Search Results (1,468)

Seasonal freeze–thaw processes affect soil hydrothermal conditions in high-altitude valleys, yet evaluations based only on air temperature or maximum freezing depth may overlook the distinction between surface-connected freezing and delayed thawing within the soil profile. Meteorological conditions, ground surface temperature (GST), ground-temperature profiles, freezing depth, and volumetric water content (VWC) were continuously monitored in an arid valley on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Mean annual GST was 3.23 °C higher than mean annual air temperature, and the freezing and thawing n-factors were 0.72 and 1.54, respectively, indicating weakened cold accumulation and enhanced heat accumulation at the ground surface. The maximum surface-connected freezing depth reached 3.30 m, whereas ground temperatures at 3.5 m and below remained above 0 °C. During spring thawing, a residual frozen layer persisted for 49 days after the shallow layer had thawed, with a maximum thickness of 3.24 m. GST-based freezing degree days represented freezing depth better than air-temperature-based freezing degree days. Soil VWC remained low, and precipitation responses were mainly confined to 0.2 m depth. These findings reveal a thermally dominated freeze–thaw regime with weak deep moisture response and show that distinguishing surface-connected freezing from residual frozen layers improves hydrothermal-state identification in low-water-content sandy gravel deposits. Full article

Although vegetation restoration is widely applied to reverse desertification in alpine sandy lands, its duration-dependent coordination of soil phosphorus (P) pools and biological P cycling remains unclear. We examined alpine sandy lands restored with Salix cupularis for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, using non-restored natural sandy land (CK) as the control. Systematic measurements included soil total P (TP), available P (AP), the P activation coefficient (PAC), labile, moderately labile, and non-labile P fractions, microbial biomass P (MBP), five phosphatase activities, and the relative abundances of phoC, phoD, and pqqC. Relative to CK, restoration significantly increased every measured indicator except non-labile P. After 20 years of restoration, surface-soil AP and PAC exceeded the control by 174.9% and 133.7%, respectively. Non-labile P content remained statistically unchanged, although its proportional contribution declined as TP and the more available P pools increased. Exploratory partial least-squares structural equation modeling summarized positive associations from P-cycling genes to enzymes (path coefficient = 0.980), from enzymes to active P fractions (0.893), and from active P fractions to P-availability indicators (0.800; all p < 0.01). Whereas, the direct enzyme–P availability association was not significant. This study shows that restoration duration is associated with P accumulation and coordinated microbial–enzymatic cycling that redistributes soil P toward more available pools without detectable depletion of non-labile P. Full article

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a transboundary viral disease of cattle, including Asian water buffalo and yaks, and certain wild ruminants (e.g., African buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, eland, and Arabian oryx). It is caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus (family Poxviridae) together with goatpox virus (GTPV) and sheeppox virus (SPPV). High nucleotide identity and serological cross-reactivity among these viruses hinder differential diagnosis. The aim of this study was to develop a Duplex TaqMan-MGB qPCR Assay for Differential Detection of Chinese Epidemic Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Strains and Goatpox Virus. We developed a duplex TaqMan-MGB real-time PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the LSDV GPCR and GTPV RPO30 loci. Virus-specific primers and MGB probes were designed, and the reaction was optimized for single-tube, two-target detection. The assay showed no cross-amplification, limits of detection of 1 × 10¹ copies/μL (LSDV) and 1 × 10¹ copies/μL (GTPV), and coefficients of variation < 1%. The assay was applied to 175 yak-derived field specimens from Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, of which 16 and 36 were positive for LSDV and GTPV, respectively. LSDV- and GTPV-positive samples showed specific amplification in the FAM and VIC channels, respectively. The duplex format enables concurrent detection and unambiguous differentiation of LSDV and GTPV and is compatible with high-throughput screening. This sensitive, specific, and reproducible assay supports surveillance and control of LSD in endemic and at-risk regions. Full article

