Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jialuo Yu, Haijian Bing, Ruiying Chang, Yongxing Cui, Guoting Shen, Xiangxiang Wang, Shangpeng Zhang, Linchuan Fang
Summary: This study investigated the response of microbial metabolism in alpine grassland soil to warming, and found that microbial metabolism was limited by carbon and phosphorus. Experimental warming decreased microbial carbon limitation in the topsoil, but not the subsoil.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Qi Qi, Jianshu Zhao, Renmao Tian, Yufei Zeng, Changyi Xie, Qun Gao, Tianjiao Dai, Hao Wang, Jin-Sheng He, Konstantinos T. Konstantinidis, Yunfeng Yang, Jizhong Zhou, Xue Guo
Summary: The alpine grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau store a significant amount of soil organic carbon, and climate warming has a strong impact on the microbial community and functional genes in the soil, leading to increased methane and carbon dioxide uptake and emissions. Microbially enhanced methane uptake in alpine grasslands may play a crucial role in mitigating climate warming.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Zi Qi Guo, Hua Kun Zhou, Wen Jing Chen, Yang Wu, Yuan Ze Li, Lei Lei Qiao, Qi Ming You, Guo Bin Liu, Sha Xue
Summary: Long-term warming significantly increases soil erodibility in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, particularly in the topsoil layer. The impact of warming on soil erodibility decreases with depth. Variations in soil aggregates and particle size distributions between different vegetation types lead to different effects of warming.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Danghui Xu, Wenbo Mou, Xiejun Wang, Ruiying Zhang, Tianpeng Gao, Dexiecuo Ai, Jianli Yuan, Renyi Zhang, Xiangwen Fang
Summary: Grassland degeneration significantly decreases net CO2 uptake, gross primary productivity, ecosystem respiration, plant respiration, and heterotrophic respiration. Degradation also alters the carbon balance of the ecosystem, further impacting carbon-climate feedbacks.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhenchao Zhang, Tianyu Zhan, Yanpeng Li, Yi Wang, Ting Yu, Juan Sun
Summary: Grassland degradation leads to a decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, with a larger reduction in alpine meadows compared to alpine steppes. The variation in SOC stock is positively correlated with belowground biomass in both alpine meadows and steppes, and with aboveground biomass only in alpine steppes. The relationship between change rates in SOC stock and initial SOC stock and mean annual precipitation is negative during lightly and moderately degraded stages, but becomes nonsignificant during heavily degraded stage. These findings have implications for sustainable management practices of alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Qian Qian, Junbang Wang, Xiujuan Zhang, Shaoqiang Wang, Yingnian Li, Qinxue Wang, Alan E. Watson, Xinquan Zhao
Summary: This paper assesses the possibility of achieving established targets for the proportion of cultivated to available grassland in the Three-River Headwaters Region in China. It finds that in order to reach income targets in 2025, 5% of grasslands need to be cultivated, but achieving income targets in 2035 will become very difficult.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yu Liu, Di Wang, Zeng Cui, Shixiong Li, Runjie Li, Jesus Rodrigo-Comino, Manuel Lopez-Vicente, Gao-Lin Wu
Summary: Meadow patches are evidence of degradation caused by the fragmentation and disappearance of mattic epipedons. This study investigates how the loss of mattic epipedons affects soil erosion processes in alpine regions through simulated rainfall experiments. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining runoff and reducing sediment through the presence of mattic epipedons.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ying Chen, Mengguang Han, Xia Yuan, Yanhui Hou, Wenkuan Qin, Huakun Zhou, Xinquan Zhao, Julia A. Klein, Biao Zhu
Summary: In alpine meadow ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, surface soil SOC content shows resistance to climate warming, while plant respiration is accelerated. The warming effect on SOC is not correlated with experimental and environmental variables.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Hao Shen, Shikui Dong, Shuai Li, Hanzhong Zheng, Qiyun Wang, Junxiang Liu, Jiannan Xiao, Hui Zuo, Ran Zhang, Xiuchun Yang
Summary: This study found that the effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on ungrazed and grazed grassland vary. In ungrazed grassland, N deposition significantly affects soil C, soil N, soil P, soil C:N, soil N:P, and soil C:P. In grazed grassland, only soil N, soil P, soil C:N, and soil N:P are significantly affected by N deposition. Soil C and soil N:P in grazed grassland are not sensitive to N deposition. Livestock grazing may weaken the effects of N deposition on soil C:N:P stoichiometry.
