Can government environmental policy harmonize environmental protection with economic output? We explore this issue from the perspective of forestry eco-efficiency, using China’s National Ecological Civilization Pilot Zone Policy (NECP), an environmental policy promulgated by the government of China, as the subject of this study. The study introduces forestry eco-efficiency as an indicator to assess the balance between economic development in the forestry sector and environmental conservation. The indicator, grounded in sustainable development theory, employs a super-efficiency SBM model that includes undesirable outputs to evaluate efficiency. Additionally, we empirically analyze the impact of NECP on forestry eco-efficiency by using the difference-in-difference (DID) model with provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020. Ultimately, we analyze the effects of spatial spillover by employing the spatial Durbin model (SDM). Our study yields the following conclusions. (1) In this paper, through hotspot clustering analysis, forestry eco-efficiency in each province is categorized into three categories: effective, semi-effective and ineffective. Our findings suggest that China’s average forestry eco-efficiency falls into the ineffective category, highlighting the need to optimize resource allocation within the sector. (2) NECP significantly enhances forestry eco-efficiency, with robust findings across various stability tests. Thus, implementing government environmental policies can have a multiplier effect on forestry, i.e., it can synergize its economic development with environmental protection. (3) In provinces with a strong ecological foundation, the NECP significantly enhances forestry eco-efficiency. However, in other provinces, the improvement is only moderate. Furthermore, while the NECP has a substantial positive impact in the eastern region, it has yet to show a discernible effect in other regions. (4) The positive impacts of NECP implementation on forestry eco-efficiency have spatial spillover effects due to demonstration effects and comparative advantages.
{"title":"Impact and Spatial Effect of Government Environmental Policy on Forestry Eco-Efficiency—Examining China’s National Ecological Civilization Pilot Zone Policy","authors":"Yingzheng Yan, Ziwei Zhou, Liupeng Chen, Yuanzhu Wei","doi":"10.3390/f15081312","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081312","url":null,"abstract":"Can government environmental policy harmonize environmental protection with economic output? We explore this issue from the perspective of forestry eco-efficiency, using China’s National Ecological Civilization Pilot Zone Policy (NECP), an environmental policy promulgated by the government of China, as the subject of this study. The study introduces forestry eco-efficiency as an indicator to assess the balance between economic development in the forestry sector and environmental conservation. The indicator, grounded in sustainable development theory, employs a super-efficiency SBM model that includes undesirable outputs to evaluate efficiency. Additionally, we empirically analyze the impact of NECP on forestry eco-efficiency by using the difference-in-difference (DID) model with provincial panel data from 2011 to 2020. Ultimately, we analyze the effects of spatial spillover by employing the spatial Durbin model (SDM). Our study yields the following conclusions. (1) In this paper, through hotspot clustering analysis, forestry eco-efficiency in each province is categorized into three categories: effective, semi-effective and ineffective. Our findings suggest that China’s average forestry eco-efficiency falls into the ineffective category, highlighting the need to optimize resource allocation within the sector. (2) NECP significantly enhances forestry eco-efficiency, with robust findings across various stability tests. Thus, implementing government environmental policies can have a multiplier effect on forestry, i.e., it can synergize its economic development with environmental protection. (3) In provinces with a strong ecological foundation, the NECP significantly enhances forestry eco-efficiency. However, in other provinces, the improvement is only moderate. Furthermore, while the NECP has a substantial positive impact in the eastern region, it has yet to show a discernible effect in other regions. (4) The positive impacts of NECP implementation on forestry eco-efficiency have spatial spillover effects due to demonstration effects and comparative advantages.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"13 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141799080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuanming Lu, Junfei Xia, Robert D. Holt, Donald L. DeAngelis
To predict the potential success of an invading non-native species, it is important to understand its dynamics and interactions with native species in the early stages of its invasion. In spatially implicit models, mathematical stability criteria are commonly used to predict whether an invading population grows in number in an early time period. But spatial context is important for real invasions as an invading population may first occur as a small number of individuals scatter spatially. The invasion dynamics are therefore not describable in terms of population level state variables. A better approach is spatially explicit individual-based modeling (IBM). We use an established spatially explicit IBM to predict the invasion of the non-native tree, Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake, to a native community in southern Florida. We show that the initial spatial distribution, both the spatial density of individuals and the area they cover, affects its success in growing numerically and spreading. The formation of a cluster of a sufficient number and density of individuals may be needed for the invader to locally outcompete the native species and become established. Different initial densities, identical in number and density but differing in random positions of individuals, can produce very different trajectories of the invading population through time, even affecting invasion success and failure.
