Table of Content

10 September 2026, Volume 45 Issue 9

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Research progress on mangrove age estimation and ecological function responses.

LI Shihua, ZENG Jiyu, WEI Xu, SU Ying, ZHANG Tingting, ZHANG Kangyao

2026, 45(9):  2817-2834.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.020

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Mangroves are among the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems globally, possessing substantial carbon sequestration capacity and providing a wide range of ecosystem services. Stand age is a critical parameter for predicting mangrove growth, carbon accumulation, and the changes in ecosystem services. However, current approaches for the estimation of mangrove age remain insufficiently developed, leading to considerable uncertainty in ecological assessments. This review synthesizes four major methodological pathways and their applicable conditions and limitations for mangrove age estimation, as well as the response patterns of ecological services to variations in forest age. Current approaches mainly include traditional field-based measurements, optical remote sensing time-series analysis, LiDAR-based structural inversion, and multi-source remote sensing integration. Traditional field-based methods can achieve high-precision individual tree dating at the plot scale, but their applicability is constrained by irregular growth rings in tropical species, limited spatial representativeness, and high sampling costs. Optical remote sensing approaches enable the identification of mangrove establishment years using long-term image time series and are therefore suitable for regional-scale age-class mapping. Nevertheless, their performance is strongly affected by cloud contamination, tidal fluctuations, mixed-pixel effects, and vegetation index saturation. LiDAR techniques provide canopy height and vertical structural information, offering important structural constraints for age inversion. However, their application is limited by insufficient spatial coverage and temporal continuity. Multi-source fusion approaches, which integrate temporal trajectories with structural parameters, represent an important direction for improving mangrove age estimation accuracy. Nevertheless, these methods still face challenges associated with scale mismatch among datasets, insufficient field validation, and complex uncertainty propagation. Existing studies indicate that the age structure of mangroves in China is jointly shaped by historical conservation, restoration programs, and regional climatic gradients. The proportion of artificially restored forests is relatively high, exhibiting a latitudinal gradient that increases from north to south, with the overall age structure tending toward rejuvenation. In response to current methodological limitations, future research should prioritize the establishment of long-term monitoring plots, integration of afforestation archives, synergistic inversion using multi-source remote sensing, development of regionalized parameter models, and comprehensive uncertainty assessment frameworks, ultimately supporting the construction of a national-scale mangrove age database. Mangrove stand age significantly regulates ecological functions such as carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and biodiversity conservation, which represents a key parameter for restoration planning and carbon offset assessment. This review provides both theoretical foundations and technical references for mangrove carbon sink assessment, ecological restoration evaluation, and coastal ecosystem management.





Soil carbon pool characteristics and stability of different artificial mangrove communities in the pondtowetland restored area of Hainan Xiaohai Lagoon.

ZHONG Lishuang, LIU Chang, CHEN Yuepeng, WU Jiaxin, HUANG Yao, YANG Xiaobo, ZHANG Xiang

2026, 45(9):  2835-2844.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.018

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To investigate the characteristics and stability of soil carbon pools in mangroves restored through the conversion of aquaculture ponds to wetlands, three planted mangrove communities (Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa, Bruguiera sexangula) were selected in the Xiaohai Lagoon of Wanning City, Hainan Province. Soil physicochemical properties, different organic carbon fractions and carbon pool stability indices in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers were measured to reveal the differences and controlling factors. The results showed there were significant differences in soil physicochemical properties among the three communities. Soil organic carbon (SOC) content in the 0-20 cm layer was highest in the A. marina community, while in the 20-40 cm layer, it was highest in the R. stylosa community. Total SOC storage (SOCS) in the 0-40 cm depth followed the order: B. sexangula (7.05±0.3 Mg C·hm^-2) < A. marina (12.93±1.02 Mg C·hm^-2) < R. stylosa (15.33±1.55 Mg C·hm^-2). The ratios of particulate organic carbon (POC) to mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) varied significantly among soil layers and plant communities. The maximum ratio was observed in the 20-40 cm soil layer of B. sexangula community, indicating the weakest stability of soil organic carbon in this layer. R. stylosa had the highest LOC/SOC, DOC/SOC, and MBC/SOC ratios in the surface layer, reflecting faster organic carbon turnover. Soil bulk density and pH were the key factors influencing soil organic carbon fractions. RDA results showed that soil bulk density had the highest explanatory power (R²=0.793, P<0.01), followed by soil pH (R²=0.568, P < 0.01). In conclusion, in the early stage of converting fish ponds to wetlands, there are significant differences in soil carbon pools and organic carbon stability among different mangrove communities. A. marina and R. stylosa communities demonstrated a particularly prominent short-term advantage in soil carbon sequestration. These results provide a scientific basis for ecological restoration and carbon sink management of coastal wetlands.





The migration characteristics of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus during leaching decomposition of mangrove leaf litter in Qi’ao Island.

YOU Lixia, WEI Long, YOU Yilai, SUN Zhengzheng, FENG Jianxiang

2026, 45(9):  2845-2852.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.036

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Litter leaching is the initial stage of mangrove litter decomposition, and regulates the initial release of carbon and nutrients to adjacent waters. This study aimed to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of litter chemical quality on the leaching process and the release patterns of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). We conducted a laboratory experiment simulating tidal inundation with leaf litter of single-species and mixed-species of three mangrove species from Qi’ao Island, Zhuhai, including Sonneratia apetala, Kandelia obovata, and Acanthus ilicifolius. Over a 14 days leaching period, the dynamics of litter dry mass loss, C, N and P contents, and the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the water were monitored. The results showed that: (1) Litter chemical quality (C, N and P contents, C/N ratio) governed the decomposition rate and elemental migration processes. High-quality litter (A. ilicifolius) decomposed the fastest, with a decomposition rate constant of k=0.2274 d^-1, significantly higher than that of K. obovata (0.1078 d^-1) and S. apetala (0.1124 d^-1). (2) Mixed litter decomposition exhibited significant non-additive effects. There was a synergistic effect in the K. obovata and A. ilicifolius mixture, with a decomposition rate (k=0.1277 d^-1) higher than that of the single-species treatments. In contrast, an antagonistic effect occurred in the S. apetala and A. ilicifolius mixture, with a lower decomposition rate (k=0.0975 d^-1). (3) There were significant differences in the migration pathways of C, N, and P among different litter combinations. The direct leaching loss of litter C as DOC was minimal, accounting for only 0.87% (S. apetala) to 3.31% (A. ilicifolius) of the initial C content. Nitrogen showed a higher potential for dissolved loss, with A. ilicifolius having the highest N leaching rate (12.2%) and the highest leachate N concentration (5.17 mg·L^-1). Phosphorus release was highly species-specific. S. apetala was the primary P source, with the highest final P leaching amount (0.53 mg·g^-1). The mixed treatments effectively suppressed P leaching. This study reveals the key regulatory mechanisms of litter quality and species interactions on C, N, and P release. It is recommended to enhance the monitoring of flux from different C loss pathways such as respiration and particulate C export. For mangrove ecological restoration, species configuration should be optimized according to different management objectives, and mixed planting is suggested to regulate material export.



Leaf anatomical structure and ecological adaptability of endangered mangrove Lumnitzera littorea in different ex-situ restoration areas.

HONG Wenjun, ZENG Dehua, WANG Bingyu, HUANG Yongping, SUN Lingjun, XU Jinduo

2026, 45(9):  2853-2859.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.028

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The relationship between leaf anatomical characteristics and environmental adaptability in the endangered mangrove Lumnitzera littorea, a first-class nationally protected plant in China, remains poorly understood. In this study, we collected L. littorea leaf samples from three restoration sites: Dongzhaigang National Nature Reserve in Haikou, Xincun Port in Lingshui County, and Chitian Village in Lingshui County, Hainan Province. We measured nine plant functional traits at the cellular and tissue levels, including leaf thickness (LT), cuticle thickness of upper epidermis (CTUE), cuticle thickness of lower epidermis (CTLE), and thickness of upper epidermis (TUE). By analyzing functional traits correlations with soil factors, we elucidated the mechanisms underlying the species’ adaptation to saline environments. The results showed that leaf structure of L. littorea from the three sites was similar. Specifically, the upper and lower epidermal cells were closely arranged, with the cuticles distributed outside the epidermal cells and the palisade and spongy tissues distributed inside the epidermal cells. However, there were differences in the quantitative characteristics of leaf structure among the three sites. The leaf thickness (1472.78 μm), upper and lower cuticle thickness (3.83-8.12 μm), palisade tissue thickness (228.79 μm), and spongy tissue thickness (1271.63 μm) in Xincun Port were significantly higher than those of other two sites, while the ratio of palisade tissue to spongy tissue was significantly lower than that of Dongzhaigang and Chitian Village. The compactness of leaf structure was the highest in Chitian Village (0.28), and the porosity of leaf structure was the highest in Xincun Port (0.84). Results of the principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that soil total phosphorus was the primary factor influencing leaf structure in Dongzhaigang, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were the dominant factors in Xincun Port, while soil organic carbon and total potassium constituted the major influencing factors in Chitian Village. These results demonstrate habitat-specific trade-offs in leaf structural characteristics of L. littorea for adapting to environmental variations.



