Terraced Fields Research Articles

Magnitude and hotspots of soil erosion types during heavy rainstorm events on the Loess Plateau: Implications for watershed management

In the context of climate change, rainstorm events are becoming increasingly frequent. In particular, on the Loess Plateau, heavy rainstorms are the primary cause of soil erosion. This study investigated and analysed different types of soil erosion hotspots and influencing factors in small watersheds under different rainstorm events in different areas of the Loess Plateau. The results indicate that the erosion intensities of rills, gullies, landslides and collapses ranged from 13600-46244, 1982-772201, 1163-172153 t km-2 and 1867-94985 t km-2, respectively. Newly constructed terraces exhibited an erosion intensity 1.6 times greater than that of old terraces, while terraces constructed before the rainy season in the current year exhibited an erosion damage intensity 2.6 times greater than that of terraces constructed after the rainy season in the previous year. In addition, under rainstorm conditions, landslides represented the most severe type of erosion in the watersheds, with the maximum amount of erosion accounting for more than 90 % of the total erosion amount, followed by gully or collapse erosion, with the collapse of terrace risers as the main contributor. Slope cultivation land, unpaved roads, terrace risers, and valley slopes below the gully shoulder line were identified as erosion hotspot areas. Rainstorm erosion was significantly influenced by the land use type and slope, which explained 14.2 %-41.5 % and 9.7 %-15.1 %, respectively, of the total variance in erosion intensity. We suggest that soil erosion prevention and control efforts on the Loess Plateau should focus on landslides on valley slopes below gully shoulder lines, followed by gullies on unpaved roads and the collapse of terraced fields. Drainage ditches and water cellars should be constructed above the gully shoulder line and on the inside of roads and terraces, thereby reducing erosion. Our research is crucial for optimizing and adjusting watershed management measures and preventing rainstorm erosion disasters.

Soil Erosion Characteristics of the Agricultural Terrace Induced by Heavy Rainfalls on Chinese Loess Plateau: A Case Study

Terrace erosion has become increasingly pronounced due to the rising incidence of heavy rainfalls resulting from global climate change; however, the processes and mechanisms governing erosion of loess terraces during such events remain poorly understood. A field investigation was performed following a heavy rainfall event in the Tangjiahe Basin to examine the soil erosion characteristics of loess terraces subjected to heavy rainfall events. The results show that various types of erosion occurred on the terraced fields, including rill, gully, and scour hole in water erosion, and sink hole, collapse, and shallow landslide in gravity erosion. Rill erosion and shallow landslide erosion exhibited the highest frequency of occurrence on the new and old terraces, respectively. The erosion moduli of the gully, scour hole, and sink hole on the new terraces were 171.0%, 119.5%, and 308.7% greater than those on the old terraces, respectively. In contrast, lower moduli of collapse and landslide were observed on the new terraces in comparison to the old terraces, reflecting reductions of 34.2% and 23.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the modulus of water erosion (32,102 t/km2) was 4.5 times that of gravity erosion on the new terraces. Conversely, on the old terrace, the modulus of gravity erosion (8804.1 t/km2) exceeded that of water erosion by 14.5%. Gully erosion and collapse dominated the erosion processes, contributing 67.8% and 9.4% to soil erosion on the new terraces and 38.7% and 34.0%, respectively, on the old terraces. In the study area, the new terraces experienced significantly greater erosion (39,252 t/km2) compared to the old terraces (16,491 t/km2). Plastic film mulching, loose and bare ridges and walls, inclined terrace platforms, and high terrace walls, as well as the developing flow paths, might be the key factors promoting the severe erosion of the terraces during heavy rainfall. Improvements in terrace design, construction technologies, temporary protective measures, agricultural techniques, and management strategies could enhance the prevention of soil erosion on terraces during heavy rainfall events.

