Climatic diversity of fairy circle landscapes

Understanding what drives biodiversity patterns across scales is a central goal of ecology. Both environmental gradients and spatial landscape structure have been found to be important factors influencing species distributions and community composition, and partly reflect the balance of underlying deterministic and stochastic community processes. In some systems, environmental gradients and spatial connectivity are intertwined in that steep environmental gradients serve as boundaries on species movements and impose environment‐derived complex spatial structure to metacommunities. Mountainous landscapes are prime examples of this, and recent theory has linked principles of geomorphology, environmental gradients, and spatial structure to make predictions for resulting community patterns. In this context, we examine variation in taxonomic and phylogenetic ant diversity patterns along a geographic transect spanning > 5000 m in elevational range in the Hengduan mountains of southern China. We found that environmental gradients dominate variation in both alpha and beta diversity in this landscape, with alpha diversity strongly declining with elevation and beta diversity driven by elevational differences. However, within an elevational band spatial connectivity predicts beta diversity better than geographic distance. Our findings deviate from theoretical predictions in several ways, notably alpha diversity is monotonically declining and within‐band beta diversity is invariant with increasing elevation. The discrepancies between theory and observation may be explained by differences in the Hengduan landscape from idealized fluvial landscapes, such as a lack of a mid‐elevation peak in connectivity, as well as evolutionary limits on the source pool of species available to populate metacommunities at different elevations. The latter is supported by variation in phylogenetic community structure with elevation. Our results demonstrate the power of conceptual, statistical, and theoretical frameworks that integrate the roles of environment and spatial structure in metacommunities, but that additional work is needed to bridge the gap between abstract theory and real systems.

ContextBoth crop rotational diversity and landscape diversity are important for ensuring resilient agricultural production and supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. However, the relationship between crop rotational diversity and landscape diversity is largely understudied.ObjectivesWe aim to assess how crop rotational diversity is spatially organised in relation to soil, climate, and landscape diversity at a regional scale in Brandenburg, Germany.MethodsWe used crop rotational richness, Shannon’s diversity and evenness indices per field per decade (i.e., crop rotational diversity) as a proxy for agricultural diversity and land use and land cover types and habitat types as proxies for landscape diversity. Soil and climate characteristics and geographical positions were used to identify potential drivers of the diversity facets. All spatial information was aggregated at 10 × 10 km resolution, and statistical associations were explored with interpretable machine learning methods.ResultsCrop rotational diversity was associated negatively with landscape diversity metrics and positively with soil quality and the proportion of agricultural land use area, even after accounting for the other variables.ConclusionOur study indicates a spatial trade-off between crop and landscape diversity (competition for space), and crop rotations are more diverse in more simplified landscapes that are used for agriculture with good quality of soil conditions. The respective strategies and targets should be tailored to the corresponding local and regional conditions for maintaining or enhancing both crop and landscape diversity jointly to gain their synergistic positive impacts on agricultural production and ecosystem management.

Hydrological processes in tropical Australia: Historical perspective and the need for a catchment observatory network to address future development

The evolutionary development and phylogenetic division between Asian and African cercopithecoids (Cercopithecidae) have attracted significant attention in genetics, molecular biology, behavior, and morphology. However, less emphasis has been placed on how they have evolved morphologically after divergence, approximately 10 million years ago (mya) for Colobinae and 5–7 mya for Cercopithecinae, corresponding to the significant variation and diversity in landscape, climate, habitat, and ecologies between the two continents. This study examines whether such variation and diversity have been reflected in dental morphology. Our findings reveal substantial differences between Hylobatidae and Cercopithecidae, as well as between Colobinae and Cercopithecinae, indicating that size-adjusted dental variation mainly reveals the diversity associated with evolution and phylogenetic inertia. Interestingly, despite the earlier divergence of Afro-Asian colobines, their Euclidean Distance is comparable to that of Afro-Asian cercopithecines. This implies that latecomers (macaques) demonstrate equivalent diversity to colobines due to their extensive dispersion and broader adaptative radiation on the same continent. Colobinae exhibit more developed premolar and molar regions. However, when post-canine teeth are considered alone, Colobinae present a significantly larger molar size than Asian Cercopithecinae but not with the African Cercopihecinae. This contradicts the hypothesis that folivorous primates (Colobinae) have larger post-canine molars than frugivorous ones (Cercopithecinae). The considerable molar size in African Cercopithecinae must be associated with their more protrusive and larger facial structure rather than a specific dietary preference, being less diverse than their Asian counterparts—a trait that has evolved phylogenetically. This study also paves the way for further exploration of facial and cranial differences between the continental groups of Cercopithecinae and Colobinae, delving deeply into diversity variation due to geographical and climatic adaptations.

