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The results of studying bottom sediments taken from the high-mountain lake Sagan-Nur located on the Oka plateau (East Sayan Mountains), which is insufficiently studied, are presented. The lake is freshwater and has a glacial origin. Comprehensive investigations of the mineral composition of the lake sediments accumulated over the past ~8600 cal. years have been carried out for the first time. The research methods include X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, laser granulometry, SiO2 bio determination, AMS, and 210Pb dating. The mineral composition of the bottom sediments is dominated by layered silicates, quartz, and plagioclase; furthermore, the X-ray amorphous component consisting of biogenic silica and organic matter is present. The method of mathematical modeling of their complex XRD patterns is used for correct identification of the layered silicates. It is established that the layered silicate assemblage is stable and is represented by muscovite, chlorite, illite, mixed-layer illite–smectite and chlorite–smectite, and kaolinite. At the same time, the structural characteristics and quantitative ratios of these minerals in the deposits changed significantly in response to changes in the natural environment of the region, which reveals the potential of a number of phyllosilicates (illite, mixed-layer minerals) as indicators of the paleoclimate in the bottom sediments of freshwater basins. The results of studying the sediment composition and, especially, the precision mineralogical–crystallochemical analysis of layered silicates have made it possible to reconstruct the paleolandscapes and climatic conditions of sediment accumulation and to assign them to the respective Holocene sub-stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Rifain ridges are an example of tectonic-sedimentation interaction in the Mio-Plio-Quaternary foreland basins at the front of the Rif chain. is an elongated mountain zone-oriented E-W and N-S, forming the most frontal part of the Rif belt. The morphotectonic study carried out in this area is based on Landsat-8 OLI image processing techniques to determine the contribution of these images to structural mapping. The results obtained reveal a predominant E-W orientation, which is widely present throughout the study area. This is followed by a second N-S direction, a third NW-SE direction, and a fourth NE-SW direction. The NW-SE lineaments are also mapped in kilometres. Their equivalent on the ground shows a sinister movement but does not show a significant horizontal displacement of more than a few metres. Together with the NE-SW faults, these faults form a conjugate system of dextral and sinistral faults, compatible with a palaeostress field where the maximum shortening stress is submeridian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating functional traits among mountain species with differing altitude requirements is integral to effective conservation practices. Our study aims to investigate the structural and chemical characteristics of Daphniphyllum macropodum leaves at three altitudes (1100 m, 1300 m, and 1500 m) across southern China to provide insight into changes in leaf functional traits (LFT) as well as plant adaptations in response to changing environmental conditions. Leaf structural characteristics include leaf thickness (LT), leaf area (LA), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf tissue density (LD), respectively, while chemical properties include carbon-nitrogen-phosphorus (C:N:P) contents and ratios, such as C/N, C/P, and N/P. Our findings demonstrated the significant effect of altitude on both structural (LT, SLA, LD) and chemical aspects (N, C/N, N/P) of LFT. In particular, leaves at 1100 and 1300 m differed greatly, with 1300 m having lower SLA values than 1100 m. Observable trends included an initial increase followed by a decline as the altitude rose. Notable among them were the LT, LD, N, and N/P values at both locations. Traits at 1300 m were significantly higher than at 1100 m; SLA and C/N values displayed an inverse trend, with their lowest values occurring at 1300 m. Furthermore, this research demonstrated various degrees of variation among LFT, with structural traits exhibiting greater fluctuation than chemical traits. Robust correlations were observed among certain traits, such as LT, LD, and SLA. Furthermore, the interdependency relationships between N and C/N, as well as P and C/P, demonstrated interconnectedness. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil factors, specifically P content, exerted the strongest impact on LFT. At 1100 m, D. macropodum employed acquisition strategies; however, at 1300 m, conservation strategies emerged, showing a shift from acquisition strategies at lower altitudes to conservative strategies at higher ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous factors influence mountain biodiversity variation across elevational gradients and recognizing the relative importance is vital for understanding species distribution mechanisms. We examined oribatid mites at nine elevations (from 600 to 2200 m a.s.l) and four vegetation types from mixed coniferous and broad‐leaved forests to alpine tundra on Changbai Mountain. We assessed the contribution of environmental factors (climatic and local factors) and spatial processes (geographic or elevation distances) to oribatid mite community assembly and identified 59 oribatid mite species from 38 families and 51 genera. With increasing elevation, species richness and the Shannon index declined significantly, whereas abundance followed a hump‐shaped trend. Soil TP, NH4+‐N, MAT, MAP, and elevation were the critical variables shaping oribatid mite communities based on random forest analysis. Moreover, environmental and spatial factors, and oribatid mite communities were significantly correlated based on Mantel and partial Mantel tests. Local characteristics (3.9%), climatic factors (1.9%), and spatial filtering (8.8%) played crucial roles in determining oribatid mite communities across nine elevational bands (based on variation partitioning analyses of abundance data). Within the same vegetation types, spatial processes had relatively little effects, with local characteristics the dominant drivers of oribatid mite community variation. Environmental and spatial filters together shape oribatid mite community assembly and their relative roles varied with elevation and vegetation type. These findings are crucial for the conservation, restoration, and management of Changbai mountain ecosystems in the context of climate change, along with the prediction of future vertical biotic gradient pattern evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured light‐related patterns of primary productivity within a topographically complex Oregon watershed over a 30‐year period. Second‐growth conifer densities were experimentally altered in 1981. Plots receiving at least 3434 MJ m−2 over a 6‐month growing season averaged 40% greater aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) than those receiving less light (p = 0.000). Unthinned stands potentially built enough LAI to compensate for low light, but risked mortality that exceeded resilience. The two light levels acted as basins of attraction for other physiological and ecological processes, including size–density relationships and limiting foliar nutrients. Initial (1981) LAI and the irradiation step (above or below 3434 MJ m−2) explained 60% of variation in a 30‐year ANPP. Irradiation within each light group did not affect ANPP. At high irradiation, foliar N/Ca and slope steepness (both negative) explained 58% of the variation in residuals from the initial models, while at low irradiation on north, east, and west aspects, 83% of residual variation was explained by foliar Mg (+), understory cover (+), and 30‐year mortality (−). Light use efficiency (LUE) of fully stocked stands correlated with LAI and foliar N/K. Results suggest that understory influence on tree foliar N (+ or −) enhances ANPP by regulating critical nutrient ratios. Mortality reduced or eliminated differences among thinning levels, which did not vary at low light and only between unthinned and heavily thinned at high light. Values associated with relatively open forests (biodiversity, resilience) may be attained without large sacrifice of long‐term carbon sinks. In our study, light interacts with topography to produce nonlinear dynamics in which small changes in irradiation can have large consequences. Reduced sunlight has been suggested as a geoengineering option to combat global warming. Ecological changes out of proportion to lowered irradiation are a distinct possibility, including sharp reductions in terrestrial carbon sinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African & Mediterranean Journal of Architecture & Urbanism (AMJAU) is the property of Ecole Nationale d'Architecture 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.)

