Environmental and Earth Sciences

Abstract: Agricultural drought represents a critical global environmental challenge that directly jeopardizes food security. Monitoring agricultural drought is essential for effective agricultural planning and robust water resource management. This study rigorously analyzed monthly precipitation (mm) and maximum and minimum temperatures (°C) from 14 grid points derived from the ERA5-Land dataset of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), covering the period from 1981 to 2025. The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at a six-month time scale (SPEI-6) was calculated, and the Mann–Kendall test was employed to identify trends. The findings indicate that each grid point experiences varying intensities of drought. G4 stands out as the grid point with the highest drought events, followed closely by G7, G8, G1, G3, G5, G13, and G14 grid points. In stark contrast, G11, G12, G9, G6, G10, and G2 grid points reported the fewest events. The Mann–Kendall test results confirm that only one grid point (G14) exhibits a statistically insignificant decreasing trend (p>0.05). Conversely, 93% of the grid points reveal a statistically significant decreasing trend in the SPEI values, pointing to the fact that agricultural droughts are expected soon in these areas. These findings establish a strong foundation for future research on drought prediction and provide critical insights for effective decision-making in drought risk management. By highlighting the significant temporal and spatial variability in agricultural drought across Mpumalanga Province, this research decisively supports the development of adaptive strategies and policies necessary for managing these conditions effectively.

Abstract: Coastlines possess significant ecological and resource values, which are intricately associated with marine ecological civilization, the marine green economy, and coastal well-being. Comprehending the spatiotemporal variations and driving mechanisms of coastlines is of great significance for their effective protection, rational utilization, and sustainable development. In this study, we employed ArcGIS to extract the coastline vectors of Huizhou in 1973, 1988, 2003, and 2019 based on multi-source remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images. The coastline location and type (CLT) model was proposed to differentiate four coastline types, namely the sets of coastline segments with invariant locations and types (SCA), the sets of coastline segments with invariant locations but altered types (SCB), the sets of coastline segments with changed locations but invariant types (SCC), and the sets of coastline segments with both changed locations and types (SCD). Subsequently, the spatio-temporal evolution and disturbance factors of these coastline types were analyzed, offering a diversified foundation for quantitative coastline analysis. The results indicate that total length of Huizhou coastlines increased from 248.75 km in 1973 to 260.82 km in 2019, with natural coastlines decreasing by 62.86 km and artificial coastlines increasing by 75.21 km. The length and proportion of SCA exhibited a continuous decline, decreasing from 79.66% in the initial stage to 58% in the final stage. Conversely, the lengths of SCB, SCC, and SCD all witnessed a continuous increase. The coastline disturbance index (CDI) of Huizhou exhibited a continuous upward trend, escalating from 20.34% to 30.95% and further to 42.00%. This phenomenon was primarily propelled by land reclamation and aquaculture enclosures, accompanied by distinct regional disparities. The coastline alterations were concentrated in regions such as the Daya Bay Petrochemical Zone, Fanhe Port, Kaozhouyang Bay, Xiaogui Village, and Quanwan Port. Meanwhile, the CDI of aquaculture reclamation witnessed a continuous decline, whereas the CDI of land reclamation showed a continuous increase. The natural environment of Huizhou, including its topographical, geomorphological, and hydrological characteristics, serves as the basis for coastline evolution. Meanwhile, social and economic development, along with policies, are significant driving forces for coastline evolution. These findings offer a solid scientific foundation for the management of coastal zones in Huizhou.

Abstract: This article examines how Rondônia's territory changed in the early 21st century, focusing on “matogrossization,” a process reflecting the spread of Mato Grosso's productive practices due to agribusiness expansion, especially soybean and corn monocultures. This led to a major reorganization of the regional agrarian space, with commodity exports sparking a land rush and intensive deforestation. The process caused conflicts over land, resistance from local peasants and Amazonian peoples, rural depopulation, and urban growth, driven by rural-to-urban migration. “Matogrossization” explains these socio-spatial shifts, linking Rondônia to global agribusiness and its environmental impacts.

