Search Results (193)

Saproxylic insects are key forest components but highly vulnerable to practices that reduce deadwood quality and diversity. We investigated the response of Platycerus caraboides (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)—an elusive, cool-adapted stag beetle associated with moist, small-diameter decayed wood—to forest coppicing in the Euganean Hills (northeastern Italy). Surveys were conducted both before (2017–2020) and after coppicing (2021–2025) to compare plots that had undergone coppicing with those that remained uncoppiced. Field investigation focused on the volume of downed woody debris and on P. caraboides occurrence, quantified as encounter rates of deadwood bearing stag beetle oviposition scars or the evidence of stag beetle presence. Coppicing and wood harvesting reduced the overall volume of deadwood but did not significantly affect the amount of small-diameter downed woody debris. Nevertheless, P. caraboides showed consistently lower encounter rates in coppiced areas, particularly during the initial survey period, suggesting that altered microclimatic conditions and reduced debris quality may hinder colonization or larval development. These findings underscore the need to retain small- and medium-diameter woody debris, maintain partial canopy cover, and enhance structural heterogeneity to conserve overlooked, cool-adapted saproxylic species—especially under climate change and in line with EU biodiversity restoration goals. Full article

This paper proposes an innovative methodological framework for integrating Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) into landscape planning, with the aim of enhancing the conservation and adaptive management of rural historical landscapes. Grounded in the principles of the European Landscape Convention and the recent Nature Restoration Law, the study advocates for a shift from prescriptive and sectoral approaches toward performance-based and ecosystem-oriented models. The research focuses on the Marche Region (Italy), where the historical landscape shaped by the mezzadria (sharecropping) system provides a representative case for testing the proposed methodology. Six spatial layers have been selected as ecosystem-based indicators to identify new potential landscape CES’ hotspots as agricultural landscape high-value areas, and to redefine protection and management strategies. The analysis integrates historical, ecological, and cultural dimensions to construct a spatially explicit value matrix, supporting the definition of differentiated management zones. Results reveal the persistence of high landscape and ecosystem values in mid- and upper-hill areas, contrasted by the progressive loss of structural and functional diversity in lowland and peri-urban contexts. The findings highlight the need for more adaptive and flexible planning models, capable of incorporating nature-based actions, climate-smart agriculture, and performance-oriented evaluation criteria. The proposed approach demonstrates potential for replicability and policy integration, providing a decision-support framework to align landscape planning with rural development strategies and climate adaptation objectives. Despite limitations related to data availability and model simplification, the methodology contributes to the ongoing paradigm shift toward dynamic, evidence-based, and transdisciplinary landscape governance across Mediterranean regions. Full article

With the intensification of global warming, surface thermal environment issues have become increasingly prominent, particularly in the ecologically fragile Yellow River Basin (YRB). However, most studies neglect the synergistic effects of underlying surface composition and geomorphological context, limiting the understanding of regional thermal contribution patterns. Based on MODIS-derived land surface temperature and Landsat 8-based land use and Fathom DEM-derived geomorphological datasets, this study constructs an integrated assessment framework combining a dual “quality–quantity” perspective with land use–geomorphology coupling, systematically analyzing the comprehensive thermal contributions of different underlying surfaces. Results show that (1) the YRB features diverse underlying surfaces, transitioning from natural (forest, grassland) to human-dominated (cropland, construction land) land uses, and from high-altitude, large undulating mountains to low-altitude, small undulating plains along the source-to-downstream gradient. (2) The average LST is 17.97 °C, displaying a south–north and east–west gradient. Human disturbance intensity drives thermal responses at the land use level, with natural surfaces contributing to cooling regulation, while artificial and desert surfaces generate heat accumulation. Geomorphology jointly shapes the thermal distribution, with high mountains acting as cold sources and plains/hills as heat sources. (3) Dual “quality–quantity” dimensional evaluation reveals that temperature-based assessments alone overestimate localized extremes (e.g., towns, extremely high mountains) and underestimate broad, moderate surfaces (e.g., drylands, large and medium undulating high mountains). This “area-neglect effect” may lead to biased regional thermal assessments and unbalanced resource allocation. (4) Coupled land use–geomorphology analysis uncovers the multi-scale composite mechanisms of thermal formation and mitigates single-factor assessment biases. Geomorphology defines macro-scale energy exchange, while land use regulates local heat responses. The results provide scientific support for large-scale thermal assessment and refined management. Full article

