Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.007
Chandramohan Karuppiah , Elayapillai Periyasami , Sivaraman Mayan Ayyanar , Mohammad Suhail Meer , Khadeijah Yahya Faqeih , Somayah Moshrif Alamri , Eman Rafi Alamery
This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation in the forested landscapes of Dindigul and Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, from 2001 to 2020 using satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and key meteorological parameters. Results reveal that NDVI has a strong positive correlation with relative humidity (r = 0.68, P < 0.01), surface pressure (r = 0.52, P < 0.05), and precipitation (r = 0.60, P < 0.05), indicating that moisture availability is a major driver of vegetation health. In contrast, elevated temperature and high radiation were linked to reduced NDVI, suggesting vegetation stress under warming conditions. VCI analysis for 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 revealed minimal drought-affected areas, indicating strong ecological resilience across the study period. However, a gradual decline in NDVI between 2005 and 2015 reflects growing climate-induced stress on vegetation. The findings underscore the influence of climatic variability on vegetation dynamics and highlight the potential of NDVI and VCI as effective tools for long-term ecosystem monitoring and sustainable forest management.
{"title":"Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Vegetation Response to Climatic Variability Using NDVI and VCI in the Forested Landscape","authors":"Chandramohan Karuppiah , Elayapillai Periyasami , Sivaraman Mayan Ayyanar , Mohammad Suhail Meer , Khadeijah Yahya Faqeih , Somayah Moshrif Alamri , Eman Rafi Alamery","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study analyzes the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation in the forested landscapes of Dindigul and Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, from 2001 to 2020 using satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and key meteorological parameters. Results reveal that NDVI has a strong positive correlation with relative humidity (<em>r</em> = 0.68, <em>P</em> < 0.01), surface pressure (<em>r</em> = 0.52, <em>P</em> < 0.05), and precipitation (<em>r</em> = 0.60, <em>P</em> < 0.05), indicating that moisture availability is a major driver of vegetation health. In contrast, elevated temperature and high radiation were linked to reduced NDVI, suggesting vegetation stress under warming conditions. VCI analysis for 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 revealed minimal drought-affected areas, indicating strong ecological resilience across the study period. However, a gradual decline in NDVI between 2005 and 2015 reflects growing climate-induced stress on vegetation. The findings underscore the influence of climatic variability on vegetation dynamics and highlight the potential of NDVI and VCI as effective tools for long-term ecosystem monitoring and sustainable forest management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 25-36"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146039212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.010
Moson Koika Moti , Noah Makula Pauline , Joel Nobert
Climatic stresses pose a significant threat to the livelihoods of agro-pastoralist communities residing in semi-arid regions. This has led to the exploration of Indigenous knowledge of Maasai communities for responding to climatic stresses. This study examines the role of age-set systems and indigenous knowledge in responding to climatic stresses in the Monduli district. A mixed-method research approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Primary data was gathered through 315 household surveys, 12 Focus group discussions, 25 key informant interviews, and field observations, while secondary data was sourced from records collected by government institutions. Thematic content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze and present the findings. The majority of respondents (71%) from four local age-set systems, Ilkishili (Ilandiis), Ilmakaa (Ilkitoip), Iseuri (Ilchololik), and Ilinyangusi, were more experienced in the proper use of indigenous knowledge in responding to climatic extreme events and prolonged droughts. Maasai communities organize labor through age-set systems, which enable each age group to clearly understand its specific responsibilities in protecting livestock from climatic stress. It is advisable to integrate indigenous knowledge into local authorities' practices and into national adaptation planning and implementation to ensure effective vertical coordination and alignment. Furthermore, we propose integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into scientific frameworks for climate adaptation. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of climate change adaptation strategies tailored to rural Maasai communities.
