Abstract: Agriculture in Europe needs to progress towards a new business system, where sustainable agricultural practices are the driving force behind this business. These sustainable practices will contribute to Europe's climate neutrality by 2050. Carbon farming has practices that help to sequester CO2 in the soil and mitigate CO2 from the atmosphere. Increasing SOC (Soil organic carbon) in soil through carbon farming practices will promote soil quality and fertility, which is essential for soil ecosystem services protection. This study aims to identify new proposals, such as technical and policy instruments, that help promote carbon farming practices through a bibliometric analysis of carbon farming, as there is a gap in bibliometric review studies on carbon farming in the scientific literature. The bibliometric analysis results showed that the principal common terms include “carbon farming,” “carbon sequestration, “climate change” and "Australia” and there is a lack of terms related with carbon credit market and adaptation from farmers. Australia is the country with the most published carbon farming documents. Carbon farming aims to be an eco-agrosystem to be broadly embraced by farmers.

Abstract: The European Green Deal aims to make Europe the world's first carbon-neutral continent, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 seeks to achieve neutrality in land degradation. For that, soil, a depletable natural resource, requires adequate protection and preservation, which calls for its management through an environmentally conscious framework. Soil supplies food regulates water and nutrient cycles, and healthy soils also store carbon. Its ecosystem services are under pressure, making it difficult to maintain its health and preserve biodiversity. Despite existing legal instruments, soil degradation is on the rise and is mostly addressed indirectly in the EU governance measures, without a harmonized soil legislation before the 23rd of October 2025, when the Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience was approved by the European Parliament. This directive will complement existing soil legislation and will contribute to healthy soils as soil starts to be treated as a protected natural resource. This study aims to carry out a critical analysis of Portuguese and European Union soil legislation, based on the information available in the SoiLEX database. The aim was to evaluate the contributions of that legislation to soil health, particularly regarding soil threats that are listed in that database. It was found that Portuguese legislative acts only make indirect references to threats to soil, in a vague manner related to soil salinization, and no reference is made to soil acidification. European Union legislation makes more direct references to the SoiLEX database threats to soil, but for some soil threats, the references are still indirect. Moreover, there is no reference as a SoiLEX Topic to salinization, compaction, and acidification of soil. The contribution of this study is to reveal the absence of soil protection visibility on EU and Portuguese legislation and can be used to revise and update the soil related legislation.

Abstract: ligocene rocks and fluids of A-1X well were conducted for source rock and fluid characterization and implying the suitable geological sites for CO2 storage from high-salinity water in sandstone reservoirs based on Rock-Eval pyrolysis, vitrinite reflectance measurement, bitumen extraction, hydrocarbon fractionation, gas chromatography, stable carbon isotope, formation water and X-Ray Diffraction analyses. Shale source rocks reveal fairly good potential of hydrocarbon generation. Compositions of gas sample in gas-related zones 1010-1110m are mainly composed of CH4, following C2+, N2, and a little content of CO2 and no noticeable of H2S. Carbon isotopes of oil and gas samples reveal the organic matters mainly derived from sapropelic and little humic sources, entering the mature stage to oil window phases. The formation water is classified as Calcium-Chloride type that contain high concentrations of total dissolved solid, salinity, and K+, Na+ and Cl- cations. This formation water is associated with deep source, and close system that are effective conditions for a large pool with good sealing capacity and not impacted by dissolution of the salt rock around. Most sandstones comprise very high visual porosities including high quartz, plagioclase and calcite minerals that are favorable conditions for subsurface pore space and CO2 injection in over saturated fluids. The popular presence of brittle minerals in the upper part of strongly fractured basement indicates this could be a good sandstone reservoir. The finding is identification of suitable candidate for storing CO2 in the saline aquifer under the active petroleum system with current oil and gas accumulations.

