Research on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)is the most extensive and populous comprehensive regional cooperation organization in the world,covering about half of the world's population,with not only a huge consumer market,but also rich natural resources and strong productivity.As one of the important platforms for the implementation of the Green Belt and Road Initiative,it is an important opportunity for the SCO to actively participate in global governance and contribute to building a community of global life.To investigate the status of biodiversity conservation in the SCO countries,we used literature analysis approach.We surveyed the performance and international cooperation status of the SCO countries in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD),listed facing problems and threats to biodiversity conservation,including not optimistic biodiversity conservation project implementation status,contradiction between ecological protection and economic development,impacts of human activities,lack of funds and talents,etc.,and analyzed the biodiversity protection needs of the SCO countries from the perspectives of project and policy implementation status and international cooperation.According to the cooperation between China and the other SCO countries on biodiversity conservation and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework goals,we gave some recommendations:(1)promoting access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing;(2)integrating multiple funds and innovating the implementation of funding mechanism;(3)developing talent training and exchange programs and deepening multilateral cooperation;(4)strengthening cross-border cooperation and improving cooperation network;and(5)establishing a coordination mechanism for biodiversity conservation within the framework of the SCO.

Study on the Biological Diversity of Nematode-trapping Fungi in Erhai Lake

[Objective]The research aimed to investigate the biological diversity of nematode-trapping fungi in the sediment of Erhai Lake.[Method]616 pieces of sediments were collected from Erhai Lake.The traditional classification and identification methods were used to isolate,purify and identify.[Result]3 genera and 22 species of nematode-trapping fungi were isolated.Arthrobotrys oligospora,A.musiformis and Dactylella leptospora were the dominant species,and their detection rates were 28.05%,16.04% and 8.92% respectively.By analyzing the diversity of nematode-trapping fungi in four seasons,it was found that the biological diversity was richer in summer,spring and autumn,and the diversity indexes were 2.59,2.47 and 2.34 respectively.The diversity index in winter was 1.48 and was lower.Species forming the adhesive nets were predominant;positive rate was 41.00%.[Conclusion]The rich nematode-trapping fungi resource existed in Erhai Lake,and its biological diversity had the seasonal variation characteristic.The nematode-trapping fungi which formed the viscous net were the dominant species in Erhai Lake.

Biological Diversity, Land Degradation and Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

The 1998 Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity asked national governments to demonstrate the importance of biological diversity in supporting rural communities. This paper introduces‘agrodiversity’as the primary way in which farmers use biological diversity and, more generally, the natural diversity of the environment for production, including their choice of crops, and management of land, water and biota as a whole. Promoting agrodiversity and understanding how it functions in tropical smallholder farming systems is the best way that importance may be shown. A win-win scenario is presented which links agrodiversity to land degradation control and sustainable rural livelihoods as evidenced by food security. It is argued that policies that encourage biological diversity in areas of land use will not only meet countries’ responsibilities under the Convention but will also address land degradation problems and support to rural livelihoods. The human significance of various types of biological diversity is shown. Sustainable rural livelihoods are presented in the new capital assets framework to demonstrate how rural households may use various components to control land degradation. To enable agrodiversity to be implemented practically, it has been codified into core elements of: biophysical diversity, the diversity of the natural environment that controls the resource base for food production; management diversity that embraces the practices (many of them indigenous) of farmers such as live hedges, soil amendments and ridge tillage techniques; agro-biodiversity which is the diversity of crop, plant and animal combinations; and organisational diversity, the way that farms are owned and operated, and the way that capital assets are allocated. Each element is then systematically related to show how agrodiversity controls land degradation and how it promotes food security. The example of the maize-Mucuna system in South America is cited as an evident demonstration of the value of agrodiversity to both soil conservation and to smallholder farmers’ livelihoods.

Biological Diversity VS. Urgent Protection

Not long ago, an international symposium was held in Lhasa to discuss ways and means of protecting and managing the region’s biological diversity. Wangdui took the advantage of the occasion to interview Mr. Li Bosheng, research fellow with the Beijing Plant Research Institute and Director of the Beijing Botanical Garden. Mr. Li is one of the few who discovered the U-turn canyon on the Yarlung Zangbo River. The following is his view on the symposium theme.