Much of the world's biodiversity lies in heterogeneous mountain areas with their diverse environments. As an example, Iranian montane ranges are highly diverse, particularly in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region. Understanding plant diversity patterns with increasing elevation is of high significance, not least for conservation planning. We studied the pattern of species richness, Shannon diversity, endemic richness, endemics ratio, and richness of life forms along a 3900 m elevational transect in Mount Palvar, overlooking the Lut Desert in Southeast Iran. We also analyzed the effect of environmental variables on species turnover along the vertical gradient. A total of 120 vegetation plots (10 m × 10 m) were sampled along the elevational transect containing species and environmental data. To discover plant diversity pattern along the elevational gradient, generalized additive model (GAM) was used. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was applied for illustrating the correlation between species composition and environmental variables. We found hump-shaped pattern for species richness, Shannon diversity, endemic richness, and species richness of different life forms, but a monotonic increasing pattern for ratio of endemic species from low to high elevations. Our study confirms the humped pattern of species richness peaking at intermediate elevations along a complete elevational gradient in a semi-arid mountain. The monotonic increase of endemics ratio with elevation in our area as a case study is consistent with global increase of endemism with elevation. According to our results, temperature and precipitation are two important climatic variables that drive elevational plant diversity, particularly in seasonally dry areas. Our study suggests that effective conservation and management are needed for this low latitude mountain area along with calling for long-term monitoring for species redistribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meridional overturning circulation (MOC) in the ocean is a key player in the global climate system, while continental topography provides an essential backdrop to the system. In this study, we design a series of coupled model sensitivity experiments to investigate the influence of various mountain ranges on the global thermohaline circulation. The results highlight the influence of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) on the global thermohaline circulation. It emerges as a requisite for establishing the Atlantic MOC (AMOC) and a determining factor for the cessation of the Pacific MOC (PMOC). Additionally, the Antarctic continent plays a vital role in facilitating the TP to form the AMOC. While the formation of the AMOC cannot be attributed to any single mountain range, the TP alone can inhibit the PMOC's development. By modifying the global hydrological cycle, the TP is likely to have been crucial in molding the global thermohaline circulation. This paper presents quantitative evaluation of the role of different continental mountains in shaping the global meridional overturning circulation. The Tibetan Plateau is likely to have been crucial in molding the global thermohaline circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it is well documented that mountains tend to exhibit high biodiversity, how geological processes affect the assemblage of montane floras is a matter of ongoing research. Here, we explore landform-specific differences among montane floras based on a dataset comprising 17,576 angiosperm species representing 140 Chinese mountain floras, which we define as the collection of all angiosperm species growing on a specific mountain. Our results show that igneous bedrock (granitic and karst-granitic landforms) is correlated with higher species richness and phylogenetic overdispersion, while the opposite is true for sedimentary bedrock (karst, Danxia, and desert landforms), which is correlated with phylogenetic clustering. Furthermore, we show that landform type was the primary determinant of the assembly of evolutionarily older species within floras, while climate was a greater determinant for younger species. Our study indicates that landform type not only affects montane species richness, but also contributes to the composition of montane floras. To explain the assembly and differentiation of mountain floras, we propose the 'floristic geo-lithology hypothesis', which highlights the role of bedrock and landform processes in montane floristic assembly and provides insights for future research on speciation, migration, and biodiversity in montane regions. An analysis of 140 floras from China reveals that high species diversity exists in granite and mixed landforms, while low species diversity is found in karst, Danxia, and desert landforms. Based on these findings, the authors provide new clues for understanding the assembly and differentiation of mountain floras, highlighting the role of bedrock and landform processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impact of rainfall and slopes on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics was assessed under tea and coffee plantations, land covers, in Western Ghats Mountain (WGM). Severe water erosion in the western side of WGM by heavy rainfall and land sloppiness recorded less SOC (3.07%) compared to the eastern side (4.03%) in tea plantations. Similar trend in SOC was observed in coffee plantations, with 1.98% in western side and 3.25% in eastern side. Loss of soil organic carbon stock under tea plantations in western sides was 0.346 million tonnes and in coffee plantations it was 0.190 million tonnes. Hence, the total organic carbon loss was 0.536 million tonnes. Highest SOC content and stocks were recorded in steep slopes in tea and coffee plantations due to dense biomass cover and adoption of soil and water conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antlion genera Gatzara and Nepsalus (Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae) inhabit mountain forests and are characterised by camouflaging larvae. Both genera remain poorly known despite recent findings on systematics and distribution. We report the discovery of new specimens and the previously unknown larvae of the rare species Gatzara jubilaea Navás, 1915, Nepsalus insolitus (Walker, 1860) and N. decorosus (Yang, 1988). These provide new evidence regarding the affinities of these species, and updated knowledge of the distribution, larval morphology and biology. Moreover, a new species of Nepsalus, N. maclachlani Badano, Zheng & Liu, sp. nov. is described from Sri Lanka based on historical museum collections. The discovery of the immature stages of Gatzara shows that the larvae of this genus share the same specialised ecological characteristics and habits as those of Nepsalus but are less morphologically