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    Geographical boundary line of the Yellow River’s ‘Ji Zi Bend’ and its main ecological issues.
    LIU Ren-tao, CHENG Jing
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (2): 383-394.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.028
    Abstract614)      PDF(pc) (1151KB)(30)       Save
    Due to different positions, goals, and research contents, there was no consistent geographical boundary line on Yellow River’s ‘Ji Zi Bend’. On the basis of geographical location and key ecological position within the national strategic layout, we defined Yellow River’s ‘Ji Zi Bend’ as the geographical boundary lines of “Ji-shaped” area, which started from Lanzhou City on the west till Sanmenxia City on the east, and from Baotou City on the north till the southern fringe of Sanmenxia City, forming a distribution area of the upper and middle reaches of Yellow River. The area covers 24 cities in six provinces, including Gansu Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, and Henan Province. It includes desertified regions in northwestern area, and soil and water loss regions in southeastern area, as well as wetland and alluvial plain alongside both sides of Yellow River, with an area of about 6.04×105 km2 and a population of 6.01×107 persons. The main ecological issues in this region are as below: scarcity and uneven distribution of water resources together with frequent occurrence of extreme climatic events; unequilibrium and poor regulation of water and sand together with serous soil and water loss; great desertification intensification and conflict between land utilization efficiency and ecological security; the conflict between energy resource exploitation and fragile ecological protection; land degradation and environmental pollution. The reasons for these aforementioned issues include: poor natural resources, and susceptible ecological conditions; history brand of desertification and soil and water loss in recent hundred years; the coupling drivers of climate change and human perturbation; the imbalance between increasing intensity of resource exploitation and utilization and regional development. More attention needs to be paid, including: enhancing management and configuration of water resources and the ability of prevention and reduction of natural disasters, being active response to climate changes; suitable measures to local real conditions and categorical policy for the improvement of ecosystem quality and the restoration and conservation of fragile ecosystems; policy coordination and management synergy, and the enhancement of holistic approach and integrating restoration. In the future, we should focus on ecological protection, concentrate on green development of energy resources, promote technological innovation in biodiversity conservation, strengthen the deep integration of biodiversity with ecological industries and green development, cultivate new quality productivity, and help win the battle against the ecological protection “bend” of the Yellow River.
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    Comparison of carbon sequestration and cooling benefits of plants in different landscaped green sites based on GGE biplot
    SI Mingqian, MU Yan
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (3): 682-692.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202503.021
    Abstract594)      PDF(pc) (4921KB)(32)       Save
    To understand the ecological adaptability of common garden plants, we analyzed the growth characteristics of 17 common garden plant species in the street green site and the campus green site. We measured microenvironmental characteristics, carbon sequestration, oxygen release, cooling and humidification of plants with the same diameter at breast height (herb was the height of the plant) in the two green sites. We used genotype main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction biplot and Pearson correlation analysis to analyze the interaction between species identity and site type. The results showed that Sophora japonica, Ginkgo biloba, Prunus persica, Aesculus chinensis, Ligustrum × vicaryi, Berberis thunbergii, Ligustrum sinense and Sabina chinensis had significant differences in carbon sequestration and cooling benefits between the two site types. Under the same land area, S. chinensis showed the strongest carbon sequestration and cooling in the campus with the values of 33.79 g·m-2·d-1 and 2.30 ℃, respectively. Photinia × fraseri was the strongest species in the street, with values of 31.47 g·m-2·d-1 and 0.84 ℃, respectively. The average carbon sequestration and cooling capacity of plants was higher in the campus than in the street. Trees cooled and humidified better in the street. The microclimatic conditions of campus in the summer were more stable than the street, which was closer to the ideal environment for plant growth. To enhance the ecological function of the green sites in small- and medium-sized towns, we should select trees, shrubs and grasses with better carbon sequestration and cooling benefits, including S. japonica, Koelreuteria paniculata, Ligustrum lucidum, Prunus cerasifera, A. chinensis, Pinus bungeana, S. chinensis, L. sinense, Ligustrum × vicaryi, P. × fraseri and Ophiopogon japonicas.
