Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107901
Cândida Juliana Albertin-Santos , Mariana Caroline Gomes de Lima , Robson Souza , Laureen Michelle Houllou
Mangrove forests are among the most threatened yet ecologically valuable ecosystems, providing coastal protection, biodiversity support, and climate change mitigation. Successful restoration depends on the availability of high-quality seedlings able to withstand post-planting stress under variable field conditions. Here, we evaluated the growth and development of Rhizophora mangle L. seedlings cultivated in four substrate types, native mangrove soil, vermiculite, a commercial forest substrate (Basaplant Florestal®), and a 50/50 vermiculite, Basaplant mixture, over 13 weeks. Morphometric traits (total length, stem diameter, leaf traits, and root development) were measured and statistically analyzed. Seedlings grown in commercial substrate and vermiculite showed superior performance compared to those in native mangrove soil, which, although ecologically representative, exhibited lower growth and presents logistical constraints for large-scale use. By identifying scalable and environmentally sustainable alternatives to natural mangrove soil, this study advances nursery technologies that directly support mangrove restoration programs. Our findings contribute to ecological engineering strategies for habitat reconstruction, enhancing coastal resilience, and achieving global restoration targets such as those defined by the Global Mangrove Alliance.
{"title":"Optimizing nursery production of Rhizophora mangle L. for ecological restoration of degraded mangroves","authors":"Cândida Juliana Albertin-Santos , Mariana Caroline Gomes de Lima , Robson Souza , Laureen Michelle Houllou","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mangrove forests are among the most threatened yet ecologically valuable ecosystems, providing coastal protection, biodiversity support, and climate change mitigation. Successful restoration depends on the availability of high-quality seedlings able to withstand post-planting stress under variable field conditions. Here, we evaluated the growth and development of <em>Rhizophora mangle</em> L. seedlings cultivated in four substrate types, native mangrove soil, vermiculite, a commercial forest substrate (Basaplant Florestal®), and a 50/50 vermiculite, Basaplant mixture, over 13 weeks. Morphometric traits (total length, stem diameter, leaf traits, and root development) were measured and statistically analyzed. Seedlings grown in commercial substrate and vermiculite showed superior performance compared to those in native mangrove soil, which, although ecologically representative, exhibited lower growth and presents logistical constraints for large-scale use. By identifying scalable and environmentally sustainable alternatives to natural mangrove soil, this study advances nursery technologies that directly support mangrove restoration programs. Our findings contribute to ecological engineering strategies for habitat reconstruction, enhancing coastal resilience, and achieving global restoration targets such as those defined by the Global Mangrove Alliance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107901"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107907
Eduardo Bello Rodrigues , Elisângela Edila Schneider , Tiago José Belli , Pablo Heleno Sezerino , Flávio Rubens Lapolli , Daniele Damasceno Silveira
The use of waste-derived materials as filter media in constructed wetlands (CWs) can enhance pollutant removal and contribute to the circular economy. This study evaluates industrial biochar (BC) residue directly sourced from a thermoelectric power plant, without any modification or pretreatment, as filter media in a compact vertical-flow constructed wetland (VFCW) on a pilot scale, treating raw domestic wastewater. The BC, characterized by a high surface area (428.3 m2.g−1), was applied as the filter material in a 3.1 m2 module, operated for one year treating real domestic wastewater with an average hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.4 m3 m−2 d−1 (3.5 days of feeding/3.5 days of resting). The system achieved stable operation under subtropical climatic conditions, with the following average concentrations/removal efficiencies: COD (60 ± 46 mg.L−1/67 ± 22%), BOD5 (22 ± 8 mg.L−1/80 ± 11%), NH4+-N (9 ± 7 mg.L−1/65 ± 37%), PO4−3-P (2 ± 1 mg.L−1/50 ± 17%), and TSS (12 ± 16 mg.L−1/94 ± 14%). Microbial community analysis revealed that biochar's distinctive physicochemical properties enhanced bacterial groups responsible for heterotrophic nitrification/autotrophic denitrification and simultaneous nitrification-denitrification, contributing significantly to total nitrogen removal. The evaluated industrial BC demonstrated good microbial activity and robust pollutant removal efficiencies, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable and efficient alternative. This study confirms the high applicability of biochar-based wetland system as a decentralized treatment technology, aligning wastewater treatment with circular economy strategies.
