THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON SOPHORA JAPONICA (LEGUMINOSAE) AND EULECANIUM GIGANTEUM (SHINJI) (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: COCCIDAE) IN URBAN AREAS IN CHINA

THE EFFECT OF AIR POLLUTION ON SOPHORA JAPONICA (LEGUMINOSAE) AND EULECANIUM GIGANTEUM (SHINJI) (HEMIPTERA: COCCOIDEA: COCCIDAE) IN URBAN AREAS IN CHINA. A study was made of the effect of two air pollutants (sulphur dioxide and lead) on the pest status of the soft scale Eulecanium giganteum (Shinji) and on the accumulation of sulphur and lead in the scale’s host tree, Sophora japonica, in three cities in China, namely Taiyuan, Yuci and Taigu. E. giganteum is a major pest of several tree species in many cities in China where air pollution can be high. This study showed a positive correlation between the level of the pollutants in the trees and the populations of the scale. The leaves absorbed and accumulated a greater amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2 - as sulphur) and lead (Pb) than the twigs, but the trends were the same in each, namely with high levels in these tissues in the Spring and early Autumn. It is concluded that E. giganteum can withstand high levels of pollutants, both within the host plant and in the environment, whereas its natural enemies may not. Key words: urban areas, biology, percentage parasitism, sap quality, pollution levels, Beijing utila, Microterys clauseni, Blastothrix sericea, Eucomys sasakii, Anisetus, Coccinellidae, Helicodinidae, Encyrtidae, Coccinella septempunctata, Harmonia axyridis, Chilocorus rubidus

Native circulating Brucella melitensis lineages causing a brucellosis epidemic in Qinghai, China

Since 2010, the cases and incidences of human brucellosis have been increasing annually in Qinghai (QH) Province. Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analyses of strains from this region are crucial to better understand the transmission of the disease and the evolutionary patterns of Brucella strains. In this study, classical bio-typing assay, multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis, and the whole-genome sequencing–single-nucleotide polymorphism approach were used to illustrate the epidemiological and evolutionary patterns of Brucella melitensis. A total of 54 B. melitensis bv. 3 strains were isolated and molecularly characterized, with all strains belonging to the East Mediterranean lineages. Cross-regional transmission events (i.e., between counties) were caused by common sources of infection, suggesting that predominant circulating genotypes are endemic in different regions. Strengthening surveillance in animal brucellosis and controlling infected animals’ cross-border movement are necessary. Two strains isolated from humans and marmots were clustered in the same sub-clade, implying the possible existence of direct and/or indirect contact between sheep (and goats) and wildlife (marmots), but this needs to be verified by further investigations. The global-scale phylogenetic analysis indicated that 54 strains sorted into six subclades, four of which formed independent lineages, suggesting that the increase in the incidence rate of human brucellosis may be caused by local circulating lineages. Further strengthening the serology and pathogen surveillance of animals (wildlife) and humans will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the transmission chain of human brucellosis in this region

Research on Food Safety Control Based on Evolutionary Game Method from the Perspective of the Food Supply Chain

Food safety is related to people’s health and the sustainable development of the food supply chain, so it is of crucial practical significance to study food supply chain quality management. This paper employs the evolutionary game method to develop a tripartite evolutionary game model that reflects the interaction of interests among food raw material suppliers, food manufacturers, and consumers. It identifies the key factors that influence the decision-making of each game participant and attempts to use these factors to guide the behavior of the food supply chain members scientifically. The study results demonstrate that sustainable management of food supply chains can be improved by strengthening the intensity of government supervision, narrowing the production cost gap between high-quality and poor-quality food raw materials, improving the inspection ability of the food manufacturer, increasing complaint incentives of consumers, etc. Finally, this paper puts forward suggestions and countermeasures for the government to improve the supervision mechanism of food safety, thereby achieving sustainable management of the food supply chain

Structural equation modeling

Structural equation modeling of grazing and drought to predict community structure and biodiversity & ecosystem function by regulating the plant functional groups

Community structure

Results of Tukey's test of plant species richness, stand density, and canopy height in different experimental treatments (Mean ± SD)

The relative abundance of PFGs

Results of Tukey's test of the relative abundance (Mean ± SD) of PFGs in different experimental treatments

Biodiversity and ecosystem function

Results of Tukey's test of plant species diversity, functional diversity, and aboveground biomass in different experimental treatments (Mean ± SD)

Two-way ANOVA

Two-way ANOVA on the effects of grazing, drought and their interactive effects on relative abundance of plant functional groups (i.e., perennial bunchgrasses, perennial rhizome grass, perennial forbs, annuals and biennials), community structures (i.e., species richness, stand density, canopy height), and biodiversity and ecosystem functions (i.e., species diversity, functional diversity, and aboveground biomass)

Data from: Grazing effect on grasslands escalated by abnormal precipitations in Inner Mongolia

1. Grazing effects on arid and semi-arid grasslands can be constrained by aridity. Plant functional groups (PFGs) are the most basic component of community structure (CS) and biodiversity & ecosystem function (BEF). They have been suggested as identity-dependent in quantifying the responses to grazing intensity and drought severity. Here we examine how the relationships among PFGs, CS, BEF, and grazing intensity are driven by climatic drought. 2. We conducted a manipulative experiment with three grazing intensities in 2012 (non-drought year) and 2013 (drought year). We classified 62 herbaceous plants into four functional groups based on their life forms. We used the relative species abundance of PFGs to quantify the effects of grazing and drought, and to explore the mechanisms for the pathway correlations using structural equation models (SEM) among PFGs, CS, and BEF directly or indirectly. 3. Grazers consistently favored perennial forbs (e.g., palatable or nutritious plants), decreasing the plants’ relative abundance by 23% – 38%. Drought decreased the relative abundance of ephemeral plants by 42 ± 13%; and increased perennial forbs by 20 ± 7% and graminoids by 80 ± 31%. SEM confirmed that annuals and biennials had negative correlations with the other three PFGs, with perennial bunchgrasses facilitated by perennial rhizome grass. Moreover, the contributions of grazing to community structure (i.e., canopy height) were 1.6 – 6.1 times than those from drought, whereas drought effect on community species richness was 3.6 times of the grazing treatment. Lastly, the interactive effects of grazing and drought on BEF were greater than either alone; particularly, drought escalated grazing damage on primary production. 4. Synthesis. The responses of PFGs, CS, and BEF to grazing and drought were identity-dependent, suggesting that grazing and drought regulation of plant functional groups might be a way to shape ecosystem structure and function in grasslands