derived. We also reconstruct a molecular phylogeny of this lineage, estimating the divergence time and biogeographical history by adding the new samples. The evolution of the Gatzara + Nepsalus lineage is associated with two major mountain ranges on the southern Tibetan Plateau, i.e. the Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the family Calliphoridae, the genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, includes species of medical, veterinary and forensic relevance. This study reports for the first time the presence of Calliphora rohdendorfi (Grunin, 1966) in the Italian territory, namely in Calabrian Apennines (Southern Italy). The adults of the species were captured by bait bottle and yellow pan traps within a monitoring project of Diptera Brachycera involving Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte (Aspromonte National Park), Parco Nazionale della Sila (Sila National Park) and Parco Naturale Regionale delle Serre (Natural Regional Park of Serre), between 2018 and 2021. Calliphora rohdendorfi was identified on detailed morphological bases of both sexes. This was the first description of the general morphology of the female and its terminalia through digital photographs acquired by stereomicroscopy. The species was captured in pine and beech forests at an altitude between 1010 and 1820 m a.s.l. in shaded mountain areas. Prior to the finding in Southern Italy, this species showed an unusually disjointed distribution in Caucasus, Germany and Poland, thus the presence of C. rohdendorfi in Calabrian Apennines provides new and interesting data that require further investigation, because the species could play a role as flower visitor, pollinator and forensic indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conserving mountains is important for protecting biodiversity because they have high beta diversity and endemicity, facilitate species movement, and provide numerous ecosystem benefits for people. Mountains are often thought to have lower levels of human modification and contain more protected area than surrounding lowlands. To examine this, we compared biogeographic attributes of the largest, contiguous, mountainous region on each continent. In each region, we generated detailed ecosystems based on Köppen−Geiger climate regions, ecoregions, and detailed landforms. We quantified anthropogenic fragmentation of these ecosystems based on human modification classes of large wild areas, shared lands, and cities and farms. Human modification for half the mountainous regions approached the global average, and fragmentation reduced the ecological integrity of mountain ecosystems up to 40%. Only one‐third of the major mountainous regions currently meet the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target of 30% coverage for all protected areas; furthermore, the vast majority of ecosystem types present in mountains were underrepresented in protected areas. By measuring ecological integrity and human‐caused fragmentation with a detailed representation of mountain ecosystems, our approach facilitates tracking progress toward achieving conservation goals and better informs mountain conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The north western Atlas Mountains (Béchar region) act as refugia for relict populations of many species which highlights their interest as priority areas for conservation. Further work since the beginning of the last century has been difficult because of restricted access in a military area with long-standing border conflicts. This paper aims to analyse the temporal dynamics of the vegetation communities, to assess the floristic diversity of one of those isolated djebels, Djebel Antar, and to contribute to the knowledge of the conservation status of the species found. Surveys from 1925,1951 (published data) and 2017 (fieldwork) were interpreted and investigations were carried out on honey harvesting, production, and marketing in the Benzireg area to better understand and contribute to the development of beekeeping. A high proportion of endemic and very rare species was found. A tendency towards the homogenisation of the flora was detected with a decrease in plant diversity. Beekeeping is being tested as a means of enhancing biodiversity and contributing to the fight against vegetation degradation by reducing pastoral pressure. Djebel Antar retains its function as a refuge for biodiversity and may play an important role in conservation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical barriers like mountain ranges impede genetic exchange among populations, promoting diversification. The effectiveness of these barriers in limiting gene flow varies between lineages due to each species' dispersal modes and capacities. Our understanding of how the Andes orogeny contributes to species diversification comes from well‐studied vertebrates and a few arthropods and plants, neglecting organisms unable to fly or walk long distances. Some arachnids, such as Gasteracantha cancriformis, have been hypothesized to disperse long distances via ballooning (i.e. using their silk to interact with the wind). Yet, we do not know how the environment and geography shape its genetic diversity. Therefore, we tested whether the Andes contributed to the diversification of G. cancriformis acting as an absolute or semi‐permeable barrier to genetic connectivity between populations of this spider at opposite sides of the mountain range. We sampled thousands of loci across the distribution of the species and implemented population genetics, phylogenetic, and landscape genetic analyses. We identified two genetically distinct groups structured by the Central Andes, and a third less structured group in the Northern Andes that shares ancestry with the previous two. This structure is largely explained by the altitude along the Andes, which decreases in some regions, possibly facilitating cross‐Andean dispersal and gene flow. Our findings support that altitude in the Andes plays a major role in structuring populations in South America, but the strength of this barrier can be overcome by organisms with long‐distance dispersal modes together with altitudinal depressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is concerned with the buckling of a film-substrate bilayer in a state of plane strain when it is subjected to a uni-axial compression along its free surface. Previous numerical simulations have indicated that pre-stretching the substrate in such a bilayer may lead to the formation of a mountain ridge mode as a secondary bifurcation. We present a scenario in which such a localized mode is also possible as a first bifurcation. It is first shown through a linear bifurcation analysis that by applying a pre-compression to the substrate, the stretch λ versus wavenumber k may develop a local minimum in addition to the local maximum that already exists in the absence of a pre-compression when the film is stiffer than the substrate. As a result, the λ at k = 0 may become larger than the local maximum if the pre-compression exceeds a threshold value, and hence becomes the critical stretch for bifurcation. This case is considered in this article, and it is shown through a weakly nonlinear analysis that multiple long wavelength modes may bifurcate subcritically from the uniform solution and quickly localize in the form of a mountain ridge. The solutions thus found are probably unstable, but form an essential part in the understanding of the global bifurcation behavior. It is hoped that our analytical results will guide future numerical simulations and experimental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

