Search Results (87)

The glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), a class of stable glycoproteins produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, constitute an important microbial-derived carbon pool in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the response of GRSP accumulation to land-use change and quantitative contribution to soil organic carbon (SOC) pools, as well as the environmental and edaphic factors controlling GRSP dynamics in different land-use systems, require further elucidation. To address these knowledge gaps, we systematically collected surface soil samples (0–20 cm depth) from 72 plots across three land-use types—tea plantations (TP; n = 24), artificial forests (AF; n = 24), and natural forests (NF; n = 24) in China’s Huangshan Mountain region between July and August 2024. GRSP was extracted via autoclaving (121 °C, 20 min) in 20 mM citrate buffer (pH 8.0), fractionated into total GRSP (T-GRSP), and quantified using the Bradford assay. Results revealed distinct patterns in soil carbon storage, with NF exhibiting the highest concentrations of both SOC (33.2 ± 8.69 g kg⁻¹) and total GRSP (T-GRSP: 2.64 ± 0.34 g kg⁻¹), followed by AF (SOC: 14.9 ± 2.55 g kg⁻¹; T-GRSP: 1.42 ± 0.25 g kg⁻¹) and TP (SOC: 7.07 ± 1.72 g kg⁻¹; T-GRSP: 0.58 ± 0.11 g kg⁻¹). Although absolute GRSP concentrations were lowest in TP, its proportional contribution to SOC remained consistent across land uses (TP: 8.72 ± 2.84%; AF: 9.69 ± 1.81%; NF: 8.40 ± 2.79%). Statistical analyses identified dissolved organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon as primary drivers of GRSP accumulation. Structural equation modeling further demonstrated that land-use type influenced SOC through its effects on MBC and fine-root biomass, which subsequently enhanced GRSP production. These findings demonstrate that undisturbed forest ecosystems enhance GRSP-mediated soil carbon sequestration, emphasizing the critical role of natural forest conservation in ecological sustainability. Full article

Tianshanhong (TSH), black tea products originating from the Ningde Tianshan Mountain, has gained significant recognition in the market. However, the chemical characteristics contributing to the flavor of TSH have not yet been reported. To systematically investigate the non-volatile and volatile compounds in TSH, four grades of TSH were evaluated using national standard sensory methods, revealing that overall quality improved with higher grades. Based on the detection of ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS), the content of ester-type catechins was relatively high and decreased with lower grades. A total of 19 amino acids (AAs) were clustered, among them, three amino acids, L-Theanine (L-Thea), Arg, and GABA, showed highly significant correlations with the refreshing taste of TSH. Notably, the content of Arg had the highest correlation with TSH grade, with a coefficient of 0.976 (p < 0.01). According to gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, a total of 861 kinds of volatile compounds were detected, with 282 identified and aroma-active compounds across grades selected using the PLS model. Methyl salicylate and geraniol were particularly notable, showing strong correlations with TSH grades at 0.975 and 0.987 (p < 0.01), respectively. Our findings show that non-volatile and volatile compounds can rationally grade TSH and help understand its flavor quality. Full article

Members of Sideritis sect. Empedoclia (Lamiaceae), known as ‘mountain tea’, are widely used medicinal plants. Their taxonomic classification is complex due to frequent hybridization and subtle morphological distinctions. This study examines 12 populations of eight native Sideritis taxa from Greece: S. clandestina subsp. clandestina, S. clandestina subsp. peloponnesiaca, S. euboea, S. raeseri subsp. raeseri, S. raeseri subsp. attica, S. scardica, S. sipylea, and S. syriaca subsp. syriaca. The objectives were to (1) monitor non-polar secondary metabolites (mainly terpenoids) using gas chromatography; (2) shed light on their phylogenetic relationships; (3) evaluate the correlation between genetic and chemical data. Diterpenes, particularly sideridiol, siderol, 7-epicandicandiol, and ent-3α,18-dihydroxy-kaur-16-ene, were the most abundant chemical compounds. Categorical Principal Component Analysis revealed that S. raeseri subsp. attica is chemically distinct, while the rest are grouped into two clusters: one comprising S. clandestina and S. sipylea, and the other including all the rest. Genetic analysis based on chloroplast DNA (matK, psbA-trnH, trnL-F), showed that S. sipylea and S. syriaca subsp. syriaca were the most phylogenetically distant groups. Our study enhances the understanding of Sideritis chemovariability and phylogeny, supporting also taxonomic, authentication, and breeding efforts. Full article

