Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of Drought Events and Their Effects on Vegetation: A Case Study in Southern Tibet, China

Frequent droughts in a warming climate tend to induce the degeneration of vegetation. Quantifying the response of vegetation to variations in drought events is therefore crucial for evaluating the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems. In this study, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) was calculated using the precipitation data sourced from the China Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD), and then the drought events in southern Tibet from 1982 to 2015 were identified based on the SPI index. The results showed that the frequency, severity, and intensity of drought events in southern Tibet decreased from 1982 to 2015, and the highest frequency of drought was found between 1993 and 2000. To evaluate the impact of drought events on vegetation, the vegetation characteristic indexes were developed based on the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the drought characteristics. The assessment of two drought events showed that the alpine grasslands and alpine meadows had high vegetation vulnerability (AI). The assessment of multiple drought events showed that responses of vegetation to drought were spatially heterogeneous, and the total explain rate of environmental factors to the variations in AI accounted for 40%. Among the many environmental factors investigated, the AI were higher at middle altitudes (2000–3000 m) than low altitudes (<2000 m) and high altitudes (3000–4500 m). Meanwhile, the silt soil fraction in the upper soil layer (0–30 cm) had the greatest positive correlation with AI, suggesting that areas with a high silt soil fraction were more sensitive to drought. The relative contribution rates of environmental factors were predicted by a multivariate linear regression (MLR) model. The silt soil fraction was found to make the greatest relative contribution (23.3%) to the changes in AI.

GEOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF FORMATION, SEARCH AND PROGNOSIS OF UKRAINIAN AMBER-SUCCINITE

The purpose of this study is to determine the geological and geographical features of the transformation of resin secretions of conifers during the transition from living matter to inanimate (mineral) in the process of several stages of fossilization; formation of succinite-amber placers, as well as substantiation of prognosis assessment of prospects for discovery of new deposits and amber manifestations in the context of their ecologically safe and ecologically expedient extraction. The natural-geographical paleocomplexes of the south-eastern part of the Baltic-Dnieper amber-bearing province in the Eocene-Oligocene are characterized, which caused the accumulation of primary biogenic-sedimentary deposits of resin secretions (proto-amber) and conditions of formation of weeds of different ages. These placers are divided by genesis into indigenous, coastal, marine and estuarine delta and delta of the first intermediate reservoirs, formed in the post-Buchach period - late Middle - Late Eocene and early Oligocene and continental polygenetic placers due to in the late Oligocene, Neogene and Anthropogenic. It has been established that the root source of succinite amber in Ukraine was biogenic sedimentary deposits of resin secretions of vegetation characteristic of the central part of modern Ukraine, while in foreign literature it is believed that the main source of Ukrainian amber is its transfer from Scandinavia by coastal banks or river streams and glaciers from the Baltics. The substantiation of the prognosis of new industrial deposits of amber-succinite discovery in Ukraine is stated. Attention is paid to the problem of development of valuable gem deposits - illegal amber mining, the negative consequences of which are considered as manifestations of natural geological processes.

Combined dermatological pathology complicated by Gottron’s carcinoid papillomatosis

Combined pathology is quite common and relevant in dermatology, but at the same time it is insufficiently studied. There is a few available literature data on the multimorbidity of immune-dependent dermatitis. The article presents a clinical case of a patient with diseases united by a common pathogenetic mechanism (vitiligo, lichen planus (LP), autoimmune thyroiditis) and then subjected to a causality transformation with the Gottron’s carcinoid papillomatosis (GCP) development at sites of occurred dermatoses. Papillomatous projections and vegetation characteristic of CGP almost completely replaced the original papular rash characteristic of lichen planus. It changed the clinical picture of the main pathological process, complicated its course, which in turn caused difficulties in timely diagnosis. Clinical and histomorphological examinations of skin biopsies were performed to verify the diagnosis. Histologically, GCP was manifested by epidermal pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia at the site lichen planus and vitiligo foci. This clinical case is of interest due to the rare combination of lichen planus with vitiligo in the setting of autoimmune thyroiditis; it confirms the previously expressed assumptions about the possibility of immune-dependent diseases combination. KEYWORDS: multimorbidity, vitiligo, lichen planus, Gottron’s carcinoid papillomatosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, histology, PUVA therapy, cryolysis. FOR CITATION: Tlish M.M., Sycheva N.L., Starostenko V.V. et al. Combined dermatological pathology complicated by Gottron’s carcinoid papillomatosis. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2020;4(10):652–658. DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2020-4-10-652-658.

