Search

In this paper, field spectroradiometer and aboveground biomass (AGB) data were acquired at the harvest stage at two sites in semiarid grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China. Four forms of commonly used vegetation indices (VIs) using all possible combinations of narrow-band first derivative (FDR) and raw reflectance (RR) were calculated, and the best FDR-VIs and RR-VIs were chosen by a linear regression analysis against AGB. The stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) models using the optimal FDR-VIs, RR-VIs, and both FDR-VIs and RR-VIs as input variables were developed for estimating the AGB. Results demonstrated that the estimation performance using the best FDR-VIs were comparable with the best RR-VIs, while the accuracy has been further improved by combining the best FDR-VIs and RR-VIs (maximum decrease in RMSE of 44% and minimum RMAE of 4.7%). The approach was found to be an important step for more accurate and effective grassland AGB estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-source remote sensing data can provide abundant Earth observation information for lithology classification and identification, especially in some areas with complex geological conditions where the field geological survey is difficult to carry out. Compared with mountainous areas with large outcrops of rock, the lithology information obtained based on traditional field measurement and single optical remote sensing data in semi-arid areas is greatly limited due to the uneven vegetation coverage. While the combination of microwave and optical remote sensing technologies can effectively improve the integrality and reliability of the obtained lithology information in semi-arid areas. This paper selected Duolun County of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the study area, added vegetation suppression for microwave and optical images into the conventional lithology classification process, and integrated Sentinel-1A and Landsat-8 images of the study area to carry out the experiment. The improved water-cloud model with the parameter of vegetation coverage and the method of feature-oriented principal component analysis based on multiple vegetation indices were used to realize the vegetation suppression in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) backscattering images in two polarization modes and multispectral images. The processed SAR backscattering, SAR texture and spectral feature images were used to form seven feature combinations for lithology classification by the maximum likelihood method. The results showed that the proposed lithology classification scheme cannot achieve high-precision classification of all lithologic types, but it was effective in identifying the major lithologies dominated in the Quaternary deposits of the study area. In all feature combinations, the combination of all the three types of features reached the highest classification accuracy, with the overall classification accuracy of 88.60% and the kappa coefficient of 0.75 for five major lithologies. The experimental results fully demonstrated the advantages of integrating microwave and optical remote sensing data in lithology classification in a semiarid area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper concerns the comparison of two sample non parametric regression. An asymptotically correct simultaneous confidence band (SCB) is proposed for the difference of two-sample non parametric regression functions to achieve the goal of comparison. Simulation experiments provide strong evidence that corroborates the asymptotic theory. The proposed SCB is used to analyze different samples of strata pressure data from the Bullianta Coal Mine in Erdos City, Inner Mongolia, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a global infectious disease severely threatening children's health. It has been recognized that climate factors play an important role in the transmission of HFMD. In this paper, the bootstrap test in the geographically weighted regression (GWR) literature is extended to geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) models for identifying homogeneous explanatory variables and spatiotemporally heterogeneous ones. The resulting mixed GTWR model is then used to investigate spatiotemporal effect of climate factors on the HFMD incidence in Inner Mongolia, China, a provincial autonomous region with extensive area and different climatic conditions. The results demonstrate that the effect of relative humidity is global over space and time, while that of air temperature, air pressure and wind speed varies spatiotemporally. The extended bootstrap test provides a solid statistical basis for model selection. The findings from the study may provide not only a deep understanding of spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the climatic effect on the HFMD incidence, but also some useful evidences for taking measures of the disease prevention and control at the county level in different seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for predicting the dynamic spatio-temporal variations of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) based on precipitation is proposed using combined nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) networks and artificial neural networks (ANNs). The proposed method is validated by applying to predict the spatio-temporal NDVI for the Hulunbuir grassland located in Inner Mongolia, China. The results show the good predictive ability for the spatio-temporal variations of NDVI with the mean absolute percentage error of 11.59%, mean absolute error of 7.11 × 10−2 and root mean square error of 8.06 × 10−2, respectively. The approach presented in the paper can be further used as the guidance to reduce the occurrence of