A Green Wall for a Great Desert

The Taklimakan Desert,China’s largest desert and the world’s second-largest shifting desert,is now fully encircled by a 3,046-km sand-blocking green belt.Located in northwest China,the desert spans 337,600 square km.Encircling the desert with a green belt was a monumental undertaking,taking more than 40 years to complete.Alongside this project,sand-based industries,such as the cultivation of cistanche and other crops,have been developed to raise local incomes.

The effects of the identity of shrub species on the distribution and diversity of ground arthropods in a sandy desert ecosystem of northwestern China

Shrub is an important factor on structuring ground arthropod communities in desert ecosystems. In this study, in order to determine how shrubs and their species influence ground arthropod distribution patterns in a sandy desert scrubland dominated by two different shrub species, Calligonum mongolicum and Nitraria sphaerocarpa, the ground arthropods were sampled with pitfall traps during spring, summer and autumn. At the community level, total arthropod abundance was shown to be significantly higher under shrubs than in intershrub bare areas in spring; similar patterns occurred in terms of the richness of arthropod groups in the spring and over three seasons, suggesting season-specific shrub presence effects on arthropod activity. In addition, more arthropods were found under N. sphaerocarpa shrubs than under C. rnongolicum shrubs in autumn, suggesting season-specific effects of shrub species of arthropod activity, whereas more arthropods taxa were captured under C. mongoIicum than N. sphaerocarpa. At the trophic group level, the abundances of predator and herbivore arthropods were significantly greater under shrubs than in intershrub bare habitats, whereas herbivore arthropods were more abundant under N. sphaerocarpa than C. rnongolicum, and an opposite rule was detected for predator arthropods At the family level, the mean abundances of Carabidae, Curculionidae, Gnaphosidae and Lycosidae were significantly higher in the shrub microhabitats than in the intershrub bare habitat, there was no significant difference between habitats on the mean abundances of Formicidae and Tenebrionidae. The study results suggested that shrub presence and shrub species variation are important determinants of ground arthropod assemblages in this desert ecosystem, but the responses of ar- thropods differed among trophic and taxonomic groups.

Drought Resistance of Twelve Desert Shrubs at Seedling Stage of Ulan Buh Desert Ecosystem

[Objective] To establish drought resistance evaluation index system of desert shrubs,and provide scientific support for selecting quality tree species.[Method] Taking 2-year-old seedlings of 12 desert shrubs in Ulan Buh Desert ecosystem as the test materials,7 water physiological indexes were tested,principal component analysis and cluster analysis were applied to explore drought resistance of the shrubs.[Results](a) Water potential of Ephedra distachya Linn.,Nitraia tangutorum Bobr.,Caragana korshinski Kom.was lower than that of the other 9 species;bound water content(V_a) and bound water/free water ratio(V_a/V_s) of Zygophyl um xanthoxylon Maxim.was 64.20% and 3.3,higher than the others';transpiration rate of Atraphaxis bracteata A.Los.,Nitraia tangutorum Bobr.and Tamarix elongata Ldb.was significantly lower than the others';constant weight time of Haloxylon ammodendron(C.A.Mey.) Bunge and Ephedra distachya Linn.was the longest(144 h);residual moisture content of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus Maxim.was the highest(44.80%).(b) Water potential,bound water/free water(V_a/V_s),residual moisture content,bound water,constant weight time,and transpiration rate had great impact on drought resistance of plant,and the accumulative variance contribution rate achieved 87.59%.[Conclusion] According to the drought resistance,the 12 species were classified into 3 categories,namely shrubs with strong drought resistance(Ephedra distachya Linn.),shrubs with moderate drought resistance(Haloxylon ammodendron(C.A.Mey.) Bunge,Nitraia tangutorum Bobr.,and Zygophyllum xanthoxylon Maxim.);shrubs with poor drought resistance(Hedysarunn scoparium Fisch,Hedysarum mongolicum Turcz.,Tamarix elongata Ldb.,Caragana korshinskii Kom.,Ammopiptanthus mongolicus Maxim.,Atraphaxis bracteata A.Los.,Cal igonum mongolicum Mattei.,and Caragana microphylla Lam.).

