Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been applied in saline soil management due to its environmental sustainability. However, complex high-salinity conditions can affect microbial metabolism and hinder the precipitation of calcium carbonate. These conditions thus weaken the management performance of MICP. In this study, Sporosarcina pasteurii ( S. pasteurii) was domesticated by common salts found in saline soils (chlorides, sulfates, and carbonates) to improve the applicability of MICP for stabilizing coarse-grained saline soils. The mechanical properties, pore structure, and microstructure of the treated coarse-grained saline soils (chloride and sulfate) were characterized to evaluate the stabilization effect of MICP. The results show that the growth-limiting factors of S. pasteurii depend on the type of salt present. In chloride and sulfate environments, ion concentration is the main limiting factor. In carbonate environments, the increase in pH is the principal inhibitory factor. The salt-domesticated S. pasteurii (HSC) exhibited enhanced adaptation to saline conditions. After 14 treatment cycles, the unconfined compressive strengths of the chloride and sulfate saline soils reached 1.63 MPa and 0.92 MPa, respectively. MICP generates calcium carbonate cementitious within the voids between soil particles, thereby stabilizing the saline soils. The improvement in pore structure is especially pronounced for the chloride saline soil. Furthermore, the calcium carbonate produced by HSC in high-salinity coarse-grained saline soils not only provides binding and bridging functions but also forms an overlaying function that further enhances stability. Therefore, MICP is also suitable for high-salinity environments and can aid in the management of complex saline soils.

Invasive tree species may modify habitats to ensure their ecological success. We aimed to assess the impact of Prunus serotina, Quercus rubra, and Robinia pseudoacacia on litter mass and its carbon and nitrogen pools in temperate forests of Wielkopolska National Park. We predicted that P. serotina will reduce litter mass and litter element pools in poor habitats oppositely to fresh ones; Q. rubra will accumulate more litter than comparable broadleaved forests; while R. pseudoacacia will have no effect on studied features. For our study we used a set of study plots divided into nine types according to tree stand species composition and soil fertility. We measured the biometric characteristics of trees, the share of every species in total stand basal area, and then we calculated foliage production and used it as a base for leaf features community-weighted means (CWM) used in further calculations. We compared them with decomposition rates and litterfall assessed on sample plots. Using linear mixed-effects models we showed that forest type explains from 32.7% (litter mass) to 39.2% (litter N pool) of variability. P. serotina affected studied features according to our expectations, while Q. rubra and R. pseudoacacia had no statistically significant effects. PCA revealed a gradient of soil, litter, and foliage characteristics along the axis from broadleaf to poor conifers, which explains 53.7% of the variability. The studied invasive species affect litter accumulation and nutrient pools in temperate forests. They potentially improve habitat conditions, however, mainly for their ecological success. Their presence, at the expense of native species, threatens biological diversity.

This study evaluates and compares the effectiveness of three bioremediation strategies—biochar amendment, an organic–mineral fertilizer derived from sewage sludge, and vermiremediation using Eisenia fetida—in remediating petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils with challenging physicochemical characteristics. Two alkaline, clay-rich soils (pH 8.0–8.6) were subjected to six-month laboratory incubations, during which total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dehydrogenase activity (DHA), nutrient availability, heavy metal immobilization, and microbial responses were monitored. Among the tested treatments, the organic–mineral fertilizer (T1), synthesized from municipal sewage sludge, MgO, and H 2SO 4, demonstrated superior remediation performance. It achieved reductions of up to 64% in TPH and 59% in PAHs, enhanced microbial activity (as indicated by DHA), and shifted soil pH toward neutrality, thereby improving nutrient bioavailability (notably P, N, Mg, and S). Biochar (T2) showed limited hydrocarbon degradation but effectively immobilized heavy metals (e.g., Ba, Zn, Pb) and stabilized soil carbon. Vermiremediation (T3) improved DHA and nutrient distribution through bioturbation but was less consistent in hydrocarbon removal. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering, highlighted the organic–mineral fertilizer as the most comprehensive and effective treatment. These findings underscore the potential of integrated organo–mineral amendments for restoring hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, particularly in alkaline, fine-textured substrates, while promoting circular economy objectives through the valorization of sewage sludge.