Soil and Water Ecology as the Core Issue of Contemporary Biodiversity Conservation:A Case Study of the Population of Elk,an Endemic Species in China

From a new vision of the theory of soil and water ecology,it is discussed that soil and water ecology is the core issue of contemporary biodiversity protection.First,soil and water ecology constitutes the habitat for biological survival,and is the premise and foundation of biodiversity.Second,soil and water ecology is the material and energy source of biological survival and the prerequisite of biodiversity.Human beings are the beneficiaries and operators of soil and water ecology,which is related to the future and destiny of biodiversity on the earth.It should protect and restore the original,diverse,complete and clean soil and water ecology on the earth from three aspects of protecting pure natural soil and water ecology,protecting and restoring natural soil and water ecology,and building and regenerating artificial soil and water ecology,so as to fundamentally achieve biodiversity protection.

Soils Typology and Floristic Diversity of the Forest of the“Cite Scientifique”of Brazzaville,Congo

A study of the typology of soils and floristic diversity was carried out in the forest of the “Cité Scientifique” of Brazzaville. The study aimed to assess the influence of soil cover on the distribution of taxa. The study covers 18 plots of 625 m2 each, distributed in different soil profiles. The floristic inventory concerns the measurement of diameter of trees with dbh ≥ 10 cm and the counting of herbaceous and shrubs of dbh < 10 cm. The floristic composition reveals a total of 129 plant species distributed in 48 families dominated by Fabaceae and a preponderance of pioneer taxa. The Jaccard coefficients of similarity reveal a low degree of homology of woody plots, whereas for the flora as a whole, the floristic composition is heterogeneous. The Shannon biological diversity index of ligneous varies from 0.6 to 2, against a maximum diversity of 0.69 to 3. The Pielou index of ligneous (0.5 to 0.9) does not reveal any dominance. Soil cover consists of ferrallitic and podzol soils. Their texture is sandy, weakly structured, fragmentary polyhedral throughout the profile, but lumpy and/or nuciform at the surface and sub angular in depth. The porosity decreases proportionally with the depth and thickness of the horizons. The floristic analysis presents an ecosystem with a low degree of diversification for a high floristic richness. The preponderance of anthropization markers is a proof of its very advanced state of disturbance. The study shows that soil cover does not influence the distribution of timber. Indeed, the establishment and development of pioneer species are less prone to soil properties.

Degradation Performance and Biodiversity of an Anaerobic Polyvinyl Alcohol-Degrading Microbial Community

Polyvinyl alcohol( PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer that is hard to biodegrade. PVA-degrading microorganisms were previously reported as unitary bacteria and most of them have been identified as aerobes. In this work,a microbial community was cultured anaerobically and its degradation performance and biodiversity were analyzed. The microbial community was cultured for more than 40 d,which represents a highly efficient degradation performance with a chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of 88. 48%. Operational taxonomic unit-based analysis of the sequences revealed a highly diverse community in the reactor. To note,metagenome 16s rDNA sequencing delineated 19 phyla and 41 classes. Specifically, proteobacteria, chlamydiae, bacteroidetes,firmicutes,and planctomycetes play key roles in the biodegradation processes. Moreover,the betaproteobacteria class belonging to the proteobacteria phylum was the predominant bacterial members in this community. Our results demonstrated that anaerobic treatment of PVA wastewater is feasible and confers degradation by a highly diverse microbial community.

The diversity and potential function of endophytic bacteria isolated from Kobreasia capillifolia at alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau, China

A total of 50 endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from Kobreasia capillifolia at alpine grasslands in the Eastern Qilian Mountains on the Tibetan Plateau in China. Based on the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16 S r DNA genes, all isolates phylogenetically related closely to Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, Arthrobacter, Curtobacterium, Paenibacillus, Plantibacter, Promicromonospora, Serratia, and Microbacterium, among which Bacillus was the predominant genus（47.8% of the total number of endophytic isolates）. These isolates possessed different biological functions. In 50 endophytic bacteria, 42 isolates produced indole acetic acid（IAA） on King medium. There were seven isolates showing potency of mineral phosphate solubilization in Pikovaskaia＇s（PKO） liquid medium. Seven isolates exhibited antagonistic effect against Fusarium avenaceum, Colletotrichum coccodes and Phoma foveata. This was the first report on diversity and plant growth promotion of endophytic bacteria from K. capillifolia on alpine grassland in the Eastern Qilian Mountains, Chain. It is essential for revealing the relationship among plant, microorganism, and the special environment because the potential function of endophytic bacteria made a contribution to the interactions of plants and endophytic bacteria.

