Search Results (169)

Meloidogyne enterolobii, a highly virulent and broad-host-range plant-parasitic nematode, poses an increasing threat to global agricultural production. By inducing the formation of nutrient-rich giant cells in host roots and deploying a diverse array of effector proteins to modulate plant immune responses, this nematode achieves efficient colonization and invasion, resulting in impaired crop growth and significant economic losses. In recent years, global climate warming combined with the rapid development of protected agriculture has broken the traditional geographical limits of tropical and subtropical regions, thereby increasing the risk of M. enterolobii occurrence in temperate and high-latitude areas. Concurrently, conventional chemical control methods are increasingly limited by environmental pollution and the development of resistance, steering research toward green control strategies. This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress of M. enterolobii in terms of ecological diffusion trends, pathogenic mechanisms, and green control, and explored the feasibility of integrating multidisciplinary technologies to construct an efficient and precise control system. The ultimate aim is to provide theoretical support and technical supports for green and sustainable development of global agriculture. Full article

Dutch elm disease is one of the most devastating plant diseases, primarily spread through bark beetles. Scolytus scolytus is a key vector of this disease. In this study, distribution data of S. scolytus were collected and filtered. Combined with environmental and climatic variables, an ensemble model was developed using the Biomod2 platform to predict its potential geographical distribution in China. The selection of climate variables was critical for accurate prediction. Eight bioclimatic factors with high importance were selected from 19 candidate variables. Among these, the three most important factors are the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6), precipitation seasonality (bio15), and precipitation in the driest quarter (bio17). Under current climate conditions, suitable habitats for S. scolytus are mainly located in the temperate regions between 30° and 60° N latitude. These include parts of Europe, East Asia, eastern and northwestern North America, and southern and northeastern South America. In China, the low-suitability area was estimated at 37,883.39 km², and the medium-suitability area at 251.14 km². No high-suitability regions were identified. However, low-suitability zones were widespread across multiple provinces. Under future climate scenarios, low-suitability areas are still projected across China. Medium-suitability areas are expected to increase under SSP370 and SSP585, particularly along the eastern coastal regions, peaking between 2041 and 2060. High-suitability zones may also emerge under these two scenarios, again concentrated in coastal areas. These findings provide a theoretical basis for entry quarantine measures and early warning systems aimed at controlling the spread of S. scolytus in China. Full article

Climatic oscillations in the Quaternary are altering the performance of angiosperms, while the species’ distribution is regarded as a macroscopic view of these spatial and temporal changes. Oaks (Quercus L.) are important tree models for estimating the abiotic impacts on the distribution of forest tree species. In this study, we modeled the past, present, and future suitable habitat for two varieties of deciduous oaks (Quercus serrata and Quercus serrata var. brevipetiolata), which are widely distributed in China and play dominant roles in the local forest ecosystem. We evaluated the importance of environmental factors in shaping the species’ distribution and identified the “wealthy” habitats in harsh conditions for the two varieties. The ecological niche models showed that the suitable areas for these two varieties are mainly concentrated in mountain ranges in central China, while Q. serrata var. brevipetiolata is also widely distributed in the middle-east mountain range. The mean temperature of the coldest quarter was identified as the critical factor in shaping the habitat availability for these two varieties. From the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the present, the potential distribution range of these two sibling species has obviously shifted northward and expanded from the inferred refugia. Under the optimistic (RCP2.6), moderate (RCP 4.5)-, and higher (RCP 6.0)-concentration greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, our simulations suggested that the total area of suitable habitats in the 2050s and 2070s will be wider than it is now for these two varieties of deciduous oaks, as the distribution range is shifting to higher latitudes; thus, low latitudes are more likely to face the risk of habitat losses. This study provides a case study on the response of forest tree species to climate changes in the north temperate and subtropical zones of East Asia and offers a basis for tree species’ protection and management in China. Full article

