Soil erosion susceptibility mapping of Hangu Region,Kohat Plateau of Pakistan using GIS and RS-based models

Soil erosion is a crucial geo-environmental hazard worldwide that affects water quality and agriculture,decreases reservoir storage capacity due to sedimentation,and increases the danger of flooding and landslides.Thus,this study uses geospatial modeling to produce soil erosion susceptibility maps(SESM)for the Hangu region,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(KPK),Pakistan.The Hangu region,located in the Kohat Plateau of KPK,Pakistan,is particularly susceptible to soil erosion due to its unique geomorphological and climatic characteristics.Moreover,the Hangu region is characterized by a combination of steep slopes,variable rainfall patterns,diverse land use,and distinct soil types,all of which contribute to the complexity and severity of soil erosion processes.These factors necessitate a detailed and region-specific study to develop effective soil conservation strategies.In this research,we detected and mapped 1013 soil erosion points and prepared 12 predisposing factors(elevation,aspect,slope,Normalized Differentiate Vegetation Index(NDVI),drainage network,curvature,Land Use Land Cover(LULC),rainfall,lithology,contour,soil texture,and road network)of soil erosion using GIS platform.Additionally,GIS-based statistical models like the weight of evidence(WOE)and frequency ratio(FR)were applied to produce the SESM for the study area.The SESM was reclassified into four classes,i.e.,low,medium,high,and very high zone.The results of WOE for SESM show that 16.39%,33.02%,29.27%,and 21.30%of areas are covered by low,medium,high,and very high zones,respectively.In contrast,the FR results revealed that 16.50%,24.33%,35.55%,and 23.59%of the areas are occupied by low,medium,high,and very high classes.Furthermore,the reliability of applied models was evaluated using the Area Under Curve(AUC)technique.The validation results utilizing the area under curve showed that the success rate curve(SRC)and predicted rate curve(PRC)for WOE are 82%and 86%,respectively,while SRC and PRC for FR are 85%and 96%,respectively.The validation results revealed that the FR model performance is better and more reliable than the WOE.

Contribution of Atmospheric Nitrogen Compounds to N Deposition in a Broadleaf Forest of Southern China

A one-year study in a typical red soil region of southern China was conducted to determine atmospheric nitrogen (N) fluxes of typical N compounds (NH3, NH4-N, NO3-N, and NO2) and contribution of three sources (gas, rainwater, and particles) to N deposition. From July 2003 to June 2004, the total atmospheric N deposition was 70.7 kg N ha-1, with dry deposition accounting for 75% of the total deposition. Dry NH3 deposition accounted for 73% of the dry deposition and 55% of the total deposition. Moreover, NO2 contributed 11% of the dry deposition and 8% of the total deposition. Reduced N compounds (NH4+ and NH3) were the predominate contributors, accounting for 66% of the total deposition. Therefore, atmospheric N deposition should be considered when soil acidification and critical loads of atmospheric deposition on soils are estimated.

Review and Progress of China’s Forest Continuous Inventory System

China was one of the earliest countries to set up a system to continuously inventory natural forest resources. From the beginning of the 1970s until today, seven forest resource inventories have been carried out. This research summarizes the progress of forest continuous inventories and analyzes the existing deficiencies ofChina’s forest continuous inventory system and forest management plan inventory. As stated above, this research offers corresponding countermeasures and suggestions: establishing a sample plot system for comprehensive national forest inventory and monitoring with each province’s continuous forest inventory based on the foundation of the national sample plot system, able to develop the province as a subset of the overall province-level forest resource inventory according to the actual conditions in each province. Through annual multi-resource/multi-benefit surveying of the forests, the monitoring of forest amounts, quality, functions and benefits will be assisted in its entirety. The further integration of the forest continuous inventory and the forest management plan inventory is also discussed. This research also proposes the varied probability sampling method with sub-compartments as the basic sampling unit (or combinations of sub-compartments). This will also satisfy the requirements of ecological inventory by region.