Biological characteristics and conservation genetics of the narrowly distributed rare plant Cinnamomum chago(Lauraceae)

Cinnarnomum chago （family Lauraceae） is an essential source of timber and oil. This plant is narrowly distributed in the western part of the Yunnan Province. In this study, the distribution, habitat, and biological characteristics of C chago were examined through field investigation. The genetic diversity and the variation of the remnant populations were also studied using the inter-simple sequence repeat technique. Results showed that C chago is mainly distributed in the upstream tributary mountains of Lancang River in Yunlong County of Yunnan Province. The species distribution exhibited a fragmented pattern with five isolated populations and high-frequency anthropogenic interference. A combination of morphological features （opposite leaves, pinnate leaf veins, absence of glandular fossa, large drupe, small punch, and pollen surface with triangular spike grain, with cushion bumps at the base） indicated that C. chago is a key phylogenetic taxon between the two sections of Asian Cinnamomurn plants （Sect. Camphora （Trew） Meissn. and Sect. Cinnamomum）. Analysis of the genetic diversity of C. chago indicated that it has a moderately high level of genetic diversity at the population and species levels （populations level： Ne - 1.629, H = 0.348, I=0.504, and PPB = 83.3%; species level： Ne - 1.864, H = 0.460, I = 0.652, and PPB - 100%）. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 17% of the genetic variation was divided between the populations, whereas 83% was observed within the populations. Based on these results, we suggest the inclusion of C. chago in the Wild Plants with Extremely Small Populations in China. Moreover, the species should be given special attention and protection. Some strategies were proposed for the conservation of the C. chago populations.

History,Current Status and Trends of the Investigation for Grassland Plant Resources at Home and Abroad

The existing main problems in the investigation for grassland plant resources are found out by systematically analyzing the history, current status and de- velopment trends of the investigation for grassland plant resources at home and abroad. The paper cxploratively points out that the investigation for grassland plant resources should focus on integrated muhidisciplinary research in the future, ultimately realizing highly efficient utilization and sharing of information in grassland plant resources.

Economic Development through Medicinal and Aromatic Plants(MAPs) Cultivation in Hindu Kush Himalaya Mountains of District Swat, Pakistan

Poverty is pervasive in the Swat Valley in northwestern Pakistan, and most people survive by farming small landholdings. However, many supplement their meager subsistence earnings by collecting and selling plant material for use in herbal medicine. This material is wild-harvested, but collectors seem not to fully appreciate the potential value of the plant material they collect nor the longterm impact their collection has on local plant populations. A model project supported by the International Food Policy Research Institute(IFPRI)persuaded small-scale farmers in four different villages to use some of their land for cultivating traditionally wild-harvested species of medicinal and aromatic plants(MAPs) with high market value. The farmers were provided seeds or rhizomes of five MAPs and asked to monitor their germination and growth on 25 m2 plots during a 12 month period. At the end of the study, growth and yield data from the four localities were compared and economic analyses conducted to determine the profitability of the species based on yields, prevailing market prices, and costs of production. Five of the cultivated species were subsequently marketed and their value evaluated:Sesamum indicum, Linum usitatissimum, Ocimum basilicum, Nigella sativa and Viola pilosa. The MAPs V. pilosa and O. basilicum were the most profitable,whereas Nigella sativa was the least profitable because of its low germination rate. The net income from all but Nigella was higher than that would have been earned by planting the same area with the predominant cereals or tomatoes. In addition to demonstrating the feasibility and financial benefits of cultivating MAPs as a cash crop, this model study identified a number of additional steps that would increase the benefits of MAPs cultivation in this area.A combination of specialized education, market infrastructure development and a small loans program would enable farmers to increase their agricultural income without damaging the area's plant diversity.

Limnology and ecology of lakes along the S?ya Coast, East Antarctica

The Soya Coast in East Antarctica has several ice-free areas where many small （〈1 km2） and shallow （〈50 m depth） glacial lakes display various limnological features. Geological, biological, and ecological studies conducted by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions since 1957 are reviewed herein. Most of the lakes along the coast are oligotrophic; however, water quality is highly variable depending on differences in lake morphology and history. Geophysical and paleolimnological studies suggest that most of the lakes appeared after the Last Glacial Maximum （LGM） and have since maintained a lacustrine condition. The ubiquitous occurrence of benthic microbial assemblages with low phytoplankton biomasses is a common feature of other Antarctic lakes. However, diverse benthic assemblages such as moss pillars and large pinnacle microbial structures are found in the lake basins. Frequent and continuous limnological studies have revealed three typical water circulation patterns, underwater light climate features （too much light, which includes UV radiation during the ice free season）, and the structure of benthic assemblages based on their photosynthetic physiology. The phenomenon of mass floatation of benthic assemblages was observed in a lake during the ice-covered season; this was explained by seasonal environmental conditions. Thus, a hypothesis was formulated based on ecological matter cycling, eutrophication, and lake succession processes.

