Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 993 in total

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  1. The lophogastrids (Crustacea: Peracarida: Lophogastrida) of Indonesia and its adjacent waters. An updated checklist
    Yolanda R, Lheknim V, B A R A, Price WW, Hendrickx ME
    Zootaxa, 2023 Aug 16;5330(3):413-429.
    PMID: 38221129 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5330.3.5
    The zoogeographic distribution of lophogastrid species (Crustacea: Peracarida: Lophogastrida) occurring in the Indonesian waters is presented. For each species, data on general distribution, bathymetric ranges, habitat and localities reported on published data are provided. A total of 20 lophogastrid species belonging to three families and seven genera occur in Indonesian waters (about 38% of all known lophogastrids species worldwide), a number greater than other areas of Southeast Asia. Also, based on current information, the number of species or species richness is greater than other regions, such as Madagascar, North Pacific off Japan, Mediterranean, Canary Island, northern mid-Atlantic ridge, Iberian Peninsula, Mexico, and Angola Basin (SE Atlantic). Most of the Indonesian species are distributed worldwide, but one species, Lophogaster inermis appears to be endemic to Indonesia. Previous listings of Paralophogaster intermedius occurring in Southeast Asian waters is not verified in any collections, and has therefore been removed from our updated list.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  2. Revision of the Oriental genus Horniella Raffray (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)
    Yin ZW, Li LZ
    Zootaxa, 2014;3850:1-83.
    PMID: 25112427 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3850.1.1
    The Oriental pselaphine genus Horniella Raffray, 1905 (tribe Tyrini: subtribe Somatipionina) is redefined and revised. Twenty-five new species are described: H. centralis Yin & Li, sp. n., H. confragosa Yin & Li, sp. n., H. dao Yin & Li, sp. n., H. hongkongensis Yin & Li, sp. n., H. nakhi Yin & Li, sp. n., H. schuelkei Yin & Li, sp. n., H. sichuanica Yin & Li, sp. n., H. simplaria Yin & Li, sp. n., and H. tianmuensis Yin & Li, sp. n. from China, H. himalayica Yin & Li, sp. n. from Nepal and North India, H. asymmetrica Yin & Li, sp. n., H. burckhardti Yin & Li, sp. n., H. intricata Yin & Li, sp. n., H. kaengkrachan Yin & Li, sp. n., H. khaosabap Yin & Li, sp. n., H. loebli Yin & Li, sp. n., H. phuphaman Yin & Li, sp. n., H. prolixo Yin & Li, sp. n., and H. schwendingeri Yin & Li, sp. n. from Thailand, H. philippina Yin & Li, sp. n. from the Philippines, H. awana Yin & Li, sp. n., H. gigas Yin & Li, sp. n., H. pilosa Yin & Li, sp. n., and H. smetanai Yin & Li, sp. n. from Malaysia, and H. cibodas Yin & Li, sp. n. from Indonesia. The two previously described species, H. hirtella Raffray, 1901 (type species) from Sri Lanka and H. falcis Yin & Li, 2010 from China are redescribed, and a lectotype is designated for H. hirtella. Illustrations of habitus and important diagnostic features, an identification key, and distributional maps for all species are provided. Eleven unidentified species represented only by females are left unnamed. Illustrations of the habitus and the genital complex, and label data of these species are given to facilitate future study. All available data indicates that species of Horniella typically inhabit leaf litter of various kinds of forests, and can be most efficiently collected by sifting and use of Winkler-Moczarski extractors. 
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  3. Fulltext The effects of anthropogenic disturbance and seasonality on the ant communities of Lang Tengah Island
    Yek SH, Sethu Pathy T, Yeo DYC, Gan JYS
    PeerJ, 2023;11:e16157.
    PMID: 37868047 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16157
    Anthropogenic disturbances and seasonal changes significantly impact diversity and community composition of ants, but their effects are often intertwined. We investigated these drivers on Lang Tengah Island, a location with a pronounced monsoon season and three resorts that close during this period. We surveyed four sites, two disturbed and two undisturbed, before and after the monsoon season, using pitfall traps to sample epigaeic ant communities. Undisturbed habitats had higher species diversity, but both habitats (undisturbed and disturbed sites) have a high proportion of ants with characteristics of being encroached by generalist and invasive/tramp ant species. Post-monsoon sampling yielded an increase in species richness and diversity. Seasonal changes, such as monsoonal rains, can temporarily alter ant interactions and resource distribution, potentially maintaining diversity. Future studies should validate these findings for ant communities under similar pressures, using ant composition and functional roles for conservation and management purposes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  4. Synchronous flowering of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) induced by high solar radiation intensity
    Yeang HY
    New Phytol, 2007;175(2):283-9.
