Human activities, such as dam construction for flow regulation, modify the natural hydrological regimes of lakes and rivers. The altered flow regimes substantially influence plant growth in the water level fluctuation zone, impacting both vegetation patterns and success. The relationships among above-ground vegetation, soil seed bank and soil microorganisms remain unexamined. This study was performed in Lashi Lake, a plateau lake in southern China characterized by anti-seasonal water level fluctuations, and Jizi Reservoir, a reference site exhibiting natural seasonal water level variations. The primary aim was to assess the distribution pattern of plant, soil seed bank and their corresponding soil microorganism over the three flood gradients, and the relationships among them were analysed simultaneously. The findings indicated that both plant community variety and seed bank diminished as the area of soil flooding increased. The soil seed bank was a strong indication of community diversity, particularly throughout late spring and late summer. Additionally, significant correlations between the alpha diversity of soil microorganisms and the concentrations of soil carbon, nitrogen and moisture were found across the flooding gradients. The organization and diversity of soil microbial communities were significantly correlated with the alpha diversity of the plant community and the soil seed bank. The findings demonstrate that both seed banks and soil bacteria play a dynamic role in the restoration of vegetation in areas experiencing anti-seasonal water fluctuations.
The mangrove ecosystem in the Banyak Islands faces urgent challenges due to environmental pressures, highlighting the need for accurate identification and conservation efforts. Mangrove forests provide crucial ecological benefits, making their preservation vital for sustainable regional development. To address these challenges, this study analyzed changes in mangrove vegetation on Tuangku Island, part of the Banyak Islands Marine Natural Park (BIMNP), over a decade (2010–2020). The methodology utilized Landsat imagery and ALOS PALSAR data, which were analyzed through the Google Earth Engine platform. Spectral index combinations, including NDVI, NDMI, MNDWI, and MVI, were analyzed using random forest classification, a tree-based machine learning algorithm. The study's methodology revealed that the total estimated mangrove area was 818.21 hectares in 2010, increased to 939.91 hectares in 2015, and then slightly decreased to 899.96 hectares in 2020. These findings indicate an initial expansion of mangrove vegetation followed by a decline, suggesting fluctuating environmental conditions or human impact over the period studied. The findings highlight the critical need for continuous monitoring and adaptive management practices to support the long-term sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem within the BIMNP. Based on these findings, we recommend implementing targeted conservation measures and further research to understand the underlying causes of the observed changes, thereby supporting the region's sustainable development and ecological health.
This study utilizes Mentha piperita (MI) for the first time to investigate the uptake and translocation of chlorpyrifos (CPF; 10 µg g−1) from soil, introducing a new approach to improve the efficacy of this technique, which includes using biosurfactants (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) at 107 CFU/mL to degrade CPF under greenhouse conditions. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (Prx), and oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in MI roots and leaves were evaluated under CPF stress. Our results demonstrated that amending soil with MI and B. subtilis followed by P. aeruginosa significantly reduced CPF levels in the soil (p > 0.05) and enhanced CPF concentrations in MI roots and leaves after 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days of the experiment. Furthermore, CPF showed its longest half-life (t1/2) in soil contaminated solely with CPF, lasting 15.36 days. Conversely, its shortest half-life occurred in soil contaminated with CPF and treated with MI along with B. subtilis, lasting 4.65 days. Soil contaminated with CPF and treated with MI and P. aeruginosa showed a half-life of 7.98 days. The half-life (t1/2) of CPF-contaminated soil with MI alone was 11.41 days. A batch equilibrium technique showed that B. subtilis is better than P. aeruginosa for eliminating CPF from soil in In vitro experiments. Notably, CPF-polluted soil treated with coadministration of MI and the tested bacteria improved the activities of SOD and Prx and reduced H2O2 and MDA compared with CPF-polluted soil treated with MI alone. Our findings demonstrated that using B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa as biosurfactants to augment phytoremediation represents a commendable strategy for enhancing the remediation of CPF contamination in affected sites while reducing the existence of harmful pesticide remnants in crop plants.
