Municipal waste management, widely recognized as a complex problem involving environmental, social, economic, and governance issues, has long received extensive attention from governments, academia, and the public. Since the late twentieth century, Shanghai has undergone a three-decade transformation in municipal solid waste management, evolving from small-scale classification pilots to a citywide system integrating source separation, category-specific collection, diversified treatment, and multi-stakeholder governance. This paper explores Shanghai’s long-term socio-ecological practice, including “cognition and action”, “trial-and-error mending”, and “reflection and adaptability” to show how repeated piloting, policy refinement, infrastructure expansion, interagency coordination, community participation, and adaptive adjustment jointly shaped this transformation. This provides new insights into urban governance and identifies transferable implications for cities pursuing effective waste management and low-waste transitions.

Flood synchronization in large river basins is shaped not only by local precipitation extremes, but also by the transformation, routing, and accumulation of flood signals across hydrological components. However, how precipitation, runoff, and streamflow jointly organize future flood synchronization under climate change remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we developed a precipitation–runoff–streamflow (P–R–S) complex-network framework to investigate future flood synchronization and cascading interactions in the Yangtze River Basin. Daily precipitation from bias-corrected CMIP6 projections, together with SWAT-simulated runoff and streamflow, was organized for 125 subbasins under SSP2-4.5 and SSP3-7.0. Based on peaks-over-threshold event extraction and event synchronization, six directed flood networks were constructed, including three single-variable networks (P–P, R–R, and S–S) and three coupled networks (P–R, P–S, and R–S). Link-distance distributions, multilayer network metrics, and source–sink structures were then analyzed. The results show that future flood synchronization is not governed by a single hydroclimatic variable. Among the single-variable networks, S–S forms the most coherent corridor-like structure, whereas P–P and R–R are more localized or fragmented. Among the coupled networks, P–R has the broadest spatial footprint, P–S contributes most strongly to long-distance connectivity, and R–S shows the widest degree range. Multilayer analysis further indicates that key subbasins play different roles, with some acting as highly connected centers, some serving as cross-variable bridge zones, and others behaving as source-like or sink-like nodes in the directed cascading network. These findings suggest that future flood risk in the Yangtze River Basin should be interpreted from a basin-scale propagation perspective, with attention to cross-variable coupling, long-distance connectivity, and regional source–sink roles.

Urbanization constitutes a primary driver of the global biodiversity crisis, yet how historical urban legacy effects shape contemporary biodiversity remains unclear. Neglecting lagged ecological consequences such as extinction debts and colonization credits could obscure both the risks of future urban biodiversity loss and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Here, by integrating equilibrium and non-equilibrium models, we quantified 31-year legacy effects of urbanization on bird communities and species in China. We found that China's uneven urbanization has generated widespread extinction debts and colonization credits across the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dimensions of bird communities. The lag durations of various urban environmental characteristics differed, with historical vegetation cover and anthropogenic activities having long-lasting impacts on existing bird distributions. In particular, species-specific lagged responses were identified, which were correlated with each species' capacity to adapt to urban environment (urban tolerance). These findings underscore the necessity of integrating long-term biodiversity considerations into urban governance through forward-looking approaches as well as providing critical insights for biodiversity-friendly urban planning.

Amid global warming and rapid urbanization, megacities confront dual pressures from greenhouse gas emissions and urban heat islands. For resource-constrained cities, achieving carbon neutrality and thermal mitigation through intensive land management remains an unresolved challenge. Using Shanghai as a case study, this research employs a transition-based perspective and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to examine the spatiotemporal relationships among land-use mixture, urban heat island intensity (UHII), and land-use carbon emissions (LCE) from 2010 to 2020. The analysis uses high-resolution data to trace how specific mixed-use types and transitions relate to environmental outcomes. Results indicate a citywide intensification of land-use mixture, corresponding with an average UHII increase of 0.23 +/- 0.46 degrees C and a total LCE rise of 1499.43 kilo-ton C. Environmental responses varied by configuration: mixed industrial or transportation areas exhibited lower heatintensity and emissions relative to their single-use counterparts, whereas mixed residential areas displayed reduced heat alongside increased emissions. Between 2010 and 2020, 37.38% of mixed land underwent functional transitions. While most transitions yielded carbon reductions, they frequently coincided with UHII intensification. In particular, conversions from ecological to mixed construction land emerged as pathways involving simultaneous increases in warming and emissions. Furthermore, GWR analysis reveals that transition outcomes exhibit spatial heterogeneity. Localized synergistic increases in heat and emissions driven by industrial conversions were concentrated in specific southern zones, whereas agricultural transitions governed environmental shifts in the urban fringe. These observations highlight the need for future planning to emphasize carbon-heat synergy to support climate-resilient megacity development.

