Scholars and volunteers have been dedicated to working together with local residence for nearly two decades to protect nature.AS the awareness of both the government and the general public has grown regarding environm...Scholars and volunteers have been dedicated to working together with local residence for nearly two decades to protect nature.AS the awareness of both the government and the general public has grown regarding environmental protection,it has become a general consensus that ecosystems need to be protected by relying on local guardians with broad societal support and participation.展开更多
Hybridization and introgression have long obscured relationships within Adenophora and its relatives,complicating generic delimitation.Leveraging deep genome skimming(DGS)data,we generated a large dataset,including th...Hybridization and introgression have long obscured relationships within Adenophora and its relatives,complicating generic delimitation.Leveraging deep genome skimming(DGS)data,we generated a large dataset,including thousands of single-copy nuclear(SCN)genes and plastomes,to untangle this reticulate history.Specifically,9.89 terabytes(TB)of DGS data from 165 samples—representing 48 species and 13 subspecies of Adenophora(out of ca.72 species)plus 24 outgroup species—yielded 1506 SCN genes and 77 plastid coding sequences.Tree-like phylogenies inferred with both coalescent-and concatenation-based methods revealed pronounced gene tree heterogeneity.Subsequent analysis showed that incomplete lineage sorting contributed minimally to this discordance;instead,hybridization and introgression were the primary drivers of early diversification.Integrating phylogenomic,morphological,and geographic evidence,we propose a revised generic framework for this group.Adenophora is expanded to include Campanula delavayi and the Korean Peninsula endemic genus Hanabusaya.We also recommend reinstating Hyssaria as a distinct Central Asian genus and introducing two new genera,Boreoasia and Rosomala.展开更多
Ketoprofen(KET),as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug frequently detected in aqueous environments,is a threat to human health due to its accumulation and low biodegradability,which requires the transformation and ...Ketoprofen(KET),as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug frequently detected in aqueous environments,is a threat to human health due to its accumulation and low biodegradability,which requires the transformation and degradation of KET in aqueous environments.In this paper,the reaction process of ozone-initiated KET degradation in water was investigated using density functional theory(DFT)method at the M06-2X/6-311++g(3df,2p)//M06-2X/6-31+g(d,p)level.The detailed reaction path of KET ozonation is proposed.The thermodynamic results show that ozone-initiated KET degradation is feasible.Under ultraviolet irradiation,the reaction of ozone with water can also produce OH radicals(HO·)that can react with KET.The degradation reaction of KET caused by HO·was further studied.The kinetic calculation illustrates that the reaction rate(1.99×10-1(mol/L)^(-1)sec^(-1))of KET ozonation is relatively slow,but the reaction rate of HO·reaction is relatively high,which can further improve the degradation efficiency.On this basis,the effects of pollutant concentration,ozone concentration,natural organic matter,and pH value on degradation efficiency under UV/O3 process were analyzed.The ozonolysis reaction of KET is not sensitive to pH and is basically unaffected.Finally,the toxicity prediction of oxidation compounds produced by degradation reaction indicates that most of the degradation products are harmless,and a few products containing benzene rings are still toxic and have to be concerned.This study serves as a theoretical basis for analyzing the migration and transformation process of anti-inflammatory compounds in the water environment.展开更多
Understanding how diet influences the breeding success of Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) is key to assessing the role of food supply in population dynamics and informing conservation strategies. Through pellet analysis...Understanding how diet influences the breeding success of Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) is key to assessing the role of food supply in population dynamics and informing conservation strategies. Through pellet analysis, we evaluated the influence of small mammal prey—present in 95% of pellets—on the reproductive performance of the sakers. In Mongolia, three species comprised 95% of the identified small mammals: Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus, 39%), Brandt's Vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii, 49%) and Daurian Pika (Ochotona dauurica, 7%). We found a strong positive association between the proportion of small mammals in the diet and key breeding parameters of sakers. Clutch size, fledged brood sizes, and nest success all increased with a mammal-rich diet. Earlier laying was also linked to higher small mammal intake and was independently associated with improved breeding outcomes. These findings highlight a critical role of small mammal prey in shaping the reproductive success of sakers. Conserving and restoring grassland habitats that support abundant prey populations is essential for sustaining saker populations and achieving long-term conservation goals.展开更多
