Geographical Environment Research Articles

The source and quality of Chinese medicinal materials directly influence their clinical efficacy. With the continuous development of traditional Chinese pharmacology, the diversity of novel medicinal materials and the breadth of their origins have provided new perspectives for research on the efficacy of these substances. The sources of Chinese medicinal materials encompass multiple categories, including plants, animals, and minerals, and for each category, the types and concentrations of active constituents can vary significantly across different geographical environments and cultivation conditions, leading to differences in therapeutic effects. Furthermore, the quality of medicinal materials-such as the stability of chemical constituents, sensory characteristics, and physical indicators-serves as a critical factor affecting their clinical efficacy. The improvement of quality control systems and the advancement of standardization can ensure the consistency and safety of Chinese medicinal materials in clinical treatment. This paper explores the diversity of sources of Chinese medicinal materials, the importance of quality control, and their profound impact on clinical efficacy, thereby providing a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for further optimizing the quality assurance and clinical application of these materials.

The distinctive geographical environment of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has nurtured a variety of anthocyanin-rich berry plants. This review systematically summarizes the current state of research on anthocyanins obtained from Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (LRAs), Nitraria tangutorun Bobr (NTAs), and Rubus idaeus (RAs) for their potential health benefits and use. The anthocyanins found in these three berries have attracted considerable interest for their significant biological effects, such as their antioxidant, anti-aging, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities, as well as their ability to regulate the gut microbiota and inhibit cancer cells. These anthocyanins have potential applications as natural colorants, packaging materials and smart labels, as well as functional food and health supplements in the food industry. They have diverse molecular architectures with glycosylation and acylation profiles. The structural features of anthocyanins are closely related to their biological activities. This review provides a detailed overview of the chemical structures, synthesis pathways, biological activities, and applications in the food industry of LRAs, NTAs, and RAs. This summary offers a theoretical foundation for exploring plant resources characteristic of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and for the development and utilization of high-value-added functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Electricity, as the "lifeline" of the national economy, supports industrial production, livelihood security, and social operation. Its stable supply is directly related to the overall economic and social development. In recent years, China's power industry has accelerated its transformation, with an increase in the proportion of new energy generation, the popularization of smart grid technology, and the expansion of production scale. At the same time, the complexity of processes and safety risks have also significantly increased. Traditional thermal power plants are facing equipment aging and maintenance pressure, while new energy stations are greatly affected by climate and geographical environment. In addition, some enterprises tend to prioritize efficiency over safety, resulting in frequent safety accidents. This not only causes casualties and economic losses, but may also lead to regional power outages, affecting social stability. In this context, the safety shortcomings in power production management have gradually become prominent, such as weak safety awareness, ineffective system implementation, extensive equipment management, and insufficient personnel capabilities, which urgently need to be addressed. Therefore, in-depth research on safety issues and countermeasures in power production management is of great practical significance for ensuring the stability of the power system and promoting high-quality development of the industry.

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight trajectories in complex environments are often affected by multiple uncertainties, making accurate prediction challenging. To address this issue, this study proposes a probabilistic four-dimensional (4D) trajectory prediction model based on Brownian bridge motion. The UAV’s flight from mission start to endpoint is modeled as a Brownian bridge stochastic process with endpoint constraints, where the mean function sequence is constructed from path planning results and UAV performance parameters. To incorporate operational feasibility, the concept of the spatiotemporal reachable domain from time geography is introduced to dynamically constrain reachable positions, while a truncated Brownian bridge distribution is used to model probabilistic positions in three-dimensional space. A simulation platform in a realistic 3D geographical environment is developed to validate the model. Case studies show that the proposed method achieves dynamic probabilistic trajectory prediction under mission constraints with strong adaptability and practicality. The results provide theoretical support and technical reference for trajectory planning, conflict detection, and flight risk assessment in the pre-tactical phase.

