Found 30 results
Open Access
Review
20 April 2026A Transboundary Network of Protected Areas for the Conservation of the Far Eastern Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis)
The last Far Eastern leopards survived at the junction of the Southwest of Primorsky Krai in Russia and the Laoyeling-Dalongling in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in China. By the year 2000, there were only 30–35 individuals living in an area of approximately 3000 km2. Thanks to conservation efforts, this endangered subspecies has moved away from the edge of extinction, with more than 150 individuals living in an area over 14,000 km2 in 2022. Reliable protection of key habitats has played a crucial role in this success. Over the past 25 years, the transboundary network of protected areas dedicated to the conservation of the Far Eastern leopard has increased 12 times, from 1532 km2 to 18,961 km2, covering 12,636 km2, or 90 percent of its current range. The latest step was the proclamation in 2024 of the Sino-Russian transboundary protected area “Land of Big Cats”. This includes the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve, the Land of the Leopard National Park with a buffer zone in Russia (3694 km2), and the Northeast Tiger Leopard National Park in China (14,612 km2). According to our estimates, this will ensure the long-term preservation of 17,239 km2 of suitable habitats, which will allow for the maintenance of a potential population of at least 300 Far Eastern leopards.
Open Access
Review
16 April 2026The Chinese Genetic Traits in Atlantic Azores Archipelago and Its Ancient Anthropology Relationship with Sahara-Canary Islands Circle
Genetic studies in the Atlantic Azores Islands (1500 km far from Portugal) show that the modern population is composed of both northern and southern European populations. However, a significant Chinese input of HLA characteristic genes is noticed, possibly with people or genes that may have been left by Zheng-He very big crew which sailed seas from China in a long-lasting expedition (1421–1423 AD). This was concluded after Azorean HLA genetics comparison with HLA genes of worldwide populations by both neighbour joining and correspondence methodology. Also, the Machado- Joseph ataxia disease gene variant (ATXN3, Chr 14) is identical in China and the Azores, where this ataxia was discovered, and it has a high frequency. Moreover, the predisposing HLA-B*2707 gene variant to ankylosing spondylitis is the same in Azores and Far East Asian countries. This data may reflect a strong founder Chinese effect followed by isolation in Azores. In addition, “Carthaginian” coins were found in Corvo Is (Azores) of Spanish fabrication. This is contradictory to the official version that pre- Portuguese Azores had been virgin and inhabited. Also, Cart–ruts in Azores indicate a (Atlantic) common culture with Canary Islands and Mediterranean area. On the other hand, genetic studies on Canarians show that they present European, Iberian and Berber characteristics. A prehistoric lunisolar megalithic calendar is found: “Quesera” (Cheeseboard) of Zonzamas, pyramids similar to those found in nearby Western Sahara (90 km far from Canary Islands). In addition, lbero-Guanche rock scripts which can be transcripted with Iberian-Tartessian signary and are also found at Tim Missaw shelter (Sahara Desert, Algeria). Populated green Sahara area dissecation after 5000 years BC and subsequent people migration could be the origin of Canary Islands, Sahara and other Mediterranean culture traits. Thus, we have defined the Saharo-Canarian Circle as a genetic, anthropological, and prehistoric culture radiation area; it might have given raise to the Iberian-Tartessian signary and to other ancient lineal Mediterranean scripts.
Open Access
Article
31 March 2026Spatiotemporal Evolution of Extreme Rainstorm Events in China and Corresponding Population Exposure
In order to reveal the spatio-temporal evolution of extreme rainstorm events in China and the changing characteristics of population exposure in different periods, this study systematically explored the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of four indicators of extreme rainstorm frequency, duration, peak and cumulative amount, as well as the difference of population exposure to extreme rainstorm events in 2000 and 2020, based on the relevant data of extreme rainstorm and population distribution grid data from 2000 to 2020, using spatial analysis and trend analysis methods. The results show that in space, the frequency, peak value, and cumulative amount of extreme rainstorms are increasing from northwest to southeast, the southeast coast is a high value area, and there is almost no extreme rainstorm in the northwest arid area; The high-value areas of duration are concentrated in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and Northeast China. In terms of time, from 2000 to 2020, the frequency of extreme rainstorm in Northeast China increased, the southern part of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and other regions decreased, the peak value of rainstorm in North China Plain and the eastern coast increased, Taiwan Province showed a significant downward trend, and the change rate of rainstorm accumulation was stronger in the south and weaker in the north. In terms of spatial concentration, the high value concentration area of extreme rainstorms generally shifts to South China, while the low value concentration area is stably distributed in the northwest and part of the north. In terms of population exposure, the distribution characteristics of 2000 and 2020 are low in the northwest and high in the southeast, and the exposure of capital cities in southeast coastal provinces to extreme rainstorm frequency and peak in 2020 is significantly higher than that in 2000. Population migration and the evolution of extreme rainstorm events are the main driving factors. This study clarifies the temporal and spatial evolution law of extreme rainstorm events in China and the characteristics of population exposure change, which provides a scientific basis for regional extreme rainstorm disaster risk assessment, disaster prevention and mitigation planning, and optimization of population and urban development layout, and has important practical significance for improving the ability to respond to extreme climate events and ensuring regional population security and sustainable development.
