Anthropocene Science最新文献

The predominant focus of initial research endeavours investigating the impacts of ongoing climate change on biodiversity has been on studying the effects on species as the primary unit of measurement. However, over the last decade, numerous studies have taught us that neglecting intraspecific (genetic and/or phenotypic) diversity limits our understanding of the impacts that human activities have on life on Earth. Intraspecific biodiversity is a critical component of ecological systems, providing the foundation for adaptation, stability, productivity, and the long-term persistence of species and ecosystems. Evidence has demonstrated that consideration of variation below the species level is an absolute prerequisite for a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of anthropogenic pressure, the likely consequences for wider ecosystems and efficient management strategies. Plastic litter has rapidly emerged as a worldwide threat to global biodiversity. Critically, to date, akin to the initial phases of climate change research, the main emphasis of studies has primarily been on examining the effects of plastics on species as the principal metric of assessment. Studies investigating how, or to what extent, plastic pollution affects diversity below the species level are lagging. In this perspective piece, we argue that, by overlooking the role of intraspecific variation in plastic pollution research, the consequences of this new, and ever growing, ecological threat may be oversimplified and underestimated.

The United Nations Ocean Decade Action presents a crucial global initiative aimed at addressing the urgent challenges facing our oceans and promoting their sustainable use. Spanning from 2021 to 2030, this ten-year program seeks to rally governments, organizations, scientists, and communities worldwide to advance ocean science, foster innovation, and implement transformative actions to restore and protect our oceans. It recognizes that oceans are critical to sustaining life on Earth, providing food, livelihoods, climate regulation, and essential ecosystem services. However, human activities, including overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change, have led to unprecedented degradation of marine environments, threatening biodiversity and the well-being of coastal communities. By bringing together governments, academia, industry, civil society, and communities, the UN Ocean Decade Action aims to foster transformative actions and policies that will lead to a healthier, more resilient ocean environment. Through its ambitious targets and coordinated efforts, the Ocean Decade Action provides a unique opportunity to reverse the decline of our oceans and ensure their sustainable use for present and future generations.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are impacted by the Anthropocene's onset, hence critical actions must be taken to develop tailored policies for these goals. This research aims to understand the interaction between anthropogenic activities and SDGs or Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as research trajectories, spatiotemporal development, scientific networks, continuing research issues, and gaps in these fields. The present study compiled the top 500 most referenced publications from 252 different sources from 1992 to 2022 using the Web of Science database. Scientific output in these fields increased from 2016 to 2019, but we found a significant reduction from 2020 onwards. The top three countries generating single-country publications in this field are China, USA, and India. Although human activities have hampered the achievement of SDGs, many small, developing countries are still not involved in the scientific production of this field. Institutions in the USA, China, the UK, and Germany have a greater percentage of international collaborations than other countries. SDGs 3, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 are the most researched. The investigation produced helpful information and a full understanding of significant researchers, institutions, current scenario of study, rising trends, and relevant subjects for scholars as well as how that information is translated into actual SDGs attainment.

Globally, deforestation produces anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, contributing substantially to climate change. Forest cover changes also have large impacts on ecosystem services. Deforestation is the dominant type of land cover change in tropical regions, and this land cover change relates to distinct causes recognized as direct deforestation drivers. Understanding these drivers requires a significant effort. Further, GHG emissions due to deforestation are quantified only in terms of biomass removal, while linking emissions from soil organic carbon (SOC) loss to deforestation is lacking. A closer picture of associated ecosystem service changes due to deforestation is also needed. We analyze for 2001–2010: (1) the magnitudes of deforestation drivers, (2) the related carbon loss, and (3) the ecosystem service value change. On the global scale, agriculture (90.3%) is the primary deforestation driver, where grassland expansion contributed the most (37.5%). The deforestation drivers differ in magnitude and spatial distribution on the continental scale. The total carbon loss by biomass removal and SOC loss accounted for 8797 Mt C and 1185 Mt C, respectively. Furthermore, tropical deforestation caused the ESV loss of 408 billion Int.$ year(^{-1}), while the resulting land cover has the ESV of 345 billion Int.$ year(^{-1}). Our findings highlight that agriculture substantially contributes to global carbon loss and ecosystem service loss due to deforestation. The deforestation drivers differ in magnitude and distribution for different continents. Further, we highlight the danger of putting a monetary value on nature.

Designing sustainable food and agricultural systems is a pressing need at a time when we already are at the low end of achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action) of reducing carbon emissions. In such a scenario, this study has the potential to provide an insightful framework for policymakers. The major objective of this study is to estimate the carbon sequestration of tree crops, and soil analysis in homestead agroforestry systems (AFS), monocropped rubber plantations, and monocropped coconut plantations in the Alappuzha and Kollam districts of Kerala. The soil carbon parameters analyzed were soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile carbon. Other parameters, such as pH and electrical conductivity of soil, were also measured. The soil of rubber plantations had the least pH (4.8) and EC (79 µS/cm). We found the tree carbon sequestration of rubber trees in the plantations to be the highest (13.8 t C ha⁻¹ year ⁻¹) followed by homestead AFS (2.68 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and coconut tree plantation (2.08 ± 0.53 t C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹). The tree carbon sequestration potential was significantly (p = 0.003) influenced by the treatments. In soil, the SOC content was highest in the homestead AFS (2.48%). The labile carbon was also found to be higher in the homestead AFS (0.06%) but was least in rubber plantation (0.04%). These results indicate that even though the tree carbon sequestration of homestead AFS is lesser compared to that of large tree plantations such as rubber. The soil carbon pools and other physical and chemical properties of soil promote the valuable contribution that homestead can play in the sustainability of the environment and ensuring food security.