Soil nematodes are sensitive indicators of soil ecosystem functioning, yet their seasonal dynamics across tree hosts and edaphic gradients are poorly documented in southern Africa. We sampled rhizosphere soils of pomegranate (Punica granatum), lemon (Citrus sp.), and fig (Ficus carica) across four seasons in Sovenga Hills, Limpopo Province. We explicitly state that the rhizospheres of pomegranate, lemon, and fig were selected because they represent widely cultivated fruit trees in smallholder systems across Limpopo Province, where soil management practices and climate variability may influence nematode community dynamics. The hypothesis is that nematode assemblages exhibit seasonal shifts in diversity, trophic composition, and ecological indices across these hosts. The nematode genera were identified morphologically using standard diagnostic keys. A total of 29 genera were recorded. Bacterivores and herbivores dominated the assemblage, while fungivores, predators and omnivores were less abundant. Notably, Ditylenchus (fungivores) exhibited the highest Prominence Value (PV = 7926.1) and occurred in 83% of samples (Frequency of Occurrence (FO%) = 83), followed by a plant-parasitic nematode, namely Rotylenchulus (PV = 3279.8; FO% = 83%). Shannon diversity ranged from 2.09–2.34, and Maturity Index (MI) varied from 2.41–2.78 across seasons. Food-web indicators showed an enrichment index (EI) of 17–38 and structure index (SI) of 49–71, suggesting a moderately structured but dynamic soil food web. Spring communities exhibited the highest abundance (mean 471.7 individuals), biomass (0.49 µg), and composite/metabolic footprints, while autumn showed higher maturity and structural indices; summer recorded the lowest abundance and biomass. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed a total of 40.78% variation among the samples collected from different seasons and separated winter communities from autumn/spring ones (which partially overlapped). Soil pH, nitrate, phosphate, texture (sand/clay/silt), and electrical conductivity strongly associated with the observed seasonal patterns. The observed seasonal trends suggest that PV and FO% may serve as informative indicators for tracking shifts in nematode assemblages, but these patterns were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) and should therefore be considered preliminary rather than conclusive. These results highlight pronounced seasonal shifts in nematode assemblages and confirm PV and FO% as useful metrics for monitoring soil ecosystem dynamics. Full article

Montane shrubby grasslands, as one of the world’s important ecosystems, are highly sensitive to climate change and human activities, especially in the subtropical regions experiencing rapid economic development. However, little is known about how anthropogenic activities, such as firebreak construction, interact with elevation to influence plant diversity in these ecosystems. Shrub and herbaceous communities were surveyed in subtropical montane shrubby grassland within Baishanzu National Park, eastern China. Nine transects were established along firebreaks, each with two edge plots near firebreak and two interior plots away firebreak, and twelve additional control plots in adjacent undisturbed areas. Species diversity was assessed using the Hill index. Our results revealed distinct responses of shrubs and herbs to firebreak disturbance and elevation. Firebreaks reduced shrub diversity but enhanced herb diversity, and both groups exhibited contrasting elevational patterns. In control areas, shrub diversity decreased while herb diversity increased with elevation, whereas in firebreak zones, these relationships were altered, with edge plots showing a hump-shaped diversity pattern. Differences in shrub diversity but not herbs between interior and edge plots decreased with elevation. Species composition also differed significantly between firebreak and control areas, driven mainly by elevation in control areas and by soil properties near firebreaks. These findings demonstrate that firebreak construction reshapes the elevation–diversity relationships of both herbs and shrubs, highlighting the sensitivity of high-elevation montane shrubby grasslands to small-scale disturbances. Effective firebreak management should therefore account for both elevational context and disturbance intensity to maintain ecosystem biodiversity and stability. Full article

Despite their significance, the diversity of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) in homemade vinegars remains understudied. This study aimed to explore the species-level diversity of AAB in homemade vinegars and to assess their community structure to better understand this microbial niche. To investigate the diversity of these bacteria, we employed recently established customized 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) amplicon metagenomics to identify AAB at the species level. By applying Hill numbers, we calculated species richness, relative abundance, and dominance, providing a clearer understanding of the community structure of AAB in 11 homemade vinegars. Although species richness was relatively high, both relative abundance and dominance were considerably lower, suggesting a community structure dominated by a few highly abundant taxa, with most species being rare or low in abundance. The most dominant genera across most samples were Komagataeibacter and Acetobacter, both of which are known for their roles in oxidative fermentation. Several previously unreported, potentially novel species of AAB were identified, along with two potentially novel genera. This is one of the first studies to examine the diversity of AAB in homemade vinegars using a culture-independent amplicon metagenomic approach. Our findings suggest that the microbiota of homemade vinegars remains an underexplored niche and a source for novel species with biotechnological potential. The results provide valuable baseline data for future microbial studies and may help in the development of novel, customized starter cultures for the improvement and standardization of vinegar production. Full article