Modeling Canopy Carbon and Water Fluxes Using a Multilayered Model over a Temperate Meadow in Inner Mongolia

To incorporate canopy vertical structure in a process-based model over a temperate meadow, a multilayered model estimated canopy carbon flux (Fc) and water flux (LE) was applied by comparing with eddy covariance measurements in Inner Mongolia, China. Simulations of diurnal, seasonal CO2 and H2O fluxes and model sensitivity to parameters and variables were analyzed. The results showed that the model underestimated Fc and LE by about 0.6% and 5.0%, respectively. It was able to simulate the diurnal and seasonal variation of Fc and LE and performed well during the day and in the growing season, but poorly at night and early in the growing season. Fc was more sensitive to the leaf nitrogen content distribution coefficient and maximum catalytic activity of Rubisco, whereas LE showed greater sensitivity to the stomatal conductance parameter a1, empirical coefficient of stomatal response to saturated vapor pressure difference Vpds0, and minimum stomatal conductance of CO2gsc0. The response of Fc to environmental factors was ranked as air CO2 concentration (Ca) > air temperature (Ta) > photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) > soil water content (θsm) > vapor pressure deficit (VPD) > wind speed (u0). The response of LE to environmental factors was ranked as Ta > VPD > θsm> PAR> Ca> u0. The response of LE to vegetation characteristic parameters was greater than that of Fc.

Characteristic and Diversity Vegetation of Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park as Dietary Sources for Reintroduced Sumatran Orang Utan (Pongo abelii Lesson)

<p>The population of Sumatran orang utan in natural habitat has been declined and threatened with extinction. The orang utanreintroduction program is expected to increase breeding and population in nature. This study aimed to analyze the important value index of vegetation as well as the diversity and abundance species of Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park (BTNP) as dietary sources for reintroduced Sumatran orang utan. The research was conducted during two years from 2015 to 2016. The data collection for flora characteristics is done through the vegetation analysis with strip transects method. Plots were selected by stratification method based on the resort management and the land cover, like primary and secondary forests. Total flora species on a plot of 2.8<br />ha were identified about 301 species. The highest variation found in Suo-Suo Resort (139 species) and the lowest in Talang Lakat Resort (82 species). The dominant species have been found were Eugenia grandiflora O. Berg, Macaranga lowii King ex Hook.f., Shore iliginosa Foxw., and Tarrietia rubiginosa Kostern. Vegetation chararacteristic to be identified were tree density of 350-552.5 individuals/ha, species diversity index of 2.86-4.19, and abundance index of 32.1087.35. It also identified that vegetation characteristic among resort and land cover were different (p &lt;0.05). Moreover, there were about 110 species of tree plants including of 31 families that found as dietary sources for orang utan and leaves became the highest plant parts which consumed by orang utans (41.8%) compared to other parts. Based on area size, ecosystem types as well as vegetation composition and variation, BTNP may support the increasing population of orang utans. However, there needs to be considered that other<br />aspects such as high human activity within the conservation area, particularly by Talang Mamak tribe communities, may cause unsuccessful achievement on reintroduction program of orang utan.</p>

