Search Results (8)

As a unique cultural heritage of Chinese ethnic minorities, Dong architecture provides rich historical and cultural information. Rapid and accurate extraction of ethnic building information from remote sensing images in complex terrain and high-density settlement environments is highly important for the protection of architectural heritage and the management of rural space. Huanggang Dong Village in Liping County, Guizhou Province, China, is taken as a case study. This paper develops a multifeature fusion machine learning framework for the automatic recognition of Dong ethnic architecture based on centimeter-level visible images captured by UAV. First, the vegetation index, HSI color features and texture features based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix are extracted from the UAV visible light orthophoto image. Through the random forest feature importance ranking and correlation test, six key features, namely, the VDVI, HSI-S, HSI-I, mean, variance and contrast, are selected to construct a multifeature space. This step constitutes the feature construction stage of the proposed methodology and provides the basis for subsequent classification. Second, on the basis of a support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF), classification models are constructed. The effects of different feature combinations and different algorithms on classification accuracy are systematically compared, and the results are evaluated in terms of overall accuracy (OA), the kappa coefficient, user accuracy (UA) and producer accuracy (PA). This second part highlights the classification phase of the methodology, which tests the feature space using different algorithms and evaluates the performance of the models. The experimental data fully show that under the condition of a single feature, the SVM model dominated by texture features performs best, with an OA of 85.33% and a kappa of 0.799; under the condition of multifeature fusion, the RF algorithm has a stronger ability to integrate multisource features. The accuracy of building category recognition based on the total feature and dimensionality reduction feature space is particularly prominent. The total feature and overall accuracy reach 89.00%, and the kappa coefficient is 0.850. The UA and PA reached 89.66% and 94.55%, respectively. Through in-depth comparative analysis, the vegetation index–color–texture multifeature fusion and machine learning classification framework based on UAV visible light images can achieve high-precision extraction of Dong architecture without relying on high-cost sensors. It can effectively alleviate the confusion between water bodies and shadows and between dark roofs and vegetation and effectively separate traditional Dong architecture from roads, vegetation and other elements. It provides a low-cost and feasible way for digital archiving, dynamic monitoring and protection management of the traditional village architectural heritage of ethnic minorities. Full article

This study aimed to collaboratively investigate the mechanism of variations in intramuscular fat (IMF) content in Wandong cattle using transcriptomics and metabolomics techniques. Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle samples were collected from thirteen free-range Wandong cattle in Fengyang County, Anhui Province, China. From this initial cohort, eight animals closely matched in age and body weight were selected. Based on IMF content measured by Soxhlet extraction, these eight cattle were divided into two groups: the high-IMF (HF, n = 4) and low-IMF (LF, n = 4) groups. Subsequent analyses were performed on integrated datasets comprising the transcriptome, metabolome, and fatty acid profile. The results revealed a significant increase in IMF in the HF group compared to the LF group (p < 0.05). Specifically, α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) and γ-linolenic acid (C18:3n6) were significantly more abundant in the LF group compared to the HF group (p < 0.05), whereas oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and cis-9-palmitoleic acid (C16:1) predominated in the HF group. However, saturated fatty acids (SFAs), such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), and Margaric acid (C17:0), did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). A total of 9164 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified via transcriptome analysis, with 2202 genes upregulated and 6962 genes downregulated in the HF group compared to the LF group. The expression profiles exhibited a distinct pattern, characterized by the upregulation of genes such as FABP1, SREBF1, and LIPE, while genes including SCD, PPARGC1A, and LEP were downregulated. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that the majority of DEGs were predominantly abundant across 25 distinct functional categories distributed across the three primary ontologies. KEGG pathway analysis further identified 341 significantly enriched signaling pathways in the HF group (p < 0.05), predominantly involving metabolic pathways, FoxO, AMPK, and PPAR signaling pathways. Untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) metabolomics analysis revealed 404 differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with 187 in positive ion mode and 217 in negative ion mode (p < 0.05). These DAMs were notably enriched in pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism, terpene and steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation, and fatty acid metabolism. Notably, C16:1, C18:1n9c, arachidonic acid (peroxide free) (C20:4n6), oleoyl-L-carnitine, and linoleoyl-carnitine were identified as key players in lipid metabolism. Integrating transcriptomics with metabolomics data unveiled significant associations between DAMs linked to lipid metabolism and DEGs. Specifically, C18:1n9c exhibited a positive correlation with LPIN3, while C16:1 showed negative associations with PPAP2B, PPAP2A, CDS2, HADHA, LPL, HSD17B12, ELOVL5, ACSL1, and ACOX1, and positive correlations with PLA2G15, CDIPT, AGPSBG1, and GPD1. In summary, the variation in IMF content in Wandong cattle is co-regulated by key genes (SREBF1, ACSL1, SCD) via the AMPK, PPAR, and FoxO signaling pathways, coupled with alterations in specific fatty acid metabolites such as C18:1n9c, C16:1, and C20:4n6. These findings provide critical molecular insights for the genetic selection and breeding of Wandong cattle, which are renowned for their superior meat quality. Full article