Yuexi County, a key tea-producing area in eastern Dabie Mountain, may face potential heavy metal(oid) (HM) contamination risks due to nearby mining and intensive agricultural activities. This study investigated seven HMs (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in paired soil–tea samples using multiple analytical approaches, including the geoaccumulation index (I_geo), the potential ecological risk index (RI), bioconcentration factor (BCF), and positive matrix factorization (PMF) with Monte Carlo simulation for health risk assessment. Results showed that Zn (82.65 mg/kg) and Cd (0.15 mg/kg) were the most enriched HMs in soils with higher I_geo values than other HMs. PMF analysis identified four major HM sources: mining and transportation (27.75%), agricultural activities (26.90%), natural soil parent material (26.17%), and industrial emissions (19.18%). Tea plants exhibited selective HM absorption, with Hg showing the highest bioaccumulation (BCF = 0.45), while As, Cr, and Pb had minimal uptake (BCF < 0.05). Although health risk assessments confirmed that both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from soil and tea consumption were within safe limits for adults and children, Cr and Ni required special attention due to their risk contributions. Overall, ecological and health risks in the region were found to be low. These findings provide important scientific support for pollution monitoring, risk management, and overcoming trade barriers in tea-growing regions with acidic soils. Future research should integrate HM speciation analysis with seasonal monitoring to further optimize tea plantation management strategies. Full article

Facing severe depopulation and aging, rural Japanese communities—particularly marginal settlements (genkai shūraku)—increasingly require revitalization strategies that integrate local culture and elder well-being. This study examines the Ōsawa Engawa Café, a community-led initiative in a mountainous tea-growing village, as a site of ikigai-zukuri—the active creation of life purpose among elderly residents. With the use of a mixed-methods approach, including spatial analysis, household surveys, and interviews, Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) decision tree analysis was applied to identify factors shaping distinct household café operational states: Operating, Discontinued, and Never Operated. Qualitative findings reveal that support from local leaders, experts, and the government enabled the Ōsawa Engawa café’s launch. Broad household participation, often guided by elderly women, sustained the initiative by sharing local culture—such as engawa (verandas), Zairai tea (native variety), and omotenashi (hospitality)—thereby nurturing residents’ ikigai through daily engagement. Complementing these insights, the CHAID analysis revealed a hierarchy of influential factors: high-frequency support from out-migrated family members was the strongest predictor of continued operation; in the absence of such support, co-resident family cooperation proved essential; where both were lacking, agricultural engagement distinguished households that discontinued from those that never operated. Practically, the Ōsawa model offers a replicable, bottom-up strategy that activates the Rural Cultural Landscape (landscapes shaped by traditional rural life and culture, RCL) through community engagement grounded in cultural practices and elderly ikigai-zukuri, contributing to sustainable rural livelihoods. Theoretically, this study reframes ikigai-zukuri as a key socio-cultural pillar of community resilience in aging rural areas. Fostering such culturally embedded, purpose-driven initiatives is essential for building vibrant, adaptive rural communities in the face of demographic decline. However, the study acknowledges that the Ōsawa model’s success is rooted in its specific socio-cultural context, and its replication in other cultural settings may be limited without contextual adaptation. Full article

