Formation, Evolution of Tibetan Plateau with Its Environment and Resource Effects

The Tibetan Plateau (the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau) is a unique geographical region with the highest elevation, and the only existing theater of tectonic collision now still in action on the earth. The continuous rapid uplifting of the landmass beneath the Plateau in the past millions of years becomes one of the epoch-making geological events of great significance in the earth's evolutionary history.     

Climate Change and its Impact on Water Resources in the Huai River Basin

Rainfall and air temperature data from six meteorological stations above the Bengbu Sluice and hydrological and water resources evaluation data from the Bengbu Hydrological Station in the Huai River Basin from 1961 to 2008 are used to analyze the impact of changes in climatic factors on the amount of water resources in the Basin. There was a general trend of rise in its average annual air temperature, with the highest increase of 0.289oC/10a recorded at Bengbu in Anhui Province. Rising rainfall was mainly observed in the western part of the study area, while rainfall actually declined in the eastern part, i.e. the middle reaches of the Huai River. The Average rainfall in the study area was in a vaguely declining trend. In other words, the rainfall in the Basin is still much affected by natural fluctuations. On the whole, there was a trend of gradual decrease in the quantity of the Basin’s water resources for the period under study. Water resources quantity is found to fall with decreasing rainfall and rising air temperature. Regression analysis is used to establish a mathematical model between water resources quantity and climatic factors (i.e. air temperature and rainfall) in order to explore the impact of climate change on water resources in the Basin. Moreover, various scenarios are set to quantitatively analyze the response of water resources to climate change. Sensitivity analysis shows that changes in rainfall have a much bigger impact on its water resources quantity than changes in its air temperature.     

Scientists Reveal Joint Factors for Severe Drought in North China in 2014

<正>Severe drought events are serious issues in north China,particularly since the end of the 1970s when the East Asian monsoon became weakened and the monsoon rainfall decreased dramatically in the area.In the summer of 2014,North China suffered from a major drought,which turned out to be the worst for some provinces in the past 60 years.     

A Precious Fern Species Discovered in Jiulong, Sichuan

Supported by the US National Science Foundation and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, a rare and endangered fern, Isoetes hypsophila, was discovered by a Sino-US research team headed by Prof. SUN Hang from the CAS Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) and Dr. David E. Boufford from Harvard University in a recent trip to Jiulong, Sichuan, during its botanical survey in the Hengduan Mountains in south China. Scientists say the plant is found for the first time in the region.     

RNA 5-Methylcytosine Facilitates the Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition by Preventing Maternal m RNA Decay

<正>The maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT)involving maternal RNA and protein depletion and zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is one of the most important events during early embryogenesis.Such transition allows the zygotic genome to gain the control over embryonic development.In zebrafish,several factors have been indicated to be essential in regulating maternal mRNA decay through     

Monoculture Rubber Plantations Have Negative Ef ects on Controlling Splash Erosion

<正>In Xishuangbanna,one of China’s most biodiverse regions,landscape has changed dramatically during the past three decades due to the conversion of tropical rainforest to rubber plantations.In steep areas,terraces are often constructed before planting rubber trees,which causes two important changes in the soil:the destabilization of soil in the bench terraces and the increased vulnerability of unvegetated riser faces to erosion.Few studies have documented the nature and intensity of erosion on bench terraces.Prof.LIU Wenjie and his colleagues from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden(XTBG)conducted a study in Menglun County(21°5′39″N,101°15′55″E),Xishuangbanna to evaluate the influence     

Monoculture Rubber Plantations Have Negative Effects on Controlling Splash Erosion

In Xishuangbanna, one of China＇s most biodiverse regions, landscape has changed dramatically during the past three decades due to the conversion of tropical rainforest to rubber plantations. In steep areas, terraces are often constructed before planting rubber trees, which causes two important changes in the soil： the destabilization of soil in the bench terraces and the increased vulnerability of unvegetated riser faces to erosion. Few studies have documented the nature and intensity of erosion on bench terraces.     

