Past desertification processes of Minqin Oasis in arid China

Irrigated farming has affected most natural oases in western China since the Han Dynasty employed advanced agricultural techniques in dryland areas. To date, little is documented about the process through which these oases were modified by human systems. In this study, a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating analysis of historical documents, archaeological field surveys, satellite imagery, and GIS data was used to understand desertification processes in the Minqin Basin in Gansu Province, China, over the historical period. Results suggest that initial reclamation efforts around the Minqin Oasis were launched in the Han Dynasty (220–121 BC) and culminated in the Wei and Jin Dynasty (220–420). During the following 800 years from the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–581) to the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), farmland disappeared and became desert when the region was taken over by nomadic people. The second period of intense development occurred in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and was followed by another more aggressive development in the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), which resulted in the largest reclaimed area in history. Oases were constantly reclaimed and subsequently abandoned and desertified over the whole historical period. The causes were complex, but the major cause was related to dynastic transition that often resulted in changes in national policies.     

Oasis land-use change and its effects on the oasis eco-environment in Keriya Oasis,China

Land-use change in oases of arid zones play a significant role in the sustainable development and stability of oases. This paper presents a typical case of successful efforts to mitigate land-use change, its drivers and effects on the oasis eco-environment at Keriya Oasis in the western arid zone of China using remotely-sensed data, official statistics, and data collected by field investigation. Mathematical models were developed to quantify important elements related to land-use change, including net change and total change. The results indicate that: (1) approximately 17% of land-use types of Keriya Oasis changed between 1991 and 2002; (2) socioeconomic development, climate change, and economic polices contributed to land-use change in the oasis; (3) inappropriate human activities were the main cause of land-use change and eco-environmental degradation in the oasis; and (4) the stability of the oasis is threatened by land-use change and unexpected eco-environmental changes in the oasis and oasis–desert ecotone. The study suggests irrational human activity in arid zones, and that caution should be exercised to maintain stability and sustainable development of oases.     

Genotoxic potential of organic extracts from municipal reclaimed water in Tianjin,China

Despite increasing pressure to make more efficient use of water resources, the widespread use of reclaimed water still remains a contentious issue, primarily because of risks to human health arising from water pollution by organic compounds. Therefore, safety evaluation of reclaimed water is an urgent need. The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxic potential of reclaimed water during low and high water periods. Reverse phase C-18 solid-phase extraction (RP-C18SPE) was used for the extraction of organic compounds from water samples. The tests, namely, Ames, micronucleus and chromosome aberrations were used to determine the damage caused by water samples on genetic material. Ames tests showed that both influent and effluent reclaimed water, except influent after metabolism by S9 in high water period, induced mutation of TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium in a concentration-response manner. There were no significant differences in micronucleus and chromosome aberration tests. Even after treatment, reclaimed water in Tianjin still showed mutational effects and new strategies for reduction of genotoxins need to be considered.     

Use of historical and contemporary distribution of mammals in China to inform conservation

A systematic understanding of dynamic animal extinction trajectories for different regions in a nation like China is critically important to developing practical conservation strategies. We explored historical and contemporary changes in terrestrial mammalian diversity to determine how diversity in each of the 5 regions in China has changed over time and to examine the conservation potential of these regions. We used records from databases on Pleistocene mammalian fossils and historical distribution records (1175–2020) for Primates (as a case study) to reconstruct evolutionary and historical distribution trajectories of the 11 orders of terrestrial mammals and to predict their prospective survival based on the national conservation strategy applied. The results indicated that since the Pleistocene, 4–5 mammalian orders have been lost in the northeast, 3 in central China, 2 along the coast, and 1 in the northwest. In the southwest, all 11 orders were maintained. Contemporarily, the coast and southwest had the highest and second-highest species densities. The southwest region and southeastern sections of the northwest region were the most historically and contemporarily diverse areas, which suggests that they should be the first priority for protected area (PA) designation. The central and coastal areas should be secondarily prioritized. In these 2 regions, conservation should focus on human coexistence with nature. Less attention should be paid to the PA in the northeast and western northwest because in these areas ecosystems are depauperate and the climate is harsh. Conservation in these areas should focus principally on avoiding further human encroachment on natural areas. Article impact statement: Historical and contemporary patterns of extinction can be a basis for mammalian conservation strategies.     