Water-use efficiency in response to simulated increasing precipitation in a temperate desert ecosystem of Xinjiang, China

Water-use efficiency（WUE） is a key plant functional trait that plays a central role in the global cycles of water and carbon. Although increasing precipitation may cause vegetation changes, few studies have explored the linkage between alteration in vegetation and WUE. Here, we analyzed the responses of leaf WUE, ecosystem carbon and water exchanges, ecosystem WUE, and plant community composition changes under normal conditions and also under extra 15% or 30% increases in annual precipitation in a temperate desert ecosystem of Xinjiang, China. We found that leaf WUE and ecosystem WUE showed inconsistent responses to increasing precipitation. Leaf WUE consistently decreased as precipitation increased. By contrast, the responses of the ecosystem WUE to increasing precipitation are different in different precipitation regimes： increasing by 33.9% in the wet year（i.e., the normal precipitation years）and decreasing by 4.1% in the dry year when the precipitation was about 30% less than that in the wet year.We systematically assessed the herbaceous community dynamics, community composition, and vegetation coverage to explain the responses of ecosystem WUE, and found that the between-year discrepancy in ecosystem WUE was consistent with the extent to which plant biomass was stimulated by the increase in precipitation. Although there was no change in the relative significance of ephemerals in the plant community, its greater overall plant biomass drove an increased ecosystem WUE under the conditions of increasing precipitation in 2011. However, the slight increase in plant biomass exerted no significant effect on ecosystem WUE in 2012. Our findings suggest that an alteration in the dominant species in this plant community can induce a shift in the carbon-and water-based economics of desert ecosystems.

Shrub modulates the stoichiometry of moss and soil in desert ecosystems, China

Desert mosses, which are important stabilizers in desert ecosystems, are distributed patchily under and between shrubs. Mosses differ from vascular plants in the ways they take up nutrients. Clarifying their distribution with ecological stoichiometry may be useful in explaining their mechanisms of living in different microhabitats. In this study, Syntrichia caninervis, the dominant moss species of moss crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert, China, was selected to examine the study of stoichiometric characteristics in three microhabitats(under living shrubs, under dead shrubs and in exposed ground). The stoichiometry and enzyme activity of rhizosphere soil were analyzed. The plant function in the above-ground and below-ground parts of S. caninervis is significantly different, so the stoichiometry of the above-ground and below-ground parts might also be different. Results showed that carbon(C), nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) contents in the below-ground parts of S. caninervis were significantly lower than those in the above-ground parts. The highest N and P contents of the two parts were found under living shrubs and the lowest under dead shrubs. The C contents of the two parts did not differ significantly among the three microhabitats. In contrast, the ratios of C:N and C:P in the below-ground parts were higher than those in the above-ground parts in all microhabitats, with significant differences in the microhabitats of exposed ground and under living shrubs. There was an increasing trend in soil organic carbon(SOC), soil total nitrogen(STN), soil available phosphorous(SAP), and C:P and N:P ratios from exposed ground to under living shrubs and to under dead shrubs. No significant differences were found in soil total phosphorous(STP) and soil available nitrogen(SAN), or in ratios of C:N and SAN:SAP. Higher soil urease(SUE) and soil nitrate reductase(SNR) activities were found in soil under dead shrubs, while higher soil sucrase(STC) and soil β-glucosidase(SBG) activities were respectively found in exposed ground and under living shrubs. Soil alkaline phosphatase(AKP) activity reached its lowest value under dead shrubs, and there was no significant difference between the microhabitats of exposed ground and under living shrubs. Results indicated that the photosynthesis-related C of S. caninervis remained stable under the three microhabitats while N and P were mediated by the microhabitats. The growth strategy of S. caninervis varied in different microhabitats because of the different energy cycles and nutrient balances. The changes of stoichiometry in soil were not mirrored in the moss. We conclude that microhabitat could change the growth strategy of moss and nutrients cycling of moss patches.

