Articles

Sources and dynamics of sedimentary organic matter in Sundarban mangrove estuary from Indo-Gangetic delta

Mangrove forests are highly productive ecosystems distributed along the tropical coast line. Nutrient biogeochemistry of mangroves are primarly driven by both allochthonous and autochthonous sources. Character...

Authors: M. Bala Krishna Prasad, Alok Kumar, A.L. Ramanathan and Dilip Kumar Datta

Tree species determine soil seed bank composition and its similarity with understory vegetation in a semi-arid African savanna

The presence of larger trees in semi-arid African savannas creates sub-habitats, which influences on herbaceous plant communities grown under their canopies differently from opened areas. Knowledge of seed ban...

Authors: Zewdu Kelkay Tessema, Belay Ejigu and Lisanework Nigatu

Influence of agriculture and aquaculture activities on the response of autotrophic picoplankton in Laguna Macapule, Gulf of California (Mexico)

The lagoon is a component of coastal zones, whose populations of autotrophic picoplankton (APP) remain largely unstudied. These lagoons display high-nutrient productivity and additionally may also be subjected...

Authors: Aída Martínez-López, Cristian Hakspiel-Segura, Diana Cecilia Escobedo-Urías and Bárbara González-Acosta

Potential influence of wildfire in modulating climate-induced forest redistribution in a central Rocky Mountain landscape

Climate change is expected to impose significant tension on the geographic distribution of tree species. Yet, tree species range shifts may be delayed by their long life spans, capacity to withstand long perio...

Authors: John L. Campbell and Douglas J. Shinneman

cffdrs: an R package for the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System

The Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS) is a globally known wildland fire risk assessment system, and two major components, the fire weather index system and the fire behavior prediction system,...

Authors: Xianli Wang, B. Mike Wotton, Alan S. Cantin, Marc-André Parisien, Kerry Anderson, Brett Moore and Mike D. Flannigan

Effect of Eucalyptus expansion on surface runoff in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Land use/land cover change can affect the ecological processes of an area such as hydrological cycle. The change in the condition of water resources of an area could be a good indicator of changes in ecosystem...

Authors: Daniel Jaleta, Boniface P. Mbilinyi, Henry F. Mahoo and Mulugeta Lemenih

Short-term prediction of NO₂ and NO _x concentrations using multilayer perceptron neural network: a case study of Tabriz, Iran

Due to the health effects caused by airborne pollutants in urban areas, forecasting of air quality parameters is one of the most important topics of air quality research. During recent years, statistical model...

Authors: Akbar Rahimi

Erratum to: Mechanisms on inhibition of photosynthesis in Kandelia obovata due to extreme cold events under climate change

Authors: Chunfang Zheng, Jianwu Tang, Jinong Chen, Weicheng Liu, Jianbiao Qiu, Xin Peng and Yong Ye

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community assembly in the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest

Here, we compare the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) community composition in soils from the root zone of the exotic invasive species Prosopis juliflora (EXO soils) and soils from the root zone of the native ...

Authors: Tancredo Augusto Feitosa de Souza and Helena Freitas

Social-ecological transformations of Inner Mongolia: a sustainability perspective

Sustainability requires the reconciling of human needs with the healthy natural ecosystem, which should be achieved within the grand course of industrialization and modernization. Systematic transitions on dem...

Authors: GuangHua Xu and JianGuo Wu

Modelling impacts of acid deposition and groundwater level on habitat quality and plant species diversity

We quantified the effects of the site factors pH and nitrate (NO₃) concentration in soil solution and groundwater level on the vegetation of terrestrial ecosystems for the Netherlands in response to changes in at...

Authors: J. Kros, J. P. Mol-Dijkstra, G. W. W. Wamelink, G. J. Reinds, A. van Hinsberg and W. de Vries

Flowering and seeding patterns in pure and mixed Nothofagus forests in Southern Patagonia

Variation in reproductive phenology among species is an important mechanism for maintaining species coexistence. In mixed forests, the impact of limiting (biotic and abiotic) factors on tree reproductive succe...

Authors: Mónica Toro Manríquez, Luciana Mestre, María Vanessa Lencinas, Álvaro Promis, Guillermo Martínez Pastur and Rosina Soler

Mechanisms on inhibition of photosynthesis in Kandelia obovata due to extreme cold events under climate change

Mangroves that grow at the latitudinal extremes of their distribution are susceptible to extreme cold events. Successive enhancement of low temperature stress (seLTS) is a typical characteristic of extreme col...

