Raposo Inacio, Miguel Angelo

Urban lakes supply many ecosystem services and are very much appreciated for recreational activities. For this, water quality is a key aspect. In this work, we monitored water physical-chemical variables, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations in an urban lake located in Vilnius in Summer and Autumn. Per season, 20 samples were collected. The results showed that temperature, pH, EC, N, P and K were significantly higher in Summer than in Autumn, while the opposite was identified in TDS. pH and temperature were negatively associated with TDS, and pH, EC, N, P and K were negatively associated with the previous elements. Data variability was higher in the Summer than in the Autumn. Overall, the highest concentrations of nutrients combined with high temperatures can promote water eutrophication and reduce the lake's capacity for recreation.

Urban expansion alters land surfaces and local climate. Therefore, it is essential to assess the impact of urbanisation on microclimate regulation. In this work, we assessed the land surface temperature (LST) in a neighbourhood located in Vilnius (Jeruzale), Lithuania, using a thermal unmanned aerial vehicle to map microclimate regulation using LST and a proxy. The thermal images were validated with ground temperature measurements of different land uses (urban, grassland, and forest). The results showed that the model validation was accurate (adjusted R2= 0.941; RMSE: 1.522) considering all the land uses. The validation was better in urban surfaces (adjusted R2= 0.992; RMSE: 0.409) than in forested areas (adjusted R2= 0.520; RMSE: 2.187). Urbanised areas had a reduced capacity to regulate the microclimate compared to forested areas. Also, it creates a heterogeneous mosaic in temperature distribution. There were significant differences between microclimate regulation among land uses. UAV and ground-measured temperatures were significantly higher in urban areas than in forested ones.

Agricultural intensification harms biodiversity and contributes to climate change and ecosystem services (ES) degradation. Therefore, this opinion study aims to assess the impacts of agricultural intensification in three key aspects. Agricultural intensification causes biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, and an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme events. This will negatively impact all regulating and cultural ES (except for knowledge systems) and all provisioning ES in the long term. Sustainable agriculture practices are not enough to ensure food security in a world with a growing demand for food. Ensuring food security without compromising the environment is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Although it is necessary to ensure food security, without healthy ecosystems, this is not possible. A transformational change in our society and policy is needed to halt this process. Therefore, it is essential to recognise that a shift in consumption habits is necessary.

Radiation exists naturally in the environment. However, human activities, especially those related to nuclear weapons, energy generation, and medical infrastructures, can increase radioactivity levels in air, soil, and water, threatening human health. Both urban and rural populations can be exposed to radioactivity, making mapping an essential tool for a better understanding of radiation concentration. In this work, we developed a “walk-borne” survey methodology to map real-time gamma radiation (count and dose rate) in an urban area (Vilnius, Lithuania) using a small portable spectrometer (RadiaCode). A detailed method was developed considering 1) RadiaCode test in the field, 2) study site selection, 3) transect design to map count and dose rate, 4) RadiaCode map settings preparation, 5) fieldwork and data preparation, 6) data download and processing, and 7) statistical and spatial analysis. This method will be key to identifying potential radiation sources and accumulation that can be transferable to other environments. • A novel “walk-borne” survey methodology was developed to map real-time gamma-ray radiation using a small portable spectrometer; • High-resolution mapping of potential radiation sources can be identified with their implications for human health • This method can help identify areas with potential radiation risks.

Ecosystem services (ES) assessments are rarely integrated into decision-making processes, with uncertainties often cited as a major barrier. While various uncertainties, such as modelling and data uncertainties, are inherent in ES assessments, their role in uptake of ES assessment results in decision-making remains unclear. We conducted a semi-systematic literature review of scientific papers assessing ES to reveal how uncertainties in ES assessments relate to ES uptake, i.e., the potential use of ES assessment results by decision makers. We performed logistic regressions to analyse the influence of three main sources of uncertainty on ES uptake, i.e., (i) modelling uncertainties, (ii) uncertainties related to qualitative and quantitative descriptions of scenarios, and (iii) uncertainties related to the transfer of ES assessment results into decision-making. Furthermore, we investigated if stakeholder involvement plays a role in ES uptake. First, and most importantly, the results indicate that clarifying the policy context can decrease decision uncertainty and thus improve ES uptake. Referring to a specific policy, following a decisive study purpose and documenting the intended policy entry point are factors that significantly enhance ES uptake. Second, the way how ES are modelled is related to ES uptake. Our results show that using multiple models to assess ES significantly promotes ES uptake. Third, involving stakeholders in ES assessments is significantly associated with increased documented uptake. We discuss that explicitly anchoring the assessment in a policy context increases the salience and timeliness of an ES study, assessing model uncertainties can lead to more credible results, and involving stakeholders can provide more legitimacy, which together increase the potential for ES assessments and their results to be used in decision-making. This study encourages future ES assessments to integrate uncertainties in order to support informed decision-making and promote the conservation and sustainable management of ecosystems and their services.

