Molecular systematics of the Sicista tianschanica species complex: a contribution from historical DNA analysis

The Tianshan birch mouse Sicista tianschanica is an endemic of the Central Asian mountains and has previously been shown to include several karyomorphs (“Terskey”, “Talgar”, “Dzungar”); however, the taxonomic status of these forms has remained uncertain. We examined the genetic variation in S. tianschanica based on historical DNA samples from museum collections, including the type series. Mitochondrial and nuclear data indicated that the species complex includes two major clades: Northern (N) and Southern (S) (cytb distance 13%). The N clade corresponds to the “Dzungar” karyomorph (Dzungar Alatau, Tarbagatay). The S clade is comprised of four lineages (S1–S4) divergent at 6–8%; the relationships among which are resolved incompletely. The S1 lineage is found in eastern Tianshan and corresponds to the nominal taxon. The S2 is distributed in central and northern Tianshan and corresponds to the “Terskey” karyomorph. The S3 is restricted to Trans-Ili Alatau and belongs to the “Talgar” karyomorph. The S4 is represented by a single specimen from southeastern Dzungar Alatau with "Talgar" karyotype. No interlineage gene flow was revealed. The validity of S. zhetysuica (equivalent to the N clade) is supported. Based on genetic and karyotypic evidence, lineages S2 and S3 are described as distinct species. The status of the S4 requires further investigation.

Assessment of Inter-Sectoral Virtual Water Reallocation and Linkages in the Northern Tianshan Mountains, China

Quantitative analysis of the reallocation and linkages of virtual water in the economic sector was important for the integrated water resources management in inland arid regions. Taking the northern Tianshan Mountains (NTM) as an example, we applied the environmental input-output model to design the accounting framework for the reallocation of blue and green virtual water (VW) in the economic sector and analyzed the correlation effect of VW reallocation among various sectors by backward and forward linkages in economic analysis. The results showed that the direct blue and green water consumption of primary industry respectively accounted for 99.2% and 100% of the total water consumption in NTM. Planting sector had the largest amount of VW outflow among all sectors. Animal husbandry, forestry and construction had a large pulling effect on VW outflow of planting sector, while planting sector and animal husbandry were the main sectors for VW export of blue and green water. We suggest that the government can increase the import of blue-green VW for agricultural raw materials through VW trade and develop industries such as service and electricity that have less pulling effect on the primary industry VW, so as to improve the economic added value of VW in the primary industry and reduce the loss of VW in primary industry production and trade flows in future water management.

Spatio-temporal variation of ecosystem services value in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Economic zone from 1980 to 2030

Rapid agricultural land expansion and urbanization have accelerated land use and land cover changes (LUCC) in the Northern Tianshan Mountain Economic Zone and have significantly impacted on the ecosystem services (ESs). However, the spatiotemporal variations of ecosystem service value (ESV) to LUCC are not well understood. Based on the land use and land cover (LULC) data from 1980 to 2019, we used a CA-Markov model to predict LUCC in 2020 and 2030, assess the spatial-temporal changes of ESV and LULC during 1980–2030, and explore the elastic response of ESV to LUCC. We found that cropland and built-up land expanded rapidly by 34.38% and 196.66%, respectively between 1980 and 2030, while grassland and unutilized land decreased significantly by 11.45% and 10.26%, respectively. The ESV of water body, cropland, grassland and forestland accounts for more than 90% of the total ESV. Our research shows that the ESV of cropland increased 32 million yuan from 1980 to 2030, mainly due to the expansion of cropland area. However, the loss caused by the reduction of grassland area was 45 million yuan. Water conservation, waste treatment, soil formation and retention, and biodiversity conservation are the primary ecosystem service function, accounting for 71.82% of the total ESV. Despite notable increases in the ESV from 1980 to 2010, grassland degradation still remains a main ecological and environmental issue from 2010 to 2030. The results suggest that effective land use policies should be developed to control the expansion of croplands and protect water body, grassland and forestland to maintain more sustainable ESs.