Altitude Sites Research Articles

Distribution patterns of alpine flora for long-term monitoring of global change along a wide elevational gradient in the Western Himalayas

In the current context of climate change, the Western Himalayas are thought to be warming faster than the global average rate. Despite this rapid warming, our understanding of alpine vegetation composition and the underlying factors shaping its patterns in the Western Himalayan alpine highlands of Pakistan remains limited. Extensive field sampling was conducted at 24 sites ranging in altitude from 3300 m to 4200 m. The entire altitudinal range was divided into three belts i.e., low-altitude sites, medium-altitude sites, and high-altitude sites (HAS). Results revealed that alpine flora consisted of 251 species (belonging to 51 families. The findings revealed that 83 of the 251 species evaluated contributed significantly to the change in species composition between three altitudinal sites. The species that contributed the most to the variance in species composition between communities made up 75 % of the total, demonstrating that these species are important in structuring plant communities at different altitudes. Among the alpine flora, a significant (49 %) dominance was observed from nine families, comprising a total of 123 species. The largest family, Asteraceae, had the highest number of species, followed by Poaceae and Rosaceae. Hemicryptophytes emerged as the prevailing life form, while Microphylls were the dominant leaf type. Phytosociological Indices revealed that diversity levels decreased with increasing altitude, indicating a significant impact of altitude on plant diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that altitude, grazing, and soil erosion are important in explaining variance in plant distribution patterns in the alpine flora. Twelve indicator species were discovered in three different altitudinal groups. In the LAS, Bistorta affinis, Geranium himalayense, Poa nemoralis, and Sibbaldia cuneata, had a significant indicator value, whereas in the medium-altitude sites MAS Allium humile, Bistorta affinis, Juniperus communis, and Rhododendron campanulatum had significant p-values. In high altitude sites HAS, indicator plants were Bistorta affinis, Juniperus communis. Our results identified 51 vulnerable species with very low abundance values whereas 17 threatened species having extremely low (<0.1) abundance values are a vital conservation priority in the region. Results may be helpful to formulate immediate conservation management strategies to conserve the precious floristic wealth of the alpine Region.

Geospatial patterns and geochemical compositional characteristics of molybdenum in different mediums of an urban environment

Urban areas are characterized by the presence of certain potentially toxic elements including molybdenum (Mo). Therefore, compositional data analysis combined with geospatial mapping was applied in this study to reveal the spatial distribution characteristics of Mo in courtyard surface dust (dust), soils, and river sediments (sediments), to identify potential sources of Mo, and to reveal Mo geochemical associations in different urban environmental mediums. The mean contents of Mo decreased in the following order: dust (11.9 mg/kg) – soil (5.84 mg/kg) – sediment (4.87 mg/kg). The highest maximum Mo content among the studied mediums (61.8 mg/kg) was detected in dust. It was the only investigated medium where a very high level of Mo enrichment was observed (4.4% of samples). Moreover, a significant level of enrichment predominated in dust (47% of samples) whereas in soil, moderate enrichment prevails (68.5%). A significant correlation of Mo contents was observed with Zn contents in all the studied mediums, and with Ca contents in soil and sediments. A significant negative correlation was observed only between Mo contents in dust and sampling site altitudes suggesting that high-rise buildings might play the role of geochemical barriers. Principal component analysis, k-means and hierarchical clustering showed that in the geogenic elements soil group Mo showed an affinity to be bound by Fe/Mn oxide/hydroxides whereas the Mo coprecipitation, complexation and absorption by carbonates predominated in the Mo-related soil group (geochemical compositional association of Mo, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ca) under anthropogenic influence. For dust, the geochemical compositional association was the same, but in the geogenic-related group, Cu was the most closely associated element instead of Zn. The spatial location of the Mo-related group of samples identified by k-means clustering indicates that Mo concentrate processing plant may be a potential source of Mo introduction into the urban environment.