Abstract: Aridity represents a fundamental climatic constraint governing water resources, eco-system functioning, and agricultural systems in transitional climate zones. This study examines the spatial organization and temporal variability of aridity and thermal con-tinentality in North Macedonia using observational records from 13 meteorological stations distributed across contrasting altitudinal and physiographic settings. The analysis is based on homogenized monthly and annual air temperature and precipitation series covering the period 1991–2020. Aridity and continentality were quantified using the De Martonne Aridity Index (IDM), the Pinna Combinative Index (IP), and the Johansson Continentality Index (JCI). Temporal consistency and trend behavior were evaluated using Pettitt’s nonparametric change-point test, linear regression, the Mann–Kendall test, and Sen’s slope estimator. Links between aridity variability and large-scale atmospheric circulation were examined using correlations with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). The results show a spatially consistent and statistically significant increase in mean annual air temper-ature, with a common change point around 2006, while precipitation displays strong spatial variability and limited temporal coherence. Aridity patterns display a strong altitudinal control, with extremely humid to very humid conditions prevailing in mountainous western regions and semi-humid to semi-dry conditions dominating lowland and southeastern areas, particularly during summer. Trend analyses do not reveal statistically significant long-term changes in aridity or continentality over the study period, although low-elevation stations exhibit weak drying tendencies. A mod-erate positive association between IDM and IP (r = 0.66) confirms internal consistency among aridity indices, while summer aridity shows a statistically significant relationship with the NAO. These results provide a robust climatic reference for North Mace-donia, establishing a first climatological baseline of aridity conditions based on multi-ple indices applied to homogenized observations, and contributing to regional assess-ments of hydroclimatic variability relevant to climate adaptation planning.

Abstract: The catchments that contain ecologically critical wetlands supplying the Mohale and Polihali dams under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) are increasingly threatened by expanding agriculture, mining activities, and uncontrolled livestock grazing. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess heavy metal contamination and wetland health across the three higher-altitude sub-catchments in Lesotho: Senqunyane, Khubelu, and Sani. A total of 24 water samples were collected from six wetlands in March 2025 to determine concentrations of copper, iron, manganese, lead, and zinc in accordance with APHA standards. Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) were calculated to evaluate water quality. All sites exceeded the HPI safety threshold of 100, with Sani Top showing the highest PLI (5.54), indicating severe contamination primarily driven by manganese and lead. Lead emerged as the dominant pollutant due to its low permissible limits, exacerbating HPI scores across wetlands. Heavy metal concentrations generally declined with increasing altitude, with lead and copper displaying the steepest decreases, while manganese peaked at mid-altitudes (2750 m), potentially linked to local geochemical processes and organic matter decomposition. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) explained 40.6% of total data variance, revealing tight clustering at higher altitudes (3000 m), reflecting uniform, geogenically controlled water quality, whereas lower elevations displayed more variable and anthropogenically influenced patterns. Despite high-altitude sites appearing chemically stable, they carry higher dissolved ions, suggesting treatment needs for water hardness. In contrast, low-to-mid elevation wetlands showed more variable and hazardous metal loads, necessitating targeted management strategies including buffer zones, liming, and pollution source tracing. Findings highlight land use and hydrology in wetland water quality. Continuous monitoring of Lesotho’s alpine wetlands is vital to address heavy metal pollution, guide evidence-based policy, and support prioritized monitoring, mitigation, and restoration for sustainable downstream water management.

Abstract: Land degradation (LD) is a dominant threat of the decade, which is deteriorating arable lands globally. Therefore, this intensification of LD has stimulated global governing bodies and researchers to take the initiative against this dilemma through sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. Geographical mapping is critical for analyzing land formation, its types, and uses; data-based maps provide a detailed overview of land use. In this study, we have created simplified SRTM-based maps for Saudi Arabia related to soil types, soil thickness, and soil uses either as vegetation or for agricultural aspects using GIS tools. Results of these GIS analyses showed that the maximum area of the country is sandy, followed by loam and sandy loam. Meanwhile, the maximum soil thickness is either under 0-4 meters or 43-50 meters. This geological display of the country could be instrumental in assessing the soil types and what sort of inputs or steps can be taken to make each type of soil fertile. Moreover, we also mentioned the land degradation pathways impacting the country’s arable lands and explained the pathways that can help assess such land losses. Besides land loss pathways, we explained the most suitable mitigation strategies, including mulching, cover cropping, agroforestry, riparian buffer strips, agroforestry, terracing, and nutrient use efficiency. In this article, we also focused on the aims of the Saudi Green Initiative and the steps that are being taken by international governing bodies like UNDP, UNEP, FAO, and the World Bank to mitigate land degradation in the region. However, further studies are required to assess the intensity of these solutions at each soil type and thickness.

