Effects of habitat fragmentation and human disturbance on the population dynamics of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey from 1994 to 2016

In this study, we integrate data from field investigations, spatial analysis, genetic analysis, and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to evaluate the effects of habitat fragmentation on the population dynamics, genetic diversity, and range shifts in the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti). The results indicate that from 1994 to 2016, R. bieti population size increased from less than 2,000 to approximately 3,000 individuals. A primary factor promoting population recovery was the establishment of protected nature reserves. We also found that subpopulation growth rates were uneven, with the groups in some areas, and the formation of new groups. Both the fragmentation index, defined as the ratio of the number of forest patches to the total area of forest patches (e.g., increased fragmentation), and increasing human population size had a negative effect on population growth in R. bieti. We recommend that government conservation plans prioritize the protection of particular R. bieti populations, such as the Baimei and Jisichang populations, which have uncommon haplotypes. In addition, effective conservation strategies need to include an expansion of migration corridors to enable individuals from larger populations such as Guyoulong (Guilong) to serve as a source population to increase the genetic diversity of smaller R. bieti subpopulations. We argue that policies designed to protect endangered primates should not focus solely on total population size but also need to determine the amount of genetic diversity present across different subpopulations and use this information as a measure of the effectiveness of current conservation policies and the basis for new conservation policies

Effects of climate change and anthropogenic activity on ranges of vertebrate species endemic to the Qinghai - Tibet Plateau over 40 years

Over the past 40 years, the climate has been changing and human disturbance has increased in the vast Qinghai¿Tibet Plateau (QTP). These 2 factors are expected to affect the distribution of a large number of endemic vertebrate species. However, quantitative relationships between range shifts and climate change and human disturbance of these species in the QTP have rarely been evaluated. We used occurrence records of 19 terrestrial vertebrate species (birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles) occurring in the QTP from 1980 to 2020 to quantify the effects of climate change and anthropogenic impacts on the distribution of these 4 taxonomic groups and estimated species range changes in each species. The trend in distribution changes differed among the taxonomic groups, although, generally, ranges shifted to central QTP. Climate change contributed more to range variation than human disturbance (the sum of the 4 climatic variables contributed more than the sum of the 4 human disturbance variables for all 4 taxonomic groups). Suitable geographic range increased for most mammals, amphibians, and reptiles (+27.6%, +18.4%, and +27.8% on average, respectively), whereas for birds range decreased on average by 0.9%. Quantitative evidence for climate change and human disturbance associations with range changes for endemic vertebrate species in the QTP can provide useful insights into biodiversity conservation under changing environments.This project was supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program (STEP) (2019QZKK0501); the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (XDB31000000); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32070410; 32100396); the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS (2021370); and the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2023NSFSC0197)INTRODUCTION METHODS Species distribution data Statistical analyses RESULTS DISCUSSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Globalization and Regionalization: Empirical Evidence from Itinerary Structure and Port Organization of World Cruise of Cunard

Cruise tourism is an obviously global industry in different dimensions. From a geographical perspective, cruise ships are mobile and capable of being repositioned at a company’s notice, which forms the inherent basis for its global spatial layout. As a branch of the cruise industry, the world cruise is clearly globalizing in geographical space by offering long itinerary, even round-the-world trips, for everyone. Using the schedule data from 2018 to 2019, this paper analyzes the spatial characteristics of the itinerary and port organization of Cunard, a world cruise company. We find that the itinerary distribution and port organization of Cunard are both globalization and regionalization, and the latter is the core and main component of the former. Under the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic, the global mobility of cruises has ground to a halt, while local mobility offers the possibility of its resumption as soon as possible. Turning to the regional voyage with the shorter and simple itinerary is feasible for Cunard and other world cruises, which is conducive to the realization of the resuming voyage as soon as possible. Moreover, strict boarding and safety onboard are essential

Globalization and Regionalization: Empirical Evidence from Itinerary Structure and Port Organization of World Cruise of Cunard

International audienceCruise tourism is an obviously global industry in different dimensions. From a geographical perspective, cruise ships are mobile and capable of being repositioned at a company’s notice, which forms the inherent basis for its global spatial layout. As a branch of the cruise industry, the world cruise is clearly globalizing in geographical space by offering long itinerary, even round-the-world trips, for everyone. Using the schedule data from 2018 to 2019, this paper analyzes the spatial characteristics of the itinerary and port organization of Cunard, a world cruise company. We find that the itinerary distribution and port organization of Cunard are both globalization and regionalization, and the latter is the core and main component of the former. Under the influence of the COVID-19 epidemic, the global mobility of cruises has ground to a halt, while local mobility offers the possibility of its resumption as soon as possible. Turning to the regional voyage with the shorter and simple itinerary is feasible for Cunard and other world cruises, which is conducive to the realization of the resuming voyage as soon as possible. Moreover, strict boarding and safety onboard are essential

Comparative analysis of composition and content of flavonoid metabolites in different tissues of Chinese jujube and sour jujube based on UPLC-ESI MS/MS metabolomics

ABSTRACTThere is much variation in the distributions of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, among plant tissues. The flavonoids in Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) and sour jujube (Ziziphus spinosa Hu.) provide various health benefits. Variation in the distributions of flavonoids among the tissues of jujube and sour jujube has not yet been characterized. A total of 101 flavonoid metabolites, including 30 flavones, 21 flavonols, 11 flavanones, 11 isoflavanones, 8 flavanonols, 7 chalcones, 4 flavanols, 3 flavone glycosides, 2 phenolic acids, 2 ×anthones and 2 unclassified flavonoids, were identified in the fruits, leaves, flowers and seeds of Z. jujuba cv. Dongzao (DZ) and Z. spinosa cv. Liyuanzhenzhu8 (LYZZ8) using UPLC-ESI MS/MS. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that flavonoids from the same tissues of DZ and LYZZ8 were clustered, with the exception of those from the leaves. Tissue-specific flavonoid metabolites in different tissues of DZ and LYZZ8 were identified. The main flavonoids varied among tissues, the total flavonoid content and the content of most individual flavonoids in all tissues of DZ and LYZZ8 varied (p < .05). Furthermore, 40, 50, 49 and 47 differential flavonoid metabolites were detected in the fruits, leaves, flowers and seeds of DZ and LYZZ8, respectively. Potential chemical markers for differentiating among tissues in DZ and LYZZ8 as well as among the same tissues of DZ and LYZZ8 were identified. Overall, our findings provided new insights into the flavonoid of jujube and will aid the utilization of jujube and sour jujube