As a top predator,the Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation.Once widespread in China,the species is now distributed mainly in the upper rea...As a top predator,the Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation.Once widespread in China,the species is now distributed mainly in the upper reaches of the great rivers of western China.However,a lack of knowledge on local otter populations continues to hinder their conservation in China.Here,we conducted a detailed study on habitat use of Eurasian otters in Yushu City and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in western China using transect surveys.At both study sites,otters preferred to defecate on large rocks close to or protruding from the river and about 50 cm above the waterline.In Yushu,no spraints were found along the 5 km river bank section in the downtown area,with otters preferring sprainting sites with natural banks,riparian zones,and lower human population density.However,this pattern was not obvious at Tangjiahe,where river transformation and human disturbance are minor.Otter river use intensity was negatively correlated with elevation and human population density in Yushu in both seasons.In Tangjiahe,otter river use intensity was positively correlated with prey mass and flow rate and negatively correlated with human population in spring,but positively correlated with human population and negatively correlated with flow rate in autumn.These results reflect the flexible habitat use strategies of otters at different sites,underlining the necessity to study otters living in different regions and habitat types.We provide suggestions for river modification and call for more site-specific studies to promote otter conservation in China.展开更多
Background:The Swan Goose(Anser cygnoides)breeds across Mongolia and adjacent China and Russia and winters exclusively in China.It is globally threatened,showing long-term major range contractions and declining abunda...Background:The Swan Goose(Anser cygnoides)breeds across Mongolia and adjacent China and Russia and winters exclusively in China.It is globally threatened,showing long-term major range contractions and declining abundance,linked to habitat loss and degradation.We remain ignorant about the biogeographical subpopulation structure of the species and potential differences in their migration timing,stopovers and schedules,information that could be vital to effective conservation of different elements of the species population,which we address here with results from a telemetry study.Methods:In 2017-2018,we attached GPS/GSM telemetry devices to 238 Swan Geese on moulting sites in three discrete parts of their summering area(Dauria International Protected Area,Central Mongolia and Western Mongolia),generating 104 complete spring and autumn migration episodes to compare migration speed and nature between birds of different summer provenances.Results:Birds from all three breeding areas used almost completely separate migration routes to winter sympatrically in the Yangtze River floodplain.Although many features of the spring and autumn migrations of the three groups were similar,despite the significantly longer migration routes taken by Western Mongolian tagged birds,birds from Dauria Region arrived significantly later in winter due to prolonged staging in coastal areas and took longer to reach their breeding areas in spring.Among birds of all breeding provenances,spring migration was approximately twice as fast as autumn migration.Areas used by staging Swan Geese(mainly wetlands)in autumn and spring almost never fell within national level protected areas,suggesting major site safeguard is necessary to protect these critical areas.Conclusions:This study showed the discreteness of migration routes taken by birds of different summer provenances and differences in their migratory patterns,highlighting key staging areas(Yalu River Estuary in China/North Korea for Dauria Region breeding birds,Daihai Lake for Central Mongolian and Ordos Basin for Western Mongolian birds).Based on this new knowledge of the biogeographical subpopulation structure of the Swan Goose,we need to combine data on subpopulation size,their distribution throughout the annual life cycle and conservation status,to develop more effective conservation strategies and measures to reverse population decline throughout the range.展开更多
Mammalian surveys are vital tools for effective managements and conservation strategies. A survey was conducted to investigate the species composition, relative abundance and to determine their major threats in Weyngu...Mammalian surveys are vital tools for effective managements and conservation strategies. A survey was conducted to investigate the species composition, relative abundance and to determine their major threats in Weyngus Forest, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The data were collected from April 2020 to June 2020. Transect method and subjective interviews were used to collect data for the study. A total of 11 species of medium and large sized mammals belonging to six orders and eight families were recorded by direct and indirect evidences. Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), and Coloubus monkey (Colobus guereza) were among the medium-sized mammals while, Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and Common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were among the large-sized mammals recorded in the study area. Vervet monkey has been the most frequently observed species, whereas spotted hyena was observed less often. Simpson’s Similarity Index (SI) showed a significant overlap of mammalian species composition between scrubland and natural forest (SI = 0.62). Illegal logging of trees for fuel wood, agricultural land expansion, illegal hunting and land degradation were the main threats of mammals in the study area. Community participation and awareness creation are highly recommended to limit the impact of anthropogenic activities threatening wildlife.展开更多
Water conservancy project construction is an important cornerstone and lifeline of national economy and social development, is the inevitable need of stable, sustainable and healthy development of national economy, wa...Water conservancy project construction is an important cornerstone and lifeline of national economy and social development, is the inevitable need of stable, sustainable and healthy development of national economy, water conservancy project construction is an important carrier of water conservancy economy development. In this, the importance of water and soil conservation work for the whole water conservancy construction can not be ignored.展开更多