{"title":"The Role of Age Set Systems and Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to Climatic Stresses: Insights From the Maasai Agro-Pastoralist Communities in Northern Tanzania","authors":"Moson Koika Moti , Noah Makula Pauline , Joel Nobert","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climatic stresses pose a significant threat to the livelihoods of agro-pastoralist communities residing in semi-arid regions. This has led to the exploration of Indigenous knowledge of Maasai communities for responding to climatic stresses. This study examines the role of age-set systems and indigenous knowledge in responding to climatic stresses in the Monduli district. A mixed-method research approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Primary data was gathered through 315 household surveys, 12 Focus group discussions, 25 key informant interviews, and field observations, while secondary data was sourced from records collected by government institutions. Thematic content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze and present the findings. The majority of respondents (71%) from four local age-set systems, Ilkishili (<em>Ilandiis</em>), Ilmakaa (<em>Ilkitoip</em>), Iseuri (<em>Ilchololik</em>), and Ilinyangusi, were more experienced in the proper use of indigenous knowledge in responding to climatic extreme events and prolonged droughts. Maasai communities organize labor through age-set systems, which enable each age group to clearly understand its specific responsibilities in protecting livestock from climatic stress. It is advisable to integrate indigenous knowledge into local authorities' practices and into national adaptation planning and implementation to ensure effective vertical coordination and alignment. Furthermore, we propose integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into scientific frameworks for climate adaptation. This approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of climate change adaptation strategies tailored to rural Maasai communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 75-86"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2026.01.001
David Toledo , Drew A. Scott , John Hendrickson , Chantel Kobilansky , Andrew Carrlson , Sara Duke
Kentucky bluegrass, a mid-stature, C3, invasive grass, has dramatically increased in northern Great Plains rangelands since the 1990s and has displaced many native species. Changing precipitation regimes have the potential to affect the ecology and agricultural rangeland productivity of this area. There is a need to understand how the current Kentucky bluegrass-invaded vegetation community will respond to extreme changes in precipitation regimes and the effects these changes might have on the overall species composition, productivity, structure, and function of these ecosystems. A 5-y drought experiment was initiated in 2017 near Mandan, North Dakota, to evaluate differences between ambient precipitation, an intercept of 30%, and an intercept of 60% of ambient precipitation using passive rain intercept shelters. The experiment included a sub-plot prescribed burning treatment. Canopy cover measurements and plant counts were used to determine drought and fire effects. Our results show that prescribed burning reduces Kentucky bluegrass and that the interactive effects of drought, either simulated or meteorological, and fire, can reduce Kentucky bluegrass. If a producer's objective is to reduce Kentucky bluegrass, conducting prescribed burns in drought years or before predicted drought years is an effective way to do so. This knowledge will help develop sustainable management options for natural areas in the northern Great Plains and for livestock producers in Kentucky bluegrass-dominated rangelands of the northern Great Plains.
{"title":"Fire and Drought Effects on Kentucky Bluegrass in a Northern Great Plains Grassland","authors":"David Toledo , Drew A. Scott , John Hendrickson , Chantel Kobilansky , Andrew Carrlson , Sara Duke","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Kentucky bluegrass, a mid-stature, C3, invasive grass, has dramatically increased in northern Great Plains rangelands since the 1990s and has displaced many native species. Changing precipitation regimes have the potential to affect the ecology and agricultural rangeland productivity of this area. There is a need to understand how the current Kentucky bluegrass-invaded vegetation community will respond to extreme changes in precipitation regimes and the effects these changes might have on the overall species composition, productivity, structure, and function of these ecosystems. A 5-y drought experiment was initiated in 2017 near Mandan, North Dakota, to evaluate differences between ambient precipitation, an intercept of 30%, and an intercept of 60% of ambient precipitation using passive rain intercept shelters. The experiment included a sub-plot prescribed burning treatment. Canopy cover measurements and plant counts were used to determine drought and fire effects. Our results show that prescribed burning reduces Kentucky bluegrass and that the interactive effects of drought, either simulated or meteorological, and fire, can reduce Kentucky bluegrass. If a producer's objective is to reduce Kentucky bluegrass, conducting prescribed burns in drought years or before predicted drought years is an effective way to do so. This knowledge will help develop sustainable management options for natural areas in the northern Great Plains and for livestock producers in Kentucky bluegrass-dominated rangelands of the northern Great Plains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 56-64"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.002
Liang Yan , Xulong Duan , Khadeijah Yahya Faqeih , Somayah Moshrif Alamri , Eman Rafi Alamery , Muhammad Azeem Liaquat , Rana Muhammad Zulqarnain , Qaiser Abbas
Rapid urbanization in China has led to significant environmental transformations, necessitating comprehensive monitoring of land use dynamics and their ecological consequences. This study examines the spatiotemporal patterns of urbanization and environmental change in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, from 2020 to 2024 using multitemporal remote sensing data. We employed Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery to analyze land use and land cover changes, vegetation dynamics through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), water body variations using the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), land surface temperature (LST) patterns, and atmospheric pollutant concentrations including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Results reveal a persistent expansion of built-up areas, particularly concentrated in the eastern and northeastern urban core, increasing from 2020 to 2024. Concurrently, rangeland and vegetation cover showed spatial reorganization, with declining NDVI values in urbanizing zones and elevated LST in built-up regions. Atmospheric pollutant analysis demonstrated spatial variations, with CO concentrations ranging from 0.0336 to 0.0485, NO₂ from 7.09 × 10−⁵ to 2.07 × 10−⁴, and SO₂ from −5.42 × 10−⁵ to 3.68 × 10−⁴ across the study period. NDWI analysis indicated stable water body distribution with localized fluctuations, while LST exhibited an increasing trend from 13.28–28.35°C (2020) to 16.50–30.33°C (2024), highlighting urban heat island intensification. These findings underscore the environmental challenges associated with rapid urban development and provide critical insights for sustainable urban planning and environmental management in major Chinese cities.