Effects of a regenerating matrix on the survival of birds in tropical forest fragments

Background: Vast areas of lowland neotropical forest have regenerated after initially being cleared for agricultural purposes. The ecological value of regenerating second growth to forest-dwelling birds may largely depend on the age of the forest, associated vegetative structure, and when it is capable of sustaining avian demographics similar to those found in pristine forest.Methods: To determine the influence of second growth age on bird demography, we estimated the annual survival of six central Amazonian bird species residing in pristine forest, a single 100 and a single 10 ha forest fragment, taking into consideration age of the surrounding matrix(i.e. regenerating forest adjacent to each fragment) as an explanatory variable.Results: Study species exhibited three responses: arboreal, flocking and ant-following insectivores(Willisornis poecilinotus, Thamnomanes ardesiacus and Pithys albifrons) showed declines in survival associated with fragmentation followed by an increase in survival after 5 years of matrix regeneration. Conversely, Percnostola rufifrons, a gap-specialist, showed elevated survival in response to fragmentation followed by a decline after 5 years of regeneration. Lastly, facultative flocking and frugivore species(Glyphorynchus spirurus and Dixiphia pipra, respectively) showed no response to adjacent clearing and subsequent regeneration.Conclusions: Our results in association with previous studies confirm that the value of regenerating forest surrounding habitat patches is dependent on two factors: ecological guild of the species in question and second growth age. Given the rapid increase in survival following succession, we suggest that the ecological value of young tropical forest should not be based solely on a contemporary snapshot, but rather, on the future value of mature second growth as well.

Characteristics of Salvia miltiorrhiza methylome and the regulatory mechanism of DNA methylation in tanshinone biosynthesis

Salvia miltiorrhiza is a model medicinal plant with significant economic and medicinal value.Its roots produce a group of diterpenoid lipophilic bioactive components,termed tanshinones.Biosynthesis and regulation of tanshinones has attracted widespread interest.However,the methylome of S.miltiorrhiza has not been analysed and the regulatory mechanism of DNA methylation in tanshinone production is largely unknown.Here we report single-base resolution DNA methylomes from roots and leaves.Comparative analysis revealed differential methylation patterns for CG,CHG,and CHH contexts and the association between DNA methylation and the expression of genes and small RNAs.Lowly methylated genes always had higher expression levels and 24-nucleotide sRNAs could be key players in the RdDM pathway in S.miltiorrhiza.DNA methylation variation analysis showed that CHH methylation contributed mostly to the difference.Go enrichment analysis showed that diterpenoid biosynthetic process was significantly enriched for genes with downstream overlapping with hypoCHHDMR in July_root when comparing with those in March_root.Tanshinone biosynthesis-related enzyme genes,such as DXS2,CMK,IDI1,HMGR2,DXR,MDS,CYP76AH1,2OGD25,and CYP71D373,were less CHH methylated in gene promoters or downstream regions in roots collected in July than those collected in March.Consistently,gene expression was up-regulated in S.miltiorrhiza roots collected in July compared with March and the treatment of DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine significantly promoted tanshinone production.It suggests that DNA methylation plays a significant regulatory role in tanshinone biosynthesis in S.miltiorrhiza through changing the levels of CHH methylation in promoters or downstreams of key enzyme genes.

Effects of NaCl stress on seed germination, leaf gas exchange and seedling growth of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

种子萌芽，叶气体交换和幼苗生长上的 NaCl 的效果被调查。P 的萌芽。tatarinowii 种子面对 NaCl 被推迟，并且当 NaCl 集中超过了 17 公里时，显著地被禁止(1.0 g · L^(-1)) 。蒸发的导致的减小评估的 NaCltreatments，有气孔的传导力和网光合的率和他们的减小与增加 NaCl 集中是重要的。然而，在在盐应力下面的幼苗叶子的细胞间的 CO_2 集中比控制的显著地高。在 NaCl 处理，和在根，茎，和叶子的干燥增重的重要减小也在 NaCltreatments 被遵守以后，在有增加 NaCl 集中 50 天的幸存，基础直径增长和高度增长有重要减小。生物资源增长上的有害效果在茎和叶子的情况中是更明显的。从这研究的结果建议那 P。tatarinowii 对咸度应力和咸度阀值敏感因为幼苗生长可能是更少的 34 公里(2.0 g · L ^(-1)) 。