In the context of sustained global warming and rapid urbanization, extreme summer heat and humidity increasingly intensify urban heat stress in metropolitan environments. This study develops a remote-sensing–based framework to generate city-scale screening maps of relative hot–humid exposure in Shanghai (summer 2022) using a modified temperature–humidity index (MTHI). The resulting surface is further translated into structural and connectivity-based spatial indicators through morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory (CT) modeling. Areas classified as thermal comfort zones (i.e., relatively lower hot–humid exposure under the MTHI framework) accounted for 71.3 % of the urban area, representing spatial contrasts in thermal–humidity conditions rather than absolute physiological comfort. MSPA and circuit-based analyses revealed a structured, network-like organization of these relative cooling-favorable areas, characterized by a core–edge backbone consisting of 13 source areas, 17 potential corridors, and 39 pinch-point locations. These elements highlight how a limited number of structural features may influence the spatial continuity of cooling-favorable conditions across the city. The proposed framework provides hypothesis-generating spatial indicators of thermal comfort organization by integrating relative exposure mapping with connectivity analysis using publicly available data and standardized workflows. This approach offers an exploratory planning-support tool that can assist preliminary screening of cooling-sensitive areas in hot–humid cities, while requiring further validation before operational decision-making.

Background and Objective Carotid-subclavian bypass (CSB) and subclavian-carotid transposition (SCT) are mainstream surgical left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization methods. However, surgical selection of CSB and SCT morphological configurations mainly depends on surgeons’ experience, lacking objective data basis. Methods Geometries with 28 configurations, including length, diameter, angle, and anastomotic direction for prosthetic conduit and transposed LSA, were constructed. Numerical simulations were performed to evaluate CSB and SCT outcomes by hemodynamic parameters such as pressure drop, flow rate, energy loss and wall shear stress related indicators. Results After CSB, enlarging prosthetic conduit diameter (6 to 10 mm) increases flow rate by 36.64%, suggesting larger diameter enhances LSA patency. However, when diameter exceeds 9 mm, the relative residence time rises by 35.29%, demonstrating oversized diameter increases the risk of thrombosis. Compared to 5 mm, prosthetic conduit at 15 mm displays a 7.80% flow rate reduction, indicating longer conduit causes greater flow resistance. For varying angles, prosthetic conduit perpendicular to left common carotid artery (LCCA) shows the least energy loss. Conduit tilted downward from the vertical position shows higher flow rate than the upward during systole (210.35 vs. 106.34 ml/min). However, 10% blood flow in downward conduit reflows cyclically during diastole, resulting in the reduced cycle-averaged flow rate of downward conduit compared to that of the upward (53.21 vs. 58.42 ml/min). After SCT, configurations with smaller angles between LCCA and LSA show better hemodynamic performance, with a maximum flow rate variation of 30.34% in LSA from 50° to 110°. Conclusions Configurations with moderately smaller diameter, reduced length of prosthetic conduit and aligned anastomosis towards LCCA blood flow result in better LSA revascularization outcomes. The findings are supportive for optimizing CSB and SCT configurations.

