The contamination of soil and plants with heavy metals, which has detrimental influences on plant growth, water purification, and food safety, has emerged as a serious global issue. To better understand the spatial variations of contamination of heavy metals associated city development and land use types, we collected soil samples and Magnolia grandiflora branches to quantify lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents of the roadside, industrial, residential, and park greenbelts in Hefei City, China. We found that Pb content in soil was the highest in roadside greenbelts and the lowest in parks with industrial and residential greenbelts being intermediate, while Cd in soil was the highest in greenbelts close to city center and decreased with the distance to city center. Pb in M. grandiflora, however, did not differ among greenbelt types but decreased with distance to the city center. Cd in M. grandiflora was the highest in roadside and lowest in parks and also decreased with the distance to the city center. Across all greenbelt types and the distances to the city center, Pb and Cd contents were positively correlated in soil and plants. Our findings suggest that vehicle traffic, population density, and age of urbanization collectively contribute to soil and plant contamination of Pb and Cd.

Acer rubrum is a widespread Acer species valued for its vibrant autumn foliage. The UGT (UDP-glycosyltransferase) gene family is integral to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, the pigments responsible for leaf coloration. This study aimed to comprehensively identify and characterize the UGT gene family in the A. rubrum genome. The results of the phylogenetic analysis of 249 ArUGTs revealed 18 distinct subgroups. Conserved motif analysis demonstrated structural similarities within subgroups. Gene duplication analysis identified 21 tandem and 66 segmental duplication events across chromosomes. Transcriptomic data from autumn leaves of different colours and under low-temperature stress were analyzed for ArUGT expression patterns. Compared to controls, 44 UGTs were upregulated and 99 downregulated in yellow leaves, while 59 were upregulated and 84 downregulated in red leaves. Low-temperature treatments showed upregulation of 18 UGTs at 10 °C and 40 UGTs at 4 °C. Downregulation was observed in 7 UGTs at 10 °C and 33 UGTs at 4 °C. Among all UGT genes, ArUGT52 was common in highly expressed genes in both red leaf and low-temperature stress. Furthermore, the transient overexpression of ArUGT52 in tobacco plants demonstrated cytoplasmic localization and a marked increase in anthocyanin levels under cold stress. In vitro, biochemical assay results indicated that the ArUGT52 was involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis via the glucosylation of anthocyanidins. This study provides insights into the genetic mechanisms of leaf coloration and the potential of UGT manipulation for enhancing plant responses to low-temperature stress. These findings have applications in ornamental horticulture and agriculture.

Agroforestry not only takes into account the use of land for forestry and agriculture but can also improve the efficacy of utilized above- and belowground resources, which have always garnered widespread attention. The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of pecan orchard soil following the implementation of agroforestry. Consequently, 15 indices were selected for a principal component analysis (PCA), which was then combined with the norm value of each index and the correlation coefficients between indices to establish a minimum data set (MDS). A comprehensive index model was used to calculate the soil quality index (SQI) of the total data set (TDS) and MDS (SQI-TDS and SQI-MDS, respectively), and a linear regression of the two was performed. The results revealed that the MDS indices for the evaluation of soil fertility included the pH, electrical conductivity value (EC), bulk density (BD), available potassium (AK), total nitrogen (TN), magnesium (Mg), and the index screening and filtering rates attained 60%. The Soil Quality Index (SQI-MDS) of the four planting patterns, sorted from largest to smallest, were: PPS (0.573) > PPH (0.519) > PPL (0.355) > CK (0.315). BD and AK were the main factors that affected the quality of hickory orchard soils. The agroforestry composite system improved the availability of nutrients and soil quality. Thus, the promotion of understory intercropping and appropriate increases in potassium fertilizers for plantations are recommended.

The distribution of plant species diversity has long been a major focus on biogeography. Yet, the universality of the popular Rapoport’s rule remains controversial for endemic plants, as previous studies have focused more on broad-ranged species. Here, we collected data for 4418 endemic woody seed plant species across China, including trees, shrubs, and lianas, to explore the latitudinal patterns of species range size and richness, and test the relevant biogeographic law. The species range size distribution was examined for conformity with Rapoport’s rule using four methods (i.e., Steven’s, Pagel’s, the mid-point, and the across-species method). Spatial patterns of species richness along latitudinal gradient were also investigated by parabolic regression. Results showed that species range size increased with latitude for all species as well as by trees, shrubs and lianas, especially assessed by Pagel’s method. Species richness was highest at low latitude, where species range size was smallest, and decreased with increasing latitude. The species range size and richness of shrubs were maximum, followed by trees then lianas. These findings prove that Rapoport’s rule is strongly supported by latitudinal patterns of species distribution in Chinese endemic woody seed plants.

The intensifying global climate warming caused by human activities poses severe challenges to ecosystem stability. Constructing an ecological security pattern can identify ecological land supply and an effective spatial distribution baseline and provide a scientific basis for safeguarding regional ecological security. This study analyzes land-use data from 2000 to 2020 for Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The PLUS model was utilized to project land-use potential for the year 2030. The InVEST model was employed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of habitat quality in the study area for both 2020 and 2030, thereby pinpointing ecological sources. Critical ecological restoration zones were delineated by identifying ecological corridors, pinch points, and barrier points through the application of the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model and circuit theory. By comparing ecological security patterns (ESPs) in 2020 and 2030, we proposed a dynamic restoration framework and optimization recommendations based on habitat quality changes and ESPs. The results indicate significant land-use changes in the eastern part of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture from 2020 to 2030, with large-scale conversion of grasslands into bare land, farmland, and artificial surfaces. The ecological security pattern is threatened by risks like the deterioration of habitat quality, diminished ecological sources as well as pinch points, and growing barrier points. Optimizing the layout of ecological resources, strengthening barrier zone restoration and pinch point protection, and improving habitat connectivity are urgent priorities to ensure regional ecological security. This study offers a scientific foundation for the harmonization of ecological protection and economic development and the policy development and execution of relevant departments.

Understanding the spatial distribution of herbaceous vegetation is critical for assessing how biodiversity may respond to climate change, particularly in high-elevation ecosystems. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China is a hotspot of biodiversity research in the world, and the relationship between plant species distribution in alpine communities and topography and soils is understudied in the Anyemaqen Mountains in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This study investigates the patterns of α and β diversity of herbaceous plants and their key environmental drivers in the subalpine ecosystem of the Anyemaqen Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Data on vegetation and environmental variables were collected across a gradient of 10 elevations ranging from 3600 to 4600 m during the 2021 growing season. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA, redundancy analysis (RDA), and Monte Carlo significance tests, revealed significant differences between sunny and shady slopes in species composition and diversity. Species richness decreased with increasing elevation on sunny slopes, while the reverse trend was observed on shady slopes. Elevation and gradient were the most influential factors in both slope aspects, while soil thickness was significant on shady slopes. These findings contribute to understanding the environmental mechanisms that regulate biodiversity in alpine ecosystems and provide valuable insights for formulating conservation strategies in response to climate change.