Using historical ecology to reassess the conservation status of coniferous forests in Central Europe

Forests cover approximately one‐third of Central Europe. Oak (Quercus) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) are considered the natural dominants at low and middle elevations, respectively. Many coniferous forests (especially of Picea abies) occur primarily at midelevations, but these are thought to have resulted from forestry plantations planted over the past 200 years. Nature conservation and forestry policy seek to promote broadleaved trees over conifers. However, there are discrepancies between conservation guidelines (included in Natura 2000) and historical and palaeoecological data with regard to the distribution of conifers. Our aim was to bring new evidence to the debate on the conservation of conifers versus broadleaved trees at midelevations in Central Europe. We created a vegetation and land‐cover model based on pollen data for a highland area of 11,300 km² in the Czech Republic and assessed tree species composition in the forests before the onset of modern forestry based on 18th‐century archival sources. Conifers dominated the study region throughout the entire Holocene (approximately 40–60% of the area). Broadleaved trees were present in a much smaller area than envisaged by current ideas of natural vegetation. Rather than casting doubt on the principles of Central European nature conservation in general, our results highlight the necessity of detailed regional investigations and the importance of historical data in challenging established notions on the natural distribution of tree species.     

A review on historical trajectories and spatially explicit scenarios of land-use and land-cover changes in China

ABSTRACT

Land use in China has changed remarkably over the past centuries with manifold implications for sustainable development. Investigation and projection of the land-use and land-cover changes (LUCC) have therefore become critical to promote the understanding of the LUCC process and the interactions with human societies. Scientists had devoted great efforts to create, process, and interpret comprehensive historical land-use/cover datasets, and to simulate future land-use systems under different scenarios. We synthesize the literature on the historical trajectories of LUCC in China, and summarize existing efforts of scenario developments for the projection of spatially explicit LUCC. Our review therefore provides salient suggestions for future land-use change analysis.     

Determination of the levels of selected metals in seeds,flowers and fruits of medicinal plants used for tapeworm treatment in Ethiopia

The level of accumulation of selected essential and non-essential metals, namely; Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Pb, and Cr have been investigated in the seeds, fruits, and flowers of some medicinal plants utilized for tapeworm treatment in Ethiopia and their respective soil samples. These include seed of Cucurbita maxima (Duba), fruit of Embelia abyssinica (Ankoko), flowers of Hagenia abyssinica (Kosso), and fruits of Rosa abyssinica (Kega) and their respective soil samples. A wet digestion procedure with a mixture of conc. HNO₃ and HClO₄ for the plant samples and a mixture of conc. HNO₃, HCl, and H₂O₂ for soil samples were used to solubilize the metals. Ca (1280–12,670?mg?kg^?1) was the predominant metal followed by Fe (104–420?mg?kg^?1), and Zn (18–185?mg?kg^?1) in all the plant materials except for Hagenia abyssinica flower from Hirna in which Mn (16–42?mg?kg^?1) followed by Fe. Among the non-essential toxic metals, Pb was not detected in Cucurbita maxima of Boji, Gedo and Hirna origins and in Rosa abyssinica of Hirna site. Similarly, Cr was not detected in Rosa abyssinica fruits of Boji and Gedo sites. The sampled soils were found to be between strongly acidic to weakly basic (pH: 4.7–7.1). In the soil samples, Ca (8528–18,900?mg?kg^?1) was the most abundant metal followed by Fe (417–912?mg?kg^?1), Zn (155–588?mg?kg^?1), Mn (54–220?mg?kg^?1), Cr (21–105. mg?kg^?1), Cu (11–58?mg?kg^?1), Pb (13–32?mg?kg^?1) and Cd (2.8–4.8?mg?kg^?1). The levels of most of the metals determined in the medicinal plants and the respective soil samples are in good agreement with those reported in the literature and the standards set for the soil by various legislative authorities.     

