Anthropocene Science最新文献

The Anthropocene, marked by human-driven environmental changes, faces a critical challenge of plastic pollution. This global issue highlights the extensive impact humans have on the environment, exemplifying the era’s defining characteristics. In the contemporary world, the issue of plastic pollution has escalated into a formidable environmental crisis, posing severe threats to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. The ubiquity and persistence of plastic in the environment have raised concerns globally, prompting urgent calls for sustainable solutions. This article discusses the environmental threats posed by plastic pollution, evaluates current mitigation efforts, and explores the path forward to a plastic-free planet.

This research assesses the dynamic affiliation among carbon emission, green finance, eco-innovation, international trade, digitalization, and cleaner energy and economic progress among the ten industrialized nations, namely Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Turkey, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Mexico, China, and Brazil, over the period 1990–2020. Utilizing a panel dataset, this research employs econometric approaches comprising of common correlated effects mean group (CCEG) and augmented mean group (AMG) to analyze the effects comprehensively. The results of this investigation reveal several noteworthy findings. Carbon emissions consistently adversely influence economic growth, underscoring the detrimental impact of environmental pollution on economic development. In contrast, eco-innovation, green finance, international trade, digitalization, and renewable energy have been discovered to impact economic growth significantly. This underscores the significance of investing in innovation that promotes environmental sustainability to drive economic development. This research offers pertinent knowledge regarding the interplay of environmental and economic indicators within the context of industrialized nations. By reducing carbon footprints and fostering sustainable economic practices, the research underscores the necessity for integrating green finance and renewable energy to achieve long-term ecological balance and economic resilience.

With the recently adopted Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the significance of ecosystem health and the need for increasing the protected area/other effective area-based conservation measures (OECM) coverage has been reiterated. Ecosystem health assessment or Red Listing of Ecosystems is the headline indicator for target A of GBF. The indicators listed in the IUCN Red Listing of Ecosystems (RLE) have been adopted to monitor the important targets under the Global Biodiversity Framework. Globally, 4279 ecosystems have been assessed using IUCN RLE, and immense potential exists to study the indicators to monitor and classify the health of Indian ecosystems, especially high conservation-value ecosystems. The work presented here synthesises the analyses of the pertinent current global trends in this domain to plan a suitable decentralised approach for assessing ecosystems in India that will be required to be included in the upcoming National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAPs) as per GBF.

Storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in the soil profile is a current global challenge. Despite greater attention to research investigating the buildup of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the surface soil layer (0‒0.2 m), information on C sequestration rates in sub-soil layers (0‒1.0 m) is scanty in tropical upland crop production systems. We investigated the relationship of inputs of biomass C and C sequestration rates with the sustainability yield index (SYI) of the upland rice-based system in Vertisols of Central India. A randomised block design (RBD) was followed with five treatments viz., T1 = control; T2 = 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (fertiliser) (40 kg N each for rice and wheat); T3 = 100% RDN (compost @ 8 Mg ha⁻¹); T4 = 50% RDN (fertiliser) + 50% RDN (compost); T5 = 50% RDN (fertiliser) + 50% RDN (compost) + Azotobacter (2 kg ha⁻¹). Changes in soil C stock under each treatment were measured for five depths (0–0.2, 0.2–0.4, 0.4–0.6, 0.6–0.8 and 0.8–1.0 m). Results of long-term (1998–2011) experiments highlighted that the total system productivity could be improved by regular inputs of compost. Maximum crop yields of rice and wheat (1829 and 2066 kg ha⁻¹, respectively) were obtained when 100% N was supplied through compost. However, the sustainability of the rice–wheat cropping system was improved with integrated nutrient management (INM) (T4). Mean SOC concentration increased from 4.50 to 6.03 g kg⁻¹ over control, and 19.2 Mg C ha⁻¹ was sequestered out of the cumulative total C input of 46.80 Mg C ha⁻¹ in the organic treatment (T3). A strong correlation (R² ≥ 0.96, P < 0.05) was found between total C inputs and profile C content, stock, and sequestration rate. The soil C sequestration efficiency was 67.9% for the rice–wheat cropping system. A critical C input of 1.30 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ was needed to maintain the SOC at the antecedent level for Vertisols. Thus, the combined application of organic amendments with fertilisers is paramount to sustain the productivity of the upland rice–wheat system and enhance SOC sequestration rates in sub-soil layers in Vertisols in sub-humid tropics.

