Effects of Ecological Restoration of Mangrove Wetlands Using Native Mangrove Species to Replace Spartina alterniflora: A Case Study in Southern China

Within the expanse of China’s coastline, the invasive alien cordgrass species Spartina alterniflora has caused profound nationwide damage and has emerged as a critical factor contributing to the degradation of mangrove wetlands, especially in the study area in Beihai, Guangxi. However, current treatments for S. alterniflora remain less effective and limited research focuses on the preliminary changes after artificial plantation. A comprehensive approach combining physical interventions with biological control measures has been employed to eradicate smooth cordgrass and facilitate the restoration of native mangrove wetlands. The study involved the periodic monitoring of the growth conditions of mangroves and the biodiversity of avian and benthic organisms, conducted at three to four-month intervals following the artificial plantation with one-year-old seedlings and propagules of native mangrove species Rhizophora stylosa. Results indicated that through the allometric equation, the above-ground biomass of planted seedlings had a ~20 g increase in average but the growth conditions were not significant over an eight-month period. High percentage of important avian species underlined the potential of the study site to serve as a worthwhile habitat and notable seasonal variations were observed in the biodiversity of bird species. Biodiversity indices of bird and benthos species also followed a similar fluctuation and reached a peak in April 2023. This research underscores the initial lack of distinct improvements during the early stages of the ecological restoration project, thorough maintenance, long-term monitoring, holistic considerations on a larger scale would be imperative for ongoing projects in the future.

Research on Policy Diffusion Path and Reproduction of River Chief System

The River Chief System (RCS) has evolved from local innovative practices to a national water governance strategy to address the current challenges in China’s water environmental management. In contrast to existing research that focuses on the strengths, weaknesses, and improvements of RCS, this study uses literature study to reveal the dynamic evolution of RCS through three phases, with RCS spreading from developed coastal areas to central and western inland regions. RCS’s diffusion path involves vertical diffusion between central and local levels and horizontal diffusion among local governments. Moreover, RCS has also achieved conceptual spillover, gradually expanding into other governance domains, such as the Lake Chief System, the Field Chief System, the Forestry Chief System, and the integration of multiple chief roles. However, it is essential to scrutinize the phenomenon of applying similar governance mechanisms to different areas, as it may result in challenges such as overburdening local governments, insufficient public participation, oversimplification of differences in natural resource endowments, and limited applicability. This study also provides suggestions on how to address these challenges. The study contributes theoretical insights and policy implications, providing a foundation for practical policy innovation.

Characterization of Soil Bacterial Diversity in Relation to Irrigation Water: A Case Study in China

Use of wastewater for irrigation has become indispensable worldwide due to accelerating water scarcity, and it also carries a social dimension of poverty reduction in developing countries. However, the impacts of wastewater irrigation on soil properties are still insufficiently understood, especially with regard to change in soil microbial community characteristics. The present study presents an assessment of soil bacterial communities subjecting to different irrigation waters. We conducted soil sampling in farmlands irrigated with wastewater, river water and groundwater respectively in an arid region of China and performed a metagenomic survey of microbial populations using the prokaryotic 16S ribosomal RAN gene. It sheds new light on possible alteration of soil bacterial diversity due to irrigation water. It also reveals that the relative abundance of nitrifying bacteria is greater in soil irrigated with river water than soil irrigated with wastewater. The opposite is true for denitrifying bacteria. The findings serve as a call for further in-depth study to explore the long-term responses of soil microbial communities to irrigation waters for the sake of environmentally sound watershed management.

Perceptive insight into incentive design and sustainability of participatory mangrove management: a case study from the Indian Sundarbans

Incentive design is among the decisive factors behind active community participation and long-term sustainability of participatory forest management. Especially in case of mangroves, where multiple interests apply, it requires a careful integration of several ecological, economic and institutional factors. The primary objective of this paper is to understand the basis of incentive design and make a comprehensive inquiry into the existing incentive mechanism of participatory mangrove management in Indian Sundarbans. The qualitative and in-depth assessment was derived against a conceptual framework that contains three main determinants: (1) resources availability, (2) control mechanism, and (3) perception of end-users. The study deploys the results of various participatory exercises such as structured interviews with forest officials, focus group discussions with 10 Joint Forest Management Committees and semi-structured interviews with 119 mangrove users. In general, we observed an over-cautious, hierarchical and safety-margin-based incentive design with distinct bifurcation of communities over the adequacy and effectiveness of derived benefits. Although, the incentives are diverse and align well with the overall conservation of mangroves, they are considered to be insufficient by nearly half of the mangrove users. The main issues that were observed to hinder effective community participation can be summarized as (1) serious restrictions on access to economically exploitable mangrove products, (2) passive involvement of vulnerable occupational groups, and (3) lack of trust and conflicting interests between the officials and the communities. Although the existing preventive management of mangroves can be justified considering the magnanimity of the Indian Sundarbans, it can severely impair community participation and emerge as a clear threat to future sustainability. To secure greater participation of the communities, we propose small scale, innovative developmental incentives to supplement traditional forest-resource-based incentives.