Abstract:

Ground‑mounted photovoltaics, including agrivoltaic concepts, are increasingly deployed on agricultural land. In practice, damaged modules from repowering modules are sometimes stored on‑site for prolonged periods, creating localized vegetation suppression and land‑stewardship concerns that are rarely quantified. We present two anonymized case studies from Czechia (nominal capacities of 0.861 and 1.109 MWp; commissioned 2010 and 2009; repowered 2022 and 2021), where cracked backsheets and/or broken front‑glass modules were stacked and stored directly on grasslands within PV parcels. Using GIS delineation on orthophotos supported by field photographs, we quantified the land area (19,560 and 22,100 m²), PV panel area (plan‑ view; 4,960 and 5,080 m²), and stored PV module area (plan‑ view storage footprint; 109 and 100 m²). Stored module counts were estimated from visible stacks (≈1800 and ≈2000 modules). Using a conservative mass range of 18–25 kg/module, the stored masses were ~32–45 t and ~36–50 t, respectively. Although the storage footprints constitute <1% of the land area, they create persistent “dead zones” on agricultural land and concentrate tens of tonnes of material directly on the soil. We discuss regulatory and economic barriers to timely removal in the context of circular‑economic goals and propose practical reporting indicators for repowering projects on agricultural land: A_store (m²), N_store (pcs), M_store (t), storage duration, condition class, and storage interface.

Abstract: Atmospheric rivers (ARs) play a critical role in producing high-impact weather events including extreme precipitation, flooding, gusty winds, and rapid temperature changes. Building upon the recently published EDARA (ERA5-based Dataset for Atmospheric River Analysis), we present S-EDARA, a supplementary dataset that enhances AR impact assessment capabilities through a newer AR detection algorithm and additional impact-related metrics. S-EDARA includes AR shapes identified by the tARget version 4 (ARS4) algorithm, strong integrated vapour transport (SIVT) indicators, and pseudo total precipitation rate (PTPR) fields. The dataset features both numerical data and interactive graphical catalogues displaying ARS4, SIVT, PTPR, gusty winds, and 24-hour temperature changes at 6-hourly intervals. These enhancements enable more comprehensive analysis of AR impacts and characteristics, particularly for regions experiencing rapidly changing meteorological conditions during AR events. The dataset covers the period from 1940 to present and is publicly available through the Federated Research Data Repository.

Abstract: Airborne microplastics (AMPs) undergo ultraviolet (UV)–driven physicochemical aging during atmospheric transport, influencing cloud processes, greenhouse-gas release, and potential respiratory health impacts. Quantifying this transformation is particularly challenging for particles smaller than 10 µm and for polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), whose intrinsic ester carbonyl band obscures newly formed acid carbonyls in conventional infrared analyses. Here, we develop a µFTIR attenuated total reflection (µFTIR-ATR) imaging method combined with a fourth-derivative oxidation index (carbonyl ratio at 1701/1716 cm⁻¹) that resolves these overlapping bands and enables sensitive, quantitative evaluation of PET surface oxidation. The approach automates detection, identification, and oxidation analysis of particles down to ~2 µm. Laboratory UV irradiation experiments show a systematic increase in this derivative-based oxidation index with exposure dose. Application to ambient PET collected from Mt. Fuji, Tokyo, Osaka (Japan), and Siem Reap (Cambodia) reveals clear regional differences corresponding to local UV-A environments: PET from Siem Reap exhibited the highest oxidation, whereas particles from the Japanese sites showed moderate but variable aging. These results demonstrate that derivative-based µFTIR-ATR imaging provides a practical and highly sensitive tool for quantifying photo-oxidative degradation in fine airborne microplastics and highlight the value of chemical-aging metrics for interpreting atmospheric processing and transport pathways.

Abstract: The integration of outdoor camera images with three-dimensional (3D) geographic information on the observed scene has an interest in many applications of video acquisition. To solve this data fusion problem, camera images have to be matched with the 3D geometry provided by the geographic information system (GIS). This paper proposes to use, for a camera of known geographical position, a dense local azimuth-elevation map (LAEM) derived from a gridded digital elevation model (DEM) as data representation to ease the matching operation between GIS data and the image. Such a map assigns to each regularly sampled azimuth and elevation angles pair the geographic point derived from the DEM viewed in this direction. The problem of computing the LAEM from the DEM is closed to the problem of surface rendering, for which solutions exist in computer graphics. However, rendering software cannot be used directly, since their view directions are constrained by the pin-hole camera model and apparent colour rather than position of the viewed point is assigned to the viewing direction. This paper therefore also proposes a specific algorithm for the computation of the LAEM from the DEM. A MATLAB implementation of the algorithm is also provided, which is tailored to process the DEM data set swissALTI3D from the Swiss Federal Office of Topography swisstopo.