{"title":"Waste-derived biochar as filter media in a compact vertical-flow constructed wetland treating raw domestic wastewater","authors":"Eduardo Bello Rodrigues , Elisângela Edila Schneider , Tiago José Belli , Pablo Heleno Sezerino , Flávio Rubens Lapolli , Daniele Damasceno Silveira","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107907","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107907","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of waste-derived materials as filter media in constructed wetlands (CWs) can enhance pollutant removal and contribute to the circular economy. This study evaluates industrial biochar (BC) residue directly sourced from a thermoelectric power plant, without any modification or pretreatment, as filter media in a compact vertical-flow constructed wetland (VFCW) on a pilot scale, treating raw domestic wastewater. The BC, characterized by a high surface area (428.3 m<sup>2</sup>.g<sup>−1</sup>), was applied as the filter material in a 3.1 m<sup>2</sup> module, operated for one year treating real domestic wastewater with an average hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.4 m<sup>3</sup> m<sup>−2</sup> d<sup>−1</sup> (3.5 days of feeding/3.5 days of resting). The system achieved stable operation under subtropical climatic conditions, with the following average concentrations/removal efficiencies: COD (60 ± 46 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>/67 ± 22%), BOD<sub>5</sub> (22 ± 8 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>/80 ± 11%), NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N (9 ± 7 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>/65 ± 37%), PO<sub>4</sub><sup>−3</sup>-P (2 ± 1 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>/50 ± 17%), and TSS (12 ± 16 mg.L<sup>−1</sup>/94 ± 14%). Microbial community analysis revealed that biochar's distinctive physicochemical properties enhanced bacterial groups responsible for heterotrophic nitrification/autotrophic denitrification and simultaneous nitrification-denitrification, contributing significantly to total nitrogen removal. The evaluated industrial BC demonstrated good microbial activity and robust pollutant removal efficiencies, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable and efficient alternative. This study confirms the high applicability of biochar-based wetland system as a decentralized treatment technology, aligning wastewater treatment with circular economy strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107907"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107886
Corinne van Starrenburg , Alejandra Gijón Mancheño , Johan van de Koppel , Daphne van der Wal , Matthijs H. Slegt , Maarten J.J. Schrama , Matty P. Berg , Bregje K. van Wesenbeeck , Su A. Kalloe , Bas Hofland , Tjeerd J. Bouma
Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognized as effective and multifunctional components of climate-resilient flood protection. While tropical mangroves have received substantial attention, temperate riparian forests, particularly willow systems, offer comparable wave attenuation and biodiversity benefits, yet remain understudied. This study assesses the ecological and protective value of three types of willow floodplain forests: a so-called wild-grown willow forest, a pollard willow forest, and a willow plantation. Using field data from the Biesbosch National Park (the Netherlands), we quantified forest structure, ground-dwelling invertebrate diversity, and modelled wave attenuation under storm scenarios. Structural complexity and biodiversity were highest in the wild-grown forest, with significantly greater invertebrate order richness, larger body sizes, and more heterogeneous canopy architecture. The pollard forest showed the highest wave attenuation efficiency due to their dense, low-lying crown structures. The plantation forest showed lower values across both axes. We integrated these findings into a trade-off model evaluating ecological value, flood protection efficiency, and a 50-year simple cost analysis of each forest type as a hybrid solution alongside traditional dikes. While the pollard forest is the most spatially efficient for flood attenuation, the wild-grown system provides greater ecological value at lower lifecycle cost. Our results underscore the importance of tailoring hybrid flood defense strategies to local priorities - balancing biodiversity, spatial constraints, and economic feasibility. The framework developed here can inform ecosystem-based design in delta regions worldwide, supporting integrated climate adaptation that aligns safety with ecological resilience.
