In order to explore the genetic background and genetic basis of the parental population of Qinghai spruce ( Picea crassifolia Kom.) seed orchard, to reduce the cycle of genetic improvement of Qinghai spruce and the scale of germplasm resources, and to enhance the level of genetic improvement of Qinghai spruce. This study utilized the SLAF-seq technology to conduct genetic and evolutionary analysis on 165 germplasms from 11 provenances of Qinghai spruce seed orchards, and developed a total of 1964178 high-consistency single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into three major groups, while population structure analysis revealed two subgroups. Through the Core Hunter II software, 33 (20%) core germplasms were selected, retaining all genetic diversity. This research provides a scientific basis for the genetic improvement of Qinghai spruce.

Phenotypic variation analysis and comprehensive evaluation are important tools for selecting provenances of forest trees, which, in turn, is crucial for genetic improvement of forest trees. The study analyzed eight needle-leaf and fourteen tracheid trait indexes of ten provenances of Qinghai spruce forest stands. Multiple comparisons, correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis were used to evaluate the differences in needle-leaf and tracheid traits among the different provenances. The study found significant differences in the needle-leaf and tracheid traits among the provenances. All traits included 50 pairs of positive and 26 pairs of negative correlations. The coefficient of variation for the tracheid trait (18.86%) was higher than that for the needle-leaf trait (17.20%). A comprehensive evaluation of needle-leaf and tracheid traits was conducted using principal component analysis. The study demonstrated that the degree of variation in needle-leaf and tracheid traits among the provenances of Qinghai spruce was extensive, with a multitude of sources of variation. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen the selection of good provenances in the early seed selection process. The results of the comprehensive evaluation can be utilized as a foundation for the selection of good provenances for carbon sequestration and timber properties.

Megastigmus sabinae Xu et He (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) is an oligophagous seed pest overwintering within Juniperus przewalskii cones in the alpine Qilian Mountains. Understanding its cold adaptation is critical for forest pest management. To investigate its overwintering mechanisms, we monitored field temperatures and larval development. Subsequently, larvae were subjected to a series of low-temperature treatments under laboratory conditions. We then assessed survival rates, supercooling points (SCPs), free water content, and the transcriptomic profiles of water-regulatory genes. Field data revealed that larvae enter a quiescent state when ambient temperatures drop below 5 °C. Laboratory acclimation at 0 °C significantly improved larval survival at −10 °C and markedly depressed the SCP by approximately 6 °C. Notably, free water content remained completely stable across all temperature treatments. Consistent with this dehydration-independent phenotype, transcriptomic analysis showed that the majority of 17 aquaporins (AQPs) and a Capa receptor gene lacked differential expression. However, two specific AQP genes (TIP1-1 and AQPN) were significantly upregulated. Collectively, M. sabinae larvae employ a freeze-avoidance strategy driven by dehydration-independent SCP depression and highly targeted transcriptional adjustments of specific water channels.

Introduction: Shrubs are key components of arid ecosystems, and their functional traits directly influence ecological adaptability and productivity. Current research pays insufficient attention to the synergistic relationship between the overall morphological structure and leaf physiological functions of shrubs. This study focused on six typical shrub species in the arid zone of the Qilian Mountains, aiming to analyze interspecific differences in functional strategies from a “morphology–photosynthesis” synergy perspective. Methods: We selected six typical shrub species (e.g., Cotoneaster multiflorus, Prunus pedunculata, Caragana arborescens , and Lonicera rupicola ) and comprehensively measured their morphological traits (plant height, basal diameter, root length, biomass allocation, etc.) and photosynthetic physiological parameters (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, etc.). Results: The results showed that: (1) Morphologically, C. arborescens exhibited significantly greater plant height (205.17 cm) and whole-plant dry weight (303.03 g), while L. rupicola had deeper root systems (>40 cm); (2) Photosynthetically, the diurnal net photosynthetic rate displayed unimodal and bimodal patterns, primarily driven by photosynthetically active radiation, with L. rupicola and C. arborescens showing the highest estimated daily leaf-level carbon assimilation potential (6.93 and 5.86 g·m⁻²·d⁻¹, respectively); (3) A “scale decoupling” existed between whole-plant carbon storage capacity and leaf-level carbon assimilation potential: C. arborescens had the highest whole-plant carbon storage (120.86 g/plant) but not the highest per-unit-leaf-area assimilation efficiency, whereas L. rupicola exhibited high leaf-level efficiency but moderate whole-plant storage; (4) The six shrubs were classified into three strategic types based on biomass allocation and carbon storage: C. arborescens as “high-accumulation, stem-dominated”; C. multiflorus, Lonicera ferdinandi, P. pedunculata, L. rupicola as “balanced investment”; Euonymus phellomanus as “conservative, belowground-investment”. Discussion: By integrating leaf-scale carbon assimilation potential estimates with whole-plant carbon storage measurements, this study systematically revealed the scale-decoupling phenomenon and established a more rigorous framework for assessing shrub carbon sinks. The findings demonstrate significant diversity in the synergistic differentiation of morphological and photosynthetic traits as well as carbon accumulation strategies among arid-zone shrubs. Vegetation restoration should select corresponding functional species based on objectives such as rapid carbon accumulation or stress adaptation, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for ecological restoration and carbon sink enhancement in arid regions.