State of Jammu and Kashmir with a geographical area of 222,236 km2 is located on the northern most part of Indian subcontinent in western Himalaya. Population of state is 14.28 million. Out of this, 11.9% is tribal population comprising of Gaddi, Bakarwal, Gujjar, Brokpa, Changpa, Shina, and Balti tribes. State is blessed with three unique landscapes with abundant natural assets. Jammu Province is a subtropical region with ten administrative districts, Kashmir Valley is temperate region with ten administrative districts, and trans-Himalayan Ladakh is high altitude cold desert with two administrative districts. Elevation of state varies from 300 to 7000 m. This diversity of landscape and climate is reflected in the rich diversity of state’s cultural, social, and biological diversity. State of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the best gifts of nature on earth with abundance of verdant valleys, high rising mountain peaks, some of the biggest and longest glaciers, thick forests, highly productive alpine pastures, number of fresh and brackish water lakes, millions of migratory birds, rich wildlife and rare snow leopard, scenic areas, waterfalls, ethnic tribes and typical art and architecture of historical buildings. State has number of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and wetlands providing an opportunity to the state to promote eco-tourism. These natural assets make Jammu and Kashmir State as one of the best destinations for the eco-tourism in the world. Tourism is the key sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and accounts for 6.98% of the state’s GDP. In the paper, an attempt has been made to describe the eco-tourism destinations of the state using a methodology of primary and secondary data, government sources, and direct visit to the sites. The survey and study of some of the important eco-destinations were carried out in the year 2014 using SWOT methodology. In the paper also some of the success stories of eco-tourism practices introduced in the year 2003–2004 have been discussed. Based on best practices, in the paper, eco-tourism policy and the vision to develop these destinations have been discussed.

Whilst it is generally understood that grasslands are able to store significant amounts of carbon and that much of our degraded agricultural soil has capacity to build carbon stocks and potentially mitigate on-farm emissions, to date, the greater focus of studies has been on the response of lowland grassland soil carbon to management practices. In contrast, comprehension of current and potential soil carbon stocks in heterogeneric ‘upland’ or marginal farmed environments is currently lacking, and the potential for sustainable livestock production to deliver increased soil carbon sequestration unsubstantiated. With upland farming systems producing 29% and 44% of breeding cows and sheep respectively, understanding the impact of changes in upland livestock management on soil carbon is critical to ensure future land management scenarios are environmentally positive and can sustain food production.We aim to address this knowledge gap by combining field surveys of soil carbon concentrations and stocks with modelling of potential soil carbon change under nutrient, land use and climate change scenarios using the process-based N14CP model. In this contribution we will present the empirical data and carbon modelling results.Three 'upland' livestock farms in Cumbria, UK were chosen as representative of diversity of parent material, climate, topography and livestock farming practices. Pedogenic-stratified random sampling of the top 0 – 30cm soil at a rate of 1 sample per 2 hectares; ≥5 metres apart was conducted July-September 2024. Samples were assessed for bulk density (corrected for coarse fragments ≥2mm) and carbon concentration (by dry combustion).Preliminary analyses suggest high spatial variation in bulk density, soil carbon concentration and stocks within and between farms, reflecting the heterogeneity of ‘upland’ environments. Our sampling approach demonstrates that detecting change in soil carbon empirically, with confidence, is unlikely to be possible in these diverse landscapes, with implications for predicting carbon sequestration potential as climate mitigation.

