Search Results (334)

The Quercus genus is found across a broad latitudinal range, and its spread in heterogeneous ecosystems is influenced by environmental, genetic, and anthropogenic factors. However, Mediterranean oak ecosystems, in particular, have been significantly impacted by climate-driven shifts. These shifts reshape the composition and spatial configuration of a great number of species. Here, this study evaluates the impact of climate change on the habitat suitability of Valonia oak (Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis (Kotschy) Hedge & Yalt.) and particularly focuses on understanding whether its population is native or was introduced to the Karagüney Mountains, Türkiye. Using ecological niche modeling with MaxEnt and climate data from CHELSA-TraCE21k (a 1 km climate time series), we built 120 models to analyze the habitat suitability of Valonia oak across different climatic periods from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (21 ka BP) to the present. The results indicate that habitat suitability is primarily influenced by temperature- and precipitation-related variables. In fact, temperature fluctuations clearly affect the target species of this study. The most significant factors are the mean diurnal temperature range (bio2; 33.1%), precipitation in the wettest month (bio13; 19%), and mean annual temperature (bio1; 16.7%). Paleoclimatic predictions show that suitable habitats contracted during the early Holocene but expanded afterward, with current distributions aligning more closely with the natural range. In other words, it can be stated that Valonia oak’s habitat suitability has gradually improved from the LGM to the present, with both the total and natural ranges expanding over time. The results indicate that the species has demonstrated long-term stability, resilience, and adaptability to climate change, making it a potential alternative species for future climate scenarios. In addition, the data support the hypothesis that the species’ population in the Karagüney Mountains is relict, but was previously unrecognized as native. This study improves our knowledge about the distribution and environmental preferences of Valonia oak, which is important for underpinning its conservation strategies. Full article

Anoplophora horsfieldii Hope, a potential pest of the Cerambycidae family, is widely distributed throughout China, where it can cause damage to various living tree species. It has emerged as a critical invasive organism threatening China’s agricultural and forestry production as well as ecological security. This study comprehensively analyzed the key environmental factors influencing the geographical distribution of A. horsfieldii and its spatiotemporal dynamics by integrating multi-source environmental data and employing ecological niche modeling. Model validation demonstrated high reliability and accuracy of our predictions, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of 0.933, Kappa coefficient of 0.704, and true skill statistic (TSS) reaching 0.960. Our analysis identified four dominant environmental factors governing the distribution of A. horsfieldii: mean diurnal range (Bio2), temperature annual range (Bio7), precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17), and precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19). Under current climatic conditions, the total potential suitable distribution area for A. horsfieldii was estimated at 212.394 × 10⁴ km², primarily located in central, southern, eastern, southwestern, and northwestern China. Future projections under three climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5) suggest significant reductions in highly and moderately suitable habitats, while low-suitability areas may expand into central, eastern, and southwestern regions, with Chongqing, Henan, and Anhui potentially becoming new suitable habitats. Concurrently, the centroid coordinates of suitable habitats exhibited a directional shift toward Guangdong Province, with the overall distribution pattern demonstrating a spatial transition characterized by movement from inland to coastal areas and from higher to lower latitudes. This study provides scientific theoretical support for forestry authorities in controlling the spread of A. horsfieldii, while establishing a solid foundation for future ecological conservation and biosecurity strategies. The findings offer both theoretical insights and practical guidance for pest management and ecosystem protection. Full article

Numerous studies on biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) have shown that mixed plantations can improve the ecological benefits of forest ecosystems. However, few studies have employed a multi-dimensional approach to study the integrated ecological benefits of mixed plantations. This study aims to evaluate the stand characteristics and ecological benefits of different forest types by examining various ecological indicators, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and soil properties. Focusing on typical mixed broadleaf–conifer plantations (MBCPs), mixed coniferous plantations (MCPs), and pure Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook plantations (PCLs) at the Guiyang Plantation Farm, Suichang, we analyzed growth performance, spatial structure, understory vegetation diversity, and soil physicochemical properties across these forest types. For each forest type, one 100 × 100 m plot was established. Within each plot, five 20 × 20 m subplots were selected for investigation. Our results show that the aboveground biomass of MCPs is higher than that of MBCPs and PCLs, with increases of 46.58% and 177.29%, respectively. Furthermore, both mixed plantations offer better stand structure compared to pure plantations. In mixed plantations, the MBCPs exhibited a high degree of niche overlap, indicating that interspecific competition outweighed complementarity, whereas the MCPs demonstrated a more favorable stand structure. MCPs also exhibit significantly greater understory vegetation diversity compared to MBCPs and PCLs, with increases of 4.19%–13.04% and 10.34%–36.99%, respectively. Additionally, mixed plantations enhance soil moisture retention and fertility. With the onset of global warming and the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events, the establishment of artificial mixed plantations is an essential strategy to address climate change and enhance the ecological benefits of plantations. Full article