My paper wishes to delve into concepts such as assemblage and sympoiesis and examine them within the framework of my ethnographic fieldwork on beekeeping in the Western chain of the Italian Alps. I believe that the implications of notions such as sympoiesis and assemblage can be seen to surface in the context of beekeeping and bee culture, as they emerge as multispecies activities where everything and everyone involved can be regarded as a social actor. In this respect, the most relevant issues I would like to tackle are referred to knowledge production and know-how among beekeepers who keep their apiaries in the plains for most part of the year and move them to mountain areas for the summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, as a result of global warming and increased development of mountain areas, which are highly sensitive to anthropogenic impacts, there has been a rapid increase in the number and scale of natural disasters accompanied by material damage and even death of people. An increase in anthropogenic impact on the mid- and high-mountain geosystems is also characteristic of the mountainous territories of Azerbaijan, especially, because this is pronounced within the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Here, along with such dangerous processes as avalanches, landslides, etc., mudflows are intensively manifested. New methods of dealing with them should be developed to mitigate their effects. In this regard, the problems of studying the development and mapping of mudflow centres become very relevant. On the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, the basin of the Goychay River is one of the most subject to mudflow processes, which in recent years has caused significant economic and social losses. The article gives a complete description of the landscape-geomorphological factor as one of the main factors in the formation of mudflow centres and traces their development dynamics. In the course of the study, with the aim of using the ArcGİS software for 2018, the area was calculated and the dynamics of the development of a number of mudflow centres was revealed. In addition, a land use map of the Goychay River basin was compiled with the help of statistical, cartographic (digital topographic and maps of the use of past years) and remote sensing (RS) data (interpretation of aerospace images (ASS) 2002-2019 from the Landsat satellite (scale: 1: 60,000). On the basis of field research and landscape mapping in the "key areas", the influence of mudflow processes on the differentiation of landscapes in the basin of the Goychay River was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the findings of ecogeomorphological studies conducted in the high-mountain belt of the southern slope of the Main Caucasus Range by utilizing satellite imagery. The investigations reaffirmed the dynamic nature of exogenous relief-forming processes evident in slope surface conditions and the diverse array of natural landscapes in high-mountain regions. The data acquired facilitated the development of measures aimed at enhancing the natural environment and guiding future land use practices. Through this research, various factors contributing to degradation processes were identified, enabling the pinpointing of erosion-prone areas on both slopes of the Greater Caucasus and the formulation of what we believe to be the most optimal anti-erosion measures scheme. Analysis of satellite imagery revealed that some river basins originating from the southern slope of the Main Caucasus Range exhibit the most pronounced soil and vegetation degradation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The co-existence between brown bears (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) and farmers in the Pyrenees has been a major concern for several decades. The bear's depredation on livestock has multiple implications for traditional practices of extensive grazing and calls for a better understanding of the various ways in which humans and non-humans interact across different territories. The present dataset stems from "The Pastoralism and Bears in the Pyrenees" research project led by the GEODE laboratory (UMR 5602 CNRS-UT2J) in partnership with the Association Dissonances. Focusing on three summer pastures as places of encounter, this project proposes to explore the definition of co-existence, based on context-dependent and constantly evolving relationships between bears and pastoralists. As part of an interdisciplinary approach combining animal geography and ecology, the spatio-temporal activity of the different species was explored using a network of 118 camera traps. New information: The 118 camera traps were installed on the three summer pastures while livestock was present in the mountains between May and October, from 2021 to 2023 and were set in a 400 m x 400 m grid covering a total area of around 2,000 ha. The present dataset contains 57,928 occurrences of 22 taxon categories, including 19 identified species, two family categories (equids and mustelids) and one class category (birds). As pastoral activity is significantly present in these areas, livestock (sheep (Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758), equids, cows (Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758) and goats ( Capra hircus Linnaeus, 1758)) account for 16,207 occurrences across the three pastures. The three main wild species captured over the three years and three pastures were the red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758; 9,517 occurrences), red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758; 9,400 occurrences) and wild boar (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758; 4,016 occurrences). Data are aggregated at the grid scale. Nonetheless, the exact locations of each camera trap as well as the photos can be requested from us. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Field Ornithology is the property of Resilience Alliance 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.)

