Altitudinal Variation Research Articles

Behavioral and functional responses of different bird clades to offshore windfarms in yellow sea, China.

Offshore windfarms (OWFs) constitute a rapidly expanding source of renewable energy that inevitably affects marine biodiversity, especially those built within critical areas for biodiversity conservation. To understand the potential effect of OWFs on bird communities, we systematically tracked bird communities and their behavior within OWFs near the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea in China from 2020 to 2022 using voyage investigations. The results indicated that bird diversity was greater within OWFs than in seawaters away from the OWFs. The composition of the bird community varied at different distance scales and the closer to the windfarm, the higher the number of birds from the Laridae and Anatidae. In addition, the flight heights of Laridae, Accipitridae, and Anatidae overlapped with the rotor-swept zones, and there were significant altitudinal variations in the OWFs and nearby waters. Based on 16 functional traits and the devised risk assessment function, we found that OWFs could have distinct impacts on different birds. Birds of the family Accipitridae, which have a larger body size, are likely to experience more stress from OWFs than other families. And, fish-eating birds, such as Laridae and Anatidae, have higher risk scores due to their closer proximity to the windfarm, medium body size and greater number of individuals. However, Passeriformes with smaller body size and fewer individuals have lower risk values. Our study revealed in detail the different strategies used by birds to cope with OWFs and provides a theoretical basis for rationalizing the conservation of bird diversity at these locations.

Anuran altitudinal distribution in an Atlantic Forest hill: band area and Rapoport effect driving it

We evaluated how anuran species richness and composition changed along altitude, whether species distribution was consistent with predictions of the mid-domain effect, Rapoport effect and the possible existence of Rapoport rescue effect. Our study was conducted in the Salto Morato Natural Reserve, southern Brazil, between February 2013 and August 2015. We sampled anurans in sites between 25–918 m a.s.l. using Visual Encounter Surveys method. We ran simple linear regressions to evaluate altitude and band area effects on species richness and the species turnover along altitudinal gradient estimating beta diversity. We used cluster analysis to show those most similar altitudinal bands in species composition. We tested whether Rapoport effect explained species altitudinal variation, by simple linear regression between altitudinal range and the midpoint range of each species. We compared anuran species richness with that expected by the mid-domain effect, by simple linear regression determining whether species richness predicted by this effect was adjusted to empirical richness. We recorded 41 anuran species. Anuran species richness decreased in a linear fashion with increasing altitude and increased as the area of the altitude band increased. Anuran species turnover increased with distance among altitudinal bands. Similarity analysis indicated the existence of two primary groups. There was a significant relationship between species’ altitudinal range and midpoints, as predicted by Rapoport effect. There was no significant relationship between anuran species richness and that predicted by the mid-domain effect. This study contributed for the understanding of the anuran species distribution altitudinal effects in the Atlantic Forest biome and other areas and reinforced the tendency for a reduction in species richness with increasing altitude. Keywords: amphibian, elevational gradient, mid-domain effect, rainforest, Rapoport rule

Altitudinal Variation of Mineral Elements in Common Plant Species, and Soils of Erzincan Province-Ergan Mountain

This study was conducted with 30 common plant species growing at different altitudes (1500 m, 2000 m, 2500 m and 3000 m) of Mount Ergan in the province of Erzincan. The concentration of mineral elements was determined in the collected plants and the soils in which they grew at 1500 m of altitude (Alcea calvertii (Boiss) Boiss., Glaucium leiocarpum Boiss., Astragalus ornithopodioides Lam., Genista aucheri Boiss., Linum mucronatum Bertol, Anchusa leptophylla Roem. & Schult, Euphorbia virgata Waldst. & Kit.), at 2000 m (Tanacetum mucroniferum Hub. Mor. Et Grierson, Hypericum scabrum L. Inula oculus-christi L., Barbarea auriculata Hausskn. ex Bornm, Onobrychis cornuta L., Desv., Globularia trichosantha Fisch. & C.A.Mey, Genista aucheri Boiss., Euphorbia virgata Waldst. & Kit.), at 2500 m (Scutellaria orientalis L., Lallemantia canescens (L.) Fisch. & Mey., Coronilla orientalis Miller, Dianthus orientalis Adams., Crepis armena DC., Campanula tridentata Schreber, Euphorbia petrophila C.A. Meyer, Anthemis cretica L., Papaver fugax Poiret, Aster alpinus L.) and at 3000 m (Pedicularis comosa L., Astragalus nezaketiae A.Duran & Aytaç, Scorzonera sericea DC., Campanula tridentata Schreber, Anthemis cretica L., Papaver fugax Poiret, Hedysarum erythroleucum Boiss., Senecio hypoleucus Benth). Different parts of the collected plants (flowers, leaves and roots) and the soils in which they grew were pre-treated in the laboratory. The element concentrations of the prepared samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. The obtained metal data of plants and soils were statistically evaluated, and significant differences were found between the altitudes. It was determined that elevation significantly affected the mineral element distribution in both plants and soil. It was observed that the elements generally decreased in the soil as the elevation increased. In addition, it was noticed that plants with blue purple flower were dominant in the upper part of the mountain and plants with yellow flower were dominant in the lower part of the mountain.

