posthuma
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Schneeweiss
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Jürg Spaak
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Rolf Vinebrooke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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O’Brien K, Carmona R, Gram-Hanssen I, Hochachka G, Sygna L, Rosenberg M. Fractal approaches to scaling transformations to sustainability. AMBIO 2023; 52:1448-1461. [PMID: 37204667 PMCID: PMC10406776 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01873-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Responses to sustainability challenges are not delivering results at the scale and speed called for by science, international agreements, and concerned citizens. Yet there is a tendency to underestimate the large-scale impacts of small-scale, local, and contextualized actions, and particularly the role of individuals in scaling transformations. Here, we explore a fractal approach to scaling sustainability transformations based on "universal values." Universal values are proposed as intrinsic characteristics that connect humans and nature in a coherent, acausal way. Drawing on the Three Spheres of Transformation framework, we consider how enacting universal values can generate fractal-like patterns of sustainability that repeat recursively across scales. Fractal approaches shift the focus from scaling through "things" (e.g., technologies, behaviors, projects) to scaling through a quality of agency based on values that apply to all. We discuss practical steps involved in fractal approaches to scaling transformations to sustainability, provide examples, and conclude with questions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen O’Brien
- Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo, Blindern, P.O. Box 1096, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Rosario Carmona
- Transformative Change Network at University of Oslo, Pedro Torres 460 apt. 405, 7790634 Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Gail Hochachka
- Forests and Communities in Transition (FACT) Lab, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Canada
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Bosson JB, Huss M, Cauvy-Fraunié S, Clément JC, Costes G, Fischer M, Poulenard J, Arthaud F. Future emergence of new ecosystems caused by glacial retreat. Nature 2023; 620:562-569. [PMID: 37587299 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06302-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Glacier shrinkage and the development of post-glacial ecosystems related to anthropogenic climate change are some of the fastest ongoing ecosystem shifts, with marked ecological and societal cascading consequences1-6. Yet, no complete spatial analysis exists, to our knowledge, to quantify or anticipate this important changeover7,8. Here we show that by 2100, the decline of all glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets may produce new terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems over an area ranging from the size of Nepal (149,000 ± 55,000 km2) to that of Finland (339,000 ± 99,000 km2). Our analysis shows that the loss of glacier area will range from 22 ± 8% to 51 ± 15%, depending on the climate scenario. In deglaciated areas, the emerging ecosystems will be characterized by extreme to mild ecological conditions, offering refuge for cold-adapted species or favouring primary productivity and generalist species. Exploring the future of glacierized areas highlights the importance of glaciers and emerging post-glacial ecosystems in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and freshwater scarcity. We find that less than half of glacial areas are located in protected areas. Echoing the recent United Nations resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation9 and the Global Biodiversity Framework10, we emphasize the need to urgently and simultaneously enhance climate-change mitigation and the in situ protection of these ecosystems to secure their existence, functioning and values.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Bosson
- Asters, Conservatory of Natural Areas of Haute-Savoie, Annecy, France.
| | - M Huss
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - S Cauvy-Fraunié
- INRAE, UR RIVERLY, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - J C Clément
- Université Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTEL, Thonon-les-Bains, France
| | - G Costes
- Asters, Conservatory of Natural Areas of Haute-Savoie, Annecy, France
| | - M Fischer
- Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - J Poulenard
- Laboratory Environnement Dynamique et Territoire de la Montagne (EDYTEM), Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Le Bourget-du-Lac, France
| | - F Arthaud
- Université Savoie Mont Blanc, INRAE, CARRTEL, Thonon-les-Bains, France
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Dasgupta S, Lall S, Wheeler D. Subways and CO 2 emissions: A global analysis with satellite data. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163691. [PMID: 37100143 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper estimates a global CO2 emissions model using satellite data at 25 km resolution. The model incorporates industrial sources (including power, steel, cement, and refineries), fires, and non-industrial population-related factors associated with household incomes and energy requirements. It also tests the impact of subways in the 192 cities where they operate. We find highly significant effects with the expected signs for all model variables, including subways. In a counterfactual exercise estimating CO2 emissions with and without subways, we find they have reduced population-related CO2 emissions by about 50 % for the 192 cities and about 11 % globally. Extending the analysis to future subways for other cities, we estimate the magnitude and social value of CO2 emissions reductions with conservative assumptions about population and income growth and a range of values for the social cost of carbon and investment costs. Even under pessimistic assumptions for these costs, we find that hundreds of cities realize a significant climate co-benefit, along with benefits from reduced traffic congestion and local air pollution, which have traditionally motivated subway construction. Under more moderate assumptions, we find that, on climate grounds alone, hundreds of cities realize high enough social rates of return to warrant subway construction.