Carbon uptake and change in net primary productivity of oasis-desert ecosystem in arid western China with remote sensing technique

Arid and semi-arid ecosystems exhibit a spatially complex biogeophysical structure. According to arid western special climate-vegetation characters, the fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation （PV）, non-photosynthetic vegetation （NPV）, bare soil and water are unmixed, using the remote sensing spectral mixture analysis. We try the method to unmix the canopy funation structure of arid land cover in order to avoid the differentiation of regional vegetation system and the disturbance of environmental background. We developed a modified production efficiency model NPP-PEM appropriate for the arid area at regional scale based on the concept of radiation use efficiency. This model refer to the GLO-PEM and CASA model was driven with remotely sensed observations, and calculates not just the conversion efficiency of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation but also the carbon fluxes that determine net primary productivity （NPP）. We apply and validate the model in the Kaxger and Yarkant river basins in arid western China. The NPP of the study area in 1992 and 1998 was estimated based on the NPP-PEM model. The results show that the improved PEM model, considering the photosynthetical activation of heterogeneous functional vegetation, is in good agreement with field measurements and the existing literature. An accurate agreement （R2= 0.85, P〈0.001） between the estimates and the ground-based measurement was obtained. The spatial distribution of mountain-oasis-desert ecosystem shows an obvious heterogeneous carbon uptake. The results are applicable to arid ecosystem studies ranging from characterizing carbon cycle, carbon flux over arid areas to monitoring change in mountain-oasis-desert productivity, stress and management.

Spatio-Temporal Effect on Soil Respiration in Fine-Scale Patches in a Desert Ecosystem

Soil organisms in terrestrial systems are unevenly distributed in time and space, and often aggregated. Spatiotemporal patchiness in the soil environment is thought to be crucial for the maintenance of soil biodiversity, providing diverse microhabitats tightly interweaving with resource partitioning. Determination of a ＂scale unit＂ to help understand ecological processes has become one of the important and most debatable problems in recent years. A fieldwork was carried out in the northern Negev Desert highland, Israel to determine the influence of fine-scale landscape patch moisture heterogeneity on biogeochemical variables and microbial activity linkage in a desert ecosystem. The results showed that the spatio-temporal patchiness of soil moisture to which we attribute influential properties, was found to become more heterogenic with the decrease in soil moisture availability （from 8.2 to 0.4 g kg^-1） toward the hot, dry seasons, with coefficient of variation （CV） change amounting to 66.9%. Spatio-temporal distribution of organic matter （OM） and total soluble nitrogen （TSN） was found to be relatively uniformly distributed throughout the wet seasons （winter and spring）, with increase of relatively high heterogeneity toward the dry seasons （from 0.25% to 2.17% for OM, and from 0 to 10.2 mg kg^-1 for TSN） with CV of 47.4% and 99.7% for OM and TSN, respectively. Different spatio-temporal landscape patterns were obtained for Ca （CV = 44.6%）, K （CV = 34.4%）, and Na （CV = 92%） ions throughout the study period. CO2 evolution （CV = 48.6%） was found to be of lower heterogeneity （varying between 2 and 39 g CO2-C g^-1 dry soil h^-1） in the moist seasons, e.g., winter and spring, with lower values of respiration coupled with high heterogeneity of Na^＋ and low levels of TSN and organic matter content, and with more homogeneity in the dry seasons （varying between 1 and 50 g CO2-C g^-1 dry soil h^-1）. Our results elucidate the heterogeneity and complexity of desert system habitats affecting soil biota activity.

Soil restoration research advances of artificial sand-binding vegetation ecosystem in the Tengger Desert, Northern China

Soil plays an important role in desert ecosystem, and is vital in constructing a steady desert ecosystem. The management and restoration of desertified land have been the focus of much discussion. The soil in Shapotou desert region has developed remarkably since artificial sand-binding vegetation established in 1946. The longer the period of dune stabilization, the greater the thickness of microbiotic crusts and subsoil. Meanwhile, proportion of silt and clay increased significantly, and soil bulk density declinced. The content of soil organic matter, N, P, and K similarly increased. Therefore, soil has developed from aeolian sand soil to Calcic-Orthic aridisols. This paper discusses the effects brought about by dust, microbiotic soil crust and soil microbes on soil-forming process. Then, we analyzed the relation between soil formation and sand-binding vegetation evolution, in order to provide a baseline for both research on desert ecosystem recovery and ecological environment governance in arid and semi-arid areas.