{"title":"A trade-off approach to optimize nature-based flood defense designs: riparian willow forests as case study","authors":"Corinne van Starrenburg , Alejandra Gijón Mancheño , Johan van de Koppel , Daphne van der Wal , Matthijs H. Slegt , Maarten J.J. Schrama , Matty P. Berg , Bregje K. van Wesenbeeck , Su A. Kalloe , Bas Hofland , Tjeerd J. Bouma","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature-based solutions are increasingly recognized as effective and multifunctional components of climate-resilient flood protection. While tropical mangroves have received substantial attention, temperate riparian forests, particularly willow systems, offer comparable wave attenuation and biodiversity benefits, yet remain understudied. This study assesses the ecological and protective value of three types of willow floodplain forests: a so-called wild-grown willow forest, a pollard willow forest, and a willow plantation. Using field data from the Biesbosch National Park (the Netherlands), we quantified forest structure, ground-dwelling invertebrate diversity, and modelled wave attenuation under storm scenarios. Structural complexity and biodiversity were highest in the wild-grown forest, with significantly greater invertebrate order richness, larger body sizes, and more heterogeneous canopy architecture. The pollard forest showed the highest wave attenuation efficiency due to their dense, low-lying crown structures. The plantation forest showed lower values across both axes. We integrated these findings into a trade-off model evaluating ecological value, flood protection efficiency, and a 50-year simple cost analysis of each forest type as a hybrid solution alongside traditional dikes. While the pollard forest is the most spatially efficient for flood attenuation, the wild-grown system provides greater ecological value at lower lifecycle cost. Our results underscore the importance of tailoring hybrid flood defense strategies to local priorities - balancing biodiversity, spatial constraints, and economic feasibility. The framework developed here can inform ecosystem-based design in delta regions worldwide, supporting integrated climate adaptation that aligns safety with ecological resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107886"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-31DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107914
J. López , R. Soria , A. Solé-Benet , R. Ortega , I. Miralles
Recovering soil structure is a critical step in the rehabilitation of technosols severely degraded by opencast mining, especially under semiarid conditions where natural recovery is slow. This study evaluated the effect of three organic amendments (compost derived from greenhouse crop wastes, compost from pruning and gardening residues, and stabilized sewage sludge) on the structural and biological recovery of quarry technosols over a five-year restoration period. Each amendment was applied to field plots, and changes in physical, chemical, biochemical, and micromorphological properties were assessed. All amendments substantially increased total organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and water-holding capacity, while reducing bulk density and maintaining the clay-loam texture. Basal respiration and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase) significantly increased, particularly in sewage-sludge and greenhouse crop treatments. Aggregate stability improved by about 25% relative to the control and was strongly associated with glomalin-related soil proteins (R2 = 0.51). Thin-section analyses revealed greater porosity, organic groundmass, and aggregate abundance in amended technosols, especially beneath plant cover. Overall, the results demonstrate that organic amendments play a pivotal role in promoting early stages of soil structure formation in technosols, with distinct mechanisms depending on the type of organic input. The integration of micromorphological, biochemical, and multivariate analyses provides a novel approach to understanding how organic conditioners drive aggregate formation and structural recovery in degraded soils.
{"title":"The role of organic amendments as drivers of soil structural recovery in semi-arid technosols","authors":"J. López , R. Soria , A. Solé-Benet , R. Ortega , I. Miralles","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107914","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107914","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recovering soil structure is a critical step in the rehabilitation of technosols severely degraded by opencast mining, especially under semiarid conditions where natural recovery is slow. This study evaluated the effect of three organic amendments (compost derived from greenhouse crop wastes, compost from pruning and gardening residues, and stabilized sewage sludge) on the structural and biological recovery of quarry technosols over a five-year restoration period. Each amendment was applied to field plots, and changes in physical, chemical, biochemical, and micromorphological properties were assessed. All amendments substantially increased total organic carbon, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, and water-holding capacity, while reducing bulk density and maintaining the clay-loam texture. Basal respiration and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase) significantly increased, particularly in sewage-sludge and greenhouse crop treatments. Aggregate stability improved by about 25% relative to the control and was strongly associated with glomalin-related soil proteins (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.51). Thin-section analyses revealed greater porosity, organic groundmass, and aggregate abundance in amended technosols, especially beneath plant cover. Overall, the results demonstrate that organic amendments play a pivotal role in promoting early stages of soil structure formation in technosols, with distinct mechanisms depending on the type of organic input. The integration of micromorphological, biochemical, and multivariate analyses provides a novel approach to understanding how organic conditioners drive aggregate formation and structural recovery in degraded soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107914"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146074188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107900
Charles Jarry , Jacques Brisson , Khalil Abas , Sung Vo Duy , Sébastien Sauvé , Margit Kõiv-Vainik
Agricultural runoff often carries pesticide mixtures that threaten aquatic ecosystems and complicate mitigation. Biochar is a promising amendment for treatment wetlands, but its performance under multi-compound loads remains underexplored. We tested 8 outdoor subsurface-flow wetland mesocosms: six planted with Scirpus cyperinus, half amended with 15% (v/v) hardwood biochar (beech/birch/maple, 350 °C), and two unplanted controls-gravel and gravel with biochar. Mesocosms were batch-fed fertilizer solution spiked with atrazine, chlorantraniliprole (CAP), and glyphosate at three concentrations reflecting watershed maxima. Pesticide removal was assessed by mass balance, accounting for evapotranspiration-driven volume change.