This study examines the complex interactions among soil moisture, evaporation, extreme weather events, and lightning, and their influence on fire activity across the extratropical and Pan-Arctic regions. Leveraging reanalysis and remote-sensing datasets from 2000 to 2020, we applied cross-correlation analysis, a modified Mann–Kendall trend test, and assessments of interannual variability to key variables including soil moisture, fire frequency and risk, evaporation, and lightning. Results indicate a significant increase in dry days (up to 40%) and heatwave events across Central Eurasia and Siberia (up to 50%) and Alaska (25%), when compared to the 1980–2000 baseline. Upward trends have been detected in evaporation across most of North America, consistent with soil moisture trends, while much of Eurasia exhibits declining soil moisture. Fire danger shows a strong positive correlation with evaporation north of 60° N (r ≈ 0.7, p ≤ 0.005), but a negative correlation in regions south of this latitude. These findings suggest that in mid-latitude ecosystems, fire activity is not solely driven by water stress or atmospheric dryness, highlighting the importance of region-specific surface–atmosphere interactions in shaping fire regimes. In North America, most fires occur in temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands (47%), whereas in Eurasia, approximately 55% of fires are concentrated in forests/taiga and temperate open biomes. The analysis also highlights that lightning-related fires are more prevalent in Eastern Europe and Southeastern Asia. In contrast, Western North America exhibits high fire incidence in temperate conifer forests despite relatively low lightning activity, indicating a dominant role of anthropogenic ignition. These findings underscore the importance of understanding land–atmosphere interactions in assessing fire risk. Integrating surface conditions, climate extremes, and ignition sources into fire prediction models is crucial for developing more effective wildfire prevention and management strategies. Full article

The performance of solar thermal systems for space heating and domestic hot water (DHW) production depends on the tilt angle of solar collectors, which governs the amount and seasonal distribution of captured solar radiation. This study evaluates the impact of fixed collector tilt angles on the annual solar fraction (SF) of a solar heating system designed for a typical single-family house located in Kraków, Poland (50° N latitude). A numerical model based on the f-Chart method was employed to simulate system performance under varying collector areas, storage tank volumes, heat exchanger characteristics, and DHW proportions. The analysis revealed that although total annual irradiation decreases with increasing tilt angle, the SF reaches a maximum at a tilt angle of approximately 60°, which is about 10° higher than the local geographic latitude. This configuration offers a favorable balance between winter energy gain and summer overheating mitigation. The results align with empirical recommendations in the literature and offer practical guidance for optimizing fixed-tilt solar heating systems in temperate climates. Full article

Tetrodotoxin (TTX), earlier known as a tropical paralytic neurotoxin from pufferfish poisoning, has increasingly been occurring in edible marine species, including filter-feeding bivalves, from relatively cold marine waters of some European countries. The defined conditions that promote the production of TTX, its origin or the processes of its accumulation in seafood are still not clarified. Recent studies in temperate waters show, however, that the accumulation of quantifiable levels of TTX in bivalves appears to be influenced by seawater temperature (>15 °C), which indicates a seasonal occurrence at these latitudes. Uncertainties still remain regarding how seawater temperature interacts with other climate and environmental factors or organisms in the marine ecosystem to result in detectable levels of TTX in shellfish. Knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of TTX in the marine environment where the edible bivalves grow is important for maintaining seafood safety, as the toxin is heat-stable and remains potent even after cooking. Therefore, in this study, 264 bivalve samples collected in 2019 and 2021 from 17 sites along the Swedish west coast were analyzed with LC-MS/MS to search for TTX. The study explores the hypothesis of TTX presence in Swedish marine waters, outlines the sample screening strategy and objectives, and reports no evidence of TTX presence in Swedish bivalve shellfish (≥7.8 µg/kg) based on the analyzed samples and the time periods in which the studied samples were collected. Full article

The radioisotopic dating of five stratigraphic levels within the Permian succession of the Kuznetsk Coal Basin refined the ages of the corresponding stratigraphic units and, for the first time, enabled their direct correlation with the International Chronostratigraphic Chart, 2024. The analysis revealed significant discrepancies between the updated ages and the previously accepted regional scheme (1982–1996). A comparison of regional stratigraphic units’ durations with estimated coal and siliciclastic sediment accumulation rates indicated that the early Permian contains the most prolonged stratigraphic hiatuses. The updated stratigraphic framework enabled re-evaluating the temporal sequence of regional sedimentological, volcano–tectonic and biotic events, allowing for more accurate comparison with the global record. Palaeoclimate reconstructions indicated that during the early Permian, the Kuznetsk Basin was characterised by a relatively warm, humid, and aseasonal climate, consistent with its mid-latitude position during the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age. In contrast, the middle-to-late Permian shows a transition to a temperate, moderately humid climate with pronounced seasonality, differing from the warmhouse conditions of low-latitude palaeoequatorial regions. The latest Lopingian reveals a distinct trend toward increasing dryness, consistent with global palaeoclimate signals associated with the end-Permian crisis. Full article