Planning for Integrative Management of Wastewater Disposal, Irrigation Water Supply and Fertilizer Use: A Case Study in an Arid Land of China

This work is a trans-disciplinary undertaking aiming at innovative water management in arid and semi-arid regions. Based on field studies on soil bacterial communities and irrigation water quality in an arid region of China where wastewater has been used for agricultural production decade long, this paper is intended to propose an integrative management scheme combining wastewater reuse in agriculture, wise use of wetlands and fertilizer management as an engine toward achieving sustainable development in arid and semi-arid regions. This study was also designed to address a key but very much neglected question about wastewater reuse in irrigation: does wastewater irrigation lead to reduction of chemical fertilizer use and increase of crop yield? Through a questionnaire, it revealed that there was a misperception among farmers about wastewater, which led to no-reduction or even increase in fertilizer use with wastewater irrigation as compared with river water irrigation. It also showed that crop yield was not increased with wastewater irrigation under the current practice. Besides, it sheds some light on an underreported health concern.

Reformed Environmental Impact Assessment in China: An Evaluation of Its Effectiveness

Since 2015, a “reform storm” of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) opened up in China. This study tries to answer the question of whether these reforms improve the effectiveness of EIA. First, we elaborate on the reforms along with three well-acknowledged components, including EIA legislation, administration, and process. Then, evaluate the reformed EIA system against revised Ahmad and Wood’s criteria. The results demonstrate that the revised laws and regulations are more stringent than the old versions. The EIA process is simplified, and its coordination with the pollutant discharge permit system is promoted. The interim and post-event supervision is currently more robust and the penalties are more severe than before. However, the hierarchical position of the Environmental Protection Law is not high enough and the coordination of different government departments is still challenging. In summary, despite the problems occurring at the initial phase of reforms, the effectiveness of the EIA system has largely been improved.

Fairness in Climate Change Mitigation: The Case of Carbon Taxation

Environmental economists have advocated carbon taxation for its efficiency and effectiveness in reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Yet, whether the policy would be fair in any given context needs to be better realized. While the distributive effects of carbon taxation have been widely discussed, a more comprehensive understanding of tax fairness is lacking. This paper reviews the academic literature through the lens of three justice concepts -recognition, procedure, and distribution—to understand the implications of previous studies for fair carbon tax policy-making. Upon examining the relevant literature, the findings highlight the limited evidence concerning recognition and procedural justice in carbon taxation, particularly in developing country context. This calls for more assessments through these perspectives. It also emphasizes the importance of recognition for vulnerable groups, such as women, with an intersectionality approach;a fair policy process through information provision, inclusive representation, fair level playing field;and proportionate burden sharing through context-specific design elements such as targeted revenue use.

Biomass and net primary productivity of mangrove communities along the Oligohaline zone of Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Background： The article presents the first estimates of biomass and productivity for mangrove forests along the Oligohaline zone of the Sundarbans Reserve Forest （SRF）, Bangladesh. This study was conducted overone year from March 2016 to April 20] 7. Stand structure, above and below-ground biomass changes, and litterfall production were measured within a 2100 m2 sample plot. Methods： All trees in the study plots were numbered and height （H） and diameter at breast height （DBH） were measured. Tree height （H） and DBH for each tree were measured in March 2016 and 2017. We apply the above and belowground biomass equation for estimating the biomass of the mangrove tree species （Chave et al. Oecologia 145：87-99, 2005; Komiyama et al. J Trop Ecol 21：471-477, 2005）. Litterfall was collected using 1-mm mesh litter traps with collection area of 0.42 m2. Net Primary Production （NPP） was estimated by the summation method of Ogawa Primary productivity of Japanese forests： productivity of terrestrial communities, JIBP synthesis （1977） and Matsuura and Kajimoto Carbon dynamics of terrestrial ecosystem： Systems approach to global environment （2013）. Results： Heritiero fomes has maintained its dominance of the stand and also suffered the highest tree mortality （2.4%） in the suppressed crown class. The total above-ground biomass （AGB） and below-ground biomass （BGB） of the studied stand was ]54.8 and 84.2 Mg.ha-1, respectively. Among the total biomass of the trees, 64.8% was allocated to AGB and 35.2% to BGB. In case of species-wise contribution of biomass allocation, Avicennia officinalis showed the highest score and Aglaia cucullota the lowest. Mean annual total litterfall was 10.1 Mg-ha 1.yr-1, with the maximum litterfall in winter or dry season and late summer or rainy season. The mean AGB increment and above-ground net primary productivity （AGNPP） were 7.1 and 17.2 Mg.ha-1.yr-1, respectively. Total net primary productivity （NPP） was estimated to be 21.0 Mg.ha Lyr-1 over the observed period. The results in the Sundarbans mangrove forests exhibited that mangrove communities with similar height and diameter produced different biomass production with the different basal area. The present analysis revealed that the root biomass was large enough and the mean ratio of above-/below-ground biomass was estimated to be 1.84. Conclusions： Mangrove communities growing at the oligohaline zone of the Sundarbans, Bangladesh showed high biomass and net primary production indicating their ecological and conservation significance that may be considered in future decision making process for the area as well as in understanding the role of Sundarbans mangrove forest on mitigating the effect of global warming.

