Ecological Diversity Research Articles

The Conservation Challenge: Environmental and Legal Aspects of One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) Protection in India

The natural environment, with its lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems, serves as a vital refuge for a wide array of majestic animals and vibrant plant life, playing a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of our planet's ecological systems. One particularly remarkable species, the Greater One-Horned Rhino, faces the serious and pressing threat of being classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to rampant poaching and the relentless loss of its natural habitat. In the Indian subcontinent, home to a significant population of these incredible creatures, the rhino's existence is under severe jeopardy, leading to distressing conflicts between human communities and the rhinos as the animals venture beyond protected areas in search of sustenance. Despite the presence of both national and international regulations, the peril to their existence persists, casting a shadow over their future. It is imperative that we take swift and effective measures to safeguard this magnificent species. This paper is dedicated to thoroughly examining the status of the Greater One-Horned Rhinos and to proposing practical and viable solutions aimed at ensuring their protection and survival for generations to come.

Seasonal study on the Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitat of Edayar region, Ernakulam, Kerala, India

This study examines the plant diversity and physicochemical characteristics of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the industrialized region of Edayar, Kadungalloor, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. The research is conducted seasonally, encompassing the four seasons of Kerala: southwest monsoon, northeast monsoon, winter season and summer season. Edayar is home to approximately 400 industries. The main objective of this study is to assess the plant diversity with a specific focus on herb and macrophyte diversity, in the Edayar region, along with analyzing the physicochemical properties of soil and water. Random sampling using quadrat techniques is employed to collect data on species diversity. Diversity indices, such as the Simpson Index and Shannon-Wiener index are utilized to analyze the recorded species diversity. Scoparia dulcis L. among herb species and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms among macrophytes were found dominating in all the seasons. The results for the physico-chemical analysis of water and soil were found approaching the threshold of standard limits.The findings provide valuable insights into plant diversity and ecological dynamics of the Edayar region, which have been significantly impacted by industrial activities. The outcomes serve as a basis for the development and implementation of effective conservation and management strategies to mitigate potential ecological risks associated with industrial activities in the region.

Significant implications of diversity and stability for ecosystem sustainability necessitate differentiated management strategies: A case study of the urban agglomeration around Hangzhou Bay, China (JEMA-D-24-12476R1)

Ecosystems are crucial for providing essential services, supporting ecological conservation, and promoting sustainable development on both regional and global scales. However, robust methodologies and comprehensive frameworks for assessing ecosystem sustainability are still lacking. This study presents an integrated framework that incorporates both diversity and stability in evaluating ecosystem sustainability. Our methodology involves a multi-step process: first, we select and integrate landscape metrics to quantify ecosystem diversity; second, we establish an ecological network and apply a robustness model to assess ecosystem stability; finally, we delineate zones of ecosystem sustainability based on the combined assessments of diversity and stability. Our findings reveal that (1) from 1995 to 2020, ecosystem diversity significantly increased within the urban agglomeration around Hangzhou Bay (UAHB), with notable regional patterns, particularly in Huzhou, Jiaxing, and Ningbo. (2) The structure and connectivity of the ecological network have markedly improved, with network robustness in 2020 surpassing that of 1995, indicating enhanced ecosystem stability. (3) Five distinct ecological zones were identified—high sustainability protected areas, ecosystem stability improving areas, low sustainability fragile areas, ecosystem diversity improving areas, and moderate sustainability transition areas—each accompanied by specific management strategies. This research offers theoretical insights and practical guidance for ecological protection and restoration, advancing sustainable ecosystem development.

Diversity index of argania spinosa l. Skeels plant formation in the algerian western sahara

The argan (Argania spinosa) is a xerothermophilous tree, endemic in North-West Africa. In Algeria, it is found as wild in the northwest of the Hamada du Drâa of Tindouf (Algerian Western Sahara), where it is characterized by a great floristic diversity. Several indices were calculated in this study to have a better knowledge on the state of biological diversity of the argan tree ecosystem. It is characterized by a floristic richness composed of 123 taxa belonging to 38 families including the dominance of three major floristic families: Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Amaranthaceae. Biologically, the study area is dominated by therophytic species. This therophytization is marked by a general invasion of annual species. The diversity index of Shannon-Weaver (4.42) associated with that of Pilou's equitability (0.843) are relatively high, which showed that the flora of the argan forest of Tindouf is highly diverse. The disturbance index is high (76%) which reflects a significant degree of disturbance of the plant formation and also a strong anthropozoic influence. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 447-457, 2024 (September)

On the move: Influence of animal movements on count error during drone surveys.