The tropical tree species Symplocos cochinchinensis plays a crucial role in ecological restoration and serves as a resource for traditional medicine, dyeing, and timber production. Assessing its distribution patterns and adaptive responses to global climate change is essential for maintaining ecosystems and developing conservation strategies. This study elucidates the spatial distribution patterns and projects potential geographic shifts of the widely distributed tropical species S. cochinchinensis under climate change scenarios. A compilation of data from global and local herbaria and databases yielded 5050 occurrence records, covering the majority of its native range in the tropics and subtropics. We modeled the species’ potential habitats using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) principle for current, 2050, and 2070 climate scenarios under high-emission SSP585. Our analysis reveals that sampling bias substantially influences the observed distribution patterns of S. cochinchinensis. Predictions indicate a decrease in barely suitable habitats and an increase in areas deemed highly suitable, suggesting climate change stress and an ecological niche shift towards areas with favorable microclimates with “Precipitation of Wettest Month” (Bio 13) and “Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter” (Bio 8). Our findings reveal S. cochinchinensis’s adaptive resilience, offering valuable insights for developing strategies and conservation management in Southeast Asia, as well as a reference for the response of other common tropical species to climate change. Full article

Although other studies have utilized demographic variables to characterize pet owners, this study incorporates a demographic framework that considers different family structures—couples and singles, with or without children—to better understand the place of pets within families. This article explores the extent to which pets fit into families in either substitute or complementary family roles, whether the inclusion of pets in families is subject to resource constraints or cultural proclivities. Data are from the 2023 Pew Research Social Trends study, a nationally representative telephone survey of 5073 respondents, analyzed using bivariate and multinomial models. Results indicate that couples without children are just as likely to be a dog-only household as are the traditional pet-owning families of couples with young children. They are also more likely to have cats, with or without dogs, compared to couples with young children. Homeownership makes pets, especially dogs, more feasible for families. The results suggest that pets are considered as substitutes and/or complements for other family members. Pets may be more affordable and attainable substitutes and/or complements for human family members, provided there are both human and spatial resources, filling a niche created by changes in family formation patterns, while providing affection, companionship and a sense of home. Full article

Understanding the trophic interactions and community structure of zooplankton is essential for assessing energy transfer in marine ecosystems. This study investigates the spatial and seasonal variations in stable carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotopes of dominant mesozooplankton groups across three sub-basins of the Eastern Mediterranean (North Aegean, Cretan, and South Ionian Seas) during two seasonal surveys (October 2014 and May 2015). Zooplankton samples were collected using a WP-2 net and analyzed for taxonomic composition, abundance, biomass, and stable isotopic signatures to assess trophic positioning. The results indicate that copepods dominated the zooplankton community at all stations, with Clausocalanus and Oithona juveniles being the most abundant taxa. Salps contributed significantly at certain stations, reflecting regional variations in the planktonic food web structure. Zooplankton δ¹⁵N values exhibited pronounced spatial and seasonal differences, with higher enrichment observed in 2014 compared to 2015. The calculated trophic positions highlight the variability in feeding strategies among copepod species, with Calanus helgolandicus occupying the highest trophic position (TP = 3.34) and Lucicutia spp. the lowest (TP = 1.22). Isotopic niche analysis identified two distinct feeding guilds: a group relying on phytoplankton and microzooplankton and another exhibiting broader trophic plasticity, including omnivorous and carnivorous taxa. These findings underscore the complexity of zooplankton trophic interactions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the role of regional hydrographic conditions in shaping the food web structure. This study provides essential baseline data for future research on the impacts of climate change and nutrient variability on Mediterranean marine ecosystems. Full article