{"title":"A Machine-Learning-Driven Multisensor Approach for Assessing Urban Land Transformation and Ecoclimatic Variability","authors":"Liang Yan , Xulong Duan , Khadeijah Yahya Faqeih , Somayah Moshrif Alamri , Eman Rafi Alamery , Muhammad Azeem Liaquat , Rana Muhammad Zulqarnain , Qaiser Abbas","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid urbanization in China has led to significant environmental transformations, necessitating comprehensive monitoring of land use dynamics and their ecological consequences. This study examines the spatiotemporal patterns of urbanization and environmental change in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, from 2020 to 2024 using multitemporal remote sensing data. We employed Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery to analyze land use and land cover changes, vegetation dynamics through the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), water body variations using the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), land surface temperature (LST) patterns, and atmospheric pollutant concentrations including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Results reveal a persistent expansion of built-up areas, particularly concentrated in the eastern and northeastern urban core, increasing from 2020 to 2024. Concurrently, rangeland and vegetation cover showed spatial reorganization, with declining NDVI values in urbanizing zones and elevated LST in built-up regions. Atmospheric pollutant analysis demonstrated spatial variations, with CO concentrations ranging from 0.0336 to 0.0485, NO₂ from 7.09 × 10<sup>−</sup>⁵ to 2.07 × 10<sup>−</sup>⁴, and SO₂ from −5.42 × 10<sup>−</sup>⁵ to 3.68 × 10<sup>−</sup>⁴ across the study period. NDWI analysis indicated stable water body distribution with localized fluctuations, while LST exhibited an increasing trend from 13.28–28.35°C (2020) to 16.50–30.33°C (2024), highlighting urban heat island intensification. These findings underscore the environmental challenges associated with rapid urban development and provide critical insights for sustainable urban planning and environmental management in major Chinese cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 15-24"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.001
Manzoor Hussain Memon
Climate change has significantly impacted the quality, quantity, and depth of underground aquifers, affecting human life, especially in arid and desert zones. In Pakistan, ranked 16th in vulnerability to climate change, communities in these zones face heightened drought risks. This study assesses relative vulnerability in Pakistan's largest desert region to drought using the Vulnerability and Capacity Index (VCI). Findings reveal that communities with deeper aquifers are more vulnerable, with a VCI score of 75 compared to 62 for those with shallower aquifers. This higher vulnerability is attributed to three main factors: exposure to hazards, lack of basic infrastructure, and low educational attainment. While the depth of aquifers directly relates to hazard exposure, inadequate infrastructure and education highlight the broader development challenges in rural areas. The study shows that all rural desert communities in Tharparkar district fall into at least the high-vulnerability category, with a minimum VCI score of 62 and an average of 66. These alarming results emphasize the need for multisectoral development activities to address the fragile economic base, high dependency ratio, and other institutional weaknesses prevalent in these regions.