The use of remote sensing to monitor animal populations has greatly expanded during the last decade. Drones (i.e., Unoccupied Aircraft Systems or UAS) provide a cost- and time-efficient remote sensing option to survey animals in various landscapes and sampling conditions. However, drone-based surveys may also introduce counting errors, especially when monitoring mobile animals. Using an agent-based model simulation approach, we evaluated the error associated with counting a single animal across various drone flight patterns under three animal movement strategies (random, directional persistence, and biased toward a resource) among five animal speeds (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 m/s). Flight patterns represented increasing spatial independence (ranging from lawnmower pattern with image overlap to systematic point counts). Simulation results indicated that flight pattern was the most important variable influencing count accuracy, followed by the type of animal movement pattern, and then animal speed. A awnmower pattern with 0% overlap produced the most accurate count of a solitary, moving animal on a landscape (average count of 1.1 ± 0.6) regardless of the animal's movement pattern and speed. Image overlap flight patterns were more likely to result in multiple counts even when accounting for mosaicking. Based on our simulations, we recommend using a lawnmower pattern with 0% image overlap to minimize error and augment drone efficacy for animal surveys. Our work highlights the importance of understanding interactions between animal movements and drone survey design on count accuracy to inform the development of broad applications among diverse species and ecosystems.

Mangrove mapping in China using Gaussian mixture model with a novel mangrove index (SSMI) derived from optical and SAR imagery

As an important shoreline vegetation and highly productive ecosystem, mangroves play an essential role in the protection of coastlines and ecological diversity. Accurate mapping of the spatial distribution of mangroves is crucial for the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems. Supervised classification methods rely on large sample sets and complex classifiers and traditional thresholding methods that require empirical thresholds, given the problems that limit the feasibility and stability of existing mangrove identification and mapping methods on large scales. Thus, this paper develops a novel mangrove index (spectral and SAR mangrove index, SSMI) and Gaussian mixture model (GMM) mangrove mapping method, which does not require training samples and can automatically and accurately map mangrove boundaries by utilizing only single-scene Sentinel-1 and single-scene Sentinel-2 images from the same time period. The SSMI capitalizes on the fact that mangroves are differentiated from other land cover types in terms of optical characteristics (greenness and moisture) and backscattering coefficients of SAR images and ultimately highlights mangrove forest information through the product of three expressions (f(S) = red egde/SWIR1, f(B) = 1/(1 + e-VH), f(W)=(NIR-SWIR1)/(NIR+SWIR1)). The proposed SSMI was tested in six typical mangrove distribution areas in China where climatic conditions and mangrove species vary widely. The results indicated that the SSMI was more capable of mapping mangrove forests than the other mangrove indices (CMRI, NDMI, MVI, and MI), with overall accuracys (OA) higher than 0.90 and F1 scores as high as 0.93 for the other five areas except for the Maowei Gulf (S5). Moreover, the mangrove maps generated by the SSMI were highly consistent with the reference maps (HGMF_2020、LASAC_2018 and IMMA). In addition, the SSMI achieves stable performance, as shown by the mapping results of the other two classification methods (K-means and Otsu’s algorithm). Mangrove mapping in six typical mangrove distribution areas in China for five consecutive years (2019–2023) and experiments in three Southeast Asian countries with major mangrove distributions (Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia) demonstrated that the SSMIs constructed in this paper are highly stable across time and space. The SSMI proposed in this paper does not require reference samples or predefined parameters; thus, it has great flexibility and applicability in mapping mangroves on a large scale, especially in cloudy areas.