Rainfall-induced Guilong landslide-mudflow in a terraced field of southwestern China on 22 June 2022

Rainfall-induced Guilong landslide-mudflow in a terraced field of southwestern China on 22 June 2022

Effect of Land Use Type on Soil Moisture Dynamics in the Sloping Lands of the Black Soil (Mollisols) Region of Northeast China

This study investigates the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soil moisture on slopes of China’s northeastern black soil region, focusing on the effects of terrain adjustment and vegetation. Soil moisture dynamics in the 0–60 cm soil layer were measured at 10 cm intervals using the TRIME-PICO64 TDR® device on slopes with similar gradients representing three land use types: transverse ridge tillage (TRT) farmland, terraced fields (TFs) farmland, and pure forest woodland (WL). The results indicate significant variations in soil moisture content and water storage across different land use types in the order of TF > TRT > WL. The study further identified that soil bulk density, porosity, and water-holding indicators were in the order of WL > TF > TRT, inconsistent with the soil moisture results, indicating that soil quality cannot be the sole reason for the differences in moisture. The moisture differences between farmland types (TRT and TF) and WL are substantial, especially during the rainy season. In the rainy season (0–60 cm) and the dry season (30–60 cm), significant differences in moisture content are observed (p < 0.05). Significant differences in moisture content between farmland types are found at 0–40 cm during the rainy season and at 0–10 cm during the dry season. In the rainy season, soil moisture for TRT and TFs first decreases from 26.76% and 30.85% to 22.44% and 25.38%, then slightly increases to 27.01% and 27.07% along the slope. Meanwhile, WL displays the opposite pattern on upper, relatively steep slopes, with soil moisture increasing from 16.66% to 17.81%, and exhibits a pattern of change similar to TRT and TFs on lower, gentler slopes. TFs consistently show higher soil moisture and water storage at all slope positions than TRT and WL. TFs improve soil quality, reduce erosion and sedimentation, and shift the lowest soil moisture content to a lower slope position. During the dry season, soil moisture differences between slope positions for TRT and WL were small. In general, terracing can effectively modulate moisture distribution along slopes, increasing moisture by an average of 0.26~12.43%, while afforestation, despite improving soil quality, leads to an 18.14~31.13% reduction in soil moisture content, with the impact being particularly significant during the rainy season. These findings provide important insights for optimizing land use and ecological construction, including keeping the balance between soil and water conservation, especially for sub-humid slope terrain areas.

The response of non-point source pollution to climate change in an orchard-dominant coastal watershed

China is the largest global orchard distribution area, where high fertilization rates, complex terrain, and uncertainties associated with future climate change present challenges in managing non-point source pollution (NPSP) in orchard-dominant growing areas (ODGA). Given the complex processes of climate, hydrology, and soil nutrient loss, this study utilized an enhanced Soil and Water Assessment Tool model (SWAT-CO2) to investigate the impact of future climate on NPSP in ODGA in a coastal basin of North China. Our investigation focused on climate-induced variations in hydrology, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) losses in soil, considering three Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) climate scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Research results indicated that continuous changes in CO2 levels significantly influenced evapotranspiration (ET) and water yield in ODGA. Influenced by sandy soils, nitrate leaching through percolation was the principal pathway for N loss in the ODGA. Surface runoff was identified as the primary pathway for P loss. Compared to the reference period (1971–2000), under three future climate scenarios, the increase in precipitation of ODGA ranged from 15% to 28%, while the growth rates of P loss and surface runoff were the most significant, both exceeding 120%. Orchards in the northwest basin proved susceptible to nitrate leaching, while others were more sensitive to N and P losses via surface runoff. Implementing targeted strategies, such as augmenting organic fertilizer usage and constructing terraced fields, based on ODGA's response characteristics to future climate, could effectively improve the basin's environment.

