Urbanization and associated forest conversions have given rise to a continuum of native (forest fragments) and modified (artificial grasslands and perennial ecosystems) land-use types. However, little is known about how these shifts affect soil and fine-root compartments that are critical to a functioning carbon and nutrient circulation system. In this study, soil physicochemical properties, fine-root mass, and vertical distribution patterns were investigated in four representative urban land-use types: grassland (ZJ), perennial agroecosystem (MP), broadleaf deciduous forest patch (QA), and coniferous evergreen forest patch (PD). We quantified the fine-root mass in the upper 30 cm vertical profile (0–30 cm) and at every 5 cm depth across three diameter classes (<2 mm, 2–5 mm, and <5 mm). Soil physicochemical properties, except for phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and sodium cations, varied significantly across land-use types. The total root biomass ( PD (487.2 g m⁻²) > ZJ (440.1 g m⁻²) > MP (98.3 g m⁻²). The fine-root mass of ZJ and MP was correlated with soil nutrients, which was attributed to intensive management operations, while the fine-root mass of QA and PD had a significant relationship with soil organic matter due to the high inputs from forest litter. Very fine roots (<2 mm) presented a distinct decremental pattern with depth for all land-use types, except for MP. Very fine roots populated the topmost 5 cm layer in ZJ, QA, and PD at 52.1%, 49.4%, and 39.4%, respectively. Maintaining a woody fine-root system benefits urban landscapes by promoting soil stabilization, improving ground infiltration rates, and increasing carbon sequestration capacity. Our findings underscore the importance of profiling fine-root mass when assessing urban expansion effects on terrestrial ecosystems.

Background: Figs (Ficus carica L.), widely valued in Asia and the Middle East, are recognized for their rich nutritional profile and medicinal properties, including potential anti-cancer and cardiovascular benefits. Both fresh and dried figs are abundant in fiber, trace minerals, antioxidant polyphenols, proteins, sugars, organic acids, and volatile compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of fig jams prepared with three different sweeteners—white sugar, brown sugar, and honey. Methods: The jams were analyzed for their nutritional composition (fat, protein, fiber, vitamin C, carbohydrates, and total solids), chemical properties (titratable acidity and pH), bioactive compounds (total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents), and microbial safety (total viable count, yeast, and mold counts). Results: The findings revealed that honey fig jam had the highest acidity (0.048 ± 0.001), fiber (2.38 ± 0.002%), protein (5.95 ± 0.05%), and vitamin C (8.00 ± 0.1 mg/100g) content. White sugar fig jam exhibited the lowest moisture content (36.28 ± 0.28%) and ash percentage (0.70 ± 0.05%). The total soluble solids (TSS) were highest in brown sugar fig jam (67 ± 1.00%) and slightly lower in white sugar and honey fig jams (66 ± 1.00%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in phytochemical compounds were observed among the samples. Conclusion: These results highlight the influence of sweeteners on the quality attributes of fig jam, with brown sugar emerging as a favorable option for optimizing both nutritional value, chemical quality and sensory properties. This study provides valuable insights for the development of fig-based products, contributing to the growing demand for functional foods.

Background: Understanding the processes underlying carbon storage and balance is critical for equipping the terrestrial biosphere to respond to contemporary climatic challenges. However, ecosystem-level estimates and distribution of net primary productivity (NPP), a metric for evaluating forest carbon cycling patterns and dynamics, remain constrained by uneven empirical observations between above- and belowground fractions. We herein quantified the rate and composition of NPP for four stands characteristic of the cool-temperate deciduous ( Larix kaempferi , LK; Quercus mongolica , QM) and evergreen ( Pinus densiflora , PD; Pinus koraiensis , PK) forests of South Korea over a complete annual cycle (2022–2023). Variations in dynamic NPP compartments, particularly (1) canopy litterfall by stand and season and (2) fine root production by stand, diameter class, and depth interval, were further characterized using litter traps and ingrowth cores, respectively. Results: Total NPP varied from 1226 ± 101 to 1796 ± 154 g m ⁻² yr ⁻¹ , with 78–84% allocated aboveground and 16–22% belowground. LK and QM exhibited total NPP up to 46% higher than PD and PK. Both litterfall and fine root production differed considerably across stands, decreasing in the order of QM > PK > PD > LK for litterfall and QM & PD > LK & PK for fine root production. Litterfall peaked in autumn, similar to the leaf phenological rhythm of many temperate deciduous species. In contrast, fine root production showed a negative vertical distribution with depth, which is consistent with decreasing nutrient availability and increasing mechanical impedance along the soil profile. Conclusions: By disentangling the contribution levels and dynamic patterns of each NPP compartment, our findings demonstrate a strong inclination toward aboveground NPP investment when belowground resources are not limiting. In other words, an adequate nutrient supply enables plants to modify their priority allocation from fine root maintenance to internal resource transport, leaf production, canopy expansion, reproduction, and other critical aboveground functions. Such information underscores the necessity for forest management strategies that target soil fertility to strengthen not only canopy productivity and CO ₂ sequestration but also ecosystem resilience by reinforcing allocation patterns that sustain high NPP and safeguard forests against shifting climate conditions.