Alpine and pre-Alpine grasslands provide numerous ecosystem services including provisioning services (e.g. fodder production), regulating services (e.g. soil erosion reduction), and cultural services (e.g. recreation). While intensively managed grasslands specifically target the production of fodder, more extensively used grasslands are known for being hotspots of biodiversity. However, there is a need to better understand the relationship among the supply of ecosystem services, specifically regarding the use of grasslands for cultural ecosystem services such as recreation. In this study, we investigated the synergies and trade-offs of ecosystem services and analyzed underlying variables related to the recreational use of grasslands. We investigated the supply of recreation (indicated by Photo-User-Days from geo-tagged photos on grasslands), fodder production (indicated by yield), and regulating and habitat ecosystem services (indicated by agri-environmental payments), and analyzed their relationship to management-related variables with a Redundancy Analysis. To better explain the recreational use of grasslands, we further analyzed how environmental and infrastructural features influence the occurrence of Photo-User-Days with a hurdle regression. Finally, we conducted spatial analyses to understand the distribution of Photo-User-Days in space. We found a weak but significant negative relationship between Photo-User-Days and yield, which implies that people slightly prefer extensive grassland to intensive grassland for recreation. Our results also show that agri-environmental schemes targeted towards extensive grassland management can positively influence the recreational use. Other factors, such as proximity to touristic features (e.g. castles), presence of infrastructural features (e.g. cable cars), and environmental characteristics (e.g. low share of croplands, distance to forests), also influenced the spatial distribution of photos on grasslands. The importance of these factors underscores the value of grasslands as a component of the cultural landscape for recreational purposes. These results also suggest that cultural ecosystem services of grasslands can be considered to be co-produced by natural, social, and infrastructural components. The study further discusses limitations to the explanatory power of geo-tagged photo analysis to determine the wide range of cultural ecosystem services of grasslands. We conclude that grasslands play an important role for recreation in (pre-)Alpine landscapes, which can also be effectively supported through targeted agri-environmental payments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation breeding programs have long been an important management tool for species recovery. Recently, breeding programs have begun to integrate next generation sequencing data into pedigree-based management strategies designed to maximize retention of genetic diversity and minimize inbreeding. In 2005, an ex situ breeding program for two of the three extant, geographically separate populations of the endangered southern mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) was established at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. To provide improved breeding recommendations for the species, we conducted molecular population genetic assessments using double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing data. We first studied genetic diversity, population differentiation, and genetic structure of wild frogs to validate the status of management units in R. muscosa. Genetic diversity was relatively low (HO = 0.166–0.245), population differentiation moderate (FST = 0.29), and patterns of genetic structure and admixture supported the evolutionary divergence of frogs by mountain ranges with limited gene flow. In the breeding program, relatedness estimates identified close relatives amongst the founders, and molecularly-derived kinship values were used to determine and rank suitable breeders to minimize population mean kinship. Ex situ management recommendations highlight the need for importing additional founders from the wild to enhance genetic diversity in the breeding program, as an effective source for genetic restoration. Alternatively, the use of advanced reproductive technologies to capture wild diversity without removal of individuals from the wild seem promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian follicle dinamycs and estrogen concentration interrelated to cow reproduction traits. Some previous studies said that preovulatory follicle directly related to estrogen concentration which induce estrous quality, and increasing pregnancy rate when artificial insemination happened. Another important factor to optimizing reproduction performance is altitude. Here in Indonesia these factors has not been studied further in PO cows. A total of 24 Peranakan Ongole (PO) cows, 12 cows from highlands or mountains of Kalibawang, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia and 12 cows from lowlands or lowland of Galur District, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, Indonesia selected based on criterias; these cows ever had calves, not pregnant, 3-8 years old, have a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 2.5-3.5, in the peak phase of estrus and not experienced reproductive problems. The diameter of the cow ovarian follicles were examined using ultrasound and sera were taken to calculated the estrogen concentration using ELISA, meanwhile the NSPC taken from recording and farmer interview. The result showed that no difference of follicle diameter and estrogen concentration between mountain and lowland (p>0,05), a significant difference found in NSPC between mountain and lowland (p

In the European Alps, mean temperature has risen by 2.5 K since the end of the nineteenth century. A 2 K warming of the growing season has taken place in the last 4 decades only. The 2.5 K warming should rise the position of the climatic treeline by about 400 m. Actual shifts in uppermost tree positions reported here for the Austrian Defereggen Valley and the Swiss Lower Engadine region of the Eastern Alps reach only around 140 m of elevation above the limit of old trees that date back to the nineteenth century. Uppermost Pinus cembra trees of > 2 m height currently occur at c. 2500 m, representing elevation records for the Eastern Alps. In situ temperature records for 2022–2023 revealed seasonal mean temperatures for uppermost trees that are 1–3 K higher than the equilibrium treeline isotherm of c. 6 °C in both regions (corrected for temperature anomalies from long-term records). The 2 K span reflects microhabitat differences and two ways to define the season. Thus, tree advances lag behind the upslope shift of the treeline isotherm, on average, by more than 200 m. The uppermost trees currently grow under quite warm conditions with annual shoot length increments frequently reaching 20 cm. Even without additional future warming, the new steady-state climatic treeline will exceed the Holocene maximum elevation in the Eastern Alps substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter, snow, and mountains, epitomized by the world-renowned Rocky Mountain range, are an integral part of Canada’s sport-culture identity and international tourism brand, yet the climate change risk posed to this important ski tourism region remains uncertain. This study used the ski operations model SkiSim 2.0 to analyze the climate risk for the region’s ski industry (26 ski areas in the province of Alberta and 40 in British Columbia) with advanced snowmaking, including changes in key performance metrics of ski season length, snowmaking requirements, holiday operations, and lift and terrain capacity. If Paris Climate Agreement targets are met, average seasons across all ski areas decline 14–18% by mid-century, while required snowmaking increases 108–161%. Regional average operational terrain declined only 4–9% in mid-century, as the largest ski areas were generally more climate resilient. More pronounced impacts are projected under late-century, high-emission scenarios and in low latitudes and coastal British Columbia regions. When compared with continental and international ski tourism markets, Western Canada has relatively lower climate change impacts, which could improve its competitiveness. The results inform further research on demand-side as well as the winter sport-tourism industry and destination-scale climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