Chapter 9. Feral fields of Northern Dalmatia (Croatia)

AbstractHow do we identify ancient fields and farming systems in areas where the same spaces of cultivation have been used repeatedly over thousands of years? In the limestone karst landscapes of northern Dalmatia, on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, drystone field walls, terraces, and cairns are common features that attest to generations of working the land for agriculture. While confounding archaeological objects due to complex histories of reuse, drystone terraced field systems throughout the Mediterranean are believed to have roots in ancient and prehistoric land use. Against this backdrop, this paper works to better understand the dynamic patterns and outcomes of field “recycling” through multiple lines of evidence for long‐term changes in cropping patterns and agroecology in multi‐millennial agricultural landscapes of northern Dalmatia. We compare archaeobotanical data from the Ravni Kotari plain to documents of preindustrial land use from the 1826 Franciscan cadastre. We also draw upon contemporary observations of traditionally managed, semi‐wild olive groves on the nearby Adriatic island of Ugljan to better understand the land‐use legacies inherent in the landscapes of northern Dalmatia today. These data show that, despite a relatively static agricultural built environment of field walls and terraces, Dalmatian communities held historically dynamic relationships with domesticated and wild plant ecologies. Prehistoric integration of cereal agriculture with wild forest resources appears to have shifted to commercial‐scale domesticated arboriculture in the Classical period, leaving a multifaceted legacy of commercial agriculture, traditional farming, and rewilding among the contemporary cultural landscapes of Dalmatia.

The Construction and Application of a Model for Evaluating Tourism Climate Suitability in Terraced Agricultural Cultural Heritage Sites: A Case Study of Longji Terraced Fields in China

As one of the globally significant agricultural cultural heritages, Longji Terraced Fields in Longsheng, Guangxi, China, attract numerous tourists. This study aims to describe the weather phenomena and climate change characteristics of Longji Terraced Fields in recent years to reveal their impact on the tourism economy. Utilizing meteorological station data and considering the actual situation in Longsheng, Guilin, the existing models for evaluating tourism climate comfort are improved. The tourism climate comfort of Longji Terraced Fields from 2002 to 2022 is discussed. The results show that the improved model can better reflect the local situation. The results show that the current Holiday Climate Index and Modified Climate Index for Tourism are not suitable for evaluating the Longji Terraces. Adjustments were made to these indices to account for the high annual precipitation and relative humidity of Longsheng. Combining extensive questionnaire surveys, it was found that the improved evaluation model better reflects tourists’ perceptions of climate comfort. Analysis indicates that when the modified model value is above 70, tourist satisfaction exceeds 80%. The most comfortable tourism periods for the Longji Terraces are August, September, and October, while the least comfortable periods are January, February, and March. This study helps to understand the seasonal variations in tourism climate comfort at Longji Terraced Fields and provides a scientific basis for local tourism industry responses to climate change, thereby increasing tourism revenue.

Environmental Constraints and Human Agency in Early Medieval Village Formation: A Geoarchaeological Approach in the Western Pyrenees (Navarre, Spain)

ABSTRACT The interaction between human agency and environmental factors is a key topic in the archaeological study of early medieval village formation. Such interactions are particularly visible in the construction and maintenance of agrarian landscapes, which often become central to the local socio-economic development. This article explores these processes in a local context of the western Pyrenees (Navarre, Spain) through a combined analysis of documentary sources, toponymy, field survey, and core sampling for geochemical analysis. The foundations of the local landscape were laid down in the Early Middle Ages, closely related to the establishment of a village settlement and the collective appropriation of agrarian resources. The local geological and soil features, marked by the presence of thick and soft, mineral nutrient-rich soils derived from the weathered volcanic rock substrate, permitted the construction and maintenance of a terraced field system. This fact has been key for later landscape evolution at the local and regional scales, including the formation of a supra-local valley community during the Late Middle Ages, or the deep agrarian and demographic transformations that followed the introduction of New World crops during the Early Modern period.