Arid Patagonia is the southernmost desert in the world and hosts numerous endemic species. More than 90% of its surface area is desertified, thereby restoration practices emerge as an alternative to mitigate its effects. In the Lower Valley of Chubut River, as a consequence of the decrease in vegetation cover and increase in soil erosion, rainfall events generate runoff and sediment transport, discharging sediment into the river. These events disrupt the supply of purified water to urban areas and affect agricultural economic activities. Since orthopterans are abundant insects and antecedents highlight their sensitivity to environmental changes, the objective of this study was to assess the potential of orthopteran species assemblages as bioindicators of the success of environmental restoration activities in northeastern Patagonia. Subsoiler plowing was implemented to improve environmental conditions and reduce sediment input. Using a BACI design and carrying out sampling during four years (one before and three after intervention), assemblages were analyzed by multivariate and univariate methods. Different orthopteran species assemblages between treated and control sites confirmed the treatment effectiveness. Treated sites showed better soil moisture conditions and more greenness vegetation. In these sites orthopterans were more abundant, especially Miogryllus patagonicus (Cadena-Castañeda, Castelli and Cheli). Instead, in control sites where vegetation was senescent, Microgryllus pallipes (Philippi) was more abundant. This is the first study that identify orthopteran species assemblages as useful bioindicators of restoration in South America, highlighting the ecological relevance of epigeal entomofauna. Furthermore, our results provide new tools that could improve conservation practices for Patagonian ecosystems.

Understanding how land use affects regional carbon budget is essential for low-carbon planning. However, the role of land use optimization strategies on future carbon budget management still lacks systematic assessment, and few have quantified the broader costs of low-carbon land use. Taking the eastern Chinese city of Xuzhou as a case study, we developed five different scenarios—natural development (ND), economic development (ED), food security (FS), ecological protection (EP), and low-carbon development (LCD)—and employed the Mathematical Programming and Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) to optimize and simulate land use for 2035. Subsequently, we evaluated the impacts of five land use optimization strategies on carbon budget, while also exploring the potential trade-offs related to economy, grain, and ecology under the LCD scenario. Results indicate that while spatial layouts remain similar across scenarios, quantitative differences exist, particularly in built-up land (ranging from 2,998 to 3,583 km 2). Compared to the ND scenario, net carbon emissions (NCE) are forecast to change in the ED, FS, and EP scenarios by 14.72, -3.39, -0.35, and -4.88 million tonnes, respectively. As a resource-dependent, industrial, and agricultural hub, Xuzhou would be confronted by a significant carbon budget deficit. While the LCD scenario shows a potential for carbon reduction, it may result in a 13.45% GDP reduction compared to the ED scenario and a 1.4% grain yield reduction compared to the FS scenario. This study unravels the influence of land use optimization on future carbon budget, providing valuable insights to support land use planning and carbon mitigation.

Abuse of resources has direct and indirect effect on improving Agriculture such as caused serious obstacles for development. Meanwhile, water and energy have multiple effects in agricultural development and their optimal use is the central strategy of agricultural and rural development. The aim of this study was to study of Optimization Strategies for Optimizing Water and Energy Consumption to Achieve Sustainable Agriculture in the Miandarband plain (West of Iran), which was done using a qualitative approach. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews and field notes were used to collect information. The content analysis of the interviews performed with using three stages of open, axial and selective coding. Results showed that the strategies for optimizing water and energy consumption in the agricultural sector includes: managerial solutions, strengthening political-regulatory systems, technology development, attention to social issues, upgrade of educational-cultural programs, economic decisions and law reform. The strategies related to each other and in order to achieve sustainable agriculture that a systemic vision must be considered between them. Results showed that to achieve optimize the consumption of inputs and achieve agricultural sustainability, it is necessary to avoid hurried and temporary actions and focus on fundamental solutions. By understanding the underlying factors that influence water and energy balance in Agriculture, policymakers and stakeholders can develop targeted interventions to encourage sustainable water and energy management practices. This study contributes to the ongoing global efforts to address water scarcity and lays the groundwork for future research and policy development in the field of water and energy resource management.

