Mountain Range Area Research Articles

Three new species and new faunistic data on Ancistria Erichson (Coleoptera: Passandridae) from southern China

Ancistria Erichson, 1845 is poorly known from China, with only five species recorded. Three new species and one newly recorded species for China were discovered from the Nanling Mountain Range and Lingnan area, i.e., A. limbata Pan, sp. nov., A. longior Pan, sp. nov., A. nanlingensis Pan, sp. nov. and A. bicolorata Burckhardt & Ślipiński, 1995, which are described and illustrated in this paper. A key to the known Chinese species of Ancistria is also provided.

Supervised Feature Selection With Orthogonal Regression and Mountain Range Area

Supervised Feature Selection With Orthogonal Regression and Mountain Range Area

Landscape agroecology: woody vegetation heterogeneity and its association with natural and human factors at a multifunctional peasant socio-ecosystem from a semi-arid mountain range area (Dry Chaco, Argentina)

ABSTRACT In this study we investigate the landscape of a multifunctional peasant socio-ecosystem using a dialectic and complex theoretical-methodological framework rooted in agroecology. We describe vegetation floristics and structure, as well as biophysical and anthropic variables. We use maps, multivariate analysis and validation workshops to integrate and analyze information. The vegetation showcases distinct typologies, marked by gradual, non-linear variations, without precise boundaries tied to biophysical and anthropic drivers. Furthermore, based on vegetation structure and floristic heterogeneity, this agroecosystem constitutes a well-managed multifunctional native forest landscape, exemplifying a case of biocultural conservation.

Spatial Frequency Analysis by Adopting Regional Analysis with Radar Rainfall in Taiwan

This study proposed a spatially and temporally improving methodology adopting the Regional Frequency Analysis with an L-moments approach to estimate rainfall quantiles from 22,787 grids of radar rainfall in Taiwan for a 24-h duration. Due to limited radar coverage in the eastern region, significant discordant grids were found in the coastal area of the eastern region. A total of 171 grids with Di > 6 were set as discordant grids and removed for further analysis. A K-means cluster analysis using scaled at-site characteristics was used to group the QPESUMS grids in Taiwan into 22 clusters/sub-regions based on their characteristics. Spatially, homogeneous subregions with QPESUMS data produce more detailed homogeneous subregions with clear and continuous boundaries, especially in the mountain range area where the number of rain stations is still very limited. According to the results of z-values and L-moment ratio diagrams, the Wakeby (WAK), Generalized Extreme Value (GEV), and Generalized Pareto (GPA) distributions of rainfall extremes fitted well for the majority of subregions. The Wakeby distribution was the dominant best-fitted distribution, especially in the central and eastern regions. The east of the northern part and southern part of Taiwan had the highest extreme rainfall especially for a 100-year return period with an extreme value of more than 1200 mm/day. Both areas were frequently struck by typhoons. By using grid-based (at-site) as the basis for assessing regional frequency analysis, the results show that the regional approach in determining extreme rainfall is very suitable for large-scale applications and even better for smaller scales such as watershed areas. The spatial investigation was performed by establishing regions of interest in small subregions across the northern part. It showed that regionalization was correct and consistent.

Livestock Grazing Impact on Species Composition and Richness Understory of the Pinus cembroides Zucc. Forest in Northeastern Mexico

In the pine forests of Mexico, disturbances are primarily due to cattle, horses, goat, and sheep grazing, particularly in communal grazing lands. The most evident disturbances are low tree recruitment, invasive shrubs establishment, species composition changes, and invasion of weeds dispersed mainly by livestock. The Sierra de Zapalinamé is a mountain range and natural protected area of northeast Mexico. We conducted the current study in this area in a forest stand of Pinus cembroides excluded from grazing in the last 25 years (1200 ha with pine forest vegetation and mountain chaparral) and another area nearby subjected to livestock grazing. Forest structure (basal area and density), tree species richness, total understory species richness, and understory species composition were analyzed at the control and grazed sites. Our results revealed that grazing has modified the understory species composition and reduced the evenness in the control plots. Therefore, to maintain species diversity and forest structure, we concluded that extensive grazing should be restricted for some areas or the number of animals reduced in zones of high ecological value.