Ecopracticology—the study of socio-ecological practice and the ensuing body of knowledge—is increasingly being embraced as a useful paradigm for understanding and solving social and environmental problems. Ecopracticology has historical roots but in recent years has been touted for its role in generating solutions that are effective and durable. Using a diverse team of scholars, practitioners, and scholar-practitioners from around the globe working in various roles in the ecopracticology space, we identified twelve strategies for putting ecopracticology into practice drawing on their experiences and anchored in the literature. The twelve strategies are: (1) Embed co-design principles at all levels of socio-ecological practice; (2) Build a diverse team through embracing inclusivity; (3) Consider the human dimension; (4) Cross disciplinary boundaries with courage and purpose; (5) Set practice-based problems as a starting point for research; (6) Establish trust with practitioners and partners; (7) Weave old and new ideas and knowledges; (8) Consider the interplay of scales in the application of socio-ecological practices; (9) Study and learn from actions in recognition that knowledge is imperfect; (10) Synthesize research into evidence-based practice guidelines; (11) Embrace nature-based solutions; (12) Embrace ecophronesis as a fundamental value and prism of reflection and action. The strategies shared here are not intended to be prescriptive but rather to provide guidance to those embarking on or reflecting upon their journeys in this space recognizing that not all strategies will work or are necessary for every context. Moreover, these strategies will likely need to be adapted to specific social, political and cultural contexts within which socio-ecological practice takes place. Nevertheless, what is clear is that to address the polycrisis facing humanity and the planet there is urgency in leveraging the collective knowledge of all relevant actors with a particular focus on ensuring that socio-ecological practitioners—the front-line workers—are involved, supported, and celebrated. Doing so is a manifestation of ecopracticology and serves as a template for putting ecopracticology into widespread practice.

Urban water supply systems are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Water supply plants in megacities, as crucial components of water supply systems, face unique challenges in achieving net-zero GHG emissions due to higher water quality and quantity requirements. However, detailed emission data and future pathways under climate change scenarios are currently lacking. In this study, we collected over 140,000 operation data entries from all 37 water supply plants in Shanghai. Based on real operational data, we have established GHG emissions inventory and projected emissions from 2023 to 2035. Future scenarios were developed through coordination with government officials, water plant managers, and academic experts. The results show that the GHG emission intensities from Shanghai's water supply plants were 0.14 kg CO2-eq/m3 in 2021 and 0.12 kg CO2-eq/m3 in 2022. Suburban plants incur higher GHG emission intensity, while urban plants benefit from economies of scale. The dependence of GHG emission intensity on source water characteristics enables targeted mitigation strategy development. Scenario analysis shows implementation of five low-carbon measures under normal water quality conditions would reduce GHG emissions by up to 56.15 % by 2035, where smart platforms contribute the largest share (17.1 %). This study provides insights into low-carbon management policies and technologies for water supply plants in highly urbanized worldwide regions facing evolving environmental challenges.

With urbanization, thermal environmental problems in coastal cities are becoming increasingly prominent. Utilizing the cooling effects of sea breezes is an effective means of solving this problem. However, current research often overlooks the compositional characteristics of sea winds, resulting in inaccurate cooling potential estimates. This study takes Shanghai, China, as the research area and proposes a novel method for regional windfield separation, which addresses the issue of previous sea-breeze calculations that neglect the daily variation of the background wind. The results showed that sea-breeze speed was relatively higher and more variable in August. When the sea-breeze speed class is below level 3 (3.4-5.4 m/s), the land-surface temperature (LST) is predominantly influenced by global warming and urbanization, whereas when it is above level 3, sea-breeze speed becomes the dominant factor. The LST within the built-up areas gradually increased when the seabreeze wind direction shifted from northeast to south. These findings help explore the potential for ocean cooling and provide valuable guidance for mitigating urban heat effects.