The influence of combined application of biochar and slow-release fertilizer on the growth of Rhizophora stylosa seedlings.

WU Yifan, AI Yao, HUANG Lin, SUN Fang, DING Zhenhua, LIANG Fengshou, FAN Yaocheng, ZHANG Li, DONG Hongyu, LI Hongbin

2026, 45(9):  2860-2866.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.019

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With the extensive implementation of mangrove afforestation and restoration projects in China, the problem of insufficient suitable land for mangrove planting has become increasingly prominent. Afforestation in currently unsuitable sites is one effective way to break through bottleneck and expand mangrove area. In this study, field experiments on planting Rhizophora stylosa seedlings and related indicator measurements were conducted in poor-fertility tidal flats. Tidal flat soil was improved by adding biochar and slow-release fertilizer. Four treatments were set up, including blank control group (CK), single biochar application group (Bc), single slow-release fertilizer application group (Cf), and combined biochar+slow-release fertilizer application group (Bc+Cf). The survival rate, growth indicators (height and basal diameter increment), and physiological and biochemical indicators (chlorophyll content, photosynthetic factors, soluble sugar content, and malondialdehyde content) of R. stylosa under different treatments were compared to screen out the optimal combined application scheme. The results showed that the Bc+Cf group exhibited the strongest positive effects on height and basal diameter of R. stylosa seedlings, along with good photosynthetic characteristics in summer and autumn (July-September) and good stress resistance in winter and spring (December-February). Overall, the combined application of biochar and slow-release fertilizer had the best promoting effect on the growth of R. stylosa seedlings, which was superior to the single application of biochar or slowrelease fertilizer. In afforestation activities, auxiliary materials can be scientifically applied according to actual needs to improve the fertility of tidal flat soil, so as to promote the growth of R. stylosa under difficult site conditions.



Patterns of mineral element accumulation during fruit development in mangrove species of Sonneratia.

LIU Chao, ZHANG Lin, TANG Yanna, WANG Wenqing

2026, 45(9):  2867-2874.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.025

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To elucidate the patterns of mineral element accumulation during fruit development in mangrove plants, we measured the concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Cl throughout fruit development of five Sonneratia species from Qinglan Harbor, Hainan, China. Power-function models were used to analyze the relationships between mineral element concentrations, total contents, and fruit mass. The results showed that the concentrations of all mineral elements decreased with increasing fruit mass, whereas their total contents continuously increased. There were significant allometric relationships between total mineral element content and fruit mass, all exhibiting negative allometry (0.61<b<0.93), indicating that mineral element accumulation increased at a slower rate than fruit mass. Different functional mineral elements displayed distinct allocation patterns. Ca exhibited relatively conservative allocation, whereas the osmoregulatory elements Na, K, and Cl showed greater plasticity. In addition, Cl and Mg exhibited pronounced interspecific variation. These findings demonstrate that mineral element accumulation during fruit development in Sonneratia generally follows negative allometric growth patterns. The differential allocation strategies of functional mineral elements reflect trade-offs between structural construction and salt-adaptation requirements, suggesting that mineral element allocation during the propagule stage may contribute to the adaptation of mangrove plants to saline environments.



Effects of replacing Spartina alterniflora by Kandelia obovata on the structure and stability of macrobenthic communities in Yueqing Bay.

XIN Wenzhen, LIU Xing, YANG Sheng, WANG Hangjun, LIU Shuangshuang, LU Xintong, CHEN Qiuxia

2026, 45(9):  2875-2883.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.001

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An investigation was conducted in the summer of 2021 (pre-restoration) and summer 2022 (post-restoration) to evaluate the restoration effectiveness of replacing the invasive Spartina alterniflora with mangrove Kandelia obovata in a coastal wetland in Yueqing Bay. We compared macrobenthic community structure, diversity, stability, and their relationships with environmental variables among three habitat types: native mangroves, the S. alterniflora removal area, and bare mudflat. The results showed that: (1) A total of 36 macrobenthic species belonging to 5 phyla and 22 families were identified, with Mollusca accounting for 61.11% of the total number of species; (2) Following restoration, species richness and diversity indices in the S. alterniflora removal area increased, but remained lower than those in the native mangrove habitat, indicating that the community was still at an early stage of recovery; (3) Abundance-biomass comparison (ABC) curves showed only minor interannual changes in the abundance-biomass pattern in the S. alterniflora removal area, suggesting relatively balanced short-term community stability, whereas the bare mudflat exhibited high biomass (80.60 g·m^-2) but low stability; and (4) Combined stress from sediment heavy metals (Zn and Cu) and inorganic nitrogen in porewater significantly constrained community diversity (Mantel test, P<0.05). Overall, the replacement of S. alterniflora with K. obovata promoted the recovery of macrobenthic communities. However, stable and sustainable restoration outcomes will require effective pollution control and long-term monitoring.





Spatiotemporal variations of the functional structure of macrozoobenthic community and its influencing factors in the subtidal zone of Zhangjiang Estuary in Fujian Province.

ZHAO Xiaoyu, CAI Lizhe, YANG Deyuan, WANG Wenqing

2026, 45(9):  2884-2893. 

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Zhangjiang Estuary is a typical mangrove-estuary complex ecosystem along the coast of southeast China. The macrozoobenthic community plays a significant role in maintaining material circulation and energy flow. In August 2021 and January 2022, we conducted quantitative sampling of macrobenthos and environmental factor determination at six stations in the subtidal zone of Zhangjiang Estuary. Combined with functional trait analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), we explored the spatiotemporal variations and driving mechanisms of the functional structure of macrozoobenthic community. A total of 37 macrozoobenthic species were collected, including 18 polychaete species, 13 crustacean species, and 2 gastropod species. There were pronounced seasonal and spatial variations in the macrozoobenthic communities. The functional diversity indices (FRic and FEve) of macrozoobenthic community in winter were higher than those in summer. Functional diversity indices of macrozoobenthic community increased from the upper estuary to the offshore area. Mantel test and CCA analysis indicated that salinity and nutrients were the key environmental factors affecting the spatiotemporal variation of community functional structure, with the summer community being primarily influenced by nutrients and the winter community being driven by salinity and pH. Environmental factors and anthropogenic activities (e.g., nuclear power plant construction) synergistically drive functional trait divergence by altering sediment properties and water nutrient structure. In conclusion, environmental factors and human activities jointly drive the changes in macrozoobenthic community in the subtidal zone of the Zhangjiang Estuary. We recommended that nutrient input control be prioritized and that functional diversity indices should be incorporated into the conservation and restoration of mangrove-estuary ecosystems, which would favor the assessment of ecosystem health and recovery potential.





Spatiotemporal expression pattern and abiotic stress response characteristics of the AeFLA17 gene in the endangered mangrove Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl.

CHEN Xu, DENG Baozhen, LIAO Lixian, ZHONG Cairong, CHENG Cheng, ZHANG Ying

2026, 45(9):  2894-2901. 