再生水灌溉对冬小麦生长和产量的影响

随着我国污水处理技术的发展,再生水生产能力得到了明显地提高,实现再生水农业安全利用,将开辟农业用水新途径。以冬小麦（Triticum aestivum）为对象,通过盆栽试验,研究了不同程度处理的再生水（二级再生水、三级再生水）对冬小麦生长和产量的影响。结果表明：再生水灌溉能显著提高冬小麦的株高、叶面积、叶绿素含量,但开花前对光合作用的改善不显著。再生水灌溉处理的冬小麦超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性整体提高,尤其是越冬阶段,叶片SOD活性较对照处理提高了15%,抽穗后作用减弱,各处理间的过氧化物酶（POD）活性差异不明显。以再生水灌溉的盆栽小麦产量和对照相比没有明显差异,再生水灌溉可以实现正常的产量水平。     

Variation in vegetation cover and livestock mobility needs in Sahelian West Africa

A new approach was developed to evaluate the implications of the spatiotemporal variability of green vegetation for the dispersion of livestock that is required to access quality forage in semi-arid Africa. Maximum NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) at 1 km² resolution was determined for concentric rings (0–31 km radii) around 227 individual sample locations within the study area for 14 dates (between 1 April to 1 November) annually over the 2000–2010 period. A sigmoidal curve was fitted to points within the maximum NDVI × distance radii space to determine the asymptote distance (AD) – the radius at which further dispersion from the sample location does not lead to significant gains in access to green forage. AD was found to: increase with latitude (or increasing aridity); decline as the rainy season proceeds; and show no trend over the 2000–2010 period. These results introduce much-needed empirical data to current debates surrounding the scales of governance to support livestock mobility.     

Positive relationships between phenol oxidase activity and extractable phenolics in estuarine soils

Decomposition of recalcitrant materials such as phenolics is known to play a pivotal role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling in estuaries. The specific goals of this study were to determine temporal and spatial variations of phenol oxidase and phenolics in estuarine soils, and to elucidate controlling factors for phenol oxidase activity. To achieve these goals, phenol oxidase activity and phenolic content were measured in soils developed along the side of an estuary in the Han River, Korea. Soil samples were collected in three locations with different vegetation: mud flats, Zizania-dominated soils, and Salix-dominated soils. Monthly measurements were also made in a Zizania-dominated site over a year period. Phenol oxidase activity varied between 0.00 and 0.28 diqc min^?1 g^?1, whilst phenolic content ranged from 0.0–10.5 μg g^?1. A correlation analysis revealed that phenol oxidase activity exhibited positive correlations with phenolic content in both seasonal and spatial data. The same relationship was found when the data were analysed separately for each site. Unlike peatlands or upland forest soils where negative correlations were often found between phenol oxidase activity and phenolics, substrate induction appears to account for the positive correlation in the present study.     

Identifying Sighting Clusters of Endangered Taxa with Historical Records

Abstract: The probability and time of extinction of taxa is often inferred from statistical analyses of historical records. Many of these analyses require the exclusion of multiple records within a unit of time (i.e., a month or a year). Nevertheless, spatially explicit, temporally aggregated data may be useful for identifying clusters of sightings (i.e., sighting clusters) in space and time. Identification of sighting clusters highlights changes in the historical recording of endangered taxa. I used two methods to identify sighting clusters in historical records: the Ederer–Myers–Mantel (EMM) test and the space–time permutation scan (STPS). I applied these methods to the spatially explicit sighting records of three species of orchids that are listed as endangered in the Republic of Ireland under the Wildlife Act (1976): Cephalanthera longifolia, Hammarbya paludosa, and Pseudorchis albida. Results with the EMM test were strongly affected by the choice of the time interval, and thus the number of temporal samples, used to examine the records. For example, sightings of P. albida clustered when the records were partitioned into 20‐year temporal samples, but not when they were partitioned into 22‐year temporal samples. Because the statistical power of EMM was low, it will not be useful when data are sparse. Nevertheless, the STPS identified regions that contained sighting clusters because it uses a flexible scanning window (defined by cylinders of varying size that move over the study area and evaluate the likelihood of clustering) to detect them, and it identified regions with high and regions with low rates of orchid sightings. The STPS analyses can be used to detect sighting clusters of endangered species that may be related to regions of extirpation and may assist in the categorization of threat status.     