Microplastics contamination through a mighty estuarine island: Distribution, influencing factors, and risk assessment

The global concern over microplastic (MP) contamination in diverse ecosystems is well-established, yet Nijhum Dwip Island (NDI), known for its ecological diversity, has not undergone a comprehensive study addressing the extent of MP pollution. This research aims to evaluate the spatial distribution, influencing factors, and ecological risks of MPs in both sediment and surface water surrounding NDI, situated in the Northern Bay of Bengal. A meticulous collection of 40 sediment and 40 tidal water samples from various sites facilitated a detailed analysis. The mean abundance of MPs in sediment was 138.39 ± 34.15 pieces/kg, while in water, it was 72.83 ± 30.76 pieces/m³. Various shapes observed on NDI included films, fragments, fibers, and foams, with fragments dominating in sediment (64.05 %) and water (61.51 %). Analysis of FTIR spectra identified two primary polymer types, namely polyethylene (PE) at 57 % and polypropylene (PP) at 40 %. The results indicated elevated pollution levels on NDI, with sediment and water pollution load index measuring 1.32 and 2.01, respectively, signifying significant MP contamination in both compartments. Given the island's rare biodiversity, the vicinity of wastewater sewages, anthropogenic activities, and atmospheric deposition, could be behind MP contamination in water and sediments. No strong correlation between MP and physiochemical properties in water and PCA biplots showed their similar distribution, whereas MP abundances in sediment were significantly correlated with pH and organic matter (p<0.05), signifying a pivotal role in transporting MPs in the aquatic environment. Two canonical variables were identified as important by canonical correlation analysis, demonstrating the interdependence of MP contamination at the sample sites. This research contributes to better insights into the occurrence of MP in the rare islands, which are ecosystems that have been hardly examined for this type of pollution, and it can report sustainable interventions to lessen MP inputs to the Bay of Bengal.

Permafrost-dissolved organic carbon and cladoceran grazing regulate bacterial abundance and community structure

The thawing of frozen soils has resulted in the release of tremendous amounts of organic carbon. Permafrost-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has been demonstrated to be biolabile to microbes in aquatic ecosystems. Cladoceran grazing is another regulatory force that may affect the properties and/or characteristics of the bacterial community. However, the effects of permafrost DOC and cladoceran grazing on bacterial abundance, community composition, and diversity in aquatic ecosystems have rarely been explored. In this study, DOC was extracted from frozen soils adjacent to the shoreline of a pristine alpine lake and used to culture bacteria. The bacterial abundance decreased over time during the bioincubation experiment, whereas Daphnia feeding had no significant effect on the bacterial abundance. The genera Pedobacter, Novosphingobium, Flavobacterium and Limnohabitans had relatively high abundances after a 27-d bioincubation period. The overall decrease in bacterial diversity in the Daphnia grazing experiment was higher than that in the bacterial incubation experiment. The co-occurrence network demonstrated that terrestrial and microbial humic-like components C1 and C2 had strong interactions with Pseudolabrys, and tyrosine-like component C3 presented ­correlations with Hyphomicrobium and Vampirovibrio. Bacterial communities in the two experiments were significantly different. Sphingomonadales, Sphingobacteriales, Burkholderiales, and Actinomycetales were the primary contributors to these differences. Our study contributes significantly to a broader understanding of carbon cycling and microbial food web in lakes, particularly in high-altitude and polar lakes.

Influence of Height on the Abundance and Richness of Green Lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in an Anthropically Modified Habitat.

Investigation of the diversity of lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is crucial in agricultural systems, as these insects are important predators of many pest species. Recent studies have shown that height influences the abundance and richness of insects. Information on these factors is scarce for species of Chrysopidae at different heights in agricultural and forest environments. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of height on the abundance and richness of green lacewings in an anthropically modified environment. Multilure traps baited with putrescine and ammonium acetate were placed in four areas of the "Luiz de Queiroz" Campus (Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil) at two heights (2 and 10m) from April 2019 to March 2020. Species captured in traps hung at 2 and 10m above the ground surface were studied with the faunistic analysis ANAFAU, using ecological parameters and diversity indices. The similarity between the species was measured using the Morisita-Horn coefficient. Thirteen species of Chrysopidae were captured, and more species and specimens of green lacewings were collected with the traps at 2m than at 10m, that is, height influenced the abundance and richness of the lacewing species. Leucochrysa (Nodita) cruentata (Schneider) was predominant in most areas studied. The highest diversity and abundance of green lacewings was observed on Areão farm in trap at 2m height. However, Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás) and Ce. everes (Banks) showed a more similar ecological pattern. Multilure traps baited with putrescine and ammonium acetate were effective in sampling green lacewings, mainly at 2m height.