Soil erosion will lead to the decrease of soil thickness, and with the further decrease of land productivity due to soil erosion, some pollutants may also be transferred along with runoff and sediment in the process o...Soil erosion will lead to the decrease of soil thickness, and with the further decrease of land productivity due to soil erosion, some pollutants may also be transferred along with runoff and sediment in the process of soil erosion, which will cause very serious impact on the ecological environment. Therefore, effective prevention and control of soil erosion is of great significance to promote a virtuous cycle of the ecological system. Soil and water conservation is one of the effective methods to prevent and control soil erosion. It has been widely used in soil prevention and control in recent years. This paper mainly discusses the research progress of soil erosion and soil and water conservation, hoping to play a certain reference significance.展开更多
Biodiversity declines have motivated many studies on the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning.In this study,we described the spatial-temporal characteristics of demersal fish communities al...Biodiversity declines have motivated many studies on the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning.In this study,we described the spatial-temporal characteristics of demersal fish communities along a coastal habitat in Rongcheng Bay,Shandong Peninsula,China with both species-based and biological trait-based approaches.The field survey was carried out monthly using traps from April to October of 2018,and divided into three seasons(spring:April and May;summer:June,July and August;autumn:September,October and November).The study area included five distinct habitats:seagrass bed,natural rocky reef,bare sand,artificial reef together with natural rocky reef,and artificial reef together with bare sand.We analyzed the fish communities with three taxonomic diversity indices,including Shannon-Wiener,Simpson,and Pielou Evenness,as well as four functional diversity indices,including FRic,FEve,FDiv,and FDis,based on 7 functional groups which are categorized into 27 traits.The results showed that there were no significant differences in taxonomic diversity indices among different habitats in the three seasons.However,significant differences were found in the functional richness of fish communities among different habitats in three seasons.Seagrass bed represented the highest functional richness in spring and autumn.This study demonstrates that seagrass bed is very important in enhancing the functional diversity of fish communities in a complex habitat.The study also indicates that the combination of taxonomic diversity and functional diversity will provide a more detailed description of the characteristics of fish communities.展开更多
As an apex predator in arid steppe,saker falcon plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.Understanding their movement patterns concerning conspecific competition and prey availability is important for the...As an apex predator in arid steppe,saker falcon plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.Understanding their movement patterns concerning conspecific competition and prey availability is important for their conservation.We aim to understand how movement pattern of breeding saker falcons relates to prey availability.Twelve adult sakers were tracked during the breeding seasons,using satellite transmitters.Throughout the breeding season,sakers exhibited territorial behavior,with minimal overlap in range use among neighboring conspecifics.Males occupied larger areas(mean=2,397 ha,median=1,221 ha),compared to females(mean=1,241 ha,median=554 ha),and it remained consistent throughout breeding season.Female home range size increased notably during a late nestling stage and post-fledging dependence periods,indicating release from brooding constraints.Notably,we found a negative relationship between male home range size and prey availability.In high rodent density areas,males occupied smaller areas(mean=1,135 ha,median=1,034 ha),contrasting with low rodent density areas(mean=6,815 ha,median=6,516 ha).However,no significant relationship was observed between female home range size and prey availability.We also noted instances of nest abandonment and early dispersal behavior in some females,potentially influenced by a handicapping effect of tagging.Our findings offer valuable insight into how prey availability shapes saker falcon space use and defines their spatial requirements for successful breeding.This knowledge is crucial for the conservation and management of globally endangered saker falcons,informing targeted habitat protection and resource management strategies.展开更多
Religious wildlife release is prevalent worldwide,especially in Asia countries.It is one of the anthropogenic pathways to cause biological inva-sions.Religious fish release is common on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,yet...Religious wildlife release is prevalent worldwide,especially in Asia countries.It is one of the anthropogenic pathways to cause biological inva-sions.Religious fish release is common on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,yet few studies have assessed the influences of religious fish release on local species.InYushu,a city on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,we interviewedlocal people,conducted fish trap surveys in local rivers,and exam-ined the diet of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra using a fecal DNA metabarcoding approach.We found that fish release started at least in 1980-1990s in Yushu.Tibetan residents released fish in large amounts and released fish were usually exotic commercial fish purchased from market.Despite such long-term and intensive fish release activities,released fish were few in local rivers.On the other hand,Eurasian otters mainly prey on fish and released fish accounted for~20%of relative read abundance of prey DNA in otters'diet,indicating their high preference on released fish.Our study suggested that religious fish release may provide additional food resources for otters,whereas otters,as a top predator in local rivers,may deplete non-native fish once they were released and,therefore,reduce the probability of colonization of released fish,although further studies are required to assess otters'impact.Our study revealed otters'diet in Yushu,providing basic information for local otter management and conservation.Furthermore,it represents a case showing that native predators prey on religious released animals,implying a probable direction forcontrolling invasive species through nativepredator conservation.展开更多
