Research in Ecology

Influence of Natural Ventilation on Indoor Air Quality in a Single-Family Dwelling in the Northwest Area of Madrid

Melany Isabel Pinilla-Hernandez — 2026-04-27

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a fundamental characteristic of eco-friendly buildings and sustainable environments, significantly impacting the well-being and behavior of occupants. Even in low-occupancy residences, maintaining good IAQ is essential for health and comfort. Buildings must meet both regulatory standards and occupant satisfaction to ensure a healthy indoor environment. Regardless of external conditions, people are constantly exposed to their surroundings, making air quality management a critical challenge. This study evaluates the impact of natural ventilation on IAQ in a single-family home in northwest Madrid through continuous monitoring of particle concentrations and CO₂ levels. The results reveal that daily indoor activities—particularly cooking, cleaning, and evening occupancy—significantly influence pollutant levels. Cleaning processes release particles ranging from 1 µm to 10 µm, while midday cooking generates notable emissions from stoves and ovens. CO₂ concentrations regularly exceed 1000 ppm at night in bedrooms with poor ventilation, whereas the living room maintains levels close to outdoor air due to consistent daily ventilation practices of approximately 3 h typically below 600 ppm. The monitoring also showed that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are heavily influenced by furnishings, pets, tobacco, airflow patterns, temperature and humidity, among other factors with greater variability than CO₂. Based on these findings, the study provides targeted recommendations to optimize natural ventilation, emphasizing schedule-based airing routines and material considerations for furnishings. These insights will be valuable to homeowners, architects, engineers, and public health professionals seeking sustainable, health-focused indoor environments. By enhancing IAQ through passive strategies, this study advances occupant well-being and environmental sustainability.

Assessing Community Readiness for OECM Implementation: Insights from Upland Forests and Coastal Lagoon Ecosystems in Vietnam

Hoang Quang Truong — 2026-05-28

Achieving Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires expanding effective area-based conservation beyond formally designated protected areas. Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) have emerged as a mechanism for recognising durable conservation outcomes in landscapes governed outside protected area systems. This study examines community readiness for potential OECM recognition across two contrasting social–ecological systems in central Vietnam: coastal lagoon and upland forest communities. Grounded in the definition of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Decision 14/8 and informed by IUCN–WCPA guidance, the study draws on evidence from 16 focus group discussions and 15 key informant interviews. Directed content analysis was employed using four analytical dimensions to capture cross-cutting social–ecological dynamics. Results reveal a marked divergence in OECM readiness. Upland forest communities demonstrate higher readiness, supported by legally recognised tenure, continuous patrol and monitoring practices, relatively stable financial mechanisms, and evidence of stable or recovering biodiversity. In contrast, coastal lagoon communities exhibit lower and more fragile readiness: initial improvements under co-management were not sustained once project-based support ended, amid increasing ecological pressures and declining fisheries resources. Variation within each region further underscores that OECM readiness is highly context-dependent and best assessed at the level of specific management units. Overall, the study highlights the central role of governance continuity, ecological context, and sustained resource support in operationalizing OECMs, offering empirical insights for advancing Target 3 beyond protected area systems.

Anthropogenic Processes and Ecosystem Functioning in Post-Mining Landscapes: The Role of Employee Behavior