Rural Tourism Design Strategy Under The Immersive Experience——A Case Study of Terraced Fields in Qingkou Village, Yuanyang, Yunnan, China

Objective: The objective of this study is to explores the current problems of rural tourism in Yuanyang Turnip Kou through the study of the immersion concept, and its main purpose is to explore the development strategy of rural tourism in Turnip Kou under the immersion concept, and its ultimate goal is to promote the economic Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. Immersive experience stand out, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises case study, and the specific practice and effect of immersive experience in rural tourism improvement are analyzed through interviews and observations. Focus on examining the immersive experience concept, implementation process, participant feedback and impact on local economic, social and cultural development of art projects. Results and Discussion: Combining rural tourism and immersive experience is conducive to creating colorful rural tourism activities and enhancing the interest of tourists in the tourism process. Research Implications: This study provides valuable concept of immersive experience, this paper will analyze the characteristics of immersive experience and the development of tourism in Qingkou Village, and discuss the application method of immersive experience in rural tourism, so as to promote the sustainable development of rural tourism in Qingkou Village in Yuanyang. Originality/Value: This study has great significance to study the design strategy of immersive rural tourism using the terraced fields of Turnip Kou Village in Yuanyang, China as a case study. Combining local culture with the concept of immersive experience, creatively designing rich experience programmes, such as farming interaction and handicraft experience, will deepen tourists' understanding of local culture. Enhance the experience with the help of modern technology, such as virtual reality. This move not only taps into local culture, but also promotes the sustainable development of rural tourism.

Influence of Spring Water Residence Time on the Irrigation Water Stability in the Hani Rice Terraces

The stability of irrigation water is critical for the sustainability of alpine agriculture. Based on monthly precipitation and terraced field water and spring water samples obtained between 2015 and 2016, the study used the mean residence time and isotope mixing model to analyze the influence of spring water residence time on irrigation water stability in the Hani Rice Terraces. The results indicate that: (1) The mean residence time of precipitation and terraced field water in spring water was 2.46 years and 1.55 years, respectively, implying that the terraced field’s irrigation water source could be refilled by spring water recharged 1.5–2.5 years ago. (2) The mean residence time of precipitation in ascending and descending springs was 2.73 years and 1.95 years, respectively. The mean residence time of terraced field water in ascending and descending springs was 1.54 years and 1.04 years, respectively. The ascending spring’s recharge water residence time is 0.5–0.8 years longer than that of the descending spring, indicating that the spring water exhibits intra-seasonal and inter-seasonal staggered peak recharging. At the same time, the total recharge period of the ascending–descending spring is extended to 1–3 years, which means the terraced fields have a drought resistance of three years. (3) The mean residence time of precipitation and terraced field water at higher altitudes in the ascending spring is 2.52 times and 3.73 times, respectively, while in the descending spring, it is 3.36 times and 6.49 times to the lower altitude region. This means that the mean residence time of the recharge water source in the lower terraced fields was shorter, and the elevation difference between ascending and descending springs was smaller, thereby regulating the spatial homogeneous distribution of recharge water sources in the terraced fields.

Arid agroecosystem plant diversity results from habitat-specific traditional management

In the arid landscapes of South Morocco's Saharan fringe, traditional agroecosystems stand out for their rich diversity of segetal vegetation. This study examines the segetal flora of these unique agroecosystems, investigating their richness, community characteristics and composition. We collected 155 relevés in fields located in the Guelmim province comprising three agroecosystem types: Oases, terraced and floodplain fields (faïd). We found 221 vascular plant species including seven regional endemics and one nationally very rare species. Using TWINSPAN, we identified three plant communities, each restricted to a specific agroecosystem type, displaying differences in species composition, floristic status, life-form and biogeographical spectra. Oasis vegetation had the highest overall number of species, terraced fields had the highest diversity, and therophytes were dominant across all communities, with faïds being the most therophyte-rich. The pan-Mediterranean chorotype dominated all three community types. Apophytes dominated, particularly in faïd and terraced fields, surpassing oasis fields rich in ruderals. We found that traditional cereal agroecosystems in southern Morocco harbor species-rich segetal plant communities created by habitat-based land-use systems. Our results highlight the significance of agricultural practices and local abiotic factors in shaping the agroecosystems, which are adapted to arid environments and sensitive to environmental and social changes.