要预测入侵的非本地物种可能取得的成功，就必须了解其在入侵初期的动态以及与本地物种的相互作用。在空间隐含模型中，数学稳定性标准通常用于预测入侵种群在早期是否会增长。但空间环境对实际入侵非常重要，因为入侵种群最初可能只是少量个体在空间上分散出现。因此，入侵动态无法用种群水平的状态变量来描述。更好的方法是基于个体的空间显式建模（IBM）。我们利用已建立的空间显式 IBM 预测了非本地树种 Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake 对佛罗里达州南部一个本地群落的入侵。我们发现，最初的空间分布，包括个体的空间密度及其覆盖面积，都会影响其数量增长和扩散的成功率。入侵者可能需要形成一个具有足够数量和密度的个体集群，才能在局部地区超越本地物种并立足。不同的初始密度（数量和密度相同，但个体的随机位置不同）会随着时间的推移产生截然不同的入侵种群轨迹，甚至影响入侵的成败。
{"title":"Modeling the Effects of Spatial Distribution on Dynamics of an Invading Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake Population","authors":"Yuanming Lu, Junfei Xia, Robert D. Holt, Donald L. DeAngelis","doi":"10.3390/f15081308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081308","url":null,"abstract":"To predict the potential success of an invading non-native species, it is important to understand its dynamics and interactions with native species in the early stages of its invasion. In spatially implicit models, mathematical stability criteria are commonly used to predict whether an invading population grows in number in an early time period. But spatial context is important for real invasions as an invading population may first occur as a small number of individuals scatter spatially. The invasion dynamics are therefore not describable in terms of population level state variables. A better approach is spatially explicit individual-based modeling (IBM). We use an established spatially explicit IBM to predict the invasion of the non-native tree, Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) Blake, to a native community in southern Florida. We show that the initial spatial distribution, both the spatial density of individuals and the area they cover, affects its success in growing numerically and spreading. The formation of a cluster of a sufficient number and density of individuals may be needed for the invader to locally outcompete the native species and become established. Different initial densities, identical in number and density but differing in random positions of individuals, can produce very different trajectories of the invading population through time, even affecting invasion success and failure.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"51 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141798938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Darius Hardalau, Codrin-Leonid Codrean, Daniel Iordache, Mihai Fedorca, Ovidiu Ionescu
In recent decades, ungulates have expanded in number and range in Europe. This review aims to analyze the impact of ungulate browsing in different forest ecosystems and identify the main driving factors and trends. In total, 155 studies were analyzed in preparing this review, across 19 European countries. In Europe, the main browsers are represented by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.), red deer (Cervus elaphus L.), moose (Alces alces L.), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.), and fallow deer (Dama dama L.). Regarding browsing severity, they frequently exceeded 50%, meaning that over half of the saplings were browsed. Ungulate density was the main driving factor of browsing severity, with areas exhibiting high browsing pressure often having more than ten individuals per square kilometer. The type of silvicultural system used played a vital role in the severity of browsing, and trends in foraging for preferred tree species were identified. Fencing was the most common non-harmful protection method used, while hunting management was the most efficient method for controlling deer numbers and browsing intensity. Large carnivores were missing in most study areas, but in the areas where they were present, they played a significant role in creating a chain reaction of ecological impacts. Considering the significant impact of ungulate browsing on forest ecosystems, there is a pressing need for more research to comprehend and effectively mitigate the effects of deer presence comprehensively.