To explore the spatiotemporal niche characteristics and changing regularities of insect communities under lamps in a semi-arid region, this paper analyzed Levins’ niche breadth index and the Pianka niche overlap index of 10 orders and 19 selected common families or superfamilies of insect communities under lamps from April to September 2018 at six vegetation sites in the Habahu National Nature Reserve, a rare desert grassland–wetland reserve in China. The results indicated the following: (1) Different taxa possess varying spatiotemporal, temporal, and spatial niche breadths, suggesting that insects effectively utilized resources in the Habahu Nature Reserve. (2) Among these groups, in terms of the orders aspect, Lepidoptera had the largest temporal niche breadth, the Hemiptera had the largest spatial niche breadth, and Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera had relatively large spatiotemporal niche breadths, while Odonata had the smallest niche breadth in all three aspects. The orders of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera had the largest spatiotemporal niche overlap value, while Odonata and Diptera had the smallest. (3) In terms of the common families (superfamilies) aspect, Noctuidae had the largest temporal niche breadth and spatiotemporal niche breadth, while Hydrophilidae had the smallest. The spatial niche breadth of Sphingidae was the largest, while Corixidae was the smallest. Noctuidae and Pyraloidea had the largest spatiotemporal niche overlap value among these herbivore groups, Miridae and Chrysopidae, among the herbivore to predatory groups, and Noctuidae and Braconidae, among the herbivore to parasitic groups. This lays a theoretical foundation for developing Chrysopidae and Braconidae as biological control taxa in the Habahu Nature Reserve. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bone metastasis is a frequent and life-threatening event in advanced cancers, affecting up to 70–85% of prostate cancer patients. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying bone metastasis is essential for developing targeted therapies. This study aimed to systematically characterize the heterogeneity and microenvironmental adaptation of prostate cancer bone metastases using single-cell transcriptomics. Methods: We integrated the largest single-cell transcriptome dataset to date, encompassing 124 samples from primary prostate tumors, various bone metastatic sites, and non-malignant tissues (e.g., benign prostatic hyperplasia, normal bone marrow). After quality control, 602,497 high-quality single-cell transcriptomes were analyzed. We employed unsupervised clustering, gene expression profiling, mutation analysis, and metabolic pathway reconstruction to characterize cancer cell subtypes and tumor microenvironmental remodeling. Results: Cancer epithelial cells dominated the tumor microenvironment but exhibited pronounced heterogeneity, posing challenges for conventional clustering methods. By integrating genetic and metabolic features, we revealed key evolutionary trajectories of epithelial cancer cells during metastasis. Notably, we identified a novel epithelial subpopulation, NEndoCs, characterized by unique differentiation patterns and distinct spatial distribution across metastatic niches. We also observed significant metabolic reprogramming and recurrent mutations linked to prostate-to-bone microenvironmental transitions. Conclusions: This study comprehensively elucidates the mutation patterns, metabolic reprogramming, and microenvironment adaptation mechanisms of bone metastasis in prostate cancer, providing key molecular targets and clinical strategies for the precise treatment of bone metastatic prostate cancer. Full article

Regenerative processes occur at various levels in all organisms, yet their complexity continues to raise new questions about their mechanisms. It has been demonstrated that small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), secreted by all cells and influencing their function, play a significant role in regeneration. In the context of regenerative processes, oral mucosal tissues consistently receive interest, as they are among the most rapidly healing tissues in the human body. In this study, we utilized spatial transcriptomics to map gene expression to specific spatial locations within the gingiva tissue section, using publicly available transcriptomic data. This analysis revealed new insights into this tissue and the biogenesis of sEVs within it. The identified clusters encompassed two main regions—the epithelium and lamina propria—as well as minor niches within them. Using Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, we identified two clusters most enriched in extracellular vesicle-related GO processes. These included the superficial and deeper layers of the sulcular epithelium, one of the most peripheral regions of the gingiva. Of the 43 genes identified in the literature as having a potential or documented role in sEVs biogenesis, 12 were selected for further analysis. MUC1, SDCBP2, and VPS37B showed clear specificity and the highest expression in the superficial layer of the sulcular epithelium. CHMP4C also exhibited high expression in this layer, though its levels were comparable to the outer layer of the oral epithelium. Other well-established sEVs marker genes, such as ANXA2, CD9, CD63, CD81, FLOT1, RAB22A, RAB27B, and RAB5A, were also expressed in the examined tissue; however, their expression was not specifically exclusive to the sulcular epithelium. Our study is the first to perform a meta-analysis of available gingival transcriptomic data in the specific context of sEVs biogenesis. The presented data and conclusions provide new insights into the role of different structures within healthy human gingiva and shed new light on both known and potential markers of sEVs biogenesis. These findings may contribute to the development of regeneration-targeted research, especially on oral tissues. Full article