The Northeastern China Gravity Monitoring Network (NCGMN; 40–50°N), a pioneering time-variable gravity monitoring system in high-latitude cold-temperate environments, serves as a critical infrastructure for geodynamic investigations of the Songliao Basin, Changbai Mountain volcanic zone, and northern Tan-Lu Fault Zone. To address the data reliability challenges posed by nonlinear dynamic drifts in spring-type relative gravimeters during mobile surveys, this study quantifies—for the first time—the non-smooth normal distribution characteristics of such drifts using the inaugural 2015 dataset from two CG-5 instruments. Results demonstrate a 7–15% reduction in mean dynamic drift rates compared to static conditions, with spatiotemporal variability governed by multi-physics field coupling (terrain undulation, thermal fluctuation, and barometric perturbation). A comprehensive correction framework—integrating a gravimetric line drift rate computation, multi-model validation, and absolute datum cross-validation—reveals gravity value discrepancies up to ±10 μGal across models. The innovative hybrid scheme combines local drift preprocessing (initial-point modeling, line fitting, variance-sum optimization) with global adjustment optimization, achieving the significant suppression of nonlinear drift errors. The variance-sum optimal and Bayesian adjustment hybrid synergizes local variance minimization and global temporal correlation priors, delivering the following: (1) 34% and 29% reductions in segment self-difference standard deviations versus classical and Bayesian adjustments; (2) 24% and 14% decreases in segment residual standard deviations; (3) 12% and 6% improvements in absolute datum cross-validation precision. This study establishes a foundation for the reliable extraction of μGal-level gravity signals, advancing high-precision gravity monitoring of seismicity, volcanic unrest, and fault zone deformation in complex terrains. By harmonizing local-scale accuracy with network-wide consistency, the framework sets a new benchmark for time-variable gravity studies in challenging environments. Full article

Phytolith carbon sequestration has been recognized as an important mechanism for long-term carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems. Conducting relevant research in cold temperate regions that are sensitive to climate change can reveal their unique mechanisms as a stable and long-term carbon pool, fill key blind spots in global carbon cycling models, and provide necessary scientific support for developing climate-resilient ecological strategies and carbon neutrality pathways. In this study, we focused on the Larix gmelinii forest ecosystem and investigated the latitudinal spatial characteristics of soil phytolith and phytolith-occluded carbon (phytOC) in Eastern China. We analyzed the factors that influenced their accumulation and assessed their storage potential across different climatic zones. Our findings revealed an exponential increase in soil phytolith content with increasing latitude in Eastern China. Additionally, the content of soil phytoliths in tropical and subtropical forests was significantly lower than in the cold temperate forests. It was also found that soil phytOC content increased linearly with latitude and was significantly higher in cold temperate zones than in the other climatic zones. The order of soil phytOC storage was tropical (0.23 t ha⁻¹) < middle temperate (0.24 t ha⁻¹) < subtropical (0.27 t ha⁻¹) < cold temperate (1.20 t ha⁻¹). Soil phytolith and phytOC content were significantly negatively correlated with temperature and precipitation. pH, organic matter, and nutrients of soil significantly influenced the formation and accumulation of soil phytoliths. It can provide a scientific basis for the quantitative evaluation of forest soil carbon pool. Full article