Effect of altitude on soil physico-chemical properties and microbial biomass carbon in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh

ABSTRACT The present study focuses on the variation in soil properties and microbial biomass carbon along an elevation gradient in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh. Soil was acidic in nature and pH value ranges from 4.37 ± 0.14 to 5.25 ± 0.29. Soil texture varied from sandy to loamy sand. Clay content and available potassium showed a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) with altitude. Water holding capacity and available nitrogen showed a strongly significant positive correlation (p < 0.01). Soil bulk density, temperature, moisture content, pH, available phosphorus and microbial biomass carbon showed a strongly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) with altitude. Soil organic carbon stock was highest (66.39 ± 9.36 t h−1) in tropical zone and lowest (44.33 ± 6.34 t h−1) in temperate zone. Higher soil organic carbon and organic matter (4.16 ± 0.58% and 7.17 ± 1.00%) were found in subtropical zone while lowest (2.57 ± 0.38% and 4.42 ± 0.64%) were found in tropical zone. Available nitrogen and available potassium were highest (604.10 ± 24.13 kg h−1 and 418.14 ± 26.53 kg h−1) in subtropical zone and lowest available potassium (282.82 kg h−1 ± 14.68 kg h−1) was recorded in the temperate zone. Higher available phosphorous (62.51 ± 6.96 kg h−1) was recorded in tropical zone while lowest (10.66 ± 1.49 kg h−1) was recorded in the subtropical zone. The first four main components of the principal component analysis jointly explained 78.51% of the overall variation. The results from the principal component analysis align closely with Pearson’s correlation analysis and analysis of variance, reinforcing the accuracy and reliability of the observed trends in data. The present study clearly indicates that altitudinal variation exerts a significant effect on the soil’s physico-chemical properties. It suggests that understanding the effects of altitudinal variation on soil properties is important for the establishment and restoration of the vegetation in diverse altitudinal zone.

Impact of altitudinal variation on the physical and biochemical properties of cabbage in the trans-Himalayan region

Impact of altitudinal variation on the physical and biochemical properties of cabbage in the trans-Himalayan region

On-farm evaluation of commonly grown rice cultivars from Jumla, Nepal, based on different agronomic traits

The wide distribution and diversity have been identified in agro-morphological and quantitative traits of rice grown in Jumla district which is reported as the highest altitude in the world for rice cultivation. Local landraces and improved cultivars are commonly grown by Jumla Farmers. This research explored rice cultivars planted at different altitudes under field conditions to characterize and evaluate agro-morphological traits and their correlation. Results showed, there was no significant difference in yield between local landraces and improved varieties. Influence of altitudinal variation on local landraces was scarce, while its effect on improved variety: Chandannath-1 was significant. This study suggested that local landraces such as Jumli Marshi, Daarime Marshi and Raato Marshi were not significantly different from the improved varieties and suggested cultivation of local landraces because of better price and profit. Clustering observations showed the considerable performance of Cluster 4 regarding panicle length (PL), number of grains per panicle (NGPP), and thousand grain weight (TGW) which are essential traits for higher grain yield. The correlation and path analysis showed that yield had strong positive correlations with Number of tillers per hill (NTPH) and moderate positive correlations with Flag leaf length (FLL), PL, NGPP, and Grains weight per panicle (GWPP). This study indicated that GWPP and NTPH possessed both positive correlation and high positive direct effects. Further studies are needed to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative traits of both local landraces and improved varieties to provide farmers with sound recommendations.

Altitudinal variations in forensically relevant dipterans in Trentino Region (Italy): implications for PMI estimation and forensic ecology.