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Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs) play an important role in the growth and development of plants under stresses. However, it is unclear whether FLAs are involved in the adaptation mechanism of endangered mangrove species Acanthus ebracteatus in the intertidal marine habitat. In this study, we cloned the AeFLA17 gene from A. ebracteatus, investigated its tissuespecific expression across different organs and spatiotemporal expression patterns during floral development, and further analyzed its expression profiles in the leaves under various abiotic stresses, including high temperature, low temperature, salt, drought, waterlogging, and cadmium. The results showed that the AeFLA17 gene is 2194 bp in length, contains a complete coding sequence of 1410 bp, encoding 469 amino acids with no introns, and is a hydrophilic and unstable protein. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that AeFLA17 was closely related to the FLA protein of Andrographis paniculata in the family Acanthaceae. Subcellular localization revealed that the AeFLA17 protein was localized in the cytoplasm. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments indicated that the AeFLA17 gene showed the lowest expression level in the leaves and the highest in the flowers of A. ebracteatus, with peak expression observed during the full bloom stage. The expression of AeFLA17 was significantly upregulated at 12 h, but rapidly decreased after 24 h. It slightly recovered at 48 h but did not reach a significant level under heat stress. Under cold stress, the expression level increased significantly after 24 h and continued to increase. After 48 h of cadmium stress treatment, the expression level was significantly up-regulated. However, under drought stress, the expression level at both 24 and 48 h showed obvious inhibition. Under flooding stress and salt stress, the gene expression showed a gradual decrease trend with the extension of stress time. This dynamic expression of AeFLA17 reveals its role in the plant response network to multiple stresses, providing an important theoretical basis for further analysis of the function of the FLA protein family and molecular breeding for stress resistance.





Invasion risk of Sonneratia apetala based on the prediction of potential suitable distribution areas.

SUN Lin, LI Mei, CHEN Yujun, PENG Jue, HUANG Liejian

2026, 45(9):  2902-2912.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.035

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As a typical exotic mangrove species, the invasiveness and invasion degree of Sonneratia apetala have long been key research focuses. At present, there is no consensus on the invasiveness of S. apetala in China. Based on the optimized MaxEnt model, we selected 82 valid global distribution points of S. apetala and 13 environmental factors to predict its potential suitable distribution areas under the mid-Holocene, the present, and two future climate scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585). The results showed that the optimal parameter combination of the MaxEnt was as follows: regularization multiplier RM=0.3, feature combination FC=L + Q (linear + quadratic), and the model accuracy was significantly improved (average AUC > 0.99). The key environmental factors affecting its distribution were mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean diurnal temperature range, precipitation seasonality (coefficient of variation), annual precipitation, and elevation. The ranges conducive to the survival of S. apetala were 27.48-33.15 ℃ for the mean temperature of the wettest quarter, 5.54-9.26 ℃ for the mean diurnal temperature range, less than 85.52 for precipitation seasonality, 1530-2849 mm for annual precipitation, and less than 29.22 m for elevation. The global potential suitable distribution areas of S. apetala show a continuous expansion trend from the mid-Holocene to the future. Under the trend of global warming, the centroid of its suitable distribution areas shows a continuous migration to the southwest. In China, the highly suitable areas for S. apetala are distributed in a continuous belt along the southeast coast (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, southern Fujian, and southwestern Taiwan). In the later stage of the high-forcing scenario (SSP585 (2061-2080)), the area of highly suitable distribution areas will increase to 15.10×10⁴ km², which is 4.3 times the current area of highly suitable distribution areas. The significant expansion of the potential suitable distribution areas of S. apetala will pose a threat to mangrove ecosystems in China. However, its invasion is restricted by multiple factors. Our prediction should be regarded as an early warning signal of invasion risk. When implementing control measures, it is recommended to adhere to the principle of “prevention first and comprehensive management” and establish a complete chain management system of “monitoring-assessment-control-restoration”, taking into account local conditions and implementing zone-specific policies.





Blue carbon stocks in the estuary of Mulan River in Putian City.

LYU Jing, LEI Peng, CHEN En, WANG Congmin, CHEN Luzhen, WU Qiuhua, LIU Yaohui, CHEN Qiang

2026, 45(9):  2913-2921.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.026

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To investigate vegetation structure and carbon sink function of blue carbon ecosystems at the Mulan River estuary in Putian City, we conducted field surveys, sediment sampling, and laboratory analyses on mangrove and salt marsh communities that had been restored for five years. Combined with vegetation allometric growth equations and carbon density estimation methods, carbon storage of different communities was quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that the total carbon stocks of mangroves and salt marshes reached 8158.57 and 5289.62 t C, respectively. Among the three mangrove species investigated, Avicennia marina exhibited the highest carbon density (121.03 t C·hm^-2), followed by Kandelia obovata (100.87 t C·hm^-2), while Aegiceras corniculatum was the lowest (98.07 t C·hm^-2). In the salt marsh plant communities, carbon density was 99.46 t C·hm^-2 for Phragmites australis and 94.03 t C·hm^-2 for Suaeda community. In terms of carbon pool composition, both mangrove and salt marsh communities were dominated by sediment carbon pools, with carbon density of 82.54-97.23 and 93.10-94.32 t C·hm^-2, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of vegetation and litter carbon pools. Overall, the carbon density of the restored mangroves was lower than the national average and the level of natural mangroves, indicating that the communities were still at the early stages of restoration. Compared with other coastal wetlands in China, the sediment carbon density of salt marshes in the study area was at a moderate level, while vegetation carbon density was relatively low. These findings provide a scientific reference for the ecological restoration practices in coastal wetlands and the assessment of regional carbon sequestration capacity.



Extraction of mangrove tidal creek network using Sentinel-2 imagery and their morphological characteristics and drainage efficiency.

ZHANG Dina, XIN Kun, CHENG Jiliang, AI Xihang, HU Kaijie, ZHANG Peng

2026, 45(9):  2922-2933.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.024

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Tidal creek networks are fundamental geomorphic units that regulate hydrological connectivity and structural stability in mangrove ecosystems. Their spatial distribution and morphological characteristics affect drainage efficiency and vegetation patterning. Based on Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery, we integrated four widely adopted water indices (i.e., the normalized difference water index (NDWI), the modified normalized difference water index (mNDWI), automated water extraction index with shadows (AWEI_sh), and automated water extraction index without shadows (AWEI_nsh)), with a modified fuzzy C means clustering algorithm (MFCM) and an adaptive thresholding segmentation approach to delineate the mangrove tidal creek network in the Sundarbans mangrove in Bangladesh. Following visual interpretation and correction, key morphological parameters were extracted, including creek order, count, length, bifurcation ratio, density, and sinuosity. The overmarsh path length (OPL) was calculated to quantitatively characterize the drainage efficiency of the creek network in the study area. The results showed that: (1) All four water indices effectively identified mangrove tidal creeks, with AWEI_sh yielding the highest extraction accuracy. (2) Tidal creeks developed up to the 5th order, and the number of creeks decreased exponentially with increasing creek order (R²>0.99). (3) Both morphological characteristics and drainage efficiency exhibited spatial heterogeneity. Region III had the greatest number of creeks, the highest density and bifurcation ratio, but the lowest mean length and sinuosity. Region I showed the inverse pattern, with the fewest creek numbers but a greater number of high-order (fifth-order) creeks than Region III. Overall drainage efficiency ranked as follows: Region III > Region II > Region I. (4) OPL was negatively correlated with creek density, bifurcation ratio, and frequency (r=-0.86, -0.77, and -0.74, respectively, P<0.001), and positively correlated with the average creek length (r=0.60, P>0.05). This study contributes to understanding the spatial differentiation patterns of morphological characteristics and drainage efficiency in mangrove wetland tidal creek networks, providing a theoretical basis for mangrove wetland conservation and ecological restoration.





Effects of litter biomass on plant species diversity in understory of different forest types in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.