Open Access
Article
25 March 2026Attitudes to Aging and Emotional Well-Being Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation
Attitudes to aging exert impacts on emotional well-being, yet the underlying psychological mechanisms and their stability across middle and older adulthood remain insufficiently understood. Based on the dual-factor model of mental health and the constructivist theory of emotional aging, this study aimed to: (1) examine the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between aging attitudes and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) test the cross-age consistency of this mediating mechanism between middle-aged and older adults. Middle-aged and older residents (N = 653) participated in this study from 22 April to 24 April 2020. Participants completed questionnaires to assess their attitudes to aging, the use of emotion regulation strategies, and their levels of emotional well-being. Mediation roles and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a bootstrap resampling method. Results showed that (1) Older adults exhibited slightly higher negative attitudes to aging, calmness, and boredom than the middle-aged group. They also used rumination, distraction, and social sharing strategies a little more frequently than middle-aged adults. (2) Full-sample mediation analyses indicated that positive aging attitudes were positively associated with positive affect through adaptive emotion regulation, and negative aging attitudes were positively associated with negative affect through maladaptive emotion regulation. (3) Moderated mediation analyses revealed that age group or age did not significantly moderate either mediating pathway. The mediating effect of emotion regulation on the relationship between aging attitudes and emotional well-being appeared stable across the two age groups. These findings support the constructionist approach to emotional aging. Interventions for successful aging should consider cultivating positive aging attitudes and adaptive emotion regulation, as these approaches are potentially both valuable for middle-aged and older adults.
Open Access
Article
28 February 2026Unveiling the Dynamics: How Does the Digital Economy Influence the Development of New-Type Urbanization in China
Digital economy is a vital driving engine for new-type urbanization and continues to promote the regional economy. In this study, it adopts the entropy weight method is adopted to measure the digital economy and new-type urbanization in 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, and conducts an in-depth analysis on the relationship between them. The conclusions are: Digital economy has a significant role in promoting new-type urbanization and is regionally heterogeneous, especially the impact in eastern region; Moreover, through the mediating mechanisms analysis, it indicates that industrial structure and innovation level are important paths to promote new-type urbanization. Along with the increase of R&D intensity, the promotion effect shows a non-linear characteristic of “increasing marginal effect”. In light of this, the following countermeasures are put forward to strengthen digital economy’s impetus for new-type urbanization: promote the gradient development of digital technologies and innovate digital economy application scenarios to fuel new-type urbanization; establish a novel digital-industrial integration model and capitalize on the fundamental role of industrial transformation in new-type urbanization; and refine the innovation system and fully realize the marginal incremental effect of R&D intensity once it crosses the threshold.
Open Access
Article
30 January 2026Forecasting Forest Product Yields in China Based on a Random Forest Model: Interaction Between Climate Change and Socio-Economic Factors
This study presents a comprehensive projection of China’s forest product yield dynamics (encompassing commodity timber and logs) through 2100, employing an innovative integration of machine learning and economic modeling. We developed a hybrid analytical framework combining random forest algorithms with Cobb-Douglas production functions to assess multi-dimensional drivers, including climatic variables, socio-economic indicators, and demographic trends. Our multi-model validation demonstrated strong predictive performance (R2 are 0.86 and 0.92), particularly in quantifying climate-production interactions, with sensitivity analysis identifying surface downward shortwave radiation (RSDS), population density (POP), and mean annual temperature (MAT) as dominant predictors explaining 68% of yield variance. Future yields exhibited significant spatial and temporal variations under different SSP scenarios, especially under SSP126, where yields were more stable, and under SSP245 and SSP370, where yields showed a moderate increasing trend. The SSP585 shows higher fluctuations and a decreasing trend in yields due to climate change. Geospatial modeling uncovered critical regional disparities, suggesting potential production migration from traditional southern bases to north-eastern/northwestern frontiers under climate stress. The southern subtropical belt emerged as particularly vulnerable to thermal extremes and precipitation variability, while northern regions demonstrated greater climate resilience but require substantial silvicultural adaptation. These results provide a scientific basis for developing more precise forest management policies and sustainable development strategies to help meet the challenges posed by future demand for forest products and climate change.
