Mountain Range Research Articles

Bigfoot Swims in the Garden of Eden

Encounters with hellbenders, an aquatic salamander found throughout the Appalachian Mountain range, has inspired Americans to reimagine their relationship with nature since the colonial period. These salamanders spend the majority of their time curled up in the nests they build under rocks on the bottom of cool, fast flowing streams. There, hellbenders blend into their surroundings and are commonly out of human sight. Only rarely do humans see hellbenders. According to written and oral accounts, hellbenders are generally only seen by humans when they bite angler’s bait. This essay examines human accounts of encounters with hellbenders from the eighteenth century through the twenty-first century. It argues that since the colonial period, Americans utilized encounters with hellbenders to reexamine their relationship with nature. This essay draws from the literary and historical analysis of scholars who have studied Bigfoot myths to argue that hellbenders have functioned rhetorically in the same way as Bigfoot myths, serving as a totem that helps Americans connect to an imagined wild environment. As these accounts demonstrate, human encounters with seemingly exotic, and commonly unseen, non-human animals like hellbenders have played a key role in the epistemological process that gave birth to the American wildlife conversation movement. This examination of human encounters with hellbenders shows American’s have reimagined their relationship to the environment through encounters with hellbenders over three centuries. In the eighteenth century, encounters with hellbenders influenced the creation of the American national identity after the United States formally severed their ties to Europe and founded a new nation. From the nineteenth century onward, American men developed a conversation movement around the idea of protecting so-called wild spaces and seemingly exotic animals like hellbenders to reenforce the American identity and their masculinity.

Apex predators can structure ecosystems through trophic cascades: Linking the frugivorous behaviour and seed dispersal patterns of mesocarnivores

Abstract Current global change scenarios demand knowledge on how anthropogenic impacts affect ecosystem functioning through changes in food web structure. Frugivorous mesocarnivores are a key link in trophic cascades because, while their abundance and behaviour are usually controlled by apex predators, they can provide high‐quality seed‐dispersal services to plant communities. Thus, the recent rewilding of large carnivores worldwide can trigger cascading effects for plants. We investigated the top‐down effects of an apex predator (Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus) on seed‐dispersal services mediated by two mesocarnivore species (red fox Vulpes vulpes and stone marten Martes foina) at the plant community level by comparing areas with and without lynx in a Mediterranean mountain range in Southern Spain. We collected scats of mesocarnivores (n = 1575) to assess frugivory and seed dispersal of 15 plant species over two consecutive fruiting seasons and two habitat types (open and forest). Specifically, we assessed the effect of lynx presence on (i) seed occurrence and fleshy‐fruit biomass per scat, (ii) number of scats containing seeds and (iii) diversity of dispersed seeds. The quantity and diversity of dispersed seeds drastically decreased under predation risk for both mesocarnivore's species. Seed dispersal by stone martens was negatively affected by the presence of lynx, with a marked reduction in the number of scats with seeds (93%) and the diversity of dispersed seeds (46%). Foxes dispersed 68% fewer seeds in open habitats when coexisting with lynx, probably leading to differential contributions to seed‐dispersal effectiveness among habitats. Our study reveals a novel trophic cascade from apex predators to plant communities. The behavioural responses of frugivorous mesocarnivores to predation risk and the reduction in the intensity of their faecal deposition pattern are probably related to their lower abundance when co‐occurring with apex predators. While rewilding apex predators is a successful conservation tool, attention should be paid to cascading effects across food webs, particularly where frugivore megafauna is missing and mesocarnivores provide unique services to plants. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Space/ground-borne techniques and petrographic microscopic dissection for geologic mapping in Gabal Ras Abda area, Northeastern Desert, Egypt

