Meconopsis integrifolia is an endangered Tibetan medicinal plant with significant medicinal and ornamental value. Understanding its genetic diversity and structure is crucial for its sustainable utilization and effective conservation. Here, we develop a set of SSR markers based on transcriptome data to analyze the genetic diversity and structure of 185 individuals from 16 populations of M. integrifolia. The results indicate that M. integrifolia exhibits relatively high genetic diversity at the species level (the percentage of polymorphic bands PPB = 91.67%, Nei’s genetic diversity index He = 0.2989, Shannon’s information index I = 0.4514) but limited genetic variation within populations (PPB = 12.08%, He = 0.0399, I = 0.0610). The genetic differentiation among populations is relatively high (the coefficient of gene differentiation GST = 0.6902), and AMOVA analysis indicates that 63.39% of the total variation occurs among populations. This suggests that maintaining a limited number of populations is insufficient to preserve the overall diversity of M. integrifolia. Different populations are categorized into four representative subclusters, but they do not cluster strictly according to geographical distribution. Limited gene flow (Nm = 0.2244) is likely the main reason for the high differentiation among these populations. Limited seed and pollen dispersal abilities, along with habitat fragmentation, may explain the restricted gene flow among populations, highlighting the necessity of conserving as many populations in the wild as possible.

Building ecological networks (ENs) is an important means to guarantee regional ecological security and achieve sustainable urban development. Development of ENs usually occurs at the county- or urban-area-scale, and there is a lack of linkage between ENs at different levels. Based on the systematic analysis of local environmental characteristics and ecological mechanisms of action in karst areas, the ENs at the county and urban areas levels are combined to build an ecological security pattern (ESP) for Shilin Yi Autonomous County (SYAC), a World Natural Heritage site. The results show that there are 18 Ecological resources in SYAC, with a total area of 326.512 km² and 29 ecological corridors. In the northern part of the county, an absence of ecological resources and corridors occurred due to the fragmentation of landscape patches and poor ecological service functionality. In this study, three new ecological resources and seven corridors were added in the northern part of the county according to the patch area and landscape connectivity index (PALCI) to balance the layout of ecological resources and corridors in SYAC and improve regional habitat quality. In addition, a total of eight cultural and natural resources were identified in the urban areas of SYAC, and ten cultural and natural landscape corridors were identified. By overlaying the ENs of the county and the urban areas, we identified 3.977 km² of Material Exchange Conversion Zone, 12.6593 km² of Priority Restoration Zone, and ten Ecological Stepping Stones. This work helps to establish the interface between the upper and lower levels of the network, and correct for deficiencies of conflicting ecological processes at different levels, and integrate existing green-space system planning research about karst terrains.

Forest water dynamics and hydro-chemical characteristics are essential for understanding forest hydrology and ecological processes. Yet, such understanding is limited by a lack of long-term monitoring data and observations from specialized forest ecosystems such as those from high elevation. Here, we analyze the precipitation redistribution including interception, stemflow, and throughfall and hydro-chemical characteristics by using a 15 year (2005–2019) precipitation dataset in a high elevation, evergreen broad-leaved forest in Southwest China. The forest experienced an obvious seasonal variation in precipitation with a monthly average of 117.31 ± 91.21 mm. The precipitation redistribution was influenced by precipitation intensity and leaf area index and differed inter-annually and intra-annually, with a general pattern: throughfall > canopy interception > stemflow. Throughfall rate increased significantly from 2015 to 2019 after experiencing the January 2015 snowstorm. The majority of water within the study site was retained in the soil and apoplastic materials. The primary means of water output was evapotranspiration, with minimal surface runoff. Quality of surface water was affected by the weathering of rocks, resulting in a lower pH than that of atmospheric precipitation. During the rainy season, elemental Ca and Mg showed negative correlation with precipitation due to plant mediation. The other elements, pH, total dissolved solids, precipitation, air temperature, and water temperature showed different degrees of correlation with each other. Overall, while the water balance fluctuated over the past 15 years, the water-holding capacity remained relatively stable. Alkali cations such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ in the water body showed a decreasing trend during 2005–2019, which is a potential threat to ecological stability.