Authors: Chunfang Zheng, Jianwu Tang, Jinong Chen, Weicheng Liu, Jianbiao Qiu, Xin Peng and Yong Ye

Applications of structural equation modeling (SEM) in ecological studies: an updated review

This review was developed to introduce the essential components and variants of structural equation modeling (SEM), synthesize the common issues in SEM applications, and share our views on SEM’s future in ecol...

Authors: Yi Fan, Jiquan Chen, Gabriela Shirkey, Ranjeet John, Susie R. Wu, Hogeun Park and Changliang Shao

Perception and attitude of pastoralists on the use and conservation of rangeland resources in Afar Region, Ethiopia

Community perception plays a significant role in rangeland resource management. Traditional rangeland management practices by the pastoral communities are based on accumulated knowledge in connection to their ...

Authors: Minyahel Tilahun, Ayana Angassa, Aster Abebe and Alemayehu Mengistu

Effects of holistic grazing management on milk production, weight gain, and visitation to grazing areas by livestock and wildlife in Laikipia County, Kenya

Grazing is an important management tool for maintaining healthy ecosystems and improving rangelands productivity. However, its effectiveness for this purpose is dependent on timing and frequency of grazing, as...

Authors: Priscilla K. Lalampaa, Oliver V. Wasonga, Daniel I. Rubenstein and Jesse T. Njoka

Groundwater recharge rates and surface runoff response to land use and land cover changes in semi-arid environments

The effects of land use and land cover (LULC) on groundwater recharge and surface runoff and how these are affected by LULC changes are of interest for sustainable water resources management. However, there is...

Authors: S. O. Owuor, K. Butterbach-Bahl, A. C. Guzha, M. C. Rufino, D. E. Pelster, E. Díaz-Pinés and L. Breuer

Estimating farmers’ stated willingness to accept pay for ecosystem services: case of Lake Naivasha watershed Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme-Kenya

Lake Naivasha watershed is recognized for its contribution to Kenya’s national gross domestic product from the export of horticultural products. Commercial horticultural investment downstream depends mainly on...

Authors: J. M. Nyongesa, H. K. Bett, J. K. Lagat and O. I. Ayuya

Interlinking climate change with water-energy-food nexus and related ecosystem processes in California case studies

Global climate change creates critical challenges with increasing temperature, reducing snowpack, and changing precipitation for water, energy, and food, as well as ecosystem processes at regional scales. Ecos...

Authors: Qinqin Liu

Surface storm flow prediction on hillslopes based on topography and hydrologic connectivity

Hillslopes provide critical watershed ecosystem services such as soil erosion control and storm flow regulation through collecting, storing, and releasing rain water. During intense rainstorms, rainfall intens...

Authors: Dennis W. Hallema, Roger Moussa, Ge Sun and Steven G. McNulty

Land tenure and landscape change: a comparison of public-private lands in the southern High Plains

Long-term drought in the southern Great Plains increases the vulnerability of coupled human-environment systems at a variety of scales. Developing better understandings of the dynamics at regional scales will ...

Authors: Todd D. Fagin, Jacqueline M. Vadjunec, Nicole M. Colston, Kathyrn Wenger and Amy Graham

Initial response of fish trophic niche to hydrological alteration in the upstream of Three Gorges Dam

Damming is one of the dramatic impacts to river food webs due to habitat fragmentation and changes in the hydrological regimes. The world’s largest dam, the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), has been constructed in the ...

Authors: Jianzhu Wang, Lei Li, Jun Xu and Binhe Gu

Invasion by Conyza sumatrensis alters soil microbial community structure in urban ecosystems

Whether invasive plants stimulate or inhibit the soil microbial diversity is still an open question. Despite large-scale invasion by Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. Walker in the urban ecosystems of the Srinagar ci...

Authors: Nazima Rasool, Zafar A. Reshi, Damase P. Khasa, Mudasir Roshan and Manzoor A. Shah

Recovery of photosynthesis, sucrose metabolism, and proteolytic enzymes in Kandelia obovata from rare cold events in the northernmost mangrove, China

Understanding how mangroves respond to rare cold events has implications for both restoration and conservation under climate change scenarios. This study investigated the responses of photosynthesis and activi...

Authors: Chunfang Zheng, Yong Ye, Weicheng Liu, Jianwu Tang, Chengnian Zhang, Jianbiao Qiu and Jinong Chen

Differential responses of carbon and water vapor fluxes to climate among evergreen needleleaf forests in the USA

Understanding the differences in carbon and water vapor fluxes of spatially distributed evergreen needleleaf forests (ENFs) is crucial for accurately estimating regional or global carbon and water budgets and ...