overgrazing in the arid and semi-arid grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most cities or leagues in Inner Mongolia are the result of resource-based industrialization processes and animal husbandry development, leading to a heterogeneous composition and configuration of urban areas seldom guided by proper urban ecological landscape regulation policies. In this paper, we chose Xilingol as a case study, and put forward novel ecological landscape regulation approaches based on ecosystem services (ES) for achieving sustainable development in it. An urban ES simulation model and an urban classification model were used to assess the change of ES and to guide the future urban ecological landscape regulation. The results showed a rapid land use change in different subsystems of Xilingol from 2008 to 2013, providing relative values of each type of land per unit in three subsystems (core urban area, suburb and rural), and detected the change of ES in three subsystems and the change of ES per capita in the whole administrative urban area. We suggest that (a) long-term, stable, and ecosystem-services-based land use policies and urban ecological landscape regulation approaches are needed; and (b) highlight an urban ecological landscape regulation approach covering economic, social and natural dimensions for achieving sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Techniques for mapping and monitoring vegetation status under human disturbance (e.g., grazing livestock) can contribute to sustainable development of grasslands. The main objective of this paper is to investigate whether the effects of differences in grazing intensity (measured by stocking rate (SR)) could be discriminated using in situ spectral data. The experiment was conducted with controlled SRs on the Sino-German experimental farm in the Xilingol grassland, Inner Mongolia, P.R. China. Canopy spectral measurements were made on experimental paddocks that varied by SRs, terrain and management type. Eight vegetation indices (VIs) were calculated from ASD field spectrometer data for each paddock. We modelled the variability within and between paddocks using a linear mixed model to isolate the effect of grazing intensity on VI response. All VIs showed significant negative relationships to grazing intensity that were ameliorated on paddocks with haying compared to traditional direct grazing. The best VIs for detecting differences in paddocks due to the levels of SR were photochemical reflectance index (PRI), broadband normalized difference vegetation index (bNDVI) and narrowband NDVI (nNDVI1). The responses of VIs to vegetation conditions as affected by different SRs offer promise for the use of airborne and satellite remote sensing to map vegetation status and to evaluate the effects of grazing intensities at regional scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monitoring and evaluation of environmental and ecological status in mining area is critical for effective mineral management guidance, and remote sensing is a cost-effective solution for covering a wide spatial area with high temporal frequency. However, the diverse landscape in mining areas presents a challenge for finding a suitable monitoring method. To address this challenge, this study proposes a remote sensing-based comprehensive mining ecological index (CMEI), which integrates vegetation greenness, soil wetness, urban heat, air quality and water quality indicators obtained from Landsat images and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products. The integration is achieved through a principal component analysis (PCA) to encapsulate various aspects of the environment in opencast mining areas. The proposed CMEI was then applied to assess the performance of an ecological restoration project carried out in the Xilinhot coalfield in Inner Mongolia, China, over the past two decades. Our findings show that the overall ecological environment in the dumping sites and backfilling sites of Xilinhot coalfield has improved from a score of 0.15 in 2005 to 0.33 in 2020, according to the CMEI. Nevertheless, our study also highlights that some newly established dumping sites require further strengthening of management and maintenance measures. The CMEI presents a novel and effective approach for monitoring and evaluating the ecological environment in mining areas, and it can potentially be applied to assess the ecological environment of opencast mining areas globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative governance is a promising pattern for grassland governance because the failure of single-subject governance has gradually increased in recent years. To conduct better collaborative governance, it is necessary to specify the roles of the factors that influence grassland collaborative governance. However, there are still few studies that focus on the influencing mechanisms for grassland collaborative governance. To systematically explore the influencing mechanisms, a case study was conducted in 4 banners and counties of Inner Mongolia based on questionnaire surveys and the structural equation model (SEM). The results show that the following three factors all have a positive influence on the collaboration degree (CD): the participation degree of collaborative participants (PDCP), the effectiveness of collaborative leadership (ECL) and the trust degree (TD), and their effects vary. Additionally, TD has a positive mediation effect on the influential paths of PDCP to CD and ECL to CD. Moreover, multigroup analysis shows that both gender and income have significant moderating effects. These findings not only offer a theoretical foundation for the further exploration of the mechanism of collaborative governance but also provide a practical reference for the implementation of