Soil resistance and load-bearing capacity are mainly influenced by the soil’s clay content, climatic conditions, and the type of machinery used. The risk of soil compaction is therefore dynamic, varying across time and space. This study mapped the spatial-temporal dynamics of compaction risk in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil, with the aim of identifying areas susceptible to compaction and improving forest harvest planning. The analysis used data on clay content for the 0 to 0.40 m layer, from 671 pedological profiles, maps with scale of 1:20,000, and average bi-weekly rainfall from 2010 to 2021, obtained from 18 weather stations, covering an area of 10,078 km 2. Six distinct periods of compaction risk were identified. Forest harvesting restriction, due to soil high risk of compaction, should affecting between 11.9% and 31.6% of the area, over one third of the year, from the second half of April to July. During this period, up to 27.4% of the study area was at moderate risk, while at list 56.9% showed low risk. The most favorable period for harvesting is between the second half of September and the first half of March, when the risk of soil compaction is low across the entire study area. Two transition periods were also identified between seasons (March to April and August to September), with 37.2% of the area at moderate risk. The developed maps provide essential knowledge for a sustainable forest harvesting planning, promoting a better soil management.

Soil contamination by heavy metals has become a significant issue threatening the ecological security of global agriculture, particularly in arid regions, where accurate monitoring of low-concentration heavy metals remains a technical challenge. This study proposes a proximal sensing method based on the fusion of visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) sensors, aiming to address the limitations of traditional single sensors in predicting low-concentration heavy metals in arid farmland areas. Using 116 farmland soil samples from the Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County in Xinjiang, the study systematically evaluates the modeling effects of 225 spectral preprocessing combinations on predicting four heavy metals: arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd). The study found that Vis-NIR spectroscopy outperforms pXRF in predicting low-concentration heavy metals, and after data fusion, Vis-NIR with 1.75-order differential preprocessing achieved the best prediction performance. On the other hand, pXRF is not suitable for fractional order differentiation (FOD) preprocessing. The model accuracy was significantly improved by employing differentiated spectral preprocessing combinations, particularly for As, with an R 2 of 0.72, LCCC of 0.76, and RPIQ of 3.27. Furthermore, the analysis of critical characteristic bands revealed that the characteristic bands of As, Pb and Cu are mainly concentrated in the low-energy region (5-16 keV) of pXRF, providing an essential spectral basis for heavy metal feature extraction. This study innovatively proposes differentiated preprocessing strategies and highlights the critical role of pXRF low-energy region spectra in heavy metal prediction. The research provides a scientific basis for heavy metal monitoring and ecological risk assessment of farmland in arid areas, which has significant practical value, contributing to improved environmental quality and the safety of agricultural products.

Hyperspectral technology has received great attention for estimating aboveground plant biomass. Corrections using ground spectrometer data have been proposed for more accurate integrated assessments of aboveground plant biomass. In this study, we sampled the aboveground plant biomass and the corresponding hyperspectral data from three types of alpine grassland ecosystems (alpine desert, alpine steppe, and alpine meadow) from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to improve the biomass estimation accuracy. We used partial least squares regression and the vegetation indices (VIs) (using all two-band combinations (601*601combinations in all) involving 601 narrow bands between 400nm and 1000nm), and the optimal band combinations were used to calculate four most commonly used VIs. We found that the VIs are better than the least square method for alpine meadow, and that the most effective combinations were shown in the combinations of reflectance at the red edge (rather than red) and near-infrared bands(728nm,764nm). For alpine steppe and alpine desert, however, partial least squares regression is better than VIs. While the most important band for alpine steppe is between 600nm and 700nm in the red spectrum, the most important band for alpine desert is around 400nm. Our results can provide a theoretical basis for accurately estimating the aboveground plant biomass of different grassland types in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau.