Presiones ejercidas sobre la Serranía de la Lindosa, Guaviare: Cambios de cobertura e incidencia de fuegos entre 2012 Y 2018

El cambio en el uso del suelo y el fuego como mecanismo utilizado para el mismo han creado perturbaciones ecológicas a grandes escalas, como lo son la fragmentación y aislamiento de ecosistemas importantes en paisajes tropicales. En el presente estudio, analizamos los cambios de uso del suelo entre los años 2012-2016 y los eventos de fuego entre los años 2016-2018, para identificar la dinámica de cambio espaciotemporal en la Serranía de la Lindosa, Guaviare, a partir de información oficial y sensores remotos. Para 2016 la cobertura boscosa se redujo en un 17 % correspondiendo con el aumento de vegetación secundaria y pastizales en el área. Los focos de fuego detectados estuvieron concentrados en el noroeste y sureste de la serranía, puntos coincidentes en zonas de bosque primario y zonas de pastizal consolidadas. Estos resultados indican que existe un proceso activo de deforestación en la serranía, que fragmenta la matriz boscosa dejando parches de bosque aislados, lo cual tendría repercusiones sobre la biodiversidad allí presente. Asimismo, la sinergia entre dicho proceso y el uso de fuego se muestra como amenaza constante, a diferentes escalas, sobre los diferentes ecosistemas. Esta información se presenta como herramienta para elaborar estrategias puntuales para evitar mayores repercusiones negativas sobre la serranía, que actualmente se encuentra en estado vulnerable.

Medical and Economical Effects by Introducing Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in Toyama Prefecture, Japan

Introduction As well as other countries, helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) with physicians is one of the most important medical resources for emergency medical services in Japan. In previous studies, however, the effectiveness of HEMS has remained controversial. The aims of this study are to analyze the medical and economical effectiveness of HEMS as an example using database of HEMS of Toyama Prefecture in Japan. And factors affected to patient's outcome, survival after transported to hospital, were also analyzed. Methods We used database of HEMS of Toyama that registered all HEMS transported patient's records. The period in the analysis is from September 1, 2015 to March 31, 2017. Among them, we use patients with serious conditions and following data were excluded in advance; 1) patients diagnosed with cardiopulmonary arrest when the helicopter arrived, 2) patients requested from Tateyama Fire Department, because requests dispatch HEMS from Tateyama mountain range area are considered special cases, and thus not applicable for analysis with other requests, 3) patients transported from hospital to other hospital. To clarify the medical effectiveness, we compared transport time and survival rate of HEMS with grand medical emergency services (GEMS). Transport time was defined as time from receiving a call for emergency to start of physician treatment. Transport time of HEMS was measured from receiving a call for emergency to physician's contact on scene. Transport time of GEMS was estimated time of from receiving a call for emergency to arrival at hospital by emergency medical technicians, referring a web map server, if patients had been transferred by ambulance. Survival was defined according with patient's condition during three month from the onset. We compared survival by HEMS and expected survival by GEMS assuming the same period. The cost effectiveness was calculated by exogenous and endogenous diseases respectively by using following formulation; number of life years by 67 year-old from the onset was counted each patient, then total life years of each disease category were summed up. Next, total quality adjustment life years (QALYs) were calculated using the utility value, which mean patients' quality of life in extended life, e.g., recover is 1, disability is 0.5, and dead is 0. Total cost of each disease category was calculated by multiplying both overall QALYs and cost per year. The cost effectiveness of each disease category was finally summed up to obtain the overall cost -effectiveness. Lastly, factors affected on patient's outcome were analyzed. Death was defined as main outcome. Simple binary logistic regression was used to run a multivariate analysis on confounding variables of the differences of transport time between helicopter and ambulance, disease category, gender and age. Results Ultimately, 263 subjects were conducted in the study, including those with exogenous disease (e.g., trauma, n=75 and other, n=9) and endogenous disease (e.g., stroke, n=62 and other, n=117). HEMS had shortened transport time approximately 17 mins. HEMS improved outcome 25 % of whole patients. The overall cost-effectiveness of HEMS is estimated 15 million dollars, which is 10 million dollars per a year. According to the logistic regression analysis, reducing transport time by transferring with helicopter showed low mortality (odds 0.89, 95% interval confidence 0.77-0.98). Conclusion Based on this study, HEMS of Toyama showed effective medical and economical effects. HEMS staff recognize that early treatments and rapid transports improve patient's outcome. In case of Toyama, HEMS staff effort to contact patients rapidly, and start critical treatments as soon as possible after arrival on scene, and to minimum the staying time. Moreover, all hospitals in Toyama receive patients for treating optimal care immediately along with patient's conditions. Those efforts could lead to the result.

