Northern Mountains Research Articles

The Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Sonora: Distribution, Ecology, and the First Records of Aedes deserticola Zavortink and Toxorhynchites septentrionalis (Dyar and Knab) in México

The diversity and distribution of mosquitoes from Sonora, Mexico, was documented through entomologic surveys conducted in the four physiographic regions and sub-regions of Sonora: the Sonoran Plain, the Sierra Madre Occidental, the Northern Mountains and Plains, and the Pacific Coastal Plain. Immature stages were collected from aquatic habitats, while adult mosquitoes were collected using Shannon traps, resting in vegetation, and by human landing collections. Overall, 11,316 specimens, which comprised 493 larvae, 224 larval exuviae, 400 pupal exuviae, 33 pupae, 4552 females, 5607 males, and seven male genitalia, were identified. Two subfamilies: Anophelinae and Culicinae, seven tribes, 10 genera, 23 subgenera, and 56 species are reported below. Of these, one tribe, one genus, five subgenera, and 15 species were recorded for the first time in Sonora. Two species, Aedes deserticola Zavortink and Toxorhynchites septentrionalis (Dyar and Knab), are the first recordings of their kind nationwide. Toxorhynchites septentrionalis was also barcoded with the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene. The presence of Psorophora columbiae (Dyar and Knab) is confirmed in Mexico. Taxonomic notes, new geographic distribution limits of mosquitoes in Sonora, and information regarding their importance as disease vectors are provided. By adding Ae. deserticola and Tx. septentrionalis and confirming Ps. columbiae in Mexico, there are currently 251 mosquito species in the Country.

Professional development for ethnic minority public leaders in the Northern mountain regions of Vietnam: needs and barriers to their participation

ABSTRACT This article responds to the research literature gap in professional development (PD) for Vietnamese ethnic minority leaders. Thematic analysis of 32 interviews with ethnic minority public leaders from the northern mountain regions identified PD needs of leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds including (i) ideological and political training, (ii) contemporary issues in local communities, (iii) diversity and inclusion training, and (iv) leadership skills. Three key barriers to their participation in PD were also found, namely (i) poor learning environment, (ii) lack of community engagement experience, and (iii) limited government and employer support. This study underscored that northern mountain ethnic minority leaders encounter ‘mountainous challenges’ when participating in PD activities. The paper concluded with strategies towards more effective PD for ethnic minority leaders in the northern mountain regions of Vietnam. The article carries practical and policy implications for PD developers as well as ethnic minority researchers and practitioners.

Impact of Climate Change and Natural Disasters on Livelihoods in Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam: A View from Dien Bien Province

Impact of Climate Change and Natural Disasters on Livelihoods in Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam: A View from Dien Bien Province

Precipitation reconstructions in the northern and southern Qilian Mountains based on tree rings of Picea crassifolia

Precipitation reconstructions in the northern and southern Qilian Mountains based on tree rings of Picea crassifolia

Estimating high-resolution snow depth over the North Hemisphere mountains utilizing active microwave backscatter and machine learning

While ground meteorological stations provide accurate snow depth data, their limited spatial coverage results in observational gaps. Satellites offer long-term, large-scale observations, addressing these gaps. Existing snow depth retrieval algorithms mainly use passive microwave remote sensing data with a 25 km resolution, insufficient for capturing snow depth variability in mountainous areas. This paper introduces active microwave backscatter data and machine learning techniques for high-resolution snow depth estimation. We conducted a preliminary exploration of the relationship between Sentinel-1 backscatter coefficient σ0 and snow depth. Due to factors such as vegetation coverage and underlying soil properties, the relationship between σ0 and snow depth is complex and nonlinear. Consequently, six machine learning models were trained to learn this relationship using σ0 and auxiliary data as input features, with in-situ snow depth serving as the target variable. After extensive validation, the Extreme Random Trees (ERT) model was selected for its high accuracy and stability. Using the ERT model, we generated 500 m-resolution snow depth data for northern hemisphere mountains, then analyzed temporal snow depth variations and altitudinal stratification.