Optimal type and dose of hypoxic training for improving maximal aerobic capacity in athletes: a systematic review and Bayesian model-based network meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare and rank the effect of hypoxic practices on maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) in athletes and determine the hypoxic dose-response correlation using network meta-analysis. Methods: The Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, and EBSCO databases were systematically search for randomized controlled trials on the effect of hypoxc interventions on the VO2max of athletes published from inception until 21 February 2023. Studies that used live-high train-high (LHTH), live-high train-low (LHTL), live-high, train-high/low (HHL), intermittent hypoxic training (IHT), and intermittent hypoxic exposure (IHE) interventions were primarily included. LHTL was further defined according to the type of hypoxic environment (natural and simulated) and the altitude of the training site (low altitude and sea level). A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the standardized mean difference between the effects of various hypoxic interventions on VO2max and dose-response correlation. Furthermore, the hypoxic dosage of the different interventions were coordinated using the "kilometer hour" model. Results: From 2,072 originally identified titles, 59 studies were finally included in this study. After data pooling, LHTL, LHTH, and IHT outperformed normoxic training in improving the VO2max of athletes. According to the P-scores, LHTL combined with low altitude training was the most effective intervention for improving VO2max (natural: 0.92 and simulated: 0.86) and was better than LHTL combined with sea level training (0.56). A reasonable hypoxic dose range for LHTH (470-1,130kmh) and HL (500-1,415kmh) was reported with an inverted U-shaped curve relationship. Conclusion: Different types of hypoxic training compared with normoxic training serve as significant approaches for improving aerobic capacity in athletes. Regardless of the type of hypoxic training and the residential condition, LHTL with low altitude training was the most effective intervention. The characteristics of the dose-effect correlation of LHTH and LHTL may be associated with the negative effects of chronic hypoxia.

INTERAKSI KOMPOSISI MEDIA TANAM DAN ZAT PENGATUR TUMBUH (ZPT) ALAMI TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN STEK LEMON (CITRUS LIMON L.)

This study aims to determine the effect of the composition of the growing media and natural growth regulators and their interactions on the growth of lemon cuttings. This research was conducted at Banjar Dinas Pangereregan Kaja, Lumbung Village, Selemadeg Barat District, Tabanan Regency. The altitude of the research site is 200 m above sea level. This research was conducted from 23 January 2022 to 20 March 2022 for 8 weeks from planting cuttings. The interaction between the treatment of the composition of the planting medium and the natural growth regulator had a very significant effect on almost all the variables observed, except for the variable plant height (cm) which had no significant effect and plant diameter (cm) which had a significant effect . The highest total plant oven dry weight was obtained for the composition of manure media: soil : sand (1 : 2 : 1) and coconut water zpt which was 5,22 g or an increase of 135,13% and the lowest was obtained in the treatment of the composition of manure media: soil: sand (1 : 2 : 1) and cow urine zpt only 2,22 g. The highest total plant wet weight variable was found in the treatment of manure media composition: soil: sand (1 : 2 : 1) and shallot extract zpt which was 13,87 g or an increase in yield of 144,62% compared to the treatment of the composition of the manure planting medium: soil: sand (2 : 1 : 1) and shallot extract zpt which gave the lowest total plant wet weight, which was only 5,67 g.

Recent decline in sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) growth extends to the northern parts of its distribution range in eastern Canada

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) growth in the species’ southern range has been declining since the 1980s, putting at risk a variety of ecosystem services that the species provides. Heatwaves, drought, frosts, acidic deposition, and insect defoliation, all reducing photosynthetic activity, have been suggested to be behind the phenomenon. Because the geographic scope of previous studies on maple growth is limited to the southern temperate biome, it is not currently understood whether the same negative trends and factors affecting growth rates apply to the species in more northern regions of its distribution range. Here we used annual ring-width data of 1675 trees from a network of 21 sites in Quebec and Ontario between 45˚N and 48˚N to reconstruct maple growth and to analyze its trends and climatic drivers since 1950 CE. We developed a retrospective tree growth index by employing a Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) that accounted for tree age and size, terrain altitude, slope, competition and mean site climatology. Our reconstruction suggested considerable geographical variations in maple growth trends, with declining growth being less pronounced in the central portion of the study region. The growth decline persisted at the time of sampling in 2019 and 2020. Maple growth negatively correlated with the summer vapour pressure deficit (VPD) during both the previous and current growth seasons. As the decline in sugar maple growth is observed at the northern limit of its distribution, climate change may not favor the expansion of sugar maples to the north. The observed decline along with increasing VPD will likely have a negative impact on the ecosystem services supported by this species and calls for management adaptation measures.

Relationships between black pine wood production (m3 per year) and some habitat factors in the East Mediterranean region

The present study aims to identify the relations between the wood production (m3 per year) of the black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) and its habitat characteristics in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. A total of 120 samplings with different aspects, site altitudes, and site classes were studied. In each sample area, at least 5 trees were designated, and soil samples were taken by excavating earth pits. Certain characteristics of the soil samples were identified in the laboratory environment. The relations between the dominant height values of the trees in the sample areas and soil, climate, and physiographic factors were analyzed using correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and artificial neural network methods. Significant relations between the wood production values of the trees in the sample areas and slope from physiographic habitat characteristics, average annual temperature from climate characteristics, and pH and total carbonate from soil characteristics were found. The wood production of black pine was explained by multiple regression analysis at a level of 22.4% and by artificial neural network method at 72%.