Pest Control and Safety Management Monitoring in Outdoor Plantation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Captured Images

The National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, exhibits and studies Korea’s diverse ecosystems to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation to the general public. The site faces the challenge of preserving the natural environment while ensuring visitor convenience. This requires systematic data collection to quickly detect and respond to threats from pests and natural disasters. In this study, high-resolution orthoimages were acquired to monitor ecological changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. Images were captured through flights monthly from March to July 2024. Digital elevation models and orthoimages were generated to identify dead trees and assess areas of damage caused by heavy rainfall. The study covered an area of 998,655 m2, and the image resolution was 3.6 cm/pixel. The orthophotos were useful in identifying plant pest damage. They also helped evaluate damage caused by rain, showing that the total area of damage was 29,384 m2, mainly due to soil erosion. Furthermore, it is expected that the accumulation of such unmanned remote sensing image data can also be applied to the safety management of various natural conservation areas and public facilities.

Ecosystem service value and ecological compensation in Qilian Mountain National Park: Implications for ecological conservation strategies

Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) is a critical ecological barrier and water conservation area in northwestern China. Its diverse ecosystems provide significant ecosystem services, yet the valuation of these services and their dynamic responses to land use/cover (LULC) changes and ecological protection measures require detailed investigation. This study employs an improved equivalent factor method, tailored to the specific ecosystem types and LULC patterns of QMNP, to evaluate the ecosystem service value (ESV) across different LULC types. Using an elasticity analysis model, the sensitivity of ESV to LULC changes from 1990 to 2022 was quantitatively assessed. The results indicate that the ESV of QMNP increased from 46.13 billion RMB to 50.97 billion RMB between 1990 and 2022, mostly due to the growth of grassland and forest areas. The primary route for increasing the region’s ESV is the conversion of desert to grassland, and this should be a major area of emphasis for next ecological conservation initiatives. Regulating services form the core of the ESV in QMNP, with climate and hydrological regulation contributing significantly to the overall ESV. Maintaining the stability of forest, wetland, and water body areas is crucial for sustaining the total ESV of QMNP. Through the application of carbon emission coefficients and ESV methods, the average range for long-term ecological compensation standards in QMNP is expected to be between 3.78 billion RMB and 28.28 billion RMB annually. Additionally, we explore the impacts of ongoing ecological protection mechanisms on enhancing ESV. There is a pressing need to formulate integrated policy frameworks that balance ecological conservation with sustainable economic development. The study also highlights the necessity of strengthening the protection and foundational research of grasslands and water bodies to enhance the ESV of QMNP. These insights serve as a foundation for potential planning and management strategies in QMNP, aiming to maintain and enhance its ecosystem functions and services, thereby contributing to broader regional and global ecological stability.

Widespread occurrence of dissolved oxygen anomalies, aerobic microbes, and oxygen-producing metabolic pathways in apparently anoxic environments.

Nearly all molecular oxygen (O2) on Earth is produced via oxygenic photosynthesis by plants or photosynthetically active microorganisms. Light-independent O2 production, which occurs both abiotically, e.g., through water radiolysis, or biotically, e.g., through the dismutation of nitric oxide or chlorite, has been thought to be negligible to the Earth system. However, recent work indicates that O2 is produced and consumed in dark and apparently anoxic environments at a much larger scale than assumed. Studies have shown that isotopically light O2 can accumulate in old groundwaters; that strictly aerobic microorganisms are present in many apparently anoxic habitats; and that microbes and metabolisms that can produce O2 without light are widespread and abundant in diverse ecosystems. Analysis of published metagenomic data reveals that the enzyme putatively capable of nitric oxide dismutation (NOD) forms four major phylogenetic clusters and occurs in at least 16 bacterial phyla most notably the Bacteroidota. Similarly, a re-analysis of published isotopic signatures of dissolved O2 in groundwater suggests in-situ production in up to half of the studied ecosystems. Geochemical and microbiological data supports the conclusion that "dark oxygen" production is an important and widespread yet overlooked process in apparently anoxic environments with far-reaching implications for subsurface biogeochemistry and ecology.

