Background: Many research papers have utilized Species Distribution Models to estimate a species’ current and future geographic distribution and environmental niche. This study aims to (a) understand critical features of SDMs used to model endemic and rare species and (b) to identify possible constraints with the collected data. The present systematic review examined how SDMs are used on endemic and rare plant species to identify optimal practices for future research. Results: The evaluated literature (79 articles) was published between January 2010 and December 2020. The number of papers grew considerably over time. The studies were primarily conducted in Asia (41%), Europe (24%), and Africa (2%). The bulk of the research evaluated (38%) focused on theoretical ecology, climate change impacts (19%), and conservation policy and planning (22%). Most of the papers were published in publications devoted to biodiversity conservation, ecological or multidisciplinary fields. The degree of uncertainty was not disclosed in most studies (81%). Conclusion: This systematic review provides a broad overview of the emerging trends and gaps in the SDMs research. The majority of studies failed to present uncertainties and error estimates. However, when model performance estimates are given, the model results will be highly effective, allowing for more assurance in the predictions they make. Furthermore, based on our systematic review, we recommend that in the future rare and endemic SDMs should represent uncertainty levels and estimates of errors in the modelling process.

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are critical for fostering ecological sustainability and social equity in rapidly urbanizing cities like Islamabad, Pakistan. This study aimed to comprehensively map and classify Islamabad’s UGS, identify spatial disparities, and evaluate their ecological, recreational, and social functions. The research also proposed sustainable strategies for managing UGS to address urban challenges, including climate adaptation, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. The study developed a detailed spatial map of Islamabad’s UGS using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and high-resolution satellite imagery. Seven typologies were categorized and analyzed, including parks, playgrounds, institutional green spaces, and waterways. Field surveys and random sampling validated the thematic maps, achieving an accuracy rate of 95.68% based on statistical metrics like Kappa coefficients. The study revealed significant disparities in UGS distribution. Wealthier zones had larger, well-maintained green spaces, while denser areas lacked accessible and functional UGS. Recreational spaces, institutional greenery, and waterways played a vital role in enhancing biodiversity, urban aesthetics, and community well-being, though many remain underutilized or degraded. Institutional green spaces contributed significantly to urban sustainability, comprising 17.05 km² of the total UGS area. The research highlights UGS as an essential Nature-Based Solution (NBS) for addressing urban challenges like heat islands, stormwater management, and social inequalities. The findings serve as a model for other rapidly urbanizing cities seeking ecological and social balance.

Rapid urbanization in Pakistan is triggering regulated and unregulated land cover changes in planned and semiplanned urban areas. The key objective of this study is to assess the spatial–temporal fluctuations in the land use/land cover (LULC) transformations in planned (Islamabad) and semiplanned (Rawalpindi) urban areas over the last forty years (1976–2016). The study focuses on the orientation of LULC modifications and analyzes concomitant impacts on urban environmental sustainability. Therefore, remotely sensed data were retrieved and processed through Google Earth Engine (GEE) by applying supervised classifier algorithms on each of the five chosen Landsat images. The trajectory of LULC changes for each of the four periods 1976–1988, 1988–1995, 1995–2006 and 2006–2016 was critically scrutinized. The observations revealed massive physical expansions and LULC convergences during these timeframes. The proportionate share of built-up surfaces in this contextual setting substantially stretched from 0.83% in 1976 to 23.23% in 2016, while the shares of cropland and shrubberies significantly reduced. The orientation and magnitude of such changes were observed asymmetrically in the adjoining urban settlements. The assessments formulate that availability of land for urban growth, urban planning and regulatory control significantly determines the speed, scale and orientation of urbanization in planned and semiplanned areas. The study substantiates the notions that the efficient use of cost-effective remotely sensed data offers a pragmatic and reliable tool for assessing, evaluating and monitoring urban land resources. The inferences and insights are relevant for urban and regional planners as well as for other scientific communities.