Physico-Chemical Composition of Saline Lakes of the Gobi Desert Region, Western Mongolia

Mongolian saline lakes have been rarely studied. In particular, physicochemical composition of small shallow lakes of the Gobi Desertregion in western Mongolia is simply unknown. Objectives were to characterize chemical composition and describe biogeochemical characteristics of saline lakes in the Gobi Desertregions and steppe mountains, with an emphasis on environmental parameters associated with heavy metal ions. Major physicochemical parameters were determined in 14 lakes (with varying degrees of salinity) located in western Mongolia and associations with geographic variation and distance were determined. Vertical profiles for temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen were characterized. Salinity and pH were measured with multiparameter submersible profilers. Heavy metal ions (i.e., As, Pb, and Cd) and microelements (i.e., K, Na, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Co) were analyzed with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were also determined by commercial kits for elemental analysis. Overall, 43 environmental parameters were determined from 31 water samples from various locations, representing distinct geographic features, including Gobi Desert, mountain range and steppe area. Several of these lakes had harmful concentrations of arsenate (< 0.34 mg/L). Heavy metal concentrations were correlated with selected physico-chemical variables of lake salinity and geographic specificity. We inferred that various environmental features, in addition to environmental pollution and mining activity, may be responsible for increased heavy metal concentrations in the Gobi Desert of the western Mongolia. The outcome of this study not only provided insights into lake chemistry, but should also be valuable for water resource management to mitigate potential poisoning and improve public health.

Spatial genetic structure of the cyprinid fish Onychostoma lepturum on Hainan Island

Population genetic structure of Onychostoma lepturum on Hainan Island was investigated based on mitochondrial CR + cyt b region in 63 specimens collected from four populations. Population analyses indicated significant genetic structure (FST = 0.749) and displayed a significant relationship between phylogeny and geography (NST = 0.750 and GST = 0.140). Thirty-one mtDNA haplotypes were classified into four lineages, and these lineages had an almost allopatric distribution. The results of a statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis suggest that the ancestral populations were distributed widely on Hainan Island, and the rising of the central mountainous area of Hainan Island, the Wuzhi and Yinggeling Mountain Range, separated these four drainages into independent lineages. According to a spatial analysis of molecular variance analysis, we divided these populations into three units: ND, CH and WQ + LS, running into Qiongzhou Strait, the Gulf of Tokin and the South China Sea, respectively. According to our study, the exposure of straits and shelf under water retreat gave chances for population dispersion during the glaciations.

Selling ruralities: how tourist entrepreneurs commodify traditional and alternative ways of conceiving the countryside

Since undergoing transformations associated with substantial economic and social restructuring, rural areas are addressed as spaces of consumption. The commodification of environmental amenities and cultural meanings has resulted in rural tourism structures. This article explores how tourist entrepreneurs commodify different meanings of rurality in the low mountain range area of the Bavarian Forest, Germany. Tourists’ demands for a rurality shaped by agriculture were and are fulfilled by agritourism, which provides many opportunities to experience farmers’ daily lives. The study depicts efforts of performances and staging among hosts and identifies challenges. Operators commodified local rootedness by traditional building material, combined with components of luxury and intimacy (i.e. wooden chalets). Individual desires for rurality resulted in differentiated demands for accommodation type which may encourage diversification of poorly equipped destinations.

