Wang, Yajun
Lin, Jianliang
Yan, Yu
Zeng, Zhenzhong https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6851-2756
Liu, Xiaoye
Wang, Shuxian https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4443-9707
She, Zhenyan
Huang, Zeqin
Sun, Pengnan
Zhao, Tongtiegang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6943-258X
Lin, Kairong https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6533-3357
Coco, Giovanni https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7435-1602
Cai, Huayang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7327-4879
Funding for this research was provided by:
National Natural Science Foundation of China (52279080, 42406159)
Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology
Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation
Guangdong Provincial Outstanding Young Scientist Fund
Article History
Received: 29 January 2025
Accepted: 26 June 2025
First Online: 5 July 2025
Competing interests
: The authors declare no competing interests.
: The research described in this manuscript was conducted through close collaboration with local researchers who actively participated in all stages of the study, including research design, implementation, data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation. All authorship criteria were met, and co-authorship reflects genuine contributions from each collaborator involved. This research addresses issues highly relevant to local communities and stakeholders, specifically regarding the resilience of the Pearl River Delta under environmental and anthropogenic pressures. The study’s objectives and relevance were determined in consultation with local partners, including governmental and academic institutions, ensuring the research outcomes meet local and regional management needs. Clear definitions of roles, responsibilities, and contributions were discussed and agreed upon by all collaborators prior to initiating the research. Capacity-building was actively considered, with opportunities provided for local researchers and students through training and joint data analysis workshops. The research did not encounter restrictions or require special permissions beyond standard regulations applicable in the local setting. Ethical approval was sought and obtained where necessary, consistent with local ethical standards. All environmental protection and data handling measures employed in this research complied with local guidelines, as well as broader international best practices. The research posed no risk of stigmatization, incrimination, discrimination, or personal danger to any participants. Additionally, comprehensive risk management protocols were in place to ensure researcher safety throughout fieldwork and data collection. No biological materials, cultural artefacts, or traditional knowledge were transferred internationally as part of this study, negating the need for benefit-sharing arrangements. Finally, we have explicitly taken into account relevant local and regional studies in our manuscript, with careful citation and acknowledgment of these works, ensuring full transparency and respect for local scientific contributions.