{"title":"Desertification and Aquifers’ Depth: Assessment of Comparative Vulnerability in Rural Desert Zone of Tharparkar District, Pakistan","authors":"Manzoor Hussain Memon","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change has significantly impacted the quality, quantity, and depth of underground aquifers, affecting human life, especially in arid and desert zones. In Pakistan, ranked 16th in vulnerability to climate change, communities in these zones face heightened drought risks. This study assesses relative vulnerability in Pakistan's largest desert region to drought using the Vulnerability and Capacity Index (VCI). Findings reveal that communities with deeper aquifers are more vulnerable, with a VCI score of 75 compared to 62 for those with shallower aquifers. This higher vulnerability is attributed to three main factors: exposure to hazards, lack of basic infrastructure, and low educational attainment. While the depth of aquifers directly relates to hazard exposure, inadequate infrastructure and education highlight the broader development challenges in rural areas. The study shows that all rural desert communities in Tharparkar district fall into at least the high-vulnerability category, with a minimum VCI score of 62 and an average of 66. These alarming results emphasize the need for multisectoral development activities to address the fragile economic base, high dependency ratio, and other institutional weaknesses prevalent in these regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 45-55"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.004
Frank Juma Ong’ondo , Shrinidhi Ambinakudige , Philista Adhiambo Malaki , Hafez Ahmad , Qingmin Meng , Domnic Kiprono Chesire , Kuria Anthony , Yahia Said
{"title":"Erratum to “Monitoring and Prediction of Land use and Land cover using Remote Sensing and CA-ANN” [Rangeland Ecology & Management, volume 102, September 2025, pages 160-171]","authors":"Frank Juma Ong’ondo , Shrinidhi Ambinakudige , Philista Adhiambo Malaki , Hafez Ahmad , Qingmin Meng , Domnic Kiprono Chesire , Kuria Anthony , Yahia Said","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Page 1"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Restoration of dryland plants from seed often fails or has very low success. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs), such as seed coatings with growth-enhancing amendments, offer potential means to increase early seedling survival and establishment success. Here, we tested the potential for four prototype film-coating SETs and two externally applied nutrient amendments to improve establishment success for Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. wyomingensis Nutt.). These were tested in the laboratory and at a mine reclamation site in both fresh reclamation (year of) and postreclamation (1 yr after) sites. Film coatings did not inhibit emergence, an improvement from previous trials involving pellets or thicker coating prototypes. However, they also did not improve seedling growth or survival. One externally applied nutrient amendment strongly reduced seedling emergence but enhanced seedling size and field survival, whereas the other had no substantial effects. We conclude that film coatings on these very small seeds did not supply enough amendment to have any effect, whereas higher rates of amendments appear to bring tradeoffs between emergence inhibition and later growth enhancement. Although we tested a limited number of SETs in this study, these results highlight the challenges of using SETs for small-seeded species like sagebrush. We suggest that bet hedging by seeding at different stages of reclamation or multiple years in a row may improve overall outcomes.
{"title":"Tradeoffs and Challenges in the Development of Prototype Seed Enhancement Technologies for Sagebrush","authors":"Magdalena Eshleman , Olga Kildisheva , Hannah Demler , Michaela Owens , Corinna Riginos","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Restoration of dryland plants from seed often fails or has very low success. Seed enhancement technologies (SETs), such as seed coatings with growth-enhancing amendments, offer potential means to increase early seedling survival and establishment success. Here, we tested the potential for four prototype film-coating SETs and two externally applied nutrient amendments to improve establishment success for Wyoming big sagebrush (<em>Artemisia tridentata</em> spp. <em>wyomingensis</em> Nutt.). These were tested in the laboratory and at a mine reclamation site in both fresh reclamation (year of) and postreclamation (1 yr after) sites. Film coatings did not inhibit emergence, an improvement from previous trials involving pellets or thicker coating prototypes. However, they also did not improve seedling growth or survival. One externally applied nutrient amendment strongly reduced seedling emergence but enhanced seedling size and field survival, whereas the other had no substantial effects. We conclude that film coatings on these very small seeds did not supply enough amendment to have any effect, whereas higher rates of amendments appear to bring tradeoffs between emergence inhibition and later growth enhancement. Although we tested a limited number of SETs in this study, these results highlight the challenges of using SETs for small-seeded species like sagebrush. We suggest that bet hedging by seeding at different stages of reclamation or multiple years in a row may improve overall outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 37-44"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.006
Mingxia Liang , Qingzhao Wang , Ping Lei , Muhammad Haseeb , Zainab Tahir , Syed Amer Mahmood , Hania Arif , Salma Hameed , Mohammad Suhail Meer , Khadeijah Yahya Faqeih , Somayah Moshrif Alamri , Eman Rafi Alamery
Land use and land cover (LULC) changes have significantly altered landscapes worldwide, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. With a rise in industrialization and economic development, China has seen great changes in LULC that also affect the environment. This article uses remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to investigate LULC shifts between the years 2003 and 2023 in the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area. Using Landsat satellites, the images were classified, and further accurate assessments were completed through ground truthing. The findings show that in urban regions, there was an increase of 31% from 4 315.66 km² in 2003 to 5 689.18 km² in 2023. Other than that, the amount of cropland decreased by 10% from 9 758.64 to 8 716.74 km². This study also indicates that there was an 18% reduction in forest cover, which worsened the effect of urban heat islands (UHIs), while water bodies were steady. The study discusses the urbanization of the region and its significance in modifying LULC changes and its consequences toward ecological and hydrologic imbalances, added by the UHI phenomenon. The findings emphasize the necessity for sustainable land use planning, improved green space conservation, and integrated policy measures to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.