BackgroundGabal Ras Abda area as a part of the Red Sea Mountain range, is characterized by inaccessible and rugged terrains. The exposed rock units are hardly followed in the field because of the rigid topography. Thus, the present work proposes and develops an integrated approach to map the exposed rock units and extract the geologic structures using satellite imagery data followed by both field and petrographic verification, saving time, efforts and cost.ResultsTo achieve the target, both the measured spectral signature curves with Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2A data were used to develop and create the most enhanced Band Ratios and Principal Components for lithological discrimination and mapping which were (((Band7 + Band 4)/(Band 7), (Band 2)/(Band 2 + Band 5) and (Band 5) in RGB) and ((Band 9 + Band 11 + Band 12)/(Band 1), (Band 4 − Band 2) and (Band 11/Band 6) + (Band 6) in RGB)) with Principal Component Bands ((PC1, PC2 and PC3 in RGB) and (PC3, PC2 and PC1 in RGB)), respectively. Also, georeferenced Google Earth Pro, panchromatic band of Landsat-8 and ALOS PALSAR Digital Elevation Model images were used to extract the structural lineaments. Geologic, petrographic and field structural studies were emphasized the remote sensing results, indicating that the main rock types cropped out in Ras Abda area from the oldest to the youngest are older granitoids (quartz-diorites, tonalites and granodiorites), Dokhan volcanics (andesites, rhyodacites, rhyolites and their related tuffs), younger gabbros, younger granites (monzogranites, syenogranites and alkali-feldspar granites), post-granite dykes and offshoots (acidic, microgranitic and basic types) and Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks. Also, the study emphasized that the E-W trend is the main structural trend controlling the investigated area followed by WNW-ESE and NE-SW directions.ConclusionsThe results of remote sensing achieved compliance with the geologic, petrographic and structural investigation through distinctly differentiating the different rocks and extracting the lineaments, indicating the accuracy of the remote sensing results and emphasizing their importance and effective role in producing a precise and highly accurate geologic map.Graphical abstract

Ecogeographic rules in a common Neotropical treefrog: No clinal variation along a mountain range

AbstractBody and limb size are associated with many aspects of the biology of animals. Geographic variation in morphological traits has often been investigated through ecogeographical rules. Bergmann's rule posits an inverse relationship between body size and temperature in homeotherms, while Allen's rule posits that endothermic animals inhabiting colder climates have relatively shorter protruding parts (e.g., limbs) in comparison to populations from warmer climates. However, the applicability and validity of these rules in poikilotherms are currently contentious. In this study, we aimed to test predictions of Bergmann's and Allen's rules in populations of the Neotropical frog Boana platanera. We analysed 142 adult male museum specimens from 17 localities along a mountain range in western Venezuela. We obtained six external morphological measurements and assessed the correlation of body size and limb size with temperature data for each locality. Our results were contrary to the expectations but consistent with previous studies. All this together indicates that exceptions to the Bergmann's and Allen's rules are frequent and idiosyncratic in anurans. We discuss alternative hypotheses that could explain geographic variation of body and limb size in future studies.

Phylogeographic Substructuring in the Southernmost Refugium of the European Common Frog Rana temporaria

Rana temporaria is one of the most widespread Palearctic brown frogs. We aimed to clarify distribution pattern of two main genetic clades in the understudied Balkan peninsula by using 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB sequences, already widely applied in analyses of populations from other parts of Europe, while focusing on the broad area along the Morava river (central Balkans) as a known gap in the species distribution. Additionally, we were interested in revealing the extent of haplotype diversity within the main genetic clades in the Balkans, particularly around the supposed suture zone. The results revealed a suture zone between the Western and Eastern Clades in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. This indicated the existence of a historical barrier between the Balkan Mountain Belt and geographically close mountains surrounding the Vlasina Plateau (Rhodope/Serbian–Macedonian Massif). The overall observed haplotype diversity in populations of R. temporaria from the Balkan Peninsula seems high. Harboring both main genetic clades of R. temporaria qualifies the Balkan Peninsula as another important center of species’ genetic diversity, as well as rich in unique haplotypes. This points out the necessity of applying conservation measures focused on the common European frog populations and habitats in this part of the species’ distribution area.