    PMID: 17587376
    How tropical trees flower synchronously near the equator in the absence of significant day length variation or other meteorological cues has long been a puzzle. The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is used as a model to investigate this phenomenon. The annual cycle of solar radiation intensity is shown to correspond closely with the flowering of the rubber tree planted near the equator and in the subtropics. Unlike in temperate regions, where incoming solar radiation (insolation) is dependent on both day length and radiation intensity, insolation at the equator is due entirely to the latter. Insolation at the upper atmosphere peaks twice a year during the spring and autumn equinoxes, but the actual solar radiation that reaches the ground is attenuated to varying extents in different localities. The rubber tree shows one or two flowering seasons a year (with major and minor seasons in the latter) in accordance with the solar radiation intensity received. High solar radiation intensity, and in particular bright sunshine (as distinct from prolonged diffuse radiation), induces synchronous anthesis and blooming in Hevea around the time of the equinoxes. The same mechanism may be operational in other tropical tree species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  5. Formulation of maize- and peanut-based semi-synthetic growth media for the ecophysiological studies of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in maize and peanut agro-ecosystems
    Yazid SNE, Thanggavelu H, Mahror N, Selamat J, Samsudin NIP
    Int J Food Microbiol, 2018 Oct 03;282:57-65.
    PMID: 29913332 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.06.007
    In studying the ecophysiology of fungal phytopathogens, several stages are involved (in vitro, greenhouse, in planta). Most in vitro studies extensively utilise the general growth media such as Potato Dextrose Agar and Malt Extract Agar. Although the crop components in these media serve as excellent carbon sources and yield luxuriant growth, they are not naturally contaminated with Aspergillus flavus and thus might result in under- or overestimation of its actual toxigenic potentials. Empirical data on the formulation of semi-synthetic growth medium mimicking the natural crop commonly contaminated by A. flavus for the ecophysiological studies in vitro are scarce. The present work was aimed at investigating the ecophysiology of A. flavus on commercial growth media (PDA, MEA); formulating maize- and peanut-based semi-synthetic growth media using two methods of raw material preparation (milling, hot water extraction) at different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7, 9% w/v), and comparing the ecophysiological parameters between commercial and formulated growth media. Growth rates were obtained by computing the hyphal expansion data into y = mx + c equation. AFB1 was quantified using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. Formulated media were found to yield significantly higher growth rates when compared to commercial media. However, commercial media yielded significantly higher AFB1 when compared to all formulated media. Between the two formulations, milling yielded significantly higher growth rates and AFB1 when compared to hot water extraction. Although in vitro data cannot directly extrapolate in planta performance, results obtained in the present work can be used to gauge the actual toxigenic potential of A. flavus in maize and peanut agro-ecosystems.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  6. Synthesis optimization of oil palm empty fruit bunch and rice husk biochars for removal of imazapic and imazapyr herbicides
    Yavari S, Malakahmad A, Sapari NB, Yavari S
    J Environ Manage, 2017 Feb 18;193:201-210.
    PMID: 28226259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.02.035
    Imidazolinones are a family of herbicides that are used to control a broad range of weeds. Their high persistence and leaching potential make them probable risk to the ecosystems. In this study, biochar, the biomass-derived solid material, was produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) and rice husk (RH) through pyrolysis process. Feedstock and pyrolysis variables can control biochar sorption capacity. Therefore, the present study attempts to evaluate effects of three pyrolysis variables (temperature, heating rate and retention time) on abilities of biochars for removal of imazapic and imazapyr herbicides from soil. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimizing the variables to achieve maximum sorption performance of the biochars. Experimental data were interpreted accurately by quadratic models. Based on the results, sorption capacities of both biochars raised when temperature decreased to 300 °C, mainly because of increased biochars effective functionality in sorption of polar molecules. Heating rate of 3°C/min provided optimum conditions to maximize the sorption capacities of both biochars. Retention time of about 1 h and 3 h were found to be the best for EFB and RH biochars, respectively. EFB biochar was more efficient in removal of the herbicides, especially imazapyr due to its chemical composition and higher polarity index (0.42) rather than RH biochar (0.39). Besides, higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) values of EFB biochar (83.90 cmolc/kg) in comparison with RH biochar (70.73 cmolc/kg) represented its higher surface polarity effective in sorption of the polar herbicides.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  7. Bio-inspired ZnO NPs synthesized from Citrus sinensis peels extract for Congo red removal from textile wastewater via photocatalysis: Optimization, mechanisms, techno-economic analysis
    Yashni G, Al-Gheethi A, Radin Mohamed RMS, Dai-Viet NV, Al-Kahtani AA, Al-Sahari M, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2021 Oct;281:130661.