LIU Yuan, XIAO Yang, GUO Bingjie, HE Yuejun, WU Shihong, YAN Lingbin, CHEN Zhifei

2026, 45(9):  2934-2941.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.021

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Litter, an important carrier of plant-soil feedback, plays a crucial role in regulating vegetation dynamics and composition in understory. In this study, we measured canopy density, litter biomass, total nitrogen content (TN), and total phosphorus content (TP), along with surveys of understory vegetation across three forest types (coniferous, mixed, and broad-leaved forests) on the southeastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The structural equation model was used to explore the effects of litter characteristics on species diversity in understory across different forest types. The results showed that: (1) Litter biomass differed significantly among forest types, with coniferous forests (10.19±1.41 t·hm^-2) > mixed forests (7.68±1.22 t·hm^-2) > broad-leaved forests (5.99±0.91 t·hm^-2) (P<0.05). TN contents in litter were significantly higher in broad-leaved and mixed forests than those in coniferous forests (P<0.05), while TP contents in litter were significantly higher in broadleaved forests than in both mixed and coniferous forests (P<0.05). (2) Understory species diversity increased significantly with increasing litter biomass, TN content, and TP content across different forest types (P<0.05). (3) Structural equation model indicated that forest type directly influenced understory species diversity and also exerted indirect effects through canopy density, litter biomass, TN and TP contents. Both forest type and canopy density had direct effects on litter biomass. Furthermore, litter biomass, TN, and TP contents exhibited significant positive direct effects on understory species diversity. Therefore, forest structure optimization and litter management are critical for biodiversity conservation and sustainability in the fragile forest ecosystems of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.



Effects of reduced chemical fertilizer application combined with biochar on the content and chemical structure of soil organic carbon.

LIAO Yiyang, PENG Jiahao, LIN Siyan, CHEN Meichun, YANG Wenwen, YE Liping, ZENG Yu, WANG Weiqi

2026, 45(9):  2942-2951.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.041

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Optimizing field management practices in agricultural ecosystems can effectively enhance soil organic carbon sequestration, mitigate greenhouse gas emission, and improve soil quality. We examined the effects of chemical fertilizer reduction and biochar application on the components and chemical structure of soil organic carbon (SOC) in a jasmine garden in Fuzhou. There were four treatments in the experiment, including control (CK), reduced chemical fertilizer application (FR), biochar application (BA), and reduced chemical fertilizer application combined with biochar application (FRBA). We measured the content of SOC components and their chemical structure. The results showed that: (1) The FRBA and BA treatments increased recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) content by 167.1% and 101.3%, and SOC content by 57.8% and 28.2%, respectively (P<0.05). Furthermore, the BA treatment resulted in a 42.6% increase in soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (P<0.05). (2) The FR, BA, and FRBA treatments all improved the chemical structural stability and hydrophobicity of soil organic carbon, as indicated by the significant reductions in the relative abundance of o-alkyl carbon (by 76.4%, 69.5%, and 89.4%, respectively) and the significant increases in the relative abundance of phenolic alcohol (by 98.7%, 81.6%, and 114.5%, respectively) (P<0.05). (3) The FRBA treatment significantly increased the aromaticity, lipidization, and total index of soil organic carbon (P<0.05). (4) There were significant correlations between soil organic carbon components, chemical structure, and soil physicochemical properties. Both pH and electrical conductivity were significantly and positively correlated with the contents of SOC, DOC, and ROC (P<0.05). In conclusion, the combined application of reduced chemical fertilizer and biochar increased soil organic carbon pool and enhanced the proportion of stable chemical structural components in SOC. This study provides significant implications for the enhancement of soil organic carbon in jasmine plantations.





Soil asymbiotic nitrogen fixation and the regulatory factors in typical artificial vegetation in the loess hilly region.

DONG Wentao, XU Xinyu, WANG Yanan, DENG Jian, KONG Liqin, ZHANG Xiaoxi, MA Jifu

2026, 45(9):  2952-2962.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.013

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Nitrogen is a key limiting nutrient for plant growth in arid and semi-arid regions. Asymbiotic nitrogen fixation (ANF) in the soil is a critical pathway for exogenous nitrogen input in the loess hilly region. However, both the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of soil ANF under different types of artificial vegetation remain unclear, which limits the accurate assessments of regional nitrogen cycle. We collected soil samples from artificial forests (Robinia pseudoacacia), shrubs (Caragana korshinskii), grasslands, and farmlands in the loess hilly region, measured ANF rates, and investigated the regulatory roles of soil physicochemical properties, microbial biomass, and extracellular enzyme activities. The results showed that: (1) Compared with farmland, vegetation restoration significantly increased soil nutrient content and microbial extracellular enzyme activities. Organic carbon and total nitrogen in surface soil (0-10 cm) in restored vegetation sites were up to 3.1 and 2.2 times those of farmland, respectively, with significant differences among vegetation types and soil layers. (2) The ANF rates across different vegetation types ranged from 1.60 to 2.91 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1. Surface soils in shrublands had the highest rate (2.70±0.16 kg N·hm^-2·a^-1), being 49.88% higher than that in farmlands. The ANF rates increased with soil depth. (3) Vegetation type primarily regulated ANF by altering soil physicochemical properties, which in turn influenced extracellular enzyme activities and nutrient acquisition by soil diazotrophs, ultimately determining ANF rates. This study helps improve our understanding of how vegetation restoration affects soil nitrogen cycling in arid and semiarid ecosystems and provides insights for guiding regional restoration and nitrogen budget evaluation.





Effects of nitrogen enrichment on ecological stoichiometric characteristics of typical plant and soil in Sanjiang Plain wetland.

FU Fangcong, FENG Yisong, FENG Huanhuan, MEI Wenkai, SONG Yanyu, GONG Chao, LIU Jiping

2026, 45(9):  2963-2971.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.032

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Nitrogen (N) is one of the primary limiting nutrients in wetland ecosystems. Increasing atmospheric N deposition and intensified wetland reclamation have led to substantial exogenous N inputs, altering wetland biogeochemical cycling. Here, we conducted a 13-year in situ N-addition experiment in the Sanjiang Plain with four treatments: CK (0 g N·m^-2·a^-1), N6 (6 g N·m^-2·a^-1), N12 (12 g N·m^-2·a^-1), and N24 (24 g N·m^-2·a^-1). We investigated the long-term effects of N enrichment on plant traits and soil nutrient stoichiometry by measuring leaf chlorophyll content, plant height, and aboveground biomass of the dominant plant species Glyceria spiculosa, as well as C∶N∶P stoichiometry in plant organs (leaves, stems) and soils (0-15 and 15-30 cm). Results showed that N enrichment significantly increased leaf chlorophyll content, plant height, and aboveground biomass. Leaf and stem N concentrations increased markedly under enrichment, reaching 3.93 times higher in N24 treatment than that in the control, accompanied by a pronounced decline in plant C∶N ratios. However, phosphorus (P) content remained largely unchanged. In the topsoil (0-15 cm), total N content increased and C∶N ratios declined significantly under N24 treatment, whereas soil carbon, nitrogen content, and stoichiometric ratios in subsoil (15-30 cm) showed no significant response. There were significant positive correlations between plant and soil N and P concentrations. These findings indicate that long-term N enrichment alleviates plant N limitation, thereby enhancing photosynthetic carbon assimilation and aboveground productivity, ultimately shifting nutrient balance by reducing C∶N ratios in both plants and soils. This study provides empirical evidence on how N enrichment alters nutrient balance between plants and soils in wetlands, offering valuable insights for wetland conservation and nutrient management under ongoing anthropogenic N enrichment.



Effects of exogenous spermidine on antioxidant defense and cell wall architecture in rice seedlings under nano-CuO stress.

LI Shibiao, HUANG Yizong, ZHAO Ran, FAN Fangling, HUANG Jingxin, SUN Shizhong

2026, 45(9):  2972-2982.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.012

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We explored the mechanism by which exogenous spermidine (Spd) mitigates copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO-NPs) stress in rice seedlings with a series of seed germination and hydroponic experiments. We assessed the effects of different Spd concentrations (0, 500, and 1000 μmol·L^-1) on germination traits, seedling growth performance, antioxidant defense system activity, osmoregulatory substance accumulation, copper ion sequestration, and the integrity of subcellular structures under varying levels of CuO-NPs stress (0, 50, 100, and 300 mg·L^-1). The results showed that CuO-NPs stress markedly suppressed germination potential, germination rate, and seedling biomass accumulation; caused excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); aggravated membrane lipid peroxidation with a notable increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; and impaired the functional homeostasis of the antioxidant enzyme system. In contrast, exogenous Spd treatment effectively alleviated the adverse impacts of CuO-NPs stress. Under 300 mg·L^-1 CuO-NPs stress, the addition of 1000 μmol·L^-1 of Spd resulted in notable improvements. Seed germination rate, germination index, and vigor index were increased by 7.06%, 3.56%, and 27.94%, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were enhanced by 40.12%, 16.44%, and 20.08%, respectively. The contents of superoxide anion (O₂^-_·), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and MDA were reduced by 46.43%, 25.46%, and 32.85%, respectively. Furthermore, Spd treatment enhanced copper fixation in shoot cell walls and alleviated copper toxicity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis revealed that exogenous Spd strengthened the physical barrier function of cell wall by modulating the structural configuration and relative proportion of polysaccharides, proteins, and lipid functional groups. This regulatory effect, in turn, alleviated the destructive damage to subcellular structures induced by CuO-NPs. Collectively, those results confirm that exogenous Spd can effectively enhance the tolerance of rice seedlings to CuO-NPs stress through multiple synergistic pathways, including boosting antioxidant capacity, regulating osmotic balance, and reinforcing cell wall barrier function. These findings provide a theoretical basis for deciphering the physiological mechanisms by which polyamines alleviate the toxicity of nano-copper oxide, and thus lay a scientific foundation for the development of agronomic management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of heavy metal nanoparticle stress in crops.