Living by the land, gazing at the sea: Hominin occupation of near-coastal landscapes on the western periphery of the Red Sea

The paper examines recently reported Acheulean and Middle Stone Age archaeological occurrences in near-coastal plains on the western periphery of the Red Sea (Sudanese coast) with the aim of illuminating the role of the region in hominin survival, and possibly as an out-of-Africa dispersal conduit. Using a Viewshed analysis in ArcGIS, the study sought to assess the extent to which the seashore may have been visible from the archaeology-bearing localities during conditions similar to the present or those more humid interglacial phases than today. The purpose of the Viewshed analysis is to gauge the range of habitat-options hominins had on the western periphery of the Red Sea. The result demonstrates that the seashore would have been visible from most of the archaeological sites. Thus, it is reasonable to surmise that the coastal margin may have remained an integral part of the space exploited by the hominins that inhabited the nearby inland plains. However, the observation cannot be regarded as attesting all the areas deemed visible were necessarily exploited by hominins. Overall, the archaeological evidence from the study area broadens our understanding of the range of environments hominins occupied in Africa prior to and during their expansion to Eurasia. A proximate goal of the paper is to drive archaeological research attention to near-coastal landscapes, as such places may provide a potent vantage point to assess hominin engagement with the seashore. I conclude with an appeal to the paleoanthropological community to expand field-centered research to the vast understudied regions of Africa so as to capture hominin experiences across diverse ecosystems of the continent. Only then will we be able to discern hominin biogeographic range at different periods and theorize about the ecological drivers of our species' success.

Mesoscale soil moisture measurements along the rover route using the mobile cosmic-ray neutron sensing in the eastern Tibetan Plateau

Water resources in the soil play an essential role in hydrological processes and ecosystem functions on the Tibetan Plateau. However, accurately measuring soil moisture distribution in this region presents challenges due to the diverse ecosystem types, complex terrain, and harsh environmental conditions. In this study, we introduce an approach for estimating mesoscale soil moisture in the Qilian Mountains (QLM) region of the eastern Tibetan Plateau using a cosmic-ray neutron rover. Soil moisture estimates derived from neutron count rates, newly adjusted by vegetation effects, demonstrated good agreement with soil moisture measurements obtained through soil sampling at 26 calibration sites across the region (RMSE = 0.025 g g−1). The calibration parameter N0_NDVI was 443 cpm in the QLM. Utilizing NDVI as vegetation correction method showed potential improvements in the accuracy of converting neutron counts to soil moisture across the diverse mountainous ecosystem types. The newly developed calibration equation provided a high-precision, high spatial resolution soil moisture transect across various landscapes measured by the rover. The average mesoscale soil moisture along the rover route varied by ecosystem types, with values of 0.10 g/g in deserts, 0.17 g/g in grasslands, 0.13 g/g in forests, 0.18 g/g in subalpine shrublands, and 0.20 g/g in croplands. Land cover types emerged as crucial determinants of mesoscale soil moisture variability in the QLM region. These findings offer valuable mesoscale soil moisture data and new insights into soil water information at the transect scale across diverse ecosystem types in the Tibetan Plateau.

A DNA barcode reference library for the Tipulidae (Insecta, Diptera) of Germany.

Tipulidae, commonly known as true crane flies, represent one of the most species-rich dipteran families, boasting approximately 4,500 known species globally. Their larvae serve as vital decomposers across diverse ecosystems, prompting their frequent and close observation in biomonitoring programs. However, traditional morphological identification methods are laborious and time-consuming, underscoring the need for a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library to speed up species determination. In this study, we present the outcomes of the German Barcode of Life initiative focused on Tipulidae. Our DNA barcode library comprises 824 high-quality cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) barcodes encompassing 76 crane fly species, counting for ca. 54% of the German tipulid fauna. Our results significantly increased the number of European tipulid species available in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) by 14%. Additionally, the number of barcodes from European tipulid specimens more than doubled, with an increase of 118%, bolstering the DNA resource for future identification inquiries. Employing diverse species delimitation algorithms - including the multi-rate Poisson tree processes model (mPTP), Barcode Index Number assignments (BIN), Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning (ASAP), and the TaxCI R-script - we successfully match 76-86% of the morphologically identified species. Further validation through neighbor-joining tree topology analysis and comparison with 712 additional European tipulid barcodes yield a remarkable 89% success rate for the species identification of German tipulids based on COI barcodes. This comprehensive DNA barcode dataset not only enhances species identification accuracy but also serves as a pivotal resource for ecological and biomonitoring studies, fostering a deeper understanding of crane fly diversity and distribution across terrestrial landscapes.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Trichoderma Isolates from Vegetable Crop Rhizospheres in Nepal