Graphical Abstract

Increasing urbanisation acts as a contributor to deforestation. Afforestation schemes are one of the preferred approaches to the recovery of forest cover. However, the relationship between urbanisation and afforestation schemes has not yet been explored. Taking India as a case study, the study used secondary data from Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR), Census of India and state/UT forest department webpages. Data from these sources were used to investigate which factors are related to the number of afforestation schemes adopted in the Indian states and Union Territories (UTs). The study found 151 afforestation schemes in Indian states/UTs, with states such as Odisha (17) and Uttar Pradesh (15) having the largest number of schemes. A strong relationship was found between the number of afforestation schemes with the state’s urbanisation and Tree Outside Forests (TOF) signifying them as drivers of number of afforestation schemes in Indian states/UTs. Only 49 tree species (13 introduced) constituted the dominant urban tree species. States with the least number of dominating native species had more than five schemes and 50% urban coverage of just five trees. Urbanisation and urban coverage of trees were influential factors in States/UTs with 10 schemes. This study highlighted the need to consider state-specific afforestation factors such as land use changes and not generalising based on only urbanisation while formulating afforestation schemes to achieve the greening objectives.

Biomass carbon (C) stocks and species richness and diversity are interlinked, and they co-vary along an elevational gradient. To test these hypotheses of inter-connectiveness and covariation in the Western Ghats (peninsular India) context, we enumerated 16 moist forest plots as well as 18 rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and coconut (Cocos nucifera) plantations each. Our main objectives were to assess the aboveground biomass C (AGB-C) stocks and the association between plant diversity and forest AGB-C stocks along an elevation gradient. Species-specific allometric equations and Ordinary Kriging interpolation were used to predict and map AGB-C and species diversity. AGB-C stocks varied significantly among forest (381.69 ± 25.87 Mg ha^–1), rubber (73.92 ± 7.76 Mg ha^–1), and coconut (21.19 ± 1.23 Mg ha^–1) stands. Forest AGB-C stocks also decreased linearly with increasing elevation. Although rubber and coconut AGB-C declined with elevation, the differences were not significant. The richness and diversity of arboreal species were higher in mid-elevation forests compared to low/high-elevation sites (unimodal pattern). With Simpson’s diversity index ranging from 0.695 to 0.865, Shannon index of 1.445–2.231, and Equitability of 0.883–0.994, our study sites exhibited moderate to high species diversity and encompassed 26 IUCN Red-listed species. Diversity and AGB-C were significantly correlated, indicating that the results support the hypothesis on inter-connectiveness. Overall, the forests at low and mid-elevations showed greater potential for C sequestration and biodiversity conservation, implying the need for adaptive management (designing actions) of these forests to mitigate the impending global climate change and conserve biodiversity.

Graphical Abstract

Disturbance of forest ecosystem causes changes in vegetation structure, micro-environmental conditions, soil properties and microbial biomass. Therefore, an understanding of the role of microbes and its activities in sustaining and regulating the soil fertility in forest ecosystems along a disturbance gradient are necessary. The present study investigates the effects of human disturbances on micro-environmental parameters, soil properties and microbial biomass in subtropical broad leaved forests of Cherrapunjee plateau of Meghalaya, northeast India. The results for micro-environmental parameters (light intensity, relative humidity, air, and soil temperature) varied significantly (p < 0.05) along a disturbance gradient. Disturbance also had a significant effect on soil properties with high values of soil moisture content (SMC, 24.93–25.57%), soil organic carbon (SOC, 5.23–5.60 g/kg), total kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN, 3.45–3.87 g/kg) and extractable Phosphorous (Ex. P, 4.24–5.12 mg/kg) in low disturbed sites as compared to highly disturbed sites (SMC = 21.01–23.93%; SOC = 4.26–4.53 g/kg; TKN = 2.70–3.35 g/kg; Ex. P = 3.62–3.90 mg/kg). The soil microbial biomass Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorous (MBC, MBN and MBP) also varied significantly (p < 0.05) across the disturbance gradient and seasons. It showed a strong correlation with SOC, TKN and Ex. P indicating a close relationship between microbial biomass and the status of the soil nutrient pool. Percentage contribution of MBC to SOC, MBN to TKN and MBP to Ex. P ranged from 1.15 to 1.40%, 1.82–2.43 and 4.91–6.91%, respectively. The present study highlights the complex relationships between disturbance, micro-environmental conditions, soil- properties and -microbial biomass in these forests. Therefore, sustainable practices that minimize disturbances and promote ecosystem restoration require rights-based land-use practices, prioritizing biodiversity conservation, and creating awareness among local communities.