Nuevo &lt;i&gt;Liolaemus&lt;/i&gt; (Iguania: Liolaemidae) con novedoso carácter morfológico, de la frontera entre Argentina y Chile

Liolaemus belongs to the Eulaemus subgenus, that is included in the Liolaemus montanus group or section, and is distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The species members of this clade inhabit arid and high altitude environments, usually above 2800 m, and have a strong tendency to herbivory and a viviparous reproductive type. In a herpetological expedition to the Salta Province highlands, Argentina, in April 2012, we collected individuals of this new species for their description. The specimens were collected with loop, slaughtered by anesthesia and deposited in the herpetological collection of Fundación Miguel Lillo in Tucuman (FML). To characterize this new taxon, we analyzed 144 external morphological characters, referring primarily to lepidosis, color pattern, and body proportions, comparing with data from 66 constituent species of the L. montanus group (45 taxa from collection specimens and 21 from literature). Description of the colors in life was made in the field and based on photographs taken during the capture. The species described in this work inhabits a very narrow mountain range area in Salta Province (Argentina), and the Atacama Region (Chile), always above the 3600 m. This new taxon shows characteristics of lepidosis and color patterns clearly different from the other species members of the L. montanus group: the maximum snout-vent length is 72.9 mm; shows 74-96 scales around midbody, 89-104 dorsal scales between the occiput and hind limbs, 92-109 ventrals, precloacal pores are evident in both, males and females, and supernumerary pores in males. Also, the presence of postcloacal pores stands out as unique among all Liolaemus. This is a new character, not only for the genus, but also to all Reptilia, becoming a morphological discovery of great importance, since in reptiles only precloacal and femoral pores are known. Based on our field observations, this new Liolaemus is related to rocky environments, which are used as refuge by this omnivorous species, and when handled, very aggressive males.

Climatology of precipitation in the Vosges mountain range area

The aim of this work is to study the climatology of atmospheric precipitation in the study area situated in north-eastern France. It is shown that the Vosges mountain range, due to its position almost perpendicular to the prevailing western airflow, affects the spatial and temporal distribution (and thus the seasonality) of precipitation at a regional scale. This is carried out by computing the daily rainfall at 14 meteorological stations over the period 1950–2011. Different levels of rainfall resolution were examined – at first the annual rainfall which varies greatly between the windward side and the highest part of the Vosges mountain range and the Upper Rhine Plain (the difference is as large as 1700 mm per average year), then the monthly rainfall and distribution of recipitation within the year and finally the daily rainfall variability. Three categories of stations were determined according to their annual precipitation distribution: (i) mountain stations with a winter precipitation maximum, (ii) leeward slope stations with two precipitation maxima, i.e. in winter and summer and (iii) leeward stations located in the Upper Rhine Plain eastward of the Vosges with a summer precipitation maximum. Quantitative methods of ombric kontinentality demonstrate that the Vosges represent a limit between oceanic and a more continental climate. However, the empirical formulas are not satisfying and further research is required.

SURFACE PROCESS AND FLUVIAL LANDFORM RESPONSE TO THE MS 8.0 WENCHUAN EARTHQUAKE, LONGMEN SHAN, CHINA

The MS 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake of May 12, 2008, in the Longmen Shan mountain range area in China, led to two roughly parallel NE-trending thrust and strike-slip surface ruptures of the Beichuan, Pengguan, and the Xiaoyudong faults. Coseismic deformation changed the topographical gradient and produced massive landslides and debris flows, causing a corresponding response of the fluvial landforms. In this paper, based on data regarding the surface ruptures and changes to the topography and drainage resulting from the earthquake, the influence of the thrusting and strike-slipping on fluvial landforms and drainage are integrated and analyzed. The results are shown for the following five main aspects: (1) the strike-slipping driven by the earthquake caused the formation of new tectonic diversion points of river channels; (2) the thrusting driven by the earthquake caused the formation of new tectonic slope-break points in the river channel; (3) the strikes of the faults activated by the earthquake controlled the river channel direction; (4) the uplifting driven by the earthquake led to changes of riverbed gradient profiles and their base levels; and (5) exceptionally heavy rainfall after the earthquake initiated landslides, debris flows and floods, and will continue to be a hazard for several decades to come.