Industrialization is indispensable for socio-economic development but poses far-reaching implications for resources and the environment. Consequently, industrial symbiosis-based collaborations are gaining recognition as a viable strategy to manage resource consumption for mitigating environmental distress. However, these types of synergistic collaborations are more prevalent in developed regions and are linked to larger-sized industries. Admittedly, such collaborative partnerships are less focused in developing regions and small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs). This calls for discovering the potentials for synergistic partnerships among the small and medium scaled industrial entities in developing economies. Therefore, the study was designed to identify, assess and explore the prospects of symbiotic collaborations among SMEs in Pakistan. Moreover, the inputs are equally relevant for developing and expanding such productive associations in developing regions. Data regarding inputs and outputs was collected from sixty-one (61) SMEs through field survey during the year 2019. It was processed and analyzed to uncover existing and potential synergies among SMEs. The significant findings transpired that the majority of collaborative linkages are bilateral and are driven to maximize economic gains. However, informal networks of recyclers and absence of a stringent regulatory regime are the ground realities in developing/transforming economies. These factors symptomatically interfere with the process of formal/informal exchanges between and among firms. Furthermore, it was observed that the lack of awareness and impulsiveness of SMEs, as well as the inconsistent supply of by-products, act as barriers for such partnerships in developing countries. It calls for proactive engagements and facilitations from the state institutions through policy instruments. The study addresses a broad audience including industrialists, investors, policy makers and researchers engaged in IS studies. Moreover, the inputs will provide impetus for stimulating eco-industrial progress in developing regions such as Pakistan.

Urban ecosystem services (UES) are indispensable for life. Stakeholders are improvising strategies for a more sustainable provisioning of UES. For this purpose and for identifying orientations towards geospatial data in UES studies, the “bibliometric analysis” technique was deployed. The inclinations facilitate assessments pertaining to spatio-temporal oscillations in the supply–demand equilibrium. The propensities are gaining recognition due to time and cost effectiveness. Besides this, Remote Sensing (RS) in conjunction with Geographic Information System (GIS), enables the conduct of synoptic and robust periodic evaluations. The study analyzes inclinations towards RS in contemporary research (2010–2020) focusing, particularly, on urban ecosystem services. It specifically focuses on methodological frameworks and major sources of remotely sensed data. Therefore, a total of 261 records of research articles were identified and retrieved. Subsequently, 79 articles were selected for further processing and content analysis. It transpired that approximately 30% of the selected publications deployed remotely sensed data for assessment purposes. The majority (96%) of such studies were conducted in economically developed and industrialized countries. However, the researchers from both developed and developing countries prefer open software and free data sources. Besides this, they prefer satellite-based optical sensors over image sensors such as TIR, SAR, or light sensors for acquiring data. The findings formulate that Land Use Land Cover (LULC)-based methodologies and inclinations for assessing regulating services are more frequently pursued. The findings revealed that enhanced research collaborations, access to data, and assessment gadgets are obligatory for capacity building in developing regions. Knowledge sharing and cost-effective access to RS and GIS based platforms are incumbent for ensuring urban environmental sustainability in developing economies.

The use of species distribution modelling under climate change to anticipate alterations in species’ habitats is a concern in ecological conservation. This research aimed to simulate the present suitable habitat distribution of three species that are rare and endemic to Pakistan and to analyse the possible climate change consequences on habitat suitability in the future (2050 and 2070). We projected potentially suitable habitat distributions using two shared socioeconomic pathways scenarios (SSPs 245 and SSPs 585). The potential distribution was modelled with MaxEnt using species presence-only data, and environmental variables. The modelling approach included seven climate-related variables in total. The model was validated using AUC, TSS, and Jackknife. For all species, the AUC score was >0.85. The present distribution of all three species has been significantly impacted by precipitationrelated factors (bio 14, bio 17, and bio 18). The temperature and topographic diversity also impacted the distribution. The potentially suitable habitat for Buxus papillosa and Rydingia limbata is projected to increase (39 % and 44 % respectively) in the 2050s under SSPs 245, and the potentially suitable habitat for Gentiana kurroo is projected to decrease (24%) in 2070s under SSPs 585. All species may expect appropriate habitats to expand or shrink, however, there will probably be a significant loss of native habitats. We recommend designating climate-change-affected places as conservation protection zones based on these results.