A revolutionary paradigm change in agriculture is being referred to as “digital” or “precision” farming, which aims to address issues with global food security while advancing environmental sustainability and economic success. Through the amalgamation of technologies resemble Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, drones, artificial intelligence, plus big data, this maximizes the sustainability, efficiency, and productivity of the farming sector by optimizing different aspects of farming operations with traditional agricultural practices. In addition, it uses sensors for remote sensing and data analytics to track crop health, moisture content, and soil conditions in real time. This allows farmers to decide cognizant decisions about pest control, fertilization, and irrigation. Drones with multispectral cameras and remote sensing data analytics sensors may accurately and efficiently provide airborne footage for crop monitoring, disease diagnosis, and yield estimation. This allows for insights into agricultural performance, weather patterns, and other related topics. Furthermore, it makes it easier for sustainable practices to be adopted by lowering input consumption, lessening environmental effect, and improving resource efficiency. Digital farming systems are networked, allowing for easy integration with supply chains and quality assurance, traceability, and transparency from farm to fork. Additionally, farmers can boost their competitiveness in the market by utilizing blockchain technology to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of their produce, earning the trust of customers. The present review critically scrutinizes the sways of big data systems and emerging technologies on agriculture (the “digital revolution”). Additionally, it highlights the contributions of big data sways, the Internet of Things (IoT), besides cloud computing focusing on a number of important issues and challenges.
Seagrasses are important marine plants that provide a variety of ecosystem services, including food and shelter for marine life, and protection from coastal erosion. This study investigated the biodiversity (alpha and beta diversity) of seagrass in the Kepulauan Banyak Marine Nature Park, Indonesia, with a specific focus on eight sites. Alpha diversity was calculated using Shannon's index, Simpson's index, and Pielou evenness. Beta diversity was determined using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity and Jaccard dissimilarity allowing us to examine the variations in species composition among different sites. Principal coordinate analysis and Partial distance-based redundancy analysis was used to visualize and investigate the impact of constraint variables to the structure of the seagrass communities. Alpha diversity varied among the sites, with the highest alpha diversity found at the Orongan and Matahari site and the lowest at the Ujung Lolok and Balai sites. The dominant substrate type (mud or sand) was found to be a significant (P≤ 0.01) determinant of seagrass alpha diversity, with mud substrates supporting higher diversity than sand substrates. The relationship between alpha diversity and constrain variables was only significant with closest distance to forest lost and longitude variables. The analysis found that water pH, closest distance to forest lost, mean distance to tourism spots, and closest distance to settlement collectively explained a significant (P≤ 0.001) portion (88.48%) of the variation in beta diversity of seagrass across the sites. The results of this study can be used to develop management strategies for the conservation of seagrass meadows in the park.
Environmental sensors are compact, friendly tools that help farmers manage their fields more effectively and avoid crop and plant disease by keeping track of the weather, water, irradiation, and soil moisture levels. Science and technology are committed to developing fresh approaches to addressing pollution levels, water and energy shortages, and climate change as worries about it continue to grow. The development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology offers a singular chance to motivate measures to maintain the safety and health of our planet and accomplish smart digital farming. As a result, environmental parameter monitoring systems enable the gathering and analysis of a wide range of data that can be applied to agriculture, energy conservation, water management, and irrigation. Sensors buried in the ground or submerged in water gather information about their surroundings and utilize it to notify farmers of specific weather patterns or soil conditions that could affect crops. Farmers can help agriculture with the best tools available thanks to sensors. Water monitoring sensors, which are submerged, keep an eye on the eutrophication of lakes and enclosed water basins by measuring the amount of nutrients in the water and ensuring correct re-oxygenation. By combining data from weather monitoring sensors that measure temperature, climate, and plant health, factors that precede the emergence of crop and plant diseases can be predicted.
Presently, the world is using eco-friendly products to limit pollution in soil, air, water, and marine environments and to mitigate rapid climate change according to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations Development Programme. As a result, most countries attempt to produce environmentally friendly herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides from plants, algae (e.g., Cladophora glomerata, Laurencia pinnata, Plocamium cartilagineum, Polcamium spp.) or animal manure. Plants, such as Anethum sowa, Thymus vulgaris, Foeniculum vulgare, Syzygium aromaticum, Pinus sylvestris, Citrus spp., Piper spp. and Mentha spicata, are ecofriendly sources of essential oils, containing safe components, which can resist harmful pests. This review evaluates the common plants and algae used for extracting biopesticides, geographical distribution, target pests, mode of action, and commercial viability.