Climate-regulation of organic carbon export in erosive mountain settings: A case study from Taiwan since the last glacial maximum

The balance between the burial of biospheric organic carbon (OCbio) in the ocean and the oxidation of rock-derived organic carbon across landscapes (OCpetro) helps to regulate atmospheric CO2 and O2 over geological time. However, we lack reconstructions of these processes over the timescales necessary to properly understand the drivers and feedbacks operating. Here we use a sediment core from the Zhuoshui River delta in Taiwan, which receives sediments from a rapidly uplifting and eroding catchment, to reconstruct the variations in OC content and radiocarbon composition since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We find that the export of OCbio and the oxidation of OCpetro are both modulated by climate-driven changes in physical erosion and temperature. During cold and dry periods, such as the LGM and the Younger Dryas (YD), shallow erosion and low temperature enhanced the preservation of OCbio in the biosphere in catchment, while deep erosion and high temperature during warm and wet periods, such as the Holocene, favored the dilution and degradation of OCbio. The weathering intensity of OCpetro (ω) was inversely related to physical erosion, suggesting a lower intensity of oxidation during the Holocene period while the overall oxidation flux was enhanced. This suggests that the degree of weathering was primarily controlled by physical erosion. We propose a proxy to estimate the ratio of fluxes of OCbio export and OCpetro oxidation, and show that the net balance between these two processes shifted from a carbon sink during the late deglacial period to a carbon source during the mid-late Holocene. Our study reveals that with CO2 rise, a warmer and wetter climate would promote the exposure and oxidation of OCpetro by erosion in this mountain range, leading the organic carbon balance towards a CO2 source to the atmosphere.

New Records for the Bryophyte Flora of Vietnam, 5

In November 1998, guided by Prof. Trấn Ninh we revisited the Tam Đảo mountain range, extensively researched by him before. Since than it was converted into a National Park, with areas stretching to three provinces, Vĩnh Phúc, Thái Nguyên, and Tuyên Quang. The previous collections indicated that many more novelties can be expected from there. As a result, we collected 38 epiphyllous liverwort species. Among these 6 were new to the flora of Vietnam: Cololejeunea fructu-marginata, C. papillosa, C. spathulifolia, Colura bisvoluta, Lejeunea dipterota and Microlejeunea sechuanensis. One species is new to science: Cololejeunea dinhensis. Furthermore, Cololejeunea rotundilobula proved to be a new synonym of Cololejeunea sigmoidea.

Exploring Ecological Management Plans for Typical Systems in Arid Areas from the Perspective of Ecosystem Service Value Evolution

Ecological management zoning plays a significant role in optimizing resource utilization, improving ecosystem service function, and promoting coordinated regional development. Taking Hexi Corridor as a representative region of the Mountain–Oasis–Desert composite system in arid regions of Asia, this study analyzed the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service values and explored the influencing mechanism based on the optimal parameters-based geographical detector model. We have comprehensively divided ecological management zones and proposed corresponding control strategies. The results show that (1) the Hexi Corridor is characterized by regional differentiation, which is composed of three systems: The southern mountain system, central oasis system, and northern desert system. The mountain system is mainly composed of forestland and grassland, the oasis system is mainly composed of cropland, and the desert system is mainly composed of unused land. The conversion of land use mainly involves the conversion of unused land to cropland and grassland, while grassland is mainly converted to cropland. (2) The ecosystem service value of the Hexi Corridor increased significantly and demonstrated agglomeration characteristics in space. The highest value areas are mainly distributed in the southern mountain, with higher value and medium areas mainly distributed in the central oasis, and the lowest value areas are mainly located in the northern desert. (3) Socio-economic factors greatly influence the spatial differentiation of ecosystem service values in the Hexi Corridor, with natural environmental factors having less impact. Additionally, the internal interaction of natural environmental factors is the most significant. (4) The Hexi Corridor is divided into three ecological management zones: Ecological function protection zone, ecological and agricultural coordinated development zone, and ecological and urbanization coordinated development zone. This research has important reference value for global ecological management in arid regions.