Marine fisheries provide direct livelihood support to approximately 16 million people and almost double the number along the value chain. The turnover of Small-Scale Fishery (SSF) communities in the maritime states of India was previously limited by the use of unscientific and unreliable indicators of fish abundance and the increased frequency of extreme weather events. To overcome these challenges, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in the Government of India (GoI) is providing Marine Fishery Advisories (MFAs) based on geospatial data in the form of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) and Ocean State Forecast (OSF) advisories that can make a significant impact in the Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) and net profit for pelagic fisheries. However, the utilisation of these advisories for the sustainable development of the SSF communities is also hampered by complex inter-linked socio-economic factors. The present investigation provided an assessment of the socio-economic factors influencing the degree of utilisation of the PFZ and OSF by the fishing communities in the maritime state of Odisha. Whilst the outcome of the present study indicated that the access of the advisories was influenced by community backwardness, literacy and ownership of the various categories of crafts, ground level investigation showed that the usages of the PFZ advisories are hampered by several factors such as irregularity in reception and long distant from their traditional fishing ground. The transformative pathways through the utilisation of the MFAs are hence crucial for the sustainable fishing practices towards achieving the economic stability of the SSF communities. This study further recommended that implementation gaps identified must be addressed so that geospatial technology products can be more effectively used to enhance the sustainable development of the SSF communities in India.

Agropastoralism and nomadic pastoralism constitute the main land use systems in semi-arid drylands in Kenya. However, limited studies have investigated how land use and management practices and seasonality affect soil properties that alter C, N, and P biogeochemical cycling in African drylands systems. Thus, this study was conducted to determine effects of: (1) sedentary agropastoral land-use system (SAL), (2) semi-nomadic pastoral land-use system (SNL)), (3) pasture enclosures and (4) seasonality on selected soil chemical properties and total C, N, and P stoichiometry in a semi-arid landscape in Kenya. Land use, enclosures, and seasonality affected chemical properties of soils and C, N, and P stoichiometry. Generally, Na, K, Ca, Mg and cation exchange capacity were higher in the dry than wet period. Soil C:N ratios were less than 5, while N:P and C:P ratios were 5–56 and 16–177, respectively. However, ratios of C:N, N:P and C:P were significantly higher in SNL than SAL. The C:P and N:P ratios in both land use systems were highly correlated (r² > 0.70). During the wet season, C:N ratios of soils were higher inside enclosures in both land uses. Higher soil N:P and C:P ratios were observed during dry compared to wet seasons. The N:P and C:P ratios of soils were higher inside and outside enclosures in SAL and SNL, respectively. Land use, enclosures and seasonality exhibited different effects on chemical properties of soils and C:N:P stoichiometry ratios. Perennial vegetation cover in enclosures has a great potential to enhance soil health necessary to support pastoral land-use systems in semi-arid African drylands.

Riparian buffers of the Ganga have undergone significant deforestation in the last few decades. The study attempts to understand the impact of increasing anthropogenic interferences on the riparian fringes of the river Ganga. Change detection using land use land cover (LULC), followed by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis supported by data collected from field surveys was carried out from Gomukh to Haridwar. Our results show an increase in the built-up area and barren land, accounting for 4.1% and 4.8%, respectively. An increasing tourist influx, increasing built-up area, expansion of agriculture and the after-effects of the “Himalayan Tsunami” in 2013 have been identified as primary reasons behind the destruction of the riparian forests in the upper stretch of river Ganga. Significant loss of overall vegetation cover, i.e. 17.2% in the last decade (2008–2017) was observed in the analysis. From the field-based surveys, it was observed that vegetation assemblages are changing with the shift from climatic climax vegetation to pioneer species like Alnus nepalensis and the rapid expansion of Pinus roxburghii. A shift in species assemblages further manifests in loss of biodiversity and enhanced invasion of Parthenium, Lantana and Eupatorium species. The present study attempts to provide broader indicators of river health to improve the understanding of the changes in the ecologically sensitive and fragile riparian buffer of the river Ganga. The study can be further used to assess riparian health for long-term planning of restoration of riparian buffers of river Ganga from Gomukh to Haridwar.