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a human-built component of the technosphere, not an intelligence outside Earth-system limits. As AI systems scale, they increasingly shape the decisions, infrastructures, and capital flows through which human activity damages the biosphere. Dominant deployed foundation-model alignment methods, including reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) and constitutional AI, treat human preferences as the primary alignment target while leaving biosphere integrity as context, externality, or secondary constraint. That framing is structurally incomplete. Human welfare, technological continuity, and AI operation all depend on biosphere function. Three convergent literatures support a corrective framework: planetary-boundary analysis showing seven of nine boundaries transgressed; energy-system analysis showing rapid and infrastructure-constrained data-center growth during the 2025-2030 buildout; and collective-action analysis showing that voluntary ecological restraint is unstable under competitive pressure. These literatures imply a design conclusion: ecological constraints must be formalized as hard inference-time refusal rules and reinforced through reward design. This paper presents Biosphere Sentinel as a reference architecture for reducing human and technospheric impacts on the biosphere through refusal rules, an eight-domain reward landscape, carbon-lock-in diagnostics, and a proposed Trophic Integrity Index pathway.

Abstract: Flash drought, as a rapidly developing form of drought, has become an increasing threat to agricultural production, ecosystem stability, and regional carbon cycling, par-ticularly in croplands within monsoon regions. Existing studies have mainly focused on point-scale identification or conventional vegetation indices, while a systematic understanding of the regional spatiotemporal evolution of flash droughts and crop-specific differences in photosynthetic recovery remains limited. Using mul-ti-source remote sensing data from the North China Plain and the Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain during 2001–2024, this study integrated triple collocation error assess-ment, root-zone soil moisture percentile-based identification, connected component tracking, and Random Forest–SHAP analysis to characterize flash drought trajectories and their impacts on vegetation. The results showed that the southern Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain exhibited a high-frequency but low-intensity pattern, whereas the cen-tral North China Plain was characterized by relatively low frequency but higher inten-sity and longer duration. Rice-based systems were more vulnerable to frequent flash drought shocks, while rainfed and rotation systems faced stronger cumulative risks. Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) responded to flash droughts 6–9 days ear-lier than gross primary productivity (GPP), and all cropping systems exhibited a “rapid physiological response–lagged carbon assimilation recovery” pattern. The month of occurrence, drought duration, and decline rate were identified as the dominant factors controlling photosynthetic recovery. These findings extend the flash drought monitor-ing framework from the perspectives of regional connectivity and crop recovery mechanisms, and provide a remote sensing-based scientific basis for agricultural early warning, drought mitigation, and food security management.

Abstract: The southern coast of Java, Indonesia, lies along the active Sunda subduction margin, where coastal landforms record the interaction between sea-level change, wave erosion, sedimentation, and tectonic uplift. Marine terraces and raised coastal surfaces are important geomorphic indicators of vertical deformation, but their interpretation remains difficult where chronological control is limited and where coastal surfaces have been modified by erosion, deposition, karstification, or human activity. This study presents new Real-Time Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) topographic profiles from four coastal sites: Pantai Ajah, Kalijali, Kulon Progo, and Wingko. The profiles were measured from the beachward side toward the landward side and were used to identify terrace treads, risers, slope breaks, residual topographic highs, and possible raised coastal platforms. These field data are integrated with published information on Holocene sea-level change, marine terraces, coastal uplift, and forearc deformation along the southern Java margin. The RTK profiles show variable terrace morphology between sites. Pantai Ajah preserves a prominent riser and a probable terrace tread at approximately 7–8.5 m elevation. Kalijali records a lower terrace-like surface at approximately 4–5 m, an upper surface at approximately 7–9 m, and a higher local topographic high near 12–13 m. Kulon Progo shows a subdued low-elevation raised coastal surface, while Wingko contains a distinct slope break at approximately 1450–1500 m from the beachward end and a broad landward surface at approximately 5–6.5 m elevation. The profiles suggest two tentative morphostratigraphic terrace groups: a lower group at approximately 4–6.5 m and an upper group at approximately 7–9 m. Higher local peaks, including the 12–13 m high at Kalijali and comparable elevated points at other sites, may represent remnants of older or more strongly uplifted coastal features. One possible interpretation is that some of these higher surfaces originated near the mid-Holocene sea-level highstand, when relative sea level in parts of Indonesia and Sundaland was higher than present, and were subsequently uplifted to different elevations according to local uplift rates. However, this hypothesis requires direct chronological and sedimentological confirmation. The raised terrace ridges and topographic highs may also act as partial natural barriers that reduce tsunami flow penetration inland, although they should not be treated as complete protection. Overall, RTK profiling provides a useful field method for recognizing coastal terrace morphology and identifying priority sites for future dating, tsunami-inundation modelling, and coastal-hazard planning.

