Research in Ecology

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

Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.

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

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.

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

Lichelyn M. Nasungan — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.

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

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.

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

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.

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

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.

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

Hailing Liao, Mohd Nazre, Beilei Yin, Johar Mohamed — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 +0800

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.