The Mystras UNESCO World Heritage Site (MUWHS) is a medieval historical area located on a small hill facing Sparta in the Mediterranean hotspot of the Peloponnese and receives a high number of visitors annually. The main aim of this study is the inventory and analysis of plant species composition and diversity of the Mystras archaeological area, with emphasis on different aspects of its flora, on the specialist endemic plants, and on the generalist ruderal and alien taxa. A high plant species richness was observed, and 321 vascular plant taxa were registered. Most of the taxa are Mediterranean or have a more widespread distribution, and half of them are ruderals. Concerning endemism, 14 Greek and 7 Balkan endemic taxa were registered. As anticipated, the most species-rich plant families recorded in the study area are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae. The total flora is predominantly composed of therophytes, reflecting the site’s Mediterranean climate and disturbance-adapted ecological conditions while the endemic flora is mostly composed of hemicryptophytes. Comparisons of MUWHS plant diversity with four other archaeological sites of the same floristic region of Greece, the Peloponnese, highlighted its high α-diversity on all aspects of its flora and its floristic dissimilarity from the other areas and, additionally, the high plant species richness that is comprised in all five of them. Comparisons of the flora of MUWHS with other Greek and Mediterranean archaeological areas showed significant similarities in the floristic elements considered as deteriogenic for the protected walls and monuments. The findings of our study underscore the urgent need to prioritise the sustainable conservation of archaeological sites such as Mystras. These landscapes are not only cultural monuments but also reservoirs of biodiversity and ecological value. Effective management must, therefore, adopt an integrated approach that balances the preservation of historical structures with the protection of native flora and ecological processes. Full article

Mite assemblages are integral components of forest ecosystems, yet their seasonal dynamics in moss microhabitats remain poorly understood. We investigated moss-dwelling mites in a peri-urban Mediterranean forest in Greece across three sampling periods (March, May, July 2020), analyzing 150 random samples. Diversity was assessed using Hill numbers, rarefaction, and β-diversity partitioning, while Indicator Species Analysis identified taxa linked to specific months. Functional structure was further examined through trophic guilds. Results revealed strong temporal shifts: richness peaked in March, whereas May and July harbored distinct assemblages with unique indicator taxa. Functional analyses indicated seasonal changes in trophic guild representation, reflecting resource-driven dynamics. These findings highlight the importance of moss microhabitats as reservoirs of mite diversity and underscore the need for temporal perspectives in Mediterranean forest biodiversity research. Full article

Background/Objectives: In this study, we conducted molecular identification of R.microplus and explored the genetic diversity of R. microplus for the first time in Mizoram, a Northeastern Hill (NEH) state of India bordering Myanmar. Methods: To assess genetic variation and evolutionary relationships, we employed phylogenetic analyses, genetic divergence metrics, and haplotype network construction based on mitochondrial (COX1 and 16S rDNA) and nuclear (ITS-2 and 18S rDNA) markers. Additionally, multivariate Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) was used to visualize genetic differentiation among R. microplus populations. Results: Our analyses indicated that populations of R. microplus sensu lato from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan form a closely related matrilineal lineage distinct from R. microplus sensu stricto, clustering within clade C of the COX1-based phylogeny. Globally, 24 COX1 haplotypes were recovered, with 1 haplotype identified in India. The Mizoram population exhibited a single 16S rDNA haplotype; however, intraspecific divergence was evident across India, with seven matrilineal haplotypes detected and nineteen globally. Further, five haplotypes were identified within R. microplus using the ITS-2 marker, while five haplotypes were observed within the Rhipicephalus genus using the 18S rDNA marker. Moreover, this study revealed the presence of Coxiella-like endosymbionts in 95% of the tick specimens analyzed. Conclusions: This study fills a critical knowledge gap by providing the first molecular documentation of tick diversity in Mizoram, a strategic region along the Indo–Myanmar border, and offers novel insights into the phylogeography and symbiotic associations of R. microplus and related tick taxa. Full article