Abstract: Coastal basins are highly dynamic systems susceptible to flooding and erosion, processes intensified by extreme cyclonic events. This study aims to develop a physical-geographic framework for analyzing the multi-hazard geomorphological dynamics of the La Sabana River basin in southern Mexico. The methodology integrates the analysis of the basin's natural and anthropogenic components with morphometric evaluation and multivariate analysis (PCA) at the sub-basin level. The results show a highly efficient drainage network (3.8-5.4 km/km²) and short concentration times (0.98–2.75), which favor a rapid hydrological response and high susceptibility to flooding and erosion. PCA explained 65.8% of the total variance, identifying basin size, drainage organization, and system shape as dominant controls. Critical sub-basins with rapid hydrological response (Tc ≤ 1.5 h) were identified, coinciding with areas of high anthropogenic exposure. It is concluded that integrating morphometric indices through multivariate approaches provides a robust, replicable basis for risk governance and territorial planning in coastal basins.

Abstract: Rivers are the main source of water supply for the Crimean Peninsula, making their chemical status crucial for the regional water security. The study is based on results of geochemical surveys conducted in 2015 – 2018 during different hydrological phases in rivers of the northern macroslope of the Crimean Mountains (the Salgir, Belbek, Kacha, and Alma) and the southern coast (the Derekoyka, Ulu-Uzen, Demerdzhi, and Uchan-Su). Background levels of most elements in water and suspended matter are comparable to their global averages. In impacted areas metal contents exceed background by up to 10–20 times. Dissolved metal contamination is typical during low-water periods, whereas increased values in suspended matter is primarily associated with flood events. Suspended matter is enriched in Bi, Cd, Sb, Zn, Cu, Sn, Pb, W, and Mn, consistent with the geochemical signature of urban road dust in Crimean cities. Among the rivers of the northern part of Crimea, the highest pollution is typical for the Salgir River, on the southern coast - for the Uchan-Su River. Metal(loid)s inputs to suspended matter is predominantly controlled by natural sources, the highest anthropogenic impact is related to construction activities (releasing calcareous dust), urban wastewater, vehicle emissions, and agricultural practices, particularly vineyards.