collaborative governance in grassland governance and other fields in China and other regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution history of the Hegenshan Ocean is an important part of studying the evolution of the Xingmeng orogenic belt, but it is still controversial. Here we present an integrated study of petrology, zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Sr–Nd isotopes on a series of intrusive rocks from the Baiyinguole area, Xiwuqi, central Inner Mongolia, NE China. Chronological data indicate that the intrusive rocks can be divided into three stages: 326–317, 297–295, and 259–254 Ma. The 326–317-Ma gabbros and diorites belong to the calc-alkaline series, and are characterized by positive whole-rock εNd(t) values (+1.1–+6.7), relatively low La/Ba ratios (0.04–0.10), and high La/Nb ratios (1.82–3.18), indicating that the magma source is from a subduction-modified lithospheric mantle. These samples have arc features owing to the southward subduction of the Hegenshan oceanic crust. The 297–295-Ma granodiorites and monzogranites show positive εNd(t) values (+1.9–+2.4), low 87Sr/86Sri ratios (0.704185–0.705234), and young Nd two-stage model ages (TDM2), which is consistent with typical I-type granites. On various tectonic setting discrimination diagrams, the granodiorites and monzogranites are plotted in the syn-collisional field. The 259–254-Ma syenogranites have low abundances of mafic minerals, low contents of Zr/Hf (18.31–31.35) and Nb/Ta (6.80–11.80) values, high SiO2 (76.36–78.54 wt.%) content, A/CNK (1.08–1.76), and D.I. of 96.8–97.4 (average 97.1), and notable negative Eu anomalies (δEu* = 0.07–0.17) and weakly tetrad-effects in REE pattern, which is affinity to the characteristics of highly differentiated granites. Moreover, they have positive εNd(t) values (+2.0–+2.1) with scattered TDM2 of 730–1217 Ma and low Nb/U ratios. This study suggests that the syenogranites are formed in a post-collisional tectonic setting, which is related to the closure of the Hegenshan Ocean. In addition, based on a review of the pre-existing literature data, a model of southward ridge subduction is proposed to explain the tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of leguminous crops for crop rotation can mitigate the negative effects of continuous cropping on soil health. In this experiment, we designed ten cropping patterns to optimise the rotation effect with different combinations of crop types, planting years, and order in a mainly potato-growing region. A 5-year cycle with three crops, undertaken in Inner Mongolia since 2009, was used to test soil properties and microbial structure. The relative abundance of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) was 32.1% in the cycle oats oats alfalfa alfalfa alfalfa and 22.4% in 5-year mono-cropping of alfalfa, which was higher than that of mono-cropping of potatoes and other crop rotations. Soil moisture was the main factor influencing bacterial and fungal communities. The effect of the type of plant introduced into the rotation on soil was greater than that of the number of years a certain crop was planted in the rotation, and this effect was greater than that of planting order. The findings suggest that the rotation of oats and alfalfa mixed → alfalfa → oats → potatoes → potatoes is a suitable 5-year cycle to maintain biodiversity and better soil physico-chemical properties for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantification of grassland above-ground biomass (AGB) and grazing intensity (GI) and their distribution in space is of great significance to grassland management and eco-conservation. Remote-sensing technology is widely applied, but it is difficult to measure accurately when monitoring GI. In this study, the neural network, random forest and statistical function models of the relationship between Landsat NDVI and AGB were constructed by field survey and literature data collection in Inner Mongolia grassland, China. By comparing the accuracy among the three models, we constructed a remote-sensing retrieving model of grass AGB. We also estimated the grassland AGB during the peak growing season (August) for Inner Mongolia. Frequency histograms were then made to identify AGB thresholds under four GI levels (light or ungrazed, moderate grazing, overgrazing and extreme grazing) for each of three grassland types (meadow steppe, typical steppe and desert steppe). This study shows that the random forest model simulates grass AGB more accurately than other models. The spatial distribution of AGB in Inner Mongolia grasslands showed a tendency of decreasing from southeast to northwest, with an increasing trend in the last 10 years. The four GI levels in 2021 accounted for 18%, 25%, 36% and 21% of the grasslands in Inner Mongolia, respectively, and over the last 10 years the GI first improved and then deteriorated. This study provides a guideline to remote monitoring for grassland AGB and GI, and supplies scientific support for sustainable management and grassland restoration of large-scale grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-year field experiment was conducted to determine the impact of corn residue-derived biochar on soil organic matter (SOM), soil nutrients, corn yield and partial factor productivity of synthetic fertilizer in Hetao Irrigation District, Inner Mongolia of China. Three rates of biochar, 15 (B15), 30 (B30) and 45 (B45) t ha−1, and a non-biochar control (B0) were applied to a corn field one time at the first crop growing season under film-mulched with drip-irrigation. Relative to B0, the B30 led to a significant increase in SOM at top 30 cm soil layer (15.3%) and partial factor productivity of fertilizers (12.8%) as averaged across 3 years. Amendment in B30 also increased the available nutrients in