Research on Social Interaction Trends Between Tourists and Children in The Northern Mountain Tourist Areas

Tourism is currently very developed in Vietnam, opening up opportunities to promote culture, sceneries and lives in remote areas to domestic and foreign tourists. Tourists coming to the mountain tourist areas in Northern Vietnam, in addition of the desire to enjoy the majestic and poetic view of the place, also aim to interact with people, especially children, who are said to be innocent and happy. In this research article, the authors studied the current trend of social interactions between tourists and children in northern mountain tourist areas after reviewing the theory of social interaction. In addition, the article also provides assessments and solutions to promote positive trends and limit negative trends of these interactions for authorities and children as well as families and schools in this area

Variability of solar UV radiation in the northern mountains of the Czech Republic, 2020–2021

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a crucial role in many atmospheric processes and a huge impact on living organisms. Its main positive effect is the synthesis of vitamin D, but it also causes problems such as sunburn, skin cancer or eye cataracts. In the mountains, high doses of UV frequently occur due to a specific combination of atmospheric and geographical factors such as a high ground reflection as a consequence of a large number of days with snow cover, or a lower concentration of atmospheric pollutants in comparison to lowland urban regions. This study used measurements of erythemal UV radiation from two high altitude areas: the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains (Vysoká hole meteorological station, 1 464 m a.s.l.) and the Giant Mountains (Luční bouda meteorological station, 1 413 m a.s.l.) in the Czech Republic, during 2020 and 2021. We evaluated the daily and monthly changes in erythemal dose and UV index. The maximum daily dose of 5.0 kJ.m-2 (8.9 of UV index) was measured on 28 June 2020 at Vysoká hole. The maximal UV index of 10.1 was observed at Luční bouda on 5 July 2020, while the maximum daily dose of 4.9 kJ.m-2 occurred on 14 June 2021. The main factors that caused changes in solar UV radiation were the amount of cloud cover as well as the total ozone column.

Geosites of Northern Mountainous Adygeya (Southwestern Russia): A Novel Vision

Territorial inventories of geosites remain on the international agenda, and they can help in acquiring information for solving pure geological research tasks. New field investigations in the northern part of Mountainous Adygeya (geoheritage-rich territory in the western Greater Caucasus) permitted us to extend our knowledge of its geosites. Five geosites were described qualitatively and assessed semi-quantitatively, namely the Polkovnitskaya River Valley (ammonite-bearing concretions of Aptian glauconitic sandstones), the Little Khadzhokh River Valley (Aptian glauconitic sandstones with fossils and trace fossils), the Shakhan and Middle Khadzhokh River Valley (Upper Jurassic variegated siliciclastics, Hauterivian fluvial and deltaic sandstones, mixed ancient and modern clastic material), the Big Khadzhoh Waterfall (splendid waterfall and exposures of locally folded Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian limestones), and the Verblyud Mountain (small, camel-shaped cuesta’s remnant). They were ranked nationally (one geosite), regionally (three geosites), and locally (one geosite). Close examination of the considered geosites permitted to register pure geological peculiarities (changes in the dip direction between sedimentary packages), which indicate the tectonic activity across the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition. Additionally, complex accessibility patterns were established in some geosites, and these patterns should be addressed in further refinements of the semi-quantitative approaches to geosite assessment.

Impact of Human Resource Management on Innovation of Higher Education Lecturers: A Case Study at Local Universities in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous Region of Vietnam

The study was conducted to measure the impact of human resource management on the innovation of higher education lecturers in Vietnam. The research data were collected through surveys of 223 lecturers working at local universities in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region of Vietnam. The quantitative results indicated that 8 groups of HRM practices, including recruitment, training, career development, job assurance, performance-based appraisal, job description, financial compensation, and participation, have a positive influence on lecturers' innovation. Knowledge sharing and organizational commitment have been proven to be the mediators in the relationship between HRM and individual innovation results. Based on the research results, the authors proposed recommendations to improve HRM practices to motivate lecturers' innovation among lecturers for the development of the university and national higher education.