This article is devoted to the study of the potential of using local toponymic material in teaching the native language. The relevance of the work is due to the possibility of using toponymy as an effective tool for expanding students’ knowledge of the geographical environment, forming cognitive interest in the history and culture of their native land, and fostering patriotism. Despite the availability of scientific papers devoted to the study of the toponymy of Southern Yakutia, the development of methodological materials integrating toponymic material into extracurricular activities for middle-school students is an insufficiently studied area. The purpose of the study is to develop and methodologically substantiate the structure of an extracurricular lesson for students of grades 5–8 of comprehensive schools of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), focused on the use of toponymic material of Southern Yakutia in order to form students’ interest in regional history and culture, as well as to increase their level of civic and patriotic identity. As a theoretical basis for the study, scientific papers devoted to the toponymy of Yakutia and the methods of its use in the educational process were analyzed. Based on the analysis of these sources, 83 toponyms were selected, which served as the basis for developing the scenario of an extracurricular activity. The selection criterion was the reliability of the toponymic material, compliance with the level of development, interests and age of students. The study is based on the principles of a systems approach, considering the toponymic material of South Yakutia as an integral system interconnected with historical, cultural and geographical factors of the region. A cultural approach is also used, focusing on the role of toponymy as a means of transmitting and preserving cultural heritage. The result of the study is the developed structure of an extracurricular activity, aimed at activating the cognitive activity of students and forming a sense of involvement in the history and culture of the region. The integration of toponymic material into extracurricular activities seems to be a promising direction in pedagogical practice, contributing to the development of interest in their native land among schoolchildren, preserving the memory of its past and strengthening the sense of patriotism.

Abstract. As a living heritage that connects nature and culture, cultural landscape gradually emerges as a key paradigm in global heritage conservation practices. However, researches on cultural landscape heritages in non-urban environments, on a large scale, and across regions still face challenges at present. As a UNESCO tentative heritage site inscribed in 2019, Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang, Nepal, has rich and diverse cultural landscapes. It is required to pay attention in future World Heritage nominations, holding significant value for empirical research. Taking it as a case, this paper designs a framework for the geo-visualization of cultural landscape values. It integrates archaeological evidence and geographical environment to conduct an integrated assessment of cultural landscape values and achieve spatial visualization, emphasizing the role of human behaviors influenced by local culture in shaping cultural landscapes. Based on a GIS analysis tool (thematic behavior model, TBM), this study simulates the spatial probabilities of different behaviors, thereby reflecting the spatial distribution patterns of various cultural landscape values. Driven by data patterns, this paper interprets the value distribution, interactions, and potential causes of the cultural landscapes near Lo Manthang. The goal is to excavate the heritage value of Lo Manthang and its surrounding areas, and discuss potential conservation zoning schemes.

IntroductionVector-borne diseases significantly impact global health. Mosquitoes are key vectors for transmitting such diseases, making mosquito control crucial for disease prevention. Carbon dioxide is commonly used in surveillance traps to attract mosquitoes. However, its application in mosquito abatement devices is limited due to environmental and logistical constraints related to continuous CO2 emissions. In China, a new mosquito trap utilizing CO2 was developed using nanoporous silicon-based polymer materials to capture and release CO2 from the air. This study aimed to assess the operational efficiency of this CO2-enhanced trap in reducing mosquito populations and its potential for residential vector control applications.MethodsTwo residential villages with similar mosquito densities and geographic environments were selected for field trials in Ningbo City in 2024. One village was randomly assigned as the control group, while the other served as the test group. Within the test group, three zones were artificially divided to evaluate the effect and scope of the breath-activated mosquito trap in managing mosquito populations. Adult and larval mosquito densities were monitored bi-monthly before and after the trials using BG traps, CDC light traps, and the larval pipette method.ResultsLarval and adult mosquito densities were monitored for four months before the trials to establish the baseline mosquito density between the test and control villages; no statistical differences were found (larval, U = 35, p = 0.798 > 0.05; adults, CDC light trap U = 41, p = 0.442 > 0.05, BG trap U = 43, p = 0.279 > 0.05). After the trials began, standard decreasing rates of larval and adult mosquito densities were observed, with 36.24%–46.93% larval mosquito density decreasing, 38.22%–65.91% (CDC light traps), and 43.05%–73.30%; BG traps. Statistically significant differences were found between Zone I and the control village for larval and adult mosquitoes (GLMM, larval p = 0.026; adult CDC light trap p = 0.009; BG trap p = 0.027).DiscussionBreathing catchers using CO2 can effectively control larval and adult mosquito densities in a range of regions. Without insecticide usage and excess CO2 emissions, this might be an effective choice for mosquito control in residential areas to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

This study explores the contributions of various Indian space agencies to the field of bio-geographical studies, an interdisciplinary area that investigates the interactions between biological life and geographical environments. With India’s diverse ecosystems and rapidly evolving space technology, agencies such as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) have taken active roles in monitoring, analysing, and understanding the country’s rich biodiversity and ecological changes. The study highlights how these agencies utilize remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imaging, and geochemical analysis to collect critical data on land cover, vegetation patterns, climate variability, soil health, and natural resource distribution. This information plays a vital role in environmental monitoring, agricultural planning, disaster management, and conservation efforts. The paper also examines PRL’s specific contributions to astrobiology, planetary analog research, and early Earth studies, which offer insights into the origin and evolution of life on Earth and the potential for life on other planets. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the practical applications of this research in addressing current global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and data-driven decision-making, Indian space agencies contribute not only to national development but also to global scientific progress. This research underscores the growing importance of integrating space science with ecological and geographical studies to better understand and manage Earth’s complex biosphere. It calls for continued investment in technology, research, and policy integration to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources while preparing for future planetary exploration.