This study investigates the populations of dipterans in the southeastern Prealps of Trentino, Italy, along an altitudinal gradient that exceeds 1000m. The study is important because dipterans play a significant role in crime scene analysis by helping to determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) and understand corpse relocation dynamics. Nine aerial traps were used across three sites from May to November 2023, and a total of 17,876 individuals from diverse species were captured. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in dipteran populations across sites and exposure levels. The study identified relationships between species and environmental factors such as altitude, temperature, and sunlight exposure using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Results demonstrated that species composition varied with environmental conditions, offering insights into potential shifts due to climate change. The presence of specific species was notably affected by temperature fluctuations, which could impact their usefulness in PMI estimation. Continuous monitoring is crucial to track dipteran population dynamics amidst changing environmental conditions. Such knowledge is important for improving accuracy in PMI estimations and enhancing forensic investigations. In conclusion, ongoing research is pivotal in adapting forensic entomological analyses to evolving ecological contexts, ensuring their reliability in forensic science applications. This study highlights the dynamic nature of dipteran ecology within forensic contexts and emphasises the need for further investigation to observe shifting population dynamics under climate change impacts.

Consistency evaluation of tropospheric ozone from ozonesonde and IAGOS (In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System) observations: vertical distribution, ozonesonde types, and station–airport distance

Abstract. The vertical distribution of tropospheric O3 from ozonesondes is compared with that from In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) measurements collected at 23 pairs of sites between about 30° S and 55° N from 1995 to 2021. Profiles of tropospheric O3 from IAGOS are generally in good agreement with ozonesonde observations from electrochemical concentration cells (ECCs), Brewer–Mast sondes, and carbon–iodine sensors, with average biases of 2.58, −0.28, and 0.67 ppb and correlation coefficients (R) of 0.72, 0.82, and 0.66, respectively. Agreement between aircraft and Indian-sonde observations is poor, with an average bias of 15.32 ppb and an R value of 0.44. The O3 concentration observed by ECC sondes is, on average, 5 %–10 % higher than that observed by IAGOS, and the relative bias increases modestly with altitude. For other sonde types, there are some seasonal and altitudinal variations in the relative bias with respect to the IAGOS measurements, but these appear to be caused by local differences. The distance between the station and airport, when within 4° (latitude and longitude), has little effect on the comparison results. For the ECC ozonesondes, the overall bias with respect to the IAGOS measurements varies from 5.7 to 9.8 ppb when the station pairs are grouped by station–airport distances of &lt;1° (latitude and longitude), 1–2°, and 2–4°. Correlations for these groups correspond to R=0.8, 0.9, and 0.7. These comparison results provide important information for merging ozonesonde and IAGOS measurement datasets. They can also be used to evaluate the relative biases of different sonde types in the troposphere, using the aircraft as a transfer standard.

Altitudinal variation in rhizosphere microbial communities of the endangered plant Lilium tsingtauense and the environmental factors driving this variation.

Our study highlighted the importance of the rhizosphere microbial community of the endangered plant L. tsingtauense. We found that soil pH plays an important role in the survival of L. tsingtauense. Our results demonstrated that a series of microbial taxa (Acidobacteriales, Xanthobacteraceae, Aspergillaceae, and Chaetomiaceae) and soil metabolites (phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine) could be essential indicators for L. tsingtauense habitat. We also found that some environmental factors play an important role in shaping rhizosphere microbial community structure. Collectively, these results provided new insights into the altitudinal distribution of L. tsingtauense and highlight the importance of microbial communities in their growth.

Altitudinal Variations of Ground Species in the Southern Aravalli regions of Rajasthan, India

Ground layer species sustain a variety of plants and animals; and maintain a healthy and resilient forest ecosystem by contributing to ecological functioning, structural support, and biodiversity. The western Indian Aravalli range is noted for its vegetation. Studies from these regions indicate that various environmental factors influence plant diversity and its distributions. The present study examines the impacts of altitude on ground species in Rajasthan's southern Aravalli hill ranges. We conducted field investigations year-round in Phulwari Ki Nal Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary at different altitudes. A random transect method was used; five 1m2 plots were laid at every 250m interval. Species’ names and numbers were recorded from sampling plots. Sanctuary-wise species richness, density, and diversity were analyzed and related with altitude. The protected areas of Southern Aravalli do not follow an altitude-specific pattern in ground species distribution. Specific lower altitude ranges had the most species richness, density, and diversity. While altitude showed both positive and negative correlations with respect to ground species richness, diversity and density. The study findings help in conserving and preserving ground layer species in the Aravalli regions of Rajasthan.