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    Review on research methods of the surface urban heat island effect based on CNKI bibliometrics
    CHEN Cen, LIANG Dezhuang, YANG Jun, HAN Dongrui, QIAO Zhi
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (3): 647-658.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202503.029
    Abstract506)      PDF(pc) (2836KB)(65)       Save
    The urban heat island (UHI) effect is an increasingly prominent local climate issue in the process of global urbanization, significantly impacting human settlement health and energy consumption. Based on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, we searched and analyzed Chinese journal articles on the surface urban heat island (SUHI) effect published during 1980 and 2024. Using CiteSpace software, we conducted a visual analysis of publication trends and keywords to systematically summarize the research advances. We reviewed and discussed the research hotspots, including data sources, identification methods, and evaluation indicators related to the surface urban heat island effect. We also proposed the shortages and challenges in current research, such as identification accuracy, mechanism analysis, and impact assessment. More works should be strengthened in future research, including optimizing multi-source data integration with cross-validation, innovating multi-scale dynamic evaluation methods, and enriching multi-dimension impact assessment systems. By reviewing the development process of surface urban heat island effect research in China, we hoped to provide theoretical support and technical guidance for future research, contributing to the deepening and practical application of the research.
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    Relationship between urban form and surface temperature based on XGBoost SHAP interpretable machine learning model
    TAN Jie, WEI Qianjun, LIAO Zhaoyang, KUANG Wenjun, DENG Huiting, YU De
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (3): 659-670.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202503.025
    Abstract419)      PDF(pc) (4123KB)(38)       Save
    With the increase of high-rise buildings in major cities worldwide, exploring the effects of urban two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) morphology on land surface temperature (LST) has become the key to mitigating the urban thermal environment and optimizing urban planning. Using the area within the Third Ring Road of Changsha as a case, we extracted 13 urban 2D/3D morphological factors based on 2020 multi-source remote sensing data. We used Pearson correlation analysis to examine the relationship between LST and each factor, and used the XGBoost model and SHAP method to reveal their nonlinear impacts and contributions. The results showed that in 2020, high-temperature regions mainly concentrated in the building-dense central area of Changsha, while low-temperature areas predominantly located in the forest parks in the western and northeastern parts of the city, as well as along the Xiangjiang River. The normalized difference building index (NDBI), nighttime lighting (NTL) and proportion of construction land (PCL) exhibited significant positive correlations with LST, with correlation coefficients of 0.592, 0.537 and 0.446, respectively, indicating that urbanization exacerbated surface warming. In contrast, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the sky view coefficient (SVF) showed significant negative correlation with LST, with correlation coefficients of -0.316 and -0.200, respectively, reflecting the important role of green space and open space in mitigating the urban heat island effect. NDBI, NTL, NDVI, and elevation (DEM) had the greatest influence on LST, contributing 60.9% of the total variance. These 2D/3D morphological factors exhibited complex nonlinear effects on LST. NDBI had the most significant warming effect in the range from 0 to 0.2. The warming effect of NTL tended to saturate when its intensity exceeded 40. The cooling effect of NDVI became more pronounced as it surpassed 0.5. DEM values between 50 and 150 m produced the most signifi-cant cooling effect. This study validated the effectiveness of the XGBoost-SHAP model in uncovering the nonlinear mechanisms through which urban 2D/3D morphological factors influenced LST, offering scientific insights for urban heat management and the development of green, low-carbon, and livable urbanization.
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    Connotation, characteristics, significance, and development pathways of new quality productive force in agriculture
    HUANG Guoqin
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (4): 1281-1288.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202504.040
    Abstract403)      PDF(pc) (461KB)(13)       Save
    Since General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the concept of “new quality productive force” in September 2023, the term “new quality productive force in agriculture” has also been proposed and attracked increased attention. The new quality productive force in agriculture is the application and specific expression of the new quality productive force in the area of agriculture. Its essence is the transformation, application and industrialization of modern high-tech achievements in agriculture, aiming to generate new industry, new business type, new mode, new kinetic energy, and new functions, to achieve high efficiency of resources, high efficiency of production, high speed of development, high quality of products, and high-quality talents, to promote the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, and ultimately to build a powerful agricultural country. Compared with the traditional agricultural productivity, there are eight new characteristics in new quality productive force of agriculture, including progressiveness, low-carbon, efficient, diversified, innovative, integrated, shared, and high-end. Developing new quality productive force of agriculture has important theoretical and practical significance. Firstly, it is conducive to increasing agricultural output and maintaining food security. Secondly, it would promote the increase of farmerś income and the prosperity of rural economy. Thirdly, it helps improve agricultural efficiency and build a strong agricultural country. Fourthly, it could advance the ecological environment and build a beautiful China. Fifthly, it would help lead the development of world agriculture and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. The main pathways for cultivating and developing the new quality productive force of agriculture include: strengthening scientific and technological innovation, collecting ‘high-quality' data, developing new types of machinery and tools, developing new quality industries, optimizing the ecological environment, cultivating new quality talents, and establishing a new system.