In the context of increasing climate variability and flood risk, this study explores how long-standing agricultural practices in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia, have fostered flood resilience through the integration of local agro-environmental knowledge and geomorphologic conditions. Employing a morpho-typological framework, the research identifies three flood adaptation landscape types (FALTs)—rolling hills, foot slopes, and flood plains—each reflecting distinct interactions between landform, soil, biodiversity, hydrology, and viticultural management. Through geospatial analysis, field surveys, and interviews with local farmers, the study reveals how adaptive strategies—ranging from flood avoidance to attenuation and acceptance—have evolved in response to site-specific hydrological and ecologic dynamics. These strategies demonstrate a form of ‘sponge landscape’ design, where agricultural systems are co-shaped with natural processes to enhance systemic resilience and long-term productivity. The findings underscore the value of preserving biocultural legacies and suggest that spatially explicit, context-based approaches to flood adaptation can inform sustainable landscape planning and climate resilience strategies in other rural regions. The FALT framework offers a replicable methodology for identifying flood adaptation patterns across diverse agricultural systems in Australia, supporting proactive land use planning and nature-based solutions. This research contributes to the discourse on climate adaptation by bridging traditional environmental knowledge with contemporary planning frameworks, offering practical insights for policy, landscape management, and rural development. Full article

Due to the evident increase in tick-borne diseases worldwide, it is necessary to constantly update information on the distribution and zoonotic potential of hard ticks. We studied diversity, population structure, and seasonal dynamics of hard tick fauna, faunal similarity and the climate impact on tick occurrence in natural habitats (NHs) (forest communities) and anthropogenic habitats (AHs) (orchards, grasslands, degraded forests) in eastern and central parts of Continental Croatia. Host-seeking hard ticks were sampled by the flag-dragging method in lowland AHs (Bansko Hill (BH); 2023–2024 yr.) and in mountainous NHs (Medvednica Mountain (MM); 2019–2021, 2024 yr.). Overall, 2726 specimens belonging to eight hard tick species (Ixodes ricinus, I. frontalis, I. hexagonus, I. kaiseri, Haemaphysalis inermis, H. concinna, Dermacentor marginatus, D. reticulatus) were identified in AHs, while in NHs 1543 hard ticks, belonging to three species (I. ricinus, I. frontalis, D. reticulatus), were collected. The most abundant species in both habitat types (47.83% in AHs, 99.80% in NHs) was I. ricinus, showing unimodal seasonal activity within studied NHs and bimodal activity at AHs. Comparison of hard tick fauna in different habitats using the Sørenson index on BH and MM showed a high percentage of similarity (50.0–88.8). At AHs, a significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation was determined between the abundance (N) and the mean monthly air temperatures (°C) for H. inermis (r = −0.5931; p = 0.0421) and D. reticulatus (r = −0.6289; p = 0.0285), while their numbers positively correlated (r = 0.5551; p = −0.2667; r = 0.4430; p = 0.1492) with air humidity (%). In contrast, the number of sampled host-seeking I. ricinus ticks at natural forest habitats on MM was positively associated with air temperature and negatively with air humidity at elevations from 200 to 1000 m a.s.l. (r = −0.7684; p = 0.0259; at 200 m a.s.l.). Collected specimens of I. frontalis mark the first record for Osijek–Baranja County, while the sampled D. reticulatus on MM represents the first catch at 1000 m a.s.l. in Croatia. This new data on the distribution and seasonality of medically important hard tick species in Continental Croatia contributes to identifying tick-risk foci and high-risk periods. Full article

The Lop sheep (LOP), a unique local breed from Xinjiang, exhibits remarkable resilience to the harsh conditions of a desert arid climate and frequent sandstorms, alongside notable fecundity characteristics. This study aims to investigate the adaptability of LOP within this challenging environment by collecting whole blood samples from 110 LOP individuals in the Lop Nur region of Xinjiang for genome resequencing. The resulting data will be compared with whole genome resequencing information from 22 local sheep breeds worldwide to analyze the origin and evolution of LOP. Additionally, comparisons will be made with HUS sheep from warm and humid regions to identify genomic differences through selection signal analysis, thereby assessing the impact of a desert arid climate on the extreme living conditions of LOP. Finally, qPCR was used to preliminarily analyse the impact of the desert arid climate on the genome of the Bactrian sheep. Genetic diversity results indicate that LOP exhibits a relatively stable genetic structure alongside high genetic diversity. The results of population structure analysis and gene flow indicate that we can tentatively posit that LOP is a breed that originated from the Middle East, subsequently mixing with MGS upon its arrival in Xinjiang. Chinese local sheep breeds trace their origins to AMS, with the gene flow evolving from west to east, progressing through mountainous hills (BSBS), basins (LOP, HTS, CLHS, DLS), plains (MGS, TANS), and coastal areas (HUS). LOP is associated with ALTS, BSBS, HTS, CLHS, and DLS, as well as with MGS, HUS, TANS, WDS, and SSSP, in a context of gene exchange, with the degree of exchange diminishing in that order. Selection signal analysis revealed that the candidate genes identified are closely related to adaptation to desert arid climates and disease resistance (PDGFD, NDUFS3, ATP1B2, ITGB8, and CD79A), using HUS as the reference group. qPCR results demonstrated that LOP was significantly upregulated in cardiac, splenic, and lung tissues compared to HUS, suggesting that LOP plays a crucial role in cardiac function, immune response, and respiratory capacity. Full article