This study examines the formation background, classification systems, conser-vation practices, and contemporary challenges of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in East Asia, revealing its cultural diversity and inherent commonalities. It provides new perspectives and strategic recommendations for the preserva-tion, inheritance, and cultural exchange of ICH. The research methodology in-volves analyzing geographical, historical, and socio-cultural contexts of ICH backgrounds, comparing ICH classification systems and conservation mecha-nisms across East Asian countries, conducting in-depth comparisons of repre-sentative ICH projects, exploring shared challenges and national-level response strategies, and mapping the interactions between ICH in historical and modern societies. The findings indicate that East Asia's ICH formation is profoundly in-fluenced by geographical environments, historical-cultural origins, and so-cio-cultural concepts, with shared patterns yet distinct variations in classifica-tion systems. Representative projects demonstrate unique characteristics in performing arts, traditional crafts, and folk customs. Meanwhile, ICH faces chal-lenges such as globalization impacts, talent shortages, and fund-ing/technological gaps, prompting diverse national responses. This study offers innovative perspectives and practical approaches for the preservation, inher-itance, and cultural exchange of ICH in East Asia.

With the global energy transition and decarbonization goals, tower-type solar thermal power generation is increasingly important for dispatchable clean energy due to its high efficiency, thermal storage capacity, and regulation performance. However, current research focuses on ideal conditions, ignoring real geographical constraints on heliostat layout and environmental impacts on receiver performance. More practical scene modeling and performance evaluation methods are urgently needed. To address these issues, we propose a heliostat field simulation algorithm based on heat loss mechanisms and real site characteristics. The algorithm includes optical performance evaluation (cosine efficiency, shading, truncation, atmospheric transmittance) and heat loss mechanisms (radiation, convection, conduction) for realistic net heat output estimation. Experiments revealed the following: (1) higher central towers improve optical efficiency by increasing solar elevation angle; (2) radiation losses dominate at high power and tower height, while convection losses dominate at low power and tower height. Using the Economic-Integrated Score (EIS) optimization algorithm, we achieved optimal tower and receiver configuration with 40.22% average improvement over other configurations (maximum 3.9× improvement). This provides a scientific design basis for improving tower-type solar thermal systems’ adaptability and economy in different geographical environments.

Traditional spatial autoregressive analysis usually assumes that the observed data are precise, but this assumption is often difficult to meet in practical applications. Spatial data, owing to its inherent spatial autocorrelation, as well as the differences in data collection methods at different locations, the complexity of the geographical environment, and other factors, often has greater uncertainty. To address this problem, this article introduces an uncertain spatial autoregressive approach. Assuming that the observed values are imprecise and described by uncertain variables, a minimization problem is then derived using the principle of least squares to estimate the values of the unknown parameters of the uncertain spatial autoregressive model. In addition, a method is provided to determine the predicted value and the confidence interval for the response variable in the newly introduced explanatory variables. Ultimately, to demonstrate the application of the uncertain spatial autoregressive model, two numerical examples are provided.

The ability to detect population structure and determine the extent of genetic variation among populations is critical for understanding genetic background and effective fishery management. Fifty-eight individuals of S. sinica were resequenced with an average depth of 24× based on the Illumina sequencing platform. A total of 7,409,691 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 327,698 linkage disequilibrium-pruned SNPs were detected by comparing with the reference genome, and the average nucleotide diversity (π) and polymorphism information content (PIC) for all SNPs were 0.0036 ± 0.0023 and 0.2358 ± 0.1013, respectively, indicating the relatively low level of genetic diversity caused by limited gene flow and small effective population size (Ne). Integrated analyses of principal component analysis (PCA), ADMIXTURE, fixation index (Fst), and cladogram showed a significant genetic divergence between the north group (Dongying and Rushan populations) and the south group (Wenzhou and Zhoushan populations), which might be related to the differences in natural and geographical environments. The comprehensive results confirmed the genetic heterogeneity of S. sinica populations from the northern and southern sea areas of China, and suggested that regionalization fishery management should be adopted for further resource protection and utilization of S. sinica.

