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Qiao F, Du H, Zhang X, Feng C, Tan Z, Yu Y, Liu Z. The Protection and Management of Wapiti in Desert Oases: Bare Land Poses a Limitation to Wapiti Conservation. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:737. [PMID: 39336164 PMCID: PMC11428931 DOI: 10.3390/biology13090737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
The Helan Mountains, situated in the heart of the desert, act as a dividing line between China's arid and semi-arid zones. Often referred to as a "desert oasis", they create an ecological island with a uniquely distinctive geographical location, making this area a focal point of contemporary research. Ungulates play a critical role in this ecosystem. The Alashan wapiti (Cervus canadensis alashanicus), an isolated population of China's smallest wapiti (Cervus canadensis) subspecies, is found exclusively within the Helan Mountains Nature Reserve. The conservation of this isolated population is fraught with challenges, particularly during winter, the harshest season for northern ungulates. Winter habitats are crucial for ensuring population stability. Therefore, we used certain methods, such as factor screening and model parameter optimization to assess habitat suitability using multi-scale species distribution models. The optimized results show that suitable habitats overlap with areas of high vegetation coverage in the Helan Mountains, covering just 588.32 km2, which is less than a quarter of the reserve's total area. The bare land area and winter NDVI are the two primary factors influencing habitat suitability, with other factors having minimal impact, underscoring the critical importance of food resources for the Alashan wapiti. The limited availability of these resources poses significant conservation challenges. Our findings provide a more precise foundation for targeted habitat protection and restoration efforts. We recommend enhancing the protection and restoration of food resources, effectively conserving vegetated areas, and preventing desertification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fujie Qiao
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China
| | - Hairong Du
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150042, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China
| | - Caiping Feng
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China
| | - Zhihua Tan
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China
| | - Yanqin Yu
- Department of Biological and Food Engineering, Lyuliang University, Lvliang 033001, China
| | - Zhensheng Liu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150042, China
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Cui S, Yu W, Han X, Hu T, Yu M, Liang Y, Guo S, Ma J, Teng L, Liu Z. Factors influencing the distribution, risk, and transport of microplastics and heavy metals for wildlife and habitats in "island" landscapes: From source to sink. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:134938. [PMID: 38901262 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and heavy metals (HMs) are important pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems. In particular, the "island" landscape's weak resistance makes it vulnerable to pollution. However, there is a lack of research on MPs and HMs in island landscapes. Therefore, we used Helan Mountain as the research area. Assess the concentrations, spatial distribution, ecological risks, sources, and transport of MPs and HMs in the soil and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) feces. Variations in geographical distribution showed a connection between human activity and pollutants. Risk assessment indicated soil and wildlife were influenced by long-term pollutant polarization and multi-element inclusion (Igeo, Class I; PHI, Class V; RI (MPs), 33 % Class II, and 17 % Class IV; HI = 452.08). Source apportionment showed that tourism and coal combustion were the primary sources of pollutants. Meanwhile, a new coupling model of PMF/Risk was applied to quantify the source contribution of various risk types indicated transportation roads and tourism sources were the main sources of ecological and health risks, respectively. Improve the traceability of pollution source risks. Furthermore, also developed a novel tracing model for pollutant transportation, revealing a unique "source-sink-source" cycle in pollutant transportation, which provides a new methodological framework for the division of pollution risk areas in nature reserves and the evaluation of spatial transport between sources and sinks. Overall, this study establishes a foundational framework for conducting comprehensive risk assessments and formulating strategies for pollution control and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Cui
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Wei Yu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - XingZhi Han
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tianhua Hu
- Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Mengqi Yu
- Forest Pest Control and Quarantine Station of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Yongliang Liang
- Ningxia Helan Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Songtao Guo
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Jinlian Ma
- Inner Mongolia Helan Mountain National Natural Nature Reserve Administration, Alxa League, 750306, China
| | - Liwei Teng
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Zhensheng Liu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Harbin 150040, China.