{"title":"The Expanding Thread of Ungulate Browsing—A Review of Forest Ecosystem Effects and Management Approaches in Europe","authors":"Darius Hardalau, Codrin-Leonid Codrean, Daniel Iordache, Mihai Fedorca, Ovidiu Ionescu","doi":"10.3390/f15081311","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081311","url":null,"abstract":"In recent decades, ungulates have expanded in number and range in Europe. This review aims to analyze the impact of ungulate browsing in different forest ecosystems and identify the main driving factors and trends. In total, 155 studies were analyzed in preparing this review, across 19 European countries. In Europe, the main browsers are represented by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.), red deer (Cervus elaphus L.), moose (Alces alces L.), chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra L.), and fallow deer (Dama dama L.). Regarding browsing severity, they frequently exceeded 50%, meaning that over half of the saplings were browsed. Ungulate density was the main driving factor of browsing severity, with areas exhibiting high browsing pressure often having more than ten individuals per square kilometer. The type of silvicultural system used played a vital role in the severity of browsing, and trends in foraging for preferred tree species were identified. Fencing was the most common non-harmful protection method used, while hunting management was the most efficient method for controlling deer numbers and browsing intensity. Large carnivores were missing in most study areas, but in the areas where they were present, they played a significant role in creating a chain reaction of ecological impacts. Considering the significant impact of ungulate browsing on forest ecosystems, there is a pressing need for more research to comprehend and effectively mitigate the effects of deer presence comprehensively.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"14 26","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141801250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yinquan Qu, Ji Wang, Caihui Qu, Xiaoyun Mo, Xiumei Zhang
Suaeda australis is a typical halophyte due to its high salt tolerance. The WRKY gene family plays crucial roles in responding to salt stress, yet reports on WRKY genes in S. australis are scarce. In this study, we identified 47 WRKY genes in the S. australis genome. We then conducted comprehensive analyses, including investigations into their chromosomal locations, gene structures, phylogenetic relationships, promoter regions, conserved motifs, and expression profiles. The 47 WRKY genes were classified into three main groups (with six subfamilies). Among nine chromosomes, S. australis displayed an unequal pattern of distribution. The analysis of regulatory elements revealed that WRKY promoters were associated with light responsiveness, anaerobic induction, drought inducibility, meristem expression, and gibberellin responsiveness. Expression pattern analyses highlighted the role of several SaWRKYs, including Sau00527, Sau00681, Sau18413, Sau19293, Sau00810, Sau05901, Sau09209, Sau12457, and Sau14103. These genes exhibited higher expression levels under ST2 compared to ST1, indicating a significant response to salt stress. Higher SOD, POD, and CAT activity, as well as increased MDA and H2O2 content, were observed in ST2, in line with the expression patterns and our RTq-PCR results. Our study offers a profound understanding of the evolutionary development of S. australis WRKY members, clarifying their vital functions in responding to salt stress. Along with crucial genomic data, these findings establish a solid foundation for investigating the mechanisms of salt-stress regulation in S. australis. This research holds substantial scientific and ecological importance, offering potential contributions to the conservation of S. australis and the utilization of saline soil resources.
{"title":"Genome-Wide Identification of WRKY in Suaeda australis against Salt Stress","authors":"Yinquan Qu, Ji Wang, Caihui Qu, Xiaoyun Mo, Xiumei Zhang","doi":"10.3390/f15081297","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081297","url":null,"abstract":"Suaeda australis is a typical halophyte due to its high salt tolerance. The WRKY gene family plays crucial roles in responding to salt stress, yet reports on WRKY genes in S. australis are scarce. In this study, we identified 47 WRKY genes in the S. australis genome. We then conducted comprehensive analyses, including investigations into their chromosomal locations, gene structures, phylogenetic relationships, promoter regions, conserved motifs, and expression profiles. The 47 WRKY genes were classified into three main groups (with six subfamilies). Among nine chromosomes, S. australis displayed an unequal pattern of distribution. The analysis of regulatory elements revealed that WRKY promoters were associated with light responsiveness, anaerobic induction, drought inducibility, meristem expression, and gibberellin responsiveness. Expression pattern analyses highlighted the role of several SaWRKYs, including Sau00527, Sau00681, Sau18413, Sau19293, Sau00810, Sau05901, Sau09209, Sau12457, and Sau14103. These genes exhibited higher expression levels under ST2 compared to ST1, indicating a significant response to salt stress. Higher SOD, POD, and CAT activity, as well as increased MDA and H2O2 content, were observed in ST2, in line with the expression patterns and our RTq-PCR results. Our study offers a profound understanding of the evolutionary development of S. australis WRKY members, clarifying their vital functions in responding to salt stress. Along with crucial genomic data, these findings establish a solid foundation for investigating the mechanisms of salt-stress regulation in S. australis. This research holds substantial scientific and ecological importance, offering potential contributions to the conservation of S. australis and the utilization of saline soil resources.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"29 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141802800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Weisheng Zeng, Wentao Zou, Xinyun Chen, Xueyun Yang
