Assessment of suitable cultivation region for Pepino (Solanum muricatum) under different climatic conditions using the MaxEnt model and adaptability in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau

Predicting the potential distribution of Phacellanthus tubiflorus (Orobanchaceae): a modeling approach using MaxEnt and ArcGIS

Phacellanthus tubiflorus Sieb. et Zucc, a vascular plant species, is believed to possess pharmacological properties including anti-fatigue and immunoenhancement. However, its distribution data is limited. Owing to the prospective medicinal relevance of this species, we proposed a comprehensive investigation for conservation and utilization. In this study, we aimed to scrutinize the plant holistically, ranging from the macroscopic to microscopic level. Specifically, we developed an ecological model using 51 records of P. tubiflorus subjected to seven environmental conditions. This model attained an exceptional area under curve (AUC ) value of 0.990 with a standard deviation of 0.004, and true skill statistic (TSS) value of 0.989, indicating a potently predictive capacity. Through the MaxEnt model, we completed a systematic depiction of the ecological niche of P. tubiflorus, revealing its primary global distribution. We carried out field surveys in the Changbai Mountain region to validate the model's accuracy and conducted observations focusing on the phenological attributes of P. tubiflorus, highlighting its largely subterranean existence. Factors such as seasonality of precipitation and temperature were found to sway its distribution, engendering comparably stable acclimation habitats. This research contributes to the data repository for facilitating subsequent studies on this species. Integrating botanical and ecological approaches, we proposed a more profound comprehension and evaluation of a species' behavior, survival strategies, and associations with other populations within specific habitats. Furthermore, this inclusive approach would assist in addressing pivotal environmental issues related to species conservation, biodiversity, and land development.

Ecological risk assessment of future suitable areas for Piper kadsura under the background of climate change

Introduction

Piper kadsura is a well-known medicinal plant that belongs to woody liana, possessing high therapeutic and economic value. The market demand of P. kadsura is huge, but its wild resources are scarce and artificial cultivation methods have not been established, which leads to a situation with strong contradiction and imbalance between supply and demand.

Methods

In this study, 303 sample of distribution data for P. kadsura in China were collected, 33 environmental variables related to terrain, climate and soil were analyzed and the suitable habitats of P. kadsura during various periods were predicted by MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software, aiming to provide a basis for scientific cultivation and effective utilization of resources.

Results

The results indicated that precipitation and temperature were significant factors in the distribution of P. kadsura. The primary environmental variables influencing the potential distribution of P. kadsura were precipitation during the driest quarter (Bio17), annual precipitation (Bio12), mean diurnal range (Bio2), and annual temperature range (Bio7). Among them, precipitation of driest quarter (Bio17) was the most influential environmental variable for the distribution of P. kadsura with the range between 100.68 and 274.48 mm. The current distribution of P. kadsura is mainly located in the coastal areas of eastern and southern China, especially Guangxi, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Fujian, with a total area of 51.74 × 104 km2. Future climate change of global warming will lead to a reduction in the total suitable areas and high suitable areas under various climate scenarios. Especially in the SSP585 scenario, the total suitable area and the highly suitable area will be significantly reduced by 89.26% and 87.95% compared with the present during the 2090s.

Discussion

Overall, these findings can provide useful references for the suitable areas' determination of wild resources, optimization of artificial cultivation and scientific selection of high quality medicinal materials on P. kadsura.

Potentially suitable geographical area for Colletotrichum acutatum under current and future climatic scenarios based on optimized MaxEnt model

Global climate warming has led to changes in the suitable habitats for fungi. Colletotrichum acutatum, a common fungus causing anthracnose disease, is widely distributed in southern China. Currently, research on the relationship between C. acutatum and environmental warming was limited. In this study, MaxEnt and ArcGIS software were used to predict the suitable habitats of C. acutatum under current and future climate conditions based on its occurrence records and environmental factors. The optimal MaxEnt model parameters were set as feature combination (FC) = lp and regularization multiplier (RM) = 2.6. Bio15, Bio12, Bio09, and Bio19 were identified as the main environmental factors influencing the distribution of C. acutatum. Under current climate conditions, C. acutatum was distributed across all continents globally, except Antarctica. In China, C. acutatum was primarily distributed south of the Qinling-Huaihe Line, with a total suitable area of 259.52 × 104 km2. Under future climate conditions, the potential suitable habitat area for C. acutatum was expected to increase and spread towards inland China. The results of this study provided timely risk assessment for the distribution and spread of C. acutatum in China and offer scientific guidance for monitoring and timely controlled of its distribution areas.