Cultural Tourism Prospects of Bhaleswor Mahadev of Chandragiri Area, Kathmandu

This paper makes an attempt to examine prospects of cultural tourism of Bhaleswor Mahadev in Chandragiri area of Kathmandu by applying cultural heritage studies perspectives. It is a cultural study of completely qualitative nature. Throughout the world, the tourism industry has been an economic generator including conserving the heritage sites. The study area is Chandragiri municipality - 4 and the major historical and religious sites in the foothill of Mahabharat hill range of Chandragiri. Bhaleswor Mahadev temple is situated on the top of the Chandragiri hill in the southwest of Kathmandu valley in 13 km. The shape of the hill looks like a Bhale (rooster) and Nilkantha Mahadev stayed in this hill for some time and at that time heard the sound of rooster so this Mahadev is called Bhaleswor Mahadev. Due to this temple, pilgrims and tourists are increasing day by day to go to Chandragiri hill through cable car. Bhaleswor Mahadev temple and Chandragiri cable car add more benefit in promotion of cultural tourism of Chandragiri area. One can easily go to worship Bhaleswor Mahadev through cable car within twelve minutes. One can observe spectacular view of the Himalayan range of Annapurna range, Langtang range, Everest and other mountains like Cho Oyu, Gaurisankhar etc from the top of the hill. Chandragiri cable car is the second commercial cable car of Nepal. Chandragiri area is very important from historical, cultural and archaeological point of view. The other major historical and religious sites of Chandragiri area in the foothill of Mahabharat hill range are Mahalaxmi Temple, Chandanvarateswor Mahadev, Matatirtha and Machchhe Narayan. These sites give more importance in the development of cultural tourism of Chandragiri area. Despite these studies, there is still hardly found scholarship of cultural tourism prospects of Bhaleswor Mahadev in Chandragiri area, Kathmandu. Therefore, this paper aims to address the gap of cultural tourism of Chandragiri area.

Climate of the Pyrenees: Extremes indices and long-term trends

We utilized an extensive, multisource, cross-border dataset of daily meteorological observations from over 1500 stations in the Pyrenees, spanning from the mid-20th century to 2020, to examine the spatial and temporal climate patterns. Our focus was on 17 indices related to extreme precipitation and temperature events across the mountain range. The original data underwent rigorous quality control and homogenization processes, employing a comprehensive workflow that included spatial modeling based on environmental predictors. This process yielded two main outcomes: 1) a high-resolution gridded dataset (1 km2) of daily precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature from 1981 to 2020, allowing for a detailed analysis of spatial variations; and 2) an evaluation of long-term annual and seasonal trends from 1959 to 2020, using selection of high-quality data series that were homogenized to preserve their temporal structure and coherence. The findings revealed a clear elevation-related pattern in temperature indices (with the exception of tropical nights, which were predominantly observed on the Mediterranean side) and a distinct north-south latitudinal disparity in precipitation, turning longitudinal when focusing on extreme precipitation events. Overall, there was a notable and significant warming trend of 0.2 to 0.4 °C per decade, and a non-significant change of precipitation, with the exception of the southern and Mediterranean regions, where there was a notable decrease, approximately −3 % per decade, observed on an annual basis.

The present-day kinematics of the Tianshan orogenic belt constrained by GPS velocities

Since the late Cenozoic, the reactivated Tianshan orogenic belt has accommodated crustal shortening exceeding 200 km, primarily due to the far-field effects of the India-Eurasia plate collision. However, the details of the strain partitioning in the Tianshan Mountain range remain elusive. We interpret a new compilation of GPS velocities covering the whole Tianshan range with a classic elastic block model. Compared to previous studies with a block modeling approach, the Tianshan orogenic belt is further subdivided into several blocks based on geological fault traces and a clustering analysis approach. In addition to obvious crustal shortening on the bounding thrust faults of the Tianshan, our inverted fault slip rates also reveal that faults within the Tianshan orogenic belt, such as the Nalati Fault and the southern margin of the Issyk-Kul Lake Fault, which plays a crucial role in accommodating the tectonic crustal shortening. In the 72°E−78°E region, the internal shortening rate within the mountain is approximately 5–7 mm/yr. Besides crustal shortening, strike-slip motion occurs on faults in the interior of the mountain range as well as in the foreland fold-and-thrust belts, especially in the southern margin of the Tianshan. These findings suggest that the crustal deformation in the Tianshan Mountain range is more complex than previously thought, and the oblique convergence between the Tarim Basin and the Tianshan probably results in both strike-slip and thrust motion.