Background Trichoderma spp. hold significant potential as biocontrol agents in agriculture due to their antagonistic properties against plant pathogens. The study aimed to characterize and identify Trichoderma isolates from rhizospheric regions of vegetable crops. Methods In this study, Trichoderma isolates were collected from rhizospheric soil samples of vegetable crops from different ecological zones and were selected for comprehensive morphological and molecular characterization. The isolates were visually assessed for colony color, growth pattern, aerial mycelium presence, phialide and conidial morphology, and chlamydospore presence. Molecular analysis was employed based on ITS and tef-1α sequences. Diversity indices were also computed for different ecological zones. Results The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic trees for both regions provided a clear species resolution, with four main clades: Harzianum, Viride, Brevicompactum and Longibrachiatum with 12 species T. harzinaum, T. afroharzianum, T. lentiforme, T. inhamatum, T. camerunense, T. azevedoi, T. atroviride, T. asperellum, T. asperelloides, T. koningii, T. longibrachiatum and T. brevicompactum and nine species as a new country record. Diversity indices indicated that high mountain regions displayed the highest species diversity and evenness (H = 1.724 [0.28], J = 0.84, D = 0.28), followed by hilly regions (H = 1.563 [0.28], J = 0.72, D = 0.28). Plains, on the other hand, exhibited lower species diversity (H = 1.515, J = 0.66, D = 0.33). The calculated species abundance values showed that plains (E = 2.11), mid-hills (E = 1.95), and high mountains (E = 1.99) each had their unique diversity profiles. Notably, T. afroharzianum and T. asperellum were predominant. Conclusions Overall, the study unveiled a rich diversity of Trichoderma species in different agricultural zones of Nepal. These findings shed light on the ecological distribution and diversity of Trichoderma spp., which could have significant implications for sustainable agriculture and biological control strategies.

Community Structure of Intertidal Macrofauna: Spatial Autocorrelation of Two Rocky Coasts of Gujarat, India

The present study describes the community structure of intertidal macrofauna on two rocky coasts of the Kathiawar Peninsula, Gujarat State. The results show significant spatial autocorrelation between the two study sites, with the Mantel correlogram identifying contrasting patterns of species distribution across the coasts. The Veraval coast shows a strong positive correlation owing to its rocky coastal regions. The homogeneity of the intertidal habitats leads to a diverse and cohesive macrofaunal community. In contrast, the Adri coast displays a negative correlation, attributed to the heterogeneous habitats of its intertidal zones. The combination of sandy and rocky patches creates a range of microhabitats, resulting in distinct ecological regions within the coast. This environmental variability promotes a more distinct and less uniform distribution of species. The study underscores the importance of conducting further ecological research on diverse marine ecosystems, particularly in areas with varied habitat types.

A new gansuid bird (Avialae, Euornithes) from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Jiufotang Formation of Jianchang, western Liaoning, China

The study of the Cretaceous birds closest to the living euornithine species has mainly focused on the evolutionary patterns leading to the modern group. Yet, the morphological and ecological diversity of the euornithine branches not directly ancestral to the crown-group is probably underestimated. A new euornithine bird, Shuilingornis angelai gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on a nearly complete skeletal material from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Jehol Biota in western Liaoning, China. The new taxon is similar to the penecontemporary gansuids, yet it differs in the smaller body size and in the retention of plesiomorphic features widespread among non-gansuid euornithines. The osteohistological analysis indicates that Shuilingornis gen. nov. represents an early adult stage at the time of death. The phylogenetic analysis robustly supports the referral of Shuilingornis gen. nov. to Gansuidae. Except for the controversial Hollanda, the gansuids have been uncovered from four Aptian basins deposited under similar paleoclimatic conditions. Gansuid success in the middle part of the Cretaceous demonstrates that the exploration of semi-aquatic ecologies was a consistent euornithine pattern which preceded the later ornithurine radiation.