New chronology evidence of prehistoric human activities indicated by pottery luminescence dating in the humid subtropical mountains of South China

The age of prehistoric human sites serves as a fundamental basis for studying the relationship between human activities and landscape changes in the humid subtropical mountains of South China. The presence of pottery in these archaeological sites is widespread and offers a valuable resource for precise dating purposes. The Longtoushan (LTS) site, located in the northern mountains of Fujian Province, contains a rich variety of pottery types from various periods, representing a rare multi-period stratigraphic overlap in this area and playing a crucial role in constructing the cultural sequence and lineage of prehistoric and ancient times in this region. In this study, we employed thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques to establish the age of pottery samples collected from the LTS site situated in the upper Minjiang River region of southeast China for the first time, while also comparing our findings with other dating methods to construct a chronological framework for the site. The results showed that: (1) The samples analyzed in this study can be classified according to the peak strength of 325 °C TL signal at natural and regenerative doses of quartz. Samples with weak TL signal at 325 °C (type II samples) showed high recuperation and equivalent dose underestimation at a low preheat temperature (220 °C) in OSL test. (2) Conventional SAR procedures employed for type I samples are not suitable for type II samples. Type II samples require additional OSL stimulation towards the end of the cycle and an extended stimulation duration. (3) The application of various dating methods has revealed that the LTS site represents a long-term settlement in the humid subtropical mountains of South China, commencing around 4.6–4.4 thousand years ago (ka). Specifically, the dating of pottery pieces from kiln sites and tombs in the late Neolithic period provides a specific temporal reference for further understanding of prehistoric human culture and production behavior in the humid mountains of Fujian.

Comparing the process of converting land use purposes between socio-economic regions in Vietnam from 2007 to 2020

Abstract Reporting land use changes over time is important for evaluating land resource management. This study applied GIS technology to determine land use fluctuations for the entire mainland territory in Vietnam. In particular, the research focused on two main issues: (1) spatial fluctuations of some main land groups in Vietnam, and(2) the rate of land use change in socio-economic regions in the two periods 2007–2016 and 2016–2020. Research results showed that the Forests land group showed a growth of over 14% and spatial fluctuations took place in all regions, except for two regions with little change in this land group: Red River Delta (RRD) and Mekong River Delta (MRD). Meanwhile, crops decreased by over 16% from 2007–2020 and appeared heavily in the Northern Midlands and Mountains (NMR), North Central and Central Coast regions (NCR), and Central Highlands region (CHR). Urban land group increased by 3% during 2007–2020. The speed of land use conversion also showed different results between economic regions and inthe two research periods. The results showed that the recent research period witnessed a higher rate of land use conversion in the regions compared to the period 2007–2016. In particular, the NMR region showed that the conversion rate was the largest in both stages.

Effectiveness of the lockdown policy in Vietnam during the COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the absence of vaccines and effective treatments, governments worldwide have implemented lockdown policies as non-pharmaceutical interventions to flatten the infection curve. This study evaluates the effectiveness of containment policies implemented at the local level in Vietnam. Data were synthesized from 143 policy interventions across 49 provinces and centrally run cities from April 27 to October 1, 2021, and an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to estimate the effectiveness of each intervention. A random-effects meta-analysis was then conducted to combine the results based on different criteria. This analysis found that Directives No.15/CT-TTg and No.16/CT-TTg were successfully implemented in the provinces of Northern Midlands and Mountains, Red River Delta, North Central, Central Coastline, and Central Highlands. However, these directives were less effective when employed in the Southeast and the Mekong Delta areas. Furthermore, the ITS analysis indicates that Ho Chi Minh City and provinces in the Southeast region implemented stringent lockdown directives later than other regions, leading to the loss of control over the pandemic during the study period. In-depth studies on lockdown interventions could provide valuable insights for policymakers in managing future outbreaks, particularly considering the time required for the development of vaccines and drugs.