Rust fungi of the genus Puccinia are important plant pathogens responsible for substantial economic losses in agriculture and forestry. During field surveys conducted in Qinghai Province, China, a novel rust species, Puccinia ligulari-przewalskii, was discovered parasitizing Ligularia przewalskii. Morphological characteristics of its teliospores were examined using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA sequences supported its taxonomic distinction as a new species within the genus Puccinia. Phylogenetic reconstructions inferred from maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference showed that the new species forms a distinct, well-supported lineage, clustering as sister to a clade comprising Puccinia argentata and Puccinia komarovii. P. ligulari-przewalskii is characterized by two-celled, spindle-shaped teliospores exhibiting sparse verrucose ornamentation on the spore wall. Only the telial stage was observed across multi-year surveys, and the complete life cycle remains to be determined. This study contributes to the taxonomic knowledge of rust fungi in China and underscores the ecological and phytopathological significance of rust fungi in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau region. Full article

Effective conservation of the Near Threatened (NT) black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) requires standardized frameworks for organizing multi-scale biodiversity data. This study proposes the Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBV) system as an optimal structure for archiving and sharing biodiversity data such as Habitat Suitability Index (HSI). Developed by the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), the EBV framework is an emerging system offering a robust solution for standardizing data exchange. Based on 483,592 valid location records of 106 black-necked cranes using satellite telemetry, we apply species distribution models and demonstrate how the multi-dimensional EBV architecture accommodates distinct life-stage preferences: breeding sites favor mid-elevations modulated by temperature; migration staging relies on precipitation regimes; and wintering grounds are driven by moisture availability and the avoidance of human-modified landscapes. The EBV NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) format functions as a self-describing hypercube that captures spatial, temporal, and life-stage dimensions while ensuring metadata transparency. This integration facilitates critical applications, including the identification of priority conservation areas and climate vulnerability assessments, thereby bridging the gap between species-specific modeling and global biodiversity monitoring standards. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in diameter, are an emerging class of environmental contaminants of global concern. As the “Water Tower of Asia” and a critical global ecological barrier, the environmental condition of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has a direct influence on the ecological security of major river systems and the well-being of populations downstream. MPs have now been detected across multiple environmental compartments on the plateau, including soils, water bodies, and glaciers. Given the fragility and ecological uniqueness of the region, systematic investigation of plastic pollution here is essential for safeguarding its ecological security. Based on current research, existing data on MP pollution across the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau are reviewed and synthesized. Evidence suggests that the abundance of MP varies significantly across different environmental media in various regions and is influenced by multiple factors. Two major potential sources are identified: local anthropogenic activities and transboundary inputs via atmospheric transport and other pathways. The unique environmental conditions of the region, such as intense ultraviolet radiation, large day–night temperature variation, and frequent high-wind events, provide a distinctive setting for the migration, dispersion, transformation, and degradation of MPs across environmental matrices. Understanding the distribution, sources, and migration patterns of microplastics on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau will help facilitate sustainable environmental management, ecosystem conservation, and pollution control in these fragile high-altitude regions. Full article

High-altitude hypoxic environments constrain yaks’ survival capacity and metabolic adaptability. Subcutaneous adipose tissue helps yaks withstand cold and resist hypoxic stress, and ADM participates in cellular stress and metabolic regulation. To explore the regulatory role of ADM in the hypoxia adaptation of yak subcutaneous preadipocytes in high-altitude environments, we established three cell culture groups (normoxia, physiological hypoxia, and hypoxia). We further systematically examined cell proliferation, apoptosis, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and lipid metabolic markers, and we performed transcriptome sequencing to reveal their regulatory effects. ADM exhibited a bidirectional regulatory effect: Low doses alleviated hypoxia-induced cell damage and restored energy and lipid synthesis, whereas high doses, in conjunction with hypoxia, activated multiple metabolic pathways and altered cellular energy-supply patterns. Under physiological hypoxia, cells emphasized metabolic regulation, while under hypoxia, they prioritized stress defense. This study demonstrates that under hypoxic stress, ADM regulates the survival and physiological function of yak subcutaneous preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, with cells relying on staged stress-defense and metabolic-remodeling responses to achieve adaptation to hypoxia, providing important experimental and theoretical insights into the mechanisms of high-altitude hypoxia adaptation in yaks. Full article

