Effects of Different Pre-Heating Welding Methods on the Temperature Field, Residual Stress and Deformation of a Q345C Steel Butt-Welded Joint.

Heavy plate welding has been widely used in the construction of large projects and structures, in which the residual stress and deformation caused by the welding process are the key problems to address to reduce the stability and safety of the whole structure. Strengthening before welding is an important method to reduce the temperature gradient, control the residual stress and reduce the deformation of welds. Based on the ABAQUS software, the thermal elastoplastic finite element method (FEM) was used to simulate the welding thermal cycle, residual stress and deformation of low-alloy, high-strength steel joints.

The Ecological Roles of Medium and Small Carnivores in the Terrestrial Animal Community in Liancheng National Nature Reserve, China.

It is vitally important to understand the ecological roles of medium and small carnivores in the context of the massive decline in the number of large carnivores around the world. Based on a spatial association network of terrestrial birds and mammals, this study analyzed the ecological roles of medium and small carnivores in the community in Liancheng National Nature Reserve. From October 2019 to June 2020, we obtained 3559 independent detections of 20 terrestrial birds and mammals from 112 camera traps.

Interspecific association of sika deer in terrestrial animal communities of Liancheng National Nature Reserve, China.

The prevention and control of invasive of alien species is an important work for nature reserves. This study analyzes the development trend of the alien species sika deer in Liancheng National Nature Reserve. From October 2019 to June 2020, 3523 valid photos and videos of terrestrial animals were acquired from 130 camera traps, and sika deer were recorded in 21 photos from 13 traps.

[Structure characteristics of natural nests and its implication to artificial nest frame design for Ciconia boyciana].

Artificial nest can improve the breeding success of birds in the field, and it has been proved to be more effective to endangered species. We surveyed the structure characteristics of natural nest and the status of the use of artificial nests for oriental white stork, Ciconia boyciana, in Honghe National Nature Reserve, Heilongjiang Province. Differences were investigated among the structure characteristics of the used and unused artificial nests, and natural nests based on one-way ANOVA.

Establishment of nature reserves in administrative regions of mainland China.

Nature reserves are widely considered as one available strategy for protecting biodiversity, which is threatened by habitat fragmentation, and wildlife extinction. The Chinese government has established a goal of protecting 15% of its land area by 2015. We quantitated the characteristics and distribution of nature reserves in mainland China and evaluated the expansion process for national nature reserves.

The efficacy of landscape-level conservation in Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve, China.

Anthropogenic landscape alteration is rather common in many protected areas (PAs), jeopardizing the efficacy of PAs conservation. However, the general consensus is that PAs still remain effective in habitat conservation. To assess the efficacy of landscape-level conservation, we examined landscape alterations in the Changbai Mountain Biosphere Reserve (CMBR), which was established in 1960 as a "flagship" protected area in China.

Anthropogenic halo disturbances alter landscape and plant richness: a ripple effect.

Although anthropogenic landscape fragmentation is often considered as the primary threat to biodiversity, other factors such as immediate human disturbances may also simultaneously threaten species persistence in various ways. In this paper, we introduce a conceptual framework applied to recreation landscapes (RLs), with an aim to provide insight into the composite influences of landscape alteration accompanying immediate human disturbances on plant richness dynamics. These impacts largely occur at patch-edges.

Sleeping site selection of Francois's langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in two habitats in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China.

Sleeping site selection is an important aspect of the behavioral biology of primates. Comparison of different habitats for the same species in this context enhances understanding of their adaptation to altered environments. We collected data on sleep-related behaviors for 6 groups of Francois's langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in two habitats, in Mayanghe National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China.

[A new category system of China nature reserves based on their attributes].

Based on the numeric attributes of 114 typical nature reserves in China, a new category system was established by using cluster analysis method. Compared with the China national category system of nature reserves, the new category system was simpler and more applicable. The 4 categories in the new system matched well to the categories I , II , IV, and V in IUCN category system, respectively.

[Conservation priorities for plant species of forest-meadow ecotone in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve].

Based on field survey, information collection and experts consultation, the quantitative grading index system and assessment standards for preference conservation of rare and endangered plant species of forest-meadow ecotone in Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve were established by using the methods and principles of systematical analysis. The quantitative grading index system included endangered coefficient, genetic coefficient, and useful value coefficient. In addition, 10 indicators used to evaluate endangered grading and conservation priorities sequenc, were also included in 3 subsystems respectively.