Reducing fertilizer and pesticide use is a crucial path for the green transformation of agricultural production, which has garnered sustained attention in research on sustainable agricultural development. Based on the theoretical analysis, this article analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of fertilizer and pesticide usage intensity (FUI and PUI) in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) over the past 20 years and uses a Two-Way Fixed Effects Model to test their impacts and mechanisms. Findings show that agricultural development in the YRD shows a pattern of specialization and intensification with a significant north–south divide, with zero growth and reduction in fertilizer and pesticide use across the region from 2010 to 2015, but the current FUI and PUI are still nearly three and five times higher than the global average. Over the past 20 years, the FUI is high in the north and low in the south, high in the plains and low in mountainous-hilly areas, and high in suburban areas and low in remote counties. Adversely, the PUI is high in the south and low in the north, high in mountainous-hilly areas and low in plains, and high in suburban areas and low in remote counties. The FUI and PUI of characteristic agricultural areas of fruit, tea, and forestry in southern Anhui and southwestern Zhejiang, as well as the agroecological and facility agriculture clusters in southern Jiangsu and the suburbs of Shanghai, have approached the peak and successfully moved into the new green development stage earlier compared to other areas. In contrast, the grain and oil production plains areas along the Yangtze River, the coast, in northern Anhui, and in northern Jiangsu are relatively lagging behind. The combination of soil, water, light, and heat resource conditions and modes of agriculture production shape the absolute figures of FUI and PUI, and factors such as the level of local economic development and public fiscal expenditure significantly influence the trajectories of spatiotemporal differentiation in the progress of reducing fertilizer and pesticide in the YRD. Full article

Soil chemical properties and soil microbial communities are the key factors affecting the content of tea. The mechanism by which altitude changes soil’s chemical properties and microbial community structure to affect tea content is unclear. This study was conducted on a typical tea plantation in the Fenghuang Mountains of Chaozhou, China. It systematically revealed the relationship between soil chemical properties and microbial communities with tea quality components between different altitudes (396 m/517 m/623 m). We discovered that soil pH and soil Catalase activity appeared to decrease and then increase with altitude, and soil SOM content and soil Acid Phosphatase activity were significantly higher at mid-altitude. Soil TP and TK content were lowest at high altitudes (0.20 mg/kg, 5.98 mg/kg). Non-significant differences were found in the spatial composition of microbial communities at different altitudes. The abundance of fungi (Sobol index) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at low altitudes than in other altitude groups. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil pH and TP are drivers of changes in bacterial community structure. The abundance of Fibrobacteres, a key functional group of bacteria, showed a decreasing trend with increasing altitude, and Stachybotrys (fungi) likewise had the lowest abundance at high altitude (p < 0.05). The catechin, theanine, and caffeine content of tea leaves accumulated the least at high altitude (12.91%, 0.39%, 2.88%). Fibrobacteres and Stachybotrys, as well as soil TK and TP content, were strongly associated with the accumulation of major contents in tea leaves. Meanwhile, fungal abundance was significantly and positively correlated with theanine (p < 0.05). This study enhances our understanding of soil chemical property–soil microbial community–tea tree interactions. By exploring the differences in soil key nutrient content and the abundance of functional flora driving tea quality at different altitudes, it provides a basis for the precise microecological management of tea gardens. Full article

The monoculture planting in terraced tea plantations has led to severe soil degradation, which poses a significant threat to the growth of tea plants. However, the mechanisms by which intercropping systems improve soil health through the regulation of soil microbial communities at the micro-topographical scale of terraced tea plantations (i.e., terrace surface, inter-row, and terrace wall) remain unclear. This study investigates the effects of intercropping Ophiopogon japonicus in a five-year tea plantation on the soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure and functions across different micro-topographical features of terraced tea plantations in Wuyi Mountain. The results indicate that intercropping significantly improved the soil organic matter, available nutrients, and redox enzyme activities in the inter-row, terrace surface, and terrace wall, with the effects gradually decreasing with increasing distance from the tea plant rhizosphere. In the intercropping group, tea leaf yield increased by 13.17% (fresh weight) and 19.29% (dry weight) compared to monoculture, and the disease indices of new and old leaves decreased by 40.63% and 38.7%, respectively. Intercropping strengthened the modularity of bacterial networks and the role of stochasticity in shaping bacterial communities in different micro-topographic environments, in contrast to the patterns observed in fungal communities. The importance of microbial phyla such as Proteobacteria and Ascomycota in different micro-topographical features was significantly regulated by intercropping. In different micro-topographical zones of the terraced tea plantation, beneficial bacterial genera such as Sinomonas, Arthrobacter, and Ferruginibacter were significantly enriched, whereas potential fungal pathogens like Nigrospora, Microdochium, and Periconia were markedly suppressed. Functional annotations revealed that nitrogen cycling functions were particularly enhanced in inter-row soils, while carbon cycling functions were more prominent on the terrace surface and wall. This study sheds light on the synergistic regulatory mechanisms between micro-topographical heterogeneity and intercropping systems, offering theoretical support for mitigating soil degradation and optimizing management strategies in terraced tea agroecosystems. Full article