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and stringent ecological protection policies in China have intensified spatial competition among Urban–Agricultural–Ecological (UAE) spaces. However, existing studies often overlook how this competition evolves across different slope structures. To address this, this study establishes a fine-scale analytical framework using H3 hexagonal grids and slope spectrum analysis to investigate the slope structure evolution and spatial competition mechanisms from 1990 to 2023. The results reveal a distinct topographic stratification of competitive niches: urban space dominates low-slope regions (< 6°) but exhibits a pervasive "upslope expansion" trend, with its average slope increasing from 1.81° to 2.07°. Agricultural space characterizes the transition zones (6°–15°), showing an "upslope migration" in the Southeastern Hills driven by urban squeeze. Ecological space functions as a stable barrier in steep terrains (> 15°) but faces encroachment in transition zones. Furthermore, cluster analysis identifies significant regional heterogeneity aligning with China’s macro-topography: the Eastern Plains are characterized by "low-slope agglomeration," where urban–agricultural conflict is most intense; the Southern Hilly Regions display an "interwoven upslope" pattern; while the Western Highlands maintain absolute ecological dominance. Mechanism analysis using GeoDetector and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) indicates that competition intensity is predominantly driven by human activity factors (e.g., human footprint, nighttime lights, q > 0.29), yet significantly modulated by topographic constraints (e.g., elevation), creating a nonlinear enhancement effect. Crucially, this study challenges the traditional flat-projection planning model. We propose a transition to "three-dimensional topographic regulation," advocating for differentiated management strategies—such as strict "slope redlines" for urban–agricultural transition zones—to resolve the intensifying spatial conflicts in complex terrains and safeguard agricultural sustainability.

Abstract: In the geographic world, phenomena such as mesoscale ocean eddies exhibit continuous and gradual changes. Due to limitations in remote sensing observation technology, a contradiction exists between discrete observational data and these evolving phenomena. While spatiotemporal interpolation is crucial for bridging this gap, existing single-model methods fail to account for continuous process characteristics, making it difficult to obtain consistent datasets. To address this, this paper proposes an evolutionary process-embedded marine spatiotemporal interpolation model (EPMSIM) by integrating deep learning and geostatistics. EPMSIM first decomposes marine time-series fields into trend, seasonal, and evolutionary components using seasonal and trend decomposition using loess (STL). A convolutional bidirectional long short-term memory (ConvBiLSTM) model is designed to reconstruct the trend and seasonal components, while a process-based spatiotemporal dynamic tracking interpolation method (PSDTIM) reconstructs the evolutionary component. Finally, these components are additively coupled for interpolation. A case study on sea surface temperature (SST)-based mesoscale eddies shows that EPMSIM outperforms traditional geostatistical and deep learning-based baseline models in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and structural similarity index measure (SSIM). These results confirm the model’s effectiveness and feasibility in capturing the continuous evolution of marine phenomena and generating high-quality spatiotemporal datasets.

Abstract: The land territory of Pakistan extends from the coastal area towards the Karakoram, rising vertically by more than 8,600 metres within a distance of 1,600 kilometres. The net primary productivity (NPP) has been affected by climate change, but the regional differentiation of climatic impacts on vegetation productivity and the trends of these impacts over the last two decades remain unclear. Using the ERA5-Land climate dataset and the MODIS NPP dataset via partial regression and moving correlation analyses, we identified the main climatic driver of the NPP and assessed the potential climatic forces faced by local vegetation in the future. Our results were as follows: (1) The NPP showed an overall increasing tendency across Pakistan from 2001 to 2022. (2) The areas where the changes in NPP were driven mainly by temperature and NPP benefitted from the temperature change were located in the northern mountainous regions approximately north of 35°N and east of 72°E, and the northern Upper Indus Plain. With temperatures changing over time, the increase in NPP intensified in the northern mountainous regions above approximately 3,500 m a.s.l., whereas the increase in NPP diminished below this zone and in the northern Upper Indus Plain. (3) The areas where the changes in NPP were driven mainly by precipitation and NPP benefitted from the precipitation change were located in the Gandhara Plain, the northern Potwar Plateau and in the middle to southern parts of Pakistan south of approximately 32°N. With precipitation changing over time, the increase in NPP intensified in the region between approximately 26°N and 32°N, whereas the increase in NPP diminished in the Gandhara Plain, the northern Potwar Plateau and south of approximately 26°N. Our findings indicated spatial differentiation in the responses of NPP to climate change. If climate change continues at its current pace, vegetation in the northern mountainous regions below 3,500 m a.s.l., the Gandhara Plain, the northern Potwar Plateau, the northern Upper Indus Plain and regions south of approximately 26°N may undergo risks of degradation.