Authors: Pradeep Wagle, Xiangming Xiao, Thomas E. Kolb, Beverly E. Law, Sonia Wharton, Russell K. Monson, Jiquan Chen, Peter D. Blanken, Kimberly A. Novick, Sabina Dore, Asko Noormets and Prasanna H. Gowda

Do green spaces affect the spatiotemporal changes of PM_2.5 in Nanjing?

Among the most dangerous pollutants is PM_2.5, which can directly pass through human lungs and move into the blood system. The use of nature-based solutions, such as increased vegetation cover in an urban landscap...

Authors: Jiquan Chen, Liuyan Zhu, Peilei Fan, Li Tian and Raffaele Lafortezza

Conversion of savanna rangelands to bush dominated landscape in Borana, Southern Ethiopia

Analyzing trends of land use systems and the changes occurred overtime is an effective way of assessing the impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) changes on ecosystem function. It provides important insights f...

Authors: Teshome Abate and Ayana Angassa

Analysis of socio-environmental impacts of the loss of urban trees and vegetation in Lahore, Pakistan: a review of public perception

This paper focused on the process of urbanization in Lahore and its correlation with the loss of urban vegetation and perceived environmental impacts based on local population’s perception through administrati...

Authors: Safdar Ali Shirazi and Jamil H. Kazmi

Eastern wild turkey nest site selection in two frequently burned pine savannas

Reproductive success is a critical factor affecting avian demographics and can be influenced by many factors including nesting chronology, predation risk, and fine-scale nest site selection.

Authors: Andrew R. Little, Nathan P. Nibbelink, Michael J. Chamberlain, L. Mike Conner and Robert J. Warren

Field curing methods and storage duration affect the quality of hay from six rangeland grass species in Kenya

Rangelands are important source of pasture for livestock in Kenya since time immemorial to pastoral households. However, seasonality on forage availability has been a big challenge in meeting animals’ feed req...

Authors: O. K. Koech, R. N. Kinuthia, G. N. Karuku, S. M. Mureithi and R. Wanjogu

Spatial distribution and source identification of heavy metal pollution in roadside surface soil: a study of Dhaka Aricha highway, Bangladesh

In this study, metal pollution and their sources in surface soils were evaluated by pollution indices and multivariate statistical techniques in association with a geographical information system (GIS).

Authors: Fahad Ahmed, A. N. M. Fakhruddin, M. D. Toufick Imam, Nasima Khan, Tanzir Ahmed Khan, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman and Abu Tareq Mohammad Abdullah

A methodological approach to urban land-use change modeling using infill development pattern—a case study in Tabriz, Iran

In recent years, models of land-use change and urban growth have become important tools for city planners, economists, ecologists, and resource managers. In most models, future land-use changes are forecasted ...

Authors: Akbar Rahimi

Application of the buffer theory for evaluating attenuation and natural remediation of ionic pollutants in aquatic ecosystems

The main focus in this review is showing how to use the developed buffer theory for assessing and predicting the long-term phenomena of attenuation and natural remediation of ionic pollutants in contaminated a...

Authors: Igor Povar and Oxana Spinu

Determination of Cu (II) ions using sodium salt of 4-phenylsemicarbazone 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid in natural and industrial environments

The copper content in natural waters usually range from 0.2 to 30 μg/L. The higher concentrations are habitually found in industrial effluents and other contaminated waters.

Authors: Oxana Zagurskaya-Sharaevskaya and Igor Povar

Monitoring and modeling of urban sprawl through remote sensing and GIS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is currently experiencing a large-scale urban transformation. This study explores a multi-buffer ring method to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban growth in the Kuala Lumpur me...

Authors: Mukesh Singh Boori, Maik Netzband, Komal Choudhary and Vít Voženílek

A review on dump slope stabilization by revegetation with reference to indigenous plant

The waste, subgrade ROM and fine dumps of iron ore mines are characterized by high rock fragment contents, low moisture retention capacity, higher bulk density, low nutrients, lower pH and elevated metal conce...

Authors: Vibhash Ranjan, Phalguni Sen, Dheeraj Kumar and Arjun Sarsawat

The invasion of Prosopis juliflora and Afar pastoral livelihoods in the Middle Awash area of Ethiopia

An evergreen shrub, Prosopis juliflora is one of the most invasive species in arid and semi-arid areas. Since its introduction to the Middle Awash area of Ethiopia, it has invaded a huge acreage of grass- and ran...

Authors: Zeraye H. Mehari

Effect of micropyle orientation on germination of Millettia ferruginea and Delonix regia

In order to solve the problems related to deforestation and meet the ever increasing demands of the growing population, conserving and wise utilization of the remaining forests and supporting it with additiona...