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Zhao Y, Sun J, Ding M, Hayat Khattak R, Teng L, Liu Z. Growth Stages and Inter-Species Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in Captive Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus alxaicus) and Blue Sheep ( Pseudois nayaur). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040553. [PMID: 36830340 PMCID: PMC9951700 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Blue sheep and red deer, second-class key protected animals in China, are sympatric species with a high degree of overlap of food resources in the Helan Mountains, China. Previous studies with blue sheep and red deer in nature have shown that their physiology is closely related to their gut microbiota. However, growth stages and changes occurring in these species in captivity are still unknown. Thus, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to explore diversity, composition and function of the gut microbiota in these two animal species. The diversity and structure of the gut microbiota in captive blue sheep and red deer changed at different growth stages, but the dominant microbiota phyla in the gut microbiota remained stable, which was composed of the phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia. Moreover, gut microbiota diversity in juvenile blue sheep and red deer was low, with the potential for further colonization. Functional predictions showed differences such as red deer transcription being enriched in adults, and blue sheep adults having a higher cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis than juveniles. Microbial changes between blue sheep and red deer at different growth stages and between species mainly depend on the abundance of the microbiota, rather than the increase and absence of the bacterial taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhao
- College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jia Sun
- Liaoning Wildlife Protection and Epidemic Disease Monitoring Center, Dalian 116013, China
| | - Mengqi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Romaan Hayat Khattak
- College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Liwei Teng
- College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Harbin 150090, China
- Correspondence: (L.T.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zhensheng Liu
- College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
- Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Harbin 150090, China
- Correspondence: (L.T.); (Z.L.)
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Wu H, Yuan Y, Pan H. Comparison of fecal microbiota composition of blue sheep fed Lolium perenne versus Sorghum sudanense. Can J Microbiol 2020; 67:372-380. [PMID: 33242254 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2020-0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lolium perenne L. and Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf. are 2 common forages fed to blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur Hodgson, 1833) in captivity. However, the effect of these 2 forages on the gastrointestinal microbiota is largely unknown. We analyzed the diversity of the microbiota in the feces of captive blue sheep fed with L. perenne (group F1) and S. sudanense (group F2) by 16S rRNA sequencing. A total of 20 major phyla and 29 genera fecal bacterial communities were detected in the 2 groups. The F1 and F2 groups shared common microbiota at the phylum level, which mainly consisted of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-013, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010 were the top 4 dominant taxa at the genus level. The percentage of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010 was significantly higher in the F2 group (∼2.75-fold) than in F1 group. The diversity and abundance of the microbial community in F2 was higher than that in F1. Although both of L. perenne and S. sudanense affect the metabolism of the gastrointestinal microbiota of blue sheep, the S. sudanense improves more aspects of metabolism and biogenesis. In summary, our results demonstrated that L. perenne and S. sudanense affect blue sheep gastrointestinal microbiota in different ways. But S. sudanense efficiently improved the gastrointestinal microbiota of blue sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haili Wu
- Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai 200335, P.R. China
| | | | - Hongjie Pan
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Sun G, Zhang H, Wei Q, Zhao C, Yang X, Wu X, Xia T, Liu G, Zhang L, Gao Y, Sha W, Li Y. Comparative Analyses of Fecal Microbiota in European Mouflon ( Ovis orientalis musimon) and Blue Sheep ( Pseudois nayaur) Living at Low or High Altitudes. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1735. [PMID: 31417526 PMCID: PMC6682669 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a complex and essential system organ that plays an integrative role in balancing key vital functions in the host. Knowledge of the impact of altitude on the gut microbiota of European mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) is currently limited. In this study, we compared the characteristics of gut microbiota in 5 mouflon at low altitude (K group), 4 mouflon at high altitude (L group), 4 blue sheep at low altitude (M group), and 4 blue sheep at high altitude (N group). The V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Analyses based on the operational taxonomic units showed significant changes in the gut microbial communities between groups at different altitudes. At the phylum level, groups at the high altitudes had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes than those at the low altitudes. A higher Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio is beneficial to animals in terms of the gut microbiota-mediated energy harvest. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly higher in the gut microbiota of mouflon sheep at high altitudes. At the genus level, the Bacteroides:Prevotella ratio was significantly higher in the low-altitude group (than the high-altitude group) of mouflon sheep and the ratio was significantly higher in the high-altitude group (than the low-altitude group) in blue sheep. In addition, the Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 related to cellulose and starch digestion was the predominant genus in blue sheep and the relative abundance of the genus was significant higher in the high-altitude group than the low-altitude group of blue sheep (P < 0.01). In conclusion, our results suggested that the gut microbiota of high-altitude groups of sheep had stronger abilities related to energy metabolism and the decomposition of substances, e.g., fiber and cellulose, and that such abilities are associated with high-altitude adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guolei Sun
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Honghai Zhang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Qinguo Wei
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Xiufeng Yang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wu
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Tian Xia
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Guangshuai Liu
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | | | - Weilai Sha
- College of Life Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Ying Li
- Wild World Jinan, Jinan, China
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