This study aimed to conduct archival collection and search and rescue of traditional mountain village landscapes through the application of geographic information system (GIS) technology, addressing potential cultural heritage losses during natural disasters or human-induced events. Initially, on-site surveys were conducted to gather fundamental information about the geographical locations, natural environments, architectural structures, and cultural activities of traditional mountain villages. Subsequently, GIS technology was employed to spatially locate and digitize the collected data, constructing 3D landscape models of these villages. Building upon this foundation, a GIS-based search and rescue path planning algorithm was devised to enhance the efficiency of landscape archival retrieval during mountain disasters. On this basis, this study combined GIS-based terrain modeling with trust region policy optimization, an artificial intelligence reinforcement learning method, to achieve real-time search and rescue path planning in disaster scenarios. Compared with traditional path planning methods, the proposed model shows significant advantages in three typical mountain village scenarios: the average path length is shortened by 5 km (p < 0.01), the path coordinate deviation is controlled between 0.3 and 0.6 km, and the average search and rescue success rate is increased by 12.3% (p < 0.05). This integrated framework of a GIS and artificial intelligence has a significant effect on improving the efficiency and spatial accuracy of landscape archive retrieval and emergency response. In conclusion, this study not only provides novel technical means for the collection and preservation of landscape archives in traditional mountain villages but also highlights the significant application value of GIS technology in the field of search and rescue.

The impact of social geographical environment on the geographical differences in financing of small and micro enterprises

As a common natural formation, the concept of holeand its Chinese counterpart dong ()stems from early human experience, particularly those related to cave dwelling and shelter seeking. Both lexical terms function as conceptual prototypes that have been extended metaphorically diverse languages. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the metaphorical extensions of hole in English and dong in Chinese, drawing on data from bilingual dictionaries and linguistic corpora, including Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) and Center for Chinese Linguistics (CCL) Corpus. The analysis reveals that, although both terms share similar cognitive origins in the imagery of primitive caves and human habitation, variations in geographical environments, historical development, and social-cultural practices have led to different metaphorical pathways. By studying the development of "hole/dong" metaphor, this research intends to provide an insightful case for cross-linguistic metaphor research.

ABSTRACTThe seasonal monitoring of fish communities was conducted in the Xijiang River Basin of Guizhou Province using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding technology. A total of 97 fish species were identified during the 2023 survey, representing a detection rate of 61.94% compared to historical records. The findings demonstrated the following: (1) Fish communities exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity, with species diversity and composition varying seasonally and spatially; (2) human activities, such as reservoir construction, have led to the potential trend toward miniaturization of fish populations and pose a severe threat to the survival of indigenous species; (3) water NH3‐N, altitude, and pH emerged as the key environmental factors influencing community structure. This research elucidated the dynamic characteristics of riverine fish communities in karst mountainous regions and provided a scientific foundation for the adaptive management of river basin ecosystems. Furthermore, this study represents the validation of eDNA technology's monitoring efficiency in karst areas characterized by complex geographical environments, thereby confirming its application value in assessing biodiversity in mountainous aquatic systems.

Different geographical locations and climatic environments lead to different impacts of specific air pollutants on the relative risk (RR) of asthma morbidity (i.e., new-onset asthma, outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions) in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate existing data to assess the impact of short-term exposure to pollutants on the RR of asthma morbidity in the Northern Hemisphere. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) on the RR of asthma morbidity. A comprehensive literature search was performed across three major databases: Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and PubMed. Ultimately, 14 studies were included in the final analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran Q test and I² statistics, and publication bias was assessed using Egger's test. The meta-analysis revealed that short-term exposure to five types of air pollutants had a significant impact on the RR of asthma morbidity. Among them, NO2 exhibited the most significant adverse health effects (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03). Stratified analysis showed that residents in the temperate regions were more affected by exposure to SO2, NO2, and O3, whereas residents in the tropical regions were more affected by PM10, and the regional differences in the impact of PM2.5 on the health of residents in the two regions were not significant. The Egger's test results suggested the presence of a potential publication bias for PM2.5 and SO2. In contrast, for PM10, NO2, and O3, no publication bias was detected. Therefore, an efficient and resilient public health system should be established.