Water-use efficiency (WUE) and the stoichiometry of plant-soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) are key indicators of plant growth, while stand quality is an important index for evaluating afforestation. Yet it remains unclear how WUE and stoichiometric characteristics respond to changes in stand quality in desert ecosystems. To that end, we studied the community characteristics of sand-fixing Caragana korshinskii stands differing in age (planted 10, 30, 50, and 70 years ago) in Mu Us Sandy Land, China, and measured their leaf water use efficiency (WUE) and leaf-soil C:N:P stoichiometry. The relations among the stand quality index, leaf WUE, and plant-soil stoichiometry were analyzed. After 70 years, WUE was at its lowest level, but only significantly lower than that of a 10-year-old C. korshinskii stand. Afforestation years had differential effects on C, N, and P nutrients and their stoichiometric characteristics in leaves and soil. For soil, its total P barely increased. Irrespective of stand age, the N:P ratio of leaves was > 16, which suggests P is the main factor limiting the development of C. korshinskii plantations. Notably, WUE decreased significantly as the stand quality index increased while soil stoichiometry responded more strongly than plant stoichiometry. These results can guide investigations into the role of C. korshinskii stands in plant and soil recovery effects, providing a scientific basis to evaluate the rational use of C. korshinskii sand-fixing forest in afforestation.

Soil, vital for human life, faces threats like erosion, floods, organic matter loss, salinisation, contamination, compaction, sealing, and biodiversity loss. Soil cover, especially through crops, combats erosion and enhances structure. The IN-GEST SOIL project, focused on mitigating soil erosion and enhancing soil and vine quality in Piedmont vineyards (NW Italy), conducted a study exploring the perceptions and behaviors of winegrowers in this Italian region. Adopting a mixed-methods research approach, the study included a questionnaire administered to 72 winegrowers, with 22 participating in subsequent focus groups, to investigate the perceived causes of soil erosion and adoption of potential preventive measures. The results showed that most participants were aware of soil degradation phenomena in their vineyards. Grass cover was adopted as a soil management practice, even though much information about soil degradation risks and related solutions is necessary, especially knowledge and indication on how to correctly use management practices and technical solutions that can contribute to soil conservation, to avoid a misuse that may results, on the contrary, in increased soil degradation. Even though some differences in perceptions emerged based on vineyards’ characteristics, the present study highlighted the need to encourage the adoption of soil protection practices and technologies, spread access to economic support, and help winegrowers’ transition toward a more sustainable farming paradigm. In addition to the findings related to the objectives, this study demonstrated the usefulness of a mixed methods research approach, which is uniquely capable of providing both extensive and statistically relevant information and intensive, narrative insights.

The Green Revolution, which entails the use of pesticides, fertilisers, and other agrochemicals, has greatly increased worldwide food production in the last sixty years. Nevertheless, this heightened efficiency has resulted in adverse consequences, including environmental deterioration such as water and land pollution. Land degradation, resulting from both natural phenomena and human actions, has a significant impact on a considerable area of the Earth’s land and affects billions of individuals globally. The annual economic cost of land degradation exceeds $300 billion, resulting from a variety of causes such as insufficient land management and the pressures of population increase. Anthropogenic factors such as deforestation, intensified agriculture, and population growth worsen soil degradation, jeopardising essential ecosystem services and endangering food security. Simultaneously, the increasing release of greenhouse gases and the resulting climate change pose a significant threat to the long-term viability of agriculture. It is imperative to take immediate action to reduce their impact. Given the importance of soil health in sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation, conservation agriculture (CA) is seen as a possible option. Conservation agriculture approaches promote soil health, lower cultivation expenses, and decrease land degradation by minimising soil disturbance, boosting soil organic matter, and stimulating biological activity. Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) initiatives, which are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15, provide a structure for achieving a balance between land restoration and degradation. These initiatives highlight the significance of implementing sustainable land management methods. This review compiles up-to-date research on conservation measures that promote Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and examines their implications for ecosystem services and policy interventions. The assessment emphasises the importance of sustainable land management and stresses the necessity of collective actions to tackle land degradation concerns and ensure agricultural sustainability in response to increasing environmental risks.