Training Teachers' Capacity to Detect Student Psychological Difficulties - A Case Study in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam

Training Teachers' Capacity to Detect Student Psychological Difficulties - A Case Study in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam

Community-based Tourism Governance towards Sustainable Development in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam: A Case Study of Hoa Binh Province

Community-based Tourism (CBT) stands as a pivotal approach for sustainable tourism and poverty alleviation in marginalized Northern Vietnamese rural communities. In Hoa Binh province, a region rich in ethnic diversity engaged in CBT, a research gap exists concerning CBT governance. This study addresses this gap by exploring how CBT governance is organized in five villages of Mai Chau and Da Bac district, Hoa Binh province, by identifying relevant actors, institutions, and resources, and how it addresses the challenge of sustainable (tourism) development. To this end, a combination of semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observation were used. The results showed the complexity of CBT governance in Hoa Binh, and the many different manifestations of CBT in the different villages. The paper also analyzed factors that explain these differences, such as the historical or ethnic composition of the local community, biophysical conditions, community rules, and attributes of external factors. It also presents the complexity of the relationship between the development of CBT and sustainable development challenges.

Contemporary Trends in the Spatial Extent of Common Riverine Fish Species in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin

As one of the world’s most regulated river basins, the semi-arid Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) in south-eastern Australia is considered at high ecological risk, with substantial declines in native fish populations already identified and climate change threats looming. This places great importance on the collection and use of data to document population trends over large spatial extents, inform management decisions, and provide baselines from which change can be measured. We used two medium-term data sets (10 MDB basin-wide fish surveys from 2004–2022) covering the 23 catchments and 68 sub-catchments of the MDB to investigate trends in the distribution of common riverine species at the entire basin scale. Fifteen native species were analysed for changes in their contemporary range, and whilst short-term changes were identified, all species showed no significant continuous trend over the study period. We further analysed the native species extent relative to their historic records, with bony herring and golden perch occurring in 78% and 68% of their historic river kilometres, respectively, whereas southern pygmy perch, northern river blackfish, silver perch, mountain galaxias, and freshwater catfish were all estimated to occur in less than 10% of their historic extent. Six established non-native species were also analysed and were very consistent in extent over the years, suggesting that they are near the available limits of expansion of their invasion. We provide effect sizes for the spatial extent index which can be used as baselines for future studies, especially those aiming to monitor changes in the spatial extent and population status of native species, or changes in the spatial extent of new or existing non-native species.

Inclusive Education Organization Skills of Preschool Teachers: An Exploratory Study in The Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam

Inclusive Education Organization Skills of Preschool Teachers: An Exploratory Study in The Northern Mountainous Regions of Vietnam

Population genetics of caribou in the Alaska-Yukon border region: implications for designation of conservation units and small herd persistence

Better knowledge of genetic relationships between the Fortymile caribou herd and its neighbors is needed for conservation decision-making in Canada. Here, we contribute the first fine-scale analysis of genetic population structure in nine contiguous caribou herds at the geographic boundaries between Barren-ground and Northern Mountain caribou, and at the Alaska-Yukon border. Using pairwise differentiation metrics, STRUCTURE, and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) to analyze 15 microsatellite loci in 379 caribou, we found complex patterns of genetic differentiation. The Fortymile was the only herd assigned to more than one genetic cluster, indicative of its history as a larger herd whose range expansions and gene flow to other herds were likely important to maintaining diversity across a functioning genetic metapopulation. Some small herds (Chisana, Klaza, and White Mountains) were genetically distinct, while others (Hart River, Clear Creek, Mentasta) exhibited little differentiation from herds they occasionally overlap, including herds assigned to different conservation units (DUs). This genetic connectivity does not result from demographic connectivity, as episodic contact during rut, rather than herd switching, is the likely mechanism. Unusually, one small herd (White Mountains) maintained genetic differentiation despite rut overlap with Fortymile. Our data reveal that some herds with different ecological and behavioral attributes are demographically independent but nonetheless genetically connected. Thus, we suggest that managing caribou for an appropriate level of genetic connectivity, while also supporting herd persistence, will be essential to conserve caribou genetic diversity in the region.