Evaluating ecosystem service value (ESV) plays a crucial role in supporting decision-making, which land −use is one of the key drivers in ESV. However, the influence of policy factors on land-use changes is often overlooked or oversimplified in ESV assessments. In this study, taking Nanping City as a case, we incorporated policy factors related to environmental governance into the Ecological Protection Scenario (EPS), and established the Conventional Development Scenario (CDS) and the Economic Development Scenario (EDS) as controls to evaluate the impact of environmental governance on ESV with System Dynamics (SD)–Patch-generating Land-Use Simulation (PLUS) model. The hot spot analysis was conducted subsequently. The results indicated that the ESVs in CDS, EDS and EPS were 217.317, 219.732 and 220.522 billion yuan in 2030, and the changes from 2020 were −1.43%, −0.34% and 0.02%, respectively. The conversion of forestland into cropland dominated in CDS, whereas the conversion of cropland into forestland dominated in EPS. In EPS, the area of ESV cold spots decreased the most relative to 2020. These findings underscore the need for governance strategies that move beyond traditional area-based conservation. We propose spatially tiered ecological markets, industry-ecology integration, and ESV-weighted performance audits to better align policies with regional ecological capacities. Rather than focusing solely on the magnitude of ESV gains, this study highlights the importance of spatial functionality and institutional coherence, offering new perspectives for socioecological modernization in land-use planning.

Background: As global warming increases, hot weather is recognized as a mental health risk. Previous studies, however, mainly focused on the direct effects of heat hazards, overlooking heat exposure, sensitivity, and adaptation. Aim: To assess the role of heat exposure, sensitivity, and adaptation in the heat hazard-mental health association during hot weather. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1347 adults in Shanghai, China, in the summer of 2023 via the hazard-exposure-vulnerability framework. Mental health was self-reported based on the five-item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5). We developed a moderated serial mediation model to examine the associations between heat risk and mental health, and heat hazard was represented as thermal comfort. Mediators included adaptive behaviors, a heat adaptation component, and outdoor activity duration, a proxy measure for heat exposure. Moderators included perceived sensitivity to heat hazards and adaptive conditions. Results: Increased heat hazards were associated with poorer mental health, with 88 % of the effect being direct, and 12 % mediated by adaptive behaviors that increased exposure risk and outdoor activity duration. The single mediating effect of adaptive behavior was associated with poorer mental health. The serial mediation of adaptive behavior and outdoor activity duration was associated with greater mental health. The moderators of perceived sensitivity to heat hazards and adaptive conditions were associated with poorer mental health. Conclusions: While direct heat hazards have the largest effect on mental health, our findings highlight the significant mediating and moderating roles of heat exposure, adaptive behaviors, and conditions, which should be considered.

A diameter of 50 or 55 mm is the primary clinical criterion for assessing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture risk. However, although larger diameters may induce higher rupture risk, not all AAAs exceeding intervention threshold will rupture, highlighting the need for indicators besides diameter to help rupture prediction and treatment of AAA ≥ 50 mm. The study aims to combine computation, experiment, and statistics to establish rupture prediction models for AAAs ≥ 50 mm and explore the optimal predictors of AAA rupture with different diameters by anatomical and hemodynamic characteristics. Through numerical simulation and in vitro experiment, morphological and hemodynamic parameters were obtained from 82 AAAs (41 ruptured) ≥ 50 mm. The results of significance test and logistic regression indicate that low time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) of AAA and maximum diameter of common iliac artery, and high oscillatory shear index (OSI) of AAA, TAWSS of iliac artery and tortuosity of abdominal aorta increase rupture risk of AAA ≥ 50 mm. The prediction model combining these variables was established with high accuracy (area under curve = 0.978). Furthermore, univariable analyses for AAAs of different diameters imply the OSI is a risk factor for AAA rupture of 50–65 mm, while higher TAWSS decreases the risk of AAA rupture of 65–80 and ≥ 80 mm. The findings may contribute to accurate rupture prediction and personalized management of AAAs ≥ 50 mm and with different diameters, and further demonstrate potential value and application prospects of combining morphology and hemodynamics in clinical practice.