Ethnic villages are a multidimensional interactive space between cultural inheritance and modernization; analyzing their spatial reconstruction is fundamental for promoting agricultural and rural modernization and sustainable ethnic development. This study examined ethnic villages in Yongcong Township, Liping Country, from 2016 to 2022, focusing on changes in function and suitability under relocation through a function and suitability evaluation index. Case comparisons were made between administrative villages with high functional and suitability levels and those with resettlement sites. In 2016, ethnic villages followed a growth pattern of Yongcong–Dundong–Guantuan, with low patch density, dispersed distribution, and simple shapes. By 2022, functionality and suitability significantly improved, with an increase in village patches and larger patch areas shifting toward spatial aggregation. Horizontally, land use within reconstruction boundaries diversified by function, whereas vertically, housing structures were reorganized: non-settlement villages retained traditional and modern types while settlement villages combined both, leading to a shift from functional singularity to multifunctionality. Relocation-induced reconstruction may lag local knowledge systems and reduce well-being. Initially, government-led suitability enhancement dominates; gradually, villages increasingly internalize regional identity and competitiveness. By analyzing post-relocation village reconstruction, this study supports the integration of ethnic and regional dynamics, achieving high-quality sustainable development in minority regions. Full article

Cropland abandonment (CA) is a critical environmental issue globally, with balancing food security and ecological protection vital for sustainable development. This study explores CA behavior differences and drivers between out-of-poverty farming households (OPFHs) and non-poverty farming households (NPFHs) in China′s mountainous areas, using stepwise regression on survey data from 321 households in Liping County, Guizhou. The results show that: (1) The differences in CA behaviors between the two types of farming households are mainly reflected at the farmer level and the plot level. Plot integrity is a common influencing factor of CA areas for both types of farming households. (2) The driving factors affecting the area of CA by OPFHs also include the average age of the labor force, the proportion of the resident population in the total household registration population, and plot type, while the drivers affecting the area of CA by NPFHs include per capita income, non-agricultural income, per capita cropland area, and commuting time. (3) The differences in CA behavior and its driving factors between OPFHs and NPFHs in mountainous areas are characterized by diversity and interaction. Based on the results of the study, we propose the management of farming households and cropland, which can contribute to rural revitalization in China and the world, to a certain extent. Full article