Identifying the priority areas for ecological protection considering ecological connectivity and ecosystem integrity: A case study of Xianyang City, China

Identifying ecological protection priority areas (EPPAs) in municipal areas is essential for accurate ecological restoration and ensuring sustainable regional development. Xianyang represents a typical medium-sized city that is currently grappling with the dual challenges of ecological restoration and urban development. This study employed a multi-criteria method to evaluate ecological importance, considering both ecosystem services and ecological vulnerability. Based on this, ecological corridors and pinch points that enhance ecological connectivity were delineated using the circuit theory. Subsequently, the integrity of ecosystems is assessed from structural and functional perspectives to ensure their health and stability. With the support of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, the three important areas for ecological protection were integrated to designate EPPAs. The results showed that: (1) the extremely important area spans 1956.44 km2, primarily made up of forests and grasslands. (2) There were found to be 19 ecological sources, 26 ecological corridors, and 23 ecological pinch points. (3) With excellent ecosystem integrity, the region was dominated by eco-lands, which accounted for 2692.71 km2. (4) In the end, this study identified 3328.83 km2 of EPPAs, 32.65 % of the study area. These are primarily located in the northern mountains and major watersheds. Human activities are found as the most important factor for the overall spatial variations in the area. A multi-level framework was developed to establish a continuous, comprehensive, and systematic method for identifying EPPAs, thereby enhancing ecological restoration, protection, and the sustainable use of regional ecosystems.

Coking exhaust contributes to airborne particulate matter in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region

Coking was regarded as a predominant source of air pollution. Despite the adoption of more environmentally friendly equipment, whether the coking enterprises in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region are still causing regional air pollution is worthy of study, which is essential for the control of coking enterprises in this area. To improve the prediction accuracy of large-scale air pollutant distribution, the air particle distribution in the BTH region was simulated via land use regression (LUR) combined with Bayesian maximum entropy (BME); then, the distribution was correlated with the exhaust gas emitted from coking enterprises. Results indicated that the R2 of the “LUR + BME” method reached 0.95, higher than 0.82 using LUR alone. The air quality distribution presented a pattern of “low in the northern mountains and high in the southern plains”, similar to the distribution of coking enterprises in BTH region. A significant correlation was found between exhaust emissions from coking enterprises and air quality in the BTH region, confirming the contribution of coking emissions to air pollution in this region, and the necessity to continue the strict control on coking enterprises in BTH area.

Factors Influencing Primary Teachers' Ability to Assess Learners in Vietnam's Northern Mountainous Regions under the 2018 General Education Program

As an essential part of the educational process, assessment demands that teachers be skilled in assessing students. This study looks into the elements that affect students' ability to appraise themselves in the General Education Program of 2018, with an emphasis on primary teachers in Vietnam's northern mountainous areas. The exploratory factor analysis, or EFA, methodology is used in this article. In order to conduct the poll, primary school teachers in Vietnam's northern highland regions were given 28 questions. Four major characteristics are found to have an impact on learners' evaluation abilities by the General Education Program 2018, based on a sample size of 149 participants. These variables include: 1) How teachers view assessment; 2) How students feel about assessment activities; 3) The supervision and direction provided by educational administrators; and 4) The degree to which teachers use assessment techniques. Finding these important variables makes it easier for school administrators to put policies into place that will improve teachers' abilities to assess students, which will improve how well the teaching process is carried out and raise the caliber and competency of the 2018 General Education Program. Moreover, this study might be used as a guide by future researchers who want to investigate fresh research ideas in this field.