The hydrological channel networks of the steep mountains are extensively designated and organized geographic systems and are very complicated. They are composed of granular beds that are uneven and are subjected to fluid forces that fluctuate spatially and temporally. The flow and movement of sediment in these streams are significantly shaped by large rocks such as boulders. However, it is difficult to comprehend these mountain streams because significant information is unavailable regarding these channels as compared to plane bed streams. To address this issue, a critical review of the numerical, computational fluid dynamics, and machine learning mechanisms underlying sediment transport across different flow conditions in steep channels is presented while considering the current and foreseeable conditions for various sediment transport phenomena. The present study emphasized to carry out further analysis on these steep channels using advanced available techniques to get an insight into the morphology of these channels. Furthermore, the hazards associated with steep mountain channels are reviewed as they have a significant impact on infrastructure and habitation in mountainous regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The passage from pseudo-Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus 1905-1908 describes how Hercules briefly replaced the Titan Atlas in his duties supporting the Sky. However, the poet refers to Olympus, characterizing it with an epithet that does not belong to a mountain but to the sky. In this way an equation is created between these two places, mountain and sky. What is noteworthy in the passage of pseudo-Seneca, however, is not the general use of Olympus as a synonym for the sky, but the use of a designation of the sky for Olympus that completes the image of the identification of Olympus with the sky. Such mixing of adjectives is and remains rare as evidenced by the intertextual analysis attempted in the article. Moreover, mythology also mentions that Atlas holds the heavens forever (Hesiod, Vergil). It therefore follows that verse 1907 should be translated as 'of the starry sky' and not 'of starry Olympus'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intermittency of gravity wave potential energy (GWPE) in the upper troposphere and stratosphere was investigated using the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) temperature data over three typical mountains (Tibetan Plateau, Rocky Mountains, and Andes). These typical mountains have high sea level elevations but different land–sea contrast. The probability density function (PDF) of GWPE has the independent variable of GWPE and dependent variable of occurrence probability of GWPE over a region. Our analysis showed that the PDFs of GWPE over these three mountains roughly followed lognormal distributions in all heights and months. But, the key parameters (mean value and standard deviation) of lognormal distribution varied with heights and months. Above each mountain, the two key parameters exhibited similar temporal and spatial distributions. They had the largest values around the tropopause region, smaller values in the lower stratosphere (~20–30 km), and larger values in the upper stratosphere (~35–45 km). The intermittency of GWs is represented as the ratio of the GWPE at 50th percentile to the GWPE at 90th percentile. The weakest intermittency was at ~20–30 km (above the zonal mean winds of zero) over the Tibetan Plateau and Rocky Mountains in all months and over the Andes from November to March, respectively. Generally, the weakest intermittency (~0.4) occurred in the region where the key parameters were the smallest around summer. The key parameters of lognormal distribution were dominated by annual variation over the Andes throughout the height range, 8–50 km. However, the semiannual variations are also significant in the lower stratosphere over the Tibetan Plateau and Rocky Mountains. The seasonal variations in the intermittency were not as obvious as those of the key parameters. The lognormal distributions and the intermittencies derived here provide an observational constraint on the tunable parameters in GW parameterization schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zagros Mountains, characterized by complex topography and three large drainage systems, harbor the endemic freshwater crab Potamon persicum in Iran. Our study delves into the evolutionary history of P. persicum , utilizing two mitochondrial and one nuclear marker. We collected 214 specimens from 24 localities, identifying 21 haplotypes grouped into two major evolutionary lineages. Substantial differentiation exists between drainage systems and lineages. Historical demographic analysis revealed a significant decrease in population size during the late Holocene, accompanied by a recent population bottleneck. Species distribution modeling has revealed eastward shifts in suitable habitats between the last glacial maximum and the present day. Following the last glacial maximum, habitat fragmentation occurred, resulting in the establishment of small populations. These smaller populations are more vulnerable to climatic and geological events, thereby limiting gene flow and accelerating genetic differentiation within species. Historical biogeographic analysis traced the origin of P. persicum to the western Zagros Mountains, with major genetic divergence occurring during the Pleistocene. Our genetic analyses suggest that P. persicum may have shown a genetic pattern similar to a classical ring species before the Pleistocene. The Namak Lake sub-basin could have served as a contact zone where populations did not interbreed but were connected through gene flow in a geographic ring. Currently, genetic separation is evident between basins, indicating that P. persicum in the Zagros Mountains is not a contemporary ring species. Also, our biogeographical analysis estimated that range evolution may have been driven initially by dispersal, and only during the late Pleistocene by vicariance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific trait divergence may reflect adaptation and reproductive isolation, particularly after the rapid differentiation that may follow the colonization of new environments. Although new lineages are generally expected to be morphologically and ecologically similar to their ancestors, environmental forces can also drive adaptive differentiation along specific phenotypic axes. We used climate niche models and comparative analyses based on a previously inferred phylogeny to examine the history of ecological and morphological divergence of Neotropical firs (Abies Mill., Pinaceae), a group of conifers that have recently colonized and diversified in the mountains of Mexico and northern Central America. We inferred past secondary contact zones by comparing current and past climate niche projections and looked for evidence of recent interspecific gene flow using genomic data. Neotropical firs have similar niches to each other and show a strong phylogenetic signal for most evaluated morphological traits. Analyses based on individual variables suggested a random walk model of differentiation. However, early adaptation to tropical conditions is inferred