{"title":"Assessing the Impact of Vegetation and Terrain on Land Use Changes Using Multisensor Data","authors":"Mingxia Liang , Qingzhao Wang , Ping Lei , Muhammad Haseeb , Zainab Tahir , Syed Amer Mahmood , Hania Arif , Salma Hameed , Mohammad Suhail Meer , Khadeijah Yahya Faqeih , Somayah Moshrif Alamri , Eman Rafi Alamery","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Land use and land cover (LULC) changes have significantly altered landscapes worldwide, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. With a rise in industrialization and economic development, China has seen great changes in LULC that also affect the environment. This article uses remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to investigate LULC shifts between the years 2003 and 2023 in the Suzhou–Wuxi–Changzhou metropolitan area. Using Landsat satellites, the images were classified, and further accurate assessments were completed through ground truthing. The findings show that in urban regions, there was an increase of 31% from 4 315.66 km² in 2003 to 5 689.18 km² in 2023. Other than that, the amount of cropland decreased by 10% from 9 758.64 to 8 716.74 km². This study also indicates that there was an 18% reduction in forest cover, which worsened the effect of urban heat islands (UHIs), while water bodies were steady. The study discusses the urbanization of the region and its significance in modifying LULC changes and its consequences toward ecological and hydrologic imbalances, added by the UHI phenomenon. The findings emphasize the necessity for sustainable land use planning, improved green space conservation, and integrated policy measures to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 2-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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: 2026-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.011
Jing Zhang , Muhammad Usman , Fujiang Hou
Grasslands are often referred to as the “skin of the Earth.” As primary producers within this ecosystem, grassland plants form the foundation of the food chain and are crucial for maintaining the system’s stability. The species richness of grassland plants significantly influences productivity, which underpins the stability and sustainability of these ecosystems. Currently, global extreme climatic events frequently disrupt grassland stability, leading to a dramatic decline in species diversity. Consequently, the restoration or enhancement of species diversity has become a fundamental objective for grassland ecosystem restoration. Despite the widespread degradation of global grasslands, evidence shows that increasing species diversity is indeed possible. Our research reviews the mechanisms regulating the increase in grassland species amidst declining global grassland health, focusing on biotic, abiotic, and social factors. By examining changes in species numbers, this study elucidates the current state of grasslands through a framework of control, regulation, and prevention. In response to the current situation, we have creatively proposed the construction of a series of projects. The implementation of projects such as “Crop-Livestock Engineering” and “Agriculture Grassland Assisting Livestock Engineering.” The integration of “Semi-cultivated and natural grassland” provides strategic directions for grassland restoration processes.
{"title":"How is the Species Biodiversity Swimming Upstream Amidst the Overall Decline of Global Grassland?","authors":"Jing Zhang , Muhammad Usman , Fujiang Hou","doi":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rama.2025.12.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grasslands are often referred to as the “skin of the Earth.” As primary producers within this ecosystem, grassland plants form the foundation of the food chain and are crucial for maintaining the system’s stability. The species richness of grassland plants significantly influences productivity, which underpins the stability and sustainability of these ecosystems. Currently, global extreme climatic events frequently disrupt grassland stability, leading to a dramatic decline in species diversity. Consequently, the restoration or enhancement of species diversity has become a fundamental objective for grassland ecosystem restoration. Despite the widespread degradation of global grasslands, evidence shows that increasing species diversity is indeed possible. Our research reviews the mechanisms regulating the increase in grassland species amidst declining global grassland health, focusing on biotic, abiotic, and social factors. By examining changes in species numbers, this study elucidates the current state of grasslands through a framework of control, regulation, and prevention. In response to the current situation, we have creatively proposed the construction of a series of projects. The implementation of projects such as “Crop-Livestock Engineering” and “Agriculture Grassland Assisting Livestock Engineering.” The integration of “Semi-cultivated and natural grassland” provides strategic directions for grassland restoration processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49634,"journal":{"name":"Rangeland Ecology & Management","volume":"105 ","pages":"Pages 87-99"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146189695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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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