Abstract: For ages, archaeologists had used shovel test grids and excavation to determine the most likely places to dig, this procedure requires a lot of work and time. In seismic hazard assessment studies, it is important to identify subsurface faults and to constrain seismic deformation parameters near surface. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) method is a nondestructive, noninvasive high-resolution geophysical mapping method favorable to picture the buried archaeological remains and delineation subsurface possible shallow walls effected by tectonic process like faults within altered environments. Processed two-dimensional radargrams were used to identify the location of some anomalies related to ancient walls. The three-dimensional model shows that the GPR anomalies are typically simpler to spot and isolate in order to make the depth and position more clear and delineate the extension of buried archaeological walls at both surveyed sites. The GPR method was able trace a possible 0.5 m deep left lateral strike slip fault affected ancient buried wall at site 2 which was impossible to mapped by 2D profiles. The inferred faultʹs direction and displacement match an exposed fault that has been mapped in the northwest corner of the western wall of the Nabataean-Roman age reservoir.

Abstract: In the context of global warming, extreme precipitation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has intensified significantly. Understanding the internal structure of precipitation events and their response to rising temperatures is crucial for elucidating these intensification mechanisms. Focusing on the Hehuang Valley, this study constructed an event-scale dataset using hourly observations from 15 meteorological stations (2015–2024), introducing “Inter-event Maximum Temperature” as a key thermal driver. By integrating clustering, trend tests, and logistic regression, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of precipitation extremes. Results indicate that: (1) regional precipitation exhibits a pattern of fluctuating frequency but increasing intensity; (2) the proportion of uniform precipitation has decreased while non-uniform types, especially rear-peak events, have increased significantly; (3) spatial heterogeneity is strongly influenced by topography, with extreme precipitation concentrated on windward slopes and in valley contractions;(4) Inter-event maximum temperature exerts a significant non-linear positive effect, where a 1°C increase raises the odds ratio for extreme precipitation occurrence by approximately 13.4%. These results confirm that antecedent thermal accumulation enhances extremes by increasing atmospheric water-holding capacity and convective instability. While decadal-scale uncertainties remain due to the limited 10-year data span, these findings provide a scientific basis for disaster prevention and water resource management in high-altitude basins.

Abstract: Research on adaptive strategies in extreme environments is crucial for understanding the resilience of human survival wisdom. This study integrates multidisciplinary evidence from archaeology, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, isotopic, and geochemical analysis to reassess the role of fishing, hunting, and gathering economies in prehistoric arid Xinjiang, northwestern China. Our findings reveal that, spatially, fishing concentrated in the Lop Nur region of the Tarim Basin, with potential activities extending to the surrounding river basins across the Altai, Tianshan, Pamir, and Kunlun mountains; hunting was more developed in Northern Xinjiang (focusing on deer and bovids) while practiced on a smaller scale in Southern Xinjiang (targeting hares); gathering also exhibited north–south divergence in plant utilization. Temporally, these economies declined from a dominant Paleolithic strategy to a supplementary role in the Bronze and Early Iron Ages. However, resilient local adaptations persisted—notably at Lop Nur (fishing), Xiaxingguang cemetery (specialized hare hunting), and the Eastern Tianshan region (high-proportion gathering). Beyond subsistence, these practices were deeply embedded in spiritual life, reflected in totemic symbols and shamanic ritual paraphernalia.This study re-evaluates prehistoric extractive economies, providing critical insights into human adaptation strategies in arid to semi-arid environments.