Seno Aji — 2026-05-25

Ecosystem recovery in post-mining landscapes represents a complex process shaped by dynamic interactions between biophysical dynamics and sustained anthropogenic inputs. This study examines employee ecological behavior as a functional anthropogenic factor influencing ecosystem functioning in a tropical post-mining landscape in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Using an integrated empirical approach combining behavioral survey data from 136 mining employees with long-term ecosystem performance records of mining companies, we evaluate how sustained human-mediated actions relate to vegetation recovery, carbon sequestration, and landscape stabilization. Results indicate that while technical ecological knowledge among employees is moderate (mean score 3.2/5.0), the stability and continuity of employee pro-environmental behaviors show strong positive associations with measurable ecosystem recovery outcomes, including extensive land reclamation (1,875 ha over five years), increased vegetation cover (2.25 million trees planted), and significant carbon sequestration (33,800 tCO₂e annually). These findings suggest that repeated employee interventions, when sustained over time and embedded within supportive organizational systems, may operate as cumulative anthropogenic processes contributing to recovery trajectories in degraded landscapes. However, we acknowledge that current data cannot isolate the independent causal effect of employee behavior from other organizational factors, including capital investment, technological infrastructure, and management systems. By conceptualizing employee behavior as an embedded anthropogenic factor rather than an external social variable, this study contributes to applied ecology by proposing a conceptual framework for understanding how employee actions may contribute to ecosystem functioning in post-mining contexts. The mechanistic pathways proposed require further validation through integrated social-ecological research designs.

The Impact of Perceived Value, Social Norms, Destination Context and Psychological Ownership on Low-Carbon Tourism Behaviour in Chinese Rural Tourism

Luqin Zhu — 2026-06-03

This study aims to identify the factors influencing low-carbon tourism behaviour among visitors to China's rural tourism destinations; empirically examine the elements affecting such behaviour; and develop a model to promote low-carbon tourism behaviour among rural visitors and provide practical guidance for implementation. A questionnaire survey was conducted among visitors to the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun (a UNESCO World Heritage site) in southern Anhui Province. Empirical analysis was performed on 620 valid questionnaires collected. Through CFA and SEM, a model for low-carbon tourism behaviour was constructed and validated. Low-carbon tourism destination context, perceived value of low-carbon tourism, social norms, and psychological ownership all exerted positive influences on low-carbon tourism behaviour. Psychological ownership served as a mediating factor. Among these, the low-carbon tourism destination context emerged as the most significant influencing factor. The model explains 60.4% of the variance in the dependent variable of low-carbon tourism behaviour (R² = 0.604), demonstrating excellent explanatory power. In the sustainable development of low-carbon rural tourism, governments, communities and tourism enterprises should establish comprehensive measures encompassing the creation of low-carbon environments in rural tourism destinations, enhancing travellers' perception of low-carbon tourism value, social norms and psychological ownership. Future research is recommended to expand case studies and explore other potential influencing factors.

Association of Environmental Factors with the Annual Dynamics of Total Soluble Sugars in Walnut

Ernesto Concilco-Alberto — 2026-06-01

The storage of total soluble sugars carried out by plant species is a transcendental strategy for their survival, especially in the face of adverse situations. The environment is a complex of factors that present notable variations over time. The objective of the study was to know the impact of environmental factors on the concentrations of total soluble sugars (TSS) in walnut trees in two varieties during a production cycle. TSS concentrations were determined in each sample by spectrophotometry. The environmental data were obtained from a meteorological station. The concentrations of walnut stem and root of the Wichita and Western variety were evaluated during each month of the 2016–2017 cycle and were correlated with temperature, irradiation, and relative humidity. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and regression analysis. A significant statistical difference was found for more than one factor on the variables studied. Environmental factors have an influence on the TSS reservoirs of the walnut tree and they are variable depending on the organ, the variety, and the time. Temperature was the factor with the greatest influence. One of the relevant survival strategies of deciduous plant species such as the pecan tree is the production, storage, and subsequent use of total soluble sugars (TSS).