the soil (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), corn yield and economic benefit. In contrast, the first year showed the largest improvements for corn yield and economic benefit for B30, followed by the second year and the third year. The corn grain yield has potentially increased when the SOM and the available phosphorus were increased when compared to the available nitrogen and potassium. A single biochar amendment at the rate of 30 t ha−1 can be adequate for the corn production in 3 years under dry climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study intended to investigate the injury severity of animal-vehicle crashes (AVCs) and identify the contributing factors from the perspective of animals. To achieve this objective, Bayesian random parameter probit regression model with endogenous variable was proposed with a case study application on two places in Inner Mongolia, China. First, from the perspective of animals, pooled probit regression model with endogenous variable was presented to address the endogeneity issue. Next, panel data model integrated with probit regression model with endogenous variable was presented in order to accommodate the heterogeneity issue due to unobserved factors within Bayesian framework, and to identify the significant influencing factors of injury severity. Results revealed that the endogenous variable (number of casualty) and vehicle type are significant factors for the animal injury severity. Meanwhile, it is demonstrated that there exists an endogeneity issue between injury severity and the number of casualty; while the panel data model integrated with Bayesian probit regression model accommodates the heterogeneity due to unobserved factors. The findings can contribute to the implementation of more reliable countermeasures to prevent the injury severity from drivers and animals in pastoral areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has announced its goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2060, which will have a profound impact on its energy and economic systems. During this process, the power sector will play a key role in helping the country on its road towards carbon neutrality. This study develops a multi-regional power dispatch and capacity expansion model to combine long-term capacity expansion with short-term power dispatch. The model is built to optimise the carbon-neutral transition pathway from the perspective of economics, focussing on power system stability and reliability under high penetrations of renewables. Using the case study of North China, the cost-effective methods for power system transitions under the targets of reaching peak emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 are discussed under different scenarios. We find that the future power supply system will rely heavily on renewable energy which will account for more than 89% of power generation. Inner Mongolia will produce more than 84% of power in the North China region. The inter-regional power transmission capacity will be five times higher than its current level. Policy choices will lead to different transition pathways as the early-stage installation decisions will have a lock-in effect on the following carbon emission reduction strategies and determine the importance of technologies adopted in achieving carbon neutrality. Although the transition to a low-carbon economy will result in an increase in cost by 17–19%, it will bring huge climate benefits to the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of middle size bunodont artiodactyl (Mammalia), Erlianhyus primitivus, is established based on a partial maxilla with P3–M3 from the lower middle Eocene Irdin Manha Formation, Erlian Basin, Nei Mongol, China. Erlianhyus is characterised by a low tooth crown, bunodont cusps, a protocone smaller and lower than the paracone on P4, a large metaconule, reduced paraconule, no hypocone and styles on M1–3, and weak crista between the main cones on the upper cheek teeth. Erlianhyus is more similar in dental morphology to the Asian Myanmarius, Myaingtherium and Siamotherium rather than to other artiodactyls. Our cladistics analysis shows that Erlianhyus is positioned outside of the anthracotheriid-suoid-dichobunoid clade and is located more basally within the Artiodactyla, so now it is not referred to any known family or superfamily in artiodactyls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We name a rare, hypercarnivorous and durophagous mustelid Sonitictis moralesi, new genus and species, in honour of Jorge Morales for his contributions to carnivore palaeontology. Sonitictis moralesi is from the middle Miocene Tunggur Formation of Inner Mongolia, China (Tunggurian Land Mammal age). S. moralesi has a short and robust jaw that deepens slightly behind the m1 and possesses a shallow groove at its ventral surface. Dentally, it has robust premolars and highly hypercarnivorous m1 that has lost the metaconid and a trenchant talonid. Known by three jaw fragments, knowledge of this new mustelid is still poor and its relationship uncertain. However, based on its possession of a ventral groove, robust premolars and hypercarnivorous first molar, we tentatively place it in the subfamily Mellivorinae, which includes modern Mellivora capensis (honey badger) and extinct species of Eomellivora, plus others. We conducted mandibular force profile analyses on one S. moralesi specimen and compared bite force estimates to several specimens of E. piveteaui, E. wimani and M. capensis. The results suggest that Sonitictis likely was a more capable predator and consumer of vertebrate prey than the extant Mellivora, reaching the low end of the bite force estimates for the larger and more robust Eomellivora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enclosure is an effective strategy for enhancing soil carbon sequestration in the desert steppe. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and its stock during changes in the plant community influence soil fertility and the global carbon cycle. We studied changes in SOC and its stock along with six plant community types in the desert steppe of Inner Mongolia, northern China. The goal of this study was to explore differences in SOC and its stock among plant communities while accounting for the effects of environmental factors. We collected 336 soil samples at four soil depths (0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) and vegetation attributes from 84 plots in the enclosure. The results revealed that plant community type and soil depth were the most influential factors for root biomass, SOC, and SOC stock. Total root biomass varied from 229.21 to 731.71 g·m−2 and was ranked as follows: Koeleria cristata > Leymus chinensis > Stipa krylovii >Allium mongolicum >Stipa breviflora > Convolvulus ammannii. Mean SOC and its stock of soils associated with K. cristata were 1.94 and 1.62 times higher than that measured for C. ammannii soils, respectively. Root biomass, SOC, and its stock gradually decreased with soil depth. Stratification ratios (SRs) of SOC increased with soil depth for different plant communities and showed better soil quality (except C. ammannii and A. mongolicum). Results from redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that root biomass, clay, coverage, and litter biomass had significant impacts on SOC and SOC stock. We conclude that the plant community had the greatest effect on improving SOC stock after enclosure, and plant root biomass contributed the most to SOC stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization is one of the main problems hindering the agricultural development in the arid and semi-arid regions. However, many previous studies of soil salinization monitoring failed to consider the impact of irrigation on soil salinity. To explore such impact, we used a UAV with a portable spectrometer to monitor the dynamic change of soil salinity before and after spring irrigation. In this study, 120 soil samples at the surface (0–10 cm) were taken in Shahaoqu Irrigation Area, Inner Mongolia, China, in mid-April (before spring irrigation) and mid-June (after spring irrigation), and the images of the four study zones A, B, C and D in this area were obtained from the UAV system. Based on these images, 25 spectral covariates (6 spectral bands, 16 spectral indices, and 3 two-dimensional indices) were calculated. Then, the sensitive spectral covariates were selected with such different variable selection methods as variable importance in projection (VIP), competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), and genetic algorithm (GA). Finally, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and BP neural network algorithm (BPNN) was used to establish models for soil salinity inversion, based on which salinity maps of the study area were plotted. The results showed that the soil salinity of the study zone A (covered with vegetation) increased while that of the other three zones decreased after the spring irrigation. The general tendency was: the higher the original soil salinity was, the more obvious decrease the soil salinity had after the irrigation. All the three variable selection methods improved the inversion model accuracy, but the GA-BPNN model had the best performance (RP2 = 0.78, RMSEP = 0.16, and RPD = 2.13 before spring irrigation; and RP2 = 0.80, RMSEP = 0.14, and RPD = 2.26 after spring irrigation). It indicated that relatively accurate regional salinity maps could be plotted based on the spectral indices selected by GA and the salinity inversion model built on BPNN. These results have certain reference for soil salinization monitoring and farmland irrigation using UAV multispectral remote sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schlosseria magister, Breviodon? minutus and Lophialetes expeditus are dominant species in the family of Lophialetidae, an extinct group of tapiroids widely distributed in the Eocene sediments of Asia. In this study, we provide insight into the paleodiet and palaeoecology of these Eocene lophialetids via microwear analysis of fossil teeth (N = 132) from Huheboerhe area, Erlian Basin, China. The results suggest that L. expeditus was likely a mixed feeder consuming substantial grit and a small amount of fruit during feeding, while Breviodon? minutus was a browser with fruit and/or seeds incorporated into its dietary regime. The dietary preference of S. magister shifted towards more abrasive diets over time (from browsers to mixed feeders). This dietary shift is probably correlated to the decreasing trend in global temperatures following the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum which likely led to the changes of terrestrial vegetation and environment in the Huheboerhe area during that time interval. Combining the microwear analysis and other evidence (mesowear, stable carbon isotope and the fossil record), the landscape of the early-middle Eocene Erlian Basin was probably becoming more arid and/or open over time and a mixed habitat, which included forest, woodland and shrubland, was most likely present in the middle. Eocene Erlian Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Linxi Formation is widely deposited in eastern Inner Mongolia (NE China), especially along northern parts of the Solonker-Xar Moron Suture (SXMS) in the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt, yet its depositional age and provenance remain ambiguous. We studied the petrography, geochronology, and Hf isotopes of two sandstone samples from this formation, and estimated the depositional age and the provenance of the