Forest biomass and carbon storage models are crucial for inventorying, monitoring, and assessing forest resources. This study develops models specific to China’s diverse forests, offering a methodological foundation for national carbon storage estimation and a quantitative basis for national, regional, and global carbon sequestration projections. Utilizing data from 52,700 permanent plots obtained during China’s 9th national forest inventory, we calculated biomass and carbon storage per hectare for 35 tree species groups using respective individual tree biomass models and carbon factors. We then constructed a three-level volume-based model system for forest biomass and carbon storage, applying weighted regression, dummy variable modeling, and simultaneous equations with error-in-variables. This system encompasses one population of forests, three forest categories (level I), 20 forest types (level II), and 74 forest sub-types (level III). Finally, the assessment of these models was carried out with six evaluation indices, and comparative analyses with previously established biomass models of three major forest types were conducted. Determination coefficients (R2) for the population average model, and three dummy models on levels I, II, and III, exceed 0.78, 0.85, 0.92, and 0.95, respectively, with corresponding mean prediction errors (MPEs) of 0.42%, 0.34%, 0.24%, and 0.19%, and mean percent standard errors (MPSEs) of approximately 22%, 21%, 15%, and 12%. Models for 20 forest types and 74 sub-types yield R2 values above 0.87 and 0.85, with MPE values below 3% and 5%, respectively. Notably, the estimates of previous biomass models of three major forest types demonstrated considerable uncertainty, with TRE ranging from −20% to 74%. However, accuracy has improved with larger sample sizes. In total biomass and carbon storage estimations, the R2 values of dummy models for levels I, II, and III progressively increase and MPSE and MPE values decrease, whereas TRE approximates zero. The tiered model system of simultaneous equations developed herein offers a quantitative framework for precise evaluations of biomass and carbon storage on different scales. For enhanced accuracy in such estimations, applying level III models is recommended whenever feasible, especially for national estimation.
{"title":"A Three-Level Model System of Biomass and Carbon Storage for All Forest Types in China","authors":"Weisheng Zeng, Wentao Zou, Xinyun Chen, Xueyun Yang","doi":"10.3390/f15081305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081305","url":null,"abstract":"Forest biomass and carbon storage models are crucial for inventorying, monitoring, and assessing forest resources. This study develops models specific to China’s diverse forests, offering a methodological foundation for national carbon storage estimation and a quantitative basis for national, regional, and global carbon sequestration projections. Utilizing data from 52,700 permanent plots obtained during China’s 9th national forest inventory, we calculated biomass and carbon storage per hectare for 35 tree species groups using respective individual tree biomass models and carbon factors. We then constructed a three-level volume-based model system for forest biomass and carbon storage, applying weighted regression, dummy variable modeling, and simultaneous equations with error-in-variables. This system encompasses one population of forests, three forest categories (level I), 20 forest types (level II), and 74 forest sub-types (level III). Finally, the assessment of these models was carried out with six evaluation indices, and comparative analyses with previously established biomass models of three major forest types were conducted. Determination coefficients (R2) for the population average model, and three dummy models on levels I, II, and III, exceed 0.78, 0.85, 0.92, and 0.95, respectively, with corresponding mean prediction errors (MPEs) of 0.42%, 0.34%, 0.24%, and 0.19%, and mean percent standard errors (MPSEs) of approximately 22%, 21%, 15%, and 12%. Models for 20 forest types and 74 sub-types yield R2 values above 0.87 and 0.85, with MPE values below 3% and 5%, respectively. Notably, the estimates of previous biomass models of three major forest types demonstrated considerable uncertainty, with TRE ranging from −20% to 74%. However, accuracy has improved with larger sample sizes. In total biomass and carbon storage estimations, the R2 values of dummy models for levels I, II, and III progressively increase and MPSE and MPE values decrease, whereas TRE approximates zero. The tiered model system of simultaneous equations developed herein offers a quantitative framework for precise evaluations of biomass and carbon storage on different scales. For enhanced accuracy in such estimations, applying level III models is recommended whenever feasible, especially for national estimation.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"105 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141802306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
U. Jeong, Seung Hyun Han, Dohee Kim, Sohyun Kim, Eun Ju Cheong
Larix kaempferi is in high demand in Korea due to its value in timber and afforestation. However, it faces challenges in terms of propagation and the collection of physiological information for seedling production. In particular, moisture supply is crucial in seedling production. Therefore, establishing efficient irrigation regimes based on optical measurements is essential. Optical measurement methods are expected to be non-destructive, rapid, and reduce labor consumption in nursery systems. This study applied optical measurements using vegetation indices (VIs), chlorophyll fluorescence (FL) imaging, and thermal (TH) imaging to explore the efficient irrigation period for one-year-old Larix kaempferi seedlings in greenhouse conditions under drought stress and perform rehydration experiments. It was observed that all the seedlings survived without irrigation until day 4 (D4) (soil moisture content: 5.3%). Upon rehydration on D6, 83.33% of the seedlings survived until D14. According to the optical measurement results, the TH parameters, PRI (photochemical reflectance index), and Fm (maximum fluorescence in a dark-adapted state) showed sensitive stress responses in all drought treatment pots on D6. Among them, thermal imaging was found to have the highest potential for addressing limitations and being utilized in the greenhouse. The results of this study are expected to provide foundational data for the development of smart nursery systems for efficient irrigation in the future.
