Explore the vast range of titles available.

Changes in natural land cover have been pronounced in the last 12,000 years, and land use has intensified in the last century owing to anthropogenic pressures on landscapes. This trend has led to concomitant changes in the abiotic templates and biotic communities of different ecosystems embedded in a landscape. Deciphering the role of land use is key to understand ecological change in boreal landscapes. These landscapes are characterized by large numbers of lakes that have been affected by various anthropogenic factors, of which land use has considerable direct and indirect effects on lakes. In this review, we focus on land use impacts on boreal lakes in a historical perspective. We will consider lake features related to abiotic conditions, biological communities and ecosystem services, and provide potential solutions for planning lake management and conservation in a landscape setting. More specifically, we propose a novel way to characterize lake abiotic, biotic and ecosystem service features by applying the alpha, beta and gamma concept used widely in ecological research. Finally, we highlight situations where this approach could be a valuable addition to existing means to identify lakes that should be reserved for ecosystem services (‘lake‐sharing’) and those that are vital for protecting aquatic biodiversity (‘lake‐sparing’). Here, we reviewed how land use may have affected the abiotic conditions, biodiversity and ecosystem services of boreal lakes. We propose a new approach to characterize these three features using the alpha, beta and gamma components widely used in ecology.

Bacteriophages typically have small genomes 1 and depend on their bacterial hosts for replication 2 . Here we sequenced DNA from diverse ecosystems and found hundreds of phage genomes with lengths of more than 200 kilobases (kb), including a genome of 735 kb, which is—to our knowledge—the largest phage genome to be described to date. Thirty-five genomes were manually curated to completion (circular and no gaps). Expanded genetic repertoires include diverse and previously undescribed CRISPR–Cas systems, transfer RNAs (tRNAs), tRNA synthetases, tRNA-modification enzymes, translation-initiation and elongation factors, and ribosomal proteins. The CRISPR–Cas systems of phages have the capacity to silence host transcription factors and translational genes, potentially as part of a larger interaction network that intercepts translation to redirect biosynthesis to phage-encoded functions. In addition, some phages may repurpose bacterial CRISPR–Cas systems to eliminate competing phages. We phylogenetically define the major clades of huge phages from human and other animal microbiomes, as well as from oceans, lakes, sediments, soils and the built environment. We conclude that the large gene inventories of huge phages reflect a conserved biological strategy, and that the phages are distributed across a broad bacterial host range and across Earth’s ecosystems. Genomic analyses of major clades of huge phages sampled from across Earth’s ecosystems show that they have diverse genetic inventories, including a variety of CRISPR–Cas systems and translation-relevant genes.

Identifying, assessing, and addressing threats are vital elements in the management plan formulation of a protected area. Loktak Lake, a Ramsar Wetland of international importance placed under the Montreux Record since 1993, exemplifies this need. The study focuses on 11 direct threats in Loktak Lake based on a standard classification nomenclature by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Three different parameters (scope, severity and magnitude) were assessed using a rating scale from four stakeholder groups (Government Departments, Experts, Community Based Organizations and Fisherman Community). Eight of these direct threats were prioritised based on high ratings in the assessment among which the absence of fishing bans, the inflow of municipal waste and the maintenance of the water level by Ithai Barrage showed significant differences in threat perception among stakeholders. The study also showed the resource conflicts underpinning some of the highly ranked threats such as encroachment in peripheral areas and absence of fishing bans. The heterogeneity in stakeholder groups and their select dependence on resource use explains the significant differences observed in the prioritisation of the threats. The study demonstrated the use of threat ranking as an efficient method for management plan formulation in a conservation site. It also highlighted the urgent need to address the gaps observed in the management plans with regard to present management interventions. It is envisaged that an analysis of threat perceptions among different stakeholders will help decision-making in lake management in light of its inclusion in the Montreux Record .