Linxi Formation, and further constrained the evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean (PAO). Based on detailed field observations and measurements, we. Zircons from rocks of the Linxi Formation are mainly composed of detrital zircons of magmatic origin. The determined ages of detrital zircons range from 233 ± 2 Ma to 1365 ± 14 Ma, and indicate that the provenance of the Linxi Formation experienced at least four tectonic-thermal events between 1365 and 233 Ma: Neoproterozoic (ca. 1365–543 Ma), Early Palaeozoic (ca. 512–426 Ma), Late Palaeozoic (ca. 418–251 Ma), and Early Mesozoic (ca. 249–233 Ma). The youngest detrital zircon, with a U-Pb age of 233 ± 2 Ma, defines the maximum depositional age of the Linxi Formation. The εHf (t) values of dated zircons from the sandstone samples have a large range (−7.8–15.0). The four dominant age groups and the range in εHf (t) values are widely found in the Xing'an Block and Songnen-Zhangguangcai Range, which imply that the source of the Linxi Formation had an affinity with northeastern China. These data together with previous geochronological data (from west to east along the SXMS) on the crystallization and depositional ages of detrital zircon suggest that the Linxi Formation was deposited in different tectonic settings: convergent, collisional, and extensional. This study provides further evidence and constraints for the non-synchronous closure of the PAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chroniosuchians were the only clade of non-amniotic reptiliomorphs that survived into the Triassic. Recent discoveries have increased their species and anatomical diversity and expanded their distribution in time and space. Most species were represented only by osteoderms, and complete or articulated remains are rare. Here we report a partial skull with a mandible and associated postcranial skeleton from the Naobaogou Formation in the Daqingshan, Nei Mongol, China. It is referred to Laosuchus based on the absence of a preorbital fenestra, the presence of a well-developed transverse flange of the pterygoid that contacts the maxilla, an internal crest on and above the dorsal side of the palate (vomer, ectopterygoid and pterygoid), a shallow otic notch formed by the tabular horn and the posterior part of the squamosal, a thin and high ventromedial ridge on the parasphenoid; the surangular dorsal surface forming a fossa for the insertion of the external adductors, the maxilla and quadratojugal separated by the jugal, and a jugal with a ventral (alary) process bordering the subtemporal fenestra. A new species, L. hun, is established based on its palatal dentition that is reduced, with but a few denticles on the vomer and pterygoid, and an irregular posterior cheek margin. Laosuchus can be referred to Chroniosuchidae based on cranial features, and the divergence of the Chroniosuchidae and Bystrowianidae is confirmed in this study. New findings reinforce the hypothesis of the migration route from North China to Laos in the late Permian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan Ocean is an important but poorly understood issue in the geology of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Here we present an integrated study of petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopes on a volcanic suite from the Baoligaomiao Formation near Dongwuqi, central Inner Mongolia, NE China. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating indicates that the volcanic rocks formed at the Carboniferous–Permian boundary (ca. 301–297 Ma). Geochemistry data reveal that the rocks belong to alkaline to sub-alkaline series, and are characterized by enrichments in light rare earth elements (LaN/YbN = 13.01–39.30) and large ion lithophile elements and depletions in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). They have relatively low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.702570–0.708084) and highly positive whole-rock ԐNd(t) (2.27–2.72) and zircon ԐHf(t) values (0.66–11.92). These geochemical characteristics and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions reveal that the rocks originated from partial melts of a juvenile, arc-type middle-lower crust, with fractional crystallization as a dominant factor controlling the magma differentiation. The rocks were generated in a post-collisional regime, and occurred as a magmatic response to the final closure of the Hegenshan Ocean at the Late Carboniferous (ca. 305 Ma). In addition, based on a review of the pre-existing literature data, a model of continental arc–back-arc basin system at the southern margin of South Mongolian microcontinent is proposed to explain the tectonic evolution of the Hegenshan Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of a diverse and abundant collection of Middle–Upper Jurassic scorpionflies from the Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou village in Inner Mongolia, China, has enabled a further delimitation of the morphological variability of the polyphyletic family Orthophlebiidae. The family Protorthophlebiidae fam. nov. is herein erected on the basis of new characters present in new specimens of Protorthophlebia Tillyard, 1933 preserved with bodies. An emended diagnosis of the genus Orthophlebia is provided, adding morphological characters of the male abdomen and the head, and revising those of the wing venation. A new genus and species within the family Orthophlebiidae, Juraphlebia eugeniae gen. et sp. nov., and a new species of the genus Orthophlebia Westwood, 1845, O. chinensis sp. nov, are described. In the light of the new systematic concept and new taxonomic data relationships within the superfamily Panorpoidea and between the two modern families Panorpidae and Panorpodidae are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's