Effects of antibiotic treatment on the microbial community of Orah citrus.

LIAO Manyu, CHEN Xiangling, CHEN Tingsu, HE Yue, KANG Yihao, WANG Chengqiu, LU Zhen, CEN Mingli, ZHAO Hongtao, LI Guoguo

2026, 45(9):  2983-2993.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.016

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The citrus-associated microbial community plays a key ecological role for maintaining plant health and stress resistance. However, infection by Huanglongbing (HLB) and inappropriate agricultural management practices can substantially alter microbial community composition. We conducted experiment with Orah citrus in Guangxi, China. Three treatments were set: healthy trees (CK), HLB-infected trees (HLB), and HLB-infected trees treated with the antibiotic ampicillin sodium salt (ASS). High-throughput sequencing combined with physicochemical analyses was employed to investigate the effects of antibiotic application on microbial communities in leaves, roots, and rhizosphere soil of Orah citrus. The results showed that microbial diversity in leaves, roots, and rhizosphere soil infected with HLB and those treated with antibiotics was lower than that of healthy trees. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in leaves decreased from 827 in CK to 639 in HLB and 745 in ASS. The number of OTUs in roots decreased from 574 in CK to 432 in HLB and 369 in ASS. For the number of soil OTUs, there was no significant difference between the ASS group (861) and the HLB group (869), but both were significantly lower than that of the CK (1206). At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were dominant. Proteobacteria accounted for 91.48% of leaf microbial community, significantly higher than that in roots (41.08%) and soil (16.32%). At the genus level, Acetobacter and Belnapia were significantly enriched in the leaves of the ASS group. The genera, such as Sphingomonas, were closely associated with the activities of oxidative stress-related enzymes, including polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD). In roots, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria increased by 8.47% in the ASS group compared with the HLB group. In soil, genera such as 1921-2 and Nocardioides showed significant positive correlations with PPO activity (P<0.05), and some genera were correlated with the urease activity and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. LEfSe analysis further confirmed that antibiotic treatment promoted the enrichment of health-associated taxa such as Dyella but suppressed the ecological niche of the HLB pathogen (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, CLas). Overall, the application of ampicillin sodium salt reshaped microbial community structure, enhanced the ecological competitiveness of the disease-resistant taxa, and improved the rhizosphere immune environment by regulating soil enzyme activities. These findings provide a new reference for microbiome-based integrated management strategies for citrus Huanglongbing.





Temporal variation of macrobenthic community structure in the nearshore waters from Sanmen Bay to Jiaojiang Estuary.

ZHANG Yu, TIAN Wei, CHAO Min

2026, 45(9):  2994-3003.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.006

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Investigations on macrobenthic fauna were conducted at 29 sampling stations between the Sanmen Bay and Jiaojiang Estuary during August and November 2019, and April and December 2020. Their seasonal distribution and associations with environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that a total of 68 macrobenthic species were collected. In terms of taxonomic composition, the specimen comprised 33 annelid species, 13 mollusk species, 12 crustacean species, 3 cnidarian species, and 7 species from other animal groups. Annelids and mollusks together accounted for 67.6% of the total number of species. Across the four cruises, nine dominant species were identified: Turritella bacillum, Siliqua minima, Notomastus latericeus, Aglaophamus dibranchis, Mediomastus chinensis, Sternaspis sculata, Cossurella dimorpha, Virgularia gustaviana, and Eocylichna braunsi. The seasonal average Shannon diversity index ranged from 0.78 to 2.07, average Margalef species richness index from 0.20 to 0.65, average Pielou evenness index from 0.51 to 0.92, and average Simpson dominance index from 0.29 to 0.54. All the four indices showed significant seasonal differences. Beta diversity was primarily driven by the turnover component. Generalized additive model (GAM) analysis (adjusted R²= 0.513) revealed significant nonlinear effects of phytoplankton abundance, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and water color on inhabiting density, highlighting the interconnected influence of the biological, chemical, and optical environment on its variability. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified two primary environmental gradients governing community differentiation: a synergistic salinity-silicate gradient (Axis 1) and a synergistic water temperature-chlorophyll-a gradient (Axis 2), which collectively explained 39.69% of the variation of species-environment relationship. Cluster analysis divided the 29 stations into three groups. Group I was dominated by pollution-tolerant species (A. dibranchis, S. sculata), indicating terrigenous organic pollution. Group II was characterized by the coexistence of A. dibranchis and V. gustaviana, reflecting a tidal-regulated sand-mud mixed habitat. Group III, with V. gustaviana as the indicator species, represented a low-disturbance sandy environment.





Annual variation in rotifer community structure and its influencing factors in a park water body in Wuhu City.

ZHAO Zhiyi, XU Xiaoping, QIN Xuan, ZHAO Changshuang, LI Liang

2026, 45(9):  3004-3012. 

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We investigated the purification effects of subsurface wetlands, enhanced wetlands and ecological lakes on reclaimed water, as well as the variations of rotifer community structure. From February 2024 to February 2025, water quality monitoring and rotifer species identification were conducted in reclaimed water bodies of a park in Wuhu City. The results showed that compared to that in subsurface flow wetlands and enhanced wetlands, the dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a content in ecological lakes increased, the total nitrogen content decreased, and the diversity indices of rotifer communities increased. Throughout the year, a total of 48 rotifer species belonging to 18 genera were identified, with Polyarthra dolichoptera being the first dominant species, followed by Trichocerca pusilla, Keratella cochlearis, Polyarthra euryptera, and Brachionus calyciflorus. The evaluation results of the rotifer trophic state indices (TSI_ROT) and the eutrophication index (EI) showed strong consistency in summer and autumn seasons, but there were differences in winter and spring seasons, indicating seasonal feasibility issue in their application. The rotifer abundance had the highest positive correlation with total nitrogen, followed by temperature and chlorophyll-a, and showed a significant negative correlation with electrical conductivity. Our results provide data to support studies on the structural changes in plankton communities in water bodies replenished with reclaimed water, and offer a scientific basis for the better utilization of reclaimed water.





Habitat selection of leopard cats in mountain forest ecosystem of Guizhou: Preferences and driving mechanisms.

WANG Weixi, CHEN Sikan, LIU Yi1, GUO Qunyi, ZHANG Mingming, ZHAO Jinman, HU Lile

2026, 45(9):  3013-3021.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.027

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To elucidate the habitat selection preferences and underlying driving mechanisms of leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis) in mountain forests, we explored habitat selection pattern of the leopard cats in 11 representative mountain forest ecosystems in Guizhou by integrating camera trapping and habitat plot survey. The results showed that the leopard cats exhibited a significant preference in selecting their habitats, mainly characterized by a trade-off strategy between resource prioritization and risk avoidance. In terms of habitat characteristics, leopard cats showed a strong preference for habitats with shady slopes, broad-leaved forests with high canopy density, and areas with low shrub coverage. In terms of disturbance response, leopard cats preferred weakly interfering environments and habitats far from roads, while actively avoiding strongly interfering environments. The random forest modeling further confirmed that canopy density and disturbance level were key factors driving habitat selection of leopard cats, while geographical factors such as altitude, slope, and distance from water sources had relatively weak influence. This study fills a research gap in the habitat selection of leopard cats in southern mountain forests, and can provide scientific basis for the precise protection and management of leopard cat habitats.