In planted mesocosms without biochar, removals averaged 61% (atrazine), 59% (CAP), and 82% (glyphosate). With biochar, removals improved to ≥97%, ≥99%, and ≥ 88%, respectively. Gravel controls achieved 33%, 32%, and 60%, whereas unplanted biochar reached 98%, >99%, and 87%. Plants enhanced evapotranspiration (20 vs 7 mm/d) and improved removal, but biochar played a dominant role by reducing pesticide availability for biotic processes. No phytotoxic effects were observed, and the pesticide mixture did not reduce performance.
Our findings demonstrate that biochar can significantly enhance the effectiveness of treatment wetlands in removing a mixture of pesticides, providing a strong rationale for targeted laboratory work aimed at elucidating the specific removal pathways. Long-term management should prioritize media renewal as adsorption sites age or saturate.
农业径流通常含有农药混合物，威胁水生生态系统，使缓解措施复杂化。生物炭是一种很有前途的处理湿地的改良剂，但其在多化合物负荷下的性能仍有待研究。我们测试了8个室外地下流湿地生态系统：6个种植了沙柏，一半添加了15% （v/v）的硬木生物炭（山毛榉/桦树/枫树，350°C），以及两个未种植的对照-砾石和砾石与生物炭。以三种浓度反映流域最大值的肥料溶液，分批饲喂了莠去津、氯虫腈（CAP）和草甘膦。农药去除是通过质量平衡来评估的，考虑到蒸散驱动的体积变化。在没有生物炭的种植中生态系统中，平均去除率为61%（阿特拉津），59% （CAP）和82%（草甘膦）。生物炭的去除率分别提高到≥97%、≥99%和≥88%。砾石控制的效果分别为33%、32%和60%，而未种植生物炭的效果分别为98%、99%和87%。植物提高了蒸散量（20 mm/d vs 7 mm/d）并改善了去除率，但生物炭通过降低生物过程的农药有效性发挥了主导作用。没有观察到植物毒性作用，农药混合物也没有降低生产性能。我们的研究结果表明，生物炭可以显著提高处理湿地去除混合农药的有效性，为旨在阐明特定去除途径的针对性实验室工作提供了强有力的理论依据。长期管理应优先考虑介质更新，因为吸附部位老化或饱和。
{"title":"Hardwood biochar in treatment wetlands for removing a mixture of pesticides from agricultural runoff","authors":"Charles Jarry , Jacques Brisson , Khalil Abas , Sung Vo Duy , Sébastien Sauvé , Margit Kõiv-Vainik","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agricultural runoff often carries pesticide mixtures that threaten aquatic ecosystems and complicate mitigation. Biochar is a promising amendment for treatment wetlands, but its performance under multi-compound loads remains underexplored. We tested 8 outdoor subsurface-flow wetland mesocosms: six planted with <em>Scirpus cyperinus</em>, half amended with 15% (<em>v</em>/v) hardwood biochar (beech/birch/maple, 350 °C), and two unplanted controls-gravel and gravel with biochar. Mesocosms were batch-fed fertilizer solution spiked with atrazine, chlorantraniliprole (CAP), and glyphosate at three concentrations reflecting watershed maxima. Pesticide removal was assessed by mass balance, accounting for evapotranspiration-driven volume change.</div><div>In planted mesocosms without biochar, removals averaged 61% (atrazine), 59% (CAP), and 82% (glyphosate). With biochar, removals improved to ≥97%, ≥99%, and ≥ 88%, respectively. Gravel controls achieved 33%, 32%, and 60%, whereas unplanted biochar reached 98%, >99%, and 87%. Plants enhanced evapotranspiration (20 vs 7 mm/d) and improved removal, but biochar played a dominant role by reducing pesticide availability for biotic processes. No phytotoxic effects were observed, and the pesticide mixture did not reduce performance.</div><div>Our findings demonstrate that biochar can significantly enhance the effectiveness of treatment wetlands in removing a mixture of pesticides, providing a strong rationale for targeted laboratory work aimed at elucidating the specific removal pathways. Long-term management should prioritize media renewal as adsorption sites age or saturate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107900"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145940908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are early colonizers of bare sand, forming a layer of microorganisms associated with soil particles. Former sand mines are examples of habitats that favor biocrust formation in a temperate climate. However, the flat area and slopes of sand mines create contrasting environmental conditions. In this study, we compared key biocrust functional indicators between biocrusts formed on flat areas and slopes to assess whether their traits support ecosystem functions, which may be useful in future restoration strategies. We expected that biocrusts on flat areas would exhibit higher microbiological activity due to more stable habitat conditions, whereas those on slopes would show higher exopolysaccharide (EPS) levels to reinforce slope stability. Our study showed that topography is an important driver of biocrust development and function, although its effects are closely