The impact of ecotourism on ecosystem functioning along main rivers and tributaries: Implications for management and policy changes

Arif, Muhammad; Behzad, Hamid M.; Tahir, Muhammad; Li, Changxiao

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115849

Cited by 28 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Similar results have been confirmed by multivariate statistical analysis in riparian areas within watersheds. Several studies have used these methods to look at ecological systems and found that they work [ 15 , 24 , 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We collected data in 2020 from 269 transects (145 and 124 for UIB and LIB transects, respectively) within the IRB, considering their proportional contributions. This study aimed to obtain real-life data on RHIs and stressors by adopting an innovative approach from the literature (see Arif et al [ 2 , 15 , 32 ]). The data collection methods for each parameter are described in various sources (e.g., literature, reports, and databases).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This leads to the weakening of marginal areas and the degradation of riverine areas [ 7 , 14 ]. Several types of activities directly alter the physical characteristics of the land and alter riparian ecosystems and their associated habitats [ 15 ]. Riparian zones are often permanently affected by land use that has higher levels of human activity [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…By merely looking at one source alone, it is impossible to determine the pressure effects in the river basin [ 1 , 11 ]. There is a need for statistical models and theoretical studies to generate technical information on the effects of different river basins on riparian areas regionally and globally [ 2 , 15 ]. This study assessed changes in the riparian zones of the Indus River under the influence of stressors originating from the river’s different basins (i.e., the upper Indus basin (IUB) and the lower Indus basin (LIB)).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts of Stressors on Riparian Health Indicators in the Upper and Lower Indus River Basins in Pakistan

Hira

Arif

Zarif³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Riparian zones along rivers and streams provide ecosystem services that may change over time as disturbances increase and deteriorate these buffer zones globally. The effect of stressors on ecosystem services along the rivers in underdeveloped countries is unclear, which impacts the environment directly in the form of riparian health indicators (RHIs). This study fills this gap and measures the impact of stressors on RHIs (parameters of habitat, plant cover, regeneration, exotics, and erosion) in the Indus River basin (IRB) in Pakistan. Data on 11 stressors and 27 RHIs were collected using a field-based approach in 269 transects in the upper and lower Indus basins (UIB and LIB) in 2020 and analyzed using multivariate statistical methods. The Kruskal–Wallis tests (p < 0.05) indicated that RHIs varied significantly under the influence of stressors in the UIB and LIB. However, their highest mean values were found in the UIB. Principal component analysis revealed the key RHIs and stressors, which explained 62.50% and 77.10% of the variance, respectively. The Pearson correlation showed that stressors had greater impacts on RHIs in LIB (with r ranging from −0.42 to 0.56). Our results also showed that stressors affected RHI indices with r ranging from −0.39 to 0.50 (on habitat), −0.36 to 0.46 (on plant cover), −0.34 to 0.35 (on regeneration), −0.34 to 0.56 (on erosion), and −0.42 to 0.23 (on exotics). Furthermore, it was confirmed by the agglomerative hierarchical cluster that indices and sub-indices of RHIs and stressors differ across the UIB and LIB. These findings may serve as guidance for managers of large rivers and ecosystem service providers to minimize the environmental impact of stressors in terms of RHIs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Impacts of Stressors on Riparian Health Indicators in the Upper and Lower Indus River Basins in Pakistan

Hira

Arif

Zarif³

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…China in the Ruxi River Basin, Zhong County, Chongqing Municipality, at 107 °32′-108 °14′E, 30 °03′-30 °35′N; the artificial restoration plantation covers an area of 13.3 hm 2 . The soil is mainly purple soil of the calcareous purple sand shale parent material developed in a subtropical area (Arif et al, 2022b). Two-year-old seedlings of pond cypress were transplanted in the riparian zone here in 2012.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of hydrological regime on Taxodium ascendens plant decomposition and nutrient dynamics in the Three Gorges Reservoir riparian zone

Chen

Hong

Arif

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Riparian plants are an integral part of the river ecosystem and have significant impacts on the water quality of the reservoir area. The special hydrological process of the riparian zone makes it possible to become a “source” or “sink” of organic matter and nutrients. This study quantifies the flooding period on the decomposition as well as nutrient dynamics of leaves from artificially regenerated Taxodium ascendens in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China. Five decomposition treatment groups were exposed to 10, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days of decomposition: conventional water (T1), mild drought stress (T2), saturated water content (T3), light flooding stress (T4), and severe flooding stress (T5). In T4 and T5, the decomposition rate of T. ascendens leaves was significantly higher than that of T1, T2, and T3. All the leaf C, N, P, and K concentrations at the end of the test were lower than their respective starting values. The concentrations of N and P in the overlying water decrease to various degrees due to decomposition. At the end of the study, the TN content was 1.34 times (T4) and 1.16 times (T5) higher than that of the control group, and the TP content was 3.97 times (T4) and 3.21 times (T5) higher than that of the control group. Leaf decomposition increases the content of N and P in the overlying water under flood conditions, which adversely affects the water environment. This study establishes a theoretical framework for understanding how hydrological processes affect leaf decomposition and nutrient release in riparian areas, providing a scientific basis for riparian zone management in TGR.

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Considerations on the Socio-Ecological Management of Agrobiodiversity Within Community Tourism

Vázquez-Martin,

Aguilar-Rivera

2024

Sustainable Development Seen Through the Lenses of Ethnoeconomics and the Circular Economy

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The impact of ecotourism on ecosystem functioning along main rivers and tributaries: Implications for management and policy changes

Cited by 28 publications

References 64 publications

Impacts of Stressors on Riparian Health Indicators in the Upper and Lower Indus River Basins in Pakistan

Impacts of Stressors on Riparian Health Indicators in the Upper and Lower Indus River Basins in Pakistan

Effects of hydrological regime on Taxodium ascendens plant decomposition and nutrient dynamics in the Three Gorges Reservoir riparian zone

Considerations on the Socio-Ecological Management of Agrobiodiversity Within Community Tourism

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