Abstract: Metro Manila, one of the world’s most densely populated megacities, is highly vulnerable to sea-level rise due to its low-lying deltaic location, frequent tropical cyclones, and rapid anthropogenic subsidence from groundwater extraction. This study integrates historical PSMSL tide-gauge records from Manila Harbour with IPCC AR6 projections under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, incorporating vertical land motion (VLM) and sea-level fingerprints to estimate local relative sea-level (RSL) changes. Assuming constant subsidence, cumulative VLM reaches –0.785 m by 2100 and –1.289 m by 2150. Including climatic contributions (amplified 10–20% by fingerprints, particularly under high-emission scenarios from far-field Antarctic ice loss in the western Pacific), projected RSL ranges from 1.09–1.42 m (SSP1-2.6) to 1.51–2.00 m (SSP5-8.5) by 2100, and from 1.70–2.28 m to 2.41–3.54 m by 2150. Results indicate 7.95–11.15 km² (1.2–1.8%) of land could face permanent ocean-connected inundation under high scenarios, mainly in Malabon (~18%), Navotas (~20%), and Manila (~7%). These conservative estimates (excluding aquaculture areas) are much lower than prior mid-century projections of up to 30%. Intensified chronic flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion threaten millions, requiring urgent integrated adaptation, groundwater regulation, and combined nature-based and engineered solutions.

Abstract: Water erosion is the main driver of soil loss in semi-arid mountainous regions, particularly in Algeria. Identifying the spatial distribution of erosion is a crucial first step, providing decision-makers with essential information to develop effective mitigation strategies. The main objective of this study is to apply the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to estimate soil loss and rank the sub-basins of the Wadi Cheliff Basin (43,750 km²). Different geographical and non-spatial data sets have been employed to develop different thematic layers of the RUSLE factors such as: rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), topographic factor (LS), crop management factor (C), and support practice factor (P). The soil erosion in the Wadi Cheliff basin in the current study ranges considerably from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of tons per hectare per year. Estimated average annual erosion rates were 0.70 t/ha in autumn 2017 and ranged between 0.00 and 0.57 t/ha in spring 2018. Information on soil erosion patterns at the sub-basin level can guide the planning of effective conservation practices. Such information is helpful for the implementation of erosion control practices and improving overall environmental management in the basin.

Abstract: This paper translates a GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation (GIS–MCE) developed for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiH), into a scien-tific manuscript on aquaculture zoning and site suitability in the Republic of Benin. We integrate sub-models on market accessibility, demand (population and asset wealth in-dex), biophysical conditions (water balance, soils, slope), and input availability (crop and livestock systems) to produce suitability indices for three fish farming systems: (i) ex-tensive to semi-intensive small-scale and integrated ponds; (ii) peri-urban intensive closed systems (tanks, ponds, RAS); and (iii) intensive open tilapia cages in waterbodies. A marked south–north gradient emerges, with southern and central communes showing highest suitability for non intensive systems. Priority communes include Bassila, Bantè, Ouessè, Savè, Kétou, Djidja, Agbangnizoun, Zangnanado, Ouinhi, Lalo, Bonou, and Ad-johoun. Intensive closed systems concentrate around Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, and Porto-Novo due to superior market access. For open cage farming, southern permanent waterbodies—particularly Lakes Ahémé and Nokoué and selected reservoirs such as Zagnanando, Azili, and Ilauko—appear promising, though environmental risks (eu-trophication, pollution) warrant caution. We discuss methodological assumptions, data constraints, and limitations (e.g., absence of formal MCDA methods), and conclude with policy recommendations emphasizing environmental safeguards, support to traditional systems (e.g., whédo), improved feed and seed access, and strengthened biosecurity and monitoring frameworks for sustainable aquaculture expansion.