Bioclimatic and remote sensing factors are better key indicators than local topography and soil: Vegetation composition variability in forests of Pakistan's Spin Ghar Mountain range

Bioclimatic and remote sensing factors are better key indicators than local topography and soil: Vegetation composition variability in forests of Pakistan's Spin Ghar Mountain range

Atmospheric black carbon observations and its valley-mountain dynamics: Eastern Cordillera of the Central Andes of Peru

Glacial bodies in the Peruvian Andes Mountains store and supply freshwater to hundreds of thousands of people in central Peru. Atmospheric black carbon (BC) is known to accelerate melting of snow and ice, in addition to contributing to air pollution and the health of people. Currently there is limited understanding on the sources and temporal variability of BC in valley and mountain environments in Peru. To address this problem, this study combined surface observations of BC collected during 2022-2023 with WRF model simulations and HYSPLIT trajectories to analyze the dispersion and sources of BC in valley and high elevation environments and the associated local atmospheric circulations. Results show high BC concentrations are associated with the valley-mountain wind system that occurs on both sides of the Huaytapallana mountain range. A pronounced circulation occurs on the western slopes of Huaytapallana when concentrations of BC increase during daylight hours, which transports atmospheric pollutants from cities in the Mantaro River Valley to the Huaytapallana mountain range. Low concentrations of BC are associated with circulations from the east that are channeled by the pronounced ravines of the Andes-Amazon transition. On average, during the season of highest BC concentrations (July-November), the relative contributions of fossil fuels are dominant to biomass burning at the valley observatory and are slightly lower at the Huaytapallana observatory. These results demonstrate the need to promote mitigation actions to reduce emissions of BC and air pollution associated with forest fires and local anthropogenic activity.

The Imagined Geography of Mount Everest

The Imagined Geography of Mount Everest

Rediscover of the Iranian endemic alpine Arenaria bulica after 139 years and note of the related species (Caryophyllaceae)

The Zagros Mountain range is one of the biodiversity centers with the highest percent of endemic species in Iran. There are several peaks with more than 4000 m high in Zagros hosting many rare alpine species. Arenaria is one of the morphological complicated genera with a large number of species and endemism in SW-Asia with an high species concentration in Turkey and Iran. By recollecting the rare and endemic species of Arenaria bulica from locus classicus after 139 years and examining the herbarium specimens, it was found that the two species, A. minutissima and A. semiromica can be considered as its synonyms. A detailed description, original photos, habitat, distribution map, phytogeography, conservation status, seed micromorphology and growth form have been provided and discussed.

“Investigation of Morphometric and Flood Vulnerability of the Devganga River in Satpura Mountain Ranges Using Remote Sensing Techniques”

“Investigation of Morphometric and Flood Vulnerability of the Devganga River in Satpura Mountain Ranges Using Remote Sensing Techniques”

Traces of Local Adaptive Acclimatization Response in the Tracheid Anatomical Traits between Dry and Wet Mesic Norway Spruce (Picea abies) Forests in Moravia, Czech Republic?

Norway spruce (Picea abies) forests in temperate zones are already reacting to short-term extreme summer heatwaves, threatening the vitality of trees and forest productivity, and can even lead to local and regional dieback events. Examining quantitative wood anatomy can provide helpful information in terms of understanding the physiology mechanisms and related responses of conifer trees to local environmental interactions in relation to tracheid adaptive capacity. This study analysed the tracheid functional anatomical traits (FATs) plasticity of six young Norway spruce trees growing in two mesic research plots with high annual precipitation (~43%) and air temperature differences during 2010–2017. The research plots are located in the sub-mountainous (Rájec Němčice) and mountainous (Bílý Kříž) belts of the Moravia region, Czech Republic. Vapour pressure deficit and cell wall reinforcement index (CWRI) were shown to be the most representative environmental parameters as proxies of dry conditions. Tracheid FATs indicated latewood phenological plasticity sensitivity, with more pronounced variability in the warmer and drier plots. Latewood tracheids of Norway spruce trees grown in the RAJ formed significantly thicker cell walls than BK during the studied period. The observed differences between the two research plots indicate additional support for tracheid cells’ hydraulic safety against cavitation and potential traces of adaptive acclimatization response.