Cooling of bat hibernacula to mitigate white-nose syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease that has caused precipitous declines in several North American bat species, creating an urgent need for conservation. We examined how microclimates and other characteristics of hibernacula have affected bat populations following WNS-associated declines and evaluated whether cooling of warm, little-used hibernacula could benefit bats. During the period following mass mortality (2013–2020), we conducted 191 winter surveys of 25 unmanipulated hibernacula and 6 manipulated hibernacula across Pennsylvania (USA). We joined these data with additional datasets on historical (pre-WNS) bat counts and on the spatial distribution of underground sites. We used generalized linear mixed models and model selection to identify factors affecting bat populations. Winter counts of Myotis lucifugus were higher and increased over time in colder hibernacula (those with midwinter temperatures of 3–6 °C) compared with warmer (7–11 °C) hibernacula. Counts of Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis leibii, and Myotis septentrionalis were likewise higher in colder hibernacula (temperature effects = –0.73 [SE 0.15], –0.51 [0.18], and –0.97 [0.28], respectively). Populations of M. lucifugus and M. septentrionalis increased most over time in hibernacula surrounded by more nearby sites, whereas Eptesicus fuscus counts remained high where they had been high before WNS onset (pre-WNS high count effect = 0.59 [0.22]). Winter counts of M. leibii were higher in hibernacula with high vapor pressure deficits (VPDs) (particularly over 0.1 kPa) compared with sites with lower VPDs (VPD effect = 15.3 [4.6]). Counts of M. lucifugus and E. fuscus also appeared higher where VPD was higher. In contrast, Perimyotis subflavus counts increased over time in relatively warm hibernacula and were unaffected by VPD. Where we manipulated hibernacula, we achieved cooling of on average 2.1 °C. At manipulated hibernacula, counts of M. lucifugus and P. subflavus increased over time (years since manipulation effect = 0.70 [0.28] and 0.51 [0.15], respectively). Further, there were more E. fuscus where cooling was greatest (temperature difference effect = –0.46 [SE 0.11]), and there was some evidence there were more P. subflavus in hibernacula sections that remained warm after manipulation. These data show bats are responding effectively to WNS through habitat selection. In M. lucifugus, M. septentrionalis, and possibly P. subflavus, this response is ongoing, with bats increasingly aggregating at suitable hibernacula, whereas E. fuscus remain in previously favored sites. Our results suggest that cooling warm sites receiving little use by bats is a viable strategy for combating WNS.     

A warning from an ancient oasis: intensive human activities are leading to potential ecological and social catastrophe

The Shiyang River Basin is an inland river basin in the Hexi Corridor, Gansu Province, northwest China. Shiyang is the largest basin in terms of human population density and has the highest exploitation of water resources in the northwest. Serious water shortages constrain social and economic development, and the area has some of the worst ecological and environmental deterioration in China. From historical data and recent observations, we have analysed changes in water systems in the Minqin oasis, at the end of the river basin, and assessed impacts and consequences of a changing climate and intensive human activity. Historically, climate change has been the main cause of changes in the oasis. In the last 50 years, however, a major influence has been intense human activity in the basin. With increasing population (159% in 50 years), the amount of cultivated land has been greatly expanded (by 51%). Many reservoirs have been built by damming rivers and large-scale irrigation has been introduced in the middle reaches of the basin. The introduction of leakage-free canals and more extensive exploitation of underground water have further expanded the irrigated area. Water use by humans has exceeded the carrying capacity of the water resources of the basin, which has led to a dramatic shift in water allocation between the upper and lower reaches and a rapid drop in the water table in the Minqin oasis (by as much as 14 m). The oasis is shrinking, natural vegetation that relies on underground water is disappearing, and desertification is accelerating. An ancient oasis that can be traced back 2000 years is disappearing and this must be a warning sign for future generations.     

