Life in the Taihang Mountains

THE Taihang Mountain Range meanders for 500 kilometers across the territories of Henan, Shanxi and Hebei provinces. It is an important ecological screen for the North China Plain and source of water. In Hebei’s Shexian County sits Wangjinzhuang, a 300-year-old stone village nestled in the mountains.The village is a stone world-lanes, houses, court-yard walls, towers, pavilions, tables, benches and mills are all hewn fom ancient rock. Streets and lanes are paved in stones of various shapes and sizes whose sur-

Analysis of plant resources and diversity in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains

Taihang Mountains are situated between Shanxi Province and the North China Plain,spanning Beijing,Hebei,Shanxi,and Henan provinces and cities.The mountains extend from northeast to southwest for over 400 km,naturally deviding the second step from the third one in China.The southeastern area of Taihang Mountains specifically refers to Changzhi City and Jincheng Administrative Region of Shanxi Province.Given Shanxi Province’s robust development plans for the southeast area of Taihang Mountains,the medicinal plant resources in this area will be affected.Therefore,it is imperative and urgent to conduct a comprehensive investigation and study on the medicinal plant resources in the southeast area of Taihang Mountains.By means of field investigation,literature review,and specimen identification,the plant resources and diversity of two counties in the southeast of Taihang Mountains were evaluated.The findings revealed 234 plants species across 172 genera in 70 families,primarily comprising angiosperms.The families with more species included Compositae,Leguminosae,Rosaceae,Labiatae,Ranunculaceae.Among the genera,those with more species were Cynanchum,Selaginella,Clematis,Thalictrum,and Rhamnus.A total of 114 medicinal plants were identified,constituting 48.72%of the total.Regarding medicinal parts,the concentration is in roots and rhizomes,followed by whole plants and fruits.On the basis of investigation and study,some suggestions on the development,utilization,and protection of medicinal plant resources in southeast Taihang Mountains were made.These suggestions provide valuable insights for the study on medicinal plant resources and vegetation in the southeast of Taihang Mountains,serving as a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable utilization of wild medicinal plant resources.

Genetic diversity,population structure and demographic history of Dugesia japonica in Taihang Mountains

The freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica has become a model organism in regeneration biology and toxicology due to its powerful regeneration capability and highly chemical sensitivity.Nonetheless,little is known about its evolutionary history and demographics.Taihang Mountains is the natural boundary between the Loess Plateau and the North China Plain,and is considered as one of the important priority areas for biodiversity conservation in China.In order to figure out the genetic diversity,population structure and demographic history of D.japonica in Taihang Mountains,a study based on the mitochondrial COI from 116 individuals sampled across 20 populations has been conducted.The results showed that the 116 COI sequences yielded 32 haplotypes,including 8 shared haplotypes and 24 private ones.The overall haplotype diversity(Hd)and nucleotide diversity(π)were 0.920 and 0.083,respectively.Even though the AMOVA results suggested that the genetic variation among populations was significant(FST=0.480,P<0.01),the phylogeny and haplotype network analysis based on 32 haplotypes revealed no obvious phylogeographic pattern.Furthermore,the significantly positive values of neutrality test(Tajima’s D=2.596,P<0.05;Fu’s Fs=2.769,P<0.01)together with the multimodal arrangement of mismatch distribution indicated that D.japonica in Taihang Mountains would have been undergoing population decline.We hope these findings will arouse conservation and management strategy regarding freshwater planarians and contribute to the biodiversity in the long run.

Evaluation of the production-living-ecology space function suitability of Pingshan County in the Taihang mountainous area,China

A rational utilization of land is a matter of importance in sustainable development of mountainous area.The land function in mountainous areas has a close connection with space structure of ecology,production and living.To promote a harmonious development of the relationship between people and nature in mountainous areas,it is necessary to coordinate their relationships of space functions.Suitability evaluation of basic unit function associated with multi-scale space analysis is a prerequisite to a reasonable optimization of land function structure.In this study,an optimized evaluation index system of combination functions was introduced into the assessment of ecological spatial functional suitability in ecological fragile regions by adding three indicators,namely,soil erosion sensitivity,landscape ecological risk and ecological sensitivity.The principle of"taking high"(referred to a function with high suitability to be regarded as the main function of an evaluation unit)and ecological priority(referred to the case,supposing the suitability of a unit’s three functions is consistent,the main function is determined to be the ecological function)were used to determine the main function of an evaluation unit.Pingshan County,China,located at the eastern foot of the Taihang Mountain,was targeted in this case study.The production-livingecology space(PLES)function in Pingshan was identified by applying our improved valuation indexes.Further,the functional suitability distribution of the combination of elements was obtained by using overlapping comprehensive analysis method,considering the tradeoff of the functional suitability of combination elements.The regions suitable for production/living were distributed in relatively flat piedmont plains,whereas the regions suitable for ecology were distributed in the mountain areas of middle and low altitudes.Therefore,to maintain a sustainable development in mountainous areas,an improved scheme of development for Pingshan should be to delineate ecologically fragile areas,to build ecological industrial parks near existing scenic spots,to protect basic agricultural production areas,and to increase investment in science and technology,including reasonable ecological compensation.This study can provide reference for the planning of sustainable development in the Taihang Mountain area and similar regions.

Features and values of geological heritage resources in Shunping County,Hebei Province

Hebei Province is rich in geological heritage resources due to its diverse landforms and unique natural conditions.However,detailed investigation and study of the resources are still limited,and a systematic survey conducted on a small scale has not been fully implemented.In this paper,the resource types and characteristics of the geological heritage in Shunping County are systematically discussed,on the basis of field investigation and scientific evaluation.With reference to the existing criteria for geological heritage resources survey,the heritage values and corresponding levels were assessed by using multi-factor quantitative evaluation approach.The results show that there are 33 geological heritage sites in Shunping County,which fall into 3 categories,10 classes and 17 subcategories.Among them,2 heritage sites are above the provincial level,14 heritage sites are at the provincial level and 17 ones are below the level.These heritage sites are not only natural resources with great tourism potential,but also valuable asset in geological research,human history,ecological conservation,scientific education and some other aspects.It is hence of great significance to conduct the scientific and reasonable appraisal for having a better understanding,good protection and development of the geological heritage resources in Hebei Province.

Summer habitat selection and impacts of human disturbance on leopard cats(Prionailurus bengalensis)

Introduction:As a consequence of habitat loss and degradation,the leopard cat(Prionailurus bengalensis)in China has become endangered and in need of urgent protection.In situ conservation of leopard cats must be based on an understanding of their habitat selection patterns.We studied the summer habitat of leopard cats using line-transect surveys in the northern Taihang Mountain region surrounding Beijing,China.We compared used plots with non-used plots in elevation,tree canopy,and 20 other ecological variables,and used VanderploegScavia’s resource selection index(VSI)to analyze habitat preferences.Outcomes/others:Results show that tree canopy,tree height,tree density,and stump quantity of used plots were significantly lower than non-used plots in summer,and that leopard cats preferred habitats located on northern,flat slopes with lower slope,shrub-dominated,dry soil,and less fallen-wood.Leopard cats had a strong tendency to use habitats near human disturbance areas with moderate levels of disturbance intensity.Conclusion:The results suggest that future conservation efforts should emphasize:(1)strengthening the protection and management of forest fringe shrub habitats to improve summer habitat suitability,and(2)environmental education and animal protection campaigns to promote community biodiversity conservation.