The trematodes Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are transmitted by lymnaeid snails and cause fascioliasis in livestock and humans. Human infection is emerging in southern and southeastern Asia. In India, the number of case reports has increased since 1993. This multidisciplinary study analyzes the epidemiological scenario of human infection. The study reviews the total of 55 fascioliasis patients, their characteristics, and geographical distribution. Causes underlying this emergence are assessed by analyzing (i) the climate change suffered by India based on 40-year-data from meteorological stations, and (ii) the geographical fascioliasis hotspots according to archeological–historical records about thousands of years of pack animal movements. The review suggests frequent misdiagnosis of the wide lowland-distributed F. gigantica with F. hepatica and emphasizes the need to obtain anamnesic information about the locality of residence and the infection source. Prevalence appears to be higher in females and in the 30–40-year age group. The time elapsed between symptom onset and diagnosis varied from 10 days to 5 years (mean 9.2 months). Infection was diagnosed by egg finding (in 12 cases), adult finding (28), serology (3), and clinics and image techniques (12). Climate diagrams and the Wb-bs forecast index show higher temperatures favoring the warm condition-preferring main snail vector Radix luteola and a precipitation increase due to fewer rainy days but more days of extreme rainfall, leading to increasing surface water availability and favoring fascioliasis transmission. Climate trends indicate a risk of future increasing fascioliasis emergence, including a seasonal infection risk from June–July to October–November. Geographical zones of high human infection risk defined by archeological–historical analyses concern: (i) the Indo-Gangetic Plains and corridors used by the old Grand Trunk Road and Daksinapatha Road, (ii) northern mountainous areas by connections with the Silk Road and Tea-Horse Road, and (iii) the hinterlands of western and eastern seaport cities involved in the past Maritime Silk Road. Routes and nodes are illustrated, all transhumant–nomadic–pastoralist groups are detailed, and livestock prevalences per state are given. A baseline defining areas and seasons of high infection risk is established for the first time in India. This is henceforth expected to be helpful for physicians, prevention measures, control initiatives, and recommendations for health administration officers. Full article

This study aimed to examine wild-growing Hypericum perforatum L. tea (Hyperici herba) collected from Rtanj Mountain (Serbia). This research includes the following approaches: phytochemical and antioxidant characterization of H. perforatum infusion tea to determine its realistic composition (What do we consume when drinking the tea?), as well as a detailed examination of methanol(ic) extracts as the optimal extraction system. Due to the broad spectrum of both polar and nonpolar metabolites, 80% methanolic and pure methanol extracts were prepared for ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-ToF) characterization through untargeted metabolomics analysis. Given the high diversity of compounds identified, the 80% methanolic extract was selected for further antioxidant examination and bioautographic characterization, including an antimicrobial activity assessment. UHPLC Q-ToF analysis identified 35 phenolics in the methanolic extract, compared to 25 metabolites in the infusion tea. The main differences were observed in flavonol/flavan-3-ol aglycones, xantones, and coumestans, which are more nonpolar compounds found only in the methanol(ic) system. Notably, specific H. perforatum metabolites were entirely absent in the infusion tea. Specifically, pseudohypericin, pseudoprotohypricin, and adhyperfirin were detected in the pure methanol extract, whereas hyperfirin was present in both methanol(ic) extracts. Additionally, eight furano-polycyclic polyprenylated acilphloroglucinols (FPPAPs) were identified in the methanol(ic) extracts as possible products of the thermal degradation and/or oxidation of hypericin/hyperforin. Both the infusion tea and methanolic extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant properties, with variations depending on the applied assay. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis also confirmed the presence of a wide spectrum of phytochemical classes. Bioautography confirmed a promising activity of methanolic extracts against both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Full article