    PMID: 34029959 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130661
    Textile industry is one of the most environmental unfriendly industrial processes due to the massive generation of colored wastewater contaminated with dyes and other chemical auxiliaries. These contaminants are known to have undesirable consequences to ecosystem. The present study investigated the best operating parameters for the removal of congo red (CR, as the model for dye wastewater) by orange peels extract biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) via photocatalysis in an aqueous solution. The response surface methodology (RSM) with ZnO NPs loadings (0.05-0.20 g), pH (3.00-11.00), and initial CR concentration (5-20 ppm) were used for the optimization process. The applicability of ZnO NPs in the dye wastewater treatment was evaluated based on the techno-economic analysis (TEA). ZnO NPs exhibited hexagonal wurtzite structure with = C-H, C-O, -C-O-C, CC, O-H as the main functional groups. The maximum degradation of CR was more than 96% with 0.171 g of ZnO NPs, at pH 6.43 and 5 ppm of CR and 90% of the R2 coefficient. The specific cost of ZnO NPs production is USD 20.25 per kg. These findings indicated that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs with orange peels extract provides alternative method for treating dye wastewater.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  8. Fulltext A Commentary on the Use of Bivalve Mollusks in Monitoring Metal Pollution Levels
    Yap CK, Sharifinia M, Cheng WH, Al-Shami SA, Wong KW, Al-Mutairi KA
    Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 Mar 25;18(7).
    PMID: 33805997 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073386
    The objective of this commentary is to promote the use of bivalves as biomonitors, which is a part of the continual efforts of the International Mussel Watch. This commentary is an additional discussion on "Bivalve mollusks in metal pollution studies: From bioaccumulation to biomonitoring" by Zuykov et al., published in Chemosphere 93, 201-208. The present discussion can serve as a platform for further insights to provide new thoughts and novel ideas on how to make better use of bivalves in biomonitoring studies. The certainty of better and more extensive applications of mollusks in environmental monitoring in the future is almost confirmed but more studies are urgently needed. With all the reported studies using bivalves as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution, the effectiveness of using Mussel Watch is beyond any reasonable doubts. The challenge is the development of more accurate methodologies for of heavy metal data interpretation, and the precision of the biomonitoring studies using bivalves as biomonitors, whether in coastal or freshwater ecosystems. Lastly, inclusion of human health risk assessment of heavy metals in commercial bivalves would make the research papers of high public interest.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  9. Gill and digestive caecum of telescopium telescopium as biomonitors of pb bioavailability and contamination by pb in the tropical intertidal area
    Yap C, Noorhaidah A
    Sains Malaysiana, 2011;40:1075-1085.
    In this paper we investigated the concentrations of Pb in seven different soft tissues (foot, cephalic tentacles, mantle muscle, gill, digestive caecum and remaining soft tissues) of 17 geographical populations of Telescopium telescopium collected from the intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia. Two points can be presented based on the present study. First, as expected, different concentrations of Pb were found in the different soft tissues, indicating different mechanisms of bioaccumulation and regulations of Pb in these different tissues. By comparing the Pb concentrations in the similar tissues, spatial variation of Pb was found in the different sampling sites although there is no consistent pattern of Pb contamination in these sampling sites. Second, based on the correlation coefficients and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis between Pb concentrations in the different soft tissues and Pb concentrations in geochemical factions in the surface sediments, it is found that gill and digestive caecum can truly reflect Pb contamination and Pb bioavailabilities in the tropical intertidal mudflats. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study on Pb in the different soft tissues of T. telescopium, in relation to the habitat sediments of the snails.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  10. Has green finance improved China's ecological and livable environment?