Impact of nylon and teflon filter media on the sampling of inorganic aerosols over a high altitude site

Impact of nylon and teflon filter media on the sampling of inorganic aerosols over a high altitude site

Analysis of Spatio-temporal PM2.5 and CO2 Concentrations Distribution with PSCF in the Greater Bandung Air Basin

The limitations of expensive main monitoring stations can be addressed by using low-cost sensor-based measuring stations. A low-cost sensor-based air quality monitoring system has been implemented in Telkom University, BRIN Pasteur, and BRIN Taman Sari areas to measure PM2.5 and CO2 concentration in Bandung vertically and horizontally. Vertically, the CO2 concentration at the highest measuring station is indirectly affected by local activities. However, PM2.5 concentration is still influenced by local actions. Horizontally, using the independent T-test and ANOVA, PM2.5 concentrations tended to be homogeneous regarding the significance values in the four periods, namely 0.916, 0.03, 0.727, and 0.047. Meanwhile, the concentration of CO2 at each station tends to be heterogeneous along significance values of 0.646, 0.03, 0.02, and 0.01. The vertical and horizontal analysis shows that CO2 concentrations tend to be heterogeneous due to differences in altitude and spatial characteristics of the measurement sites. Meanwhile, PM2.5 tends to be more homogeneous by having the same pattern at different heights and spatial locations. The long-distance potential sources of PM2.5 are estimated to come from the Indian Ocean and Cirebon region because they have the highest PSCF and CWT values, 0.5-0.7 and 55-65 µg/m3.

Species-Site Suitability Matching Study of Introduced Bamboos in Ethiopia

In view of broadening the genetic base of bamboo resources and looking for alternative bamboo species that can grow in mid altitude areas where indigenous species are not growing in Ethiopia, different introduced bamboo species were tested for their adaptability and growth performance in different areas across the country. Data on ecological and climatic conditions of testing sites and corresponding growth in terms of diameter, height and density of the species were assessed; growth in Ethiopia was compared with growth of the species in their place of origin, i.e. South, Southeast and Tropical Asia. Accordingly, Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus giganteus were found to have similar diameter and height growth while Dendrocalamus membranaceus showed lower values in Ethiopia when compared to growth in its origin. The species-site matching effort of the species within Ethiopia in this regard, is conducted based on similarity in altitude and climatic conditions (rainfall, temperature) of experimental sites to other sites across the country. All the species, except B. bambos, perform well in Oromia, Amhara, SNNP and Tigray regions. All species, except D. gigantues. B. balcoa and B.bambos performed well in Benishangul-Gumuz region. Research on adaptability study needs to be extended in other regions of Ethiopia.

Three-dimensional view of CO2 variability in the atmosphere over the Indian region

The study reports diurnal and seasonal variations of atmospheric CO2 across multiple locations in India using the dedicated ground-based observations, satellite observations and model simulations. Data from seven sites collected during different time periods are analysed to understand the role of biospheric, fossil fuel fluxes on diurnal and seasonal variations of atmospheric CO2. The study also examines the impact of land use/land cover on the variability of atmospheric CO2 concentration. Results show that CO2 mixing ratios are highest during night and lowest in the afternoon. Ponmudi station shows homogeneous daily CO2 mixing ratios because of an active ecosystem and free of boundary layer influence. A high altitude site Ooty exhibits higher diurnal and seasonal variations, possibly due to entrapped emissions from tourism and settlements, while Nagpur's (an urban site), CO2 mixing ratios remain moderate throughout the year due to active plantations. The observed CO2 is further compared with the simulations from atmospheric chemistry-transport model. The model is able to capture the observed seasonal cycle all over the study locations.

Clinical features and health-threatening conditions of the trek to Capanna Margherita.