Multidimensional driving mechanisms of vegetation restoration in the eastern Tibetan Plateau.

LI Jie, MA Fengkui, HUANG Yuyao, LIU Xinyu, JIANG Qunou

2026, 45(9):  3022-3030.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.014

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Focusing on different ecological restoration models in the ecological transition zone on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, we used the geographic detector and structural equation model to analyze the vegetation restoration effectiveness and reveal the multidimensional driving mechanisms of natural and socio-economic factors on vegetation restoration. The results showed that the effectiveness of vegetation restoration exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity from 2001 to 2019. Under the natural restoration model, the effectiveness of vegetation restoration gradually increased, while under the artificial restoration model, the effectiveness showed different trends in different time periods due to the influence of climate and human activities. The comprehensive restoration model performed significant differences between the central part of Gansu and the Gannan region, while vegetation generally showed a recovery trend. Temperature was the most important driving factor for vegetation recovery (q=0.36), while slope (q=0.09) had a minor effect. The driving mechanism was mainly characterized by nonlinear enhanced interaction, followed by double-factor enhancement. The promoting effect of socio-economic factors on vegetation restoration had continuously strengthened. In addition, the inhibitory effect of population pressure on the agricultural economy showed an overall decreasing trend, while the impact on the non-agricultural economy showed a phased characteristic of “first enhancement and then weakening”. The interaction between the agricultural economy and the non-agricultural economy shifted from mutual constraint during 2001-2015 to positive synergy during 2005-2019, indicating that the optimization of the industrial structure can significantly improve the efficiency of ecological restoration. This study deepens our understanding on the responses of fragile ecosystems to global change, providing practical references for the governance of fragile ecosystems and the optimization of ecological compensation mechanisms.





Prediction of the potential suitable habitat of Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae) based on the optimized MaxEnt model.

YU Hao, SU Xu, LIU Yuping, LYU Yang, ZHANG Yuxin, CAIRANG Zhaxi, ZHENG Yinghui

2026, 45(9):  3031-3040.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.017

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To predict the potential suitable habitats of the rare and endangered medicinal plant Psammosilene tunicoides, we used occurrence records combined with multi-source environmental variables to construct a species distribution model, simulating the distribution of suitable habitats under current and future climate change scenarios. We further analyzed the dominant environmental factors as well as the spatiotemporal dynamics and migration patterns of the centroid of suitable habitats, by adopting optimized MaxEnt model parameters obtained via cross-validation and grid search. The results showed that: (1) The optimized MaxEnt model exhibited high predictive performance, with an AUC value of 0.979 based on the average training dataset. (2) Isothermality, altitude, annual precipitation, temperature seasonality, minimum temperature of the coldest month, and temperature annual range were the dominant factors affecting the distribution of P. tunicoides, with a cumulative contribution rate of 93% and a cumulative permutation importance of 78.8%. (3) Under current climatic conditions, the total area of potential suitable habitats for P. tunicoides was 167.47×10⁴ km², mainly distributed in eastern Xizang, Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou. Among them, highly suitable habitats were concentrated in the middle and southern sections of the Hengduan Mountains, with an area of 29.65×10⁴ km², accounting for 17.7% of the total suitable area. (4) Under future SSP scenarios, the suitable habitat for P. tunicoides exhibits a phased transformation characterized by a “contraction-expansion-contraction” pattern. In the 2030s, habitat contraction is the dominant trend. After the 2050s, high-emission scenarios show expansion into the high-altitude regions of Western Sichuan and Eastern Tibet. By the 2070s, only the SSP5-8.5 scenario shows expansion, while all other scenarios experience varying degrees of contraction. By 2090s, the potential for expansion tends to become saturated. In addition, the centroid of suitable habitats generally migrated toward the northwest, and the migration rate increased with higher emission intensity. These findings provide an important scientific basis for in situ and ex situ conservation, artificial cultivation, and the sustainable utilization of germplasm resources of P. tunicoides.





Analyzing spatiotemporal distribution of greenhouses and plastic films in Liaoning Province based on GEE.

JING Hongxiang, NIU Mingfen, GUO Wei, SHI Sixue, YU Yang, ZHANG Zhibin, HUANG Zhang, LIU Long, LIU Miao

2026, 45(9):  3041-3050.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.007

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With the increasing expansion of greenhouses and the utilization of plastic films in agricultural production, rapid and accurate monitoring of their spatial distribution has become an important foundation for agricultural management. Based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform, we integrated Sentinel-2 remote sensing data with a Random Forest algorithm. Through feature selection, spectral, index, and optimal texture features (G+Z+W2) were identified as the optimal feature combination to achieve rapid and accurate extraction of greenhouses and plastic films in Liaoning Province. The results showed that the proposed algorithm effectively interpreted greenhouses and plastic films. The overall classification accuracies in 2019 and 2024 were 91.3% and 89.21%, with Kappa coefficients of 0.84 and 0.81, respectively. From 2019 to 2024, greenhouse area increased from 1286.61 to 2005.63 km², and plastic film area increased from 407.06 to 713.38 km². The aggregation index of greenhouses increased from 70.99 to 72.37, and the mean patch area increased from 0.88 to 1.11 hm². The aggregation index of plastic films increased from 58.06 to 64.8, and the mean patch area increased from 0.48 to 0.68 hm², indicating a transition from dispersed to clustered distribution and from small-scale to regionally concentrated. In terms of spatial distribution, greenhouses were mainly distributed in Gaizhou and Beizhen. Influenced by temperature and spring precipitation, plastic films were mainly concentrated in Jianping and Jinzhou in northwestern Liaoning. This study provides an efficient and reliable technical methodological framework for regional-scale monitoring of agricultural plastic coverage and offers a data foundation for agricultural management.



Impact of mountain photovoltaic power stations on local climate.

CHANG Le, DONG Yukuan, LIU Jiatong, CUI Juntong, LIU Xin

2026, 45(9):  3051-3062.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.008

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To meet the severe challenge of climate warming, the construction of photovoltaic (PV) power stations in China has increased rapidly. Mountainous areas gradually become important sites for PV deployment. Due to the high ecological sensitivity of mountain landscapes, large-scale installation of PV panels would affect the local climate. We used a fixed-point monitoring method using MaxiMet GMX600 weather stations and 5TM soil temperature and moisture sensors to monitor air temperature, air humidity, wind environment, soil temperature, and soil moisture at a mountainous PV power station from October 2024 to October 2025. We compared daily, monthly, and seasonal variations among different PV zones, and analyzed the impacts of the PV power station on local climate. The results showed that the PV power station exhibited an overall “warming and drying” effect on the air environment from the outer to the inner zones. Compared with that in the control site, the annual average air temperature increased by 2.63 ℃ within the PV area and by 1.93 ℃ in the adjacent PV area, while air humidity decreased by 5.25% and 4.21%, respectively. Moreover, the warming and drying effects were more pronounced during low-temperature periods. For the wind environment, the PV power station showed a pattern of “wind reduction and wind direction deflection” from the outer to the inner zones. Compared with the control site, the annual average wind speed decreased by 0.67 m·s^-1 within the PV area and by 0.28 m·s^-1 in the adjacent PV area, while the dominant wind direction shifted westward by 2.96° and 18.06°, respectively. The wind reduction effect was more significant during hightemperature periods. In terms of soil environment, the PV power station exhibited a “cooling and moistening” effect from the outer to the inner zones. Compared with the control site, the annual average soil temperature decreased by 1.20 ℃ within the PV area and by 0.55 ℃ in the adjacent PV area, while soil moisture increased by 4.92% and 2.59%, respectively. The cooling and moistening effects were more evident during low-temperature periods and in the surface soil layer. Based on the changes in air temperature and humidity, wind environment, and soil hydrothermal conditions, targeted ecological restoration strategies are proposed to mitigate the local climatic effects of mountainous PV power stations.





Multi-scale ecological effects of road network expansion: A case study of Quanzhou City.