The chromosome numbers of 56 populations belonging to 25 species and 4 varieties of Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) from China were examined, and those of 13 species and four varieties are reported here for the first time. The karyotypes of 39 populations in 23 species and four varieties were also studied. Among them, twelve species and one variety were found to be diploid, with 2n = 16 or 18; nine species and three varieties were found to be tetraploid, with 2n = 32 or 36; and two species were found to have both diploid and tetraploid cytotypes. Two species were found to have aneuploid cytotypes. The karyotypes of Artemisia are similar, with most chromosomes belonging to median-centromeric (m) and a few belonging to submedian-centromeric (sm) or subterminal-centromeric (st). The high level of polyploids in Artemisia from the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau indicates that polyploidy has played an important role in the evolutionary speciation of this highly diversified genus in this region. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the current status of the germplasm resources of golden-backed carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jinbei) cultured in paddy fields in Guizhou Province, China. Five populations of golden-backed carp in Liping County, Jinping County, Huangping County, Congjiang County and Duyun City in Guizhou Province were subjected to high-throughput sequencing by 2b-RAD technology, and their genetic diversity and genetic differentiation were analysed. Based on sequencing, 44,896 SNP loci were obtained, and all five population genetic diversity indicators showed low diversity. In the NJ tree, the Congjiang and Liping populations were mixed together, and the other three groups formed a cluster. A cross-validation error box plot and pong cluster plot were constructed to show the K value results. When K = 1, the cross-validation error rate was the lowest. Principal component analysis showed that the Duyun population formed a group separate from the group comprising the other four populations. The genetic differentiation index and genetic distances between the Duyun population and the remaining four populations were greater than 0.05, indicating population differentiation. The genetic diversity of the five populations of golden-backed carp in Guizhou Province was low, the genetic differentiation of the Duyun population was the most significant, and the Duyun population was separate from the other four groups. Full article

With the implementation of China’s Rural Revitalization Strategy, more and more traditional villages have been developed. However, due to the lack of value awareness, many rural planning policies are unreasonable, and therefore, characteristics disappear. In the past, the value identification of traditional villages mostly stayed in the general value description, which was not enough to highlight the unique overall value of the village. From the perspective of the cultural landscape, taking Liufang village in Liping County of Guizhou Province as an example, this paper interprets the value of cultural landscape from the concept of “long-term interaction between human and nature,” and then carry out three value themes of “settlement landscape of Dong people in the low and middle mountain valley area,” “agricultural landscape and activities of Dong people under traditional rice farming,” and “spiritual landscape of Dong People’s beliefs, systems and customs”. Moreover, by interviewing local residents, this paper summarizes two aspects of Liufang village value consensus—traditional culture and landscape construction, as well as tourism development opportunities and challenges—and analyzes the relationship between them. The new attempt to identify traditional village’s value in this paper lies in the combination of object value and subject perception, which is more conducive to the scientific formulation of traditional village protection and tourism sustainable development strategy. Full article

Imperviousness is an important indicator for monitoring urbanization and environmental changes, and is evaluated widely in urban areas, but not in rural areas. An accurate impervious surface area (ISA) map in rural areas is essential to achieve environmental conservation and sustainable rural development. Global land-cover products such as MODIS MCD12Q1, ESA CCI-LC, and Global Urban Land are common resources for environmental practitioners to collect land-cover information including ISAs. However, global products tend to focus on large ISA agglomerations and may not identify fragmented ISA extents in less populated regions. Land-use planners and practitioners have to map ISAs if it is difficult to obtain such spatially explicit information from local governments. A common and consistent approach for rural ISA mapping is yet to be established. A case study of the Liping County, a typical rural region in southwest China, was undertaken with the objectives of assessing the global land-cover products in the context of rural ISA mapping and proposing a simple and feasible approach for the mapping. This approach was developed using Landsat 8 imagery and by applying a random forests classifier. An appropriate number of training samples were distributed to towns or villages across all townships in the study area for classification. The results demonstrate that the global land-cover products identified major ISA agglomerations, specifically at the county seat; however, other fragmented ISAs over the study area were overlooked. In contrast, the map created using the developed approach inferred ISAs across all townships with an overall accuracy of 91%. A large amount of training samples together with geographic information of towns or villages is the key suggestion to identify and map ISAs in rural areas. Full article