The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA-EA) was set as an international standard framework for integrating and relating economic and environmental statistical data. Since its adoption in 2021, several scientific efforts have been established to operationalise it. Systematic literature reviews are essential for providing a comprehensive worldview on specific topics, exploring gaps, and defining future directions. In this study, we systematically review ecosystem accounting studies in the context of SEEA-EA and collate information on several aspects of its multiple accounts: ecosystem extent, condition, ecosystem services and assets. To narrow the scope, we focus our research on three ecosystem types: urban, forest and coastal and marine ecosystems. The results showed an increasing interest in the topic among scientists. Most of the works were published between 2014 and 2024 (75 studies – 98.68%) and conducted in Europe and Oceania (61 studies – 80.26%). Ecosystem extent and services (monetary) were the most studied aspects; however, most studies do not compile information on opening/closing tables. The revised studies covered other ecosystem types besides the target ones (e.g., croplands). Extent accounts were compiled mainly using European and National land cover datasets. Condition accounts were mostly compiled based on compositional state characteristics, especially using biophysical indicators. Most studies failed to define reference conditions. Regarding ecosystem services (ES), most studies focused on physical and monetary accounts, using mixed methodological approaches. Most works assessed one section, primarily regulating & maintenance ES. Statistical data and market prices for biophysical and economic methodologies were preferred methods. Validation and mapping were not considered in the majority of the works. Future priorities, which are also challenges, on applying the SEEA-EA include developing guidance for (1) systematically defining appropriate reference conditions, (2) validating ES modelling outputs or at least reporting uncertainty levels, and (3) making the connection, often missing, between condition and ES accounts.

Lakes supply multiple ecosystem services (ES), key to supporting socio-ecologic systems and human well-being. In the context of future land use and climate changes, it is imperative to anticipate potential impacts on lake ES supply. Hence, studies that deal with future lake ES, such as mapping, are lacking. In this work, we mapped and assessed the future supply of three ES: (1) maintenance of nursery conditions (nursery ES), (2) maintenance of chemical conditions of freshwaters (nutrient regulation ES), and (3) direct and indirect cultural outputs (recreation ES) in Lithuania. Four future scenarios were utilised, integrating land use and climate changes: A0 - business as usual; A1-urbanisation; A2: land abandonment and afforestation; and A3 - agricultural intensification. The projected year was 2050, following the intermediate Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 4.5). The future scenarios were simulated using the open-source software Dinamica EGO based on a 6-step modelling framework. Statistical differences among the scenarios and ES were analysed by applying a Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test. Spatial analysis was done by performing a Moran's I and Getis-Ord (Gi∗) hotspot analysis. The results showed significant differences in nursery and nutrient regulation ES. The highest supply in nursery ES was observed for the A0 scenario. For nutrient regulation ES, the lowest ES supply was identified for the A1 scenario and for recreation ES, the highest was found in the A2 scenario. The eastern and northeastern regions of Lithuania showed a high ES supply. Hot spots were only identified in the eastern region. These regions are associated with a high area covered by forests and protected areas. The central region shows a low ES supply, identified as a cold spot where the agricultural landscape dominates. The results of the PCA analysis revealed an association between nursery and recreation ES. Nutrient regulation was not associated with the other two ES. Mapping and assessing the impact of future scenarios is vital to anticipating the potential dynamics of lake ES, especially in the context of climate change. This information is essential in the context of environmental management, helping decision-makers to ensure a sustainable ES supply and contributing to human wellbeing.