Spring applied phosphorus loss with cover crops in no-till terraced field

Cover crops (CC) can improve phosphorus (P) cycling by reducing water related P losses and contributing to P nutrition of a rotational crop. This is particularly important in claypan soils with freeze-thaw cycles in early spring in the Midwest U.S. This 4-year study (2019–2022) examined the impact of CC monoculture and mix of CC species on P losses from a fertilizer application, and determined the P balance in soil compared to no cover crop (noCC). The CC mix consisted of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), radish (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. Sativus), and turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. Rapa) (3xCCmix) in 2019 and 2021 before corn, and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) was planted as monoculture before soybean in 2020 and 2022. The 3xCCmix had no effect on total phosphorus (TP) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (PO4–P) concentration or load in 2019 and 2021. Cereal rye reduced TP and PO4–P load 70% and 73%, respectively, compared to noCC. The variation in soil moisture, temperature, and net precipitation from fertilizer application until CC termination affected available soil P pools due to variability in CC species P uptake, residue decomposition, and P loss in surface water runoff. Overall, the P budget calculations showed cereal rye had 2.4 kg ha−1 greater P uptake compared to the 3xCCmix species which also reduced P loss in water and had greater differences in soil P status compared to noCC. This study highlights the benefit of CCs in reducing P loss in surface runoff and immobilizing P through plant uptake. However, these effects were minimal with 3xCCmix species and variability in crop residue decomposition from different CC species could affect overall P-soil balance.

Extraction of Terraces in Hilly Areas from Remote Sensing Images Using DEM and Improved U-Net

To extract terraced fields in hilly areas on a large scale in an automated and high-precision manner, this paper proposes a terrace extraction method that combines the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Sentinel-2 imagery, and the improved U-Net semantic segmentation model. The U-Net model is modified by introducing Attention Gate modules into its decoding modules to suppress the interference of redundant features and adding Dropout and Batch Normalization layers to improve training speed, robustness, and fitting ability. In addition, the DEM band is combined with the red, green, and blue bands of the remote sensing images to make full use of terrain information. The experimental results show that the Precision, Recall, F1 score, and Mean Intersection over Union of the proposed method for terrace extraction are improved to other mainstream advanced methods, and the internal information of the terraces extracted is more complete, with fewer false positive and false negative results.

Where tourism fails: the (un)making of a post-working landscape in the Italian Alps

This paper develops the notion of post-working landscape to describe how labour, largely no longer performed, continues to shape how local communities understand their landscape in two Alpine valleys in Italy’s Trentino Province. Following the abandonment of mountain agriculture, the landscape here is undergoing a process of rewilding, as part of which human traces (terrace fields, mountain pastures, etc.) are being erased. Post-working landscapes thus evoke a sense of loss, but also an intimate and embodied tie with the land. I mobilise this framework to discuss why tourism – a crucial economic activity in this part of northern Italy, but strikingly absent from the case study I analyse – is locally perceived in ambiguous terms, and often openly resisted.

Mechanisms Underlying the Overturning Failure of Terraced Field Side Walls Due to Expansive Soil Swelling During Layer‐By‐Layer Saturation

The stability of side walls in terraced fields constructed within expansive soil regions represents a critical challenge, often leading to structural failure due to the unique wetting–swelling behavior of the soil. This study employs a comprehensive approach, integrating analytical and numerical methods to elucidate the mechanism of overturning failure attributed to the swelling effect of expansive soil under conditions of layer‐by‐layer saturation. Initially, the earth pressure acting on side walls, constructed from fiber ecological bags, is assessed in their natural, unsaturated state using Bishop’s formula for unsaturated shear strength. The study further explores the failure mode through one‐dimensional analytical analysis, focusing on the horizontal and unrestrained expansion of expansive soil during progressive saturation. Subsequently, the deformation of the side wall and the swelling effect of the soil are numerically evaluated. This is achieved by analogizing the wetting–swelling deformation field in expansive soil to an equivalent temperature field, thereby facilitating the use of finite element numerical simulation to investigate the overturning failure mechanism. Findings indicate that in the natural unsaturated state, the side walls remain stable under no earth pressure. However, as saturation depth attains a critical depth of 1.4 m during layer‐by‐layer saturation, the upper wall rotates outward in the form of local overturning failure, and the corresponding infiltration saturation depth is the critical depth for the local instability of the side wall. The investigation identifies the wetting–swelling effect as the predominant factor leading to the structural failure of side walls in terraced fields situated in expansive soil areas. Moreover, a critical infiltration saturation depth of 2.6 m is determined, beyond which the stability of the side walls is compromised. This research contributes significantly to the understanding of the failure mechanisms affecting terraced agricultural infrastructures in expansive soil regions, offering a theoretical foundation for the development of more resilient construction strategies.