Occurrence and fate of antibiotics in advanced wastewater treatment facilities and receiving rivers in Beijing,China

The occurrence and removal of 13 antibiotics were investigated in five wastewater treatment plants （WWTPs） with advanced wastewater treatment processes in Beijing, China. Most of the target antibiotics were detected in the secondary and tertiary effluents, with the concentrations of 4.8-1106.0 and 0.3-505.0ng·L^-1. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics showed relatively high concentrations in all samples （782-1814ng·L^-1）. Different tertiary treatment processes showed discrepant antibiotics removal performances. Ozonation process was found more effective in removing target antibiotics compared to the coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation process and sand filtration process. Investigation of the target antibiotics in three typical urban rivers in Beijing was carried out to understand antibiotics occurrence in surface water environment. Eight antibiotics were detected in the studied rivers, with highest concentration of antibiotics in the fiver which was mainly replenished by reclaimed water. This study showed the necessity of employing more effective advanced treatment facilities to further reduce the discharge amount of antibiotics.     

Illegal trade in wild cats and its link to Chinese-led development in Central and South America

Seizures of hundreds of jaguar heads and canines in Central and South America from 2014 to 2018 resulted in worldwide media coverage suggesting that wildlife traffickers are trading jaguar body parts as substitutes for tiger parts to satisfy the demand for traditional Asian medicine. We compiled a data set of >1000 seized wild cats (jaguar [Panthera onca], puma [Puma concolor], and ocelot [Leopardus pardalis]) from 19 Central and South American countries and China. We ran generalized additive mixed models to detect trends in wild-cat seizures from 2012 to 2018 and assess the effects of socioeconomic factors of source countries and between those countries and China on the number of wild cats seized. Jaguar seizures increased over time, and most of the seized jaguar pieces were canines (1991 of 2117). Around 34% (32 of 93) of the jaguar-part seizure reports were linked with China, and these seizures contained 14-fold more individuals than those intended for domestic markets. Source countries with relatively high levels of corruption and Chinese private investment and low income per capita had 10–50 times more jaguar seizures than the remaining sampled countries. The number of Chinese residents in Central and South America was not significantly related to the number of jaguars seized. No socioeconomic factors influenced the seizures of puma and ocelots. Legal market chains may provide structure for the illegal chain; thus, the influx of illegal jaguar products is potentially a side effect of the economic partnership between Central and South American countries and China. Poverty and high levels of corruption in the source countries may motivate local people to engage in illegal activities and contribute to the growth of this trade. Supply-side interventions to curb this threat to Neotropical wild cats may include improved training for officials and promotion of governance and the value of protecting these animals to local people.     

Aerosol exposure assessment during reclaimed water utilization in China and risk evaluation in case of Legionella

• The Chinese population exposure habits were surveyed. • The risks of three scenarios of reclaimed water utilization were evaluated by QMRA. • The risks were markedly higher than the threshold (10⁻⁴ pppy) recommended by WHO. • The risks were age-, educational background-, region- and gender-specific. Reclaimed water utilization provides an effective way to alleviate water shortage. However, the residual pathogens in the recycled water like Legionella, could be spread into the air as aerosols through water-to-air transmission process. Inhaling the aerosols by the people nearby increases their susceptibility to diseases. For estimating the health risks associated with the potential exposure of airborne Legionella emitted from the urban use of reclaimed water in China, nationwide questionnaire was designed to investigate the exposure habits of Chinese population in different scenarios. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) served as the suitable explanatory tool to estimate the risk. The results indicated that annual infection probability of populations exposed to Legionella for three scenarios, 0.0764 (95% CI: 0.0032–0.6880) for road cleaning, 1.0000 (95% CI: 0.1883–1.0000) for greenfield irrigation, 0.9981 (95% CI: 0.0784–1.0000) for landscape fountain, were markedly higher than the threshold recommended by WHO (10⁻⁴ per person per year (pppy)) according to the concentration distribution of Legionella in the reclaimed water. An age-, educational background-, region- and gender-specific data in annual infection probability also showed different tendencies for some subpopulations. This study provides some detailed information on the health risks from the water reuse in China and will be useful to promote the safe application of reclaimed water in water-deficient areas.     