Land use and altitudinal variability in biomass and carbon storage potential in mid-hill and sub-humid conditions of north-western Himalayas

Land use and altitudinal variability in biomass and carbon storage potential in mid-hill and sub-humid conditions of north-western Himalayas

Effect of Different Altitudinal Zones on Growth Parameters of Garcinia indica (Choisy) in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India

This study examines the impact of altitudinal variation on the growth of Garcinia indica in Agro-climatic Zone-9 of Karnataka, specifically in the Uttara Kannada district of the Western Ghats. Eight experimental sites, categorized into four altitudinal zones (Plains, Up-ghat, Mid-ghat, and Coastal), were analyzed for tree height, girth, and crown diameter. Results show significant growth variations, with the Up-ghat zone having the highest mean tree height (10.73 m), the Coastal zone showing the largest girth (69.67 cm), and the Mid-ghat zone exhibiting the widest crown diameter (7.08 m). Four type of canopy found viz., Pyramidal, Full-crowned, Weeping and Spreading. These growth differences are influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, humidity, and light availability, which are more favourable in higher altitude regions. The findings have practical implications for commercial Garcinia indica cultivation, indicating plains and up-ghat as optimal for higher productivity. Understanding these growth patterns supports sustainable harvesting and improved yields for industries using kokum butter and extracts.

Characteristics of Oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in a plain-low hills-mountains-plateau sequence

The climate has changed significantly over the past few decades around the globe. To make meaningful comparisons between changes occurring over time in the tree world, comprehensive databases on the most important species and their evolution must be created. It is essential to consider latitude, longitude, altitude and local relief when analyzing data. Given the extensive distribution of oak, hornbeam and ash, a sequence analysis was conducted to definitively examine the characteristics of these species in West Plain, West Hills, Apuseni Mountains and Transylvania's Tableland. The data for all the regions comprised a total of 708511 ha, which were subjected to rigorous analysis to determine characteristics such as yield class, volume, increment, structure and participation percentage. The data was analyzed using the most appropriate modern statistical programs, including correlation matrices, ANOVA, principal component analysis, matrix data analysis and the cluster method. In relation to the altitudinal variation, oak is present at average altitudes of 200–250 m in West Plain, 400–500 m in West Hills and Transylvania's Tableland, and 900–950 m in Apuseni Mountains. Hornbeam has a similar spreading with oak, but records its presence in slightly higher altitudes of West Hills (400–700 m) and lower in Apuseni Mountains (700–750 m). Volume is also an important indicator, as it is susceptible to climate change. Oak has the highest age-volume, over 95 years, while ash and hornbeam have it less than 90 years. The results are crucial for understanding the ecological requirements of oak, hornbeam and ash, as well as for effectively managing these forests.

Altitudinal Variation in Soil Acid Phosphomonoesterase Activity in Subalpine Coniferous Forests in China

Studying the altitudinal variation and driving factors of soil acid phosphomonoesterase (ACP) activity in subalpine regions is crucial for understanding nutrient cycling processes within mountainous ecosystems. This study focused on fir (Abies fabri (Mast.) Craib) forests located at three altitudes (2781 m, 3044 m, and 3210 m) on the eastern slope of Mt. Gongga in southwest China. We measured soil ACP activity alongside soil climate, nutrients, and microorganisms at various depths and elevations to investigate how these factors influence ACP activity. The results indicated that in the organic matter horizons (Oe and Oa horizons), ACP activity gradually decreased with elevation. However, the surface mineral horizon (A horizon) did not show a decline in ACP activity with increasing elevation, which could be attributed to significantly lower ACP activity recorded at the 2781 m sample site compared to the 3044 m site. Variance partitioning analysis revealed that among soil climate, nutrients, and microorganisms, soil nutrients had the most substantial impact on ACP activity across all horizons, with a particularly high contribution of 89.4% observed in the A horizon. Random forest model analysis further demonstrated that soil total carbon (TC) played a crucial role in determining ACP activity in the Oe and Oa horizons, with importance values of 8.5% and 7.3%, respectively. Additionally, soil total nitrogen (TN) was identified as the primary factor influencing ACP activity in the A horizon, with an importance value of 12.6%. Furthermore, soil ACP activity was positively regulated by the soil TC:TP and TN:TP ratios, indicating a stoichiometric control of ACP activity in the Abies fabri (Mast.) Craib forests on Mt. Gongga.