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    Research progress on earthworms and soil health.
    LIU Ruowen, ZHAI Junjie, WANG Xing
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (2): 637-646.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.036
    Abstract322)      PDF(pc) (1787KB)(19)       Save
    Soil health, reflecting the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil is closely related to soil functions and plant productivity. Soil health is crucial for ensuring food security, ecological balance, and human health. Earthworms are known as ecosystem engineers, due to their unique biological characteristics. They are not only indicators of soil health but also play an important role in improving soil health. Earthworms have profound impacts on soil health through their activities such as burrowing, feeding, digesting, excreting, and secreting mucus from their body surface. We reviewed research advances on the roles of earthworms in improving soil structure, accelerating the decomposition of organic matter, increasing soil microbial diversity, promoting nutrient cycling, and providing nutrients for plant growth. Furthermore, we elaborated the role of earthworms in collaborating with their gut microbiota to accelerate the reduction of pollutants in the soil, improve soil purification capacity, maintain ecosystem balance, promote soil health, and increase crop yields. Moreover, we provided an outlook on future researches related to earthworms and soil health.
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    Research progress on sex pheromones in aquatic animals
    WU Junyi, LIANG Jun, LI Xueting, XU Kaida, ZHANG Tao, SHI Huilai
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (5): 1599-1608.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202505.034
    Abstract315)      PDF(pc) (1163KB)(3)       Save
    Sex pheromones, as key mediators of chemical communication in organisms, are important for regulating species behaviour and ecological relationships. During the reproductive phase, these substances can be used to induce directed convergence and specific behavioural responses in individuals of the same species and opposite sex. However, there are significant technical challenges in studying aquatic animal pheromones, primarily the limited sensitivity and specificity of detection methods. The pheromonal compositions and mechanistic pathways across many species remain unclear. Given the transmission properties of aquatic environmental media for chemical signals, in-depth analyses of the interactions between sex pheromones and the sensory systems and reproductive strategies of animals will help to unravel their adaptive mechanisms. This review clarified the conceptual framework of pheromones, synthesized current knowledge on their sources, release pathways, chemical profiles, and target species in aquatic animals, and examined their functional roles during reproduction. We further prospected the future practical applications of sex pheromone research, aiming to provide reference for aquatic animal diversity conservation, ecological restoration and aquatic animal management.
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    Habitat fragmentation and biodiversity response: Controversy, attribution, and prospects.
    CAO Yu, DENG Boyang, WANG Yajuan, YE Jiayang, SU Dan, FANG Xiaoqian
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (2): 625-636.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.011
    Abstract311)      PDF(pc) (910KB)(21)       Save
    As global ecosystems continue to degrade, the impact of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity has become a critical issue in biodiversity conservation. However, both negative and positive impacts of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity have been reported in different studies. The coexistence and exchange of opposing views has increasingly evolved into debates based on inherent positions, which seriously restricts the further research development and the theoretical guidance of biodiversity conservation. We reviewed the connotation and measurement methods of habitat fragmentation, as well as the connotation of different levels of biodiversity. We revealed the academic divergence on this issue at different levels of biodiversity, and found such divergence at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels of biodiversity. We analyzed the reasons for these differences, and discussed the existing problems and directions of future research.
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    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (9): 0-0.  
