Genomic divergence and mutation load in the Begonia masoniana complex from limestone karsts

Understanding genome-wide diversity,inbreeding,and the burden of accumulated deleterious mutations in small and isolated populations is essential for predicting and enhancing population persistence and resilience.However,these effects are rarely studied in limestone karst plants.Here,we re-sequenced the nuclear genomes of 62 individuals of the Begonia masoniana complex(B.liuyanii,B.longgangensis,B.masoniana and B.variegata)and investigated genomic divergence and genetic load for these four species.Our analyses revealed four distinct clusters corresponding to each species within the complex.Notably,there was only limited admixture between B.liuyanii and B.longgangensis occurring in overlapping geographic regions.All species experienced historical bottlenecks during the Pleistocene,which were likely caused by glacial climate fluctuations.We detected an asymmetric historical gene flow between group pairs within this timeframe,highlighting a distinctive pattern of interspecific divergence attributable to karst geographic isolation.We found that isolated populations of B.masoniana have limited gene flow,the smallest recent population size,the highest inbreeding coefficients,and the greatest accumulation of recessive deleterious mutations.These findings underscore the urgency to prioritize conservation efforts for these isolated population.This study is among the first to disentangle the genetic differentiation and specific demographic history of karst Begonia plants at the whole-genome level,shedding light on the potential risks associated with the accumulation of deleterious mutations over generations of inbreeding.Moreover,our findings may facilitate conservation planning by providing critical baseline genetic data and a better understanding of the historical events that have shaped current population structure of rare and endangered karst plants.

Study on Jinan urban construction planning based on the protection of karst landscape

Study on urban construction planning based on karst landscape protection contributes to sustainable development of urban construction in karst area. Jinan is a city famous for karst spring water. Karst landscape plays a decisive role in urban construction. Through hydrogeological analysis, the distribution characteristics of karst mountain, cave, gully and flat dam in Jinan are analyzed. It is revealed that various karst landforms are involved in the spring circulation process to varying degrees. Some karst landforms have been destroyed in the process of urban construction and the karst landscape has been overexploited resulting in the direct or indirect weakening of spring water recharge and infiltration capacity and the decrease of spring water flow. Through the study of the principle of organic combination of karst landscape and urban construction planning, on the basis of protecting the ecological environment of the south, paying attention to the overall protection of the karst geomorphology system and the principle of accessibility of the karst landscape, the development countermeasures guided by urban planning are put forward based on karst landforms protection. On the basis of fully considering the special karst landform conditions in Jinan, the countermeasures are that the ecological control red line of urban construction planning should be set up based on karst mountains and valleys in southern of Jinan City. It is suggested that the bare carbonate rock continuous mountain foot line in the direct recharge area should be taken as the south control red line of urban development and included in the overall planning. The urban landscape is mainly displayed in the main axis based on karst mountains and springs, constructing East-West Axis-characteristic Landscape Belt along the Wufeng Mountain-Langmao Mountain-Hero Mountain-Qianfo Mountain-Long cave-Panlong cave-Jinping Mountain line and North-South Axis Landscape Belt along the Baotu SpringQianfo Mountain line, Baiquan-Panlong cave line, Baimai spring-Dajian Mountain line. Based on the karst river valleys and the river system, the urban spatial pattern is constructed, forming ecological corridor, restoring infiltration function of river. The form of urban construction should be shaped based on karst landform and the river system. The main form is semi-star like radiation type and the combination of central intensive type and zonal type. Based on the whole protection of karst geomorphology system and the scientific molding of karst landscape, the ecological landscape city with the symbiosis of spring and urban can be built.

Hazards and Landscape Changes(Degradations) on Hungarian Karst Mountains Due to Natural and Human Effects

In order to study the karstological processes within the karst ecological system,the geohazards and degradation of karst landscapes on the karst areas of the Bakony mountains(Hungary),we investigated the abiotic elements of the environment,soil and cover deposits,erosion soil decay;the changes in the quantity and quality of karst waters:contamination at swallow holes,contamination of karst springs;and the biogenic factors:surface vegetation coverage by the corine land cover method,plant-ecological examinations,qualification of surface waters with the help of biological water labeling.We recognized that the increasing human activities during the past few centuries have had significant impact on the investigated landscapes of karst areas because of their spatial sensitivity.In the scope of our research we concluded that the landscape changes due to natural and human effects can vary strongly on the different karst areas.These differences can arise from the climatic and geomorphologic situation,the coverlayer's qualities,etc.,but primarily from the different utilization of the investigated karst areas(e.g.the intensity,characteristics and territorial extension of utilization).On the spot investigation we detected traces of new and fast geomorphological processes(gully formation,landslides,collapses,new sinkhole development) and landforms(sinkholes,gullies,swallow holes),which are clear evidences of the effect of climatic changes.

The Karst Landscape of South China,a Heritage to Preserve

KARST is a Slovene word that sounds as hard as rock. You need to be a scientist to fully understand the nature of these calcareous formations carved in the rock by water; but anyone can admire the soectacular landscapes they provide. This is what China has for us to marvel at. This is a country which, according to experts, is home to half of the world＇s emerged calcareous rocks.