Understanding the intricate link between water availability and vegetation growth is crucial for preserving ecosystem vitality and facilitating global carbon cycling. The Yangtze River Basin (YRB) features vast subtropical forests, which are vital for global hydrological, carbon, and energy flows. Investigating the influence of the water supply on vegetation dynamics in this basin is crucial, particularly in light of the challenges posed by climate change. However, the response of vegetation to different water sources remains poorly understood. To address this gap, this study explores the influence of precipitation, surface runoff, and soil water on vegetation growth in the YRB via hydrologic modelling and remote sensing data from 2003 to 2021. The results revealed a decreasing trend in drought-prone areas. The overall vegetation growth has progressively improved despite challenges posed by water scarcity. More areas in the YRB are affected by water shortages than surpluses in terms of vegetation growth. During the growing season, vegetation is primarily affected by water shortage, although in exceptional cases, it is constrained by excess water, which typically occurs during the nongrowing season. In the upper and middle Jinsha River Basin, vegetation growth is primarily restricted by water surpluses, while in the middle and lower YRB, constraints commonly arise from water deficits. Additionally, surface runoff and soil moisture play more significant roles in influencing vegetation growth than precipitation. By revealing the dynamics of the vegetation–water correlation, our research aims to provide valuable insights for managing the dynamic balance between water and vegetation in subtropical regions.

With rapid urbanization, cities have shifted from two-dimensional (2D) to three-dimensional (3D) expansion, presenting challenges in understanding how urban 3D structures impact ecological environments. This study uses ECOSTRESS LST data, 3D building and vegetation data, Spearman correlation analysis, and a boosted regression tree (BRT) model to examine the diurnal effects of 3D landscape metrics on LST across various LCZs in Shanghai's outer ring. The results show that a 1050 m spatial scale is optimal for analysis. Mean architecture height (MAH) was positively correlated with LST at 02:39, 05:42, and 09:27 but negatively at 12:58. At 12:58, the relative influence of mean architecture projection area (MAPA) was highest in LCZ 5 and LCZ 8. Larger building volumes (AVs) reduced LST at night, but increased it at 12:58, particularly in LCZs 4 and 8. The MAPA had the strongest positive effect on LST at 12:58, while mean architecture height standard (AHSD) had a cooling effect during the day but increased LST at night. This study offers new insights into the temporal impacts of 3D urban morphology on thermal conditions, providing actionable guidance for urban planning and heat island mitigation.

Floods, driven by a sequence of hydroclimatic processes, can propagate across multiple domains—from precipitation to water yield and streamflow—resulting in cascading effects. However, the teleconnection patterns and synchronization characteristics of such cascading floods, shaped by the sequential accumulation and redistribution of water, remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we apply complex network analysis to investigate flood propagation and synchronization dynamics across 125 subbasins in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) from 1961 to 2020. By integrating three hydrological variables—precipitation (P), water yield (Y), and streamflow (S)—we construct six flood-related networks, revealing key differences in connectivity and propagation characteristics. Our findings show that streamflow-related networks (P–S, Y–S, and S–S) exhibit stronger connectivity, characterized by more links, greater stream order differences, longer total propagation distances, fewer isolated subbasins, and larger cluster sizes, compared to precipitation- and water yield-related networks. Precipitation-related networks (P–P, P–Y, and P–S), in contrast, reflect the influence of large-scale atmospheric processes, as indicated by the longer individual links. Meanwhile, the water yield-dominated network (Y–Y) has the fewest links, likely due to local factors that constrain propagation. A significant large-scale propagation mechanism, where downstream water yield regulates upstream precipitation in the YRB is identified, highlighting the potential role of hydrological feedbacks in shaping flood dynamics. In addition, spatial patterns of cascading floods underscore the critical role of certain subbasins as both flood propagators and hubs, offering information for flood management strategies at both local and regional scales. This study presents a novel framework for understanding cascading floods in complex hydroclimatic systems and underscores the need for further research into teleconnection-driven extreme events.

Cities are increasingly embracing sustainable development, recognizing the integration of natural ecosystems into urban environments as vital. Habitat gardens, which serve as crucial links in urban ecological networks, enhance the quality and functionality of urban ecological spaces and are garnering significant social attention. The Habitat Garden Project in Shanghai is aimed at combining the building of community gardens with habitat creation. Residents are at the heart of habitat garden management, and the development of habitat gardens depends on residents' willingness to be more involved in garden maintenance. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the factors influencing community residents' willingness to participate in governance in the construction of habitat gardens, which can help incentivize them to do so at the source. This study develops a theoretical model to investigate residents' desire to participate in governance and its impact factors on the basis of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and the characteristics of community members' engagement in habitat garden governance. An empirical analysis of habitat gardens in Shanghai's Changning District reveals that attitude has a significant positive effect on residents' intentions to participate. Additionally, subjective norms, community integration, and perceived government performance have indirect positive effects on such intention through differing attitude, whereas perceived behavioural control has a weaker effect. These findings have useful policy implications for improving residents' intentions to participate in the governance of habitat gardens.

