Effects of cross-sectional shapes and arrangement patterns on windbreak effects of shelterbelts by large eddy simulation.

Investigating the wind speed flow field and aerodynamic characteristics of shelterbelts with different structural features is of significant importance for the rational arrangement of shelterbelts and the mitigation of wind-blown sand disasters. Considering five cross-sectional shapes of shelterbelts (rectangle, windward right-angle triangle, leeward right-angle triangle, isosceles triangle, and parabolic) and four layout forms (single shelterbelt, L-shaped network, U-shaped network, and rectangular network), we conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model to understand mean wind speed flow field and turbulence structure of shelterbelts with different structural features, and investigated the effects of shelterbelt cross-sectional shapes and layout forms on windbreak indicators, such as protection distance and area. We considered tree canopies as porous media and conducted simulation with the 'Tsujimatsu' shelterbelt in Japan with a total height () of 7 m, canopy height of 5.

[Temporal Variations in Community Structure and Function of Root-associated Fungi Associated with var. Plantations in the Mu Us Sandy Land].

To illuminate the temporal variations in the structure and functional groups of the root-associated fungal community associated with Mongolian pine var. plantations in the Mu Us Sandy Land, var. plantations with different stand ages （23, 33, and 44 a） were targeted.

Soil C:N:P stoichiometry in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of var. forests.

The aim of this study was to reveal the stoichiometric characteristics of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of var. in the Hulunbuir desert. We investigated the contents and stoichiometry of organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus contents of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils across different stand ages (28, 37 and 46 a) of var.

Patterns and environmental drivers of C, N, and P stoichiometry in the leaf-litter-soil system associated with Mongolian pine forests.

Ecological stoichiometry is an important approach to understand plant nutrient cycling and balance in the forest ecosystem. However, understanding of stoichiometric patterns through the leaf-litter-soil system of Mongolian pine among different stand origins is still scarce. Therefore, to reveal the variations in Mongolian pine carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry and stoichiometric homeostasis among different stand origins, we measured C, N, and P concentrations of leaves, litter, and soil, and analyzed the nutrient resorption efficiencies of leaves in differently aged plantations and natural forests from semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions.

[Temporal and Spatial Variations in Root-associated Fungi Associated with var. in the Semi-arid and Dry Sub-humid Desertified Regions of Northern China].

To illuminate the ecological functions of root-associated fungi (RAF) and their interactions with host plants, we revealed the root-associated fungal diversity and community compositions of var. involving natural forests and plantations (half-mature, nearly mature, and mature forests) in the Hulunbuir Desert, Horqin Desert, and Mu Us Desert and investigated the environmental driving factors (climatic condition and soil property). The results indicated that: 1 the diversity of RAF in the natural forests was significantly lower than that in plantations (<0.

[Eco-physiological functions of soil microbial biofilms: A review].

Soil microbial biofilms (SMBs) are a biological community of soil bacteria and their accumulative extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are the initial status and the most important components of biological soil crusts. SMBs, as the most common mode of soil bacterium survival, not only greatly contribute to the survival of free-living cells, but also stick to soil particles and roots, performing a variety of important ecological functions. Based on the structure and composition analysis of SMBs, we gave a summary of eco-physiological functions of SMBs involving soil quality and plant health.

Community structure and functional group of root-associated Fungi of var. across stand ages in the Mu Us Desert.

Root-associated fungi (RAF) are an important factor affecting the host's growth, and their contribution to var. plantation decline is substantial. Therefore, we selected three age groups of plantations (26, 33, and 43 years), in the Mu Us Desert, to characterize the community structure and functional groups of RAF, identified by Illumina high-throughput sequencing and FUNGuild platform, respectively.

Hysteresis resulting in forestry heat storage underestimation: A case study of plantation forestry in northern China.

Heat storage (Q) is an important component of the near-surface energy balance, and has been increasingly considered in recent energy balance studies. Studies have revealed that the hysteresis of heat storage was always been ignored, which leaded to the underestimation of heat storage proportion in energy balance. So, for further understanding the role of hysteresis effect in forestry heat storage, an observation experiment of heat storage in forestry of Pinus sylvestris var.

Stoichiometric characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaf-litter-soil system of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantations.

To reveal the allocation pattern and stoichiometric characteristics of N and P in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantation, we selected three P. sylvestris plantation with different stand ages (middle-aged, near-mature, mature) in the Hulunbuir, Horqin, and Mu Us sandy land as objects, and analyzed the contents of nitrogen, phosphorus and the N:P stoichiometry ratios in the leaf, litter, and soil.

Application of Boundary Layer Displacement Thickness in Wind Erosion Protection Evaluation: Case Study of a Sand Barrier.

Since the establishment of blown sand physics, surface roughness has been widely used in current research to indicate the ability of a surface to resist wind erosion and to evaluate the windproof effect of protective measures. However, since the calculation of surface roughness can result in different values and its applicability is poor, there are disadvantages to its use. Therefore, it is proposed that the boundary layer displacement thickness should be used rather than roughness as an indicator to solve such problems.

Effect of Straw Checkerboards on Wind Proofing, Sand Fixation, and Ecological Restoration in Shifting Sandy Land.

Due to their simple layout and adaptability to various environments, straw checkerboards are widely used to control windblown sand in China. To fully understand the wind proofing and sand-fixing benefits of different board specifications, and to determine the restorative effects of straw checkerboard, we tested different sizes of checkerboard, determined their performance as a windbreak and in trapping shifting sand, and constructed models based on wind tunnel tests, enabling the wind speed flow field to be analysed. We also sampled the soil in areas where straw checkerboards had been established for several years and analysed the trends in soil physical and chemical properties over time.

MiR-125a-5p functions as a tumour suppressor in breast cancer by downregulating BAP1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of human cancers, including breast cancer (BC). In the current study, we examined the expression pattern of the miRNA miR-125a-5p in human BC tissues, tumorigenesis of BC progression. We found that miR-125a-5p was significantly downregulated in human BC tissues.

How the Plant Temperature Links to the Air Temperature in the Desert Plant Artemisia ordosica.

Plant temperature (Tp) is an important indicator of plant health. To determine the dynamics of plant temperature and self-cooling ability of the plant, we measured Tp in Artemisia ordosica in July, in the Mu Us Desert of Northwest China. Related factors were also monitored to investigate their effects on Tp, including environmental factors, such as air temperature (Ta), relative humidity, wind speed; and physiological factors, such as leaf water potential, sap flow, and water content.

Fractal scaling of particle size distribution and relationships with topsoil properties affected by biological soil crusts.

Background: Biological soil crusts are common components of desert ecosystem; they cover ground surface and interact with topsoil that contribute to desertification control and degraded land restoration in arid and semiarid regions.

Methodology/principal Findings: To distinguish the changes in topsoil affected by biological soil crusts, we compared topsoil properties across three types of successional biological soil crusts (algae, lichens, and mosses crust), as well as the referenced sandland in the Mu Us Desert, Northern China. Relationships between fractal dimensions of soil particle size distribution and selected soil properties were discussed as well.