    Abstract306)      PDF(pc) (476KB)(0)       Save
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    Effects of drought on the xylem formation process and growth of Betula platyphylla and Fraxinus mandshurica
    XIE Yushuang, HAN Bingxin, LIU Di, LEI Yiting, WANG Xiaochun
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (5): 1289-1297.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202505.004
    Abstract297)      PDF(pc) (4576KB)(14)       Save
    We investigated the effects of drought on xylem formation of two-year-old potted Betula platyphylla (diffuse-porous wood) and Fraxinus mandshurica (ring-porous wood) seedlings in Northeast China. With normal water treatment as the control (75% field water capacity), we examined the effects of mild drought (50% field water capacity) and severe drought (30% field water capacity) on xylem anatomical characteristics, stem hormone concentrations, and root enzyme activities. The results showed that mild and severe drought significantly reduced the height of B. platyphylla by 23.5% and 27.0%, respectively, but had no significant effect on the height and basal diameter of F. mandshurica. Severe drought significantly decreased the vessel area of B. platyphylla by 31.0% and 33.5% in the mid-term (2 months of water control) and late-term (4 months of water control) treatment stages, respectively, while significantly increased the vessel density by 63.8% and 47.8%, respectively. In contrast, the vessel area of F. mandshurica change little, but the vessel density significantly increased by 66.1% and 110.5%, respectively. Mild and severe drought significantly increased the superoxide dismutase activity in B. platyphylla (45.4% and 35.3%) and F. mandshurica (26.2% and 33.1%), but had no significant effect on catalase activity. Under mild and severe droughts, the activity of peroxidase did not change in B. platyphylla but significantly decreased by 32.0% and 25.0% in F. mandshurica, respectively. Drought significantly decreased the indole-3-acetic acid concentration in stems of both species. The gibberellin concentration in B. platyphylla significantly decreased by 14.9% in the early stage of drought and then stabilized, while in F. mandshurica, it initially increased and then decreased under mild drought but showed no significant change under severe drought. During drought, the abscisic acid concentration in B. platyphylla significantly decreased by 4.3% to 14.1%, while it significantly increased by 7.4% to 16.5% in F. mandshurica, respectively. In conclusion, drought influences xylem formation and growth in broad-leaved trees by regulating hormone concentrations (such as indole-3-acetic acid) and antioxidant enzyme activities (such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase), with the effects being modulated by tree species properties and the intensity and duration of drought.
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    Permafrost dynamics in the Northern Hemisphere under future climate scenarios based on CMIP6
    TIAN Qixuan, LIU Jianzhao, ZENG Fanchao, YANG Ming, TANG Qinrong, ZHENG Jie, ZUO Yunjiang, WANG Nannan, YAO Xiaochen, SONG Yanyu
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (5): 1496-1506.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202505.026
    Abstract296)      PDF(pc) (6155KB)(7)       Save
    Global warming is increasingly affecting permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere, with permafrost degradation being one of the most serious consequences of climate change on the cryosphere. Based on the CMIP6 soil temperature data from 15 different earth system models (ESMs) (ACCESS-CM2, ACCESS-ESM1-5, BCC-CSM2-MR, CanESM5, CESM2, CESM2-WACCM, EC-Earth3, FGOALS-f3-L, IPSL-CM6A-LR, MIROC6, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, MPI-ESM1-2-LR, MRI-ESM2-0, NorESM2-LM, NorESM2-MM), we analyzed the spatiotemporal variations of the permafrost area and active layer thickness (ALT) in the Northern Hemisphere under different future emission scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585), aiming to clarify the main environmental driving factors affecting the changes in ALT. Results showed significant discrepancies in the simulation capabilities of ALT across ESMs. Based on the analysis of the four optimal performance ESMs (MPI-ESM1-2-LR, ACCESS-ESM1-5, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, and BCC-CSM2-MR), we found that the reduction rate of permafrost area significantly accele-rated from 2015 to 2100 under high emission scenarios (SSP370, SSP585), and the rate of permafrost area decline under SSP585 scenario was eight times that of SSP126 scenario. The permafrost area would increase under SSP126 scenario, but it would continue to decrease under SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585 scenarios. ALT was projected to increase significantly under all four scenarios, with the annual increasing rate under SSP585 being 22 times higher than SSP126. Furthermore, we found that the end time of annual permafrost thawing would gradually change from September to November, leading to an extension of the thawing period. Key factors, such as air temperature, air humidity, vegetation leaf area index, snow cover, and wind speed showed positive effects on permafrost degradation in most regions, while soil moisture showed negative effect. Overall, future greenhouse gas emission controls would offer potential pathways to mitigate the risk of rapid permafrost degradation in the Northern Hemisphere.