in the ancestor of the southernmost firs, as all modern southern taxa are differentiated climatically from Abies concolor, the northernmost species. In addition, observed autapomorphic traits for soil properties and the number of resin ducts in needles are consistent with possible species‐specific adaptations. Thus, a combination of nonadaptive and adaptive processes along different phenotypic axes, some related to the environment, likely operated after the southward migration of this plant lineage from North America and its subsequent radiation in the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonrandom association between landscape characteristics and the dominant life history strategies observed in species pools is a typical pattern in nature. Here, we argue that these associations determine predictable changes in the relative importance of assembly mechanisms along broadscale geographic gradients (i.e., the geographic context of metacommunity dynamics). To demonstrate that, we employed simulation models in which groups of species with the same initial distribution of niche breadths and dispersal abilities interacted across a wide range of landscapes with contrasting characteristics. By assessing the traits of dominant species in the species pool in each landscape type, we determined how different landscape characteristics select for different life history strategies at the metacommunity level. We analyzed the simulated data using the same analytical approaches used in the study of empirical metacommunities to derive predictions about the causal relationships between landscape characteristics and dominant life histories in species pools, as well as their reciprocal influence on empirical inferences regarding the assembly process. We provide empirical support for these predictions by contrasting the assembly of moth metacommunities in a tropical versus a temperate mountainous landscape. Together, our model framework and empirical analyses demonstrate how the geographic context of metacommunities influences our understanding of community assembly across broadscale ecological gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sky Islands present unique landscapes for organismal evolution because they comprise high mountain peaks separated by low valleys with vastly different environmental conditions. The Espinhaço Mountain Range in eastern Brazil is formed of groups of Sky Islands in the states of Minas Gerais and Bahia. Several phylogeographic studies have discovered strong genetic structure among populations of organisms occupying the campo rupestre (rupestrian fields) in the mountains of the Espinhaço. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis of spatio-temporal structuring of populations of Scinax curicica in the campo rupestre of the Espinhaço. We recovered three lineages of S. curicica : one lineage occurs in the north portion of the Espinhaço (North Lineage) in an area called Chapada Diamantina, and other two occur in the south portion of the Espinhaço (South 1 and South 2 Lineages) in Minas Gerais. All three lineages showed stable population sizes through time, probably due to the climatic stability of mountaintop areas, which was supported by ecological niche modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine ecosystems harbour a rich and highly specialised biodiversity, which is particularly susceptible to anthropogenic disturbances such as habitat loss and fragmentation as well as to climate change. Combined with other forms of land‐use conversion, construction and maintenance of ski resorts can have severe consequences on alpine biodiversity. In this study, we show how one amphibian and two reptile species, namely Rana temporaria, Zootoca vivipara and Vipera berus, respond to such impacts by means of a multi‐season occupancy analysis. We found all three species both in and outside ski‐runs, showing that these habitats do not necessarily preclude their occurrence. Contrarily, this is influenced more by microhabitat availability, such as ground vegetation, humid areas and rock cover, rather than by macro‐characteristics like elevation or habitat type. Moreover, we found a climatic influence on the year‐to‐year occupancy change of the species, with activity‐month conditions being more relevant than overwintering ones. Our results demonstrate how, in the specific case of reptiles and amphibians, ski resorts do not necessarily limit species' occurrence and that a mild series of management actions might secure the species' persistence in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The research on the trends of mountainous aridity and the issue of elevation‐dependent aridity (EDA) has long been hindered by limitations in data validity. In this study, we present global monthly merged data sets of Vapor Pressure Deficit and Aridity Index (AI) from 1960 to 2020, aiming to detect and attribute elevation‐dependent patterns of atmospheric and soil aridity in six representative high mountainous areas worldwide. Our findings reveal that most of the mountainous regions experienced significant aridification after the 1970s (p < 0.05). The Rocky Mountains and Ethiopian Highlands are identified as the most vulnerable areas, with both atmospheric and soil aridity increasing by 13% across all elevation gradients. Significant humidification has been observed only in High Asian Regions at 4,000 m above sea level with an approximate decrease of 11% in soil AI. In both temporal and spatial patterns, soil aridity exhibits stronger heterogeneity compared to atmospheric aridity, with certain regions and seasons showing humidification, despite the overall aridification trend. Elevation‐dependent aridity is observed in two‐thirds of the mountains, but whether high altitude alleviates or amplifies aridity depends on the pattern of precipitation changes at different elevations. The rise in air temperature is the primary driving factor for soil and atmospheric aridification, contributing to over 50% of each. In two‐thirds of the regions, changes in precipitation exacerbate soil aridity. Simulations show that human activities are closely related to the ongoing prolonged atmospheric aridification. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of global mountainous aridity evolution projected under climate change. Plain Language Summary: Due to limitations in data validity, the conclusions regarding mountainous aridity changes and related elevation‐dependent aridity issues have often been contradictory. To address this issue, we generated a comprehensive data set of drought indices by integrating observed and simulated data, covering the period from 1960 to 2020. Our analysis revealed that the 1970s marked a significant turning point for aridity patterns in mountainous regions globally. Since then, except for the High Asian Regions, both soil and atmospheric aridity have exhibited a rapid increase in mountainous areas worldwide, with the most severe aridification observed in the Rocky Mountains and Ethiopian Highlands. We also identified a certain relationship between the severity of aridification and elevation gradients, although it is not a straightforward relationship where higher elevations necessarily experience more severe aridification. Importantly, our attribution analysis suggests that human activities may impact the observed atmospheric aridification in mountainous regions on a global scale. Key Points: The period from 1970 to 1980 witnessed a significant shift from humidification to aridification in most mountainous regions worldwideThe relationship between changes in precipitation and elevation gradients shapes the distinct patterns of elevation‐dependent aridityProlonged atmospheric aridification in mountainous regions may not be solely attributed to natural variability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants growing along wide