Musik Degung Sunda dalam Konteks Sejarah

Degung Sunda Music in The Historical Context. Degung music was originated in Cianjur region and has been developing very well in Bandung. It was originally the music of the menak people who geographically lived in mountain range area. In accordance with the location atmosphere, this music was ethical, calm, in a good arrangement, in a good order, and peaceful. This music has experienced several changes such as the waditra structure change, the status sift from kadaleman music to people music, the repertoire forms change, and the function change from an illustration music to a dance music. Keywords: Degung, waditra, kadaleman, Sundanese music.

Comparative analysis of intrinsic groundwater vulnerability assessment methods for carbonate aquifers

Abstract Groundwater from carbonate aquifers in the Canete Mountain Range constitutes an important water resource that is used to supply a number of local population centres. Intrinsic vulnerability assessment and cartography are some of the most useful tools used to inform groundwater protection strategies. The Canete Mountain Range area was chosen to carry out a comparative analysis of selected groundwater vulnerability assessment methods, by using spatial analysis tools and technical statistics through a geographical information system. In this study the Reduced DRASTIC, COP and RISK methods were applied and maximum concentration of nitrates is used to validate the results. The results obtained demonstrated how the COP and RISK methods, which were specifically designed for carbonate aquifers, better fit the characteristics of the Canete Mountain Range than the results obtained with the Reduced DRASTIC method, in which the evaluation of groundwater vulnerability is based solely on unsaturated zone characteristics.

The use of remote sensing to quantify wetland loss in the Choke Mountain range, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

Abstract. Wetlands provide multiple ecosystem services such as storing and regulating water flows and water quality, providing unique habitats to flora and fauna, and regulating micro-climatic conditions. Conversion of wetlands for agricultural use is a widespread practice in Ethiopia, particularly in the southwestern part where wetlands cover large areas. Although there are many studies on land cover and land use changes in this region, comprehensive studies on wetlands are still missing. Hence, extent and rate of wetland loss at regional scales is unknown. The objective of this paper is to quantify wetland dynamics and estimate wetland loss in the Choke Mountain range (area covering 17 443 km2) in the Upper Blue Nile basin, a key headwater region of the river Nile. Therefore, satellite remote sensing imagery of the period 1986–2005 were considered. To create images of surface reflectance that are radiometrically consistent, a combination of cross-calibration and atmospheric correction (Vogelman-DOS3) methods was used. A hybrid supervised/unsupervised classification approach was used to classify the images. Overall accuracies of 94.1% and 93.5% and Kappa Coefficients of 0.908 and 0.913 for the 1986 and 2005 imageries, respectively were obtained. The results showed that 607 km2 of seasonal wetland with low moisture and 22.4 km2 of open water are lost in the study area during the period 1986 to 2005. The current situation in the wetlands of Choke Mountain is characterized by further degradation which calls for wetland conservation and rehabilitation efforts through incorporating wetlands into watershed management plans.

Seasonal trends and spatial relations between environmental/meteorological factors and leishmaniosis sand fly vector abundances in Central Spain