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Rousseau DD, Bagniewski W, Lucarini V. A punctuated equilibrium analysis of the climate evolution of cenozoic exhibits a hierarchy of abrupt transitions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11290. [PMID: 37438407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38454-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Earth's climate has experienced numerous critical transitions during its history, which have often been accompanied by massive and rapid changes in the biosphere. Such transitions are evidenced in various proxy records covering different timescales. The goal is then to identify, date, characterize, and rank past critical transitions in terms of importance, thus possibly yielding a more thorough perspective on climatic history. To illustrate such an approach, which is inspired by the punctuated equilibrium perspective on the theory of evolution, we have analyzed 2 key high-resolution datasets: the CENOGRID marine compilation (past 66 Myr), and North Atlantic U1308 record (past 3.3 Myr). By combining recurrence analysis of the individual time series with a multivariate representation of the system based on the theory of the quasi-potential, we identify the key abrupt transitions associated with major regime changes that separate various clusters of climate variability. This allows interpreting the time-evolution of the system as a trajectory taking place in a dynamical landscape, whose multiscale features describe a hierarchy of metastable states and associated tipping points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis-Didier Rousseau
- Géosciences Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
- Institute of Physics-CSE, Division of Geochronology and Environmental Isotopes, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland.
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA.
| | - Witold Bagniewski
- Ecole Normale Supérieure-Paris Sciences et Lettres, Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Paris, France
| | - Valerio Lucarini
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- Centre for the Mathematics of Planet Earth, University of Reading, Reading, UK
- School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Merz JJ, Barnard P, Rees WE, Smith D, Maroni M, Rhodes CJ, Dederer JH, Bajaj N, Joy MK, Wiedmann T, Sutherland R. World scientists' warning: The behavioural crisis driving ecological overshoot. Sci Prog 2023; 106:368504231201372. [PMID: 37728669 PMCID: PMC10515534 DOI: 10.1177/00368504231201372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Previously, anthropogenic ecological overshoot has been identified as a fundamental cause of the myriad symptoms we see around the globe today from biodiversity loss and ocean acidification to the disturbing rise in novel entities and climate change. In the present paper, we have examined this more deeply, and explore the behavioural drivers of overshoot, providing evidence that overshoot is itself a symptom of a deeper, more subversive modern crisis of human behaviour. We work to name and frame this crisis as 'the Human Behavioural Crisis' and propose the crisis be recognised globally as a critical intervention point for tackling ecological overshoot. We demonstrate how current interventions are largely physical, resource intensive, slow-moving and focused on addressing the symptoms of ecological overshoot (such as climate change) rather than the distal cause (maladaptive behaviours). We argue that even in the best-case scenarios, symptom-level interventions are unlikely to avoid catastrophe or achieve more than ephemeral progress. We explore three drivers of the behavioural crisis in depth: economic growth; marketing; and pronatalism. These three drivers directly impact the three 'levers' of overshoot: consumption, waste and population. We demonstrate how the maladaptive behaviours of overshoot stemming from these three drivers have been catalysed and perpetuated by the intentional exploitation of previously adaptive human impulses. In the final sections of this paper, we propose an interdisciplinary emergency response to the behavioural crisis by, amongst other things, the shifting of social norms relating to reproduction, consumption and waste. We seek to highlight a critical disconnect that is an ongoing societal gulf in communication between those that know such as scientists working within limits to growth, and those members of the citizenry, largely influenced by social scientists and industry, that must act.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Merz
- Merz Institute, Whitianga, New Zealand
- Stable Planet Alliance, Calabasas, USA
| | - Phoebe Barnard
- Stable Planet Alliance, Calabasas, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- African Climate and Development Initiative and FitzPatrick Institute, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Julia H Dederer
- Merz Institute, Whitianga, New Zealand
- Stable Planet Alliance, Calabasas, USA
- Foundation for Climate Restoration, Los Altos, CA, USA
| | - Nandita Bajaj
- Stable Planet Alliance, Calabasas, USA
- Antioch University, Yellow Springs, OH, USA
- Population Balance, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Michael K Joy
- Merz Institute, Whitianga, New Zealand
- Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Wiedmann
- Sustainability Assessment Program, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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