Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is a rare and endangered plant in the world. It has a huge flower and releases a repulsive odor like a corpse. On the evening of 23 July 2022 (Beijing time), a titan arum in the north garden of the China National Botanical Garden in Beijing bloomed. In order to determine the components and contents of volatile compounds released by the titan arum during its flowering, the dynamic headspace adsorption method was utilized to collect the odor of the titan arum flower on the evening of 23 July (S1), the morning of 24 July (S2), the afternoon of 24 July (S3) and the evening of 24 July (S4). The volatile compounds were analyzed by automatic thermal desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sixty-three volatile compounds were detected in the titan arum flower in four periods. The comparison of the total volatile compounds released in four periods was S2 > S3 > S1 > S4. The highest content of volatile compounds in the S1 period were sulfur compounds (dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide), and the sulfur compounds were released in large amounts only in the S1 period. Dimethyl disulfide was the volatile substance with the highest content in the S1 period (20.00%). The total volatile compounds content of titan arum flower in the S2 period was the highest among the four periods. From the S2 period, the relative content of sulfur compounds decreased significantly until the S4 period. Compared with the S1 period, 1-butanol and butyl acrylate increased significantly and 1-butanol became the highest relative component of volatile compounds in the S2 period. After the S3 period, the total amount of volatile compounds began to decline and reached the lowest level in the S4 period. It is worth noting that the contents of two terpenes, α-pinene and γ-terpinene, rose from the S1 period until their height in the S3 period. From the S4 period, the contents of most volatile compounds decreased significantly. This study revealed the varieties and contents of volatile compounds in the titan arum flower at different flowering periods. The changing trend and physiological significance of dimethyl oligosulfide from the evening of flowering (S1) to the second day (S2–S4) were emphatically discussed, and this research also provides a reference for the study of the release of volatile compounds and the molecular biology of the flower fragrance of titan arum.

Mercury, a global pollutant with both persistence and high toxicity, has remained a focal point in environmental science research over the past half-century. As a key pathway in the terrestrial mercury cycle, plants actively assimilate gaseous elemental mercury (Hg⁰) through leaf stomata, constituting a critical pathway for terrestrial mercury cycling. The litterfall mercury concentration serves as a biological indicator to quantify vegetation’s mercury interception capacity, providing essential data for global mercury cycle modelling. To investigate this, 15 sampling sites throughout the country were selected, and litterfall was collected monthly for 12 consecutive months to determine the litterfall amount, composition, and leaf mercury dynamics. The results revealed that annual litterfall production ranged from 1.10–8.56 t·hm⁻², with leaf components dominating (45.58%–89.11%). Furthermore, three seasonal litterfall patterns emerged: unimodal, bimodal, and irregular. Regarding mercury, the mercury concentration in leaf litter exhibited a certain seasonal variation trend, with the mercury content in leaves in most areas being higher in autumn and winter. Specifically, the mercury concentration in litterfall showed a significant negative correlation with latitude and a significant positive correlation with air temperature, precipitation, and litterfall amount (p < 0.05). Additionally, the concentration of Hg in dying leaves exhibited some geographical variations.

Protected areas (PAs) are core regions for biodiversity conservation in China, yet they are under severe threat from invasive alien species (IAS). To evaluate the current status of surveys and monitoring of invasive alien plants (IAPs) in China’s PAs, this study systematically analyzed literature related to IAPs in China’s PAs over the past 25 years (2000–2025). The results reveal significant gaps in the published survey and monitoring record, as follows: (1) According to published literature, only 205 out of 6736 PAs (3.04%) have been documented as having conducted IAP surveys, indicating a severe gap in published survey coverage, and the number of recorded IAPs (270) accounts for 67.0% of the national total (403); (2) The spatial distribution of surveys is concentrated mainly in the Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, and Pearl River Delta regions; (3) The taxonomic composition of surveyed IAPs largely reflects the dominance of Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae in China’s overall IAPs (22.22%, 11.11%, and 8.89%, respectively). To address these problems, this paper proposes a systematic scientific construction path: improve top-level design by revising regulations and issuing specialized technical standards to clarify responsibilities; establish a systematic survey and monitoring system by conducting comprehensive censuses and dynamic monitoring while enhancing interregional collaboration; and optimize resource allocation and prevention strategies by implementing differentiated measures such as “One zone, one policy” and “Epicenter priority” strategies based on PA functional zonation and IAS distribution characteristics. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for improving the effectiveness of IAS prevention and control in China’s PAs.