Quinoa leaf spot is an important fungal disease that limits quinoa yield and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of isolates associated with quinoa leaf spot in Qinghai, China, and to screen multifunctional biocontrol bacteria with potential for further development. Pathogenicity assays conducted on healthy quinoa leaves showed that isolates Alternaria alternata AF15 and A. tenuissima AF18 induced typical leaf spot symptoms. The corresponding fungi were successfully re-isolated from the resulting lesions, confirming the pathogenicity of both isolates. Two highly effective biocontrol bacteria, Serratia liquefaciens CB82 and Bacillus velezensis CB316, were subsequently selected through dual-culture assays. Their maximum inhibition rates against the two fungal pathogens reached 56.00% and 57.00%, respectively. Both biocontrol strains exhibited broad adaptability to different temperatures, pH, and NaCl conditions, produced protease, amylase, and cellulase, and showed phosphate-solubilizing activity. Metabolite extraction and fractionation revealed that the antifungal substances were predominantly enriched in the n-butanol fractions, which caused severe shrinkage, surface roughening, breakage, and deformation of the pathogen hyphae. In addition, both strains exhibited strong biofilm-forming capacity and successfully colonized quinoa leaves. Their culturable populations peaked on day 3 after inoculation, reaching 5.58 × 10⁷ and 6.06 × 10⁷ CFU/mL, respectively. In seed germination pouch assays, the bacterial suspensions promoted quinoa root elongation, whereas the fermentation broths increased seedling biomass accumulation in pot experiments. Overall, this study confirmed the pathogenicity of fungal isolates associated with quinoa leaf spot in Qinghai, China, identified two promising biocontrol bacterial strains, and preliminarily characterized their antifungal substances. These findings provide valuable microbial resources and a research basis for the future development of biological control strategies against quinoa leaf spot. Full article

Moss-dominated biological soil crusts are associated with carbon and nitrogen cycling in dryland and alpine sandy ecosystems, but functional differentiation among closely related moss species and their mixed assemblages remains unclear. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to compare below-crust soil associated with Didymodon constrictus (Mitt.) K. Saito (D. constrictus) crusts (mossC), ferrugineus (Schimp. ex Besch.) M.O. Hill (D. ferrugineus) crusts (mossF), and visually co-dominated mixed crusts (mossM) in the Gonghe Basin on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Fifteen spatially separated quadrats per category were pooled into three composite biological replicates (effective n = 3). KEGG, CAZy, and targeted carbon- and nitrogen-cycling annotations showed category-associated differences in relative gene representation. MossC had greater mean representation of glycoside hydrolases and several complex-carbon-processing functions, mossF had greater representation of nitrogen-assimilation and acetate-related functions, and mossM had greater representation of selected carbon-degradation, nitrogen-mineralization, and dissimilatory-nitrate-reduction functions. The full RDA model explained 58.4% of functional variation (adjusted R² = 0.334; exact permutation p = 0.028340), with single-variable associations retained for total carbon and soil water content. Genus-level taxonomic dissimilarity correlated with KEGG, CAZy, carbon-cycling, and nitrogen-cycling dissimilarities after FDR correction. MossM showed both positive and negative descriptive deviations from the approximate unweighted midpoint of mossC and mossF, but no inferential test was applied to these deviations. The small number of composite replicates, visually estimated moss proportions, edaphic confounding, and absence of activity measurements limit causal and confirmatory interpretation. Full article

The MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 proteins perform essential DNA-binding activities and regulation of the transcription of genes governing sexual reproduction in Ophiocordyceps sinensis. Previous studies have documented differential occurrence, alternative splicing, and transcriptional divergence of MAT1-1-1, MAT1-2-1, and pheromone receptor genes in Hirsutella sinensis (Genotype #1 among 17 genome-independent genotypes of O. sinensis fungi). In the present study, we analyzed the natural pairing patterns of structurally variant MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 proteins simultaneously produced by each of 20 purportedly homogenous O. sinensis strains, based on AlphaFold-predicted 3D structural models and pairwise structural superposition analyses. The differentially naturally paired mating proteins exhibited distinct heteromorphic stereostructures across strains. Specifically, the MATα_HMGbox domain of MAT1-1-1 and the HMG-box_ROX1-like domain of MAT1-2-1 displayed variable N- and/or C-terminal truncations, 1–4 amino acid substitutions at distinct sites, and concomitant alterations in hydrophobic properties and secondary/tertiary structural configurations. Thus, the differentially naturally paired but structurally divergent mating proteins support heterogeneous fungal origins within the analyzed O. sinensis strains and are inconsistent with a strictly self-fertilization reproductive model. Our findings suggest that O. sinensis adopts a self-sterile reproductive strategy, potentially involving heterothallic mating or hybrid reproduction during the lifecycle of the LEVEL-II protected Cordyceps sinensis insect–fungal complex endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Full article

Background: Clematis tangutica (Maxim.) Korsh. is a Tibetan medicinal plant, but its chloroplast genome and plastid gene evolution remain unexplored. Here, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of C. tangutica and investigated the adaptive evolution of the ycf2 gene. Methods: Chloroplast DNA was extracted from fresh leaves and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq PE150 platform. We then performed comprehensive genomic analyses, including genome structure characterization, repeat and SSR identification, comparative genomics, and positive selection analysis of the ycf2 gene. Results: The genome is 159,584 bp with a typical quadripartite structure, containing 134 genes and 23 SSRs. Comparative analyses revealed that ycf2 is the most variable gene among the 13 divergent loci identified. Positive selection analysis detected 12 significant sites in ycf2, all clustered in the middle region of the protein. Conclusions: This study provides the first complete chloroplast genome resource for C. tangutica, offers new insights into the adaptive evolution of ycf2 in Ranunculaceae, and yields molecular markers applicable to population genetics, phylogenetic studies, and conservation planning for this species of medicinal importance. Full article

The co-occurrence of soil drought and cadmium (Cd) pollution represents an important combined-stress scenario in degraded alpine grasslands, yet comparative responses of native Elymus forage grasses remain poorly resolved. Seedlings of E. sibiricus cv. Chuancao, E. breviaristatus, and E. nutans cv. Gannan were exposed to a full-factorial hydroponic matrix of four nominal Cd concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg·L⁻¹) and four PEG-6000 concentrations of 0, 5, 7.5, and 10% (w/v). Growth, biomass allocation, tissue water status, malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble sugars, antioxidant enzyme activities, and photosynthetic pigments were measured, and stress tolerance coefficient, membership function analysis, and principal component analysis were used for integrated evaluation. Cd × PEG interactions affected growth, biomass, MDA, soluble sugars, peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and total chlorophyll, demonstrating trait- and species-dependent non-additive responses. Under the most severe combined treatment, E. breviaristatus maintained comparatively better shoot growth, lower absolute MDA, and relatively stable CAT and pigment traits; E. nutans maintained CAT and chlorophyll concentration but showed severe membrane lipid peroxidation, whereas E. sibiricus was more sensitive in shoot growth and pigment maintenance. Multi-method evaluation ranked E. breviaristatus first for relative multi-trait performance. Because Cd availability, tissue Cd concentrations, and root-to-shoot translocation were not measured, this ranking reflects phenotype-based performance under common external treatments rather than intrinsic Cd tolerance. E. breviaristatus should therefore be regarded as a candidate for subsequent Cd-accumulation, soil-pot, and field validation. Full article