Analysis of the Estonian Forest Conservation Area Network

Estonian Forestry Development Programme set in 2003 ambitious goal that area of strictly protected forests should increase at least to 10% from total forest area in Estonia before 2010 by expanding the area of old-growth under protection, improving the representativeness of conservation areas and establishment of large conservation sites. Inventory of forests was carried out on existing and possible new conservation areas within the Estonian Forest Conservation Area Network project （EFCAN） in 1999-2001. EFCAN project had remarkable results. The share of strictly protected forests has increased to 7.8% of total forest area by 2009 and the network of conservation areas is quite well covering all forest ecosystems in Estonia. Several selected areas are still not protected for different reasons. These areas should still be considered for protection as the areas may lose their conservation value. Several forest types （meso-eutrophic, eutrophic boreo-nemoral and eutrophic paludifying forests） should have larger area for conservation and large disturbance areas （wind damage, forest fire） should be also included into the network.

Challenges and possible solutions to creating an achievable and effective Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Global biodiversity is in crisis as a result of human activity.This biodiversity crisis has been well documented by scientists,recognized by world leaders,politicians,businesses,and citizens.Both the biodiversity and climate crises need to be addressed now.2020 was when this change was supposed to start,with the 15th Conference of Parties(COP15)of the Convention on Biodiversity(CBD)meeting in Kunming,and the 26th Conference of Parties(COP26)of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meeting in Glasgow,but both meetings were postponed.COP26 was held a year late(November 2021),while COP15 was split into two,with the first part held in Kunming in October 2021,and the second part scheduled for Montreal in December 2022.This meeting in Montreal-arguably the most important in the CBDs history-must agree on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework(GBF),to reverse biodiversity loss.Failure to reach agreement in Montreal would ultimately be a failure of us all,with irreversible consequences for life on earth.Yet,with three months before the final deadline only 20%of text and two targets are agreed.This paper reviews the factors hindering progress on the agreement and suggests possible solutions.

Deep-sea organisms research oriented by deep-sea technologies development

Deep-sea environment,characterized by high pressures,extremely high/low temperatures,limited photosynthesis-generated organic matter,darkness,and high levels of corrosion,is home to flourishing special ecosystems in the world.Here,we illustrate how the deep-sea equipment offers insights into the study of life in the deep sea based on the work in the past five decades.We first describe how organisms in the deep sea are studied,even though it is highly difficult to get access to such extreme environments.We then explain the role of deep-sea technologies in advancing research on the evolution of organisms in hydrothermal vents,cold seeps,seamounts,oceanic trenches,and whale falls from the following perspectives:biological diversity,mechanisms of environmental adaptation,biological evolution,and ecosystem connectivity.Finally,to better understand the function and service of deep-sea organisms,and further conserve the special creatures under anthropologic activity and climate change,we highlight the importance of innovative deep-sea technologies to promote cutting-edge research on deep-sea organisms,and note the remaining challenges and developing directions for deep-sea equipment.

Microbial responses to combined oxidation and catalysis treatment of 1,4-dioxane and co-contaminants in groundwater and soil

Post-treatment impacts of a novel combined hydrogen peroxide(H2O_(2))oxidation and WOx/ZrO_(2) catalysis used for the removal of 1,4-dioxane and chlorinated volatile organic compound(CVOC)contaminants were investigated in soil and groundwater microbial community.This treatment train removed~90%1,4-dioxane regardless of initial concentrations of 1,4-dioxane and CVOCs.The Illumina Miseq platform and bioinformatics were used to study the changes to microbial community structure.This approach determined that dynamic shifts of microbiomes were associated with conditions specific to treatments as well as 1,4-dioxane and CVOCs mixtures.The biodiversity was observed to decrease only after oxidation under conditions that included high levels of 1,4-dioxane and CVOCs,but increased when 1,4-dioxane was present without CVOCs.WO_(x)/ZrO_(2) catalysis reduced biodiversity across all conditions.Taxonomic classification demonstrated oxidative tolerance for members of the genera Massilia and Rhodococcus,while catalyst tolerance was observed for members of the genera Sphingomonas and Devosia.Linear discriminant analysis effect size was a useful statistical tool to highlight representative microbes,while the multidimensional analysis elucidated the separation of microbiomes under the low 1,4-dioxane-only condition from all other conditions containing CVOCs,as well as the differences of microbial population among original,post-oxidation,and post-catalysis states.The results of this study enhance our understanding of microbial community responses to a promising chemical treatment train,and the metagenomic analysis will help practitioners predict the microbial community status during the post-treatment period,which may have consequences for long-term management strategies that include additional biodegradation treatment or natural attenuation.