This paper reports on an entomological survey performed over the period 2006–2008 in Central Spain (mainly in the Madrid province) where canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is endemic. The study area was selected on the grounds of its wide altitude range, which determines both broad climate and vegetation ranges that could affect sand fly distributions. This area was surveyed from NE to SW across its mountain range (Sistema Central) and plateau area using sticky traps mainly on embankments. In 2006 and 2007, 123 sites were sampled (9557 sand flies captured) to establish possible relations between environmental or meteorological factors and vector densities ( Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi). The factors correlated with higher vector densities were: a sample site between villages or at the edge of a village, the lack of a paved road, a rural habitat, an east or south-facing wall or wall sheltered from the wind, the presence of livestock or birds, a holm-oak wood vegetation, a lower summer mean temperature and lower annual mean precipitation. This study was followed by a seasonal survey conducted at 16 selected sites (14,353 sand flies) sampled them monthly from May to November 2008. P. perniciosus showed a diphasic seasonal trend with two abundance peaks in July and September whereas P. ariasi showed a monophasic trend with one peak in August. Comparing with data from studies performed in 1991 in the same area, vector densities are significantly higher. A possible explanation for this is that the vectors (mainly P. ariasi) are moving towards higher altitudes perhaps because of global change. This increasing trend could have an impact on CanL and its geographical distribution.

Emerging trends in the seroprevalence of canine leishmaniosis in the Madrid region (central Spain)

This report describes a cross-sectional serological survey of the epidemiology of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) performed in 2006 and 2007 in the Madrid region (central Spain) where the disease is endemic. The work presented here is one of the several studies conducted in different Spanish regions under the Integrated Project of the European Commission entitled Emerging Diseases in a changing European eNvironment (EDEN). The aim of this project is to identify and catalogue European ecosystems and environmental conditions that determine the spatial and temporal distributions and dynamics of several pathogenic agents including Leishmania infantum (EDEN-LEI). The study area (Madrid Autonomous Region) was selected on the grounds of its wide altitude range. This area was surveyed from NE to SW across its mountain range (Sistema Central) and plateau area. One thousand and seventy-six dogs from 32 villages were examined for clinical signs of CanL, and serum samples were obtained to determine several haematological and biochemical variables. Leishmaniosis-specific antibodies were identified using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). 87 of the 1076 dogs were seropositive for the protozoan (IFAT: cut-off ≥ 1/80) indicating a seroprevalence of 8.1% (0–16.1% depending on the village). On the basis of a physical examination and the biochemical/haematological status of each dog, 32 of the 87 infected dogs were described as clinically healthy (37%). Seroprevalence showed a peak in young dogs (1–2 years) and a second larger peak among the older dogs (7–8 years). Factors correlated with a higher infection risk were age (OR = 1.15 [95% CI: 1.07–1.22]), weight (OR = 1.10 [95% CI: 1.04–1.16]), and living outdoors as opposed to in a home (OR = 3.38 [95% CI: 1.42–8.05]). According to data from studies performed in 1992 in the same area, the seroprevalence of CanL has increased 1.54-fold [95% CI: 1.04–2.29]. Given that this increasing trend cannot be attributed to differences in the sociodemographic characteristics of the dog populations, it is proposed that environmental changes could have had an impact on vector and reservoir densities and their geographical distributions. Further studies designed to explain this trend should attempt to correlate sand fly densities and CanL seroprevalences with climate, land use and human changes.

The possibility of drinking water capture for the city of Ljubljana by means of a water tunnel in the area of Krim mountain

The article deals with the possibility of groundwater capture by means of a groundwater drainage tunnel in the area of Krim mountain range for a supplementary water supply of the city of Ljubljana. Within the scope of the investigation, a detailed geological mapping of the area was carried out, and hydrogeological, geophysical and engineering-geological research was performed. A water balance of the recharge area was calculated, indicating considerable quantities of groundwater which could be captured with an underground drainage tunnel. A course of the tunnel was suggested, with its entrance part located on the southern fringes of Ljubljansko barje south of the village Strahomer. The tunnel would run in the south-west direction in the Upper Triassic dolomite. Because of low environmental burden in the recharge area of the tunnel and due to good cleaning properties of dolomite it is expected that drinking water of very good quality could be captured by means of the drainage tunnel.

ANÁLISIS FLORÍSTICO Y ESTRUCTURAL DE LOS BOSQUES PREMONTANOS EN EL MUNICIPIO DE AMALFI (ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA)

The floristic composition and the structure of a hu mid hill forest were determined. The forest is located in the northernmost area of the Colombian Central Mountain Range. The methodology proposed by isa-jaum was employed in this study, from