Distinguishing vegetation types from satellite images has long been a goal of remote sensing, and the combination of multi-source and multi-temporal remote sensing images for vegetation classification is currently a hot topic in the field. In species-rich mountainous environments, this study selected four remote sensing images from different seasons (two aerial images, one WorldView-2 image, and one UAV image) and proposed a vegetation classification method integrating hierarchical extraction and object-oriented approaches for 11 vegetation types. This method innovatively combines the Random Forest algorithm with a decision tree model, constructing a hierarchical strategy based on multi-temporal feature combinations to progressively address the challenge of distinguishing vegetation types with similar spectral characteristics. Compared to traditional single-temporal classification methods, our approach significantly enhances classification accuracy through multi-temporal feature fusion and comparative experimental validation, offering a novel technical framework for fine-grained vegetation classification under complex land cover conditions. To validate the effectiveness of multi-temporal features, we additionally performed Random Forest classifications on the four individual remote sensing images. The results indicate that (1) for single-temporal images classification, the best classification performance was achieved with autumn images, reaching an overall classification accuracy of 72.36%, while spring images had the worst performance, with an accuracy of only 58.79%; (2) the overall classification accuracy based on multi-temporal features reached 89.10%, which is an improvement of 16.74% compared to the best single-temporal classification (autumn). Notably, the producer accuracy for species such as Quercus acutissima Carr., Tea plantations, Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze, Pinus taeda L., Phyllostachys spectabilis C.D.Chu et C.S.Chao, Pinus thunbergii Parl., and Castanea mollissima Blume all exceeded 90%, indicating a relatively ideal classification outcome. Full article

This feasibility study investigates the relationship between functional food consumption and mental well-being, focusing on natural foods traditionally linked to mental health benefits. This research also examines consumer preferences to identify key characteristics that novel functional foods designed to enhance mental well-being should possess. Additionally, this study lays the groundwork for a clinical trial exploring the effects of a novel functional food on mental health and well-being. Data were collected through an online bilingual survey (Greek/English) from 362 participants across Greece and Cyprus, using an adapted Functional Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFFQ) featuring 30 foods with documented effects on cognitive function and mood regulation. The survey included validated scales measuring mental well-being, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), sleep quality, and food choice motives, along with demographic and anthropometric data. Analysis revealed significant associations between functional food consumption and mental health outcomes, particularly in HRQoL, sleep quality, and body mass index (BMI). Most functional foods consumed were natural and aligned with the Mediterranean dietary pattern, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbal infusions, and honey, all demonstrating positive effects on mental and physical health. Consumer preferences showed a strong inclination toward functional foods that balance sensory appeal with health benefits, including milk-based and plant-based beverages, protein bars, and granola bars. Ingredients like St. John’s wort and Greek mountain tea were identified as potentially beneficial for mental well-being, consistent with their established efficacy in psychological health. A significant majority of participants (66.9%) expressed interest in participating in clinical trials, highlighting the need for further research into the efficacy of functional food components. This study provides a foundation for future clinical trials examining the impact of novel functional food formulations on mental and physical health, addressing the growing consumer demand for products that enhance psychological resilience and well-being. Full article