Changes in the biochemical composition and enzyme activity during dormancy release of Cyclocarya paliurus seeds

Cyclocarya paliurus is only propagated from seeds which have pronounced dormancy. Overcoming seed dormancy is an important component of efficient and cost-effective seedling production of Cyclocarya paliurus. Changes in biochemical composition and enzyme activity were investigated during dormancy release. The activities of all the studied enzymes in the stratified seeds increased significantly, compared to those in the control samples. Of the enzymes examined, the activities of protease increased the most （413.8%）, followed by peroxidase （278.7%）, lipase （161.0%）, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrognase （149.1%） and amylase （60.6%） after 8 months of stratification. Crude fat and protein constituted the bulk of the storage reserves in mature seeds of C. pal# urus. Compared with the seeds before stratification, about 45% of the starch, 46% of the protein and 11% of the crude fat were depleted during dormancy release of C. paliurus seeds, while the soluble sugar content was enhanced by 101.5% in the germinating seeds. Correlation analysis showed, during dormancy release of C. paliurus seeds, a close positive relationship between POD and G6PDH activity as well as soluble sugar content and amylase activity, while there was a significant negative relationship between storage substances and their related enzyme activities.

Effects of tallowtree seed coat on seed germination

We measured physiological parameters including water uptake in-vitro embryo germination ratio, and seed coat structure observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） to explore the influence of seed coat on the germination of seeds of tallow tree （Sapium sebiferum （Linn） Roxb.）. Tallow tree seeds had good water permeability. We found that germination of cabbage seeds was inhibited when cabbage seeds were soaked in extracted solutions from tallow tree seed coat. Seed coat structure at the side of the radicle appeared to be a barrier to seed germination. We tested methods to break tallow tree seed dormancy. Dormancy of tallow tree seeds was overcome by soaking the seeds in 500 mg·L^-1 or 1000 mg·L^-1 GA3, followed by 100 days of cold stratification.

Reforestation Programs in Southwest China:Reported Success,Observed Failure, and the Reasons Why

Ever since the disastrous floods of 1998, the Chinese government has used the Natural Forest Protection and Sloping Land Conversion Programs to promote afforestation and reforestation as means to reduce runoff, control erosion, and stabilize local livelihoods. These two ambitious programs have been reported as large-scale successes, contributing to an overall increase in China’s forest cover and to the stated goals of environmental stabilization. A small-scale field study at the project level of the implementation of these two programs in Baiwu Township, Yanyuan County, Sichuan, casts doubt upon the accuracy and reliability of these claims of success; ground observations revealed utter failure in some sites and only marginal success in others. Reasons for this discrepancy are posited as involving ecological, economic, and bureaucratic factors. Further research is suggested to determine whether these discrepancies are merely local aberrations or represent larger-scale failures in reforestation programs.

Differences in Incubation Length and Hatchling Morphology among Five Species of Oviparous Phrynocephalus Lizards (Agamidae) from China

We incubated eggs of five Phrynocephalus species （P. albolineatus, P. axillaries, P. grumgrzimailoi, P. helioscopus and P. przewalskii） at three constant temperatures （24℃, 28℃ and 32℃） to examine differences in incubation length and hatchling morphology among species and among temperature treatments. We combined data from this study with those reported previously for P. frontalis and P. versicolor to examine whether embryonic stage at laying is a causal factor for interspecific variation in incubation length, and whether the phylogenetic relationship inferred from hatchling morphology is consistent with the relationship based on mitochondrial DNA data. Mean values for incubation length differed among the five species studied herein and, in all these five species, incubation length decreased at a decreasing rate as temperature increased. In none of the five species did hatchling size （snout-vent length and body mass） and other morphological variables differ among the three temperature treatments. The seven oviparous Phrynocephalus lizards found in China differ from each other in hatchling morphology, and embryonic stage at laying is a causal factor of inter- and intra-specific variation in incubation length. The phylogenetic relationship inferred from hatchling morphology is not always consistent with the currently known relationship based on mitochondrial DNA data. Data from this study and those reported previously allow the conclusion that any Phrynocephalus species may have its unique position along the axis defined by hatchling morphology.