FU Qingjie, QIU Weiguo, LIN Chengxiang, ZHANG Lanyi, CHEN Cheng, HU Xisheng

2026, 45(9):  3063-3074.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.011

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Analyzing the impacts of road network expansion across different grades on environment quality is vital for guiding infrastructure planning and ecological conservation. We leveraged road data and Landsat imagery (2016 and 2023) alongside the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) to assess RSEI responses to road networks with different grades within buffer zones in Quanzhou City. Spatial units were analyzed at different grid scales (1000 m×1000 m, 1500 m×1500 m, 2000 m×2000 m, 2500 m×2500 m, 3000 m×3000 m). The spatial heterogeneity of the relationships between road kernel density estimation (KDE) and RSEI were analyzed using bivariate spatial autocorrelation and geographically weighted regression (GWR). Results showed the total road length increased significantly from 2016 to 2023, with average KDE rising significantly, while the overall average RSEI declined. The areas with good ecological environment quality had a smaller increase compared to those with poor ecological environment quality, indicating local improvement coexisting with overall degradation in RSEI. As the buffer zone distance increased from 0 to 3000 m, the RSEI values increased gradually for all road grades, with impact thresholds approximately 900 m for national/provincial roads and 600-750 m for county/township roads. The latter showed greater RSEI fluctuation with distance. Multiscale bivariate spatial autocorrelation confirmed a significant negative KDE-RSEI correlation (significant negative Global Moran’s I), being strongest at the 1000 m×1000 m scale (Moran’s I=-0.476 in 2016, -0.553 in 2023). Moran’s I of ΔKDE-ΔRSEI was negative and decreased with increasing scales. By comparing multi-scale GWR models, 1000 m×1000 m and 1500 m×1500 m grids yielded optimal fitness (higher adjusted R², lower AIC). Overall, KDE negatively correlated with RSEI, exhibiting spatial heterogeneity. Small areas with positive effect emerged in Yongchun and Dehua counties (northwest part of the study area), while negative effects occurred in South Wing New City and along the Fuzhou-Xiamen High-Speed Railway. Such results were basically true for ΔKDE-ΔRSEI relationships. Areas with positive correlations increased notably from 2016 to 2023. Our results provide multi-scale spatial decision support for reconciling coastal urban development with ecological protection.





Hydrochemical characteristics and genesis of water bodies during the wet season in the Northern Shaanxi Energy Base.

XING Yuzhu, FAN Jun, TONG Boya

2026, 45(9):  3075-3084.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.010

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Shenmu City, located in the contiguous region of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, is a nationally important energy, chemical, and mineral base. Under the dual influences of natural conditions and human activities, water environment problems have become increasingly prominent in this region. Investigating the hydrochemical characteristics and their genesis can provide a scientific basis for the rational development and protection of surface water and groundwater. In this study, we collected 167 groundwater samples (157 well water samples and 10 spring water samples) and 30 surface water samples in Shenmu City in July 2024. Ion concentrations were measured to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics of surface water and groundwater and to understand the formation mechanisms. The results showed that pH of surface water and groundwater in Shenmu City ranged from 7.0 to 8.6, being generally neutral to weakly alkaline. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations ranged from 129.4 to 2928.9 mg·L^-1, with fresh water being dominated. The pH (7.8), electrical conductivity (EC) (858.3 μS·cm^-1), and TDS (513.1 mg·L^-1) of surface water were all higher than those of groundwater. The dominant anion was HCO₃^-, and the dominant cations were Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. Coal mining led to localized enrichment of Na⁺, Cl^-, and SO₄^2- in both surface water and groundwater, particularly evident in Daliuta Town and Dianta Town. The hydrochemical types of both surface water and groundwater were different. Surface water was dominated by the HCO₃Ca·Mg type, while groundwater was dominated by the HCO₃Ca·Na type. In coal mining areas, surface water and groundwater were enriched in Na⁺ and SO₄^2-, and the hydrochemical types were mainly HCO₃·SO₄Ca, HCO₃·SO₄Ca·Mg, and SO₄·Cl·HCO₃Na. The hydrochemical characteristics of surface water and groundwater were controlled jointly by natural processes and human activities. Natural factors included rock weathering, cation exchange, and evaporation-crystallization, with water-rock interactions dominated by the dissolution of silicate and carbonate minerals. Among the human activities, industrial and mining activities exerted the dominant influence on water bodies, followed by agricultural activities. As water bodies in the energy base have been affected by industrial activities, strict environmental protection measures should be adopted to safeguard the health of the local water environment.



Differences in copper and zinc removal and responses between Chlorella vulgaris and its co-culture with Agrobacterium sp. W01p.

WU Xiaohan, YU Qingnan, ZHANG Tao, WEI Yanping, ZHANG Chunhua, GE Ying

2026, 45(9):  3085-3095.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.031

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The removal and response patterns of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) by the algal-bacterial co-culture system remain unclear. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris was co-cultured with Agrobacterium sp. W01p at a ratio of 2∶1 and exposed to single or combined Cu (0.1, 0.5 mg·L^-1) and Zn (1.0, 5.0 mg·L^-1) treatments for four days. Chlorophyll, dry weight, components of extracellular polymeric substances, superoxide dismutase activity, and Cu/Zn removal rates were measured to compare the differences in responses and removal of those two metals between the co-culture and the monoculture of alga. The results showed that, under the single treatment of Cu (0.1, 0.5 mg·L^-1) or single Zn (1.0, 5.0 mg·L^-1), the chlorophyll content in the algae-bacteria co-culture was 1.1-2.8 times that in monoculture of C. vulgaris. Under the combined Cu and Zn treatments (0.1Cu+1.0Zn, 0.5Cu+1.0Zn, 0.1Cu+5.0Zn), the chlorophyll content in the algae-bacteria co-culture was increased by 1.1-4.1 times compared with that in single C. vulgaris system. Compared with the monoculture system, the removal rate of Cu and Zn by the co-culture increased by 7.4%-16.0%. The inhibition rate of chlorophyll synthesis in Chlorella by Cu-Zn combined stress was significantly higher than that in single Cu or Zn treatments (P<0.05). The combined treatment of Zn (1.0, 5.0 mg·L^-1) and Cu (0.1 mg·L^-1) increased the Cu removal by the co-culture system from 39.3% to 60.2% and 68.3%, respectively. The combined treatment of Cu (0.1, 0.5 mg·L^-1) and Zn (1.0 mg·L^-1) decreased the Zn removal from 89.1% to 56.1% and 40.8%, respectively. Co-culture with Agrobacterium sp. W01p significantly increased the chlorophyll content of C. vulgaris to 1.1-4.1 times that of the monoculture of alga (P<0.05), and increased the total amount of extracellular polymeric substances to 1.1-2.4 times that of the single alga (P<0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity of the algal-bacterial co-culture system increased by 18.4%-215.9% compared with the alga alone under Cu and Zn treatments, confirming the stress alleviation through antioxidant enzymes. Our results indicated that the algal-bacterial co-culture system had stronger Cu and Zn tolerance and removal ability than monoculture algal system. The coexistence of Cu and Zn favored the removal of Cu but not Zn. Increased secretion of extracellular polymeric substances, up-regulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, and specific binding of functional groups may explain the enhanced capacity of the algal co-culture system to tolerate and remove Cu and Zn.





Resource assessment and utilization strategies of wetland plant Phragmites australis.

SONG Huijia, LIU Lele, SUN Mingxing, GUO Xiao, CHEN Wenli, LI Xiaoyu, GUO Weihua

2026, 45(9):  3096-3104.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.030

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Common reed (Phragmites australis), a globally distributed wetland clonal plant, exhibits extensive distribution and high biomass yield in China, demonstrating dual potential for the provision of ecological services and to be used as a resource. Here, we analyze the geographical distribution patterns, genetic diversity characteristics, and biological invasion risks of common reed. Based on a sixdimensional comprehensive utilization framework encompassing feed utilization, substrate utilization, fertilizer conversion, raw material utilization, energy conversion, and natural restoration, we elaborate on diversified pathways including feed development, mushroom substrate cultivation, resource-efficient enhancement of straw composting, paperboard materials upgrading, biomass energy conversion, and artificial wetland construction. Traditional industrial utilization models currently face urgent transformation due to environmental constraints, while ecological restoration, carbon sequestration enhancement, and value-added utilization have emerged as new directions. To address the challenges such as wetland habitat degradation, declining genetic diversity, and insufficient resource utilization efficiency, future efforts should focus on strengthening germplasm resource conservation, optimizing mechanized harvesting techniques, developing eco-friendly adhesives, and advancing carbon sequestration regulation technologies. By promoting a synergistic mechanism integrating agricultural recycling-industrial upgrading-ecological conservation, sustainable equilibrium between ecological preservation and economic valorization of reed resources will be achieved.