Regenerative soil management practices no‐till and sheep grazing induce significant but contrasting short‐term changes in the vineyard soil microbiome

Societal Impact StatementWinegrape production is an essential cultural heritage and economic engine of many regions of the world. Regenerative management, which is gaining traction with industry and consumers alike, relies on soil biodiversity for agroecosystem function, reducing external inputs and increasing ecosystem resilience to climate change. We evaluated the effects of no‐till and sheep integration on vineyard soil biodiversity and soil ecosystem function. No‐till had stronger effects on microbial diversity, while sheep grazing stimulated microbial functioning. By providing a better understanding of the practices, we provide fundamental information for growers that want to embrace regenerative principles, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of the winegrape industry.Summary Regenerative management aims to optimize soil microbial function and diversity for enhanced agroecosystem functionality. Understanding the effects of management practices on soil microorganisms is crucial in the context of growing societal interest in this type of management. This study evaluated the short‐term effects of two soil conservation practices: sheep grazing and no‐till, on abundance, diversity, activity, and network complexity of prokaryotes and fungi in a vineyard soil. Four treatments were applied for 3 years: (1) grazed and tilled, (2) grazed and non‐tilled, (3) non‐grazed and tilled, and (4) non‐grazed and non‐tilled. We hypothesized that stacking of conservation practices (grazing and no‐till) would increase microbial diversity, function, and network complexity. Grazing had strong effects on microbial function, increasing the α‐glucosidase, β‐glucosidase, cellulase, phosphatase, and β‐xylosidase enzymatic activity by 82%, 48%, 61%, 39%, and 55%, respectively, compared to non‐grazed soils, while not causing significant changes in soil microbial diversity. Tillage had strong effects on soil prokaryotic and fungal diversity. For prokaryotes, significant interactions in alpha diversity were found between tillage and grazing, and between tillage and sampling location (tractor row and under vine). Fungal Shannon diversity index was higher in the subsoil (15–30 cm) while a significant interaction between depth, location, tillage, and grazing was found for the Chao‐1 index. Microbial network properties were only significantly affected by sampling depth. This study shows that the lack of disturbance in non‐tilled and non‐grazed soils resulted in a more diverse soil community, while grazing stimulated microbial function, thus showing a decoupling between diversity and function in vineyard soil ecosystems.

The Innovative Construction of Provinces, Regional Artificial Intelligence Development, and the Resilience of Regional Innovation Ecosystems: Quasi-Natural Experiments Based on Spatial Difference-in-Differences Models and Double Machine Learning

Based on the theory of regional innovation niches, this study calculates the resilience of regional innovation ecosystems and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system for regional artificial intelligence development, resulting in a panel dataset for 30 provinces in China from 2009 to 2021 (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Within the framework of the construction of innovative provinces, regional artificial intelligence, and the resilience of regional innovation ecosystems, spatial double-difference and double machine learning models are employed for a quasi-natural experiment. The main research conclusions are as follows: (1) Both the construction of innovative provinces and artificial intelligence have a significant positive impact on the resilience of regional innovation ecosystems. (2) However, regional artificial intelligence exhibits a negative spatial spillover effect on the resilience of regional innovation ecosystems. (3) The construction of innovative provinces can positively moderate the effect of artificial intelligence on the resilience of regional innovation ecosystems. (4) Through the promotion of regional artificial intelligence, the construction of innovative provinces can indirectly enhance the diversity, evolutionary potential, buffering capacity, fluidity, and coordination of regional innovation ecosystems, thereby driving a leap in resilience. (5) The mechanisms by which the construction of innovative provinces stimulates regional intelligent input, application, innovation, and market dynamics to further enhance the resilience of regional innovation ecosystems are effective not only in the treatment group but also in the control group.