A novel Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating,a high-temperature corrosion-resistant material for water wall protection of power plant ultra-supercritical boilers,has been prepared via arc spraying.A systematic study was condu...A novel Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating,a high-temperature corrosion-resistant material for water wall protection of power plant ultra-supercritical boilers,has been prepared via arc spraying.A systematic study was conducted to evaluate the high-temperature corrosion behavior of this coating,and its resistance to corrosion at high temperatures was scientifically assessed.The results indicate that the thickness of Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating is approximately 350μm,exhibiting typical amorphous characteristics as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope characterization.During each stage of the 750℃corrosion test,the oxygen content of the amorphous coating was significantly lower than that of the contrast coating(PS45 alloy coating),indicating a superior corrosion protection effect at high temperature.After 100 h of continuous testing,the corrosion mass gain of the amorphous coating was only 28.62%that of PS45 coating and 3.89%that of T12 steel substrate,indicating significantly depressed high-temperature corrosion kinetics.The excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance of Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating is primarily attributed to the stable Fe/Cr oxide film generated by the metastable state of the amorphous state,which serves as an excellent barrier.Furthermore,under the influence of heat in a high-temperature environment,the amorphous structure gradually transforms into a nanocrystalline structure.In contrast,the oxide film of the amorphous/nanocrystalline coating has low thermal stress,leading to better adhesion with the coating and resistance to cracking and peeling,thus providing excellent sustained protection.展开更多
Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady's slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to overharvest,habitat loss,and degradation,w...Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady's slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to overharvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wild populations of P.armeniacum has declined drastically.A combination of approaches involving biotechnology,habitat restoration,and interspecific relationship reconstruction was used to carry out the reintroduction of the species.Integrated conservation program for this species included in-situ protection,ex-situ conservation,and reintroduction,which helped to rebuild a harmonious relationship between local farmers and P.armeniacum.The sustainable utilization of native plant resources in poor areas can promote regional sustainable development which is compatible with species protection.展开更多
Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system （GIS） and species presence data provide the ...Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system （GIS） and species presence data provide the means by which such evaluation can be done. Maximum Entropy （MaxEnt） is widely used in habitat suitability modeling due to its power of accuracy and additional descriptive properties To survey snow leopard populations in Qomolangma （Mt. Everest） National Nature Reserve （QNNR）, Xizang （Tibet）, China, we pooled 127 pugmarks, 415 scrape marks, and 127 non-invasive identifications of the animal along line transects and recorded 87 occurrences through camera traps from 2014-2017. We adopted the MaxEnt model to generate a map highlighting the extent of suitable snow leopard habitat in QNNR. Results showed that the accuracy of the MaxEnt model was excellent （mean AUC=0.921）. Precipitation in the driest quarter, ruggedness, elevation, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and annual mean temperature were the main environmental factors influencing habitat suitability for snow leopards, with contribution rates of 20.0%, 14.4%, 13.3%, 8.7%, and 8.2% respectively The suitable habitat area extended for 7 001.93 km^2, representing 22.72% of the whole reserve. The regions bordering Nepal were the main suitable snow leopard habitats and consisted of three separate habitat patches Our findings revealed that precipitation, temperature conditions, ruggedness, and elevations of around 4 000 m a.s.I, influenced snow leopard preferences at the landscape level in QNNR. We advocate further research and cooperation with Nepal to evaluate habitat connectivity and to explore possible proxies of population isolation among these patches. Furthermore, evaluation of subdivisions within the protection zones of QNNR is necessary to improve conservation strategies and enhance protection.展开更多
文摘Scholars and volunteers have been dedicated to working together with local residence for nearly two decades to protect nature.AS the awareness of both the government and the general public has grown regarding environmental protection,it has become a general consensus that ecosystems need to be protected by relying on local guardians with broad societal support and participation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers 32270216 and 32000163 to B.B.L.)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS(2023086 to B.B.L.)the Biological Resources Programme,Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-TAX-24-013 to B.B.L.).
