Anthropocene Science最新文献

Rapidly expanding cities with simultaneous increase in the population have put immense pressure on the existing green spaces and biodiversity in the cities. The increasing air pollution, high carbon emissions, and increased intensity of flash floods and urban heat island effects in the fast-growing metropolitan cities of India especially National Capital Territory (NCT) Delhi have put an alert on the human well-being of the urban residents. Planning and implementing site-specific and cost-effective nature-based solutions become a prerequisite for improving livability and developing resilient cities as per Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. ‘City Biodiversity Index’ (CBI) was assessed to understand the biodiversity concerns, efforts, and challenges for the city. The assessment utilized recently upgraded 28 indicators of the CBI following a standard protocol outlined in the CBI manual, which incorporated elements of remote sensing and literature review. For the first time, Delhi’s CBI was evaluated resulting in a score of 57 out of 100 points. The CBI was divided into three components: native biodiversity (including flora and fauna), ecosystem services, and governance and management, which scored 10 out of 24 points, 5 out of 20 points, and 42 out of 56 points, respectively. These CBI scores serve as critical indicators that demand attention from both state and central governments. With a score slightly above 50%, it is crucial for the city to prioritize biodiversity conservation and incorporate the research findings into the local biodiversity action plan.

Invasive alien species pose a significant threat to biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and economic stability. Monitoring and managing invasive alien species has become essential, and recent advances offer a multifaceted approach to technologies ranging from pixels in remote sensing images to molecules in genetic analysis. Advances in high-resolution and hyperspectral data support accurate mapping of species-specific vegetation characteristics, enabling the identification of invasive species across vast landscapes. These pixel-based insights complement molecular methods from eDNA analysis to genome sequencing that offers species-specific details that are important for effective management. While remote sensing is valuable for large-scale habitat assessment and landscape-level monitoring, molecular methods offer increased specificity, sensitivity, and genetic insights that are essential for effective invasive species mapping and management. In the Anthropocene, where human activity accelerates ecological disruption, integrating these methodologies is critical to mitigate the growing impacts of invasive species on planetary health. The future of invasive alien plant species management lies in the synergy of diverse technologies to build ecosystems resilient to biological invasions.

Comprehending the status of biodiversity and ecosystem services in urban cities is a vital component in assessing whether the city is developing a sustainable future. The dearth of data availability, management and planning efforts poses a major challenge to the city’s conservation plans. Recent unscientific urbanization and land-use changes have depleted Nagpur's green spaces. This study assesses the biodiversity values, ecosystem services, and governance aspects of Nagpur City through the City Biodiversity Index (CBI). CBI is a critical metric to determine the biodiversity status and the effects of policies and management activities. CBI assessment estimated values under 28 indicators, recently upgraded from 23, across three sections: native biodiversity (9 indicators), ecosystem services (5 indicators), and governance (14 indicators). A mixed-method approach included systematic research review, participatory survey, field-based observation, and data collection, followed by remote sensing and GIS tools. Nagpur scored a total of 57 points out of 112 points. This study helps recognize the areas where the city performs better concerning the current biodiversity composition, the ecosystem services provided, and the management of urban greenspaces. It highlights the vital need to integrate natural and green infrastructure in areas where green and blue spaces are declining especially in highly concretized wards. Ecological connectivity in the form of avenue plantations is not uniform in different zones and requires significant management to develop corridors and reduce fragmentation. Mainstreaming green and blue infrastructure through ward-wise planning with the active involvement of planners and practitioners is essential to reducing urban risks in Nagpur.

Globally, 80% of people are projected to be affected by drought by 2050, creating environmental, economic and societal risks that require urgent attention. The 16th United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Conference of the Parties (CoP16) held in Riyadh in December 2024, brought drought to the political foreground through proposals for a separate framework or protocol specifically targeting drought. However, the CoP16 negotiations ended in a deadlock. As the UNCCD’s post-2030 framework discussions begin in mid-2025, the possibility for an integrated policy approach to desertification, land degradation and drought under the UNCCD emerges. This paper explores what such an approach could entail. We argue that an integrated policy approach should be internally coherent, facilitate alignment with the goals of and successors to the Paris Agreement, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Sustainable Development Goals, and enable drought to be addressed as a cross-cutting issue, in line with its biophysical manifestations. Interlinked global challenges need long-term integrated governance and action.

Mauritius, a vibrant island biodiversity hotspot in the Indian Ocean, is at a critical juncture where rapid anthropogenic development is significantly eroding its vital ecosystem services. Historically, the island’s natural landscape, once dominated by extensive native forests, has undergone profound land transformations since the colonial era. Initial clearing for sugarcane plantations, followed by repurposing for urban expansion and conversion of remaining agricultural land to scrubland, has demonstrably diminished the island’s ecological resilience. This study quantifies the tangible impact of these human-driven land use changes, revealing an annual decline in ecosystem service value of USD 4.2 million, plummeting from an aggregated USD 135.5 million in 1994 to USD 131.3 million in 2024. This reduction is primarily attributed to a corresponding decrease in critical agricultural and forestland extents, driven by the expansion of the built environment. While marginal increases were observed in the ecosystem service values of scrubland and water bodies, they are insufficient to offset the substantial losses. The quantification of Mauritius’ natural capital through this ecosystem service valuation serves as a crucial baseline. It offers a robust framework to track and monitor the island’s development pathway and its inherent impacts on natural assets within the context of the Anthropocene. Our findings underscore the urgent need for Mauritius to implement a more comprehensive and robust natural capital accounting system.