Wuyi Mountain in China is listed on the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List. With the vigorous development of urban cultural tourism, the sustainable development of heritage sites has become the focus of academic and industry circles, among which the rational use and scientific planning of natural resources have become increasingly prominent. In this context, in-depth research on resource development and protection strategies in the Wuyishan area has important practical significance and theoretical value. Therefore, this paper presents a case study of the tourist tea garden landscape design practice at the Wuyistar Chinese Tea Garden, located in Wuyishan City. This paper underscores the significance of incorporating the site’s existing natural environment resources, particularly its plant resources, into the tea garden landscape design, while adhering to principles within the framework of world heritage. The research method includes extensive field surveys combined with GIS analysis and biodiversity surveys, covering the topography and slope of the tea plantation, current natural resources, statistics on the number of tourists after completion, and the related benefits of local enterprises. These planning concepts are realized through a series of infrastructure measures, which are divided into four angles: restoring mountains and rivers, rereading cultural context, sorting out style and appearance, and improving functions. The design practice is carried out in different areas. Simultaneously, the creation of a distinctive tourist destination enables tourists to fully engage with nature and tea culture, while simultaneously fostering the growth of cultural tourism in world heritage sites. This study proposes a planning practice case, which provides a framework and ideas for designing tea gardens. From the aspects of resource protection and utilization, cultural inheritance and display, and tourism service improvement, it provides a model and method that can be used as a reference for the landscape design and planning of similar tea gardens, which will help promote the healthy development of the Chinese tea culture tourism industry. It also provides useful practical experience for the protection and development of world heritage sites. Full article

Agricultural activities such as fertilization and cultivation constitute a substantial source of non-point source (NPS) nitrogen (N) in aquatic ecosystems. Precise quantification of fluxes across diverse land uses and identification of critical source areas are essential for effectively mitigating nitrogen loads. In this study, the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was employed to accurately model the watershed hydrology and total nitrogen (TN) transport in the Zhongtian River Basin, i.e., an agricultural watershed characterized by low mountainous terrain. The simulation results indicated that the average TN load intensity within the watershed was 21.34 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and that TN load intensities for paddy fields and tea plantation were 34.96 and 33.04 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. Agricultural land, which covered 32.06% of the area, disproportionately contributed 52.88% of the N output in the watershed. Pearson and redundancy analysis (RDA) underscored land use as the primary driver of nitrogen emissions, with a contribution exceeding 50%. Building on a high-precision simulation analysis, a suite of best management practices (BMPs) was established. These findings highlight the superior performance of engineered BMPs over agricultural BMPs, with TN load reduction rates of 12.23 and 27.07% for filter strips and grassed waterways, respectively. Among three agricultural BMPs, the effect of fertilizer reduction was the most pronounced, achieving reductions of 6.44% for TN and 21.26% for nitrate. These results suggest that optimizing fertilizer management and implementing engineered BMPs could significantly reduce nitrogen pollution in agricultural watersheds, providing valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices and water quality management. Full article

Combined with the characteristic that tea is generally planted in hilly and mountainous areas and considering the existing problems of harvesting with current tea pickers, such as the inability to adjust their posture in real time, poor adaptability to the terrain, insufficient stability, and large differences in the harvesting lengths of tea. To address these issues, an adaptive canopy-following cutting control system has been designed for self-propelled tea harvesters in this study. Specifically, we developed a height-following control algorithm for tea canopy tracking and an adaptive header tilt angle control algorithm based on incremental PID control. Field experiments demonstrated that when the vehicle speed was 0.4 m/s, the height tracking errors for three harvesting lengths (20 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm) remained within ±5 mm, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. When the height differences between the two sides of the tea ridge were 10 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm, the maximum uphill roll angles were measured at 1.7°, 2.3°, and 3.0°, respectively, and the time taken for the harvester to return to a horizontal position was around 1.7 s. During downhill movement, the maximum roll angles of the harvester were 1.3°, 2.0°, and 2.6°, respectively, and the time for the harvester to return to a horizontal position was around 2.1 s, demonstrating significant correction effectiveness. Quality assessments revealed that at the 30 mm harvesting length specification, the integrity rate of tea harvesting exceeded 79%, while the missed harvesting rate was below 1.1%. This system effectively enhances harvesting stability and quality, offering novel insights for efficient, high-volume tea production. Full article