Detection and phylogenetic analysis of a novel tick-borne virus in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks and sheep from Shandong, China

Dabieshan tick virus (DTV) was first identified in Haemaphysalis longicornis from Hubei Province, China in 2015. However, its pathogenic potential to animals and human remains to be further explored. In this study, a total of 170 engorged ticks and 22 sheep serum samples were collected from Taian and Yantai city, Shandong Province to investigate the presence of DTV. The results of qRT-PCR revealed the positive rate of 13.6% (3/22) in sheep serum and 8.2% (14/170) in attached ticks, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among those DTV isolates from animal and ticks, and DTV might be relatively conservative in evolution. These findings are the first to demonstrate molecular evidence of DTV in domestic animals. Nonetheless, whether or not causing disease in animals, DTV deserves further investigation.

Study on the Comprehensive Improvement of Ecosystem Services in a China’s Bay City for Spatial Optimization

Ecosystem services are characterized by region and scale, and contribute to human welfare. Taking Yantai city, a typical bay city in China, as the example, its three representative ecosystem services: food supply (FS), carbon sequestration (CS) and water yield (WY) were chosen as study targets. Based on analyzation of six different aspects of the supply and variation characteristic of demand, this study tried to propose advices for comprehensive improvement of ecosystem services for spatial optimization. The results showed that: (1) ecosystem services supply was strong in central and southern areas of Yantai, while the northern coastal areas were relatively weak; (2) synergistic relationships were found of FS-CS, FS-WY and CS-WY both in 2009 and 2015, with the strongest one for FS-WY. Additionally, in the synergistic relationships, each pair of ecosystem services was dominated by one ecosystem service; (3) most of the three pairs of synergistic relationships had the tendency to strengthen with larger scales; (4) four ecosystem demands changing areas were observed and comprehensive improvement suggestions for them were proposed. This work provides a new attempt to improve ecosystem services based on its supply-demand relationship, which will give a baseline reference for related studies in Yantai city, as well as other similar bay cities.

Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of a Novel Tick-borne Virus in Haemaphysalis Longicornis Ticks and Sheep From Shandong, China

Dabieshan tick virus (DTV) was first identified in Haemaphysalis longicornis from Hubei Province, China in 2015. However, its pathogenic potential to animals and human remains to be further explored. In this study, the presence of DTV in ticks and sheep samples was investigated. A total of 170 engorged ticks were collected from May to September 2019 from Taian and Yantai city, Shandong Province and were pooled individually to screening for DTV. The results of of qRT-PCR revealed the positive rate of 13.6% (3/22) in serum of sheep and 8.2% (14/170) in attached ticks, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close evolutionary relationship among those DTV isolates from animal and ticks, and DTV was relatively conservative in evolution. These findings are the first to demonstrate molecular evidence of DTV in domestic animals. Nonetheless, whether or not could cause disease in sheep and other animals, DTV deserves further investigation.

An integrated approach for Territorial Spatial Planning Towards to Sustainable Urban Ecosystem Management: A Case Study of Yantai City

<p> With the rapid urbanization, the most challenges have been faced with the accelerated degradation of habitat quality and increasing ecological risks for urban natural ecosystems. It is important to explore an integrated approach for territorial spatial planning towards to sustainable urban ecosystem management for directing programs of natural ecosystems conservation and restoration toward preserving the most valuable natural resources. In the study, Yantai city in Shangdong province in China was as an example. The goal, method and spatial boundary of territorial spatial planning towards to sustainable urban ecosystem management were clarified. A technical framework of urban territorial spatial planning and an integrated approach to determine key areas of ecosystem preservation and restoration were proposed. The results showed that the application of urban territorial spatial planning in Yantai was feasible and effective and provided new ideas and methods for the territorial spatial planning. The ecological network pattern by the “two horizontal and two vertical” spatial pattern was proposed. Key areas of ecosystems conservation and restoration were identified, including 13 ecological pinch points, 8 ecological barrier points, 39 ecological break points, and 1308.66 km<sup>2</sup> fragmented ecological land. Natural solutions and measures for key areas of ecosystems conservation and restoration were proposed. It would help to provide scientific guidance for urban spatial planning toward to sustainable ecosystem management.</p>

Study on Evaluation of Agricultural Irrigation Zoning and Optimal Utilization of Water Resources in Yantai City

Agricultural water is the largest water user in Yantai City, and its water consumption accounts for more than 2/3 of the total water consumption in Yantai City. The potential for agricultural water saving is huge, but the overall level of agricultural water efficiency in Yantai City is not very high, and the waste of water resources is serious. Efficient agricultural water use in Yantai is a key issue for achieving efficient and sustainable use of water resources in Yantai. Different regions in the study area have different social and economic developments, different industrial structures, and different natural climates, and their investments in agricultural water conservancy facilities are also different. In order to better study the agricultural efficient water use model in Yantai City. This article will divide the agricultural irrigation sub-area according to the actual situation of Yantai.