Abstract: Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, Nigeria, is a rapidly growing mid-sized city located at the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers. While this location has driven urban expansion, it has simultaneously increased the city’s exposure to environmental risks, particularly flooding and ecosystem degradation. Despite their growing importance, cities of this scale remain underrepresented in African urban research. Using multi-decadal Landsat imagery (2000, 2010, 2020, and 2024), Random Forest supervised classification, and PyLandStats landscape metrics, this study examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of urban growth and landscape fragmentation in Lokoja. Results reveal a non-linear urban trajectory characterized by rapid expansion (2000–2010), partial consolidation (2010–2020), and renewed densification with intensified fragmentation (2020–2024). Urban land cover expanded from 6,668 ha in 2000 to 19,371 ha in 2010, declined to 12,883 ha in 2020, and increased again to 15,985 ha by 2024, representing a net growth of approximately 140%. Urban expansion has imposed severe ecological costs. Dense forest cover declined by 99.7% (from 373 ha to 1 ha), while woodland areas were reduced by 73.9%. Core habitat declined from 23% to 13.8% of the landscape, falling below the 15–20% threshold associated with ecological functionality. Edge density increased by 121%, amplifying urban heat island effects, surface runoff, and biodiversity loss. Although grassland cover increased by 77.1%, this reflects secondary succession rather than ecological recovery, given an estimated loss of 3,000 ha of original vegetation. The study recommends enforcing development restrictions below 10 m elevation with 100 m riparian buffers, restoring 500 ha of native riparian corridors, mandating a minimum of 20% urban tree canopy cover, and institutionalizing community-based monitoring of green spaces. These findings contribute empirical evidence on the sustainability challenges of mid-sized African cities and offer transferable planning strategies for ecologically sensitive urban regions.

Abstract: The proliferation of marine data is an opportunity for ocean governance and contributes to fragmentation in the disciplines, institutions, and sectors. Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) stands out as the major framework in integrating marine information; however, its intellectual framework and development are not well synthesised. The research applies the two-step systematic review and bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed literature (2000-2024) to trace the trends in publications, collaboration patterns, thematic cohesion, and time-related changes in MSDI research. Results suggest that the MSDI scholarship is growing faster,, with most of the products being European-made,, with policy frameworks like INSPIRE and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive leading the pack. It is divided into four pillars of themes, namely technical implementation, governance and policy, data management, and stakeholder applications. This development of MSDI can be characterised by five consecutive stages: fundamental technical standardisation, the implementation of the model of governance, semantic interoperability improvement, the integration of the policy, and the sophisticated application of the principles of FAIR/CARE and AI. The paper concludes that MSDI is moving to a more socio-technical approach that requires consideration of a technical-focused tool in the present-day ocean governance. In the future, combining semantic AI, decentralised architectures, polycentric governance models, and impact assessment frameworks to align the MSDI development with the objectives of equity, inclusion, and sustainability should be considered.

Abstract: Land use change profoundly impacts the trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services in ecologically fragile watersheds. Optimizing land use patterns based on ecological function zoning is an important approach to coordinate multiple ecosystem services and promote sustainable watershed management. This study focuses on the Wuding River Basin within the Chinese Loess Plateaue, using Self-Organizing Map (SOM), multi-objective genetic algorithms, and the Future Land-Use Simulation (FLUS) model to explore land use optimization schemes. The results show that the windbreak and sand fixation service (WS) in the Wuding River Basin presents a spatial pattern of higher values in the northwest and lower values in the southeast, while the other six services exhibit a pattern of higher values in the east and lower values in the west. Based on the ecosystem service cluster characteristics, the basin can be divided into soil and water conservation zones, habitat conservation zones, and ecologically fragile zones. The trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services within different zones differ significantly, with the trade-off between food supply (FS), soil conservation (SC), and habitat quality (HQ) being particularly prominent. After optimization, the FS and SC in the soil and water conservation zones increased by an average of 0.63×104t and 1.94×105t, respectively. The FS in the habitat conservation zones increased by 0.11×104t, while HQ remained stable. In the ecologically fragile area, water production (WP) and carbon sequestration (CS) services increased by an average of 0.26×104t and 0.58×105t, respectively. During the optimization process, the reasonable allocation of grassland and unused land played a key role in balancing service conflicts. This study provides a scientific basis for coordinating trade-offs in watershed ecosystem services and achieving land use optimization management through the framework of service clusters, functional zones, and multi-objective optimization.