    Yang A, Huan X, Teo BSX, Li W
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2023 Apr;30(16):45951-45965.
    PMID: 36710307 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25484-w
    Green finance can promote economic transformation and technological innovation and play a key role in solving the ecological environment and energy crisis. This paper constructs a comprehensive ecological livable environment evaluation system based on the provincial panel data in China from 2011 to 2019. At the same time, the panel mediation effect and spatial econometric model are used to test the impact of green finance on the ecological and livable environment. The main research conclusions include the following: (1) green finance has significantly improved China's ecological and livable environment; (2) green finance improves the ecological and livable environment by improving the level of technological innovation; (3) the impact of green finance on the ecological livable environment has regional heterogeneity, and green finance in the central provinces has a better effect on the improvement of the ecological livable environment; and (4) the ecological livable environment among Chinese provinces has a significant positive spatial correlation. Among them, green finance has significantly improved the local ecological livable environment but reduced the ecological livable environment of surrounding provinces. Based on the above conclusions, this paper suggests that the government should pay more attention to green finance and technological innovation and coordinate the development of the ecological livable environment among provinces. The research results provide empirical evidence for better developing green finance and improving the ecological livable environment and also provide certain theoretical guidance for China's coordinated regional development and high-quality economic development.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  11. Fulltext The dataset for antifeedant activity of eugenol derived compounds against red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Olivier) larvae
    Yan TK, Asari A, Abdullah S, Ismail M, Azmi WA
    Data Brief, 2019 Aug;25:104227.
    PMID: 31367662 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104227
    Rhynchophorus ferrugineus or red palm weevil (RPW) is a destructive insect pest of major cultivated palms such as coconut, date and oil palm. One of the control management of RPW is trunk injection using monocrotophos or methamidophos, but these chemicals are found to affect ecosystems and human health. Thus, we aimed to determine a bio-pesticide to replace these synthetic chemicals. We tested the antifeedant activity of three eugenol-based compounds as potential control agent against RPW larvae in vitro condition for two weeks. All these compounds show significant effect as feeding deterrent agent on 4th instar larvae, while WN16 (4-allyl-2-methoxy-1-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyloxy)-benzene) shows the highest feeding deterrent index (FDI = 64.42%). Here we present the data regarding the biological aspect on treated RPW larvae as well as antifeedant activity index of these eugenol derived compounds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  12. Soil-related variations in the population dynamics of six dipterocarp tree species with strong habitat preferences
    Yamada T, Yamada Y, Okuda T, Fletcher C
    Oecologia, 2013 Jul;172(3):713-24.
    PMID: 23183820 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-012-2529-z
    Differences in the density of conspecific tree individuals in response to environmental gradients are well documented for many tree species, but how such density differences are generated and maintained is poorly understood. We examined the segregation of six dipterocarp species among three soil types in the Pasoh tropical forest, Malaysia. We examined how individual performance and population dynamics changed across the soil types using 10-year demographic data to compare tree performance across soil types, and constructed population matrix models to analyze the population dynamics. Species showed only minor changes in mortality and juvenile growth across soil types, although recruitment differed greatly. Clear, interspecific demographic trade-offs between growth and mortality were found in all soil types. The relative trade-offs by a species did not differ substantially among the soil types. Population sizes were projected to remain stable in all soil types for all species with one exception. Our life-table response experiment demonstrated that the population dynamics of a species differed only subtly among soil types. Therefore, species with strong density differences across soil types do not necessarily differ greatly in their population dynamics across the soil types. In contrast, interspecific differences in population dynamics were large. The trade-off between mortality and growth led to a negative correlation between the contributions of mortality and growth to variations in the population growth rate (λ) and thus reduced their net contributions. Recruitment had little impact on the variation in λ. The combination of these factors resulted in little variation in λ among species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  13. Fulltext Switching from monoculture to polyculture farming benefits birds in oil palm production landscapes: Evidence from mist netting data
    Yahya MS, Syafiq M, Ashton-Butt A, Ghazali A, Asmah S, Azhar B
    Ecol Evol, 2017 08;7(16):6314-6325.