Research Restoring the Lost Primary Forest Ecosystem in Can Gio to Become the First Biosphere Reserve in Vietnam

Quang Thanh Le — 2026-05-11

Research on the process of restoring the lost primary forest ecosystem in Can Gio to become the first biosphere reserve in Vietnam. This is a pristine mangrove forest ecosystem from the 1960s, which was destroyed by humans and transformed into shrubland and regenerated trees in the 1970s. This forest ecosystem affects the environment and ecology of over 14 million residents of Ho Chi Minh City. A bold plan in 1997 to restore the Can Gio primary forest, transforming it into a secondary forest with high biodiversity and restoring natural plant communities, resulted in the full restoration of plant components and led to its recognition as Vietnam's first biosphere reserve in 2000. The growth process of Rhizophora apiculata contributed significantly to the successful restoration of this forest. Statistical research on plant communities and growth processes of mangrove trees, the dominant species accounting for over 90% of the plant species in the Can Gio mangrove forest, is a particularly successful experience in Vietnam. The contribution of the growth process of Rhizophora apiculata from 1977 to 2000 played a significant role in the successful restoration of the Can Gio primary forest. This study investigated the growth process of tree trunk diameter (D1.3 m), height (Ht), trunk volume (Vt) (m³)/tree, density (N/ha), and forest volume (M) (m³)/ha. These results assessed the contribution of forest growth to the restoration of the Can Gio primary forest, transforming it into the first biosphere reserve in Vietnam.

UV-Protective Plastic Cover Changes the Microclimate of the Canopy-Rhizosphere of Peanuts: Daily UV-B Attenuation, Thermal Trapping, and Crop Yield Component Responses

Aman Suyadi — 2026-05-21

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure and microclimate shifts can affect pod set and seed filling in peanut, yet field evidence comparing UV-blocking versus conventional plastic shading within integrated cultivation packages remains limited, especially for linked canopy–rhizosphere responses and plot yield. Six technology packages (A–F)—a farmer baseline package or the Balitkabi recommendation (Indonesian Legume and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Malang), combined with no shade, conventional plastic, or UV-blocking plastic—were arranged in a randomized block design (hereinafter referred to as RBD) with 6 treatments × 4 blocks. Microclimate was recorded at 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after planting (hereinafter referred to as DAP), including UV-B irradiance (µW cm⁻²), PPFD (µmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and relative humidity (%) at 08:00, 12:00, and 16:00, plus air and rhizosphere temperature (°C) at 05:00 and 13:00. UV-B peaked at midday and treatment separation was clearest at 12:00; at 42 DAP, unshaded A–B reached 6,727.5–6,592.5 µW cm⁻², while UV-blocking shade reduced UV-B to 3,967.75 µW cm⁻² (package D). Shaded plots were warmer at 13:00 than unshaded plots (14 DAP: 34.05–34.90 vs 31.02–31.32 °C), indicating thermal trapping, whereas humidity was mainly time-driven and not significantly different among packages. Package F had the highest yield components (total pods 20.18 plant⁻¹; filled pods 17.70 plant⁻¹; seeds 29.15 plant⁻¹), but plot yield (filled-pod and dry-seed weight per plot) was not significant at LSD 5%. These results suggest optimizing shade configuration/ventilation to limit midday heat accumulation and improving water–stand uniformity during reproductive filling to convert microclimate gains into yield.

Ecological Value of Ormenis mixta Essential Oil from Pre-Rif Morocco as a Natural Antifungal Agent for Sustainable Agriculture

Hajar Kodad — 2026-04-29

Growing concerns regarding the environmental and health impacts of synthetic pesticides have stimulated increasing interest in plant-derived antimicrobial agents as sustainable alternatives. In this study, the essential oil (EO) of Ormenis mixta collected from the Pre-Rif region (Taza, Morocco) was extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and chemically characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the broth microdilution method according to CLSI guidelines against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the opportunistic yeast Candida albicans. The EO yield reached 0.55% (w/w). Chemical analysis revealed a composition dominated by aromatic hydrocarbons (51.18%) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (20.89%), whereas oxygenated monoterpenes were detected in lower proportions. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was recorded against C. albicans (6.50 ± 0.76 mg/mL), indicating notable antifungal activity. Gram-positive bacteria exhibited moderate susceptibility, while Gram-negative strains were comparatively less sensitive, likely due to structural differences in their outer membranes. Molecular docking analysis further suggested that major aromatic constituents, particularly hydrogenated anthracene and trimethyl-substituted naphthalene derivatives, may contribute to membrane-related antimicrobial interactions. Overall, these findings describe a distinct Pre-Rif chemotype of O. mixta and provide experimental evidence supporting its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. The results offer a scientific foundation for future ecological, toxicological, and field-based evaluations aimed at integrating this essential oil into sustainable agricultural and environmental management strategies.