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    Effects of organic inputs on soil nutrients and microbial metabolism in newly reclaimed farmlands
    YIN Qijie, JIANG Jianwu, YIN Hanqin, YANG Zongkun, GONG Dongqin, LI Guifang, CHU Xianyao, LIU Wenbo, ZHANG Min
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (4): 969-983.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202504.007
    Abstract288)      PDF(pc) (5507KB)(27)       Save
    It remains unclear how soil microbial metabolism responds to organic input and the driving factors during soil carbon fixation and fertilization in newly reclaimed farmlands. We conducted a field experiment to explore the effects of different organic inputs on soil nutrients, organic carbon fractions, extracellular enzyme activities, microbial metabolism, and microbial carbon utilization efficiency in a newly reclaimed farmland with a rice-wheat rotation in Jiande of Zhejiang in 2022. Five treatments were implemented with equivalent C return in addition to conventional chemical fertilizers (NPK): 1) NPK alone (control), 2) NPK + manure + maize straw (MS), 3) NPK + manure (M), 4) NPK + straw biochar-based manure (MBF), and 5) NPK + straw biochar (MB). The results showed that organic inputs significantly enhanced soil nutrients, soil organic carbon fractions, and microbial activity compared to NPK. In terms of soil nutrient improvements, the order was M > MBF > MS > MB, while crop yield followed the order of MS > M > MBF > MB. The active organic carbon contents followed the order of M > MS > MBF > MB, with a 91.7% increase in the M treatment compared with NPK. For recalcitrant organic carbon contents, the sequence was MB > MBF > M > MS, with a 160.7% enhancement in the MB treatment than NPK. The microbial biomass showed the order of M > MS > MBF > MB. Microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the M treatment was increased by 81.1%, 140.9%, and 261.1%, respectively compared with NPK. Extracellular enzyme activities followed the order of MS > M > MB > MBF. The MS treatment increased C cycle-related enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, and β-cellobiohydrolase) by 176.3%, 180.4%, and 439.2%, respectively, and N cycle-related enzyme activity (N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase) by 331.4% compared with NPK. Results of Mantel correlation analysis and redundancy analysis showed that dissolved organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon were the primary drivers of extracellular enzyme activities during the wheat and rice growing seasons. Enzyme vector models and partial least squares path modeling revealed that soil microbial metabolism in the newly reclaimed farmland was constrained by both carbon and phosphorus contents. Organic inputs alleviated phosphorus limitation by improving soil nutrient availability and decreased microbial carbon use efficiency by increasing active organic carbon content. In summary, organic inputs played a positive role in soil carbon fixation and fertilization in the newly reclaimed farmland. Among the treatments, MBF showed the best comprehensive effect on soil carbon fixation and fertilization.
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    eDNA technology for monitoring terrestrial biodiversity: Technical highlights, challenges and progress
    LIU Mingqian, ZHANG Zheng, WANG Shang, FENG Kai, GU Songsong, LI Chunge, DENG Ye
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (3): 927-942.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202503.031
    Abstract286)      PDF(pc) (2572KB)(22)       Save
    Biodiversity is a fundamental prerequisite for human survival, constituting an indispensable component of global ecosystems. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG 15) underscores the significance of conserving terrestrial biodiversity and strives to advance the sustainable utilization of terrestrial ecosystems. To achieve this goal, it is of the utmost importance to establish a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring system. As an emerging monitoring tool, environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding technology offers a number of advantages, including species morphology-independent, rapidity, economical, and high accuracy. Consequently, it provides an effective method for monitoring terrestrial biodiversity. We outlined the key technical aspects of using eDNA metabarcoding as a tool for biodiversity monitoring in terrestrial ecosystems, discussed the challenges of using eDNA metabarcoding technology in biodiversity research, along with strategies for addressing these challenges, surveyed recent research advances regarding eDNA from different sources for terrestrial biodiversity monitoring, and proposed future research directions.