Open Access
Article
08 December 2025Public Participation in Ecological Civilization Construction in Urumqi: A Case Study of a Rapidly Expanding Arid Metropolis in Northwestern China
Public participation in ecological civilization construction is a critical pathway for advancing ecological urban design. This study examines residents’ perceptions, satisfaction, and participation in the construction of ecological civilization in Urumqi, northwestern China. Drawing on 1012 questionnaires, this empirical study investigates factors influencing public participation in the construction of ecological civilization. The findings indicate that residents exhibited a strong subjective awareness of public participation in ecological civilization construction (mean score = 4.66), yet ecological cognition (2.75) and participation confidence (2.97) were relatively weak and require further improvement. Satisfaction levels were relatively higher for green status (2.51) and information transparency (2.41), whereas overall satisfaction remained modest, with water resources (1.81) and waste management (1.99) emerging as key concerns. Residents demonstrated a moderate willingness to contribute financially and primarily engaged in low-cost, habitual ecological practices. Significant differences were observed across socio-demographic variables (p < 0.05). Uncivil behaviors and natural pressures were observed as visible obstacles. Strong government leadership, active public engagement, and effective media communication contribute to advancing ecological civilization construction. These results provide valuable insights for promoting ecological civilization construction in northwestern China.
Open Access
Article
25 November 2025Self-Determination of Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in China: Evidence from Students and Teachers
Self-determination is closely associated with individuals’ autonomy and independence and is crucial for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study investigated the self-determination of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities in China. Using the AIR Self-Determination Scale, data were collected from 116 students and 29 corresponding special education teachers. Findings indicated that the adolescent with intellectual and developmental disabilities had a moderate level of self-determination. However, teachers consistently rated students’ self-determination lower than students’ self-rating. Students’ self-evaluations of their self-determination were significantly influenced by geographic location, age, and disability severity, and teacher evaluations were affected by students’ age and disability severity, as well as teachers’ teaching experience and subject area. The study revealed that teachers face notable challenges in their conceptual understanding and pedagogical implementation of self-determination instruction. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed across four domains: parents, teachers, schools, and broader society.
Open Access
Article
25 November 2025The Impact of Digital Infrastructure on Economic Resilience: Evidence from the Four Major Regions of China
Amid accelerating global structural changes and China’s transition to the digital-driven fourth industrial revolution, this paper examines the impact of digital infrastructure on economic resilience by clustering China’s 31 provinces into the four major economic regions during 2008–2022. Through the application of the Threshold Regression Model, Mediation Effect Model, and GTWR Model, the analysis reveals that digital infrastructure exhibits a threshold effect in enhancing economic resilience, with significant increasing marginal returns beyond specific scale thresholds. Regional heterogeneity is pronounced: the eastern region demonstrates amplified nonlinear benefits, while the northeast exhibits diminishing returns after crossing the threshold. Industrial diversification is an effective way for digital infrastructure to build resilience. The effects of industrial specialization, however, vary by region: it strengthens resilience in the east, weakens it in the central region, and shows no statistically significant impact in the western and northeastern regions. The findings provide empirical evidence for regionalized policymaking during technological paradigm shifts, highlighting the need to consider both digital infrastructure scale thresholds and industrial structure dynamics in economic resilience strategies.
Open Access
Article
24 November 2025Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: How Urban Agriculture Enhances Food Security in High-Urbanized Regions in Guangdong, China
The COVID-19 pandemic starkly exposed vulnerabilities in global food supply chains, highlighting the critical need for resilient, localized alternatives to ensure urban food security. Urban agriculture (UA), which we define as all agricultural output occurring in cities with an urbanization rate exceeding 85%, emerges as a pivotal strategy to mitigate such risks by shortening supply chains, particularly for perishable goods like vegetables and fruits. This study investigates the underexplored role of UA in Guangdong Province, China—a region characterized by rapid urbanization, high population density, and economic dynamism- to assess its contribution to food self-sufficiency. Leveraging a novel classification framework, we categorize Guangdong’s 21 prefecture-level cities into two groups based on an 85% urbanization threshold (2017–2022), distinguishing high-degree urbanized cities (e.g., Shenzhen, Guangzhou) from others. Using panel data, we analyze spatial-temporal patterns in grain, vegetable, and fruit self-sufficiency through geospatial and statistical methods. Key findings reveal pronounced disparities: high-degree urbanized cities exhibit critically low grain self-sufficiency, relying heavily on external supplies, while non-urbanized regions achieve exceptional surpluses. Conversely, vegetables and fruits demonstrate a center-periphery gradient, with peri-urban zones bridging the gap between urban cores and rural surplus hubs. Despite incremental gains in UA productivity, urban yields lag behind non-urban areas for grains and vegetables, though fruit production shows convergence, underscoring UA’s niche potential. These results highlight the indispensability of non-urban regions in sustaining provincial food security while emphasizing UA’s role in fresher, faster urban supply chains. We propose actionable policies, including: (1) integrating farmland protection redlines with UA incentives (e.g., vertical farming subsidies, peri-urban logistics optimization); (2) scaling technology-driven UA (controlled-environment agriculture, digital platforms); and (3) reducing post-harvest losses through urban-centric infrastructure. Our findings advance the discourse on crisis-resilient food systems, offering a replicable framework for high-density regions globally.