Stand structure, phenology and litterfall dynamics of a subtropical mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza

We evaluated the phenology and litterfall dynamics of the mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza（L.）Lamk along the Okukubi River, Okinawa Island, Japan.Over 3 years, this species showed the highest litterfall of leaves and stipules in summer and the lowest litterfall in winter. From Kendall＇s coefficient of concordance, the monthly changes in leaf, stipule, and branch were strongly and significantly concordant among years. Leaf and stipule litterfall could be governed by monthly maximum wind speed, monthly day length, and monthly mean air temperature. Branch litterfall depended on monthly maximum wind speed and monthly rainfall, and increased exponentially with increasing monthly maximum wind speed. Mean total litterfall was 11.8 Mg ha^（-1）yr^（-1）, with the largest component being leaf litterfall（65.8 %）. Annual leaf litterfall per plot was almost constant regardless of the tree density of the plot. Mean leaf longevity was 18 months.Flower and mature propagule litterfall might be influenced by monthly mean air temperature, monthly day length and monthly mean air temperature. The average development periods from flower buds to flowers and flower buds to mature propagules were 1 and 8 months, respectively.Except for leaf and branch, all vegetative and reproductive organ litterfall had clear annual cycles. B. gymnorrhiza showed a positive correlation between leaf production and reproductive organ production.

Estimating Vertical Distribution of Vegetation Cover in Temperate Heterogeneous Forests Using Airborne Laser Scanning Data

Vertical structure is important for understanding forest environment, yet difficult to characterize, especially in temperate heterogeneous forests where the structure is complex. This study used data from a small-footprint airborne laser scanning (ALS) to estimate vegetation coverage in four stratum ranges in a warm temperate forest in Japan: >12 m, 8 - 12 m, 4 - 8 m, and 0 - 4 m in height. Field data were collected in 17 broad-leaved and 12 coniferous sample plots, consisting of the proportion of vegetation cover in each stratum range. The field and ALS measurements were conducted in summer, during leaf-on conditions. Using echo attributes (first, last, intermediate, and only), we calculated the vegetation coverage index (VCI) at 1-m height intervals. The cumulative sum of the VCI (CUMVCI) was then computed and compared with field observations. Linear regression analysis showed that the ALS data gave reasonable estimates of vegetation coverage in the upper two or three stratum ranges in broad-leaved stands, and in the upper two stratum ranges in coniferous stands. The model gave reproducible estimates until approximately 95% of the total returns had been applied. We conclude that ALS data can provide useful information on natural habitats in the management of warm temperate forest.

Evaluation of Transboundary Water Resource Development in Mekong River Basin: The Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process in the Context of Water Cooperation

Mekong River is one of the major international freshwater sources in the world. The Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) comprised of four downstream countries, including Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The utilization of the basin’s water brings not only substantial benefits to the region ranging from hydropower to navigation, but also negative impacts caused by the unbalanced water using. The essential role of Mekong River requires all member nations to cooperate effectively for the sustainable development of the region. One of the most popular methods in the field of water resource management is a trustable tool called the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is much appropriate for water resource policymaking. The literature, however, points out that there is no study to both structure the water using hierarchy and employ quantitative (objective) criteria to the AHP model in LMB case. With regard to water resource management, there are no previous studies applying AHP models to evaluating sustainable development of transboundary water resource in LMB case. This paper explores the evolution of water cooperation among Mekong countries and subsequently evaluates the water development scenarios in the LMB based on the water cooperation preferences of four LMB countries This study proposes a novel approach to analyzing, assessing water resource development scenarios characterized by sustainability indicators and to assisting in developing a suitable water policy in LMB according to the best cooperation scenario.