{"title":"Exploring the Efficient Irrigation Period for Larix kaempferi Seedlings in Nursery Pots in Greenhouse Conditions Using Optical Measurements","authors":"U. Jeong, Seung Hyun Han, Dohee Kim, Sohyun Kim, Eun Ju Cheong","doi":"10.3390/f15081303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081303","url":null,"abstract":"Larix kaempferi is in high demand in Korea due to its value in timber and afforestation. However, it faces challenges in terms of propagation and the collection of physiological information for seedling production. In particular, moisture supply is crucial in seedling production. Therefore, establishing efficient irrigation regimes based on optical measurements is essential. Optical measurement methods are expected to be non-destructive, rapid, and reduce labor consumption in nursery systems. This study applied optical measurements using vegetation indices (VIs), chlorophyll fluorescence (FL) imaging, and thermal (TH) imaging to explore the efficient irrigation period for one-year-old Larix kaempferi seedlings in greenhouse conditions under drought stress and perform rehydration experiments. It was observed that all the seedlings survived without irrigation until day 4 (D4) (soil moisture content: 5.3%). Upon rehydration on D6, 83.33% of the seedlings survived until D14. According to the optical measurement results, the TH parameters, PRI (photochemical reflectance index), and Fm (maximum fluorescence in a dark-adapted state) showed sensitive stress responses in all drought treatment pots on D6. Among them, thermal imaging was found to have the highest potential for addressing limitations and being utilized in the greenhouse. The results of this study are expected to provide foundational data for the development of smart nursery systems for efficient irrigation in the future.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141804587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xi Yuan, Ran He, Hui Zhang, Dongyan Liu, Donghuan Liu, Zhihong Niu, Yu Zhang, Xinli Xia
Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc (mei) is a horticulturally important fruit tree that undergoes anthesis in winter. Therefore, its flowering process is challenged by low-temperatures conditions. The transcription factor (TF) MYB21 is pivotal in regulating the flowering process, and particularly functions in petal expansion and filament elongation. However, the regulatory mechanism of PmMYB21 in mei remains unknown. To breed early-flowering cultivars, a deeper understanding of PmMYB21-regulated genes is essential. We employed DNA affinity purification sequencing (Dap-seq) to identify downstream genes bound by PmMYB21. The results revealed the promoter region is the primary binding region of PmMYB21, and the AGTTAGGTARR motif (motif1) is the predominant binding sequence type. Our analysis identified 8533 genes that are potentially bound by PmMYB21 with the motif1 sequence type, within the promoter region. These genes are involved in biological processes critical to flowering. Further refinement of candidate genes was achieved through Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), which identified the co-expressed genes of PmMYB21 during flowering activity. Integrating Dap-seq and WGCNA data, we narrowed down the candidate gene list to 54, with a focus on 4 MADS-box genes and 2 hormone signaling genes that are crucial to the flowering process under low-temperature conditions. This study offers valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of PmMYB21’s role in the low-temperature flowering regulation of mei, paving the way for the development of new cultivars adapted to early blooming.