The SWEET (Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporter) family, a class of sugar transporters identified in recent years, plays important roles in plant growth and development. Increasing evidence suggests that SWEET genes are also involved in plant responses to abiotic stresses, including salt stress. However, the genome-wide composition and salt-responsive functions of SWEET genes in Elymus nutans Griseb. have not been systematically characterized to date. This study presents the first genome-wide identification of the SWEET gene family in E. nutans and functional characterization of EnSWEET15 in salt stress response, providing candidate genes and a theoretical basis for improving salt tolerance in this species. A total of 12 EnSWEET genes were identified from the E. nutans genome and were unevenly distributed across eight chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into four subfamilies, and promoter analysis revealed abundant cis-elements related to hormone signaling and stress responses, suggesting roles in abiotic stress adaptation. Expression analysis showed that EnSWEET15 was significantly upregulated in both roots and leaves under salt stress. The full-length EnSWEET15 coding sequence (930 bp ORF) was cloned and functionally characterized. Heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that EnSWEET15 enhances salt tolerance. Transgenic lines showed reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), compared with wild-type plants under salt stress. Overall, this study identifies EnSWEET15 as a positive regulator of salt tolerance via modulating ROS homeostasis, providing novel insights into SWEET-mediated salt stress response in perennial forages and valuable genetic resources for salt-tolerant breeding of E. nutans. Full article

Average daily gain (ADG) is a core quantitative trait determining the economic benefits of Ashidan yak, a polled new breed adapted to cold barn feeding on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Unraveling its complex genetic architecture is crucial for early molecular breeding selection. In this study, high-depth whole-genome resequencing (WGS) data from 474 Ashidan yaks were used to conduct combined evaluation of genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic selection (GS). During GWAS analysis, sex and measurement batch were included as fixed effects, while birth weight and principal components (PC1–PC3) were incorporated as covariates. Multi-model association analysis using GLM, MLM, and FarmCPU was performed on 3.36 million LD-pruned SNPs. The genomic inflation factors (λ ≈ 1.0) for MLM and FarmCPU confirmed effective elimination of population stratification. A total of 11 genome-wide significant SNP loci and 7 key candidate genes including PDE10A, RAD51B, BCAS3 and KCNH8 were identified via the FarmCPU model. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these gene clusters are significantly involved in cAMP signaling pathway, regulation of ion channel activity, as well as extracellular matrix remodeling of blood vessels and skeletal muscle cells. For genomic selection, a single-trait GBLUP model was constructed using 22.87 million high-density raw SNPs to fully capture polygenic minor effects. Moderately high narrow-sense genomic heritability of ADG was estimated at h² = 0.3233 (p < 0.05). The average independent prediction accuracy across the 10-fold cross-validation reached an average of R = 0.14 ± 0.07. To evaluate marker prioritized genomic evaluation without data leakage, a strict 10-fold cross-validation scheme was implemented, where the top 1% high-priority variant set (~228,000 SNPs) was screened independently within each training fold. The resulting unbiased prediction accuracy reached R = 0.1328 ± 0.1566 (with an average RMSE of 0.3793 ± 0.0066 and a regression slope of 0.4183 ± 0.5055). Comparing this with the unselected whole-genome baseline (R = 0.14 ± 0.07) indicates that naive marker selection based solely on GBLUP effect size in small reference cohorts is influenced by sampling variance, highlighting the need to integrate multi-omics functional annotations for future custom breeding array development. This study provides quantitative insights into the polygenic architecture of ADG in yaks, offering baseline data for genomic selection and custom array development for indigenous livestock on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Full article

China launched the major function-oriented zone planning (MFZP) strategy in 2010 to address regional imbalances and resource–environment pressures through differentiated regulation. Using county-level data from 2010 to 2020, this study develops a “scale–structure–efficiency” framework and applies a self-organizing feature map (SOFM) model to examine construction land supply across four functional zones. The findings show that: (1) Key development zones provide the largest supply, while optimized zones supply the smallest but at the highest intensity, and restricted zones generally meet control targets. (2) Optimized zones record the highest incremental–stock supply index (ISSI), yet incremental supply still dominates; urbanized zones have balanced functional structures, whereas agricultural and ecological zones are more concentrated. (3) Supply efficiency in urbanized zones exceeds that of agricultural and ecological zones. (4) SOFM clustering identifies four distinct supply modes, reflecting regional heterogeneity in policy alignment. Overall, China’s differentiated land supply strategy broadly matches national goals, though some regions face excessive intensity and low efficiency, calling for tailored optimization measures. Full article