    PMID: 28861235 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3205
    Monoculture farming is pervasive in industrial oil palm agriculture, including those RSPO plantations certified as sustainably managed. This farming practice does not promote the maintenance of farmland biodiversity. However, little scientific attention has been given to polyculture farming in oil palm production landscapes. Polyculture farming is likely to increase the floristic diversity and stand structural complexity that underpins biodiversity. Mist nets were used to sample birds at 120 smallholdings in Peninsular Malaysia. At each site, 12 vegetation structure characteristics were measured. We compared bird species richness, abundance, and composition between monoculture and polyculture smallholdings and used predictive models to examine the effects of habitat quality on avian biodiversity. Bird species richness was significantly greater in polyculture than that of monoculture smallholdings. The number of fallen and standing, dead oil palms were also important positive predictors of species richness. Bird abundance was also strongly increased by standing and dead oil palms and decreased with oil palm stand height. Our results indicate that polyculture farming can improve bird species richness in oil palm production landscapes. In addition, key habitat variables that are closely associated with farming practices, such as the removal of dead trees, should and can be managed by oil palm growers in order to promote biodiversity. To increase the sustainability of oil palm agriculture, it is imperative that stakeholders modify the way oil palms are currently planted and managed. Our findings can guide policy makers and certification bodies to promote oil palm production landscapes that will function more sustainably and increase existing biodiversity of oil palm landscapes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  14. Breeding habitat preference of preimaginal black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Peninsular Malaysia
    Ya'cob Z, Takaoka H, Pramual P, Low VL, Sofian-Azirun M
    Acta Trop, 2016 Jan;153:57-63.
    PMID: 26476394 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.10.007
    To investigate the breeding habitat preference of black flies, a comprehensive black fly survey was conducted for the first time in Peninsular Malaysia. Preimaginal black flies (pupae and larvae) were collected manually from 180 stream points encompassing northern, southern, central and east coast of the Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 47 black fly species were recorded in this study. The predominant species were Simulium trangense (36.7%) and Simulium angulistylum (33.3%). Relatively common species were Simulium cheongi (29.4%), Simulium tani (25.6%), Simulium nobile (16.2%), Simulium sheilae (14.5%) and Simulium bishopi (10.6%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of all stream variables revealed four PCs that accounted for 69.3% of the total intersite variance. Regression analysis revealed that high species richness is associated with larger, deeper, faster and higher discharge streams with larger streambed particles, more riparian vegetation and low pH (F=22.7, d.f.=1, 173; P<0.001). Relationship between species occurrence of seven common species (present in >10% of the sampling sites) was assessed. Forward logistic regression analysis indicated that four species were significantly related to the stream variables. S. nobile and S. tani prefer large, fast flowing streams with higher pH, large streambed particles and riparian trees. S. bishopi was commonly found at high elevation with cooler stream, low conductivity, higher conductivity and more riparian trees. In contrast, S. sheilae was negatively correlated with PC-2, thus, this species commonly found at low elevation, warmer stream with low conductivity and less riparian trees. The results of this study are consistent with previous studies from other geographic regions, which indicated that both physical and chemical stream conditions are the key factors for black fly ecology.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  15. Fulltext Distribution pattern of black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae) assemblages along an altitudinal gradient in Peninsular Malaysia
    Ya'cob Z, Takaoka H, Pramual P, Low VL, Sofian-Azirun M
    Parasit Vectors, 2016 Apr 19;9:219.
    PMID: 27094088 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1492-7
    BACKGROUND: Preimaginal black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are important components of the stream ecosystem. However, there has been limited research undertaken on the vertical distribution of preimaginal black flies and their associated ecological factors. Stream conditions are generally variable along the altitudinal gradient. Therefore, we conducted an in-depth entomological survey to investigate the simuliid distribution pattern along an altitudinal gradient in Peninsular Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 432 collections were performed in this study (24 samplings at each of 18 fixed-streams at monthly intervals) from February 2012 to January 2014. Larvae and pupae attached on aquatic substrates such as grasses, leaves and stems, twigs, plant roots and rocks were collected by hand using fine forceps. Stream depth (m), width (m), velocity (m/s), water temperature (°C), acidity (pH), conductivity (mS/cm) and dissolved oxygen (mg/L) were measured at the time of each collection.