Mapping Vegetation Cover and Assessing Dune Stabilization in the Merzouga Desert Using NDVI Indicators from ASTER and Landsat Data

Naoual El Hammouch — 2026-05-18

Desertification and sand dune mobility constitute major environmental challenges in arid regions, particularly in the Merzouga Desert of southeastern Morocco. This study examines the role of vegetation in controlling dune dynamics through a combined analysis of multi-temporal remote sensing data and topographic change detection. Vegetation cover and spatial heterogeneity were evaluated using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), while sand mobility was assessed using the Normalized Sand Index (NSI) derived from ASTER and Landsat 8 imagery. In addition, geomorphic changes between 2011 and 2025 were analyzed using a DEM of Difference based on ASTER GDEM and Sentinel 1-derived DEMs. The results demonstrate a consistent inverse relationship between vegetation cover and sand mobility across all periods. Vegetated areas, particularly along dune margins, interdune depressions, and oasis environments, are mainly associated with semi-stable dunes and reduced aeolian activity. Even sparse shrub patches significantly contribute to sand trapping and localized dune stabilization. Topographic analysis reveals moderate but spatially organized elevation changes, with sand accumulation on dune crests and windward slopes and erosion on leeward flanks, reflecting dominant regional wind regimes. Central dune fields show relative elevation stability, suggesting a dynamic equilibrium between erosion and deposition. Although classification accuracy decreases in 2025 due to spectral confusion in sparsely vegetated surfaces, qualitative validation using high-resolution Google Earth imagery confirms the reliability of the main spatial trends. Overall, the findings highlight strong vegetation and topography feedbacks that govern dune stabilization processes and provide valuable insights for ecological monitoring and sustainable land management in desert environments.

Environmental Impacts of the Lemna Dumpsite (Calabar, Nigeria): Surface Water, Air Quality, and Community Health

Elizabeth Akpanke Odey — 2026-05-15

This study investigates the environmental impact of the Lemna dumpsite located in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, focusing on its effects on water quality, air quality, and public health. The research problem addresses the growing concerns about the contamination of the environment and its associated health risks due to improper waste management at the Lemna dumpsite. The study employs a quantitative method, involving a combination of field measurements, laboratory analyses, and survey data collection from 400 respondents living in proximity to the dumpsite. The study covered a small temporal coverage of 4 weeks (n = 4). Water quality parameters such as Colour, Lead, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and pH were assessed, with results indicating significant deviations from the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, highlighting severe contamination in surrounding water bodies. Air quality measurements revealed hazardous levels of Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), with readings far exceeding acceptable thresholds, signaling significant air pollution due to waste burning activities at the dumpsite. A paired samples t-test revealed substantial differences in physico-chemical and bacteriological water quality parameters between the Lemna dumpsite and a control site along the Calabar River. The study also examined the health implications for residents, finding a strong correlation between proximity to the dumpsite and the prevalence of respiratory conditions such as frequent coughing, asthma, and breathing difficulties.