Phylogenetic placement and diet of homalopsid snake Miralia alternans (Ruess,1833)

DEAR EDITOR,Miralia alternans(Ruess,1833)is distributed in Borneo,Sumatra,and Java in Southeast Asia.The species is morphologically similar to Raclitia indica,a monotypic genus known from Peninsular Malaysia.Here,we collected a juvenile specimen of M.alternans from Borneo,and report on its coloration in life and first prey item recovered from the species.We also explored the phylogenetic position of the genus using molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)gene cytochrome b(cyt b)and nuclear gene prolactin receptor(PRLR),confirming M.alternans as sister to R.indica,with the two genera exhibiting relatively high genetic divergence in cyt b(13.0%-13.1%).

Application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Food and Water Security in the Semi-Arid Turkana County, Kenya

Weather extremes negatively affect socioeconomic developments in arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) and increase vulnerability of residents to food and water insecurity. Thus, communities adapt to such extremes of weather using Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and/or Modern Technologies. Modern farming technologies and land resource developments in ASALs have in past ignored TEK, and in most cases led to undesired outcomes. It’s against this backdrop that this study was conceived to assess TEK among the Turkana people, its application and contribution to food and water security. The research adopted a cross-sectional social survey in collecting data from Central Turkana Sub-County residents. The study revealed that the Turkana people possess vast knowledge related to their environment;that this TEK plays a significant role in food production, preservation and in natural resource management. For instance, in 82% of the respondents use TEK in enhancing livestock production through the selection of livestock species that are suitable and drought tolerant;over 70% of them use TEK in reducing risk associated with livestock losses due to prolonged droughts. Further, TEK influenced the development and conservation of the water resources (r = 0.631;p < 0.01) including siting boreholes and wells. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.755;p < 0.01) between TEK and food security. TEK should be incorporated into the decision-making processes involving development projects within the ASALs.

Breeding Habitat Use of Little Tern along Enshunada Coast-Tenryu River Continuum in Relation to Dam Development

Breeding habitat of the Little Tern in a coast-river continuum was studied in relation to dam development. A habitat shift from coast to river occurred decades after dam construction as the dam-caused coastal erosion became manifested. On the other hand, the riverine habitat was affected by dam both positively and negatively. The positive aspect is the reduction of inundation risk for the habitat, and the negative effect is the vegetation development on the habitat. As a result, the bird did not abandon the riverine habitat although its physical characteristics may be considered as suboptimal. In addition, reasoning was given to explain why an artificially created habitat was not used by the bird. A general message resulting from this study is that species adaptive behaviors should be taken into consideration in assessing environmental impacts caused by human activities such as dam development.

Characterization of Nitrate Contamination in an Arid Region of China

There are two pathways for nitrate to enter into human body: drinking water and food. Therefore, nitrate contamination of drinking water and agricultural crops is of particular interest to governments and the general public owing to the possible implications for health. This work investigated nitrate contents in various crops and in different parts of each crop and in drinking water as well in the Zhangye Basin, Northwest China. It provided evidence of severe nitrate contamination of drinking water, especially, in vegetable-growing villages. As to the nitrate contamination of crops, the present study revealed that all sampled crops adjust their nitrate distributions in a way that the edible parts contain much less nitrate than non-edible parts except lettuce. The nitrate content in the edible root of lettuce reached up to 5900 mg/kg exceeding the limit set by the European Commission.

Evaluation of Maintenance Strategies Based on Leakage Risk Assessment on Side Impervious Walls at Coastal Landfill Sites

Asset management is a strategic decision-making aspect of social infra-structure that ensures safety by predicting long-term conditions and maximizing effectiveness under budgetary constraints. Predicting the deterioration of impervious walls is essential in the asset management of coastal landfill sites, particularly in the design of their maintenance and repair strategy. In this paper, a quantitative evaluation of the leakage of toxic substances in coastal landfill sites where deterioration of side impervious walls has decreased the water interception performance is reported. In addition, risk evaluation based on the asset management of the leakage is applied to determine an appropriate repair method. The strategy of repairing the walls when the concentration of the toxic substances leaking into the sea area exceeds the closure and abandonment of coastal landfill sites is demonstrated to be superior. Moreover, the strategy of repairing only the seaside side impervious wall is shown to be cost-effective.

Economic Analyses of Regional Impacts with Adaptation to Climate Change for the Paris Agreement

This study measures regional impacts of adaptation to climate change for the Paris Agreement under the Shared Socio-Economic Pathways and Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios. We develop a global economic model with adaptation to climate change. Simulated results indicate that: 1) Asian and African adaptation costs exceed more than one percent of GDP in the year 2100 under the business as usual scenario;2) adaptation costs under the 2.0°C target are higher in Asia and Africa than other regions;and 3) adaptation costs amount to one percent of GDP in Japan, EU and Latin America under the 1.5°C target scenario by adaptation.