In mountain areas,land surface temperature( LST) is a key parameter in the surface energy budget and is an outcome of a complex interplay of topography,incoming radiation,atmospheric processes,soil moisture,land covers and vegetation types. One important factor that controls LST is topography. Slope and aspect are generally considered as important parameters in ecology as they directly influence the potential radiation and heat load in small scale. In built-up areas in mountain city,where land use /cover is completely dominated by human activities that exert a great influence on the local climate,biogeochemical circle and landscape diversity,LST is influenced not only by topology but also by human activities. In order to reveal the influence of aspect on LST,central area of Chongqing city,a typical mountain city,has been chosen as an example. Land surface temperatures( LSTs) derived from Landsat TM images were extracted by aspect using spatial analysis function in ArcGIS,and were analyzed using analysis of variance( ANOVA) in SPSS. Firstly,the scatter diagram of aspect and LST,that were extracted for each pixel,shows neither simple linear nor nonlinear relationships. Secondly,the aspect is divided into different number of classes,namely,four classes( every 90°),eight classes( every 45°),16 classes( every 22. 5°),32 classes( every 11. 25°),64 classes( every 5. 625°),128 classes( every 2.8125°) and 360 classes( every 1°). The results show that LSTs in the southeast aspect and the south aspect are higher than other aspects,whilst LSTs in the northwest aspect and the north aspect are lower. Although aspect is an important factor influencing earth's surface energy received from the sun radiation,using finer resolution in aspect makes nosignificant difference from using coarser resolution. Among all class divisions,when the aspect is divided into 8 classes,the average LSTs in each aspect have the most significant differences. The average LST of each aspect is positively correlated to its area proportion in the study area. The average LSTs in each land cover /use are significantly different,however,the average LST in each aspect class is not significantly different in the same land cover /use type. This implies that the LST distribution in city is mainly caused by urban construction and human activities,roughly corresponding to different types of land cover /use. Comparing to strong environmental effects resulted from intensive and large-scale urban construction activities,the influence of aspect on LST is relatively weak. In mountain city,urban construction activities massively transform original natural topography into artificial terraces and the urban construction size is much greater than the size of hill reserved inside the city,hence it is difficult to identify aspect effect on LST. The most likely reason for this is that the differences of light condition,soil moisture,precipitation and wind velocity result from aspect are disguised or offset by intensive human activities.

Karabakh and Zangezur are the south-eastern end of the Lesser Caucasus, and they are distinguished by their climate and landscape diversity with a rich in vegetation. Analysis of literature and herbarium specimens collected in this region is an invaluable source for a comprehensive assessment of the state of the ecosystems of Karabakh and Zangezur over the past 30 years.This is the purpose of the study of the genus Campanula which is widespread in the northern hemisphere and is of special importance for the flora of the Caucasus. According to literature, 110 species of this genus are found in the Caucasus, and 46 — in Azerbaijan. The history of the study of the genus, its geographical distribution, as well as the taxa found in the flora of Karabakh and Zangezur were compared, and the herbarium data stored in the BAK were analyzed. It was found that the subgenus Campanula L., which is the richest of the subgenus in terms of the number of species of the genus, includes 11 sections. And 18 taxa belonging to 7 sections are found in the flora of Azerbaijan, 11 taxa of which are found in the flora of Karabakh and Zangezur. During the examination of herbarium specimens of the genus Campanula L. stored in the BAK, it was found that 20 herbarium specimens belonging to 5 species were collected from Karabakh region.

The relationship between land values, climate and landscape diversity is investigated for a region of the Mediterranean where climate impacts are expected to be particularly severe. The Ricardian approach is applied, and spatial correlation and endogenous selection of farm type are accounted for. The analysis is at the farm level, and it is completely geocoded. It is found that farmland value is affected by both climate and landscape agrobiodiversity, and that their impacts differ across models. However, landscape agrobiodiversity is extremely significant, and it greatly contributes to sustaining the mean level of land value. The results show that spatial correlation and the endogenous nature of adaptation substantially affect impacts assessment and suggest that spatial dependence and adaptation should not be overlooked in Ricardian models.

Climate and landscape patterns of pine forest decline after invasion by the pinewood nematode

The term 'Islamic cities' has been used to refer to cities of the Islamic world, centring on the Middle East. Academic scholarship has tended to link the cities of the Islamic world with Islam as a religion and culture, in an attempt to understand them as a whole in a unified and homogenous way. Examining studies (books, articles, maps, bibliographies) of cities which existed in the Middle East and Central Asia in the period from the rise of Islam to the beginning of the 20th century, this book seeks to examine and compare Islamic cities in their diversity of climate, landscape, population and historical background. Coordinating research undertaken since the nineteenth century, and comparing the historiography of the Maghrib, Mashriq, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia, Islamic Urbanism provides a fresh perspective on issues that have exercised academic concern in urban studies and highlights avenues for future research.