IntroductionCancer remains a leading global health issue and has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for over four decades. In recent years, ethnomedicines have gained growing attention as complementary therapies in cancer treatment. However, systematic investigations linking traditional medicinal practices with cancer remain limited. This study aims to explore the types, preparation methods, and parts used of anticancer ethnomedicines and cancer types across different regions in Taiwan through ethnobotanical surveys, and to preserve and transmit traditional knowledge.MethodsData were collected through questionnaire-based interviews with 210 participants, sampled proportionally by region, age, gender, and education based on national demographics.ResultsChi-squared tests showed that only education level significantly influenced the number of anticancer ethnomedicines mentioned (p < 0.001), suggesting that Taiwan’s policies promoting traditional medicine education may enhance knowledge retention. A total of 159 ethnomedicines were mentioned, with 146 plant species classified into 66 families, predominantly Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae. The most commonly used plant parts were whole herba for herbaceous species, herba and radix for lianas, and leaves for trees and shrubs. Water decoction was the most frequently reported preparation method. The top ten mentioned ethnomedicines were traditionally used for a broader range of cancers than reported in the PubMed literature, especially for breast, lung, liver, and colorectal cancers, showing high consistency between traditional usage and modern scientific findings. Consensus factor analysis revealed high agreement among respondents regarding remedies for the ten most common cancers in Taiwan, except for prostate and oral cancers, possibly due to clinical treatment limitations or low questionnaire response rate. Taiwan’s cultural diversity, linguistic unity, and unique geographical environment facilitate the accurate and comprehensive collection of ethnomedicinal data, leading to more valuable research outcomes.DiscussionIn summary, the results of this study provide a valuable foundation for future anticancer research, serving as a priority focus for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of anticancer activity. Moreover, this research supports the scientific development and potential drug discovery of ethnomedicines in modern cancer treatment, contributing to the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary biomedical approaches.

The relationship between the geographic environment and human health has been a long-standing focus of scientific inquiry. Sn as an essential trace element for the human body, play vital roles in individual health and may influence longevity. However, the extent to which the statistical characteristics of population longevity are associated with elemental geochemical background values at a regional scale remains an important question. Based on the geochemical survey data of Yunnan Province and Chinese census data, the article utilizes Arcgis spatial analysis and mathematical statistics to explore the relationship between ω(Sn) and regional longevity level. The results of the study show that: (1) There is a close correlation between ω(Sn) and regional longevity levels. Within Yunnan Province, regions with high ω(Sn) have higher levels of longevity index and Ultra-octogenarian Index. (2) Spearman’s correlation coefficient shows that ω(Sn) is significantly positively (P < 0.01) correlated with both the longevity index and the Ultra-octogenarian Index; Linear regression further reveals that ω(Sn) always has a significant positive influence on the longevity index. For the Ultra-octogenarian Index, although the strength of the influence of ω(Sn) is not as significant as that of the longevity index, its influence on the healthy longevity of the population cannot be ignored. At the county scale in Yunnan Province, there is a significant positive correlation between ω(Sn) and longevity index, which may be related to the exposure of Sn in the natural environmental background into the human body and thus affecting the incidence of cancer, but the biogeochemical cycling mechanism of its association with longevity still needs to be further investigated.

The quality of “Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (FCB)” is influenced by its geographical origin and cultivation management. Characterizing quality differences among FCB from different sources through multidimensional analysis and establishing an accurate traceability model represent critical approaches to ensure FCB medicinal material quality. This study integrated untargeted metabolomics, alkaloid quantification, mineral nutritional element analysis, and hyperspectral imaging features to systematically reveal metabolic and compositional variations in FCB from different sources, while constructing a deep learning-based traceability model. Untargeted analysis identified significant differences in metabolite levels across FCB sources, with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealing that these differential metabolites were primarily enriched in 23 pathways. Targeted alkaloid quantification demonstrated that field-collected wild specimens from Seka township (designated SK-FC) accumulated higher levels of peimisine, imperialine, and peiminine, whereas tissue-cultured regenerants from Bamei town (designated BM-TC) exhibited elevated peimine content, indicating that geographical environments and cultivation practices regulate alkaloid biosynthesis. Mineral nutritional element analysis showed that BM-TC samples had the highest elemental accumulation, likely linked to nutrient-rich culture media, while field-collected wild specimens from Chuanzhusi town (designated CZS-FC) and Anhong township artificial cultivated accessions (designated AH-AC) preferentially accumulated Al/Fe/Mn/Na and K/Mg/Zn/Cu, respectively. Most elements showed positive correlations with peiminine and peimine levels but negative correlations with peimisine and imperialine. The Residual Network (ResNet) deep learning model, constructed using hyperspectral-derived three-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (3DCOS) images, achieved 100% testing/validation accuracy and 86.67% external validation accuracy, outperforming traditional partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models in traceability efficacy and providing an efficient method for precise origin identification of FCB. This research establishes theoretical foundations for multidimensional quality evaluation and traceability of FCB, offering fundamental support for further development and utilization of FCB resources.