Land use land cover change is the main factor which contributed to biodiversity loss, and has affected negatively human wellbeing. Understanding this phenomenon is important in Riverine area of Pendjari Reserve which has been affected by anthropic disturbance for century years, and is, nowadays, one of the most significantly biodiversity hotspots in the West Africa. This study aims to (i) assess the trends of land use land cover change from 1998 to 2020; (ii) predict the future of land use land cover change for 2035 and 2050. Landsat images were used to determine LULC dynamics for the years 1998, 2007, 2013 and 2020 using Random Forest classification in ArcGIS software while the predicted LULC of 2035 and 2050 were simulated using Terset 18.21. The results indicated significant changes in LULC patterns. The wooded savannah decreased by 4.7 %, 8 % and 11.5 % respectively during 1998-2007, 2007-2013 and 2013-2020. While shrub savannah increased by 10.5% and 3.88 % respectively 1998-2007 and 2007-2013 before declined by 1.17%. However, the cropland from 1998-2007 decreased by 6.66 %, before increased by 4.33% and 11.1% respectively from 2007-2013 and 2013-2020. Fallow land increased by 0.77 %, 0.83 % respectively 1998-2007 and 2013-2020, before decreasing by 0.7 % in 2007-2013. Settlement area increased from 1998-2020. The prediction results confirmed small decreased of wooded savannah and increased shrub savannah, cropland and fallow. Moreover, results of 2035 predicted settlement decreased in future and suggest African partnership will continuous for better land management of this study area. For year 2050, the wooded savannah will increase by 17506.7 Ha with 583.557 Ha/year -1 rate of change.

Due to the widespread use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) for soil remediation and nano-enabled sustainable agriculture, there is a growing concern regarding the behavior and fate of ENMs released into soil systems in the presence of natural root exudates (REs). Herein, we investigate the influence of REs on the fate and ecological effect of ENMs from a comprehensive perspective. We summarize the key roles reported in the literature for REs in physical changes (e.g., adsorption, dispersion/aggregation), chemical changes (e.g., oxidation/redox reactions, and dissolution), and biotransformation of ENMs, which will further determine the ecological risk of ENMs in natural soil systems. Moreover, this review highlights the potential adverse effects of ENMs on different soil organisms (e.g., bacteria, plants, and eisenia foetida) in the presence of REs. The remaining unclear mechanisms (e.g., oxidative stress and DNA damage) of ENMs toxicity at the cellular level influenced by REs are reviewed and presented. Finally, the review concludes by addressing the current knowledge gaps and challenges in this field.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different soil acidity levels, determined by base-cation saturation (BCS) levels, on the anatomical, and morphological analyses of the roots, the nutritional status of the plants, as well as the root and shoot biomass production. A 107-days greenhouse experiment was carried out, employing a randomized block design with a 2x4 factorial arrangement. The factors included two propagation methods (seeds and stem cuttings) and four BCS levels (19%, 39%, 52%, and 63%). There was no observed interaction between propagation methods and BCS levels regarding root and shoot biomass production. This indicates that T. diversifolia’s tolerance to acidic soils is not affected by the propagation method. However, stem-propagated plants exhibited significantly greater root (31% increase) and shoot (26% increase) biomass production compared to seed-propagated plants. Regardless of the propagation method, T. diversifolia plants grown in soil with a 19% BCS level showed a substantial reduction in root (45% decrease) and shoot (31% decrease) biomass compared to the 63% BCS level treatment. The root anatomy and morphology of T. diversifolia are affected when cultivated in acidic soils with a 19% BCS level. Nevertheless, the PAS test detected some mucilage in T. diversifolia roots, suggesting a potential defense mechanism for Al 3+. The shoot biomass of T. diversifolia plants cultivated in soil with a 19% BCS level exhibited greater nutritional values compared to the 63% BCS level. In conclusion, propagation methods have a limited impact on the tolerance of T. diversifolia to acidic soils. Despite the negative effects on root and shoot biomass production, T. diversifolia effectively maintains nutrient uptake even under acidic soil conditions with Al 3+ availability of 5 mmol c dm -3.