文摘Hybridization and introgression have long obscured relationships within Adenophora and its relatives,complicating generic delimitation.Leveraging deep genome skimming(DGS)data,we generated a large dataset,including thousands of single-copy nuclear(SCN)genes and plastomes,to untangle this reticulate history.Specifically,9.89 terabytes(TB)of DGS data from 165 samples—representing 48 species and 13 subspecies of Adenophora(out of ca.72 species)plus 24 outgroup species—yielded 1506 SCN genes and 77 plastid coding sequences.Tree-like phylogenies inferred with both coalescent-and concatenation-based methods revealed pronounced gene tree heterogeneity.Subsequent analysis showed that incomplete lineage sorting contributed minimally to this discordance;instead,hybridization and introgression were the primary drivers of early diversification.Integrating phylogenomic,morphological,and geographic evidence,we propose a revised generic framework for this group.Adenophora is expanded to include Campanula delavayi and the Korean Peninsula endemic genus Hanabusaya.We also recommend reinstating Hyssaria as a distinct Central Asian genus and introducing two new genera,Boreoasia and Rosomala.
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(Nos.21777087 and 22276109)the Natural Science Basic Research Fund of Shaanxi Province(No.2023-JC-QN-0099)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,CHD(No.300102352101)the Innovative Research Team for Science and Technology of Shaanxi Province(No.2022TD-04).
文摘Ketoprofen(KET),as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug frequently detected in aqueous environments,is a threat to human health due to its accumulation and low biodegradability,which requires the transformation and degradation of KET in aqueous environments.In this paper,the reaction process of ozone-initiated KET degradation in water was investigated using density functional theory(DFT)method at the M06-2X/6-311++g(3df,2p)//M06-2X/6-31+g(d,p)level.The detailed reaction path of KET ozonation is proposed.The thermodynamic results show that ozone-initiated KET degradation is feasible.Under ultraviolet irradiation,the reaction of ozone with water can also produce OH radicals(HO·)that can react with KET.The degradation reaction of KET caused by HO·was further studied.The kinetic calculation illustrates that the reaction rate(1.99×10-1(mol/L)^(-1)sec^(-1))of KET ozonation is relatively slow,but the reaction rate of HO·reaction is relatively high,which can further improve the degradation efficiency.On this basis,the effects of pollutant concentration,ozone concentration,natural organic matter,and pH value on degradation efficiency under UV/O3 process were analyzed.The ozonolysis reaction of KET is not sensitive to pH and is basically unaffected.Finally,the toxicity prediction of oxidation compounds produced by degradation reaction indicates that most of the degradation products are harmless,and a few products containing benzene rings are still toxic and have to be concerned.This study serves as a theoretical basis for analyzing the migration and transformation process of anti-inflammatory compounds in the water environment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32125005, 32361133559)the Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences (2023IOZ0104)+2 种基金the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program (Grant No. 2022xjkk0800)the CAS-TWAS President’s Fellowship programme (BB)The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) funded the project under a MOU with Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment and Green Development (MEGD)
文摘Understanding how diet influences the breeding success of Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) is key to assessing the role of food supply in population dynamics and informing conservation strategies. Through pellet analysis, we evaluated the influence of small mammal prey—present in 95% of pellets—on the reproductive performance of the sakers. In Mongolia, three species comprised 95% of the identified small mammals: Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus, 39%), Brandt's Vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii, 49%) and Daurian Pika (Ochotona dauurica, 7%). We found a strong positive association between the proportion of small mammals in the diet and key breeding parameters of sakers. Clutch size, fledged brood sizes, and nest success all increased with a mammal-rich diet. Earlier laying was also linked to higher small mammal intake and was independently associated with improved breeding outcomes. These findings highlight a critical role of small mammal prey in shaping the reproductive success of sakers. Conserving and restoring grassland habitats that support abundant prey populations is essential for sustaining saker populations and achieving long-term conservation goals.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31900372)Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve,Yushu Prefecture Forestry and Grassland Bureau,“One Yangtze”Project of Huatai Securities(HTSC)the State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol(Sun Yat-Sen University)。