The Onil and Ibi sections (Prebetic Zone, Betic Cordillera: Alicante, SE Spain) record a late Ypresian (Cuisian) to early Lutetian (~51 to ~43 Myr) carbonate platform succession, dated using larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) and planktonic foraminifera. Seven field lithofacies (L1 to L7) and five thin-section microfacies (Mf1–Mf5) were identified, indicating inner- to mid-ramp environments (from seagrass meadows to Maërl-LBF-dominated) in warm-water and low-latitude conditions. A distinctive feature of these platforms is their dominance by LBF in association with rhodophyceae, contrasting with typical coral reef factories. We propose a novel carbonate production model, “TC-factory”, to describe these warm-temperate systems. Integrated field logging, drone imagery, and microfacies data allowed us to define a sequence stratigraphic framework comprising five lower-frequency sequences (LFS: ~2 Myr average duration), each of them nesting various numbers of high-frequency sequences (HFS: ~0.25 to ~1 Myr). The LFSs belong to a higher-rank sequence bounded by regional unconformities. The five LFSs only broadly match the upper Ypresian and lower Lutetian cycles in global eustatic curves (~51 to ~43 Myr), indicating that other regional or local controls were important. The number of HFSs being fewer than expected also suggests additional controls, such as local tectonics, erosion during lowstands, or carbonate production feedback. Full article

Climate change poses significant challenges to forest biodiversity by altering species distributions. This study employed the MaxEnt model to predict the current and potential future suitable habitats of five Alnus species in China under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. Model accuracy was high, with temperature seasonality identified as the most influential variable. In addition, predicted range shifts showed species-specific patterns, with most species expanding toward higher latitudes and elevations. In contrast, Alnus ferdinandi-coburgii exhibited consistent habitat contraction. These findings enhance understanding of the climatic responses of Alnus species and provide a scientific basis for targeted conservation and management strategies under future climate change, and may offer insights into habitat responses of Alnus species in other temperate regions. Full article

This study investigates the effectiveness of sloped horizontal shading fins in enhancing visual comfort, electricity generation, and acoustic attenuation in a south-facing office room in Wrocław, Poland (51° latitude). A simulation-based approach combined Radiance daylight simulations, PV energy modeling, and graphical acoustic analysis. Four fin configurations were tested to identify the optimal design. The results indicate that Variant 3, featuring two 1 m wide fins inclined at 45°, achieved the best overall performance, increasing UDI_{300–3000/168} from 53.1% to 95.8%, reducing DGP from 50% to 27%, and enabling an estimated annual electricity production of 4.67 MWh. Additionally, applying sound-absorbing material on the shaded side of the fins significantly reduced reflective acoustic wave bounces, significantly reducing façade-exposed noise. This multifunctional solution demonstrates a practical and scalable strategy for improving office environmental quality in temperate climates, contributing to energy efficiency, acoustic comfort, and visual well being. Full article

In recent years, the cultivation techniques of large-diameter forests have garnered increasing attention due to their significant ecological and economic values. However, the effects of small-scale latitudinal changes on the species distribution and community composition of large-diameter trees remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effects of narrow latitudinal gradients on the species composition and structure of large-diameter forests. Investigating these impacts provides critical insights for silvicultural species selection and forest structure optimization, particularly in the context of global warming, and is essential for the sustainable development of large-diameter forests. In this study, three forest communities along a small-scale latitudinal gradient in subtropical China were selected to study the community structure of large-diameter trees by analyzing species composition and species diversity. The community structure was also studied by analyzing species rank curves, the diameter structure, PCoA, MRPP, and indicator species. The results revealed that as latitude increased, the proportion of rare species rose from 43.8% in LL (low-latitude) to 63.2% in HL (high-latitude) areas, while the stem density of dominant species and the number of stems per species also increased. Additionally, species composition homogeneity decreased (based on PCoA and MRPP analysis), age-class structures became more complex, and the proportion of tropical genera gradually declined, whereas temperate genera increased. These findings indicate that small-scale latitudinal variation is a key driver of changes in the composition and structure of large-diameter forests. Currently, the northern Guangdong region is suitable for large-diameter forest development, with Fagaceae species (particularly Castanopsis and Lithocarpus) showing high potential. Specifically, Castanopsis eyrei, Castanopsis fissa, and Ternstroemia gymnanthera are well-suited for large-diameter stand cultivation in Guangdong. For mixed large-diameter forests, Machilus chinensis, Cinnamomum porrectum, and Schima superba are recommended as optimal associated species. However, as global warming progresses, the suitability of tree species for afforestation may shift, necessitating adaptive management strategies. Full article