intertwined with the dominance of photoautotrophic group. Biocrusts dominated by filamentous algae on flat area contributed to the improvement of soil conditions more effectively than cyanobacteria-dominated biocrusts developing on slopes owing to higher carbon fixation potential, stronger support for microbial activity, and better ability to maintain favorable moisture levels. On the other hand, cyanobacteria-dominated biocrusts contributed to soil stabilization and erosion control mainly through EPS secretion. Our results provide practical guidance for post-mining restoration by indicating that different biocrust types should be applied on slopes versus flat areas to improve restoration outcomes. We concluded that biocrusts can support ecosystem function and offer a promising tool for restoring former sand mines, especially where traditional vascular-plant-based methods are limited by unstable sandy soils.
{"title":"Importance of biocrusts for restoring ecosystem functions in two contrasting habitats of former sand mines","authors":"Kinga Szafrańska , Karolina Chowaniec , Kaja Skubała","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are early colonizers of bare sand, forming a layer of microorganisms associated with soil particles. Former sand mines are examples of habitats that favor biocrust formation in a temperate climate. However, the flat area and slopes of sand mines create contrasting environmental conditions. In this study, we compared key biocrust functional indicators between biocrusts formed on flat areas and slopes to assess whether their traits support ecosystem functions, which may be useful in future restoration strategies. We expected that biocrusts on flat areas would exhibit higher microbiological activity due to more stable habitat conditions, whereas those on slopes would show higher exopolysaccharide (EPS) levels to reinforce slope stability. Our study showed that topography is an important driver of biocrust development and function, although its effects are closely intertwined with the dominance of photoautotrophic group. Biocrusts dominated by filamentous algae on flat area contributed to the improvement of soil conditions more effectively than cyanobacteria-dominated biocrusts developing on slopes owing to higher carbon fixation potential, stronger support for microbial activity, and better ability to maintain favorable moisture levels. On the other hand, cyanobacteria-dominated biocrusts contributed to soil stabilization and erosion control mainly through EPS secretion. Our results provide practical guidance for post-mining restoration by indicating that different biocrust types should be applied on slopes versus flat areas to improve restoration outcomes. We concluded that biocrusts can support ecosystem function and offer a promising tool for restoring former sand mines, especially where traditional vascular-plant-based methods are limited by unstable sandy soils.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107905"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146035201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The effectiveness of rural domestic sewage treatment significantly impacts the living environment and quality of life of residents. A rural domestic sewage treatment facility in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China, was utilized to investigate the operational effect and CO2 flux of a sewage treatment process. This process involved anaerobic pretreatment, followed by the application of two sets of constructed wetlands (CWs) for advanced treatment. One group of CWs incorporated local folk-story elements, and the landscape of ‘Carps Leaping over the Dragon Gate’ was created through plants collocation (CW1). The other group adopted a regular row design (CW2). The results indicated that the removal rates for chemical oxygen demand (COD) (72.41–92.91%), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+-N) (94.80–99.33%), and total phosphorus (TP) (27.56–67.62%) in CW1 were comparable to those in CW2. However, the removal rate of total nitrogen (TN) (51.64–85.59%) was higher than that in CW2. Meanwhile, the substrate CO2 flux in CW1 (145.68–1637.11 mg/m2/h) was slightly higher than that in CW2 (131.22–1597.22 mg/m2/h). The decline in the daily average temperature, which caused reduced microbial activity and plant wilting, was the primary factor contributing to the changes in the pollutant removal rate and CO2 flux. Pennisetum giganteum z. x. lin and Arundo donax L. var. versicolor Stokes grew in clusters, and the root biomass was large, enabling them to secrete more organic compounds to enhance the activity of rhizosphere microorganisms. Variations in plant species led to different rates of root carbon fixation, which, in turn, affected the CO2 emissions from the CW substrate layer. Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla and could utilize the nutrients and oxygen transported by plant roots to enhance nitrification and denitrification processes. This study provides a reference for the promotion of domestic sewage treatment in rural areas of China.
{"title":"Rural domestic sewage treatment and CO2 FLUX from the perspective of landscape design","authors":"Haojun Sun, Zihui Liu, Chenxi He, Zhilei Zhen, Fengzhen Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107906","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107906","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The effectiveness of rural domestic sewage treatment significantly impacts the living environment and quality of life of residents. A rural domestic sewage treatment facility in Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, China, was utilized to investigate the operational effect and CO<sub>2</sub> flux of a sewage treatment process. This process involved anaerobic pretreatment, followed by the application of two sets of constructed wetlands (CWs) for advanced treatment. One group of CWs incorporated local folk-story elements, and the landscape of ‘Carps Leaping over the Dragon Gate’ was created through plants collocation (CW1). The other group adopted a regular row design (CW2). The results indicated that the removal rates for chemical oxygen demand (COD) (72.41–92.91%), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N) (94.80–99.33%), and total phosphorus (TP) (27.56–67.62%) in CW1 were comparable to those in CW2. However, the removal rate of total nitrogen (TN) (51.64–85.59%) was higher than that in CW2. Meanwhile, the substrate CO<sub>2</sub> flux in CW1 (145.68–1637.11 mg/m<sup>2</sup>/h) was slightly higher than that in CW2 (131.22–1597.22 mg/m<sup>2</sup>/h). The decline in the daily average temperature, which caused reduced microbial activity and plant wilting, was the primary factor contributing to the changes in the pollutant removal rate and CO<sub>2</sub> flux. <em>Pennisetum giganteum</em> z. x. lin and <em>Arundo donax</em> L. var<em>. versicolor</em> Stokes grew in clusters, and the root biomass was large, enabling them to secrete more organic compounds to enhance the activity of rhizosphere microorganisms. Variations in plant species led to different rates of root carbon fixation, which, in turn, affected the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from the CW substrate layer. Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla and could utilize the nutrients and oxygen transported by plant roots to enhance nitrification and denitrification processes. This study provides a reference for the promotion of domestic sewage treatment in rural areas of China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107906"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107887
Freddy Rey , Jean-Luc Bertrand-Krajewski , Sara Fernandez , Joana Guerrin , Cécile Herivaux , Michel Lafforgue , Philippe Le Coent , Marie-Noëlle Pons , Bénédicte Rulleau
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a way to preserve, manage and restore ecosystems so as to better meet today's societal challenges, by combining benefits for society and the environment, including biodiversity. They are a response to current climate change-related challenges for water management. However, various barriers exist to the implementation of NbS, such as a lack of appropriation of the concept, as well as needs for knowledge and know-how. Focusing on societal challenges linked to water, we highlight the importance of implementing pluridisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects when trying to implement NbS projects. This requires new approaches in research, practice, and governance. This discussion allows identifying levers for a widespread use of NbS for water management.