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    Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon components in mainland of China and their response to climate change
    SHAN Yaru, TIAN Jiahe, FAN Xiuwen, LIU Lei
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (3): 847-858.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202503.019
    Abstract269)      PDF(pc) (2774KB)(47)       Save
    Preserving and increasing soil organic carbon pool is an effective natural way to mitigate climate change. However, the sensitivity of soil organic carbon to climate change in different ecosystems in mainland of China is still unclear. To investigate the response of soil organic carbon to climate change, it is important to classify it into particulate (POC) and mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) components. In this study, we assessed the spatial distributions of POC and MAOC in mainland of China and simulated their responses to future climate change using machine learning methods. The results showed that: 1) the stocks of soil organic carbon, POC, and MAOC in the top 20 cm soils of mainland China were 45.3, 20.7, and 24.6 Pg, respectively. 2) Soil organic carbon components were positively correlated with altitude and negatively correlated with air temperature. 3) Under the SSP585 scenario, the stocks of POC and MAOC in China would decrease by 4.80 and 2.13 Pg, from 2020 to 2100, respectively. The contents of soil organic carbon components were higher in Northeast China and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but lower in the Inner Mongolia Plateau, Sichuan Basin, North China, and Northwest China Plain. The sensitivity of POC to climate change was higher than MAOC. Climate warming would cause the greatest loss of soil organic carbon in the meadow ecosystem.
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    Research progress on the application of the MaxEnt model in species habitat prediction.
    YANG Jiayue, DING Guoyu, TIAN Xiujun
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (2): 614-624.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.025
    Abstract267)      PDF(pc) (1153KB)(39)       Save
    Climate change and anthropogenic activities are profoundly affecting species distribution range and habitat suitability. In recent years, using models to predict potential suitable habitats for different species has become one of the research focuses in this field. The maximum entropy model (MaxEnt), a machine learning model based on the data of species distribution and environmental variables, has been widely used in predicting species habitats. First, we introduced the mechanism, establishment process, optimization method and assessment system of the MaxEnt model. Then, we reviewed the application of the model in potential habitat prediction of endangered species and invasive species, and the simulation of the potential distribution of species under future climate change. Fina-lly, we proposed current challenges and future development prospects of the MaxEnt model, aiming to strengthen its role in predicting the natural distribution of species, and provide technical references for biodiversity conservation and management.
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    Ecological stoichiometric imbalance drives the responses of soil bacterial communities to nitrogen addition in an alpine meadow
    LIAN Chenxing, ZHANG Qiufang, REN Fei, LI Lanping, CHEN Jingqi, ZENG Quanxin, CHEN Yuemin, ZHU Biao
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (4): 1081-1090.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202504.018
    Abstract251)      PDF(pc) (2107KB)(10)       Save
    Nitrogen is the main limiting nutrient for the productivity of grassland ecosystems, and can indirectly affect the structure of microbial communities, especially bacterial communities, by altering soil properties. In this study, we conducted a field nitrogen addition experiment in the alpine meadow of Haibei in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Urea was used as the nitrogen source. Five nitrogen addition levels were set up: N0 (control, no nitrogen addition), N50 (50 kg N·hm-2·a-1), N100 (100 kg N·hm-2·a-1), N150 (150 kg N·hm-2·a-1), and N200 (200 kg N·hm-2·a-1). In the third year of the experiment, we collected soil samples of the surface layer to measure soil physical and chemical properties, stable isotope δ15N, and microbial biomass. The microbial stoichiometric imbalance was calculated, and bacterial community characteristics (composition, diversity, and community assembly) along the nitrogen addition levels were analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Through correlation analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling analyses, and phylogenetic-bin-based null model analyses, we investigated the driving mechanisms of the changes in soil bacterial community composition and community assembly. The results showed that: 1) Nitrogen addition significantly altered soil bacterial community composition, but did not change the α diversity of soil bacteria. 2) Nitrogen addition significantly increased soil inorganic nitrogen content by 85.7% and reduced the stoichiometric imbalance of carbon:nitrogen by 40.6%. Soil inorganic nitrogen content and carbon:nitrogen stoichiometric imbalance were significantly correlated with bacterial community composition and the relative abundance of the dominant phylum (i.e., Bacteroidetes), indicating that bacterial taxa were significantly influenced by soil available nitrogen and stoichiometric imbalance. 3) The stochastic process (54.7%-56.8%) dominated the community assembly of soil bacteria across all treatments. Nitrogen addition had no significant effect on the community assembly of soil bacteria. In conclusion, soil available nitrogen and the resulting stoichiometric imbalance were the primary factors regulating the relative abundance of bacterial taxa under nitrogen addition. Our findings provide a scientific basis for predicting the changes of soil microbial communities in alpine meadows in the context of future environmental changes.