Article
Ecology
Hongmao Jiang, Youchao Chen, Yang Hu, Ziwei Wang, Xuyang Lu
Summary: The study investigated the soil bacterial composition and diversity in five different alpine grassland ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau. While the taxonomic compositions of soil bacteria were similar, the community structures differed among the grassland types. Environmental conditions such as soil organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, pH, and soil water content were found to influence the soil bacterial communities in the region.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying Ma, Xiaodong Huang, Qisheng Feng, Tiangang Liang
Summary: In this study, the researchers analyzed the spatial and temporal variations in seasonal snow cover and the start of the growing season of alpine grasslands in the Tibetan Plateau in China from 2000 to 2020. The study found that the effects of seasonal snow cover on soil temperature and moisture indirectly influenced the start of the growing season of alpine grasslands.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Wang, Jian Sun, Tien Ming Lee
Summary: This study used a linear piecewise quantile regression to explore the effect of altitude on ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) and investigated the relationship between ecosystem functions and environmental factors along the altitudinal gradient. The results showed a changepoint in EMF at an altitude of approximately 3900 m, with distinct patterns in low- and high-altitude regions. Water availability primarily influenced the EMF in low-altitude areas, while water-heat and phenological conditions regulated the EMF in high-altitude areas.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Litong Chen, Lin Jiang, Xin Jing, Jiuluan Wang, Yu Shi, Haiyan Chu, Jin-Sheng He
Summary: Both above- and belowground biodiversity are positively associated with ecosystem stability. Belowground biodiversity not only affects ecosystem stability directly, but also influences it indirectly through plant diversity and soil fertility.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xia Yuan, Wenkuan Qin, Ying Chen, Tianle Xu, Kelong Chen, Biao Zhu
Summary: The impacts of climate warming and plateau pika on soil organic carbon dynamics in alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau were investigated. Results showed that warming increased plant belowground biomass and microbial activity, leading to the accumulation of fast-cycling organic carbon in non-pika plots. However, in pika-disturbed plots, warming did not significantly affect plant biomass or microbial activity, resulting in minor changes in soil carbon pools.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jun Zhou, Xiao-Long Li, Fei Peng, Chengyang Li, Chimin Lai, Quangang You, Xian Xue, Yanhong Wu, Hongyang Sun, Yang Chen, Hongtao Zhong, Hans Lambers
Summary: The study in alpine meadows at 4635 m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau finds that phosphorus (P) is crucial for ecosystem productivity, with mobilized 'calcium-bound inorganic P' (Ca-P-i) being the main source of plant-available P after warming, while organic P plays a minor role. Additionally, the release of carboxylates by plants is a key mechanism of Ca-P-i mobilization.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaofei Li, Jingning Guo, Feng Yu, Lekhendra Tripathee, Fangping Yan, Zhaofu Hu, Shaopeng Gao, Xiaobo He, Chaoliu Li, Shichang Kang
Summary: This study investigates the characteristics and roles of carbonaceous matter (CM) in the Tibetan Plateau River Basin using precipitation and glacier samples. The results show that CM significantly affects the carbon cycle and radiative forcing (RF) of glaciers. Various sources of CM were identified, and two major pollution source areas were identified as well. Moreover, the optical properties of CM varied among different sample types. The study also estimated the RF of CM relative to black carbon (BC) in different sample types.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pengfei Chen, Shichang Kang, Qinyi Gan, Ye Yu, Xianlei Yuan, Yajun Liu, Lekhendra Tripathee, Xiaoxiang Wang, Chaoliu Li
Summary: One-year online measurements in Lanzhou were conducted to investigate the variations in mass concentrations and light absorption characteristics of organic carbon (OC) and black carbon (BC) in PM2.5. The results showed clear seasonal variations, with the highest concentrations in winter. Fossil fuel combustion was identified as the primary source of carbonaceous components, and biomass burning contributed significantly to BC in winter. Brown carbon (BrC) was found to have a considerable impact on the total absorption coefficient, with higher contributions in winter.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruyin Liu, Zong Li, Ganghua Han, Shujuan Cun, Deyin Hou, Zhisheng Yu, Kai Xue, Xinchun Liu
Summary: The temporal dynamics of lytic and temperate phages in a laboratory-scale activated sludge reactor with a sludge bulking issue were investigated. It was found that lytic phages were more active while temperate phages showed low activity. The study also revealed a strong correlation between sludge concentration and free virus and temperate phage communities, indicating a microbial density-dependent virus dynamics.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Luyao Wang, Chu Zhang, Lu Yang, Shuwei Li, Hang Chu, Xiangfei Li, Ying Meng, Haoyu Zhuang, Yurui Gao, Zhiwei Hu, Jin-Ming Chen, Shu-Chih Haw, Cheng-wei Kao, Ting-Shan Chan, Xi Shen, Zhaoxiang Wang, Richeng Yu
Summary: Anionic redox and the interaction with cations can be enhanced by doping magnesium (Mg) on the transition metal vacancies in Na2Mn3O7, leading to improved structural stability and electrochemical performance in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs).