The term 'Islamic cities' has been used to refer to cities of the Islamic world, centring on the Middle East. Academic scholarship has tended to link the cities of the Islamic world with Islam as a religion and culture, in an attempt to understand them as a whole in a unified and homogenous way. Examining studies (books, articles, maps, bibliographies) of cities which existed in the Middle East and Central Asia in the period from the rise of Islam to the beginning of the 20th century, this book seeks to examine and compare Islamic cities in their diversity of climate, landscape, population and historical background. Coordinating research undertaken since the nineteenth century, and comparing the historiography of the Maghrib, Mashriq, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia, Islamic Urbanism provides a fresh perspective on issues that have exercised academic concern in urban studies and highlights avenues for future research.

Invasive species are a major threat to the sustainable provision of ecosystem products and services, both in natural and agricultural ecosystems. To understand the spatial arrangement of species successively introduced into the same ecosystem, we examined the tolerance to temperature and analyzed the field distribution of three potato tuber moths (PTM, Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), that were introduced in Ecuador since the 1980s. We studied physiological responses to constant temperatures of the three PTM species under laboratory conditions and modeled consequences for their overall population dynamics. We then compared our predictions to field abundances of PTM adults collected in 42 sites throughout central Ecuador. Results showed that the three PTM species differed with respect to their physiological response to temperature. Symmetrischema tangolias was more cold tolerant while Tecia solanivora had the highest growth rates at warmer temperatures. Phthorimaea operculella showed the poorest physiological performance across the range of tested temperatures. Overall, field distributions agree with predictions based on physiological experiments and life table analyses. At elevations >3000 m, the most cold-tolerant species, S. tangolias, was typically dominant and often the only species present. This species may therefore represent a biological sensor of climate change. At low elevations (<2700 m), T. solanivora was generally the most abundant species, probably due to its high fecundity at high temperatures. At mid elevations, the three species co-occurred, but P. operculella was generally the least abundant species. Consistent with these qualitative results, significant regression analyses found that the best predictors of field abundance were temperature and a species x temperature interaction term. Our results suggest that the climatic diversity in agricultural landscapes can directly affect the community composition following sequential invasions. In the tropical Andes, as in other mountain ecosystems, the wide range of thermal environments found along elevational gradients may be one reason why the risks of invasion by successively introduced pest species could increase in the near future. More data on potential biological risks associated with climatic warming trends in mountain systems are therefore urgently needed, especially in developing nations where such studies are lacking.

Biodiversity of the Succulent Karoo

Determining the sustainability of groundwater use in drylands with high climate variability is complex. Central to this determination is an understanding of groundwater recharge and associated processes and controls. Groundwater recharge in drylands can occur by diffuse and focused recharge (focused recharge being associated with intense episodic rainfall events and ephemeral river flow, predicted to increase and intensify with climate change). This study evaluated the relative significance and dominant controls on these two recharge processes. Ten groundwater hydrographs with multidecadal observations were collated from the Limpopo Province, South Africa, based on their proximity to river channels and rain gauges, representing diversity in local climate, landscape, vegetation, and hydrogeological conditions. The hydrographs showed that groundwater-level rises are sensitive to rainfall intensity during the rainy season, with generally larger increases after years with large episodic rainfall events, which disproportionately contribute to groundwater replenishment. Recharge processes and annual recharge volumes were quantified using the water-table fluctuation method and the numerical model HYDRUS-1D. This allowed for the inference of additional recharge contributions from focused recharge in proximity to ephemeral rivers, up to a factor of five relative to diffuse recharge. The analysis revealed synchronicity and linear correlation between annual river discharge and recharge close to the river, substantiating the importance of focused recharge close to the river network. The study showed that recharge in drylands is subject to large spatial and temporal variation and that consideration of focused and episodic recharge is critically important for managing groundwater resources at various scales in these regions.