elevation gradients in mountains experience considerable variations in environmental factors that vary across elevations. The most pronounced elevational changes are in climate conditions with characteristic decrease in air temperature with an increase in elevation. Studying intraspecific elevational variations in plant morphological traits and biomass allocation gives opportunity to understand how plants adapted to steep environmental gradients that change with elevation and how they may respond to climate changes related to global warming. In this study, phenotypic variation of an alpine plant Soldanella carpatica Vierh. (Primulaceae) was investigated on 40 sites distributed continuously across a 1,480-m elevation gradient in the Tatra Mountains, Central Europe. Mixed-effects models, by which plant traits were fitted to elevation, revealed that on most part of the gradient total leaf mass, leaf size and scape height decreased gradually with an increase in elevation, whereas dry mass investment in roots and flowers as well as individual flower mass did not vary with elevation. Unexpectedly, in the uppermost part of the elevation gradient overall plant size, including both below-and aboveground plant parts, decreased rapidly causing abrupt plant miniaturization. Despite the plant miniaturization at the highest elevations, biomass partitioning traits changed gradually across the entire species elevation range, namely, the leaf mass fraction decreased continuously, whereas the flower mass fraction and the root:shoot ratio increased steadily from the lowest to the highest elevations. Observed variations in S. carpatica phenotypes are seen as structural adjustments to environmental changes across elevations that increase chances of plant survival and reproduction at different elevations. Moreover, results of the present study agreed with the observations that populations of species from the 'Soldanella' intrageneric group adapted to alpine and subnival zones still maintain typical 'Soldanella'-like appearance, despite considerable reduction in overall plant size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold‐air pooling is an important topoclimatic process that creates temperature inversions with the coldest air at the lowest elevations. Incomplete understanding of sub‐canopy spatiotemporal cold‐air pooling dynamics and associated ecological impacts hinders predictions and conservation actions related to climate change and cold‐dependent species and functions. To determine if and how cold‐air pooling influences forest composition, we characterized the frequency, strength, and temporal dynamics of cold‐air pooling in the sub‐canopy at local to regional scales in New England, USA. We established a network of 48 plots along elevational transects and continuously measured sub‐canopy air temperatures for 6–10 months (depending on site). We then estimated overstory and understory community temperature preferences by surveying tree composition in each plot and combining these data with known species temperature preferences. We found that cold‐air pooling was frequent (19–43% seasonal occurrences) and that sites with the most frequent inversions displayed inverted forest composition patterns across slopes with more cold‐adapted species, namely conifers, at low instead of high elevations. We also observed both local and regional variability in cold‐air pooling dynamics, revealing that while cold‐air pooling is common, it is also spatially complex. Our study, which uniquely focused on broad spatial and temporal scales, has revealed some rarely reported cold‐air pooling dynamics. For instance, we discovered frequent and strong temperature inversions that occurred across seasons and in some locations were most frequent during the daytime, likely affecting forest composition. Together, our results show that cold‐air pooling is a fundamental ecological process that requires integration into modeling efforts predicting future forest vegetation patterns under climate change, as well as greater consideration for conservation strategies identifying potential climate refugia for cold‐adapted species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountainous grasslands in South America, characterized by their high diversity, provide a wide range of contributions to people, including water regulation, soil erosion prevention, livestock feed provision, and preservation of cultural heritage. Prior research has highlighted the significant role of grazing in shaping the diversity and productivity of grassland ecosystems, especially in highly productive, eutrophic systems. In such environments, grazing has been demonstrated to restore grassland plant diversity by reducing primary productivity. However, it remains unclear whether these findings are applicable to South American mountainous grasslands, where plants are adapted to different environmental conditions. To address this uncertainty, we conducted a meta‐analysis of experiments excluding livestock grazing to assess its impact on plant diversity and productivity across mountainous grasslands in South America. In alignment with studies in temperate grasslands, our findings indicated that herbivore exclusion resulted in increased aboveground biomass but reduced species richness and Shannon diversity. The effects of grazing exclusion became more pronounced with longer durations of exclusion; nevertheless, they remained resilient to various climatic conditions, including mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature, as well as the evolutionary history of grazing. In contrast to results observed in temperate grasslands, the reduction in species richness due to herbivore exclusion was not associated with increased aboveground biomass. This suggests that the processes governing (sub)tropical grassland plant diversity may differ from those in temperate grasslands. Consequently, further research is necessary to better understand the specific factors influencing plant diversity and productivity in South American montane grasslands and to elucidate the ecological implications of herbivore exclusion in these unique ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residual subsidence caused by underground mining in mountain area has a long subsidence duration time and great potential harm, which seriously threatens the safety of people's production and life in the mining area. Therefore, it is necessary to use appropriate monitoring methods and mathematical models to effectively monitor and predict the residual subsidence caused by underground mining. Compared with traditional level survey and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) online monitoring technology has the advantages of long-term monitoring, high precision and more flexible monitoring methods. The empirical equation method of residual subsidence in mining subsidence is effectively combined with the rock creep equation, which can not only describe the residual subsidence process from the mechanism, but also predict the residual subsidence. Therefore, based on GNSS online monitoring technology, combined with the mining subsidence model of mountain area and adding the correlation coefficient of the compaction degree of caving broken rock and the Kelvin model of rock mechanics, this paper constructs the residual subsidence time series model of arbitrary point on the ground in mountain area. Through the example, the predicted results of the model in the inversion parameter phase and the dynamic prediction phase are compared with the measured data sequence. The results show that the model can carry out effective numerical calculation according to the GNSS monitoring data of any point on the ground, and the model prediction effect is good, which provides a new method for the prediction of residual subsidence in mountain mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]