{"title":"Nature-based solutions for water management: Pluridisciplinary state-of-the-art and research needs","authors":"Freddy Rey , Jean-Luc Bertrand-Krajewski , Sara Fernandez , Joana Guerrin , Cécile Herivaux , Michel Lafforgue , Philippe Le Coent , Marie-Noëlle Pons , Bénédicte Rulleau","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a way to preserve, manage and restore ecosystems so as to better meet today's societal challenges, by combining benefits for society and the environment, including biodiversity. They are a response to current climate change-related challenges for water management. However, various barriers exist to the implementation of NbS, such as a lack of appropriation of the concept, as well as needs for knowledge and know-how. Focusing on societal challenges linked to water, we highlight the importance of implementing pluridisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects when trying to implement NbS projects. This requires new approaches in research, practice, and governance. This discussion allows identifying levers for a widespread use of NbS for water management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107887"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107904
Bartłomiej Woś , Marek Pająk , Agnieszka Józefowska , Marcin Pietrzykowski
Introducing N-fixing species into non-N-fixing tree stands may accelerate the recovery of soil function and restoration of forest ecosystems after fire through a higher rate of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) accumulation. This assumption derives from a biodynamic approach to restoring degraded ecosystem functions. Here, we examine the effects of admixing alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.), a nitrogen-fixing species, into even-aged common birch (Betula pendula Roth) stands approximately 30 years after fire, focusing on soil properties, tree biometric parameters, and recovery of tree nutrient supply at wildfire-affected sites. Our results indicate that the admixture of alder into even-aged birch stands improved soil physicochemical properties. This effect manifested primarily as higher SOC (34.23 g kg−1) and N (2.39 g kg−1) content in the soils under mixed birch–alder stands compared to pure (25.38 g kg−1 and 1.71 g kg−1 for SOC and N, respectively) birch stands. Birches growing in mixed stands were also characterized by higher biometric parameters, particularly height (13.0 m), compared with birches in pure stands (height = 10.2 m). Therefore, in degraded sites after large-scale fires, we recommend applying the biodynamic approach of admixing N-fixing alder into birch monocultures.
在非固氮林分引入固氮树种可通过提高土壤有机碳（SOC）和氮(N)积累速率，加速火灾后土壤功能的恢复和森林生态系统的恢复。这一假设来源于恢复退化生态系统功能的生物动力学方法。在此，我们研究了桤木（Alnus glutinosa， L.）在火灾发生后约30年，将固氮树种白桦（Betula pendula Roth）转化为均匀年龄的普通桦树（Betula pendula Roth），重点研究了野火灾区土壤特性、树木生物特征参数和树木养分供应的恢复。结果表明，在均匀年龄的桦林中掺入桤木可以改善土壤的理化性质。这种影响主要表现为混合桦木-桤木林下土壤有机碳（34.23 g kg - 1）和氮（2.39 g kg - 1）含量高于纯桦木林下（有机碳和氮分别为25.38 g kg - 1和1.71 g kg - 1）。混交林桦木的生物特征参数也高于纯林桦木，特别是高度（13.0 m）高于纯林桦木（10.2 m）。因此，在大规模火灾后的退化场地，我们建议采用生物动力学方法在桦木单一栽培中掺入固氮桤木。
{"title":"Recovery of post-fire forest sites with alder admixture—biodynamic principles and perspective","authors":"Bartłomiej Woś , Marek Pająk , Agnieszka Józefowska , Marcin Pietrzykowski","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2026.107904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Introducing N-fixing species into non-N-fixing tree stands may accelerate the recovery of soil function and restoration of forest ecosystems after fire through a higher rate of soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) accumulation. This assumption derives from a biodynamic approach to restoring degraded ecosystem functions. Here, we examine the effects of admixing alder (<em>Alnus glutinosa</em> (L.) Gaertn.), a nitrogen-fixing species, into even-aged common birch (<em>Betula pendula</em> Roth) stands approximately 30 years after fire, focusing on soil properties, tree biometric parameters, and recovery of tree nutrient supply at wildfire-affected sites. Our results indicate that the admixture of alder into even-aged birch stands improved soil physicochemical properties. This effect manifested primarily as higher SOC (34.23 g kg<sup>−1</sup>) and N (2.39 g kg<sup>−1</sup>) content in the soils under mixed birch–alder stands compared to pure (25.38 g kg<sup>−1</sup> and 1.71 g kg<sup>−1</sup> for SOC and N, respectively) birch stands. Birches growing in mixed stands were also characterized by higher biometric parameters, particularly height (13.0 m), compared with birches in pure stands (height = 10.2 m). Therefore, in degraded sites after large-scale fires, we recommend applying the biodynamic approach of admixing N-fixing alder into birch monocultures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"225 ","pages":"Article 107904"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107866