Since trips to high altitude have become popular, reports on clinical and environmental characteristics during expeditions to popular destinations are needed. A group of 15 healthy adults was monitored during a trek to Capanna Margherita (4556 m). A hypoxic stress test was applied before the expedition started. Environmental characteristics were acquired with a portable device. Vital signs were compared at low and high altitude, and altitude sickness was diagnosed by the Lake Louise scoring system. Ocular symptoms and intraocular pressure were recorded. Temperature ranged from -3.5 to 31.3 °C and relative humidity from 36 to 95% during the trek. Acute mountain sickness was diagnosed in 40% of participants, more frequently in women, and slightly associated with a greater drop in SpO<inf>2</inf>. Heart rate and blood pressure increased, while peripheral saturation and intraocular pressure decreased, in response to altitude hypoxia. Rapid ascents, as in the most common expedition plans, should be carefully supervised because of the common occurrence of AMS, especially in women. Among organ districts, the eye should deserve more attention in high-altitude medicine. Analyses of environmental conditions, together with predictive methods and early identification of health-threatening conditions, are of great value in supporting further recreational, professional and scientific expeditions to the most intriguing altitude sites.

National-Scale Assessment of Total Gaseous Mercury Isotopes Across the United States.

With the 2011 promulgation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the successful negotiation by the United Nations Environment Program of the Minamata Convention, emissions of mercury (Hg) have declined in the United States. While the declines in atmospheric Hg concentrations in North America are encouraging, linking the declines to changing domestic and global source portfolios remains challenging. To address these research gaps, the U.S. Geological Survey initiated the first national-scale effort to establish a baseline of total gaseous mercury stable isotope values at 31 sites distributed across the United States. Results indicated that unique Hg sources, such as Hg evasion from an elemental Hg contaminated site or free tropospheric intrusions in high altitude sites, were distinguishable from background atmospheric values. Minor gradients were observed across the nation, with regions of heavy industrial activity demonstrating lower , but no consistent changes in other isotopes such as and were observed. Furthermore, was impacted by foliar uptake and senescence but trends varied between forested regions in the northeastern and midwestern United States. These data demonstrate regional emission sources and other environmental variables can impact total gaseous Hg (TGM) isotope values, highlighting the need to characterize atmospheric Hg isotopes over larger geographical areas to evaluate changes related to national and international Hg regulations.

DEEP STRUCTURE OF THE ALTAI MOUNTAINS AND MODERN GRAVITY FIELD MODELS

The results of the ground-based absolute gravity and space geodetic measurements for the Altai Mountains were considered in combination with EIGEN-6C4 Global Geopotential Model (ETOPO1 Global Relief Model) generated from the satellite data. Analysis was made on different kinds of data: model values for the vertical component of gravity, values of Bouguer and Faye gravity reductions, variations of the vertical gravity gradient, and changes in altitude of the measurement sites. With EIGEN-6C4 model for Bouguer reduction, the crustal thickness curve was drawn along the Novosibirsk (southern West Siberia) – Ukok Plateau (Altai Mountains) line with a length of 800 km. The Moho depth increases from 40 km in the northwest of the area to 51 km in the southeast. For the homogeneous crust model, there was obtained the Moho depth distribution in the Altai Mountains and their foothills.The analysis of the results of modeling Bouguer and Faye reductions, the data on quasigeoid heights and the relationship between relief height and Bouguer anomalies implies that the Altai Mountains area as a whole is isostatically compensated. Non-compensated are some intermountain basins, such as, for example, the Kurai and Chuya valleys.

Bioassay and molecular detection of insecticides resistance of Aedes aegypti, vector of dengue in Central Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract. Sayono, Nurullita U, Handoyo W, Tyasningrum WS, Chakim I, Budiharjo A. 2023. Bioassay and molecular detectionsof insecticides resistance of Aedes aegypti, vector of dengue in Central Java Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 300-307. The emergence of insecticide-resistant strains among Aedes aegyptipopulations hampered Dengue control programs in the endemic areas. Moreover, to understand the current situation and distribution of insecticide resistance status of Ae. aegypti to cypermethrin, malathion, and temephos compounds, we conducted morphological and molecular detection in the Dengue endemic areas in Central Java Province, Indonesia. Mosquito larvae were obtained from thirteen villages of five Dengue endemic areas representing different altitudes. Larval and adult stage of Ae. aegypti colony from each village was subjected to a bioassay test based on the WHO procedures. Subsequently, they were sampled and subjected to molecular analysis to identify the 1016G kdr allele using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). Mortality of Ae. aegypti after exposure to cypermethrin, malathion, and temephos ranged from 16-86%, 75-100%, and 6-51%, respectively. These findings showed that Ae. aegypti populations were resistant to cypermethrin and temephos, although malathion-susceptible strains were found among 23.08% of the different altitudinal localities. The result of the AS-PCR indicated that the homozygous (G/G) and heterozygous (V/G) alleles of codon 1016 of the AaNav gene were found throughout the study site altitudes. The development of multiple resistance strains was found among Ae. aegypti populations in Central Java Province, Indonesia. The use ofcypermethrin and temephos compounds must be delayed for at least five years, while malathion can still be used selectively to control the Ae. aegypti population in several areas, namely Karangjati, Gebugan (Semarang District), and Rowosari in Semarang City.