Seasonal variation of microelement contents in leaves of Cyclocarea paliurus among the provenances

Cyclocarya paliurus as a multiple function plant can accumulate biologically important microelement elements.To reveal the variation of selected microelement concentrations in leaves of C.paliurus provenances during the growing season,12 C.paliurus provenances in the field trial were sampled five times at approximately 1-month intervals.The method of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer（ICP-OES） was employed to determinate average concentrations of Fe,Mn,Zn,Cu and Se in leaves of 12 C.paliurus provenances.The results show that on average,the concentrations of five microelement in the leaves follows an order of Fe Mn Zn Cu Se.Variance analysis shows that there are significant differences in Fe,Mn and Zn concentrations among the twelve provenances（p0.05）,while there is no significant difference between Cu and Se concentrations.A significant difference was also observed in the concentrations of five microelements at the different sampling times（p0.001）,but the mean concentrations for each microelement showed different temporal dynamic patterns.Meanwhile,a significant correlation between concentrations of Se and other measured microelements was detected in the leaves of C.paliurus,except for Mn.Obtained results not only demonstrated that leaves of C.paliurus exhibited higher levels of microelements（Fe,Mn,Cu,Zn and Se）,but also provided a basis for breeding strategies of superior provenances with rich content of microelements,and choosing optimum harvesting time for food industry in future.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of WUSCHEL-related homeobox(WOX) genes in Salix suchowensis

Members of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox(WOX)transcription factor family are essential for determining cell fate and regulating diverse developmental processes in plants.Many WOX genes have been systematically investigated in woody plants such as Populus trichocarpa,but not in Salix suchowensis.Whole-genome sequence data for S.suchowensis is now available for comprehensive study of WOX genes in S.suchowensis.We thus surveyed the genome of S.suchowensis and demonstrated active expression of 15 WOX genes.In a phylogenetic analysis of WOX genes,the 15 SsWOX genes clustered among the modern/WUS,intermediate and ancient clades similar to the WOX genes of Arabidopsis thaliana.Based on the conserved intron/exon structure,SsWOX genes in the same subgroup had similar conserved exon–intron structures and motif domains.Furthermore,among several SsWOX subgroups,WUS(Wuschel)-box and EAR(the ERF-associated amphiphilic repression)-like motifs were conserved.Expression profiles of WOX genes in roots,stems and leaves indicate that SsWOX genes have various conserved roles in the tissues.Comparative analysis of the expression patterns in Salix suchowensis with that of Arabidopsis suggests that different shoot regeneration abilities are controlled by different WOX genes in plants.The analysis provide an overview of differentially expressed SsWOX genes during shoot regeneration,but also contribute to understanding the evolution of WOX genes in Salicaceae and the interrelations of WOX genes and other transcription factors,providing targets for further study.

The diverse roles of cytokinins in regulating leaf development

Leaves provide energy for plants,and consequently for animals,through photosynthesis.Despite their important functions,plant leaf developmental processes and their underlying mechanisms have not been well characterized.Here,we provide a holistic description of leaf developmental processes that is centered on cytokinins and their signaling functions.Cytokinins maintain the growth potential(pluripotency)of shoot apical meristems,which provide stem cells for the generation of leaf primordia during the initial stage of leaf formation;cytokinins and auxins,as well as their interaction,determine the phyllotaxis pattern.The activities of cytokinins in various regions of the leaf,especially at the margins,collectively determine the final leaf morphology(e.g.,simple or compound).The area of a leaf is generally determined by the number and size of the cells in the leaf.Cytokinins promote cell division and increase cell expansion during the proliferation and expansion stages of leaf cell development,respectively.During leaf senescence,cytokinins reduce sugar accumulation,increase chlorophyll synthesis,and prolong the leaf photosynthetic period.We also briefly describe the roles of other hormones,including auxin and ethylene,during the whole leaf developmental process.In this study,we review the regulatory roles of cytokinins in various leaf developmental stages,with a focus on cytokinin metabolism and signal transduction processes,in order to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying leaf development.