The size distribution of airborne bacteria and human pathogenic bacteria in a commercial composting plant

Composting plants are regarded as one of the important sources of environmental bioaerosols.However,limitations in the size distribution of airborne bacteria have prevented our comprehensive understanding of their risk to human health and their dispersal behavior.In this study,different sizes of airborne bacteria were collected using an eight-stage impactor from a full-scale composting facility.Size-related abundance and communities of airborne bacteria as well as human pathogenic bacteria(HPB)were investigated using 16S rRNA gene sequencing coupled with droplet digital PCR.Our results indicate that the bacterial concentrations from the eight stages were approximately 10^(4)-105copies/m^(3).Although no statistical correlation was detected between the particle size and the Shannon index,the influence of size on bacterial lineages was observed in both composting and packaging areas.For airborne bacteria from different stages,the dominant phyla were Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,and Actinobacteria,and the dominant genera was Bacillus.Seven out of eight HPB with a small geometric mean aerodynamic diameter had a high concentration in composting areas.Based on diameters of 2.42 to 5.09μm,most HPB in the composting areas were expected to be deposited on the bronchus and secondary bronchus.However,in the packaging areas,the deposition of HPB(diameters 3.70 to 8.96μm)occurred in the upper part of the respiratory tract.Our results on the size distribution,abundance,and diversity of these bacteria offer important information for the systematic evaluation of bacterial pathogenicity and the potential health impacts on workers in composting plants and the surrounding residents.

Ecological explanations for successful invasion of exotic plants

The intentional introduction of exotic species can increase the level of local biodiversity,enrich people’s material lives,and bring significant social and economic benefits that are also the symbols of human progress.However,along with the frequent intercourse among countries and regions,the frequency of uncontrolled crossregional migration of species is increased and there is a lack of scientific management strategy for the intentional introduction of exotic species.Exotic species invasion,which is behind habitat fragmentation,has become the second largest threatening factor to the maintenance of the global-scale level of biological diversity.Exotic species invasion can destroy the structure of an ecosystem,disturb the economic life of a society,and do harm to human health.In this paper,the authors review some of the ecological explanations for issues such as“what causes or mechanisms have led to the successful invasion of exotic species”,including the“ideal weeds characteristics”,“biodiversity resistance hypothesis”,“enemies release hypothesis”,“evolution of increased competitive ability hypothesis”,“niche opportunity hypothesis”,and“novel weapon hypothesis”.The authors also analyze and evaluate the background and theoretical basis of the hypotheses,providing explanations for some phenomena,as well as the deficiencies of these explanations.

Oleic acid promotes atherosclerosis via multiple pathophysiological mechanisms:a narrative review

An increasing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that atherosclerosis is caused by multiple factors and mechanisms.A better understanding of the contribution of hypertriglyceridemia or oleic acid to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis would significantly increase our ability to successfully treat these diseases.We propose that oleic acid promotes atherosclerosis via multiple pathophysiological mechanisms.Here we suggest that(1)atherosclerosis may develop through multiple pathophysiological mechanisms and that this may be a common feature of human diseases;(2)diseases may be the consequence of natural selection or the interaction of internal and external factors;(3)diseases should be recognized with“biological diversity,”and that this concept should be introduced into medical education,clinical treatment,drug research and development,and medical research.The work reported here will benefit a new generation of medical trainees and promote the development of the relevant medical fields.

Direct construction of 3',4'-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2'-oxindoles]through a cascade Michael/cyclization reaction of 3-aminoindolin-2-ones with enones/enals

A simple and efficient cascade Michael/cyclization reaction of 3-aminoindolin-2-ones with enones/enals was identified for the synthesis of potentially biologically active 3＇,4＇-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2＇-oxindoles], using DBU as an efficient catalyst and ethylene glycol as an environmentally benign solvent. More diverse 3＇,4＇-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2＇-oxindoles] analog libraries were prepared in good yields（up to 97%）. The structure of 3＇,4＇-dihydrospiro[pyrrol-3,2＇-oxindoles] was confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis, NMR analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The main advantages of this method include the availability of starting materials, simple experimental operation, short reaction time,as well as high yields observed.