How changes of groundwater level affect the desert riparian forest ecosystem in the Ejina Oasis,Northwest China

Groundwater is a key factor controlling the growth of vegetation in desert riparian systems. It is important to recognise how groundwater changes affect the riparian forest ecosystem. This information will not only help us to understand the ecological and hydrological process of the riparian forest but also provide support for ecological recovery of riparian forests and water-resources management of arid inland river basins. This study aims to estimate the suitability of the Water Vegetation Energy and Solute Modelling(WAVES) model to simulate the Ejina Desert riparian forest ecosystem changes,China, to assess effects of groundwater-depth change on the canopy leaf area index(LAI) and water budgets, and to ascertain the suitable groundwater depth for preserving the stability and structure of desert riparian forest. Results demonstrated that the WAVES model can simulate changes to ecological and hydrological processes. The annual mean water consumption of a Tamarix chinensis riparian forest was less than that of a Populus euphratica riparian forest, and the canopy LAI of the desert riparian forest should increase as groundwater depth decreases. Groundwater changes could significantly influence water budgets for T. chinensis and P. euphratica riparian forests and show the positive and negative effects on vegetation growth and water budgets of riparian forests. Maintaining the annual mean groundwater depth at around 1.7-2.7 m is critical for healthy riparian forest growth. This study highlights the importance of considering groundwater-change impacts on desert riparian vegetation and water-balance applications in ecological restoration and efficient water-resource management in the Heihe River Basin.

Portrayal of Camel Production in The Desert Ecosystem of Pakistan

Camel plays a pivotal role in the subsistence pastoral economy of diverse ecozones extending from Gobi Desert and India in central Asia to Somalia and Ethiopia in the horn of Africa.Camel has special attributes including its appearance and ability to survive in hot,harsh and versatile arid environments.Camel has fascinated mankind as it can tolerate many stresses like heat;scarcity of water;water with high salinity and shortage of feed.Camel can digest dry matter and coarse crude fiber better than any other ruminants.Among domestic animals,the dromedary is most important animal being survive in hot,arid and semi-arid regions and has potential to produce higher quality foods(meat and milk)under extreme environments at lower costs.Camel can tolerate solar radiations,higher temperatures and water scarcity.Camel consume those feed materials which remain un-utilized by other domestic animals,thus thrive well on sandy deserts with poor vegetation.Adaptation of Camelids in Pakistan is very well to their native environment as they are performing and well sustaining a life in hostile deserts.The dromedaries provide milk and meat to the pastorals and herders in those areas where the survival of other livestock species is very tough.So,camels equilibrate the food security chain in the deep deserts and provide nourishment to its keepers;proving it to be a good candidate of food security and sovereignty in the desert ecosystem.

Compounding effects of human activities and climatic changes on coexistence of oasis-desert ecosystems:Prioritizing resilient decision-making for a riskier world

Water-salt balance is critical for the stable coexistence of salt-affected and groundwater-fed oasis-desert ecosystems. Yet, a comprehensive investigation of how soil salinization and groundwater degradation threaten the coexistence of oasis-desert ecosystems is still scarce, especially under the compounding effects of human activities and climatic changes. Here, we assessed the impacts of irrigated agriculture on hydrological regimes in oasisdesert systems, investigated the spatio-temporal variations of soil salinization in irrigated cropland, and evaluated the implications of the interplays of soil salinization and groundwater degradation on the coexistence of oasis-desert ecosystems in northwestern China, based on meaningful modelling approaches and comprehensive measurements over 1995–2020. The results showed that the irrigation return flow coefficient decreased sharply from 0.21 ± 0.09 in the traditional irrigation period to 0.09 ± 0.01 in the water-saving irrigation period. The continuous drop in groundwater tables and significant degradation of groundwater quality are occurring throughout this watershed. The eco-environmental flows are reaching to their limit with watershed closures(i.e.,the drainage from the oasis region into the desert region is being weakened or even eliminated), although these progressions were largely hidden by regional precipitation and streamflow variability. The process of salt migration and accumulation across different landscapes in oasis-desert system is being reshaped, and soil salinization in water-saving agricultural irrigated lands is accelerating with a regional average annual growth rate of18%. The vegetation in this watershed is degrading, and anthropogenic disturbance accelerates this trend. Our results highlight that environmental stress adaptation strategies must account for resilience maintenance to avoid accelerating catastrophic transitions in oasis-desert ecosystems. Determining the optimal oasis scales and formulating the best irrigation management plans are effective and resilient decision-making ways to maintain the coexistence relationship of oasis-desert ecosystem in drylands.