Abstract: This paper examines the Lambert conformal conic (LCC) projection. Although its equations are well established, they are rederived here because a new notation, V, defined as the reciprocal of the commonly used U, is introduced to simplify the expressions. Using the resulting distortion formulas, the conditions determining whether the projection has two, one, or no standard parallels are obtained. To identify an optimal LCC configuration, we adopt a criterion requiring that the local linear scale factors at the two boundary parallels be equal, and that the maximum scale factor exceed 1 by the same amount that the minimum falls below 1. Applying this criterion to the territory of Bulgaria, we compute a new, optimized pair of standard parallels, which constitutes the main contribution of this study.

Abstract: Zoogeomorphology, which is the mutual effect of biological activity and landforms, provides a significant yet underused framework for evidence-based wildlife conservation and management. This paper seeks to review international literature on the importance of zoogeomorphological processes toward biodiversity conservation in savanna ecosystems with a focused case study at Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR), Kenya. The Maasai Mara happens to be one among many other species-rich savanna landscapes in the world under increasing pressures from climate variability, land-use change, and human activities that create challenges for effective conservation planning. A structured search protocol was used to carry out this review which revealed 86 studies as relevant documentation on how fauna create landforms through processes like trampling, grazing, digging, burrowing, dunging, and wallowing among others influencing soils and hydrology vegetation structure habitat availability as well as species interactions. Evidence has been presented here regarding large mammals playing the role of ecosystem engineers creating heterogeneity in habitats resource distribution as well as population dynamics over different scales. The case study from Maasai Mara brings out these interactions practically by showing how activities of wildlife and livestock around water points floodplains migration corridors significantly demarcate landscape structure ecological viability. Results indicated extensive documentation on zoogeomorphological effects yet confirmed that such events were almost entirely absent from formal integration into conservation planning monitoring frameworks or any regulatory instruments. The study also suggested that management strategies based on insights from zoogeomorphology could enhance ecosystem resilience improve habitat connectivity and foster adaptive conservation under new environmental conditions. It highlighted the imperative need for incorporating landform–biota interactions into wildlife management practices to achieve greater long-term sustainability of savanna protected areas within Kenya and beyond.

Abstract: Recently, several studies from developing economies have reported the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water bodies, with a dominance of Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a potential endocrine disruptor. In this study, an engineered sugarcane bagasse biochar–chitosan composite (SBCT) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as an adsorption medium for the removal of PFOA from aqueous systems at concentrations up to 500 ppb in water. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of initial PFOA concentration, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that SBCT has a significant porous structure. The composite showed over 90% of PFOA removal from water. Further, the presence of peaks corresponding to C-F bonds after adsorption by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis confirms the adsorption of PFOA on SBCT. The protonated amine groups (NH₃⁺) in chitosan enhanced the adsorption of anionic PFOA through electrostatic attraction with carboxyl groups (COO⁻). The Kinetic study revealed that Pseudo-first order best described the adsorption process, with equilibrium adsorption capacity (qeq) of 2.78 mg/g, suggesting that physisorption is the predominant mechanism. The Langmuir Isotherm model gave the best fit, establishing a maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 9.08 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic, consistent with physisorption. The regeneration capacity of the SBCT composite demonstrated exceptional reusability across five adsorption-desorption cycles with methanol. The adsorption kinetics, equilibrium behavior, and regeneration efficiency suggest that SBCT is a viable low-cost adsorbent for batch adsorption-based treatment systems targeting PFOA removal, particularly in decentralized and resource-constrained water treatment applications.

