Few studies have reported on the distribution, food choices, general behaviour, and interactions of the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) with humans. We explored the conservation status of the species and its conflicts with humans in the Kaghan Valley, northwest Pakistan. From September 2013 to December 2015, residents from 24 villages in three major regions of the Kaghan Valley were interviewed about human–bear conflicts. In parallel, a survey for signs of bear presence was conducted to assess bear presence, including bear attacks and crop damage that occurred during the survey period. Most interviewees (70%) confirmed that human–bear conflicts exist, and that they arise primarily from crop raiding (n = 40), followed by attacks on livestock (n = 32) and humans (n = 15). Most interviewees stated that they actively disliked bears (47.3%), or had a generally negative perception of bears (63.3%). Such responses were strongly associated with living close to or within bear habitat. Bears raided approximately 3.8 ha of maize per year, mainly from July to September. Our survey revealed that bears used habitats ranging from dense forest to scrub lands, but preferred steep, high-altitude habitats with dense tree cover. Anthropogenic activities (such as hunting, clear-cutting, expansion of infrastructure, and conversion of forest to agricultural land) were the main causes of conflict between humans and bears. Future studies should collect data on the movement and habitat use of individual bears to facilitate the development of appropriate management strategies to conserve this species effectively. We also recommend training Wildlife Department employees to interact with the local communities to implement acceptable mitigation measures to reduce the currently high conflict levels and thus improve acceptance for bear presence and conservation.

Plants not only improve air quality by adsorbing particulate matter (PM) on leaf surfaces but can also be affected by their accumulation. In this study, a field investigation was performed in Wuhan, China, into the relationship between seven leaf traits and the accumulation of three different sizes of PM (PM11, PM2.5 and PM0.2) on leaves. The retention abilities of plant leaves with respect to the three sizes of PM differed significantly at different sites and species. The average PM retention capabilities of plant leaves and specific leaf area (SLA) were significantly greater in a seriously polluted area, whereas the average values of chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), total chlorophyll, carotenoid, pH and relative water content (RWC) were greater at the control site. SLA significantly positively correlated with the size of PM, but Chl a, Chl b, total chlorophyll, RWC significantly negatively correlated with the size of PM, whereas the pH did not correlate significantly with the the PM fractions. Additionally, SLA was found to be affected by large particles (PM11, p<0.01); PM2.5 had a more obvious effect on plant leaf traits than the other PM (p<0.05). Overall, the findings from this study provide useful information regarding the selection of plants to reduce atmospheric pollution.

Urban heat islands are representative problems in urban environments. The impact of spectral indexes on land-surface temperature (LST) under different urban forms, climates, and functions is not fully understood. Local climate zones (LCZs) are used to characterize heterogeneous cities. In this study, we quantified the contribution of three cities to high-temperature zones and surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) across LCZs and seasons, used Welch and Games–Howell tests to analyze the difference in LST, then described the spatial pattern characteristics of LST, and used a geographically weighted regression model to analyze the relationship between spectral indexes and LST. The results showed that compact midrise, compact low-rise (LCZ 3), large low-rise (LCZ 8), heavy industry (LCZ 10), and bare rock or paved (LCZ E) contributed greatly to high-temperature zones and had strong SUHII. There were 92–98% significant differences between different LCZs. The spatial aggregation of LST gradually weakened with a decrease in temperature. The modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) in most LCZs of all seasons for Wuhan could reduce LST well, while MNDWI only had cooling effects in winter for Nanjing and Shanghai. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in most LCZs performed a cooling role during summer and transition seasons (spring and autumn), while it showed a warming effect in winter. The cooling effect of NDVI in open building types was stronger than that of compact building types, while the cooling effect of MNDWI was better in compact building types than in open building types. With the increase of normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), all LCZs showed warming effects, and the magnitude of LST increase varied in different cities and seasons. These results contribute further insight into thermal environment in heterogeneous urban areas.

The Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus is one of the least well-known species of mammals, and there have been few studies conducted to investigate its status and feeding behaviour, particularly in the north-western parts of Pakistan. We investigated the food habits and altitudinal distribution of the Asiatic black bear in the Kaghan Valley region of the western Himalayas, Pakistan. We interviewed local villagers (n = 180) about food items consumed by black bears, and collected signs (n = 178) of the presence of black bears at different altitudes. The villagers reported that the black bears predominantly inhabit the forests of Malkandi, Kamalban and Jaraid, and visit agricultural fields located at the edge of the forests. Oak (Quercus spp.), guch (Viburnum cotinifolium), mulberry (Morus spp.), fig (Ficus palmata), pomegranate (Punica granatum) and maize (Zea mays) were confirmed by 160 ( 89%) interviewees as food items consumed by black bears in the Kaghan Valley. We recovered the remains of 21 types of food items from 53 black bear scats. Dietary analysis showed that maize (22.64%), white mulberry (Morus alba, 16.98%) and maple (Acer spp., 11.32%) were the most frequently identified food items in black bear scats. We recorded shifts in food item selection from month to month. The total volume of crop remains found in scats was 31.38%, which was greater than that of other major food groups.This high volume of agricultural crops in the Asiatic bear diet is a source of continuing human–bear conflict in the region, and is a factor that needs to be taken into consideration when formulating management strategies to protect this International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red list species.