Implication of community-level ecophysiological parameterization to modelling ecosystem productivity:a case study across nine contrasting forest sites in eastern China

Parameterization is a critical step in modelling ecosystem dynamics.However,assigning parameter values can be a technical challenge for structurally complex natural plant communities;uncertainties in model simulations often arise from inappropriate model parameterization.Here we compared five methods for defining community-level specific leaf area(SLA)and leaf C:N across nine contrasting forest sites along the North-South Transect of Eastern China,including biomass-weighted average for the entire plant community(AP_BW)and four simplified selective sampling(biomass-weighted average over five dominant tree species[5DT_BW],basal area weighted average over five dominant tree species[5DT_AW],biomass-weighted average over all tree species[AT_BW]and basal area weighted average over all tree species[AT_AW]).We found that the default values for SLA and leaf C:N embedded in the Biome-BGC v4.2 were higher than the five computational methods produced across the nine sites,with deviations ranging from 28.0 to 73.3%.In addition,there were only slight deviations(<10%)between the whole plant community sampling(AP_BW)predicted NPP and the four simplified selective sampling methods,and no significant difference between the predictions of AT_BW and AP_BW except the Shennongjia site.The findings in this study highlights the critical importance of computational strategies for community-level parameterization in ecosystem process modelling,and will support the choice of parameterization methods.

Changes in the ecosystem structure and function of a cyanobacteria bloom-dominated,shallow lake after tenyear eutrophication management

Large and shallow lakes are widely influenced by multiple anthropogenic stressors,including eutrophication.Normally,diverse strategies of eutrophication management are needed to restore the lake ecosystems.Dianchi Lake,a subtropical plateau lake in Yunnan Province,SW China,has long experienced the effects of eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms.To mitigate the eutrophication of Dianchi Lake,various efforts have been implemented since 2000,including reducing nutrient inputs,reestablishing aquatic macrophytes in lakeside zones,manipulating fishes and so on.However,little is known about the changes in its ecosystem structure and function after long-term efforts of eutrophication management in the lake.Therefore,this study on such changes was conducted by comparing the field data-based Ecopath models between 2009 and 2019,a decade marked by a rapid implementation of eutrophication management policies.Results show that both top-down and bottom-up processes have influenced the ecosystem structure and function.First,over this decade,nutrient reduction significantly reduced phytoplankton biomass by 49.4%.Nutrient recycling and path length in food web began to decrease,as indicated by the decrease of Finn's cycling index and Finn's mean path length.Secondly,fishing management strategy has greatly changed the composition of fish assemblage,which was dominated by the small zooplantivorous fishes with ecological niche overlapping with shrimps.In general,the stability of the ecosystem has been decreasing,due to the dramatic decrease in zooplankton biomass(83.67%)and hence a collapse of the microbial loop in the food web.Therefore,we strongly advocate the persistent efforts to mitigate the risk of recurrent cyanobacteria blooms in Dianchi Lake,necessitating stricter regulation of nutrient levels and implementing effective fish population management techniques.