Review on soil fauna-microbe-plant interactive networks driving carbon sequestration.

QIN Luyang, CHANG Liang, ZHU Xinyu, WU Donghui

2026, 45(9):  3105-3117.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.033

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The roles of plants and microorganisms in carbon sequestration have been extensively studied. However, the roles of soil animals in the formation, transformation, and stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC), as well as their synergistic mechanisms with microorganisms and plants, remain unclear. This review synthesizes multidisciplinary advances to examine the regulatory effects of soil animals, microorganisms, and plants, as well as their interaction networks, on SOC dynamics, focusing the unique role of soil animals in carbon sequestration. Additionally, we propose a new conceptual framework: Soil Faunal Carbon Pump (SFCP), to reassess the ecological significance of soil animals in carbon cycling. This review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for deepening mechanistic understanding of soil carbon cycling and refining the prediction of carbon sink under global change. Furthermore, it seeks to open new avenues for future research in related fields and to foster the expansion and advancement of knowledge in this domain.





Research progress on olfactory-visual synergy in insects.

FENG Taiyang, LI Yiwei, BI Tianyu, YANG Yijuan, DONG Wenxia

2026, 45(9):  3118-3127.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.015

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The olfactory system of insects detects chemical cues from the environment, while the visual system processes light stimuli. Rather than functioning in isolation, these two modalities complement and interact with each other to shape behavior. Such olfactory-visual synergy plays a pivotal role in foraging, mate finding, host selection, predator avoidance, orientation, and navigation. We reviewed recent advances in understanding multimodal sensory integration between olfaction and vision in insect neurophysiology, with emphasis on its implications for pest management. We discussed the complementary and integrative neural mechanisms that support key organism activities and illustrated how multisensory interactions contribute to insect survival and reproduction. These insights deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying olfactory-visual integration and provide potential strategies for improving pest monitoring and control.





The interaction and coevolution between avian migration behavior and haemosporidian parasites.

CHEN Zeling, HUANG Xi

2026, 45(9):  3128-3135.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.022

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Migration is an ecological phenomenon driven by multiple factors, among which parasite infection has recently gained increasing attention and is becoming a research hotspot. Using Haemosporidia and their avian hosts as a model system, we examined the complex interaction mechanisms and coevolutionary relationships between parasite infection and migration. On one hand, migratory birds are exposed to higher infection risk from haemosporidian parasites, due to their utilization of diverse habitats, high-density aggregations, and immune suppression, which facilitates transmission and geographical spread of the parasites. On the other hand, severely infected individuals may die during migration, and chronically infected individuals can recover in parasite-free areas. Birds can therefore mitigate infection risk by migrating away from high-prevalence areas. Furthermore, haemosporidian infection can influence the phenology of migratory birds, including departure and arrival times, by interfering with energy allocation. From an evolutionary perspective, haemosporidian infection acts as a selection pressure which shapes the evolution of avian migration strategies. Conversely, bird migration drives speciation and local adaptation of Haemosporida by expanding their geographical ranges, providing opportunities for host switching, and imposing periodic selective pressure. Current research still faces challenges regarding long-term field tracking and mechanistic verification. Future studies may integrate omics analyses, novel monitoring technologies, and manipulative experiments to gain an in-depth understanding of bird migration-parasite interactions and coevolution under global change.





Research progress of ecological characteristics and maintenance mechanisms of ephemeral wetlands.

QIAO Yanan, HUANG Zhu, YUAN Jia, YUAN Xingzhong

2026, 45(9):  3136-3147.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.009

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Ephemeral wetlands are a distinctive category of small and micro wetlands characterized by intermittent hydrological dynamics. They are irreplaceable in biodiversity conservation and hydrological regulation, yet are frequently overlooked due to their small size and short hydroperiods. Here, we define ephemeral wetlands as small and micro wetland ecosystems formed in isolated depressions, which are characterized by recurrent wet-dry alternation. We synthesized current understanding of the types, ecological characteristics, dynamic change, and maintenance mechanisms of ephemeral wetlands. Ephemeral wetlands are defined by recurrent wet-dry alternation and can be classified, according to hydroperiod, into temporary, intermittent, seasonal, and near-permanent types. They provide preferred habitats and breeding sites for many key species, and their biological communities exhibit pronounced adaptation strategies, including the formation of dormant propagules, rapid life histories, and high dispersal capacity. Community structure exhibits predictable dynamics along the hydrological cycle, while food-web assembly is regulated by priority effects and the balance between predation and competition. The ecological integrity of ephemeral wetlands is maintained through four-dimensional coupling of hydrology characteristics, topography, substrate, and nutrient dynamics, with the hydrological cycle as the primary driver. However, global climate change, agricultural intensification, and other anthropogenic disturbances are threatening the persistence of widely distributed ephemeral wetlands. Future research and management should strengthen baseline inventories, promote multiscale dynamic monitoring, deepen mechanistic understanding of biodiversity maintenance, and develop adaptive management strategies to support the scientific conservation and sustainable management of ephemeral wetlands.





Impact of park shape on the service capacity and equity of park green spaces.

LUO Caijuan, LI Hui, YUAN Ying, HUANG Qianye, XIA Xiaohui

2026, 45(9):  3148-3159.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.005

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Urban green spaces are of great significance to public health and sustainable development. The shape of park green spaces plays a critical role in evaluating their service capacity and ensuring equity. Traditional assessment methods rely primarily on accessibility indicators and tend to overlook the deep effects of morphological characteristics. Taking Xiamen as a case study, we incorporated a park shape index into an improved gravity model, quantified park service capacity by the size of the potentially served population, and assessed spatial equity using the Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve. The results showed that: (1) park shape complexity was positively correlated with service capacity (r=0.71), with a particularly strong correlation for linear parks (r=0.86); (2) For parks of similar size, those with higher shape indices exhibited stronger service capacity, indicating that the morphological effect was independent of park area; (3) Replacing the traditional centroid-to-centroid distance with the distance from the community centroid to the park boundary optimized the distance algorithm, reduced the average travel distance by 1684 m, and significantly improved overall service capacity, with the service capacity of linear parks increasing by up to 122.07%; and (4) Park service capacity differed significantly among park types and administrative districts, while the overall level of spatial equity remained low (Gini coefficient=0.49). Moreover, flexible park layouts adapted to natural topography improved the equity pattern. These findings elucidate the mechanism by which park shape influences service capacity and provide a scientific basis and practical pathway for precise green-space planning, the improvement of spatial equity, and sustainable urban development.





Assessing human activity impacts within the ecological conservation red line at patch scale.

SHI Xuewei, ZHANG Jingjing, CHEN Xuhui, ZHANG Xinsheng, WANG Lixia, CAI Mingyong, TAI Wenfei

2026, 45(9):  3160-3168.  doi:10.13292/j.1000-4890.202609.023

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The rapid development of remote sensing technology has facilitated the monitoring of human disturbance in critical ecological regions. However, the massive interference behaviors at the patch scale hinder the rapid quantitative assessment of their ecological impacts. By integrating change detection, model evaluation, and driving factor analysis, we developed an efficient quantitative framework to assess the ecological impacts of human disturbances. Taking the Ecological Conservation Red Line (ECRL) in Jiangxi Province as a case study, we assessed the ecological effects of new human disturbances occurring between 2020 and 2022. The results showed that: (1) A total of 337 new disturbance sites were identified, which led to the conversion of 1922.10 hm² of natural ecological lands to farmlands, built-up areas, and bare lands. (2) The new disturbances caused a 0.152% reduction in vegetation coverage index, a loss of 5.567 billion m³ in water conservation capacity, a loss of 121 million tons in soil retention capacity, and a 0.21% decline in habitat quality index. (3) 32 catchments showed moderate degradation, and two catchments suffered severe degradation, making ecological restoration an urgent necessity. (4) Human disturbances caused limited loss of local ecological functions. Climate change remained the dominant driver of such changes in most regions. The ECRL was crucial for maintaining and restoring regional natural ecosystems. The evaluation framework established here requires limited data and boasts strong operability. Our assessment results can serve as a reference for decision-making in ECRL supervision and regional ecological restoration.