Distinct influences of altitude on microbiome and antibiotic resistome assembly in a glacial river ecosystem of Mount Everest

The profound influences of altitude on aquatic microbiome were well documented. However, differences in the responses of different life domains (bacteria, microeukaryotes, viruses) and antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) in glacier river ecosystems to altitude remain unknown. Here, we employed shotgun metagenomic and amplicon sequencing to characterize the altitudinal variations of microbiome and ARGs in the Rongbu River, Mount Everest. Our results indicated the relative influences of stochastic processes on microbiome and ARGs assembly in water and sediment were in the following order: microeukaryotes < ARGs < viruses < bacteria. Moreover, distinct assembly patterns of the microbiome and ARGs were found in response to differences in altitude, the latter of which shift from deterministic to stochastic processes with increasing differences in altitude. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and viral β-diversity were the major factors influencing the ARG abundances. Taken together, our work revealed that altitude-caused environmental changes led to significant changes in the composition and assembly processes of the microbiome and ARGs, while ARGs had a unique response pattern to altitude. Our findings provide novel insights into the impacts of altitude on the biogeographic distribution of microbiome and ARGs, and the associated driving forces in glacier river ecosystems.

Components of dissolved organic carbon in relation to environmental factors in lakes along an altitudinal gradient in central China.

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important organic substance that affects biogeochemical processes and underwater light conditions in aquatic ecosystems. To explore altitudinal variations in DOC components and water quality, 66 surface water samples were collected along an altitudinal gradient (10-1857m) in three regions of central China, including a montane region (Enshi Prefecture) and two floodplain regions (Dongting Lake Basin and Wuhan City). DOC components were measured using a three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, in conjunction with fluorescence regional integration (FRI) and fluorescence indices. Generally, lakes at high elevations (Enshi Prefecture) had higher DOC concentrations (a mean value of 6.43mgL-1) than floodplain lakes in Dongting Basin (4.51mgL-1) and Wuhan City (3.89mgL-1). Fluorescence index (FI, a range of 1.37-1.92) and biological index (BIX, a range of 0.47-0.74) indicated that DOC mainly originated from allochthonous sources in the three regions. Enshi Prefecture had relatively lower FI and BIX values, suggestive of a larger contribution of allochthonous carbon in this montane region in comparison with the floodplain regions. Humic-like substances were more abundant than other four fluorescent components, including tyrosine-like, tryptophan-like, fulvic acid-like, microbial-like substances. Spearman rank correlation analyses showed that tryptophane-like substances were positively correlated with K+, Mg2+, and Na+, while humic-like substances were negatively correlated with these cations. Taken together, the results can improve our understanding on altitudinal variations in DOC components and potential driving forces.

Uncertainty of canopy interception modeling in high-altitude Picea crassifolia forests of Semi-arid regions

The study of physically-based rainfall interception is crucial for comprehending the water balance within forest ecosystems and the contribution of vegetation to the hydrological cycle, particularly in arid/semi-arid ecosystems. Despite its importance, there is a lack of comprehensive sensitivity analysis and parameter optimization, resulting in uncertain or suboptimal predictive accuracy. To mitigate these shortcomings, this research involved the establishment and assessment of three quintessential forest canopy interception models namely, the power Návar model, the reformulated Gash model, and the Liu model, within semi-arid forest environments at two different elevations. A global sensitivity analysis conducted on the three physical models indicated that the canopy saturation point and the mean rainfall intensity required for canopy saturation were the parameters to which the reformulated Gash and Liu models were most sensitive when applied to high-altitude settings. Conversely, for the Návar model, the most sensitive parameters were the interception coefficient of the linear equation, and the parameters of the power equation k and c. The quantification indices of model sensitivity exert a certain influence on the ranking of parameter sensitivities. However, for models with a limited number of parameters, the impact of these results is constrained. Conversely, the identification and utilization of characteristics specific to the parameter tuning process can significantly enhance the efficiency of model calibration. The three models employed by the research institute have all demonstrated commendable performance in modeling the canopy interception process of subalpine P. crassifolia in arid, high-altitude regions, achieving a "good" rating with Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency values exceeding 0.7. In practical applications, we recommend giving priority to the use of the Liu model. The findings of this study provide a reference for model selection, sensitivity analysis, parameter calibration, and model evaluation in the context of extensive canopy interception modeling in arid areas with significant altitudinal variation. This constitutes an important theoretical support for the refined modeling of hydrological processes in high-altitude forests within arid zones.