Weed control during crop cultivation with integrated management remains a challenge. Bioherbicides such as plant extracts, allelochemicals, and microbes, are alternatives for weed control in sustainable agriculture. There are a few studies on the physiological influence of plant and microbial biopesticides on the germination and growth of weeds. Weed seed germination or growth is hindered when plant metabolites or extracts are absorbed, damaging the cell membrane, DNA, mitosis, amylase activity, and other biochemical processes. Weed growth is slowed by decreased rates of root-cell division, food absorption, photosynthetic pigment synthesis, and plant growth hormone synthesis, while the production of reactive oxygen species, stress-mediated hormones, and erratic antioxidant activity is increased. Bacterially produced lytic enzymes and toxins degrade the endosperm and utilize it for survival, preventing the growth of weed seeds.
Currently, sustainable agriculture involves ecofriendly techniques, which include biofertilization. Biofertilizers increase plant productivity by improving soil fertility and nutrient content. A wide range of living organisms can be applied as biofertilizers and increase soil fertility without causing pollution due to their biodegradability. The organisms can be microorganisms like bacteria, microalgae, and micro fungi or macro organisms like macroalgae, macro fungi, and higher plants. Biofertilizers extracted from living organisms or their residues will be increasingly used rather than chemical fertilizers, which cause heavy metal accumulation in soil. Biofertilizer use aims for sustainable development in agriculture by maintaining the soil. This will mitigate climate change and related impacts and will also lower many serious diseases resulting from pollution such as cancer, liver and renal failure, and immune diseases. This review is a comprehensive overview of biofertilizers extracted from a range of living organisms from the Kingdoms Monera to Plantae and included bacteria, algae, fungi, and higher plants. Organisms that play a vital role in elevating soil nutrients in a safe, cheap, and ecofriendly manner are included in the review to promote their potential commercial application.
Microplastics are widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems along with other chemical pollutants. Therefore, it is vital to study the health-hazardous effects of MPs in combination with 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), which is a highly abundant industrial waste and a critical alkylphenol endocrine disruptor. We investigated the effects of the exposure to polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), 4-NP, and their combination on blood biomarkers in Cyprinus carpio juveniles. Four study groups were treated for 15 consecutive days: (1) control group, (2) 10 mg/L PE-MP group, (3) 10 mg/L PE-MPs + 200 µg/L 4-NP group, and (4) 200 µg/L 4-NP group, followed by 15 days of recovery. Biochemical analyses showed that creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose, liver enzymes, total protein, and A/G ratios were significantly increased after exposure to PE-MPs, 4-NP, and the combination. Hematological parameters (RBC's, Hb, Ht, neutrophil percentage, and WBC's) were significantly decreased in the three exposure groups, whereas mean corpuscular volume and lymphocyte percentages were significantly increased. The 15-day recovery period improved most hematobiochemical parameters and PE-MP accumulation indices. Taken together, we demonstrated the hazardous effects of PE-MP and 4-NP combinations on C. carpio blood parameters and highlighted their potential risk to human health.
Plant diversity is undoubtedly influenced by spatial and climatic factors, as well as others as architecture, human effects, and population percentage. This research demonstrates how site characteristics influence crop species diversity. One hundred eighty-five cultivated centers of 20 governorates forming the Egyptian Nile Region were examined regarding to their crop diversity from March 2021 to March 2022, including 170 crop species, sub-species and varieties. These cultivated centers were classified using two-way cluster analysis (TWCA) into 62 groups according to their floristic composition; and ordinated along the first and second axes of Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCOA) with type of irrigation supply. Group 51 had the uppermost species richness (333.5 species group-1), while group 44 had the uppermost species turnover (9). Eighteen least cultivated species were recorded: 12 species in 2 centers e.g., Actinidia chinensis and Carica papaya and 6 in 3 e.g., Carya illinoinensis and Cyperus papyrus, while 60 species are common in >50 cultivated centers. Significant correlations were depicted between the species richness and X and Y coordinates, while insignificant correlation with area (m2) of each cultivated centre. Precipitation (mm yr-1), relative humidity (%) and temperature (°C) were depicted an insignificant correlation. Species density (Species m-2) was depicted an insignificant correlation, while population percentage had an insignificant correlation. Descriptively, a regular relationship between species diversity and type of irrigation supply and main human activities in each centre was observed.
