On the basis of the RUSLE model in LIR basin, key findings indicated varying degrees of soil erosion, with a significant portion experiencing severe erosion. The research also addressed the quantification of errors or uncertainties in remote-sensing data, particularly highlighting differences in delineation accuracy among Landsat 5, 7 and 8. The outcomes are essential for watershed management, offering insights into critical erosion sites and aiding in the development of conservation strategies.

This article belongs to the collection Ecological monitoring and assessment of freshwater ecosystems: new trends and future challenges.

Researchers in Fiji found microplastics in 64% of local edible cockles, with higher levels of microplastics and associated biological stress signs in the edible cockles from more polluted areas. The findings highlighted the need for continuous environmental and biomonitoring of pollution effects in seafood. This scientific contribution will inform and shape future policy on regulating pollution and promoting human-health needs in seafood quality.

The DCG method assesses the risk of seawater mixing with groundwater by evaluating distance from the sea, water movement ease and flow direction in aquifers. Tested in Morocco’s Dradère–Souière plain, it uses a special formula (vulnerability index, Iv) to pinpoint vulnerable coast, offering a practical tool for global coastal regions to protect their precious underground water sources from seawater intrusion.