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    Research advances in using seaweed fertilizers to mitigate plant water stress
    GUO Wenjing, YAN Tengyu, WANG Zongkang, ZENG Nan, JIANG Yuelu
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (3): 950-968.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202503.036
    Abstract250)      PDF(pc) (1370KB)(12)       Save
    Water stress has a profound and widespread impacts on agriculture globally, leading to slower plant growth, lower yields, and poorer quality. To meet this challenge, the application of seaweed fertilizer came into being. Seaweed fertilizer is rich in polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, plant hormones, minerals, and various other bioactive components, with great potential in water retention and nutrient provision. We systematically summarized the latest research progress on the role of seaweed fertilizers in mitigating water stress, with a focus on elucidating the mechanisms by which seaweed fertilizer enhances stress tolerance of plants. It significantly improves plant growth and yield, promotes root growth and nutrient uptake, ameliorates soil conditions, and enhances plant resis-tance to stress. Additionally, we put forward the challenges associated with the practical application of seaweed fertilizers in agriculture and the future research directions, aiming to provide alternative solutions for the sustainable goals and healthy development of global agriculture.
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    Temporal and spatial variations of high temperature in Ningxia wolfberry producing area, Northwest China from 1961 to 2023
    XU Rui, LI Yang, YANG Jianling, JIANG Linlin
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (5): 1440-1448.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202505.027
    Abstract242)      PDF(pc) (5472KB)(8)       Save
    Better understanding the long-term and regional variation of summer high temperature weather in Ning-xia is of great significance for the cultivation, agricultural activities and high-quality development of Lycium barbarum industry. Based on the June-August meteorological data of 21 national meteorological observation stations in Ningxia from 1961 to 2023, we evaluated the long-term variations of average maximum temperature, extreme maximum temperature, number of hot days, heat wave frequency and maximum apparent temperature in summer, and analyzed the regional variations of hot weather after the abrupt change of trend. The results showed that the average maximum temperature of June, July, August in wolfberry producing area of Ningxia were 27.5, 29.2 and 27.4 ℃ from 1961 to 2023, respectively, and the warming rates were 0.39, 0.36 and 0.25 ℃·(10 a) -1, all of which had abrupt changes in the 2000s. The high temperature area after the mutation mainly concentrated in the middle and northern Ningxia producing area. The monthly extreme maximum temperature of June, July and August were 32.3, 33.7 and 32.5 ℃, respectively, which increased significantly at a rate of 0.30, 0.45 and 0.33 ℃·(10 a) -1. There was an abrupt change from 2002 to 2010, and most of the extreme maximum temperature in the middle and northern Ningxia wolfberry producing areas reached higher than 35 ℃ after the mutation. Accordingly, the number of hot days and heat waves showed an increasing trend, and the frequency of the two appeared the highest in July, and Wuzhong, Zhongning, Helan and other producing areas were greatly affected. The maximum apparent temperature increased significantly in summer, with the increase rates of 0.45, 0.41 and 0.31 ℃·(10 a) -1 in June, July and August. The abrupt change occurred around 2008, and the increase after mutation was 1.84, 1.77 and 1.54 ℃ compared with that before. Under the influence of wind speed and humidity, the average maximum apparent tempera-ture in June, July and August were 1.10, 2.42 and 2.29 ℃ higher than the average maximum temperature. Air temperature was the main factor driving the level of apparent temperature. Wind speed was a secondary factor in June to July, and relative humidity was a secondary factor in August. We should pay more attention to the influence of wolfberry high temperature stress caused by temperature change under the background of climate warming, and strengthen the ability of high temperature warning and defense.