Participatory Ecosystem Management Spearheaded by Community Leaders: Policy-Driven Feedback Mechanism from Local Constituents

Anesito L. Cutillas — 2026-05-13

Anchored on the Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework and Arnstein’s Ladder, this study explores how community leaders operationalize participatory ecosystem management to facilitate adaptive governance in Cebu, Philippines. While national frameworks mandate involvement, the transition to feedback-driven actions is often hampered by institutional unreadiness and bureaucratic delays. This research investigates the governance-ecology coupling, examining how local leaders act as knowledge filters between grassroots biophysical data and formal policy decision-making. Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 key stakeholders, including strategic decision-makers, technical monitors, and community sensors situated in ecologically sensitive zones. Thematic analysis reveals that localized stewardship—specifically, regular clean-up drives—and multi-channel digital reporting via platforms like Facebook Messenger function as systemic sensors. These mechanisms detect ecological thresholds regarding waste accumulation and erosion, triggering tangible outcomes such as adaptive budget allocations for canal dredging and stricter waste ordinances. However, scale mismatches, administrative rigidity, and social friction within communities impede this feedback integration. The study concludes that hybridizing Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) with digital reporting elevates participation from tokenism to resilience-building knowledge co-production. These findings offer a transferable "Community Leader as Sensor" framework for the Global South, demonstrating that empowering local intermediaries to short-circuit command chains can effectively bridge the gap between rigid institutions and rapid ecological change.

Abundance and Biomass of Tikam (Pyganodon cataracta) in the Rice Paddies of Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Lichelyn M. Nasungan — 2026-05-06

This study determined the differences in abundance and biomass of freshwater Tikam (Pyganodon cataracta) in Maligcong, Bontoc, Mountain Province, and assessed the soil and water quality between two study sites: (1) spring-fed rice paddies and (2) paddies affected by agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater. Mussels were collected, counted, measured, and analyzed for wet and dry biomass. Mean abundance, biomass, and shell growth of P. cataracta were significantly higher in spring-fed paddies than in runoff-affected paddies. In particular, wet biomass in spring-fed paddies was more than twice that of the polluted site, while mussels there also exhibited larger average shell length and width. Physico-chemical qualities revealed significant differences in soil pH, organic matter content, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen, while water pH showed no significant difference between sites. These findings indicate that higher temperatures, lower dissolved oxygen, and altered soil characteristics in runoff-affected paddies negatively affect mussel populations. The results underscore that P. cataracta can serve as a useful bioindicator of paddy ecosystem health. Beyond ecological significance, the reduced abundance of Tikam in polluted paddies also implies a decline in a traditional food source, highlighting the need for integrated management of rice agroecosystems for both biodiversity conservation and community food security.

Variation Patterns of Absorptive Root Traits and Resource Acquisition Strategies of Representative Tree Species across Different Successional Stages in Subtropical Forests

Hailing Liao — 2026-05-08

The variation patterns of absorptive root functional traits and the differentiation of resource acquisition strategies among tree species during forest succession represent a critical scientific issue for understanding plant-soil interactions, community dynamics, and ecosystem functioning. This paper systematically reviews the multidimensional variation characteristics of absorptive root traits and their underlying ecological mechanisms in representative tree species across different successional stages in subtropical forests. Research demonstrates that functional traits of absorptive roots form a "root economics spectrum" through coordinated variation across morphological, anatomical, chemical, physiological, and symbiotic dimensions, reflecting the trade-off between resource acquisition efficiency and tissue persistence. Along the successional gradient, pioneer species exhibit an "acquisitive strategy" characterized by high specific root length (15–30 m/g), fine root diameter (0.3–0.6 mm), low tissue density (<0.30 g/cm³), high nitrogen content (15–25 mg·g⁻¹), and short lifespan (<1 year), whereas climax species display a "conservative strategy" featuring low specific root length, coarse root diameter, high tissue density (>0.40 g/cm³), low nitrogen content, and long lifespan. This directional differentiation is driven by environmental factors, including resource availability, competition intensity, and disturbance frequency, while simultaneously regulated by phylogenetic constraints and phenotypic plasticity. Root strategies exert cascading effects on ecosystem productivity, carbon sequestration, and stability through modulation of soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, nutrient availability, and resource acquisition efficiency. Under global change, the compound effects of factors such as climate warming, nitrogen deposition, and biodiversity loss may alter root strategy differentiation patterns and successional trajectories.