Post-collisional calc alkaline-adakites from a metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle: Sr-Nd isotopes and bulk-rock geochemistry of Miocene volcanic rocks from the Varzaghan area, NW Iran

ABSTRACT The NW Iran is located at the western termination of the Alborz Mountain range and continuation of the Sanandaj-Sirjan magmatic-metamorphic zone at the NW. The volcanic rocks in the Varzaghan area are distributed over different compositional ranges from high-K basalt, andesite, dacite, and trachyandesite, dacite, to rhyolite with adakitic signatures. Chondrite-normalized REE diagrams show flat MREE and HREE patterns for calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and enrichment in LREE, indicating a garnet-free source. Adakitic rock sample chondrite-normalized REE patterns are relatively steep with significant enrichment in LREE and depletion in HREE, indicating a garnet-bearing source or garnet fractionation process. The arc trace element signatures, narrow range of initial87Sr/86Sr(i) = 0.70425–0.70487, different initial143Nd/144Nd(i) = 0.51264–0.51286 and the presence of adakitic rocks reveal that the volcanic rock sources were not the same and can be related to the partial melting of metasomatized mantle and lower continental crust sources. Slab break-off and upwelling of hot asthenosphere in a post-collisional tectonic regime resulted in the melting of the subcontinental lithosphere and lower continental crust which produced calc-alkaline-adakitic volcanic rocks in the Varzaghan area. The main petrological processes involved in the volcanic rocks petrogenesis were fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation.

An empirical study on the impact of green transition of farmland use on agricultural economic growth: A case of Hubei Province of China

Farmland use challenges reflect the current complexities facing China's agricultural economic development. This study focuses on 70 counties in Hubei Province of China, with the objective of exploring the spatial relationship between green transition of farmland use and agricultural economic growth. Furthermore, it seeks to quantify their effects and assess regional heterogeneity. Here are the findings: (1) There is a notable positive spatial correlation observed between agricultural economic growth and the various subsystems as well as factor layers of the green transition of farmland use. (2) The optimization of the quantity and form of farmland has a positive promoting effect on agricultural economic growth in both the local county and adjoining counties. In contrast, the spatial pattern, ecological function, intensive use, and environmental friendliness of farmland have a negative effect. (3) The influence factors of the green transition of farmland use on agricultural economic growth show significant spatial heterogeneity, with the overall effect degree being in the following order: northern hillock, central plain, western mountain range, and eastern hills. The influence on neighboring agricultural economic growth also exhibits significant spatial differentiation, with the overall effect degree following this order: eastern hills, northern hillock, central plain, and western mountain range. Targeted suggestions are proposed to promote the green transition of farmland use and achieve sustainable agricultural economic growth.

Physically‐based analytical erosion for fast terrain generation

AbstractTerrain generation methods have long been divided between procedural and physically‐based. Procedural methods build upon the fast evaluation of a mathematical function but suffer from a lack of geological consistency, while physically‐based simulation enforces this consistency at the cost of thousands of iterations unraveling the history of the landscape. In particular, the simulation of the competition between tectonic uplift and fluvial erosion expressed by the stream power law raised recent interest in computer graphics as this allows the generation and control of consistent large‐scale mountain ranges, albeit at the cost of a lengthy simulation. In this paper, we explore the analytical solutions of the stream power law and propose a method that is both physically‐based and procedural, allowing fast and consistent large‐scale terrain generation. In our approach, time is no longer the stopping criterion of an iterative process but acts as the parameter of a mathematical function, a slider that controls the aging of the input terrain from a subtle erosion to the complete replacement by a fully formed mountain range. While analytical solutions have been proposed by the geomorphology community for the 1D case, extending them to a 2D heightmap proves challenging. We propose an efficient implementation of the analytical solutions with a multigrid accelerated iterative process and solutions to incorporate landslides and hillslope processes – two erosion factors that complement the stream power law.