The aim of this paper was to delve deeper into the nuances of incident solar irradiance on the photovoltaic field of a fixed tilt angle system versus a horizontal single-axis tracker. The fixed tilt angle system was used as a baseline for comparison. Three assessment indicators were analysed (annual energy gain ($AEG$), monthly energy gain ($MEG$), daily energy gain ($DEG$)). The procedure used comprised the following steps: (i) choice of solar irradiance estimation model; (ii) theoretical study; (iii) study under real operating conditions—for this purpose, an experimental setup was used; and (iv) comparison of these studies. The experimental setup was installed at the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of Oviedo (Gijón, Spain) (latitude $43°{31}^{\prime }{22}^{″}$ N, longitude $05°{43}^{\prime }{07}^{″}$ W, elevation 28 (m) above sea level). Gijón is characterised by a temperate oceanic climate typical of Spain’s Atlantic coast, with cool summers and wet and mostly mild winters. The code assigned to Gijón under the Köppen climate classification is $C_{fb}$. The horizontal single-axis trackers that comprise photovoltaic power plants have three operating modes (Scenario 1). Some studies consider a unique mode of operation from sunrise to sunset (Scenario 2). The following conclusions can be drawn from the results obtained: (i) although the results obtained in the theoretical study and in the study under real operating conditions were different, a trend can be seen in the results; for example, the $AEG$ obtained was approximately $13\%$ and $8.5\%$ in the theoretical study and in the real study, respectively, in Scenario 1 and approximately $18\%$ and $10.5\%$, respectively, in Scenario 2; Scenario 2 obtained higher results than Scenario 1 in all the assessment indicators; but it must be considered that Scenario 1 is the real mode of operation; (ii) from March to September, the horizontal single-axis tracker generates more electrical energy; as this period contains the months of greatest solar irradiance, the horizontal single-axis tracker performs better annually; considering the theoretical study and Scenario 1, the highest value of $MEG$ was in June ($43\%$) and the lowest was in December ($-29\%$); when the study was considered under real operating conditions, the highest result was in July ($30\%$) and the lowest was in December ($-24\%$); (iii) on the days between 70 and 277 in Scenario 1, the horizontal single-axis tracker generated more electrical energy; on the other days the opposite occurred; taking into account the theoretical study, the highest and lowest $DEG$ values were $43\%$ and $-30\%$, respectively; when the study was considered under real operating conditions, the highest and lowest $DEG$ values were $58\%$ and $-47\%$, respectively. Full article

Wetlands are crucial ecosystems that provide a wide range of ecological services, such as water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration, where the diversity of wetland plants is fundamental to maintaining these functions. Phragmites australis is a globally widespread wetland grass with a high genetic diversity, exhibiting strong intraspecific variation across environmental gradients. While both phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation are recognized drivers of plant adaptation, their relative importance in mediating the growth and decomposition traits of wetland plants remains debated. Here, we surveyed the growth and litter traits of two lineages (haplotypes) of P. australis in two common gardens in eastern China. The leaf litter of P. australis was also collected from the field in two provinces where the two common gardens are located. Microcosm experiments were carried out to explore the litter decomposition ability. We found that the common garden (growth environment) significantly affected the growth performance (shoot diameter and height), leaf litter stoichiometric traits (contents of N and P), and the leaf decomposition over 180 days. The N content in the leaf litter from the higher-latitude province of Liaoning was greater than that from the lower-latitude province of Shandong, regardless of whether it was collected from the field or the common garden. The litter N and P contents were the key factors affecting the decomposition during the 180-day experiment. However, we did not find the effects of lineage (genetic variation) on the variation of these traits. The climatic factors of the genotype origin were significantly correlated with the growth traits but not the litter traits or decomposition rates. The findings indicate that P. australis in eastern temperate China primarily adapts through phenotypic plasticity rather than genetic variation, which is crucial for wetland resilience in a changing climate. This study underscores the pivotal role of environmental factors and phenotypic plasticity in P. australis growth and decomposition, suggesting that conservation efforts should prioritize the local environment over genetic variation for effective wetland management. Full article