Exploring the diversity and community structure of darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae) and the associated environmental factors on an alluvial fan provides useful insights into the ecology of these landscape features. This study investigated Chaqikou in the Helan Mountains, which features unique alluvial fan landforms. Sample plots (200 × 200 m) were established at three positions: the fan top, fan middle, and fan edge. From May to October 2023, pitfall traps were used to survey beetle community composition and its relationship with environmental factors. Significant variations were observed in species composition and diversity indices across different months and sample plots. Strongly xerophilous species exhibited broader ecological niche breadth, while moderately xerophilous species tended to distribute in the mid-to-upper segments of alluvial fans. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed temporal shifts in community composition, with beta diversity analysis showing that species nestedness dominated from June to August, while species replacement was prominent in May, September, and October. Redundancy analysis indicated that environmental factors affecting species distribution varied by plot. On the landscape scale, altitude was the primary factor affecting beetle distribution. Variance partitioning analysis showed that topographic, soil, and vegetation factors explained 51.7%, 20.2%, and 9.4% of the variation in the beetle community, respectively. It is evident that altitudinal gradients shape ecological filtering pressures by creating multidimensional heterogeneity in topography, soil properties, and vegetation coverage. The adaptive matching between Tenebrionid species’ biological traits and environmental factors ultimately governs the spatial distribution patterns of darkling beetle diversity in alluvial fan desert grasslands. Full article

As a typical ecologically fragile mountainous area, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province faces challenges of irrational land resource allocation and uncoordinated urbanization. This study employs an ecological niche width model to quantify the functional status of “production-living-ecological” functions (PLEFs) between 2010–2020. Methodologically, we integrated spatial autocorrelation analysis and Spearman’s correlation coefficients to systematically evaluate spatiotemporal synergies and trade-offs among PLEFs. Based on this, spatial clustering patterns were further analyzed using Maxwell’s triangle and K-means algorithms to delineate functional zones. Key findings include: (1) Production function (PF) and living function (LF) exhibit a “core-periphery” spatial pattern (high-value clusters in the south, low-value contiguous areas in the north), while ecological function (EF) displays a “high-low-high” ring-shaped pattern (high values in the northwest and southeast, declining in the central region due to development pressure); (2) synergy and trade-off relationships coexist in the study area. Synergies and trade-offs coexist among PLEFs. The synergistic effect between PF and EF strengthens significantly, the trade-off relationship between PF and LF weakens slightly, and the trade-off between LF and EF remains prominent; high-low (HL) clusters and low-high (LH) clusters exceed 55%; (3) based on synergy/trade-off relationships, the study area is divided into six functional zones (e.g., economic priority zones, ecological protection zones), with proposed optimization strategies such as “intensive valley development, eco-cultural tourism in border areas, and urban-rural coordination in central regions,” providing scientific support for sustainable territorial spatial utilization in mountainous areas. Full article