Pit lakes may present significant risks to ecological and human receiving environments but can also provide beneficial end use opportunities. The understanding of many processes that influence the magnitude of these risks and opportunities remains limited, and even where our understanding is adequate, the application of that knowledge is not consistently applied. From initial planning to long-term closure, regulation and corporate management of pit lake closure can be improved to realise more sustainable pit lake legacies. In this two-part manuscript, we recommend focus areas for future research by academics (Part 1), and strategies to structurally improve the practice of pit lake closure for mining industry regulators, corporate sustainability officers, global practice leads, and site mine closure planners (Part 2). Here we identify barriers that often limit the understanding of pit lake processes and closure practices and suggest ways that corporate leaders, closure practitioners, and regulators can improve pit lake management. Recommended corporate changes include: conducting risk assessments at an early planning stage; funding pit lake research and trials; allowing data sharing and case study publication; avoiding the simplifying assumption of a fully mixed pit lake when making predictions; integrating climate change into pit lake predictions; improving the quality of technical reporting; generating industry guidance for pit lake rehabilitation; maximizing opportunities for subaqueous, in-pit disposal of mine wastes; creating a positive legacy through beneficial uses of pit lakes; and verifying predictions using long-term monitoring. Recommended regulatory advancements include: raising expectations of corporate pit lake closure planning and execution; acknowledging good pit lake closure examples; balancing the need to simulate long closure periods with expectations of model reliability; considering the value of pit lakes as future water resources during permitting; and requiring closure costing and bonding commensurate to closure risk.

Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are natural catastrophic events that pose a growing threat to mountain communities worldwide. Despite extensive research, hazard mapping, and risk modelling, these events continue to cause large-scale destruction to the downstream communities and infrastructure. This persistent vulnerability stems from weak policy enforcement, inadequate early warning systems, and poor community preparedness. While the threat of GLOF is increasing, their sudden and destructive nature raises a critical concern—are frontline communities truly aware and resilient enough to cope with such disasters? The recent South Lhonak GLOF in Sikkim, underscores the urgency of this question, highlighting the growing disconnect between scientific understanding, policy implementation and community preparedness. To address this, we propose the GLOF-WATCH approach—an integrated, globally coordinated, watershed-based monitoring system for continuous glacial lake observation and GLOF risk assessment. This study also highlights the key vulnerabilities in community preparedness and the failure of structural measures, outlining critical steps to bridge the gap between scientific research and on-ground resilience to build GLOF-resilient communities across high-mountains globally before the next disaster strikes.

Acoustic telemetry is a popular approach used to track many different aquatic animal taxa in marine and freshwater systems. However, information derived from focal studies is typically resource- and geography-limited by the extent and placement of acoustic receivers. Even so, animals tagged and tracked in one region or study may be detected unexpectedly at distant locations by other researchers using compatible equipment, who ideally share that information. Synergies through national and global acoustic tracking networks are facilitating significant discoveries and unexpected observations that yield novel insight into the movement ecology and habitat use of wild animals. Here, we present a selection of case studies that highlight unexpected tracking observations or absence of observations where we expected to find animals in aquatic systems around the globe. These examples span freshwater and marine systems across spatiotemporal scales ranging from adjacent watersheds to distant ocean regions. These unexpected movements showcase the power of collaborative telemetry networks and serendipitous observations. Unique and unexpected observations such as those presented here can capture the imagination of both researchers and members of the public, and improve understanding of movement and connectivity within aquatic ecosystems.

The current data sharing methods have significant drawbacks in terms of security, efficiency, and scalability. Therefore, this article proposes a massive multi-dimensional data sharing and interaction algorithm based on cloud edge collaboration. In the edge layer and cloud layer, data from sensors and nodes undergo re-encryption through proxies during the collection process. Using the DPoS consensus mechanism for sharing reduces the number of consensus nodes, improves speed and efficiency, and ensures node honesty. The improved DPoS will select proxy nodes. Cloud layers share and access data lake models through smart contracts. The experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm can achieve the sharing and interaction of massive multidimensional data, and the total number of honest nodes in the selected consensus node set reaches over 90%. The consensus process can generate more efficient blocks, which enhances the fault tolerance of data sharing. The study verifies that the method proposed in this article can improve the security of sharing massive multidimensional data.Article HighlightsInnovative multi-dimensional data sharing framework.Proxy re-encryption for data privacy.Enhanced security mechanisms.