Groundwater recharge via precipitation in the Badain Jaran Desert,China

Precipitation infiltration serves as a significant source of groundwater in the Badain Jaran Desert.To investigate variations in precipitation infiltration within the desert,this study collected data on moisture content and temperature from the vadose zone through in-situ field monitoring.Utilizing these data,a numerical model is employed to explore the mechanism of groundwater recharge via precipitation.The results are as follows:(1)Moisture content and temperature in the shallow vadose zone exhibit significant seasonal variations,with moisture content diminishing with increasing depth;(2)Groundwater recharge via precipitation infiltration initially increases and then decreases with groundwater level depth(GWD).Peak groundwater recharge via precipitation occurs at a GWD of 0.75 m,decreasing to merely 0.012 cm at GWDs exceeding 2 m;(3)Groundwater is no longer susceptible to phreatic water evaporation when the GWD reaches approximately 3.7 m.Therefore,GWD plays a crucial role in governing groundwater recharge via precipitation in the Badain Jaran Desert.

Effect analysis of biomineralization for solidifying desert sands

The sand-dust weather has become an environmental hazard in the world.However,it is still a challenge to control sandstorms and decrease sand-dust weather.The biomineralization technology for solidifying desert sands has been developed as a novel method in recent years.In this study,the wind erosion tests and verification tests of the sand solidification system were conducted via a series of laboratory experiments.The effects of sand barriers,injecting volume and concentration of the biochemical solution in the sandstorm protection were studied.Moreover,a field test of 60,000 square metres was conducted in the solidification area on both sides of the Wuma Highway in the Tengri Desert.The biomineralization technique was used to solidify sand to prevent the wind from blowing quicksand onto the newly built highway and causing accidents.Results demonstrated that the biomineralization sand solidification method had a good solidification==effect,improved the survival rate,and promoted the growth of plants in the desert.This innovative biomineralization technology is an environmentally responsible technology to control sandstorm disasters.

Floristic composition and edaphic relationships in ferruginous campo rupestre reference ecosystems

Land use change and occupation have led to modifications in the environment causing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services throughout the planet.Some environments with high economic relevance,such as the ferruginous campo rupestre(rupestrian grassland known as Canga in Brazil),are even more susceptible to severe impacts due to their extreme habitat conditions and low resilience.The determination of reference ecosystems based on the intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystem is essential for conservation as well as to the implementation of ecological restoration.We proposed the reference ecosystem of the three main types of habitats of the ferruginous campo rupestre based on their floristic composition.We described the floristic composition of each habitat and evaluated the physicochemical properties of the soils and the relationship between plants and soils.All three habitats showed high diversity of plant species and many endemic species,such as Chamaecrista choriophylla,Cuphea pseudovaccinium,Lychnophora pinaster,and Vellozia subalata.The distribution of vegetation was strongly related with the edaphic characteristics,with a set of species more adapted to high concentration of base saturation,fine sand,organic carbon,and iron,while another set of species succeeded in more acidic soils with higher S and silt concentration.We provide support for the contention that the ferruginous campo rupestre is a mosaic of different habitats shaped by intrinsic local conditions.Failure to recognize the floristic composition of each particular habitat can lead to inappropriate restoration,increased habitat homogenization and increased loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.This study also advances the knowledge base for building the reference ecosystem for the different types of ferruginous campo rupestre habitats,as well as a key database for highlighting those species contribute most to community assembly in this diverse and threatened tropical mountain ecosystem.

Desert ecological control and ecological industrial construction: Practice and inspiration from China

Desertification poses significant threats to the ecological security and sustainable economic and social development of countries worldwide. In China, existing desertified land primarily lies between 35°–50°N, covering arid and semi-arid regions and a total area of 1.688×106 km^(2), which represents 17.58%of the total territorial area of the country (Fig. 1).

Origin and geochemical characteristics of beryllium mineralization in the Zabara-Wadi El Gemal region,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