{"title":"Deciphering the Regulatory Mechanism of PmMYB21 in Early Flowering of Prunus mume through Dap-Seq and WGCNA Analysis","authors":"Xi Yuan, Ran He, Hui Zhang, Dongyan Liu, Donghuan Liu, Zhihong Niu, Yu Zhang, Xinli Xia","doi":"10.3390/f15081300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081300","url":null,"abstract":"Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc (mei) is a horticulturally important fruit tree that undergoes anthesis in winter. Therefore, its flowering process is challenged by low-temperatures conditions. The transcription factor (TF) MYB21 is pivotal in regulating the flowering process, and particularly functions in petal expansion and filament elongation. However, the regulatory mechanism of PmMYB21 in mei remains unknown. To breed early-flowering cultivars, a deeper understanding of PmMYB21-regulated genes is essential. We employed DNA affinity purification sequencing (Dap-seq) to identify downstream genes bound by PmMYB21. The results revealed the promoter region is the primary binding region of PmMYB21, and the AGTTAGGTARR motif (motif1) is the predominant binding sequence type. Our analysis identified 8533 genes that are potentially bound by PmMYB21 with the motif1 sequence type, within the promoter region. These genes are involved in biological processes critical to flowering. Further refinement of candidate genes was achieved through Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), which identified the co-expressed genes of PmMYB21 during flowering activity. Integrating Dap-seq and WGCNA data, we narrowed down the candidate gene list to 54, with a focus on 4 MADS-box genes and 2 hormone signaling genes that are crucial to the flowering process under low-temperature conditions. This study offers valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of PmMYB21’s role in the low-temperature flowering regulation of mei, paving the way for the development of new cultivars adapted to early blooming.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"45 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141805719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Forest recreation can be successfully used for psychological relaxation and can serve as a remedy for common stress-related problems. The special form of forest recreation intended for restoration is forest bathing. These activities might be disrupted by some factors, such as viewing buildings in the forest or using a computer in nature, which interrupt psychological relaxation. One factor that might interrupt psychological relaxation is the occurrence of an open dump in the forest during an outdoor experience. To test the hypothesis that an open dump might decrease psychological relaxation, a case study using a randomized, controlled crossover design was conducted. For this purpose, two groups of healthy young adults viewed a control forest or a forest with an open dump in reverse order and filled in psychological questionnaires after each stimulus. Participants wore oblique eye patches to stop their visual stimulation before the experimental stimulation, and the physical environment was monitored. The results were analyzed using the two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The measured negative psychological indicators significantly increased after viewing the forest with waste, and the five indicators of the Profile of Mood States increased: tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion. In addition, the negative aspect of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule increased in comparison to the control and pretest. The measured positive indicators significantly decreased after viewing the forest with waste, the positive aspect of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule decreased, and the Restorative Outcome Scale and Subjective Vitality scores decreased (in comparison to the control and pretest). The occurrence of an open dump in the forest might interrupt a normal restorative experience in the forest by reducing psychological relaxation. Nevertheless, the mechanism of these relevancies is not known, and thus, it will be further investigated. In addition, in a future study, the size of the impact of these open dumps on normal everyday experiences should be investigated. It is proposed that different mechanisms might be responsible for these reactions; however, the aim of this study is to only measure this reaction. The identified psychological reasons for these mechanisms can be assessed in further studies.
{"title":"Exposure to Waste Might Decrease Relaxation: The Effects of Viewing an Open Dump in a Forest Environment on the Psychological Response of Healthy Young Adults","authors":"E. Bielinis, Natalia Korcz, E. Janeczko","doi":"10.3390/f15081302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081302","url":null,"abstract":"Forest recreation can be successfully used for psychological relaxation and can serve as a remedy for common stress-related problems. The special form of forest recreation intended for restoration is forest bathing. These activities might be disrupted by some factors, such as viewing buildings in the forest or using a computer in nature, which interrupt psychological relaxation. One factor that might interrupt psychological relaxation is the occurrence of an open dump in the forest during an outdoor experience. To test the hypothesis that an open dump might decrease psychological relaxation, a case study using a randomized, controlled crossover design was conducted. For this purpose, two groups of healthy young adults viewed a control forest or a forest with an open dump in reverse order and filled in psychological questionnaires after each stimulus. Participants wore oblique eye patches to stop their visual stimulation before the experimental stimulation, and the physical environment was monitored. The results were analyzed using the two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The measured negative psychological indicators significantly increased after viewing the forest with waste, and the five indicators of the Profile of Mood States increased: tension–anxiety, depression–dejection, anger–hostility, fatigue, and confusion. In addition, the negative