KARAKTERISTIK VEGETASI HABITAT ORANGUTAN (Pongo pygmaeus morio) DI PT. KALTIM PRIMA COAL, KALIMANTAN TIMUR

AbstrakOrang utan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) merupakan salah satu primata dilindungi. Sebagian populasinya dapat ditemukan pada Kawasan Reklamasi Pasca Tambang Batubara (KRPT) di PT. Kaltim Prima Coal Sangatta. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis karakteristik vegetasi habitat orang utan di sekitar PT. Kaltim Prima Coal. Metode pengumpulan data vegetasi menggunakan kombinasi jalur berpetak. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa karakteristik vegetasi habitat orang utan di tiga lokasi KRPT terdiri dari 40 jenis tumbuhan. Sekitar 41-45% di antaranya merupakan jenis tumbuhan yang dimakan oleh orang utan. Nilai indeks keanekaragaman jenis vegetasi (H’) berkisar 1,00-1,09; indeks dominansi (D’) berkisar 0,14-0,40; dan indeks keseragaman (E’) berkisar 0,91-0,99. Vegetasi pada strata pertumbuhan semai dikuasai oleh paku resam (Dicranopteris linearis) dan ilalang (Imperata cylindrica). Strata pertumbuhan pancang cenderung dikuasai oleh jenis Leea indica dan Flemingia congesta. Sementara itu, vegetasi strata pohon dikuasai oleh jenis tanaman reklamasi yaitu Cassia siamea dan Cassia suratensis. Pola regenerasi vegetasi belum berjalan dengan normal, namun proses suksesi telah berjalan dengan hadirnya jenis-jenis alami. Karakteristik vegetasi tidak ideal bagi habitat orang utan. Peningkatan daya dukung habitat perlu dilakukan melalui pengembangan koridor vegetasi antar fragmen hutan tersisa.Abstract Orang utan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) is one of the protected primates. Some of their population might be found in the Mine Closure Area (MCA) at PT. Kaltim Prima Coal Sangatta. The aim of this research was to analyze the characteristics of the vegetation of their habitat at PT. Kaltim Prima Coal. Data was collected by using a combination of line-plot sampling method. The results showed that vegetation characteristic of orang utan habitat in three locations of MCA consisted of 40 plants species, which 41-45% of the plant species were fed by orang utan. Diversity index (H'), dominance index (D') and evenness index (E') were by 1.09-1.00, 0.14-0.40, and 0.91-0.99, respectively. The vegetation on the seedling stage was dominated by Dicranopteris linearis and Imperata cylindrica. The sapling stage was dominated by Leea indica and Flemingia congesta. Meanwhile, the tree stage was dominated by reclamation plants that were Cassia siamea and Cassia suratensis. The regeneration pattern of vegetation has not run normally but the succession process has been starting that indicated by the presence of species naturally. Vegetation characteristics were not ideal for orang utan habitat. Increasing carrying capacity needs to be carried out by developing vegetation corridors among the remaining forest fragments.

Yellow-winged digging grasshopper, Acrotylus longipes (Acrididae: Oedipodinae), confirmed in Croatia

We present the first confirmed record of the threatened yellow-winged digging grasshopper, Acrotyluslongipes (Acrididae: Oedipodinae), from Croatia, from the island of Mljet, in Blace Bay. The yellow-winged digging grasshopper was found on sandy dunes covered with psammophytic vegetation characteristic of this type of habitat. Previously, only two localities of this species were reported from Croatia, both from photographs. This confirmed locality opens the possibility of a wider distribution of this species on similar habitats throughout Croatia.

Blood parasites infecting the Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin), a unique neotropical folivorous bird

The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is the only extant member of the order Opisthocomiformes. This unique South American bird lives in the riparian lowland vegetation characteristic of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Hoatzins nest in communal social units close to water bodies; they are strictly folivores being the only bird with pregastric fermentation in the crop. Because of the complex logistics involved in capturing this bird, there is a knowledge gap on its parasites. This study documents two distant lineages of haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium spp.) in a juvenile and two adults sampled in the Cojedes state, Venezuela. Although negative by microscopy, the parasite identification was possible by using molecular methods. We estimated the phylogenetic relationships on the parasite cytochrome b (cytb, 480 bp) gene and the mitochondrial DNA. We found one of the parasites lineages in two individuals (nestling and adult), and the corresponding fragment of cytb was identical to a one found in Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) from Brazil. The other lineage, found in an adult, has an identity of 469 out of 478 bp (98%) with Plasmodium sp. GAL-2012 (isolate THAMB08) from Brazil. Although a morphological description of these parasites was not possible, this is the first molecular study focusing on Hoatzin haemosporidian parasites and the first documentation of Plasmodium infections in the Hoatzin from Venezuela. Furthermore, we reported microfilaria in two adults as well as hematological parameters for six individuals. Information on hematological parameters could contribute to establishing the necessary baseline to detect underlying conditions, such as infections, in this bird species.