Beryl is the commercial source of beryllium and several varieties of it are valued as a gemstone.To contribute to understanding the mechanism of beryl formation,we carried out detailed geological,petrographical,and geochemical investigations on beryl mineralization occurrences in the Zabara-Wadi El Gemal(Z-WG)region.This region is an NW-SE trending tract that includes six berylhosting areas.The green gem variety of beryl(emerald)is restricted to phlogopite schist,pegmatite,and quartz veins.Prismatic hexagonal emerald crystals are well-developed in phlogopite schist and pegmatite.The gem variety emerald examined is sodic and Cr-dominant.It contains high concentrations of chromophore transition elements ordering Cr(up to 1511 ppm)>V(up to 242 ppm)>Sc(up to 245 ppm),giving rise to its vivid green color,refl ecting mafic-ultramafic source contribution.Among the investigated emeralds,the Sikait area contains the highest BeO(av.10.76wt.%)concentration.The compositional variability of emeralds is most likely attributed to the contribution from the host rocks.This is revealed by the examined emerald mineralization,for instance;the Abu Rusheid area(one of the best areas exposing rare metal-bearing granitoids)possesses the highest average of trace and REEs concentrations.In contrast,Um Kabu emerald has the highest contents of Co(av.20 ppm),Ni(av.299 ppm),MgO(av.8.2wt.%),Fe_(2)O_(3)(av.3.12wt.%),and CaO(avg.3.4wt.%)relative to other areas,which may be linked to contribution of ultramafic rocks exposed there.The proposed mechanism we suggest for emerald genesis is metasomatic interaction between felsic intrusions,that are enriched with K,Na,Be,Li,and B,with mafic-ultramafic rocks that are enriched in Cr,V,Mg,Fe,and Ca.This interaction is marked by the formation of phlogopite schist,the growth of emerald crystals,and desilicated pegmatite.

Exploring the unique biophysical characteristics and ecosystem services of mountains: A review

Mountains are unique terrestrial ecosystems characterized by distinct physiography,biological diversity,and socio-economic features.These ecosystems provide numerous essential goods and services to communities within and beyond the mountains.Despite their significance,comprehensive studies that thoroughly characterize the ecosystem services of mountains are lacking.Such research is crucial to advance scientific understanding of mountain characteristics and ecosystem services.This study investigates mountain regions’unique characteristics and ecosystem services using global datasets such as the U.S.Geological Survey(USGS),the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment(GMBA),NASA EARTHDATA,and other relevant databases and literature review.The focus was to explore unique physiographic and socio-economic characteristics and ecosystem services provided by mountains.The results indicate that mountain ecosystems are pivotal in offering provisional,regulatory,and supporting ecosystem services on Earth.Despite their limited geographical area,these ecosystems supply substantial amounts of freshwater to communities living within and downstream of mountainous regions.Additionally,mountain ecosystems serve as global biodiversity hotspots,harboring a significant proportion of the world's species.However,mountain ecosystems face numerous natural and anthropogenic challenges,including climate change,habitat destruction,and resource overexploitation.Current efforts towards sustainable mountain development are inadequate.Enhanced scientific research and targeted policy measures are essential to address these challenges,protect mountain biodiversity,and ensure the continuous provision of vital ecosystem services.

Visualization Analysis of the Impact of Rubber Agroforestry Ecosystem on Soil Microbial Community

Rubber agroforestry systems positively impact soil microbial communities. This study employed a bibliometric approach to explore the research status, hotspots, and development trends related to these effects. Using CiteSpace software, we visually analyzed research literature from the Web of Science (WOS) core database, spanning 2004 to 2024. The focus was on the impact of rubber agroforestry ecosystems on soil microbial communities. The results indicate significant attention from Chinese researchers, who have published numerous influential papers in this field. Authors Liu Wenjie have contributed the most papers, although no stable core author group exists. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the leading research institution in terms of publication volume. While there is close collaboration between different institutions and countries, the intensity of researcher cooperation is low. The most cited literature emphasizes soil nutrients and structure in rubber agroforestry, laying a foundation for soil microorganism studies. Most cited journals are from countries like Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Key research areas include the effects of rubber intercropping on soil microbial communities, agroforestry management, and soil health. Research development can be divided into three stages: the initial stage (2010-2015), the development stage (2015-2020), and the mature stage (2020-2024). Current studies show that rubber intercropping and rubber-based agroforestry systems enhance soil microbial communities, positively impacting soil health. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of rubber agroforestry systems and improved management plans. Future research could explore the effects of species composition on soil microbiological characteristics and develop methods for species interactions. An in-depth study of the soil microbial community’s structure and function, and its relationship with rubber trees, is crucial. Developing effective, rationally designed rubber agroforestry systems and underground soil microbiome technology will promote sustainability and improve plantation productivity.