Belt and Road Initiative has led to an efflorescence of interest in the heritage of the "Silk Road," both in China and abroad. In this article, I approach the BRI and its associated "Silk Road fever" ethnographically, discussing its effects on a particular region of China. What was once characterized in official discourse as a "remote border region" is now recovering its history of camel-based connectivity, and using this to imagine its future development. I situate this Silk Road discourse within the context of the politics of land, ethnicity, and the environment in a Chinese border region. Drawing on 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork in this region, and analysis of local publications, the article shows how this discourse provides ethnic Mongol elites in the west of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region with resources to defend pastoralist livelihoods threatened by the state's recent grassland conservation policies. I thus show how the BRI's spatial imaginary is "domesticated" in a particular part of China, and shine a light on the spatial politics which this imaginary – and the nonhumans involved in it – affords. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several new spider specimens, belonging to the superfamily Palpimanoidea, are described from the Middle–Upper Jurassic Haifanggou Formation (early assemblage of the Yanliao Biota) of Inner Mongolia, China. Two new genera and species, and a new species in the genus Sinaranea Selden, Huang & Ren, 2008, are described. Caestaranea jurassica gen. et sp. nov. is described on the basis of several adult males, typified by boxing-glove shaped pedipalps, as well as females and juveniles. Onychopalpus thomisoides gen. et sp. nov. is the largest palpimanoid known, and its habitus resembles that of a crab spider (Thomisidae) in having large, laterigrade anterior legs with rows of macrosetae on the femora and a squat, rotund opisthosoma. However, the distinctive adult male pedipalp bears a pectinate claw, so the holotype specimen is a subadult male; the other specimens referred to this species are smaller juveniles. Three new specimens of Sinaranea metaxyostraca Selden, Huang & Ren, 2008, including two adult males, are described here, and the new species S. brevicrus sp. nov., which has shorter legs than the type species, is described from an adult male and an adult female. These new palpimanoids substantially increase the diversity of the superfamily in the Middle Jurassic, and the unusual Onychopalpus provides evidence for a different mode of life for these spiders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this empirical study, we used an ecological footprint model to calculate ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of Xilingol under the backdrop of coal-fired power plants development. Subsequently we discussed dynamic changes in ecological carrying capacity of Xilingol. Between 2000 and 2011, per capita ecological footprint in Xilingol gradually increased from 3.215 global hectares (gha) to 8.189 gha. Meanwhile, per capita ecological carrying capacity decreased annually from 5.419 gha to 4.584 gha during the same period. Between 2000 and 2005, Xilingol was still in the ecological surplus stage, while from 2006 to 2011, the study area showed ecological deficit, and the deficit reached a high value of 3.605 gha in 2011. The excessive exploitation of fossil fuels and overgrazing were the main reasons for the existing ecological deficit. To reduce the ecological deficits of fossil fuels and realise the sustainable development in Xilingol, more efforts should be made in introducing and implementing coal conversion and circular economic projects, improving power conversion ratein situ, realising development amidst conservation, implementing grassland ecological conservation and development, developing sustainable animal husbandry, and raising industrialisation level of animal husbandry, thereby enhancing the ecological carrying capacity of Xilingol. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The increases in the construction of coal-fired power plants (CFPP) in China have caused ecological damage and environmental pollution. It is essential to monitor ecological and environmental conditions with various technical methods. However, the current monitoring systems have major operational problems, including low levels of automation, high operating costs, and inefficient spatial and temporal coverage. The timely development in the Internet of Things (IoT) provides an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of environmental data collection and analysis. This research takes Xilingol as the study area, which is rich in coal resources and one of the principal regions for CFPP construction in China. We deployed relevant sensors in the study area to obtain the information regarding the quality of atmosphere, surface water, groundwater, and soil. The recorded data were transmitted to a central system platform via wireless communication networks and a general packet radio service. The system platform had the following functions: monitoring environmental quality, assessing environmental impact, supporting environmental management and decision-making, analyzing ecological efficiency, and responding environmental emergency. The government, especially environmental protection department and relevant companies, could easily obtain ecological and environmental information by using this IoT-based technical system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Based on the dipodid materials collected from Siziwang Qi, Nei Mongol in 2009, a new speciesBrachyscirtetes tomidaisp. nov.is erected. It is characterised by its smaller size, more bunodont paracone on M2, more separate mesoloph and posteroloph on M2 