Vertical distribution characteristics of soil saturated hydraulic conductivity under different land use patterns in the Mu Us sandy land

Background,aim,and scope Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity(K_(s))is a key parameter in the hydrological cycle of soil;however,we have very limited understanding of K_(s) characteristics and the factors that inf luence this key parameter in the Mu Us sandy land(MUSL).Quantifying the impact of changes in land use in the Mu Us sandy land on K_(s) will provide a key foundation for understanding the regional water cycle,but will also provide a scientific basis for the governance of the MUSL.Materials and methods In this study,we determined K_(s) and the basic physical and chemical properties of soil(i.e.,organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition)within the first 100 cm layer of four different land use patterns(farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland)in the MUSL.The vertical variation of K_(s) and the factors that influence this key parameter were analyzed and a transfer function for estimating K_(s) was established based on a multiple stepwise regression model.Results The K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub increased gradually with soil depth while that of grassland remained unchanged.The K_(s) of the four patterns of land use were moderately variable;mean K_(s)values were ranked as follows:grassland(1.38 mm·min^(-1))<tree(1.76 mm·min^(-1))<farmland(1.82 mm·min^(-1))<shrub(3.30 mm·min^(-1)).The correlation between K_(s) and organic matter,bulk density,and soil particle composition,varied across different land use patterns.A multiple stepwise regression model showed that silt,coarse sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were key predictive factors for the K_(s) of farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,in the MUSL.Discussion The vertical distribution trend for K_(s) in farmland is known to be predominantly influenced by cultivation,fertilization,and other factors.The general aim is to improve the water-holding capacity of shallow soil on farmland(0-30 cm in depth)to conserve water and nutrients;research has shown that the K_(s) of farmland increases with soil depth.The root growth of tree and shrub in sandy land exerts mechanical force on the soil due to biophysical processes involving rhizospheres,thus leading to a significant change in K_(s).We found that shallow high-density fine roots increased the volume of soil pores and eliminated large pores,thus resulting in a reduction in shallow K_(s).Therefore,the K_(s) of tree and shrub increased with soil depth.Analysis also showed that the K_(s) of grassland did not change significantly and exhibited the lowest mean value when compared to other land use patterns.This finding was predominantly due to the shallow root system of grasslands and because this land use pattern is not subject to human activities such as cultivation and fertilization;consequently,there was no significant change in K_(s) with depth;grassland also had the lowest mean K_(s).We also established a transfer function for K_(s) for different land use patterns in the MUSL.However,the predictive factors for K_(s) in different land use patterns are known to be affected by soil cultivation methods,vegetation restoration modes,the distribution of soil moisture,and other factors,thus resulting in key differences.Therefore,when using the transfer function to predict K_(s) in other areas,it will be necessary to perform parameter calibration and further verification.Conclusions In the MUSL,the K_(s) of farmland,tree,and shrub gradually increased with soil depth;however,the K_(s) of grassland showed no significant variation in terms of vertical distribution.The mean K_(s) values of different land use patterns were ranked as follows:shrub>farmland>tree>grassland;all land use patterns showed moderate levels of variability.The K_(s) for different land use patterns exhibited differing degrees of correlation with soil physical and chemical properties;of these,clay,silt,sand,bulk density,and organic matter,were identified as important variables for predicting K_(s) in farmland,tree,shrub,and grassland,respectively.Recommendations and perspectives In this study,we used a stepwise multiple regression model to establish a transfer function prediction model for K_(s) for different land use patterns;this model possessed high estimation accuracy.The ability to predict K_(s) in the MUSL is very important in terms of the conservation of water and nutrients.

Study on Spatial Variation of Soil Moisture in Coal Mining Subsidence Area in Mu Us Sandy Land