Meta-Analysis and MaxEnt Model Prediction of the Distribution of Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley in China under the Context of Climate Change

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is a pest that poses a significant threat to agricultural crops, especially cotton, and is now widely distributed across many regions worldwide. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis on the collected experimental data and found that within the suitable temperature range, the survival rate of P. solenopsis increases with rising temperatures, indicating that climate plays a decisive role in its distribution. Using the MaxEnt model this study predicted that under three future climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5), the distribution of P. solenopsis will expand and move towards higher latitudes. Climate change is the primary factor influencing changes in pest distribution. We conducted a meta-analysis of P. solenopsis, including seven independent studies covering 221 observation results, and examined the impact of temperature ranging from 18 °C to 39 °C on the developmental cycle of P. solenopsis. As the temperature rises, the development cycle of P. solenopsis gradually decreases. Additionally, by combining the MaxEnt model, we predicted the current and potential future distribution range of P. solenopsis. The results show that under future climate warming, the distribution area of P. solenopsis in China will expand. This research provides a theoretical basis for early monitoring and control of this pest's occurrence and spread. Therefore, the predictive results of this study will provide important information for managers in monitoring P. solenopsis and help them formulate relevant control strategies.

High spatial resolution elevation change dataset derived from ICESat-2 crossover points on the Tibetan Plateau

Understanding elevation changes on the Tibetan Plateau is crucial to comprehend the changes in topography, landscape, climate, environmental conditions, and water resources. However, some of the current products that track elevation changes only cover specific surface types or limited areas, and others have low spatial resolution. We propose an algorithm to extract ICESat-2 crossover points dataset for the Tibetan Plateau, and form a dataset. The crossover points dataset has a density of 2.015 groups/km², and each group of crossover points indicates the amount of change in elevation before and after a period of time over an area of approximately 17 meters in diameter. Comparing ICESat-2 crossover points data with existing studies on glaciers and lakes, we demonstrated the reliability of the derived elevation changes. The ICESat-2 crossover points provide a refined data source for understanding high-spatial-resolution elevation changes on the Tibetan Plateau. This dataset can provide validation data for various studies that require high-precision or high-resolution elevation change data on the Tibetan Plateau.

Metabolomics analysis of quality components metabolism during the growth process of pepino (Solanum muricatum) fruit

Pepino (Solanum muricatum), a horticultural crop that has experienced significant growth in the highlands of China over the past two decades, is widely embraced by consumers due to its distinctive taste and nutritional advantages. This study focused on the cultivar 'Qingcanxiang' of pepino grown on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau was analyzed using UPLC-QTOF-MS and RNA-seq transcriptome sequencing. Fruit samples were collected at three distinct stages of development, and the results of the metabolomics and transcriptomics were compared and correlated. The study's findings indicate that the 'Qingcanxiang' fruit contained a total of 187 metabolites, comprising 12 distinct categories of compounds, including amino acids and their derivatives, organic acids, sugars and alcohols, phenols and phenolic acids. Of these metabolites, 94 were identified as differential. Significant variations in nutrient composition were observed across the three growth stages of the fruit. Specifically, the stage spanning from the growth to the maturation was identified as the critical stages for nutrient accumulation and flavor development. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed a set of highly associated genes between aspartate and quinic acid, namely SIR2, IRAK4, RP-L29, and CCNH. These genes are potentially involved in the regulation of both amino acid and phenolic acid synthesis. Through the application of metabolomics and transcriptomics, this investigation elucidates the alterations in metabolites and the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms of pepino fruits during three growth stages. The findings furnish a theoretical foundation for the evaluation of nutritional quality and the enhancement of breeding strategies for pepino.