Invasion tolerance varies along a topographic gradient irrespective of invader presence

Invasive exotic plants often impact native plant species through strong competition, yet their effects can vary across different native populations. Previous exposure to invasive species but also differentiation along abiotic gradients may determine to what extent native populations are competitively suppressed by plant invasive species. Here, we experimentally investigated whether competitive effects of the invasive exotic jewelweed Impatiens parviflora on its native congener Impatiens noli‐tangere are related to previous exposure to the invader or rather to topography of the source populations, i.e. to terrain features such as elevation, aspect or slope. We also asked whether, in return, topographic settings of invasive I. parviflora populations may explain competitive effects of the native jewelweed. In a common garden competition experiment we found that populations of native jewelweed from colder, higher altitude sites and from drier sites were on average seven and six times, respectively, more tolerant to interspecific competition than populations from warmer and wetter sites. In contrast, previous exposure of native jewelweed populations to the invader was not a significant predictor of invader's competitive effects. Further, topographic settings of populations of invasive jewelweed were not significantly related to the native's competitive effects. Our study suggests that the native jewelweed's population differentiation along topographic gradients is more important in determining competitive interactions with an invasive congener than invasion‐induced selection. As fine‐scale environmental variation can shape adaptation of native species to the effects of invasive species, such variation should be considered when predicting invasive species' impact on native plant communities.

Autumn food of rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta: the effect of age, sex, year and location

We analysed food data for rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta collected during a 10 day period at the end of September and beginning of October 2006–2014 in northeast Iceland or for nine years. The total sample was 679 birds, including 455 juveniles and 224 adults; the annual range was 48–88 birds. To describe the importance of items consumed we used percentage by dry biomass (total 1399 g) and percentage by frequency of occurrence. A total of 80+ species were identified, the most important were Betula nana (27% biomass, 62% frequency), Empetrum nigrum (14%, 63%), Dryas octopetala (11%, 64%), and Salix herbacea (10%, 41%). Important plant parts consumed were berries, woody shoots with buds, buds, catkins, seeds and leaves. Difference in diet, both with respect to species and plant parts consumed, depended on year and altitude of collection site but not on ptarmigan sex, age or sex*age interaction. The only significant age difference observed was that juveniles consumed more seeds and less woody parts than did adult birds. Betula spp. dominated the diet in five years and Salix spp. in four years. Betula and Vaccinium spp. were most important at low and medium elevations but Salix spp. showed an opposite pattern. Berries (E. nigrum and Vaccinium spp.) were the dominant plant parts in the diet for six years and woody parts of Salix and Betula spp. in three years. Berries dominated in the diet at low to medium elevations and woody parts showed an opposite pattern.

Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on Forest Carbon Stocks—A Case Study from Gori Valley, Western Himalaya

Carbon stock assessment in various ecosystems is vital for monitoring the health of these ecosystems and national accounting for the United Nations convention on climate change. The influence of various anthropogenic drivers on carbon stock in different ecosystems has not been examined comprehensively. This study aims to determine the impact of anthropogenic pressures (lopping, cutting, grazing) on soil physico-chemical properties and carbon stock in four temperate broadleaf forests dominated by different species of oak, viz., Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora), Rianj oak (Quercus lanuginosa), Moru oak (Quercus floribunda) and Kharsu oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) along an elevation gradient from 1700–3000 m asl in Gori valley, western Himalaya. Biomass data were collected from 120 quadrats of 10 × 10 m size at three distinct altitudes (4 forest sites × 3 altitudes × 10 quadrats) and analysed for carbon stock, whereas soil samples were randomly collected in triplicate from three depths of each altitude of the forest site and further analysed for their physico-chemical properties. A total of 767 individual trees with a diameter of ≥31 cm were measured at twelve sites and standing biomass was estimated following the growing stock volume equations. Mean carbon stock was highest in Moru oak (396.6 ± 29.5 Mg C ha−1) and lowest in Banj oak forest (189.3 ± 48.6 Mg C ha−1). We also found soil to be the largest pool of forest carbon (43.0–59.7%) followed by aboveground biomass (31.5–45.0%), belowground biomass (8.4–11.7%) and litter (0.4–0.5%). The basal area showed significant effect on altitude and carbon stock, whereas disturbance showed significant (p &lt; 0.05) negative correlation with the total carbon stock. Soil nitrogen exhibited a significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.60) with the basal area, indicating that nitrogen enhances tree growth and forest carbon stock. However, anthropogenic disturbance showed a significant negative impact on the basal area, soil nutrients and carbon stock of oak forests. This concludes that forest structure, anthropogenic pressure and soil parameters contribute to the carbon stock of the area. Considering the significance of these overexploited oak forests, it is recommended to conserve the old-growth forest species in the study area, since they have the highest carbon accumulation potential.