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    Effects of the photovoltaic-earthworm model and organic material application on soil quality
    XIAO Yuanye, ZHANG Shoutao, ZHANG Menghao, ZHONG Hesen, XU Weiqing, LI Xinyu, MAO Runqian, ZHANG Chi
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (4): 995-1002.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202504.030
    Abstract235)      PDF(pc) (2735KB)(11)       Save
    We investigated the effects of earthworm and organic material application methods on soil quality on slopes where photovoltaic panels are installed, aiming to explore a new model for promoting sustainable development of photovoltaic agriculture and improving soil quality. We proposed the photovoltaic-earthworm model, which involves breeding Amynthas aspergillum with high medicinal value in the soil under photovoltaic panels. There were four treatments: surface application of cow manure between photovoltaic panels to breed earthworms (Out+S), surface application of cow manure under photovoltaic panels to breed earthworms (In+S), mixed application of cow manure between photovoltaic panels to breed earthworms (Out+M), and mixed application of cow manure under photovoltaic panels to breed earthworms (In+M), with the bare land as the control (CK). We measured soil physical and chemical properties, as well as the enzyme activities. The results showed that the content of soil mechanical stability and water stability macroaggregates, organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline nitrogen, available phospho-rus, available potassium, and acid phosphatase activity, were significantly enhanced in Out+M and In+M treatments compared to CK by 4.7%-18.7%, 6.2%-26.0%, 37.5%-113.9%, 39.4%-90.9%, 43.4%-196.8%, 222.9%-762.5%, 246.1%-460.7% and 25.3%-33.3%, respectively. The content of soil mechanical stability and water stability macroaggregates under photovoltaic panels (In) was increased by 13.4%-21.5% and 16.1%-16.2%, respectively, compared to between photovoltaic panels (Out). The soil alkaline nitrogen content, carbon nitrogen ratio, and acid phosphatase activity was increased by 18.5%-34.1%, 13.8%-16.8%, and 6.3%-36.5%, respectively. The content of soil mechanically stable macroaggregates, water stable macroaggregates, and water stable macroaggregates with particle size ≥0.25 mm in mixed application of cow manure (M) treatments was increased by 6.6%-14.3%, 18.5%-18.6%, and 3.2%-3.8%, respectively, compared to the surface application of cow manure treatment (S). The content of organic carbon, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, carbon nitrogen ratio, and acid phosphatase activity was increased by 55.5%-88.2%, 37.0%-60.5%, 54.4%-74.6%, 102.4%-117.8%, 13.4%-16.4%, and 30.7%-67.7%, respectively. The destruction rate of soil aggregates decreased by 39.0%-50.9%. Soil macroaggregates were significantly positively correlated with organic carbon, soil nutrients, and acid phosphatase. Soil quality of each treatment followed an order of In+M>Out+M>In+S>Out+S>CK. In summary, In+M has the great potential for promoting local economic development, protecting the ecological environment, and improving soil quality in the development of slope photovoltaic agriculture in southern China.
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    Ecological environment quality and the influencing factors in Gansu section of Yellow River Basin during 2000-2022.
    WU Xu, WANG Boyan, REN Wei, TU Xuebo, ZHANG Youxian
    Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology    2025, 36 (2): 353-364.   DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202502.029
    Abstract234)      PDF(pc) (3767KB)(20)       Save
    The Gansu section of Yellow River Basin is an important ecological barrier in China. Clarifying the trends and driving mechanisms of ecological environment change is of great significance for promoting ecological protection and sustainable high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin. Based on Google Earth Engine (GEE), we used remote sensing data from 2000 to 2022 to construct the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) model, and analyzed the spatiotemporal changes and driving mechanisms of ecological environment quality with Theil-Sen median trend analysis, Mann-Kendall test, coefficient of variation, Hurst index, and geographic detector. The results showed that the ecological environment quality of the Gansu section of Yellow River Basin exhibited an overall periodic fluctuation with an upward trend from 2000 to 2022. Spatially, there was a pattern of higher quality in the west than in the east and higher in the south than in the north. The ecological environment quality of the study area was mainly classified into good, moderate, and poor levels. The improved areas accounted for 87.5% of the total area, and the degraded areas accounted for 12.4%. Within the study area, 76.5% of the regions exhibited rela-tively high ecological stability, while 23.6% of the regions exhibited relatively low ecological stability. It was predicted that 64.2% of the regions might face the risk of ecological degradation in the future. Precipitation was the main factor affecting the ecological environment quality, and its interaction with factors such as altitude, temperature, and land cover significantly enhanced the explanatory power for ecological environment changes. This study could provide a scientific basis for monitoring and protecting the ecological environment quality in Gansu section of Yellow River Basin.
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