This assessment tends to evaluate the Egyptian crop basket around the Nile River, with a focus on their introduction history. A framework of growth forms, flowering time, sex forms, cultivation duration, propagation methods, economic values, and ecological benefits was used. A side from assessing were global phyto-geographic regions, continental distribution, and biomes. Twenty-four field visits were conducted covering the study area (March 2021 - March 2022) to verify collected data from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture, and checking the herbarium of Agricultural Museum, Cairo (CAIM). One hundred and ninety-one crops were recorded, of them 170 crops, belonging 101 genera and 45 families, are currently surveyed, while 21 crops are considered a gap, belonging 7 families and 19 genera. The most evaluated family was Fabaceae, while Citrus was the most evaluated genus. Herbaceous plants were the most recorded growth form (66.5 %). Most crops were bisexual, propagated by seeds, and grown in winter (43.5 %). Their flowering activity gradually increases from December reaching a peak in June. Most crops (48.2 %) return to the Pharaonic era, e.g., Aloe vera and Portulaca oleracea. The majority of crops evaluated as foods (80.7 %) and humidity tolerant species (56 %). The Mediterranean and Saharan-Arabian regions were the most represented (42.9 %). Most crops originated in Africa, then Asia. Temperate deciduous forest and subtropical evergreen forest were the major biomes. As the majority of the Egyptian crops return to the Pharaonic era, indicating the relative stability of the Egyptian climate over last years.
Plastic particles have the ability to transfer harmful chemical pollutants due to their high adsorption capacity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of combined exposure to polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) on juvenile common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) using histopathological and histochemical biomarkers. Fish were separated into a control group and three treatment groups (10 mg/L PE-MPs; 10 mg/L PE-MPs + 200 µg/L 4-NP; 200 µg/L 4-NP) for a two-week continuous exposure experiment followed by two weeks of recovery. The three treatment groups showed histopathological changes compared to the control. These alterations included severe edema, lifting of the outer epithelium, interlamellar fusion and vacuolation, secondary lamellar shortening and complete fusion, increased mucous cell numbers in the gill tissue, enlargement of inner layer stratum periventricular, cell degeneration with pyknotic nuclei, increased blood capillaries, spongiosis in the brain tissue (optic tectum), central vein hemorrhage, shrunken and fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, rosette shapes around small congested blood sinusoids, vacuoles, necrosis, and severe glycogen reduction in the liver tissue. Some tissue changes improved during the two-week recovery period but did not return to normal. In conclusion, the mixture exposure of the PE-MPs and 4-NP on fish carp induced some histological alterations in most studied tissues and post-exposure made improvement in cellular and tissue structure.
Bio-fertilization is a sustainable agricultural practice that includes using bio-fertilizers to increase soil nutrient content resulting in higher productivity. Soil micro-flora has been exposed to improve soil fertility and increase biomass productivity and identified as a correct environmentally friendly bio-based fertilizer for pollution-free agricultural applies. The majority of cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and several species including Anabaena sp., Nostoc sp., and Oscillatoria angustissima is known to be effective cyanobacterial based bio fertilizers. Acutodesmus dimorphus, Spirulina platensis Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus dimorphus, Anabaena azolla, and Nostoc sp. are some of the green microalgae and cyanobacteria species that have been successfully used as bio fertilizers to boost crop growth. Also, Chlorella vulgaris is one of the most commonly used microalgae in bio fertilizer studies. The addition of seaweed species that are Sargassum sp. and Gracilaria verrucosa leads to chemical changes as a soil fertility indicator on clay and sandy soils, and the addition of seaweed conditioner to soil can improve its organic content, return pH to normal, and reduce C/N ratio in both sandy and clay soil. This review provides an effective approach to increase soil fertility via environmentally friendly bio-based fertilizer using micro and macro algae. Instead of the usage of inorganic and organic fertilizers that have polluted impacts to soil as aggregation of heavy metals, in addition to there their human carcinogenic effects.
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103428.].
The increasing demand for agricultural products can be met by maximizing production potential and reducing crop losses caused by common plant-parasitic nematodes. Chemical-based nematode management is a successful technique for mitigating damage and yield losses caused by nematode pests; however, inappropriate and irresponsible application of synthetic pesticides has negative impacts on fauna, bioflora, and natural enemies such as predators and parasites. The use of biocontrol agents is the most appreciated method for nematode control among farmers because it’s safe and reduces environmental pollution. There is increasing focus on the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biopesticide. Moreover, PGPR strains can promote plant growth by producing various secondary metabolites of these PGPRs. This review focuses on the direct (Nitrogen fixation, phytohormone formation, phosphate solubilization, Potassium solubilization, siderophores and ammonia production) and indirect mechanisms (Hyperparasitism, antibiosis, lytic enzyme production, induced systemic resistance) of action of PGPR in plant-parasitic nematodes management, and the future prospects of PGPR-based plant-parasitic nematodes biocontrol agents.