Aaron J. Porter , Christoper M. Ruck , Spencer J. Tassone
Regulatory mandates to improve water quality and stream health have driven substantial investment in stream restoration. Most projects aim to improve channel-floodplain connectivity, reduce sediment erosion, and enhance habitat for aquatic organisms, yet few include adequate pre- and post-restoration monitoring to assess outcomes. Since 2007, Fairfax County, Virginia, and the U.S. Geological Survey have partnered to monitor and evaluate water-quality conditions in Flatlick Branch. In 2018, a 1.72-km reach of stream above the monitoring station was restored using a Natural Channel Design approach. This study applied the Stream Functions Pyramid (SFP) framework to evaluate restoration tradeoffs. Post-restoration, watershed hydrology remained largely unchanged, but channel modifications increased flow capacity, reduced velocity, and further disconnected the channel from the floodplain. Nutrient and sediment reductions exceeded expected amounts, but the removal of over 20 % of riparian tree canopy increased physicochemical variability and the frequency and magnitude of water temperature heatwaves. Post-restoration, state standards for low dissolved oxygen and elevated pH were exceeded 2.5 and 7.5 times more often, respectively. Gross primary production and ecosystem respiration increased and organic matter sources supporting metabolism shifted from allochthonous to autochthonous. Trends in several benthic macroinvertebrate metrics, which were improving prior to construction, have since plateaued or declined, and the fish assemblage shifted from a native minnow dominated community to non-native, warmwater tolerant taxa. This study highlights the need for comprehensive assessments of stream restoration and benefits of using the SFP to understand the consequences and possible tradeoffs of different ecosystem management decisions.
{"title":"Environmental tradeoffs of urban stream restoration in Fairfax County, Virginia","authors":"Aaron J. Porter , Christoper M. Ruck , Spencer J. Tassone","doi":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107866","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107866","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Regulatory mandates to improve water quality and stream health have driven substantial investment in stream restoration. Most projects aim to improve channel-floodplain connectivity, reduce sediment erosion, and enhance habitat for aquatic organisms, yet few include adequate pre- and post-restoration monitoring to assess outcomes. Since 2007, Fairfax County, Virginia, and the U.S. Geological Survey have partnered to monitor and evaluate water-quality conditions in Flatlick Branch. In 2018, a 1.72-km reach of stream above the monitoring station was restored using a Natural Channel Design approach. This study applied the Stream Functions Pyramid (SFP) framework to evaluate restoration tradeoffs. Post-restoration, watershed hydrology remained largely unchanged, but channel modifications increased flow capacity, reduced velocity, and further disconnected the channel from the floodplain. Nutrient and sediment reductions exceeded expected amounts, but the removal of over 20 % of riparian tree canopy increased physicochemical variability and the frequency and magnitude of water temperature heatwaves. Post-restoration, state standards for low dissolved oxygen and elevated pH were exceeded 2.5 and 7.5 times more often, respectively. Gross primary production and ecosystem respiration increased and organic matter sources supporting metabolism shifted from allochthonous to autochthonous. Trends in several benthic macroinvertebrate metrics, which were improving prior to construction, have since plateaued or declined, and the fish assemblage shifted from a native minnow dominated community to non-native, warmwater tolerant taxa. This study highlights the need for comprehensive assessments of stream restoration and benefits of using the SFP to understand the consequences and possible tradeoffs of different ecosystem management decisions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11490,"journal":{"name":"Ecological Engineering","volume":"224 ","pages":"Article 107866"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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