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are important factors controlling biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and significantly affect the decomposition process of litter. However, N and P addition effects on litter decomposition, especially biological pathways in alpine grassland in northwest Sichuan, remain unclear. Therefore, this study explored the response mechanism of Salix cupularis litter decomposition and soil enzyme activity to different exogenous nitrogen and phosphorus additions and the inner relationship, combined with field in situ experiments and laboratory analysis methods. The results showed that: (1) In general, N, P and NP treatments significantly promoted the decomposition of litter, lignin and cellulose, and the addition of NP had a stronger effect in the same concentration level. P addition could alleviate the inhibitory effect of litter decomposition by high N concentration. (2) Litter C, N and P basically showed a sustained release pattern, and NP treatment had the strongest promoting effect. (3) Each treatment significantly increased the activities of soil invertase, cellulase, polyphenol oxidase, urease and phosphatase, and the NP treatment had the best effect. The rate of litter decomposition was significantly influenced by nutrient content as well as soil enzyme activity, where cellulose content and invertase activity may be a key factor controlling the rate of litter decomposition.

High-quality urbanization and a healthy ecosystem are both the material basis for sustainable social development. However, the tie between terrestrial ecosystem health and urbanization is still unclear. Therefore, we assessed the spatial and temporal dynamics of urbanization and TEH at 368 cities in China from 2000 to 2020, then explored their spatial interaction and driving mechanisms by spatial autocorrelation analysis and structural equation modeling. The results showed: (1) China’s comprehensive urbanization index (UI) improved from 0.08 in 2000 to 0.10 in 2020, contributing by some national urban agglomerations such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta. (2) China’s terrestrial ecosystem health index (EHI) also increased from 0.6718 to 0.6788. Ecosystem vigor improved significantly, while ecosystem organization and resilience both decreased. (3) EHI and UI appeared to be locally spatially dependent, and path dependence was presented at municipal scales. (4) At the national scale, urbanization is positive related to EHI, which were enhanced by social, economic and topography factors. The dominant drivers on EHI varied among regions, and urbanization improved EHI in all regions except for the southwest. Our study demonstrated that urbanization would promote terrestrial ecosystem health by implementing high-quality development and ecological management simultaneously, providing theoretical support for urban sustainable development and ecological management.

Forest degradation is increasingly recognized as a major threat to global biodiversity and ecosystems’ capacity to provide ecosystem services. This study examined the impacts of forest degradation on soil quality and function in a seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) of Ecuador. We compared soil physical-chemical properties, enzymatic activity, particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) along a gradient of SDTF degradation in the dry and rainy season. Our findings showed a consistent and steady reduction in soil quality (total C and N) and function (dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase activity) that paralleled the loss of vegetative structure and diversity along the degradation gradient. Soil physical-chemical properties were less variable and enzymatic activity was generally higher in the dry season compared to the rainy season. We also showed for the first time a significant and uniform decrease in POC and MAOC with ecosystem degradation in a SDTF. The relative proportion of these two components was constant along the gradient except for the most degraded state (arid land), where POC was higher in proportion to MAOC, suggesting that a functional tipping point may be crossed with extreme forest degradation. These findings address an important knowledge gap for SDTFs by showing a consistent loss of soil quality and functionality with degradation and suggest that extreme degradation can result in an alternate state with compromised resilience.