New energy vehicles (NEVs) rely heavily on Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) to perform frequent battery voltage conversions for operations such as acceleration, deceleration, and hill climbing. Consequently, effective thermal management of the IGBT junction temperature is critically important. This study investigates the junction temperature of IGBT modules equipped with pin-fin heat sinks of varying spacings under diverse operating conditions. The effects of the coolant inlet flow velocity and temperature on the junction temperature were examined. Furthermore, the pin-fin heat sink structure was optimized to enhance temperature uniformity across the IGBT chips. The results indicate that (1) IGBT modules with small-spacing pin-fin heat sinks exhibit improved thermal performance and enhanced temperature uniformity under specific conditions; (2) coolant inlet flow velocity is positively correlated with both module cooling efficiency and temperature uniformity; (3) coolant inlet temperature is inversely correlated with module junction temperature and chip junction temperature uniformity; and (4) among the three optimization schemes evaluated, the dual-channel, non-uniformly spaced pin-fin heat sink delivered the optimal performance, reducing the maximum junction temperature difference between IGBT chips to approximately 0.5 °C and that between diode chips to approximately 1.0 °C. Full article

The gut microbiota of red deer is a topic of growing interest, particularly with regard to its ecological and physiological importance. The diversity and composition of these microbial communities is influenced by environmental variables, diet and interactions with other organisms in their habitat. Fecal samples were collected in 10 hunting reserves in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Italy. In each hunting reserve, five individual samples were taken from the ground for a total of 50 samples. After DNA extraction, the V3–V4 16s rRNA regions were sequenced. The raw data were uploaded to QIIME2 and taxonomic annotation was performed. Significant differences between the deer sampled in the hunting reserves (p < 0.05) were calculated for the phyla Firmicutes and Cyanobacteriota and for the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidota, especially for the mountain reserves in the north and northeast compared to the reserves in the hills in the west. Shannon and Chao1 alpha diversity indices varied between reserves (p < 0.01) and the Bray–Curtis beta diversity index also indicated differences in microbiota between hunting reserves. The different habitats and vegetation of the reserves could explain the differences observed. Understanding the dynamics of the microbiota of red deer provides important information about their health and feeding behavior and also has far-reaching implications for species conservation. Full article

Understanding how elevation influences forest structure and species composition is crucial for effective conservation in mountainous regions like Nepal, where ecosystems change dramatically over short distances. This study assessed forest dynamics along an elevational gradient (600–3200 m) in Nepal’s mid-hills, incorporating elevational zonation (Tropical, Subtropical, Lower Temperate, and Upper Temperate) and aspect-driven variations. We established 27 square plots (20 × 20 m) at 100 m elevation intervals along a trekking route from Tallo Dungeshwor near the Karnali River to Mahabu Lek, recording all tree species with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm. Tree density across the elevational gradient ranged from 250 to 800 trees/ha. Basal area varied between 7.46 and 82.43 m²/ha, while mean tree height ranged from 6.89 to 16.62 m. Species diversity was assessed using the Shannon diversity index, and species dominance was evaluated through the Importance Value Index (IVI). Diversity peaked at mid-elevations, with Shorea robusta and Quercus semicarpifolia identified as dominant species. While minor variations occurred across topographic aspects, statistical analysis confirmed elevation as the dominant driver of forest structure and composition. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between elevation and Simpson’s diversity index (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), indicating increased dominance diversity at higher elevations. These findings highlight the critical role of elevation and aspect in shaping forest ecosystems and offer valuable baseline data for climate-resilient management. We recommend conservation planning that is sensitive to topographic gradients, integrates long-term, climate-adaptive monitoring, and engages local communities to anticipate ecological shifts and address mounting anthropogenic pressures in vulnerable montane zones. Full article