    RESULTS: A total of 35 black fly species were recorded in the present study. The most frequently collected species were Simulium tani (31.7%) and S. whartoni (21.5%), while the relatively common species were Simulium sp. (nr. feuerborni) (16.2%), S. decuplum (15.5%), S. angulistylum (14.8%), S. bishopi (13.2%) and S. izuae (11.8%). Total estimated species richness ranged between 39.8 and 41.3, which yielded more than 80% of sampling efficiency. Six simuliid species were distributed below 500 m, whereas eight species were distributed above 1400 m. Simulium sp. (nr. feuerborni) and S. asakoae were found from middle to high altitudes (711-1813 m). Simulium whartoni, S. brevipar and S. bishopi were distributed widely from low to high altitudes (159-1813 m). Regression analysis between species richness and PCs revealed that the species richness was significantly associated with wider, deeper and faster streams at low altitude, normal water temperature (23-25 °C), low conductivity, higher discharge, more canopy cover and riparian vegetation and with larger streambed particles (F = 20.8, df = 1, 422, P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  16. Fulltext Seed germination ecology of Conyza sumatrensis populations stemming from different habitats and implications for management
    Xu Y, Ye J, Khalofah A, Zuan ATK, Ullah R, El-Shehawi AM
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260674.
    PMID: 34855863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260674
    Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. H. Walker is an obnoxious weed, emerging as an invasive species globally. Seed germination biology of four populations of the species stemming from arid, semi-arid, temperate, and humid regions was determined in this study. Seed germination was recorded under six different environmental cues (i.e., light/dark periods, constant and alternating day and night temperatures, pH, salinity, and osmotic potential levels) in separate experiment for each cue. Populations were main factor, whereas levels of each environmental cue were considered as sub-factor. The impact of seed burial depths on seedling emergence was inferred in a greenhouse pot experiment. Seed germination was recorded daily and four germination indices, i.e., seed germination percentage, mean germination time, time to reach 50% germination, and mean daily germination were computed. Tested populations and levels of different environmental cues had significant impact on various seed germination indices. Overall, seeds stemming from arid and semi-arid regions had higher seed germination potential under stressful and benign environmental conditions compared to temperate and humid populations. Seed of all populations required a definite light period for germination and 12 hours alternating light and dark period resulted in the highest seed germination. Seed germination of all populations occurred under 5-30°C constant and all tested alternate day and night temperatures. However, the highest seed germination was recorded under 20°C. Seeds of arid and semi-arid populations exhibited higher germination under increased temperature, salinity and osmotic potential levels indicating that maternal environment strongly affected germination traits of the tested populations. The highest seed germination of the tested populations was noted under neutral pH, while higher and lower pH than neutral had negative impact on seed germination. Arid and semi-arid populations exhibited higher seed germination under increased pH compared to temperate and humid populations. Seed burial depth had a significant effect on the seedling emergence of all tested populations. An initial increase was noted in seedling emergence percentage with increasing soil depth. However, a steep decline was recorded after 2 cm seed burial depth. These results indicate that maternal environment strongly mediates germination traits of different populations. Lower emergence from >4 cm seed burial depth warrants that deep burial of seeds and subsequent zero or minimum soil disturbance could aid the management of the species in agricultural habitats. However, management strategies should be developed for other habitats to halt the spread of the species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  17. Nanoplastics potentiate mercury toxicity in a marine copepod under multigenerational exposure
    Xie D, Zhang H, Wei H, Lin L, Wang D, Wang M
    Aquat Toxicol, 2023 May;258:106497.
    PMID: 36940520 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106497
    The continuous fragmentation of plastics and release of synthetic nanoplastics from products have been aggravating nanoplastic pollution in the marine ecosystem. The carrier role of nanoplastics may increase the bioavailability and toxicity effects of toxic metals, e.g., mercury (Hg), which is of growing concern. Here, the copepod Tigriopus japonicus was exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) and Hg (alone or combined) at environmental realistic concentrations for three generations (F0-F2). Then, Hg accumulation, physiological endpoints, and transcriptome were analyzed. The results showed that the copepod's reproduction was significantly inhibited under PS NPs or Hg exposure. The presence of PS NPs caused significantly higher Hg accumulation, lower survival, and lower offspring production in copepods relative to Hg exposure, suggesting an increased threat to the copepod's survivorship and health. From the molecular perspective, combined PS NPs and Hg caused a graver effect on the DNA replication, cell cycle, and reproduction pathways relative to Hg exposure, linking to lower levels of survivorship and reproduction. Taken together, this study provides an early warning of nanoplastic pollution for the marine ecosystem not only because of their adverse effect per se but also their carrier role for increasing Hg bioaccumulation and toxicity in copepods.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  18. Fulltext Analysis of the key influencing factors of China's cross-border e-commerce ecosystem based on the DEMATEL-ISM method
    Xi X, Wei M, Teo BS
    PLoS One, 2023;18(8):e0287401.