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Xiangfei Li, Qingxin Dong, Ying Meng, Luyao Wang, Haoyu Zhuang, Qinwen Guo, Junkai Yang, Yu Ji, Xi Shen, Yuan Yao, Genfu Chen, Richeng Yu
Summary: We report a high-quality Mn6Bi5 single crystal with a quasi-1D crystal structure and infinite [Mn6Bi5] chains. The rotation behavior of the [Mn6Bi5] chains is predicted and confirmed. The quasi-1D nature of Mn6Bi5 is illustrated through density of states and band structure calculations, and anisotropic resistivity is predicted.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Raul-David Serban, Giacomo Bertoldi, Huijun Jin, Mihaela Serban, Dongliang Luo, Xinze Li
Summary: This study aims to detect the variability of ground surface temperature (GST) in the Headwater Area of the Yellow River. The results show a significant correlation between mean annual GST and land cover as well as elevation. At the local/landscape scale, meadows have higher GST than swamp meadows and bare grounds. At the fine scale, there is a high similarity in GST between plots but with some degree of error. The decrease of GST is more pronounced in bare grounds with rising elevation.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jie Huang, Shichang Kang, Xinbin Feng, Wenjun Tang, Kirpa Ram, Junming Guo, Qianggong Zhang, Chhatra Mani Sharma, Chaoliu Li, Lekhendra Tripathee, Feiyue Wang
Summary: The Indian monsoon circulation plays a crucial role in transporting mercury pollution from South Asia to the Himalayas and Tibet Plateau region. A study found a strong overlap between Lake Gokyo and Indian anthropogenic sources, indicating the source of mercury from South Asia. The findings suggest that transboundary atmospheric transport can transport mercury from South Asia northwards to at least the Tanglha Mountains in the northern Himalaya-Tibet.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shuhui Gao, Huijun Jin, Qingbai Wu, Victor F. Bense, Dongliang Luo, Qingfeng Wang, Yuzhong Yang, Wenwen Chang
Summary: Warming climate and thawing permafrost affect groundwater flow regimes in cold regions. Numerical simulations were used to study permafrost evolution and groundwater movement in a headwater catchment in China. The results show that groundwater presence and movement accelerate permafrost degradation and can establish deep groundwater flow paths. The modeling also demonstrates enhanced flow velocity and discharge rate in local groundwater flow systems.
HYDROGEOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Junhua Yang, Robert R. Gillies, Shichang Kang, Rongjun Wang, Zhen Zhang, Yuling Hu
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Bala Singavarapu, Jianqing Du, Remy Beugnon, Simone Cesarz, Nico Eisenhauer, Kai Xue, Yanfen Wang, Helge Bruelheide, Tesfaye Wubet
Summary: Loss of multifunctional microbial communities can negatively affect ecosystem services, especially forest soil nutrient cycling. Therefore, exploration of the genomic potential of soil microbial communities, particularly their constituting subcommunities and taxa for nutrient cycling, is vital to get an in-depth mechanistic understanding for better management of forest soil ecosystems.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junhua Yang, Shichang Kang, Yuling Hu, Xintong Chen, Mukesh Rai
Summary: South Asian biomass burning is crucial for the heavy springtime air pollution over the Tibetan Plateau, contributing significantly to aerosol components. The transboundary transmissions of these aerosols are regulated by large-scale westerly winds and regional mountain-valley winds. In addition to worsening air quality, aerosols from South Asian biomass burning also lead to temperature decrease and precipitation reduction, posing a threat to the fragile ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau during springtime.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huijun Zheng, Xin Wan, Shichang Kang, Pengfei Chen, Quanlian Li, Linda Maharjan, Junming Guo
Summary: Organic aerosols have significant impacts on the Tibetan Plateau, a region highly sensitive to climate change. Studying the concentration and sources of organic molecular tracers, it was found that biomass burning plays a major role in non-monsoon seasons, with significant impacts from South Asian biomass burning in the western, southern, and southeastern regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2024)
Letter
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yulan Zhang, Shichang Kang
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinlei Chen, Shichang Kang, Adan Wu, Lihong Chen
Summary: The navigability of Arctic maritime passages has improved with the retreat of sea ice, but it also brings potential environmental and climate risks. This investigation studied shipping emissions and climate impacts along the Northern Sea Route under different global warming scenarios. The results show that ship energy consumption is 109 kWh under 2°C and 3°C global warming. Environmental impacts decrease with the use of clean fuel sources, and CO2 has the greatest climate impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wasim Sajjad, Barkat Ali, Hewen Niu, Nikhat Ilahi, Muhammad Rafiq, Ali Bahadur, Abhishek Banerjee, Shichang Kang
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics, prevalence of resistance genes, and tolerance genes in antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) isolated from glacier debris and meltwater in China. The results showed that these bacteria exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics and metals, with distinct resistance genes identified. The study also highlighted the horizontal transfer of resistance genes between different bacteria species and a strong positive correlation between antibiotic resistance genes and metals tolerance genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)