文摘As a top predator,the Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation.Once widespread in China,the species is now distributed mainly in the upper reaches of the great rivers of western China.However,a lack of knowledge on local otter populations continues to hinder their conservation in China.Here,we conducted a detailed study on habitat use of Eurasian otters in Yushu City and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in western China using transect surveys.At both study sites,otters preferred to defecate on large rocks close to or protruding from the river and about 50 cm above the waterline.In Yushu,no spraints were found along the 5 km river bank section in the downtown area,with otters preferring sprainting sites with natural banks,riparian zones,and lower human population density.However,this pattern was not obvious at Tangjiahe,where river transformation and human disturbance are minor.Otter river use intensity was negatively correlated with elevation and human population density in Yushu in both seasons.In Tangjiahe,otter river use intensity was positively correlated with prey mass and flow rate and negatively correlated with human population in spring,but positively correlated with human population and negatively correlated with flow rate in autumn.These results reflect the flexible habitat use strategies of otters at different sites,underlining the necessity to study otters living in different regions and habitat types.We provide suggestions for river modification and call for more site-specific studies to promote otter conservation in China.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31870369)China Biodiversity Observation Networks(Sino BON)。
文摘Background:The Swan Goose(Anser cygnoides)breeds across Mongolia and adjacent China and Russia and winters exclusively in China.It is globally threatened,showing long-term major range contractions and declining abundance,linked to habitat loss and degradation.We remain ignorant about the biogeographical subpopulation structure of the species and potential differences in their migration timing,stopovers and schedules,information that could be vital to effective conservation of different elements of the species population,which we address here with results from a telemetry study.Methods:In 2017-2018,we attached GPS/GSM telemetry devices to 238 Swan Geese on moulting sites in three discrete parts of their summering area(Dauria International Protected Area,Central Mongolia and Western Mongolia),generating 104 complete spring and autumn migration episodes to compare migration speed and nature between birds of different summer provenances.Results:Birds from all three breeding areas used almost completely separate migration routes to winter sympatrically in the Yangtze River floodplain.Although many features of the spring and autumn migrations of the three groups were similar,despite the significantly longer migration routes taken by Western Mongolian tagged birds,birds from Dauria Region arrived significantly later in winter due to prolonged staging in coastal areas and took longer to reach their breeding areas in spring.Among birds of all breeding provenances,spring migration was approximately twice as fast as autumn migration.Areas used by staging Swan Geese(mainly wetlands)in autumn and spring almost never fell within national level protected areas,suggesting major site safeguard is necessary to protect these critical areas.Conclusions:This study showed the discreteness of migration routes taken by birds of different summer provenances and differences in their migratory patterns,highlighting key staging areas(Yalu River Estuary in China/North Korea for Dauria Region breeding birds,Daihai Lake for Central Mongolian and Ordos Basin for Western Mongolian birds).Based on this new knowledge of the biogeographical subpopulation structure of the Swan Goose,we need to combine data on subpopulation size,their distribution throughout the annual life cycle and conservation status,to develop more effective conservation strategies and measures to reverse population decline throughout the range.
文摘Mammalian surveys are vital tools for effective managements and conservation strategies. A survey was conducted to investigate the species composition, relative abundance and to determine their major threats in Weyngus Forest, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The data were collected from April 2020 to June 2020. Transect method and subjective interviews were used to collect data for the study. A total of 11 species of medium and large sized mammals belonging to six orders and eight families were recorded by direct and indirect evidences. Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), Vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), and Coloubus monkey (Colobus guereza) were among the medium-sized mammals while, Spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and Common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were among the large-sized mammals recorded in the study area. Vervet monkey has been the most frequently observed species, whereas spotted hyena was observed less often. Simpson’s Similarity Index (SI) showed a significant overlap of mammalian species composition between scrubland and natural forest (SI = 0.62). Illegal logging of trees for fuel wood, agricultural land expansion, illegal hunting and land degradation were the main threats of mammals in the study area. Community participation and awareness creation are highly recommended to limit the impact of anthropogenic activities threatening wildlife.
文摘Water conservancy project construction is an important cornerstone and lifeline of national economy and social development, is the inevitable need of stable, sustainable and healthy development of national economy, water conservancy project construction is an important carrier of water conservancy economy development. In this, the importance of water and soil conservation work for the whole water conservancy construction can not be ignored.