Quantification of ecosystem service value and its guidance to land use strategy in Loess Plateau region: A case study of Qingyang City

Abstract Alterations in land use strategies significantly influence regional sustainable development, affecting ecosystem service functions, surface energy balance, and biodiversity. This study explores the impact of ecosystem service values on land use within Qingyang City, situated in the Loess Plateau. We employ an index system to assess ecosystem services at the Loess Plateau across four dimensions—supply, regulation, culture, and support. Utilizing physical and ecological value equivalent factors, we quantify these indices and the value of Qingyang City’s ecological service system. Specifically, the ecosystem equivalent factors for sloped cropland and terraced fields in Qingyang City are quantified as 1.1545 and 1.9788, respectively. Our findings reveal that ecosystem services significantly influence land use; notably, cropland and grassland, which collectively provide approximately 98% of climate regulation services, have experienced a reduction in their total climate regulation capacity by −14.19% and −9.42%, respectively, from 2010 to 2020. This reduction highlights a marked weakening in the climate regulatory capabilities of these land types, underscoring the need for Qingyang City to reassess and adjust its land use strategies to enhance the climate regulation service capacities of cropland and grassland.

Nutritional characterization on growth and ionome profiles in Japanese wasabi cultivars (Eutrema japonicum) under hydroponics

ABSTRACT Japanese wasabi is traditionally cultivated in terraced fields with running stream water conditions which typically produce a high-quality of yield. Previous studies have explored some of the effects of water nutrient status under such conditions; however, the relationship between water nutrient status in these cultivation conditions and the growth and quality of wasabi is still completely unknown. We evaluated the effects of nutrient strength, inorganic nitrogen sources, and pH of the medium on the growth of wasabi plants. Then, we analyzed the photosynthetic capacity and the ionomes of two major Japanese wasabi cultivars (‘Onimidori,’ an early-growing green-stem type; and ‘Mazuma No.1,’ a late-growing red-stem type) grown under a range of pH conditions. These experiments were conducted using a hydroponic system. Wasabi plants showed the best shoot and root growth in 1/10- and 1/2-strength Hoagland’s solution with a 50:50 ratio of NH4-N:NO3-N. On the basis of the accumulation patterns of NO3 −, amino acids, and chlorophylls, the 1/10-strength nutrient solution provided optimal conditions for wasabi growth. For both wasabi cultivars, the best shoot and root growth was in medium at pH 6.0. The photosynthetic capacity of ‘Onimidori’ was greater than that of ‘Mazuma No.1,’ suggesting that this may contribute to the faster growth of ‘Onimidori.’ Ionome analyses revealed tissue-specific mineral accumulation patterns and their differences among different pH conditions and between the two cultivars. Ionome-based multiple-regression analysis revealed a relationship between element concentration profiles in the wasabi plants, especially those in root, and the shoot growth. Wasabi plants are ammonium-sensitive and nitrate-preferring plants, in addition to relatively low nutrient requirements for optimal growth. The results of this study describe the basic nutritional characteristics of wasabi plants. These findings represent an important step toward optimizing fertilization to control wasabi quality and growth in the traditional flooded cultivation system.