城市回用水中多环芳烃致癌风险评价

为评价人群暴露于城市回用水中16种多环芳烃(polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs)对于人体健康的潜在风险,采用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)联用的分析化学方法对不同季节回用水中16种PAHs进行定量分析;在此基础上采用美国国家科学院和国家研究委员会提出的环境健康风险评价方法,分析不同回用条件下具有中国水体基质特色的城市回用水中PAHs健康风险.结果显示,回用水样中16种PAHs的总浓度为1 422.85 ng·L-1,污水处理厂二级出水水样16种PAHs的总浓度为1 791.77 ng ·L-1,经过处理后回用水中PAHs含量有所降低.风险评价分析结果显示,回用水在城市绿化、农业灌溉和景观娱乐3种不同回用途径下多环芳烃的致癌风险分别为788×10-8、2.77×10-6、3.04×10-6,总致癌风险为5.89×10-6.以上结果可以得出,回用水在城市绿化、农田灌溉和景观娱乐接触过程中多环芳烃所增加的致癌风险很低,回用水中多环芳烃的健康风险处于可接受水平.     

Habitat use by Red-tailed Hawks in surface-mined areas

Habitat use by 4 radio-tagged red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) was monitored during 708 transmitter-days in coal surface-mined areas in northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in 1977 and 1978. Mean cumulative home range size for the 3 adults was 316.8 ha (3.2 km²). Red-tailed hawks showed significant (P<0.005) tendencies to elect certain habitats over others. Descending order of habitat electivity was: 1) woods edge with open area not surfacemined. 2) woods edge with surface-mined area. 3) deciduous woods, 4) open area not surface-mined, and 5) surface-mined area. Red-tailed hawks' flexibility in niche requirements allowed them to exploit reclaimed area. Recommendations for surface mine reclamation are given.     

Ruffed grouse brood habitat on reclaimed surface mines in West Virginia

Human-imprinted ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) chicks were used to evaluate grouse brood food and cover conditions on reclaimed surface mines in northern West Virginia. Reclaimed surface-mined areas did not provide the quality of habitat for ruffed grouse chicks that unmined land provided. On the surface-mined areas, grasslegume reclamation provided the poorest cover and next to the lowest feeding rates. Of the surface-mined areas a 25-year-old reclaimed mine planted to autumn olive had canopy provided a more favorable micro-climate for insects and herbaceous vegetation was established around the edge. Planting rows of shrubs in addition to the current practice of planting grasses and legumes on surface-mined areas is suggested to create ruffed grouse brood habitat.     

Growth characteristics of the mass-reared tintinnid Tintinnopsis beroidea

A vigorous strain of Tintinnopsis beroidea was established in vitro by mixing several isolates obtained during the period January to March, 1969. More than 1,000 cells/ml were routinely obtained within a few weeks. On one occasion 3,000 cells/ml were obtained in just over a month. The period required for ciliate populations to double was 2.5 to 6 days. Growth curve data has been obtained with cultures receiving single doses of food at the time the flasks were inoculated with protozoa. The initial concentration of food had a noticeable effect on ciliate growth. Excessive amounts of food were somewhat inhibitory; insufficient amounts resulted in rapid starvation. Conjugation patterns characteristic of wild populations of tintinnids were not observed. However, there was evidence of sexual activity in the cultures: (1) pairing of cells occurred; (2) protrusions were seen in the oral region indicative of preconjugation activity; (3) very high cell yields and rapid division rates were obtained after more than 1.5 years in culture.This work was supported by a contract with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Ref. No. NYO-3658-24.