Heat-related environmental justice has gained increasing attention, with many studies focusing on social inequalities in exposure to extreme surface temperatures. However, changes in land surface temperature (LST) also contribute to residents’ thermal discomfort, underscoring the need to explore inequalities in exposure to these changes. This study addresses this gap by analyzing spatial and social disparities in exposure to both LST changes and summer LST in Shanghai. We employed a boosted regression tree model to quantify LST changes, offering better predictive performance than traditional linear regression, and used geographically weighted regression with data from China's sixth population census to assess the city-wide and local scale inequality differences in exposure to LST changes and summer LST. Our findings reveal that 57.83 % of Shanghai's subdistricts experienced above-average LST changes and summer LST. Specific groups—males (22.17 %), children (22.61 %), the elderly (13.04 %), and residents in older housing (60.87 %)—were disproportionately exposed to local-scale LST changes. In contrast, those employed in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries faced consistently lower exposure. Furthermore, exposure to LST changes was 3.47 % higher among the elderly and 28.26 % higher for residents in older housing compared to exposure based on summer LST alone. To mitigate these inequalities, we recommend increasing water coverage and green roofs, enhancing green infrastructure in aging neighborhoods, and providing financial subsidies for outdoor workers. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing social inequalities in exposure to temperature changes to enhance urban resilience and promote sustainable urban planning in the face of climate change.

Urban waterfront green space is a critical component of urban ecosystems and can provide various types of cultural ecosystem services (CESs). In this study, the CESs of six waterfront green spaces with different planned functions in different areas along the Huangpu River were assessed, and a framework of CES types applicable to the assessment of waterfront green spaces was proposed. Based on an investigation of the basic indicators of different waterfront green spaces and the differences in planning in the regions where they are located, we explored the factors affecting the public's perception of CESs. We found that a waterfront green space with a clear theme and amusement facilities with special features improved public perceptions of CESs. Improved water accessibility and many winding walkways can increase the diversity of outdoor activities. The discrepancy between public perceptions of CESs and the CESs that city managers hope waterfront green spaces to provide in urban planning may be due to a lack of a detailed introduction to facilities for public within green spaces. We suggest promoting the public perception of CESs provided by waterfront green spaces through improved water accessibility and enhanced descriptions of their facilities. The results and suggestions generated from this study offer insights into the future planning and design of urban waterfront green spaces.

China has formulated several policies to alleviate the water pollution load, but few studies have quantitatively analyzed their impacts on future water pollution loads in China. Based on grey water footprint (GWF) assessment and scenario simulation, we analyze the water pollution (including COD, NH3-N, TN and TP) in China from 2021 to 2035 under different scenarios for three areas: consumption-side, production-side and terminal treatment. We find that under the current policy scenario, the GWF of COD, NH3-N, TN, and TP in China could be reduced by 15.0 % to 39.9 %; the most effective measures for GWF reduction are diet structure change (in the consumption-side area), and the wastewater treatment rate and livestock manure utilization improvement (in the terminal treatment area). However, the GWF will still increase in 8 provinces, indicating that the current implemented policy is not universally effective in reducing GWF across all provinces. Under the technical improvement scenario, the GWF of the four pollutants will decrease by 54.9 %-71.1 % via improvements in the current measures related to current policies and new measures in the production-side area and the terminal treatment area; thus, GWF reduction is possible in all 31 provinces. However, some policies face significant challenges in achieving full implementation, and certain policies are only applicable to a subset of provinces. Our detailed analysis of future water pollution scenarios and response options to reduce pollution loads can help to inform the protection of freshwater resources in China and quantitatively assess the effectiveness of policies in other fields.