Under the framework of the Rural Revitalization Strategy, optimizing the layout of rural settlements in mountainous areas and guiding their sustainable development must be based on a deep understanding of the evolution characteristics of rural settlements and suitability evaluations. This study focuses on Lixian County, located in the southwestern part of China, Sichuan Province, as the research area and employs methods such as the average nearest neighbor index, kernel density analysis, and landscape pattern index to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of rural settlements in 2000, 2010, and 2020. Additionally, the Maxent model, based on ecological niche theory, is applied to evaluate the suitability of rural settlements. The results reveal the following: (1) Rural settlements in Lixian County exhibit a spatial distribution characterized by “sparser in the west, denser in the east, and a belt-like pattern”, with a clustered distribution trend. The number and area of settlement patches increased, with settlement distribution becoming more centralized, shapes becoming more complex, and connectivity between settlements improving. (2) The area of highly suitable land for rural settlements has decreased annually, with over 85% of the land classified as unsuitable for rural settlement layout. Suitability transitions mostly occur between adjacent levels, and it is difficult for unsuitable land to become suitable. (3) In earlier years, settlement suitability was significantly influenced by the distance to cultivated land, slope, and distance to geological hazard sites. By 2020, however, the distance to roads had become the second most important environmental factor, following the distance to cultivated land. Natural environmental factors, particularly topographic features such as elevation and slope, were found to exert a greater influence than socioeconomic factors in evaluating the suitability of rural settlements in Lixian County. These findings provide a scientific foundation for optimizing rural settlement layouts in mountainous regions, offering valuable insights into rural transformation and sustainable development not only in the upper Minjiang River area but also for reference in other similar mountainous regions. Full article

Related species of parasitoid Hymenoptera often coexist on a certain host, but many details of interactions between these organisms remain unclear. The present review summarizes the main existing concepts and facts and suggests principal patterns and mechanisms that allow for the coexistence of several members of a particular parasitoid genus at the expense of the same host. Although the successful introduction of exotic parasitic wasps into the existing ecosystems often leads to the competitive displacement of related parasitoids, mere spatial and/or temporal niche partitioning between these insects is also possible. Nevertheless, many cases of coexistence of related wasp species on the same host defy simple explanations since they apparently result from complex interactions between the host and its parasitoids. The main characteristics of the oviposition process, i.e., egg volume, fecundity, and duration of the egg-laying period, are likely to correlate with other basic features of life-history strategies in parasitoid Hymenoptera. Specialist parasitic wasps often aggregate over the host patches, whereas generalists can be randomly distributed, thus reducing the degree of interspecific competition among parasitoids. However, some of the coexisting parasitic wasps, usually the weakest competitors, must also have access to enemy-free space to survive. Full article

Architectural images, experienced visually and spatially, embody urban culture, aesthetics, and identity, yet their suitability in urban communities remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the suitability of architectural images using the niche-fitness model, combined with residents’ perception assessments. Evaluation indicators focus on architectural form, color, features, and values to assess how well buildings align with residents and environmental contexts. The findings reveal significant variations in suitability across six studied buildings in a high-density community in Wuhan. One building showed high ecological adaptability and alignment with residents’ functional and aesthetic preferences, while others exhibited moderate to low suitability, reflecting mismatches with residents’ perceptions. The inharmonious adaptability of these buildings demonstrates the need to harmonize architectural images with residents’ psychological preferences to enhance community livability and identity. Combining Wuhan’s regional characteristics, suggestions for improving the governance of architectural images are proposed to address mismatches. This study analyzes the role of architectural image suitability in improving residents’ quality of life and shaping urban community characteristics. By offering a practical approach for guiding the renewal of architectural images in communities, this research contributes to creating livable and culturally resonant environments to support sustainable urban development. Full article

Understanding the response of species to past climate change provides great opportunities to know their adaptive capacity for resilience under future climate change. Since the Late Pleistocene, dramatic climate fluctuations have significantly impacted the distribution of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). However, how the spatial distribution and climatic niche of giant pandas shifted in response to past climate change remain poorly understood. Based on the known distribution records (fossil and present day) and the most updated climate projections for the Last Interglacial (LIG; ~120 ka), Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ~22 ka), Mid-Holocene (MH; ~6 ka), and the present day, we predicted and compared the distribution and climatic niche of giant pandas. The results show that giant pandas have undergone a considerable range contraction (a 28.27% reduction) followed by a marked range expansion (a 75.8% increase) during the LIG–LGM–MH period, while its climatic niche remained relatively stable. However, from the MH to the current, both the distribution area and climatic niche of giant pandas have undergone significant changes. Our findings suggest that the giant panda may adjust its distribution to track stable climatic niches in response to future climate change. Future conservation planning should designate accessible areas for giant pandas and adjust priority conservation areas as needed. Full article