    PMID: 37561794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287401
    Systematically analysing the relative importance and hierarchical relationships among the influencing factors of the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem holds rich theoretical value and practical significance for the development of this ecosystem. A total of 19 influencing factors covering four aspects affecting the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem are identified by means of the relevant literature, web pages, research, and discussions with relevant experts and scholars, and the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretative structural modeling (ISM) method is used to analyse the cause-effect correlation of each factor and to obtain a cause-effect diagram and a multi-level recursive structure model. The results show that three factors, i.e., the e-commerce platform development level, cross-border e-commerce competitiveness, and the cross-border e-commerce transaction scale, have a greater degree of influence on the other influencing factors. Additionally, three factors, i.e., the information development level, GDP, and cross-border online shopping demand, are vulnerable to the influence of the other factors. The level of cross-border e-commerce platform development, cross-border e-commerce competitiveness, and inter-firm competition are the root factors and occupy an important position in the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem as influencing factors and influence the stability of the cross-border e-commerce ecosystem by affecting the other factors.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem*
  19. An evaluation framework for quantifying vegetation loss and recovery in response to meteorological drought based on SPEI and NDVI
    Wu C, Zhong L, Yeh PJ, Gong Z, Lv W, Chen B, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2024 Jan 01;906:167632.
    PMID: 37806579 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167632
    Drought affects vegetation growth to a large extent. Understanding the dynamic changes of vegetation during drought is of great significance for agricultural and ecological management and climate change adaptation. The relations between vegetation and drought have been widely investigated, but how vegetation loss and restoration in response to drought remains unclear. Using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data, this study developed an evaluation framework for exploring the responses of vegetation loss and recovery to meteorological drought, and applied it to the humid subtropical Pearl River basin (PRB) in southern China for estimating the loss and recovery of three vegetation types (forest, grassland, cropland) during drought using the observed NDVI changes. Results indicate that vegetation is more sensitive to drought in high-elevation areas (lag time  8 months). Vegetation loss (especially in cropland) is found to be more sensitive to drought duration than drought severity and peak. No obvious linear relationship between drought intensity and the extent of vegetation loss is found. Regardless of the intensity, drought can cause the largest probability of mild loss of vegetation, followed by moderate loss, and the least probability of severe loss. Large spatial variability in the probability of vegetation loss and recovery time is found over the study domain, with a higher probability (up to 50 %) of drought-induced vegetation loss and a longer recovery time (>7 months) mostly in the high-elevation areas. Further analysis suggests that forest shows higher but cropland shows lower drought resistance than other vegetation types, and grassland requires a shorter recovery time (4.2-month) after loss than forest (5.1-month) and cropland (4.8-month).
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
  20. Poverty and corruption compromise tropical forest reserves
    Wright SJ, Sanchez-Azofeifa GA, Portillo-Quintero C, Davies D
    Ecol Appl, 2007 Jul;17(5):1259-66.
    PMID: 17708206
    We used the global fire detection record provided by the satellite-based Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to determine the number of fires detected inside 823 tropical and subtropical moist forest reserves and for contiguous buffer areas 5, 10, and 15 km wide. The ratio of fire detection densities (detections per square kilometer) inside reserves to their contiguous buffer areas provided an index of reserve effectiveness. Fire detection density was significantly lower inside reserves than in paired, contiguous buffer areas but varied by five orders of magnitude among reserves. The buffer: reserve detection ratio varied by up to four orders of magnitude among reserves within a single country, and median values varied by three orders of magnitude among countries. Reserves tended to be least effective at reducing fire frequency in many poorer countries and in countries beset by corruption. Countries with the most successful reserves include Costa Rica, Jamaica, Malaysia, and Taiwan and the Indonesian island of Java. Countries with the most problematic reserves include Cambodia, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Sierra Leone and the Indonesian portion of Borneo. We provide fire detection density for 3964 tropical and subtropical reserves and their buffer areas in the hope that these data will expedite further analyses that might lead to improved management of tropical reserves.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ecosystem
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