aspect of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule increased in comparison to the control and pretest. The measured positive indicators significantly decreased after viewing the forest with waste, the positive aspect of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule decreased, and the Restorative Outcome Scale and Subjective Vitality scores decreased (in comparison to the control and pretest). The occurrence of an open dump in the forest might interrupt a normal restorative experience in the forest by reducing psychological relaxation. Nevertheless, the mechanism of these relevancies is not known, and thus, it will be further investigated. In addition, in a future study, the size of the impact of these open dumps on normal everyday experiences should be investigated. It is proposed that different mechanisms might be responsible for these reactions; however, the aim of this study is to only measure this reaction. The identified psychological reasons for these mechanisms can be assessed in further studies.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"42 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141802671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hang Tao, Kate Kingston, Zhihong Xu, S. Hosseini Bai, Lei Guo, Guanglu Liu, Chaomao Hui, Weiyi Liu
Climate change restricts and alters the distribution range of plant species. Predicting potential distribution and population dynamics is crucial to understanding species’ geographical distribution characteristics to harness their economic and ecological benefits. This study uses Dendrocalamus brandisii as the research subject, aiming to accurately reveal the impact of climate change on this plant. The findings offer important insights for developing practical conservation and utilization strategies, and guidance for future introduction and cultivation. The MaxEnt model was optimized using regularization multiplier (RM) and feature combination (FC) from the ‘Kuenm’ package in R language, coupled with ArcGIS for modeling 142 distribution points and 29 environmental factors of D. brandisii. This article explored the key environmental factors influencing the potential suitable regions for D. brandisii, and predicted trends in habitat changes under SSPs2.6 and SSPs8.5 climate scenarios for the current era, the 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s. (1) The results show that when FC = QPH and RM = 1, the AUC = 0.989, indicating that the model prediction is accurate with the lowest complexity and overfitting. The key environmental factors affecting its primary suitable distribution, determined by jackknife training gain and single-factor response curve, are the precipitation of warmest quarter (bio18), the temperature seasonality (bio4), the minimum average monthly radiation (uvb-4), and elevation (Elev), contributing 93.6% collectively. It was established that the optimal range for D. brandisii is precipitation of warmest quarter of between 657 and 999 mm, temperature seasonality from 351% to 442%, minimum average monthly radiation from 2420 to 2786 J/m2/day, at elevation from 1099 to 2217 m. (2) The current potential habitat distribution is somewhat fragmented, covering an area of 92.17 × 104 km2, mainly located in southwest, south, and southeast China, central Nepal, southern Bhutan, eastern India, northwestern Myanmar, northern Laos, and northern Vietnam. (3) In future periods, under different climate scenario models, the potential habitat of D. brandisii will change in varying degrees to become more fragmented, with its distribution center generally shifting westward. The SSP8.5 scenario is not as favorable for the growth of D. brandisii as the SSPs2.6. Central Nepal, southern Bhutan, and the southeastern coastal areas of China have the potential to become another significant cultivation region for D. brandisii. The results provide a scientific basis for the planning of priority planting locations for potential introduction of D. brandisii in consideration of its cultivation ranges.
{"title":"Predicting Potential Suitable Areas of Dendrocalamus brandisii under Global Climate Change","authors":"Hang Tao, Kate Kingston, Zhihong Xu, S. Hosseini Bai, Lei Guo, Guanglu Liu, Chaomao Hui, Weiyi Liu","doi":"10.3390/f15081301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081301","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change restricts and alters the distribution range of plant species. Predicting potential distribution and population dynamics is crucial to understanding species’ geographical distribution characteristics to harness their economic and ecological benefits. This study uses Dendrocalamus brandisii as the research subject, aiming to accurately reveal the impact of climate change on this plant. The findings offer important insights for developing practical conservation and utilization strategies, and guidance for future introduction and cultivation. The MaxEnt model was optimized using regularization multiplier (RM) and feature combination (FC) from the ‘Kuenm’ package in R language, coupled with ArcGIS for modeling 142 distribution points and 29 environmental factors of D. brandisii. This article explored the key environmental factors influencing the potential suitable regions for D. brandisii, and predicted trends in habitat changes under SSPs2.6 and SSPs8.5 climate scenarios for the current era, the 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s. (1) The results show that when FC = QPH and RM = 1, the AUC = 0.989, indicating that the model prediction is accurate with the lowest complexity and overfitting. The key environmental factors affecting its primary suitable distribution, determined by jackknife training gain and single-factor response curve, are the precipitation of warmest quarter (bio18), the temperature seasonality (bio4), the minimum average monthly radiation (uvb-4), and elevation (Elev), contributing 93.6% collectively. It was established that the optimal range for D. brandisii is precipitation of warmest quarter of between 657 and 999 mm, temperature seasonality from 351% to 442%, minimum average monthly radiation from 2420 to 2786 J/m2/day, at elevation from 1099 to 2217 m. (2) The current potential habitat distribution is somewhat fragmented, covering an area of 92.17 × 104 km2, mainly located in southwest, south, and southeast China, central Nepal, southern Bhutan, eastern India, northwestern Myanmar, northern Laos, and northern Vietnam. (3) In future periods, under different climate scenario models, the potential habitat of D. brandisii will change in varying degrees to become more fragmented, with its distribution center generally shifting westward. The SSP8.5 scenario is not as favorable for the growth of D. brandisii as the SSPs2.6. Central Nepal, southern Bhutan, and the southeastern coastal areas of China have the potential to become another significant cultivation region for D. brandisii. The results provide a scientific basis for the planning of priority planting locations for potential introduction of D. brandisii in consideration of its cultivation ranges.