Abstract: Estimating surface soil moisture in semi-arid regions is challenging due to its high spatial and temporal variability, the scarcity of in-situ measurements, and the limitations of optical sensors in the presence of cloud cover and vegetation cover. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors, such as Sentinel-1, overcome these constraints by operating in the microwave domain and providing high-resolution data regardless of atmospheric conditions or daylight availability. This enables the application of inverse semi-empirical models, notably the Hallikainen model for the soil dielectric constant and the Dubois model for backscattering. This study proposes an integrated methodology applied to the municipality of Villaconejos (Madrid, Spain) over the period 2015–2025. The approach was initially calibrated on a pilot plot near Balcón del Tajo using field measurements of soil moisture and soil texture data (sand and clay content) obtained from the SoilGrids platform. Starting from Sentinel-1 VV and VH backscatter coefficients, the combined Hallikainen–Dubois model is inverted through an iterative search over a range of volumetric soil moisture values (0.02–0.45 m* m*) and surface roughness values (0.85–2 cm), selecting the parameter pair that minimises the difference between modelled and observed backscatter. The calibrated methodology is then extrapolated across the entire municipality of Villaconejos using Empirical Bayesian Kriging Regression Prediction (EBK-RP), incorporating topographic covariates (digital elevation model, slope, aspect), hydrological covariates (Topographic Wetness Index, TWI), and vegetation covariates (NDVI). The results include annual and seasonal maps of near-surface volumetric soil moisture (0–5 cm depth) at 10 m resolution and, after a geostatistical downscaling procedure, at 2 m resolution. Additional outputs comprise analyses of temporal variations between wet and dry periods and spatial patterns related to land use and topography. The developed methodology provides continuous, high-resolution, operational, and low-cost soil moisture estimates, representing a valuable tool for water resource management and agro-environmental monitoring in semi-arid regions.

Abstract: Global deforestation is accelerating at an unprecedented scale, driven by interconnected economic, political, and environmental forces that threaten biodiversity, climate stability, and human well-being. This article synthesizes global datasets and recent evidence to assess the magnitude, spatial distribution, and structural drivers of contemporary forest loss, with particular emphasis on tropical regions. It addresses three core research questions: (i) What is the current scale and geographic concentration of global deforestation and permanent tree-cover loss? (ii) How do agricultural expansion, mining, climate-driven wildfires, and armed conflict interact to intensify forest degradation? (iii) How do global consumption patterns, financial systems, and governance failures—including the symbolic contradictions of U.N. climate summits hosted in major fossil-fuel-exporting and high-emission countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Egypt—externalize deforestation pressures onto vulnerable regions? The analysis shows that permanent land-use change, extractive industries, and conflict-related governance breakdowns dominate forest loss dynamics, while climate change amplifies fire-driven destruction, exposing a widening credibility gap in global climate governance and the urgent need for enforceable, equity-centered forest protection strategies.

Abstract: This study focuses on the ecological vulnerability and its driving mechanism of the Ebinur Lake Basin. Integrating natural factors such as annual average temperature, annual precipitation and elevation, as well as social factors including GDP and population distribution, it systematically evaluates the ecological vulnerability of the basin from 1994 to 2024 by adopting methods like the SRP model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geodetector. The results show that the overall scale of ecologically vulnerable areas in the basin has presented a shrinking trend over the past 30 years: the area of severe vulnerability reached a peak of 14,270.31 square kilometers in 2004 and then decreased to 13,242.39 square kilometers; the area of slight vulnerability increased by 60.8%; and the proportion of moderate vulnerability has slightly risen since 2014. Spatially, the vulnerability exhibits significant agglomeration characteristics: severe vulnerable areas are concentrated in the mountainous areas of the basin boundary and the eastern region of Ebinur Lake, while slight vulnerable areas are distributed in woodlands and farmlands of alluvial fans in low mountains and hills. Geodetector analysis shows that, fractional vegetation cover, normalized difference vegetation index and land use type are the dominant factors, natural factors and social factors interact significantly.This study provides a scientific basis for ecological protection and sustainable development of the basin.

Abstract:

With accelerating climate change and urbanization, river catchments continue to experience structural modifications through dam construction and concrete-lining of natural channels as adaptation measures. These interventions can alter the natural hydrology. This necessitates assessment of their influence on hydrology at a catchment scale. However, such evaluations are particularly challenging in data-scarce regions such as the Chongwe River Catchment, where hydrometric records capturing conditions before and after structural modifications are limited. Therefore, we applied a 2D rain-on-grid approach in HEC-RAS to evaluate changes in high-flow characteristics in the Chongwe River Catchment in Zambia, where structural interventions have been implemented. The terrain was modified in HEC-RAS to represent 21 km of concrete drains and ten dams. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on five model parameters and showed that Manning’s roughness coefficient had by far the largest impact on peak flows. Model calibration and validation showed strong performance with R² = 0.99, NSE = 0.75 and PBIAS = – 0.68 % during calibration and R² = 0.95, NSE = 0.75, PBIAS = – 2.49 % during validation. Four scenarios were simulated to determine the hydrological effects of channel concrete-lining and dams. The results showed that concrete-lining of natural channels in the urban area increased high flows at the main outlet by approximately 4.6%, generated very high channel velocities of up to 20 m/s, increased flood depths by up to 11%, and expanded flood extents by up to 15%. The existing dams reduced peak flows by about 28%, increased lag times, reduced flood depths by about 11%, and reduced flood extents by up to 8% across the catchment. The findings demonstrate that enhancing stormwater conveyance through concrete-lining must be complemented by storage to manage high flows, while future work should explore nature-based solutions to reduce channel velocities and improve sustainable flood mitigation.

Abstract:

Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii) plays an important ecological role in Mesoamerican forests as a browser and seed disperser, earning it the nickname of “gardener of the forest”. However, knowledge of its diet composition remains scattered. We reviewed and analyzed the available literature of diet composition of Baird’s tapir throughout its geographic distribution. We compiled evidence from 25 studies related to these topics. Baird’s tapir was found to consume 511 plant taxa belonging to 407 genera and 122 families. Five types of dietary components have been identified: fibre (stems), leaf, fruit, bark and flowers. The influence of seasonality on the tapir’s diet is unclear due to the underestimation of some components (fruit). We identified limitations in the techniques used to determine diet components and study designs. Future research should focus on develop novel techniques to improve the quantification of dietary components. Additionally, the direct and indirect effects of Baird’s tapir’s diet and plant consumption on ecosystem dynamics should be investigated to clearly understand the functional role of this species.

Abstract: Climate fluctuations are expected to drive a decline in the growth of many conifer and broadleaf species, especially in the Mediterranean region, where these species grow at or very near the southern limits of their distribution. Such trends have important im-plications not only for forest productivity but also for plant diversity, as shifts in spe-cies performance may alter competitive interactions and long-term community com-position. Using tree-ring data sourced from two Abies cephalonica stands with different elevation in Mount Parnassus in Central Greece, we evaluate the growth responses of the species to climatic variability employing a dendroecological approach. We hy-pothesize that radial growth at higher elevations is more strongly influenced by cli-mate variability than at lower elevations. Despite the moderate to relatively good common signal indicated by the expressed population signal (EPS: 0.645 for the high-altitude stand and 0.782 for the low-altitude stand), the chronologies for both sites preserve crucial stand-level growth patterns, providing an important basis for ecological insights. The calculation of the Average Tree-Ring Width Index (ARWI) for both sites revealed that fir in both altitudes exhibited a decline in growth rates from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, followed by a general recovery and increase throughout the late 1990s. They also both experienced a significant decline in growth between approximately 2018 and 2022. The best-fit model for annual ring-width vari-ation at lower elevations was a simple autoregressive model of order one (AR1), where growth was driven exclusively by the previous year’s growth (p < 0.001). At the higher elevation, a more complex model emerged: while previous year’s growth remained significant (p < 0.001), other variables such as maximum growing season temperature (p = 0.041), annual temperature (inverse effect, p = 0.039), annual precipitation (p = 0.017), and evapotranspiration (p = 0.039) also had a statistically significant impact on tree growth. Our results emphasize the prominent role of carry-over effects in shaping their annual growth patterns.

Abstract: We present an improved algorithm based on the POlarization LIdar PHOtometer Networking (POLIPHON) method to retrieve cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentration profiles from spaceborne lidar observations. Our previous paper, which was the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of using measurements from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) to retrieve CCN, is revisited. Our results focus on the Evaluation of CALIPSO’s Aerosol Classification scheme over Eastern Mediterranean (ACEMED) research campaign that took place over Thessaloniki, Greece, in September 2011. We compare our results with our earlier retrievals, discussing the critical changes that have been made and the importance of using the proper conversions factors. We also demonstrate the use of conversion factors acquired based on CALIPSO aerosol typing for CCN retrievals. The analysis highlights the strong influence of smoke on CCN concentrations and shows that the assumed aging state of the smoke can significantly alter the retrieval outcome.