Sleeping sites provide new insight into multiple central place foraging strategies of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana)

Food resources, including food types, quantity, and quality, are the key factors that determine the survival and reproduction of wild animals. However, the most basic requirement is access to food. The choice of sleeping sites plays a crucial role in efficiently acquiring food and provides a useful starting point for studying foraging strategies. We collected data on sleeping site and foraging patch uses of wild Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) in Huangshan, Anhui, China, from September 2020 to August 2021. We found that Tibetan macaques used 50 different sleeping sites, mostly located on cliffs, some of which they reused. Sleeping site altitude differed significantly according to season, with higher altitudes recorded in summer and winter. Tibetan macaques did not sleep as much as expected in the peripheral regions of their home range. The sleeping sites were often distributed in proximity to foraging patches, and there was a positive correlation between the use of sleeping sites and surrounding foraging patches. The utilization of foraging patches by Tibetan macaques is inclined towards the multiple central place foraging strategy. Our results provide supportive evidence for the proximity to food resource hypothesis and indicate the important role of sleeping sites in food resource utilization in Tibetan macaques.

Patterns of flower-visiting insects depend on flowering phenological shifts along an altitudinal gradient in subalpine moorland ecosystems

Alpine and subalpine moorland ecosystems contain unique plant communities, often with many endemic and threatened species, some of which depend on insect pollination. Although alpine and subalpine moorland ecosystems are vulnerable to climatic change, few studies have investigated flower-visiting insects in such ecosystems and examined the factors regulating plant-pollinator interactions along altitudinal gradients. Here, we explored how altitudinal patterns in flower visitors change according to altitudinal shifts in flowering phenology in subalpine moorland ecosystems in northern Japan. We surveyed flower-visiting insects and flowering plants at five sites differing in altitude in early July (soon after snowmelt) and mid-August (peak growing season). In July, we found a higher visiting frequency by more variable insect orders including dipteran, hymenopteran, coleopteran, and lepidopteran species at the higher altitude sites in association with the mass flowering of Geum pentapetalum and Nephrophyllidium crista-galli. In August, such altitudinal patterns were not observed, and dipteran species dominated across the sites due to the flowering of Narthecium asiaticum and Drosera rotundifolia. Our study provides key baselines for the detection of endangered biotic interactions and extinction risks of moorland plants under ongoing climate change.

High Spatial Variability of Biomass Burning Emissions Observed at Three Tibetan Plateau Sites

AbstractAerosol from biomass burning (BB) can affect regional and global climate by changing radiation balance and cloud properties, especially over the high altitude environ‐vulnerable region. To investigate the contributions of BB on atmospheric particulate matter trans‐the Tibetan Plateau (TP), the total suspended particle samples were collected at three high altitude sites over the northeastern (Qinghai lake, 3,200 m a.s.l.), central (Beiluhe, 4,659 m a.s.l.), and southwestern TP (Ngari, 4,360 m a.s.l.), respectively. Highly spatial variations of BB tracers (including levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan) were obtained. Elevated BB tracer concentrations were observed in the northeastern and southwestern sites compared to the central TP site. The heighten concentrations of particulate matter from biomass burning and organic carbon from biomass burning were obtained at Ngari (with 5260.3 and 2257.7 ng m−3) and Qinghai lake (with 1508.8 and 647.6 ng m−3) compared with those at Beiluhe (with 18.8 and 8.1 ng m−3), respectively. The results indicated that the BB contributions to aerosol were significant on the margin of the TP. In addition to the long‐range transport of BB pollutant, the local emissions may be an important contributor in the northeastern and southwestern TP. The present study can improve the understanding of BB characteristics and effects in the TP.