Host and environmental influences on the gut bacterial community of carabid beetles in distinct paddy fields

AbstractThe relationship between the gut bacterial communities of carabid beetles and their habitats holds implications for understanding ecological dynamics. This study examined the gut bacterial communities of two carabid beetle species, Chlaenius pallipes and Pheropsophus jessoensis, in terraced and flat paddy fields. Differences in gut bacterial communities were evident at the species level and were based on habitat. Specifically, P. jessoensis had a greater presence of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in terraced fields but more Actinobacteria in flatland fields. In comparison, C. pallipes consistently showed high levels of Firmicutes in both habitats. These differences were reflected at class and genus levels, emphasizing the role of host specificity in shaping gut microbiota. Alpha diversity metrics indicated that P. jessoensis hosted a more diverse bacterial community than C. pallipes. Terraced fields, however, showed slightly reduced diversity in P. jessoensis, suggesting environmental effects on microbial populations. Beta diversity analysis using Bray–Curtis distances differentiated the bacterial communities of the two beetles. Multivariate analysis of variance reinforced these findings. Insights from the Sloan neutral model indicate that environmental factors predominantly influence bacterial community assembly through stochastic processes. Functionally, metabolism was highlighted, indicating the role of gut bacteria in beetle metabolic processes. Notably, energy metabolism varied between field types, revealing environmental effects on gut bacterial functions. This study offers in‐depth insights into interactions between host‐specific and environmental factors influencing gut bacterial communities of carabid beetles, contributing to a broader understanding of microbial ecology and the roles of environment and host in microbiota dynamics.

Mu Cang Chai Terraced Fields with Sustainable Tourism Development

Terraced fields are a type of cultural heritage with a long history associated with the residence history of ethnic groups. These magnificent cultural heritages mark wet-rice agricultural science's remarkable development and progress on steep mountain slopes. Mu Cang Chai is a highland district of Yen Bai province - Vietnam. Mu Cang Chai terraced fields are extraordinary national landscapes and unique tourism resources. This cultural heritage has been attracting the attention of many people, especially domestic and international scientists and tourists. The article outlines typical features of Mu Cang Chai terraced fields, assesses the current situation, points out strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges, and proposes solutions to exploit this scenic spot to sustain local tourism development.

Long-term terrace change and ecosystem service response in an inland mountain province of China

The exploration of terrace change and its associated ecosystem services (ESs) provides invaluable insights into the intricate interplay between engineering initiatives and environmental conditions. This understanding is crucial in designing strategic plans for environmental management. However, how terraced fields area change and influence ESs over an extended period at a regional scale remain relatively unknown. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study focused on terraces in Gansu Province (a typical inland mountain province), Northwestern China, by dividing the study area into seven regions, the quality and value benefits of unit area, the overall and cumulative of terraces were calculated for each region in Gansu province based on remote-sensing data, meteorological data, terraced area and benefits data. In this regard, the distribution, spatiotemporal changes and ESs associated with terraced fields in Gansu were examined from 1990 to 2020. The results show that: (i) terraces with the area of 2.20 × 104 km2 accounts for 81.34 % of counties(districts) of Gansu province in 2020, mainly located in the loess hilly and gully region (82.72 %). (ii) From 1990 to 2020, the terrace area in Gansu expanded from 8.13 × 103 to 2.20 × 104 km2, peaking at 636.73 km2/yr during 1990–2000, with notable spatial heterogeneity. (iii) In terms of ESs’ quality benefits, soil conservation benefits of terraces were the most significant, reaching 91.30–98.32 % per unit area, the cumulative benefits (1990–2020) were 1.82 × 109 t, followed by water conservation benefits (42.12–89.20 % and 2.36 × 1010 m3). (iv) Terraces expansion have increased the ecosystem service value by 815.10 million Dollar ($), with regulating services and habitat services accounting for 34.92 % and 31.92 %, respectively. These results indicate that the enormous potential value of terraces in ecological environment governance and ecological economic benefits, and provide a scientific support for understanding terraces and leveraging their ecosystem functions, while also offering valuable insights for the conservation of global mountain ecosystems and the improvement of human well-being.