文摘Soil erosion will lead to the decrease of soil thickness, and with the further decrease of land productivity due to soil erosion, some pollutants may also be transferred along with runoff and sediment in the process of soil erosion, which will cause very serious impact on the ecological environment. Therefore, effective prevention and control of soil erosion is of great significance to promote a virtuous cycle of the ecological system. Soil and water conservation is one of the effective methods to prevent and control soil erosion. It has been widely used in soil prevention and control in recent years. This paper mainly discusses the research progress of soil erosion and soil and water conservation, hoping to play a certain reference significance.
基金supported by funds from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42076100)the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U2006214).
文摘Biodiversity declines have motivated many studies on the relationship between species diversity and ecosystem functioning.In this study,we described the spatial-temporal characteristics of demersal fish communities along a coastal habitat in Rongcheng Bay,Shandong Peninsula,China with both species-based and biological trait-based approaches.The field survey was carried out monthly using traps from April to October of 2018,and divided into three seasons(spring:April and May;summer:June,July and August;autumn:September,October and November).The study area included five distinct habitats:seagrass bed,natural rocky reef,bare sand,artificial reef together with natural rocky reef,and artificial reef together with bare sand.We analyzed the fish communities with three taxonomic diversity indices,including Shannon-Wiener,Simpson,and Pielou Evenness,as well as four functional diversity indices,including FRic,FEve,FDiv,and FDis,based on 7 functional groups which are categorized into 27 traits.The results showed that there were no significant differences in taxonomic diversity indices among different habitats in the three seasons.However,significant differences were found in the functional richness of fish communities among different habitats in three seasons.Seagrass bed represented the highest functional richness in spring and autumn.This study demonstrates that seagrass bed is very important in enhancing the functional diversity of fish communities in a complex habitat.The study also indicates that the combination of taxonomic diversity and functional diversity will provide a more detailed description of the characteristics of fish communities.
基金funded by and undertaken on behalf of the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi(EAD)under a memorandum of understanding with Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment and Green Development(MEGD)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31930013,32361133559)+1 种基金the Third Xinjiang Scientifc Expedition Program(grant no.2022xjkk0801)the CASTWAS President’s Fellowship Programme(BB).
文摘As an apex predator in arid steppe,saker falcon plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.Understanding their movement patterns concerning conspecific competition and prey availability is important for their conservation.We aim to understand how movement pattern of breeding saker falcons relates to prey availability.Twelve adult sakers were tracked during the breeding seasons,using satellite transmitters.Throughout the breeding season,sakers exhibited territorial behavior,with minimal overlap in range use among neighboring conspecifics.Males occupied larger areas(mean=2,397 ha,median=1,221 ha),compared to females(mean=1,241 ha,median=554 ha),and it remained consistent throughout breeding season.Female home range size increased notably during a late nestling stage and post-fledging dependence periods,indicating release from brooding constraints.Notably,we found a negative relationship between male home range size and prey availability.In high rodent density areas,males occupied smaller areas(mean=1,135 ha,median=1,034 ha),contrasting with low rodent density areas(mean=6,815 ha,median=6,516 ha).However,no significant relationship was observed between female home range size and prey availability.We also noted instances of nest abandonment and early dispersal behavior in some females,potentially influenced by a handicapping effect of tagging.Our findings offer valuable insight into how prey availability shapes saker falcon space use and defines their spatial requirements for successful breeding.This knowledge is crucial for the conservation and management of globally endangered saker falcons,informing targeted habitat protection and resource management strategies.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31900372)One Yangtze River Project of the Huatai Securities,and the State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol(Sun Yat-sen University).
文摘Religious wildlife release is prevalent worldwide,especially in Asia countries.It is one of the anthropogenic pathways to cause biological inva-sions.Religious fish release is common on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,yet few studies have assessed the influences of religious fish release on local species.InYushu,a city on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,we interviewedlocal people,conducted fish trap surveys in local rivers,and exam-ined the diet of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra using a fecal DNA metabarcoding approach.We found that fish release started at least in 1980-1990s in Yushu.Tibetan residents released fish in large amounts and released fish were usually exotic commercial fish purchased from market.Despite such long-term and intensive fish release activities,released fish were few in local rivers.On the other hand,Eurasian otters mainly prey on fish and released fish accounted for~20%of relative read abundance of prey DNA in otters'diet,indicating their high preference on released fish.Our study suggested that religious fish release may provide additional food resources for otters,whereas otters,as a top predator in local rivers,may deplete non-native fish once they were released and,therefore,reduce the probability of colonization of released fish,although further studies are required to assess otters'impact.Our study revealed otters'diet in Yushu,providing basic information for local otter management and conservation.Furthermore,it represents a case showing that native predators prey on religious released animals,implying a probable direction forcontrolling invasive species through nativepredator conservation.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from China Power International Holding Ltd.(ZGDL-KJ-2022-024)Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(SJCX23_0179).