In order to explore the spatial distribution and variation characteristics of soil moisture in coal mining subsidence area in Mu Us sandy Land,and provide theoretical basis for the restoration of the mining area,experiments based on a linear sampling and classic statistical and geostatistical methods were conducted. Spatial distribution characteristics and variation of soil moisture in the typical 0 to 100 cm dune area in the subsidence area and the non-subsidence area( control) were studied. The results showed that in the typical sand dune location of nonsubsidence area( control),the probability distribution curves of soil moisture changes in all layers along vertical and horizontal directions were all normal distribution,and it was consistent with the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of soil moisture in conventional dunes in Mu Us sandy land. By contrast,two years after the coal mine collapsed,the variations of soil moisture in different layers along vertical and horizontal directions were different,and soil moisture loss was more serious than that of control dune by nearly 10% to 30%,and the standard deviation varied from 0. 54 to 1. 05,increasing by 52. 08% compared with the non-subsidence area( control). The probability of positive and negative deviation greater than 1 was over 50%,and the coefficient of variation varied from 0. 14 to 0. 28,which was 80% higher than that of nonsubsidence area( control). After collapsing,the average level of soil moisture,standard deviation,variance and variation coefficient had greatly changed,and influence of coal mining subsidence on soil moisture was the most in the middle layer( 30-70 cm),and was not obvious in the surface( 0-20 cm) and lower layer( 80-100 cm). In coal mining subsidence area,the dispersion degree of soil moisture in different layers along the vertical and horizontal direction was greatly improved,which increased spatial variation of soil moisture.

Observation of mother-perpetrated infanticide in golden takins(Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi)

DEAR EDITOR,Infanticide by unrelated individuals is widely reported in the animal kingdom;however,little is known about cases perpetrated by a parent,particularly the mother.This article reports on three cases of mother-initiated infanticide in Qinling golden takins(Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi)from video and camera images.Based on previous reports in other animals,we propose that the infanticide events observed in golden takins were related to the parental manipulation mechanism-i.e.

Impact of Coal Mining Subsidence on Sandy Geomorphology and Vegetation Habitat in Sandy Area

[Objectives]To explore the problem of"secondary desertification"caused by coal mining subsidence in sandy area and its control countermeasures.[Methods]The collapse fissure changes,vegetation displacement and tilt,dry sand layer and wind erosion/aeolian deposit rate of the edge,middle and basin of subsidence area were studied in detail.[Results]The width and density of fissures at the edge of subsidence area were the smallest,followed by those in the center,and the width and density of fissures in the basin of the subsidence area were the greatest,while the staggering and surface damage showed the opposite trend.The average displacement length of vegetation in the subsidence area reached 60 cm,the slope was 5.67-28.63,and the maximum wind erosion/aeolian deposit at the trunk roots was-30.52 cm/+25.41 cm,most serious at the edge of subsidence.The changes in displacement length and slope of vegetation were positively linearly correlated with the height and surface damage of collapse fissures.The thickness of dry land layer at the edge of the subsidence area reached 14 cm,4-6 cm greater than that of the control,and the thickness of dry land layer in the middle and basin of the subsidence area was both about 11 cm,1-4 cm greater than that of non-subsidence area.The wind erosion rate at the edge of the subsidence area was up to 83.34%,followed by that(52.06%)in the middle.The aeolian deposit rate in the subsidence basin was 51.84%.[Conclusions]The subsidence edge has the strongest impact on the sandy geomorphology and vegetation habitat,and is a key area for ecological restoration.It is recommended that the coal mining subsidence should be treated in a timely manner to avoid the occurrence of"secondary desertification".

Chromosome-scale genomes provide new insights into subspecies divergence and evolutionary characteristics of the giant panda

Extant giant pandas are divided into Sichuan and Qinling subspecies.The giant panda has many speciesspecific characteristics,including comparatively small organs for body size,small genitalia of male individuals,and low reproduction.Here,we report the most contiguous,high-quality chromosomelevel genomes of two extant giant panda subspecies to date,with the first genome assembly of the Qinling subspecies.Compared with the previously assembled giant panda genomes based on short reads,our two assembled genomes increased contiguity over 200-fold at the contig level.Additional sequencing of 25 individuals dated the divergence of the Sichuan and Qinling subspecies into two distinct clusters from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.Comparative genomic analyses identified the loss of regulatory elements in the dachshund family transcription factor 2(DACH2)gene and specific changes in the synaptotagmin 6(SYT6)gene,which may be responsible for the reduced fertility of the giant panda.Positive selection analysis between the two subspecies indicated that the reproduction-associated IQ motif containing D(IQCD)gene may at least partly explain the different reproduction rates of the two subspecies.Furthermore,several genes in the Hippo pathway exhibited signs of rapid evolution with giant panda-specific variants and divergent regulatory elements,which may contribute to the reduced inner organ sizes of the giant panda.

Dead trees as an indicator in tourism risk monitoring at primate ecotourism

Primate ecotourism has become an important conservation tool.Based around tourists observing primates in their natural habitat,it can provide multiple benefits(Lebrão et al.2021).Appropriate ecotourism can improve local residents’living conditions and economic level,heighten awareness about animal conservation,and increase funding for the latter(Stronza et al.2019).