Antifungal activities of matrine and oxymatrine and their synergetic effects with chlorthalonil

The EC50 values of matrine and oxymatrine against five forest pathogenic fungi （Fusarium oxysporum, Valsa pini, Cladosporium oxysporum, Sphaeropsis sapinea, Marssonina brunnea） were examined by bioassay methods. The results demonstrated that matrine and oxymatrine had strong inhibitory activities to the conidium germination of the tested fungi. The ECso values of matrine for inhibiting the conidium germination of Marssonina brunnea, Cladosporium oxysporum, Sphaeropsis sapinea were 123μg·mL^-1, 272 μg·mL^-1, 1133 μg·mL^-1, respectively, and the EC50 values of oxymatrine for inhibiting the conidium germination of Fusarium oxysporum, Sphaeropsis sapinea were 532μg·mL^-1, 601μg·mL^-1, respectively. The hyphal growth of the fungi was also significantly inhibited by matrine and oxymatrine. The ECs0 values of matrine inhibiting the conidium germination of Sphaeropsis sapinea, Valsa pini, Fusarium oxysporum were 428μg·mL^-1, 535 μg·mL^-1, 592 μg·mL^-1, respectively. The EC50 values of oxymatrine inhibiting the conidium germination of Valsa pini, Fusarium oxysporum were 323, 618μg·mL^-1, respectively. In the synergetic tests the ECs0 values of the mixtures of thiophanate methyl （or chlorthalonil） and matrine （or oxymatrine） were lower than 34 μg·mL^-1 while their co-toxicity coefficients were significantly higher than 1130 It indicated that the mixture of the alkaloids and the chemical had potential practical utilization in controlling certain forest fungal diseases.

Current Situations of Edible Fungus Production in Lianyungang City and Development Countermeasures

On the basis of characteristics of edible fungus production in Lianyungang City, we analyzed its advantages and disadvantages and put forward suggestions and countermeasures for development of edible fungus industry, mainly including strengthening guidance and leadership of government, introducing professional personnel, and developing the edible fungus industry through science and technology.

Chemical composition and free radicals restraining activity of extracts from three Manglietia species leaves

The extracts from leaves of Manglietia insignis （Wall） Blume, Manglietia chingii Dandy and Manglietia yuyuanensis Law were prepared by organic solvent extraction and their components were analyzed by GC/MS and quantified. Meanwhile, the free radicals restraining activities were detected. The 21 compounds in M. insignis, 36 compounds in M. chigii and 20 compounds in M. yuyuanensis were identified. There were 11 common components in the extracts from three Manglietia species, and 12 components in two Manglietia species. The results of relative contents of every component in three extracts showed that the main constituents of M. insignis were terpenoids and alkene, amounting to 38.93%, followed by alkane （28.18%）, the nitrogen containing compounds （15.73%） and aromatic compounds （7.23 %）. The main constituents of leaf extract from M. chingii were the terpenoids and alkene, carboxylic acid, alkane and aromatic compounds, amounting to 30.22%, 14.17%, 13.87% and 13.29%, respectively, The main constituents of M. yuyuanensis were alcohol compounds, the terpenoids and alkene, and aromatic compounds, amounting to 28.00%, 25.38% and 18.00% respectively. The results showed that the three extracts had strong function of restraining oxygen free radicals. The ultra oxygen anions activity was restrained at the highest level, when the three extracts were diluted by hundred-fold, whereas the restraining capacity of hydroxyl free radicals reached maximum, when the three extracts were diluted by twenty-fold. The above results provide scientific evidences for further approaching the ecological healthy function of three MangUetia species