文摘A novel Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating,a high-temperature corrosion-resistant material for water wall protection of power plant ultra-supercritical boilers,has been prepared via arc spraying.A systematic study was conducted to evaluate the high-temperature corrosion behavior of this coating,and its resistance to corrosion at high temperatures was scientifically assessed.The results indicate that the thickness of Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating is approximately 350μm,exhibiting typical amorphous characteristics as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope characterization.During each stage of the 750℃corrosion test,the oxygen content of the amorphous coating was significantly lower than that of the contrast coating(PS45 alloy coating),indicating a superior corrosion protection effect at high temperature.After 100 h of continuous testing,the corrosion mass gain of the amorphous coating was only 28.62%that of PS45 coating and 3.89%that of T12 steel substrate,indicating significantly depressed high-temperature corrosion kinetics.The excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance of Fe–Cr–Mo amorphous coating is primarily attributed to the stable Fe/Cr oxide film generated by the metastable state of the amorphous state,which serves as an excellent barrier.Furthermore,under the influence of heat in a high-temperature environment,the amorphous structure gradually transforms into a nanocrystalline structure.In contrast,the oxide film of the amorphous/nanocrystalline coating has low thermal stress,leading to better adhesion with the coating and resistance to cracking and peeling,thus providing excellent sustained protection.
基金supported by the Special Fund for Ecological Forestry Construction of Guangdong Provincal Finance Department [Yue Cai Zi Huan [2021]15]the Central Finance Fund for Forestry Reform and Development [Yue Cai Zi Huan [2019]5,[2020]99]
文摘Paphiopedilum armeniacum is a rare and endangered lady's slipper orchid in China.It is distributed around the mid-elevations of the Nu Mountains in southwest China.Due to overharvest,habitat loss,and degradation,wild populations of P.armeniacum has declined drastically.A combination of approaches involving biotechnology,habitat restoration,and interspecific relationship reconstruction was used to carry out the reintroduction of the species.Integrated conservation program for this species included in-situ protection,ex-situ conservation,and reintroduction,which helped to rebuild a harmonious relationship between local farmers and P.armeniacum.The sustainable utilization of native plant resources in poor areas can promote regional sustainable development which is compatible with species protection.
基金funded primarily by the Everest Snow Leopard Conservation Center,a partnership initiative of Vanke Foundation and Qomolangma National Nature Reserve Administration
文摘Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system （GIS） and species presence data provide the means by which such evaluation can be done. Maximum Entropy （MaxEnt） is widely used in habitat suitability modeling due to its power of accuracy and additional descriptive properties To survey snow leopard populations in Qomolangma （Mt. Everest） National Nature Reserve （QNNR）, Xizang （Tibet）, China, we pooled 127 pugmarks, 415 scrape marks, and 127 non-invasive identifications of the animal along line transects and recorded 87 occurrences through camera traps from 2014-2017. We adopted the MaxEnt model to generate a map highlighting the extent of suitable snow leopard habitat in QNNR. Results showed that the accuracy of the MaxEnt model was excellent （mean AUC=0.921）. Precipitation in the driest quarter, ruggedness, elevation, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and annual mean temperature were the main environmental factors influencing habitat suitability for snow leopards, with contribution rates of 20.0%, 14.4%, 13.3%, 8.7%, and 8.2% respectively The suitable habitat area extended for 7 001.93 km^2, representing 22.72% of the whole reserve. The regions bordering Nepal were the main suitable snow leopard habitats and consisted of three separate habitat patches Our findings revealed that precipitation, temperature conditions, ruggedness, and elevations of around 4 000 m a.s.I, influenced snow leopard preferences at the landscape level in QNNR. We advocate further research and cooperation with Nepal to evaluate habitat connectivity and to explore possible proxies of population isolation among these patches. Furthermore, evaluation of subdivisions within the protection zones of QNNR is necessary to improve conservation strategies and enhance protection.