Rivers and their interdependent human communities form social-ecologically complex systems that reflect basin scale functionally but are often governed by spatially mismatched governance systems. Accounting for this complexity requires flexible adaptive governance systems supported by legitimacy in decision-making processes. Meaningful community dialogue, information exchange, transparency, and scientific rigor are essential to this process. We examined failings in the adaptive governance of the Menindee Lakes system, a major Australian wetland system on the Barka/Darling River of the Murray-Darling Basin. Ecological sustainability of the Menindee Lakes was a casualty of a top-down governance, driven by the New South Wales Government in pursuit of \"water savings\" for the Murray-Darling Basin, a large scale, federally influenced region. We used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze long-term social-ecological impacts and stakeholder perceptions of adaptive governance. State and federal government agencies failed basic processes of adaptive governance, ignoring local environmental sustainability in pursuit of basin scale objectives at great cost to governments, communities, humans, and non-humans. This resulted in the development of an ineffective, technocratic solution that lacked community input, leading to a complete loss of support by local communities, including traditional owners. We emphasize the importance of elements of scale in adaptive governance projects, if such projects are going to be effective and legitimate with consequences of coarse commitments to large spatial scale political and environmental objectives.

Aim: A comparative analysis of the chloroplast (cp) DNA structure of eastern North American birches (Betula) was undertaken to infer the impacts of Quaternary climate change on the phylogeographical structure of these species. Location: Eastern North America. Methods: Genetic variation in chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs) and the psbA-trnH intergenic spacer in Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis and Betula lenta was analysed in samples from 65, 80 and 12 populations, respectively. Co-occurring Betula uber, Betula populifolia and Betula cordifolia were also sampled to examine haplotype relationships and account for potential introgression. Haplotype networks, Bayesian analysis and comparisons of RST and GST values were used to evaluate the phylogeographical structure. Genetic diversity within and among species was compared using rarefaction analysis. Results: The two most widespread species, B. papyrifera and B. alleghaniensis, showed high levels of haplotype diversity, while the Appalachian endemic B. lenta possessed a single haplotype. Bayesian analysis revealed three main phylogeographical groups for B. papyrifera and four groups for B. alleghaniensis, and these two species showed extensive regional haplotype sharing and a high introgression ratio. Main conclusions: We postulate that at least three separate réfugia contributed to the recolonization of B. papyrifera and B. alleghaniensis within eastern North America, while B. lenta appears to have recolonized from a single refugium. A high haplotype diversity of B. papynfera and B. alleghaniensis in the Great Lakes region may reflect biogeographical contact between eastern and western lineages, with the potential influence of periglacial refugia. Similar phylogeographical patterns in the distantly related B. papynfera and B. alleghaniensis represent a geographical turnover of the same locally shared haplotypes, pointing to introgression rather than shared biogeographical history as the mechanism. Although similar phylogeographical patterns are often interpreted as evidence for common biogeographical histories, our study demonstrates that such patterns can also arise through introgression.

Lhù'ààn Mân' is located in the southwest corner of Yukon Territory, tucked into the foot of Kluane Ranges of the St. Elias Mountains. The lake is situated on the traditional territory of the Kluane First Nation, Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and the White River First Nation. The lake and its watershed are culturally significant and provide sources of fresh water, fish, land animals for hunting and trapping, berries, and lumber. Miller is a a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary working on an exploratory hydrology research project in the Lhù'ààn Mân' watershed. In May of 2016, Kaskawulsh Glacier retreat redirected the meltwater away from it. The event caused the volume of water to decrease significantly, leaving the areas of the river valley that were previously under water dry. Kaskawulsh Glacier runoff was the largest source of glacial water to the lake until then. By August, its level dropped nearly 2 m and has not refilled. This drastic change over a short time period drew a lot of attention and has raised questions in the academic and local communities about glacially-connected water resources in a changing climate.