Genome sequence and evolution of Betula platyphylla

Betula L.(birch)is a pioneer hardwood tree species with ecological,economic,and evolutionary importance in the Northern Hemisphere.We sequenced the Betula platyphylla genome and assembled the sequences into 14 chromosomes.The Betula genome lacks evidence of recent whole-genome duplication and has the same paleoploidy level as Vitis vinifera and Prunus mume.Phylogenetic analysis of lignin pathway genes coupled with tissue-specific expression patterns provided clues for understanding the formation of higher ratios of syringyl to guaiacyl lignin observed in Betula species.Our transcriptome analysis of leaf tissues under a time-series cold stress experiment revealed the presence of the MEKK1–MKK2–MPK4 cascade and six additional mitogen-activated protein kinases that can be linked to a gene regulatory network involving many transcription factors and cold tolerance genes.Our genomic and transcriptome analyses provide insight into the structures,features,and evolution of the B.platyphylla genome.The chromosome-level genome and gene resources of B.platyphylla obtained in this study will facilitate the identification of important and essential genes governing important traits of trees and genetic improvement of B.platyphylla.

A systems biology approach identifies a regulator,BplERF1,of cold tolerance in Betula platyphylla

Cold is an abiotic stress that can greatly affect the growth and survival of plants.Here,we reported that an AP2/ERF family gene,BplERF1,isolated from Betula platyphylla played a contributing role in cold stress tolerance.Overexpression of BplERF1 in B.platyphylla transgenic lines enhanced cold stress tolerance by increasing the scavenging capability and reducing H_(2)O_(2) and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in transgenic plants.Construction of BplERF-mediated multilayered hierarchical gene regulatory network(ML-hGRN),using Top-down GGM algorithm and the transcriptomic data of BplERF1 overexpression lines,led to the identification of five candidate target genes of BplERF1 which include MPK20,ERF9,WRKY53,WRKY70,and GIA1.All of them were then verified to be the true target genes of BplERF1 by chromatin-immunoprecipitation PCR(ChIP-PCR)assay.Our results indicate that BplERF1 is a positive regulator of cold tolerance and is capable of exerting regulation on the expression of cold signaling and regulatory genes,causing mitigation of reactive oxygen species.

Dynamic change of protein polypeptide of Ginkgo biloba seed during germination

The dynamic changes of protein polypeptide in endosperms of Gingkgo biloba seeds during seed germination were studied by SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The results showed that 80 kinds of protein spots in endosperms of Gingkgo biloba were clear observed in the 2-DE spectrum. Protein molecular weights were in the range of 26-52kD, and their isoelectric points were in the range of 5.8-7.8. In the course of seed germination, 13 kinds of proteins were degraded, and 13 kinds of proteins were synthesized; 7 kinds of proteins with different molecular weights and isoelectric points of 35kD/pI6.8, 31kD/pI6.8, 29kD/pI6.8, 33kD/pI6.6, 33kD/pI 6.4, 34kD/ pI7.7 and 31kD/pI7.7 were identified primarily as vegetative storage proteins (VSPs).

Regulations and patterns of soil moisture dynamics and their controlling factors in hilly regions of lower reaches of Yangtze River basin,China

Time-domain reflectometry was used to make continuous measurements of soil moisture to 18 sample points with depth of 2 m for 36 months in a typical artificial secondary oak forest located in a hilly area on Zijin Mountain in the suburbs of Nanjing,China.The data were then used to examine the patterns of soil moisture variations on temporal and spatial scales and predict the relationships between soil moisture and major factors of both meteorology and topography.Water in the topsoil was active,and the upper 30 cm of soil supplied about 43% of the water content variation during the whole year.This difference of water content changes among layers could be due to the distribution conditions of some soil physical properties.When initial soil moisture was in the range from 10% to 40%,the impact of a single storm event on soil moisture was extremely significant,especially on sunny slope.Both climate and slope condition were related to soil moisture change,and the impact of slope gradient on soil moisture was higher that on shady slope.Moreover,root uptake was another important path of soil water consumption.