and separate mesolophid on m2, more longitudinally symmetrical protoconid–metaconid complex diverging at an obtuse angle and elongated anterior part of ectolophid on m1 than existing species. It represents the most primitive known species of this genus. Judging from the associated mammals, the age ofBrachyscirtetes tomidaishould be late Late Miocene.Brachyscirtetesis possibly derived from a form of early Late MioceneParalactaga. Its dental trends include increasing size and crown height, and increasing lophodonty of occlusal morphology, which is reflected as gradual fusion of mesoloph and posteroloph with paracone, metacone on M2 and of mesolophid with entoconid on m2, respectively; the protoconid–metaconid complex on m1 shifts from a longitudinally symmetrical position to an anterolabial orientation, and the anterior part of ectolophid on m1 is gradually shortened, shifting from a longitudinal to an oblique orientation. The appearance ofBrachyscirtetesand abundant herbivores indicates an arid and steppe environment in late Late Miocene Siziwang Qi area. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Daohugou is an important locality of the Jurassic Yanliao Biota, where only two pterosaurs have been described so far (Jeholopterus and Pterorhynchus). Here we report a new genus and species, Daohugoupterus delicatus gen. et sp. nov. (IVPP V12537), from this region, consisting of a partial skeleton with soft tissue. The skull is laterally compressed, differing from Jeholopterus. The antorbital fenestra is larger than in Pterorhynchus. The upper temporal fenestra is unusually small. The short cervical vertebrae bearing cervical ribs indicate that it is a non-pterodactyloid flying reptile. The sternal plate is triangular, being much wider than long. The deltopectoral crest of humerus is positioned proximally and does not extend further down the shaft, a typical feature of basal pterosaurs. Daohugoupterus also differs from the wukongopterids and scaphognathids from the Tiaojishan Formation at Linglongta, regarded to be about the same age as the Daohugou Bed. The new specimen increases the Jurassic non-pterodactyloid pterosaur diversity of the Yanliao Biota and is the smallest pterosaur from Daohugou area so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although abundant palaeontological discoveries have been documented in the Daohugou area in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, China, no record of the palynoflora has been reported previously. We collected palynological samples from the same level as megafossil plants, and conducted a detailed taxonomic analysis of the pollen and spores in order to augment the megafossil record, to extend documentation of the Middle Jurassic palynoflora, and to examine implications for palaeogeography, palaeoecology and palaeoclimate in north China during the Jurassic. Forty-four genera and 87 species of palynomorphs were identified. Pollen of gymnosperms dominates numerically, followed by spores of pteridophytes. Most taxa, including bisaccate pollen of conifers, monosulcate pollen of Cycadales, Bennettitales or Ginkgoales, along withCyathidites,Deltoidospora,Granulatisporites,OsmundaciditesandClassopollis, are common elements known elsewhere during the Jurassic. Based on comparisons with similar palyno-assemblages in the Jurassic of China, the age of the Daohugou locality is interpreted to be late Middle Jurassic. According to the palaeobotanical and palaeopalynological information, the Daohugou flora is attributed to the warm-temperate to medium temperate zone with seasonal change. By studying the ecological and climatic preferences of the main plant groups, five types of palaeolandscape in the Jurassic of Daohugou are proposed: (1) mesic upland (Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Czekanowskiales and Bennettitales), (2) mesic lowland (Pinaceae, Podocarpaceae, Ginkgoales, Czekanowskiales and Cycadales, together with some hygrophilous bryophytes, lycophytes and ferns), (3) dry upland (Czekanowskiales), (4) dry lowland (Czekanowskiales and Cheirolepidiaceae) and (5) waterside (plants growing along streams or near lakes, including bryophytes, lycophytes, ferns and probably some pteridosperms). According to the plant assemblage, the Daohugou flora corresponds to that of the Middle Jurassic Northern Floristic Province of China, which experienced a transition from a humid, warm climate to a hotter climate with seasonal drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetraena mongolica, an endangered shrub, is endemic to China's western Inner Mongolia. Here we have reported its complete chloroplast genome with a length of 106,288 bp. The inverted repeat regions just retained 4315 bp. The genome encodes a total of 98 predicted genes, including 64 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. Fifteen genes, including infA, rps16, ycf1, ycf2 and all the 11 ndh genes, were probably lost from the genome. The clpP and rps12 lost one intron, respectively. All these characters show T. mongolica is a special taxon worth to be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome (GenBank accession number: MG256392) of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes ussurienusis) farmed in Northeast China and compared it with two previously published mitogenomes, one mitogenome of wild raccoon dog captured in Inner Mongolia of China (GenBank accession number: GU256221) and another mitogenome of Korean raccoon dog(GenBank accession number: KF709435). The N. ussurienusis mitogenome is 16,714 bp long and high similarity of 99.2% and 99.1% with Chinese wide raccoon dogs and Korean raccoon dogs. This study will contribute to understanding genetic divergence between raccoon dogs of N. procyonoides in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]