Authors: Tadele Zewdie and Kebede Welka

Impact of land use/land cover changes on ecosystem services in the Nenjiang River Basin, Northeast China

The Nenjiang River Basin is an important foodstuff base and eco-environmental fragile area in Northeast China. With the rapid rise in human population, human-induced changes in land use/land cover form an impo...

Authors: Zhiliang Wang, Zongming Wang, Bai Zhang, Chunyan Lu and Chunying Ren

Effects of exotic species Larix kaempferi on diversity and activity of soil microorganisms in Dalaoling National Forest Park

Soil microbial community plays a crucial role in the ecological processes of soil ecosystem. Forest species introduction often changes profoundly soil ecological processes in the forest. Larix kaempferi (Lam.) wa...

Authors: Fangqing Chen, Nina Song, Guohua Chen and Jianzhu Wang

Influence of land use/land cover on the water chemistry of Wular Lake in Kashmir Himalaya (India)

The impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) pattern on surface components of water are less well recognized, particularly in the Kashmir Himalaya. The paper highlights the relationship between LULC and water che...

Authors: Zahoor ul Hassan, Javaid Ahmad Shah, Tasawoor Ahmad Kanth and Ashok Kumar Pandit

Using agent-based modelling and landscape metrics to assess landscape fragmentation in Iskandar Malaysia

Special economic zones (SEZs) emerge as new forces driving Asian economic transformation and triggering rapid landscape fragmentation. It is imperative to map out the present and future spatial patterns of SEZ...

Authors: Aliyu Salisu Barau and Salman Qureshi

A cross-city molecular biogeographic investigation of arbuscular mycorrhizas in Conyza canadensis rhizosphere across native and non-native regions

The ecological processes underlying the suppressive impacts of invasive species on native species diversity, both above- and below-ground, in non-native regions are not well understood. We therefore aimed to i...

Authors: Manzoor A Shah, Marie-Eve Beaulieu, Zafar A Reshi, Salman Qureshi and Damase P Khasa

Many public urban parks, but who profits from them? The example of Tabriz, Iran

Public urban parks are accessible to everyone in a city. The time people need to reach a public park influences the accessibility of the park. Parks far away from home are less accessible because of time to sp...

Authors: Jürgen Breuste and Akbar Rahimi

Incorporating within- and between-patch resource selection in identification of critical habitat for brood-rearing greater sage-grouse

Incorporating information on animal behavior in resource-based predictive modeling (e.g., occurrence mapping) can elucidate the relationship between process and spatial pattern and depict habitat in terms of i...

Authors: Matthew R Dzialak, Chad V Olson, Stephen L Webb, Seth M Harju and Jeffrey B Winstead

Numerical computation of hurricane effects on historic coastal hydrology in Southern Florida

Numerical models are critical for assessing the effects of sea level rise (SLR), hurricanes, and storm surge on vegetation change in the Everglades National Park. The model must be capable of representing shor...

Authors: Eric D Swain, Dennis Krohn and Catherine A Langtimm

Effect of Cynodon dactylon community on the conservation and reinforcement of riparian shallow soil in the Three Gorges Reservoir area

Riparian vegetation plays a crucial role in soil conservation and riverbank reinforcement. The Three Gorges hydrologic project has significantly changed the pattern of water-level fluctuation and riparian envi...

Authors: Fangqing Chen, Jinxia Zhang, Miao Zhang and Jianzhu Wang

Studying the patterns of alien and native floras of some habitats in Srinagar city, Kashmir, India

Urban flora is an important component of human-dominated ecosystems that links urban dwellers with nature. This study aims at compiling and analysing the alien and native vascular plant species of some selecte...

Authors: Syed Mubashir Andrabi, Zafar Ahmad Reshi, Manzoor Ahmad Shah and Salman Qureshi

Urban-induced changes in tree leaf litter accelerate decomposition

The role of urban areas in the global carbon cycle has so far not been studied conclusively. Locally, urbanization might affect decomposition within urban boundaries. So far, only few studies have examined the...

Authors: Jens Dorendorf, Anja Wilken, Annette Eschenbach and Kai Jensen

Application and validation of a 3-D calcium, chloride, and sulfate model in Lake Okeechobee

The calibration, verification, and validation of calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), and sulfate (SO₄) module of the Lake Okeechobee Environment Model (LOEM) was completed. The integrated model could simulate Ca, Cl, an...

Authors: Kang-Ren Jin, Mark D Shafer and Zhen-Gang Ji