UPLC-ESI MS/MS- and GC-MS-Based Altitudinal Variations in the Bioactive Potential of Mikania micranthaand Ageratum houstonianum.

Traditional medicinal plants have attracted scientific interest due to their bioactive compounds, and the levels of their constituents vary with location and altitude. The present study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological potential of two selected traditional medicinal plants, Mikania micrantha and Ageratum houstonianum collected from two sites, Murlen National Park (MNP) and Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR), located at different altitudes. Both plant species are used by local traditional healers in Mizoram, Northeast India, to treat various health problems. We hypothesized that altitudinal variation would affect these plants' chemical composition and bioactive potential. Plant extracts were evaluated for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The results show that the plants located at a higher altitude, i.e., MNP, showed higher TPC (615.7 ± 0.58 and 453.80 ± 0.95µg gallic acid equivalents/mg of plant extract dry weight (µg GAE/mg) for M. micrantha and A.houstonianum , respectively) and TFC (135.4 ± 0.46 and 120.66 ± 1.93µg quercetin equivalents/mg of plant extract dry weight (µg GE/mg) for M. micrantha and A. houstonianum, respectively). The extract of A. houstonianum. (MNP) exhibited significantly greater antioxidant activity against ABTS radicals (IC50 241.6µg/mL) as compared to the extract of A. houstonianum (DTR) (IC50 371.2µg/mL). The composition of the bioactive compounds present in the plants was determined using UPLC-ESI MS/MS and GC/MS, which detected five and ten compounds in the A. houstonianum and M. micrantha extracts, respectively. Plant species collected from the Murlen National Park site had high bioactivity potential and contained several bioactive compounds. A distinct variation between the volatile and non-volatile compounds was revealed. The collective data in this study show the influence of altitude on the biological compound production of selected medicinal plants. The findings will be utilized in the plant material needed for developing bioactive formulations.

Impact of altitudinal variation on secondary metabolites, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential of Adiantum venustum D. Don

Phytoconstituents are being emphasized as chemotherapeutic agents, as well as probable anticancer agents. The purpose of the present research was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties of crude ethanolic extracts and bioactive fractions of Adiantum venustum D. Don collected from three sites in Himachal Pradesh, India. The bioactive phytoconstituents were examined qualitatively and quantitatively in crude ethanolic extracts and fractions of all sites, and biological activities were analyzed. The potential presence of terpenoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and flavonoids was examined, and it came to light that BF-II [n-butanol fraction of Site-II (2000 m altitude)] had a significantly higher phytochemical concentration. Additionally, the crude ethanolic extracts and fractions were examined for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and BF-II was found to have potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as verified by the IC50 values (lowest half inhibitory concentration) in the DPPH (57.86 ± 0.72 μg/mL), reducing power assay (45.20 ± 0.72 μg/mL), FRAP (73.12 ± 0.23 μM Fe equivalent), BSA (56.76 ± 0.25 μg/mL), and EAA (EAA59.84 ± 0.13 μg/mL). Following that, the anticancer potential was investigated further using the MTT assay on the HeLa cell line, MTT assay revealed that BF-II possesses significantly higher anticancer potential. Furthermore, the dominant crude ethanolic extract and fraction were further investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, and high-performance thin layer chromatography techniques from the selected plant. Overall, the study suggests that the n-butanol fraction of A. venustum possesses significantly higher therapeutic value but is still not explored to the extent of its potential.

An Approach for Modeling the Orographic–Forcing Effect via Random Cascades and the Long‐Term Statistics of Mexico City's Daily Precipitation

AbstractThe orographic effect on the spatial structure of precipitation is a fundamental problem in hydrometeorology that still requires a better understanding of the physical processes involved in the emergence of rainfall patterns and their complex statistical structure. In tropical regions, where meteorological measurements are notoriously sparse and data quality control is often poor or missing, the study of precipitation modeling and prediction is challenging. This research aims to show an innovative approach based on a random cascade downscaling method to generate high‐resolution precipitation products from coarse‐scale precipitation products. This approach also includes a topographic enhancement function for describing the altitudinal variability of precipitation and a numerical diffusion filter to lessen the blockiness problem of random cascades. The suggested approach was applied to analyze some long‐term precipitation statistics in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. The model result agrees closely with the temporal statistics of the selected precipitation products and reflects complex orographic constraints. The proposed downscaling approach becomes an alternative to expensive computational methods and allows urban hydrology applications and analysis of small watersheds to incorporate the effects of complex orography.