Traditional knowledge has been transmitted between generations in Ribeirinho’s and extractivist’s communities in the Amazon, but this sociocultural and ecological identity is not yet socially and academically well-known, which leads to the new generations not being interested in continuing to live in the forest. In an attempt to strengthen the valorization of this identity and its continuity in the Amazon, a study based on cultural ecology was carried out in the Xingu River Extractivist Reserve. Seven analytical categories were identified, representing interactions between elements of culture and the environment, and behavioral patterns adapted to sociocultural changes and the consequences of changes in culture. The following were highlighted: (i) the disappearance of wooden handicrafts; (ii) the ongoing nutritional transition, with a strong influence from the foreign market for processed food products; and (iii) the use of natural remedies, made from medicinal forest plants, maintained by some of the residents. On the other hand, subsistence hunting is still quite alive, as is fishing, whose main characteristics have changed, however, due to alterations in the river cycles by anthropogenic action. We suggest the description of Ribeirinho and/or extractivist identity can contribute with better insights for the residents of the extractivist reserves themselves, which is fundamental for supporting the development of public policies, differentiated school education and the valorization of this identity by new generations. This is essential if the Amazon rainforest is to remain standing, with traditional populations living sustainably from the natural resources of the forest and the river.

The Northwestern Himalayan (NWH) region, including the mountainous regions of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), are characterized by fragile soils, remote locations, poor socio-economic conditions, and fewer livelihood opportunities. Millets have tremendous potential to address these challenges. This study was conducted in the Jammu, and Kishtwar districts of the NWH to assess millet awareness, cultivation, consumption, and associated traditional knowledge. The primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire. The results showed that all the respondents could identify at least one of ten common millets, though the type of millet identified, cultivated, and consumed differed across the two agro-climatic zones. Over the past 20–30 years, a decline in millet cultivation was reported mainly due to climate change, availability of refined cereals through the Public Distribution System (PDS), and land diversion to other cash crops. Despite the decline, 98.46% of respondents reported consuming at least one millet mainly for cultural reasons, while "less preference by children" and "availability of rice through PDS" were responsible for lower consumption. The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) as per FAO was evaluated and a score of 7.86 was obtained. It was observed that only 7.69% of respondents were aware of the International Year of Millets-2023. Policy interventions targeting millet processing and value-addition can enhance their cultivation, uplift the livelihood of marginalized rural populations, and ensure food and nutritional security. The study findings can contribute towards the State Millet Mission plan for the Union Territory.

Forests play a significant function in global carbon sequestration and mitigation, yet the dynamics of species dominance related to carbon storage remain underexplored. This study bridged this gap by analyzing the species richness variability, spatial distribution, and carbon stock in Okalma Natural Forest Reserve, across 46 sample plots systematically distributed in the reserve. The study findings highlighted the importance of Okalma forest as it hosts 30 tree species belonging to 12 diversified families. Fabaceae and Combretaceae emerged as the most prevalent families, contributing to 53.4% of the forest’s composition. Regeneration status assessments revealed that 30.0% of species had no regeneration, 40.0% had poor regeneration, and only 3.3% showed excellent regeneration. Acacia senegal, Acacia seyal, Balanites aegyptiaca, Combretum aculeatum, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Sterculia setigera, and Ziziphus spina-christi were among the most frequent species. A. senegal and A. seyal, despite having smaller DBH, displayed higher tree density, and thus a significant carbon stock contribution. The study concludes that Okalma Natural Forest Reserve, with unique carbon storage patterns, emphasizes the significance of dominant species in determining a forest’s overall carbon sequestration potential, which can be used as an indicator for forest health and resilience. The study recommended that it is essential to prioritize the conservation of dominant species like A. senegal and A. seyal due to their substantial carbon sequestration potential. The findings underscore the necessity for region-specific research on forest carbon dynamics. The revelation that tree density is a stronger predictor of carbon stock has significant implications for future research and forest conservation approaches. Emphasizing dominant species and understanding forest-specific dynamics will be pivotal in global efforts to combat climate change and the anthropogenic-based disturbances.

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a climate-resilient cereal grain, crucial for food security in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in Asia and Africa. This review explores pearl millet’s botanical characteristics, agricultural practices, nutritional value, and biological activities, highlighting its significance in addressing global food security and climate change. Pearl millet is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, essential fatty acids, dietary fibre, and key micronutrients, including iron, zinc, and B vitamins. It also contains bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially mitigating the risk of chronic diseases. Its tolerance to high temperatures, low rainfall, and poor soil conditions, combined with a short growth cycle and efficient C4 photosynthetic pathway, makes it a sustainable agricultural option. Furthermore, pearl millet has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects, which suggest that it may help prevent and treat non-communicable diseases. Promoting pearl millet cultivation supports crop diversification, sustainable farming systems, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced food security in the face of global climate challenges.

The Anthropocene is marked by unprecedented imbalances and increasing human impacts. It highlights the urgency of better choices, and the perspectives outlined here can inform our decision-making process. The Biocentric–Technological way stresses the need to change the human niche to recalibrate human–ecological interactions in order to halt the process of biosphere transformation. The Bio-anthropogenic way is a middle path between the extremes, based on strategies that could lead to novel ecosystems and a symbiotic relationship between humans and new organisms. This will require ethical, cultural, and technological changes toward a less-harmful transformation. The final is the Anthropocentric way, which is the outcome of current human behavior and population growth. Failure to develop new environmentally friendly technologies and cultures will lead to the collapse of current life-support systems, leading to hazardous scenarios. These perspectives can help us to choose a safer and more sustainable future.

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