Globally, several indicators recorded that in 2025 about 4.3 billion urban areas may generate 2.2 billion tonnes of solid waste, e.g., nonbiodegradable plastics. This will cause cultural, social, environmental, and public health troubles. The most urgent problem is "How can countries get rid of waste?", especially new poor industrial countries. The using of low amount of collected wastes for composing or recycling and hunge amount still find as wastes which poor countries can not rid get of them. Plastic packages are considered complex because they contain the highest composition of polymers and low recycling rates. Bioplastics are regarded as alternatives owing to their ability to biodegrade. Accumulating the chemical residues of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers as heavy metals will damage the soil structure and fertility, causing desertification and deforestation. Moreover, a gathering of oil residues from ships in marine habitats will destroy marine health. Also, the accumulation of pollutants in the air from car exhaust and factory chimneys harms the health of wildlife; thus, the nonstability of the ecosystem and human life is difficult. Undoubtedly, biodegradation will create a revolution to preserve the environment by purifying the soil and reducing the proportion of heavy elements in it, as well as purifying water and air, then improving the productivity of plants and animals and creating an environment conducive to the growth of all living creatures, especially humans.
AbstractThe existence of alpheid shrimp species in Indonesia is not too much found in the latest scientific publications. Alpheid shrimp species can be used as an indicator to assess the quality of the environment in mangrove areas. The discovery of shrimp species from the Alpheid group adds to the list of biodiversity in the mangrove area of Kuala Langsa. Biodiversity of a high number of species in this group of shrimp is usually found in mangrove areas with muddy sand beaches. This is because, this type of shrimp has a habit of living in muddy areas. The living zone of this type of shrimp is almost the same location as the type of crab that is wrapped like the Scylla serrata group. Mangrove area kuala langsa although it has mangrove biodiversity that is relatively high. Kuala Langsa mangrove forests are dominated by the Rhizoporaceae group, which is a type of vegetation that is effective as a sediment trap from the direction of the river estuary while holding abrasion from the direction of the sea. In the current year there is also a condition of decrease in the number of large trees. This is caused by the harvest of mangrove wood to produce charcoal for fuel purposes. This condition will slowly make the function of the ecosystem decrease. Where the role of ecosystems provide living niches for aquatic organisms is decreasing. Land clearing of certain areas of the mangrove area for physical infrastructure purposes such as the construction of restaurants, settlements, roads, small aircraft runways, reduces the ability of the region to maintain the function of its ecosystem. The next thing is the ecological pressure for aquatic biota that has living niches in mangrove areas.Keyword: alpheid shrimp, alpheus, mangrove, ecosystem, kuala langsa, aceh
THE PRESENT study aims to evaluate the role of Egyptian gardens in the Nile Region for wild plant conservation, focusing on threatened species. For this evaluation, an outline of their life forms, geographical distributions, economic uses, environmental benefits, conservation categories, and local threats in their natural habitats is given. One hundred and ninety-four trips were conducted to cover 183 gardens in the study area (summer 2012 to winter 2018). Ninety-six species were recorded, they belonged to 76 genera and 43 families. Fabaceae was the most recorded family and Acacia was the most represented genus. Phanerophytes was the most represented life form (39.6%). Nile region was the most represented (75 species, 78.1%) (out of them 20 species were restricted to it). Beside, 21 species were conserved in gardens from other phytogeographical regions as Sinai, Mediterranean, Gebal Elba and Deserts. Medicinal plants (58 species) were the most represented economic uses, while nitrogen fixers (37.9%) were the most represented environmental benefits. Eighty- seven species suffer from at least one threat at their natural habitats, over-collecting species (70.1%) were the most represented threats. The recorded species classified into 73 native and 23 aliens. Seven species were JUCN threatened species (5 least concerned, 1 endangered and 1 vulnerable). Our results show an unlimited role of botanic and public gardens in the Egyptian Nile Region; for plant diversity conservation, as they not only help conserve the threatened species in the study area but also help conserve wild plant species from other geographical regions.