Coastal and marine ecosystems supply multiple Ecosystem Services (ES). Nevertheless, these ecosystems are among the most impacted by human activities, harming the ES sustainable supply. Since ES are a spatial phenomenon, mapping can contribute to understand ES supply. For this, we use quantitative spatio-temporal frameworks to map and assess the supply of one provisioning (food from fisheries) and two regulating ES (nursery habitats and nutrient regulation), considering two periods: Baltic Sea Holistic Assessment (HOLAS) 2 (2011–2016) and 3 (2016–2021). The ES supply was assessed following a process-based modelling approach, using bio-physical indicators as proxies. The three ES models were applied and validated, showing moderate results. For fisheries and nursery ES the results showed a significantly higher supply in HOLAS 3 than in 2, and for nutrient ES the opposite. This indicates that the assessed ES changed due to environmental activities. The Anselin Local Moran's results showed that most ES index values aggregate in the High-High cluster; Moran's I and semi-variogram results showed a clustered pattern; and the Getis Ord* analysis showed that hot and cold spots corresponded to high and low supply areas. For fisheries, high ES supply areas were located in the central-southern part of the Baltic Sea, while low-supply regions were located in the northern part. For nursery ES, high supply areas were located in the southwestern Finnish and western Estonian coasts. For nutrient ES, high supply areas occurred in the central- and eastern-southern parts close to the coast. Correlations showed a statistically significant negative correlation between fisheries and nursery ES and a significant positive correlation between fisheries and nutrient ES. No statistically significant correlations were observed between nursery and nutrient ES supply. The results obtained are essential to support coastal and marine management and planning in the Baltic Sea as well as international environmental policies and directives.

Urban expansion is a global phenomenon that impacts biodiversity loss and climate change. Soil sealing increases land degradation and the ecosystem services supply. This degradation also negatively affects ecosystem health, essential to make cities more sustainable and liveable. This work aims to study the ecosystem health spatiotemporal evolution (1990, 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018) in the Vilnius (Lithuania) functional zone, using the vigour, organisation and resilience (VOR) method. The results showed that ecosystem health model validation was acceptable (r = −0.761; p < 0.01). Between 1990 and 2018, an increase (18.37 %) in ecosystem vigour was observed. The values were significantly higher in 2006, 2012 and 2018 than in 1990 and 2000. We identified a decrease between 1990 and 2018 regarding ecosystem organisation (7.15 %) and resilience (9.92 %). However, no significant differences between the years were identified. Ecosystem health decreased (11.49 %) between 1990 and 2018, mainly between 2012 and 2018. Ecosystem health values in 2018 were significantly lower than those identified in the previous years. The lowest values of ecosystem vigour, organisation and resilience were identified in the Vilnius city centre, while the highest was observed in the Vilnius functional zone. From 1990 to 2018, ecosystem vigour increased in some elderships located on the fringe of the studied area due to land abandonment and forest plantations. Simultaneously, a decrease in ecosystem organisation and resilience in the elderships located in Vilnius city centre was observed due to urban sprawl and the consequent landscape fragmentation. This negatively impacted ecosystem health, overshadowing the positive trend observed in ecosystem vigour. Different processes (e.g., urban sprawl, land abandonment, forest plantations) occurred in the Vilnius functional zone. It is essential to halt urban expansion and its adverse impacts on ecosystem health, city sustainability and liveability.

The coastal area is a vulnerable environment due to the extreme natural events. Floods, decreased soil fertility, and saltwater intrusions are natural phenomena in coastal areas. An Indian district, South 24 Parganas, the delta region, has more land losses because of shoreline alteration and sea level rise (SLR). Mangrove areas are decreasing due to land losses, and many areas have increased mangrove forests. Remote Sensing-based Landsat 4–5 TM and 8 OLI/TIRS multi-temporal datasets are applied for land dynamic analysis of Sagar Island, Namkhana, Kakdwip, and Pathar Pratima blocks South 24 Parganas district, India. Four decadal multi-temporal datasets are applied for this study: 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021. In the analysis, Cropland decreased by 77.95 km2, and gradually, the inland fishery area increased by 89.13 km2 due to saltwater intrusion. The eight islands increased their size due to sediment deposition; similarly, some islands lost their land due to SLR and shoreline change. The Ghoramara (Habited Island), Jambu Dweep, L-plot, and G-plot areas were decreased due to shoreline change. Built-up lands expanded 18.86 km2 in the last thirty years. Similarly, vegetation areas decreased by 51.56 km2 because of natural extreme events and anthropogenic activities. Many areas have lost mangrove forests in the study area. However, sediment deposition increased mangrove regeneration in different parts of the study area. The Bedford Island, Half-Fish Island, and Sibkalinagar are evidence of this case. The main difficulties in this area were shoreline shifting, SLR, cyclones, floods, soil fertility reduced, soil salinity, and increased cropland dynamics. The coastal area, needs more attention and planning to protect the natural environment otherwise extreme events impacts on those regions.