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"21 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141804338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Pernek, Tomislav Milas, Marta Kovač, N. Lacković, Milan Koren, B. Hrašovec
Infestations have persisted following a sudden and intense outbreak of the bark beetle Orthotomicus erosus along the Croatian coast, necessitating a continuous battle against this pest. A recommended protective action is the utilization of pheromone traps for population surveillance. Previous monitoring efforts have recorded an exceptionally high capture rate of natural enemies using pheromone traps; these traps inadvertently prevented natural enemies from fulfilling their essential role in controlling bark beetle populations. To address and significantly diminish instances of this unintended capture, our study designed a modification to the Theysohn-type pheromone trap by integrating a metal mesh within the trapping container. An experimental setup was established in Marjan Forest Park, situated on a peninsula bordered by the sea on three sides and partly by the city of Split. For monitoring purposes, unmodified standard pheromone traps were deployed at the onset of a significant O. erosus outbreak in Croatia in 2018. Catch data from 2020 to 2022 show a marked decrease in the bark beetle population, indicating a shift toward a latent phase. In 2022, modified traps were integrated into the existing monitoring setup, consisting of 10 pairs, to evaluate whether modifications to the traps could significantly reduce the capture of the bark beetle’s natural enemies, specifically Temnoscheila caerulea, Thanasimus formicarius, and Aulonium ruficorne. The objective is to offer recommendations for forestry practices on employing pheromone traps with minimal disturbance to the ecological equilibrium. Our findings indicate that the modifications to the traps markedly decreased the capture of natural predators, particularly T. caerulea, which was the predominant predatory insect found in the traps. Simultaneously, captures of the target species, all bark beetles in the trap, were marginally reduced. This decrease in the capture rates of the target bark beetle species, O. erosus, is not considered problematic when pheromone traps are utilized primarily for monitoring purposes. The modifications to the traps significantly reduced the capture of common bark beetle predators, thereby facilitating a more balanced strategy in forest protection efforts.
{"title":"Effective Reduction in Natural Enemy Catches in Pheromone Traps Intended for Monitoring Orthotomicus erosus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)","authors":"M. Pernek, Tomislav Milas, Marta Kovač, N. Lacković, Milan Koren, B. Hrašovec","doi":"10.3390/f15081298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081298","url":null,"abstract":"Infestations have persisted following a sudden and intense outbreak of the bark beetle Orthotomicus erosus along the Croatian coast, necessitating a continuous battle against this pest. A recommended protective action is the utilization of pheromone traps for population surveillance. Previous monitoring efforts have recorded an exceptionally high capture rate of natural enemies using pheromone traps; these traps inadvertently prevented natural enemies from fulfilling their essential role in controlling bark beetle populations. To address and significantly diminish instances of this unintended capture, our study designed a modification to the Theysohn-type pheromone trap by integrating a metal mesh within the trapping container. An experimental setup was established in Marjan Forest Park, situated on a peninsula bordered by the sea on three sides and partly by the city of Split. For monitoring purposes, unmodified standard pheromone traps were deployed at the onset of a significant O. erosus outbreak in Croatia in 2018. Catch data from 2020 to 2022 show a marked decrease in the bark beetle population, indicating a shift toward a latent phase. In 2022, modified traps were integrated into the existing monitoring setup, consisting of 10 pairs, to evaluate whether modifications to the traps could significantly reduce the capture of the bark beetle’s natural enemies, specifically Temnoscheila caerulea, Thanasimus formicarius, and Aulonium ruficorne. The objective is to offer recommendations for forestry practices on employing pheromone traps with minimal disturbance to the ecological equilibrium. Our findings indicate that the modifications to the traps markedly decreased the capture of natural predators, particularly T. caerulea, which was the predominant predatory insect found in the traps. Simultaneously, captures of the target species, all bark beetles in the trap, were marginally reduced. This decrease in the capture rates of the target bark beetle species, O. erosus, is not considered problematic when pheromone traps are utilized primarily for monitoring purposes. The modifications to the traps significantly reduced the capture of common bark beetle predators, thereby facilitating a more balanced strategy in forest protection efforts.","PeriodicalId":505742,"journal":{"name":"Forests","volume":"31 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141804444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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