CAS to Host TWAS Meetings in Beijing

A group of events concern-ing scientific development indeveloping world will beheld by the Third World Academyof Sciences (TWAS) and the ThirdWorld Network of Scientific Orga-nizations (TWNSO) October 16 19 in Beijing. This was releasedJanuary 13 at a press conference atCAS headquarters.The events will include theTWAS Ninth General Conference,the 14th General Meeting of TWASFellows, the Eighth General Assem-bly of TWNSO, and the celebrationof the 20th anniversary of TWAS,no…     

西藏豆科植物区系的形成与分化

 Xizang (Tibet) is rich in Leguminosae flora, comprising 41 genera and 254 species so far known, exclusive of the commonly cultivated taxa (including 11 genera and 16 species). There are 4 endemic genera (with 8 species), 10 temperate genera (with 175 species) and 19 tropical genera (with 46 species) as well as the representatives of those genera whose distribution centers are in East Asia-North  America, Mediterranean and Central Asia.       1.  There are altogether 4 endemic genera of Leguminosae in this region. Accord- ing to their morphological characters, systematic position and geographical distribution, it would appear that Salweenia and Piptanthus are Tertiary paleo-endemics, while Straceya and Cochlianths are neo-endemics. Salweenia and Piptanthus may be some of more primitive members in the subfamily Papilionasae and their allies are largely distributed in the southern Hemisphere.  The other two genera might have been derived from the northern temperate genus Hedysarum and the East Asian-North American genus Apios respectively, because of their morphological resemblance. They probably came into existanc during the uplifting of the Himalayas.       2. An analysis of temperate genera       There are twelve temperate genera of Leguminosae in the region, of which the more important elements in composition of flora, is Astragalus, Oxytropis and Cara- gana.       Astragalus  is a  cosmopolitan  genus comprising 2000 species, with its center distribution in Central Asia. 250 species, are from China so far known, in alpine zone of Southwest and Northwest, with 70 species extending farther to the Himalayas and Xizang Plateau.       Among them, there are 7 species (10%) common to Central Asia, 12 species (15.7%) to Southwest China and 40 species (60%) are endemic, it indicates that the differentia- tion of the species of the genus in the region is very active, especially in the subgenus Pogonophace with beards in stigma. 27 species amounting to 78.5% of the total species of the subgenus, are distributed in this region.  The species in the region mainly occur in alpine zone between altitude of 3500—300 m. above sea-level. They have developed into a member of representative of arid and cold alpine regions.      The endemic species of Astragalus in Xizang might be formed by specialization of the alien and native elements. It will be proved by a series of horizontal and vertical vicarism of endemic species.  For example, Astragalus bomiensis and A. englerianus are horizontal and vertical vicarism species, the former being distributed in southeast part of Xizang and the latter in Yunnan; also A. arnoldii and A. chomutovii, the former being an endemic on Xizang Plateau and latter in Central Asia.      The genus Oxytropis comprises 300 species which are mainly distributed in the north temperate zone. About 100 species are from China so far known, with 40 species extending to Himalayas and Xizang Plateau.  The distribution, formation and differ- entiation of the genus in this region are resembled to Astragalus.  These two genera are usually growing together, composing the main accompanying elements of alpine mea- dow and steppe.      Caragana is an endemic genus in Eurasian temperate zone and one of constructive elements of alpine bush-wood. About 100 species are from China, with 16 species in Xi- zang. According to the elements of composition, 4 species are common to Inner Mon- golia and Kausu, 4 species to Southwest of China, the others are endemic. This not only indicates that the species of Caragana in Xizang is closely related to those species of above mentioned regions, but the differentiation of the genus in the region is obviously effected by the uplifting of Himalayas, thus leading to the formations of endemic species reaching up to 50%.      3. An Analysis of Tropical Genera      There are 19 tropical genera in the region. They concentrate in southeast of Xizang and southern flank of the Himalayas. All of them but Indigofera and Desmodium are represented by a few species, especially the endemic species. Thus, it can be seen that they are less differentiated than the temperate genera.      However, the genus Desmodium which extends from tropical southeast and northeast Asia to Mexio is more active in differentiation than the other genera. According to Oha- Shi,s system about the genus in 1973, the species of Desmodium distributed in Sino-Hima- laya region mostly belong to the subgenus Dollinera and subgenus Podocarpium.  The subgenus Dollinera concentrates in both Sino-Himalaya region and Indo-China with 14 species, of which 7 species are endemic in Sino-Himalaya.  They are closely related to species of Indo-China, southern Yunnan and Assam and shows tha tthey have close con- nections in origin and that the former might be derived from the latter.      Another subgenus extending from subtropical to temperate zone is Podocarpium. Five out of the total eight species belonging to the subgenus are distributed in Sino- Himalaya and three of them are endemic.      An investigation on interspecific evolutionary relationship and geographic distribu- tion of the subgenus shows that the primary center of differentiation of Podocarpium is in the Sino-Himalaya region.      Finally, our survey shows that owing to the uplifting of the Himalayas which has brought about complicated geographic and climatic situations, the favorable conditions have been provided not only for the formation of the species but also for the genus in cer-tain degree.     

Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research

The Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai-Xizang Plateau)is a unique geological-geographical unit on Earth, an ideal region for studies into the formation and evolution of the lithosphere and the dynamic mechanism of the earth crust. The uplifting of the Plateau exerts profound influence upon the evolution and differentiation of the natural environment of the plateau itself, its adjacent regions and the Northern Hemisphere. As a unique natural geographical unit, the Plateau holds a special status in the whole globe due to its special natural environment and ecosystems, which is also in close relation to global environmental change.The significance of the Plateau research should be recognized not only in the fundamental research fields of geo-sciences and biology, but also in its application to resource exploitation, environmental protection and sustainable development of the Plateau region.     

Oak Evolution in Response to the Uplift of Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains

<正>Quercus sect.Heterobalanus,a section of sclerophyllous oaks in high elevation of East Asia,are mainly distributed in the Himalaya–Hengduan Mountains(HHM)and the mountain tops of East China.The high quality of the fossil record and present distribution in the HHM region and eastern China indicate that Quercus sect.Heterobalanus is an ideal model for the study of the evolutionary response     

CAS Studies of S&T Development Trends to 2020

<正>CAS always places high importance on strategic studies for ST development.In early 2012,CAS President BAI Chunli called for studies on solutions to the following questions:What are the pressing diffi culties China will face during the 12th and even 13th Five-Year Plan periods,and how can ST address them?What possible ST events will have an important bearing on China in the near future?As a national ST team,what role can CAS play in the events?To address the issues,CAS has organized more than200 experts from a research team on Roadmaps for ST Development in 18 Priority Areas?to conduct research into ST development trends toward 2020.As a result of almost a year of intensive study and     

Large Part of Asia Could Expect Hotter Summers

正The global surface temperature has showed a significant warming trend since the mid1990s.According to statistics of the World Meteorological Organization,the global mean surface temperature during 2011-2015 is higher by 0.57℃than that during 1961-1990.This trend has led to the occurrence of hot summers and extreme events,and the     

China’S Top 10 Events of S&T Progress in 2002

Chinas top 10 events of S&Tprogress in 2002 was re-vealed at a press conferencejointly organized by the ChineseAcademy of Sciences (CAS) and theChinese Academy of Engineering(CAE) on January 26 in Beijing.These S&T achievements were se-lected by 568 CAS and CAEmembers.1.Refined Map of Rice Genomeand Detailed Sequencing Map ofRice Chromosome 4Completed by the CASGenomics and BioinformaticsCenter, the refined map of indica ricecovers 97% of its genetic sequences,among which 97% ar…     

Formation,Evolution of Tibetan Plateau with Its Environment and Resource Effects

The Tibetan Plateau (the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau) is a unique geographical region with the highest elevation, and the only existing theater of tectonic collision now still in action on the earth. The continuous rapid uplifting of the landmass beneath the Plateau in the     

Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology

The CAS Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) is jointly founded by CAS and the government of Shenzhen, China's first special economic region. It is the first R&D entity in China specializing in modernized manufacturing and independent innovation with integrated technologies as its disciplinary orientation.     

Microbial Community and Urban Water Quality

Urbanization of China is substantial and growing, and water resources are crucial for both economic and social sustainable development. Unfortunately, the frequency and intensity of water contamination events are increasing at an unprecedented rate and often accompanied by increased pollutant loading due to human activities such as irreversible industrialization and urbanization. The impacts of human pollution are most evident and of greatest concern at the microbial level. The research of the Aquatic Ecohealth Group, Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has been focusing mainly on aquatic microorganisms in the urban environment, from drinking water and landscape water to waste water. Its projects fall into three categories: biomonitoring and bioassessment, microbial ecology and diversity, ecotoxicology and environmental microbiology. Its scientif ic topics include the aquatic ecological safety and microbial food web.     

CAS Action Plan for the Development of Western China Progressing Smoothly

Since CAS is charged with the key task of carrying out strategic, fundamental and forward-looking studies for this country, it is incumbent upon CAS scientists to take an active part in the National Program for the Development of Western China. This is also an important part of the national Knowledge Innovation Program (KIP) spearheaded by CAS. Over the past two years, CAS has made a series of remarkable advances in Western China with regard to the development of research bases, exploration of crucial scientific problems, the training of talented people, and providing consultation services for decision makers.With the furtherance of the national drive to develop the country's western region, CAS will step up its efforts and increase its funding, to make more and greater contributions to the overall development of the region.     

Agricultural Science and Technologv Parks Initiated in China

Agricultural S&T parks (ASTPs) constitute the bases for demonstrating modern agricultural practice engaged in intensive production and commercial operations with S&T achievements as their pillars and agricultural infrastructures as the mainstay. The emergence of ASTPs is a new economic phenomenon during the past decade, and among the 400-plus such parks, 36 are State ASTPs set up with the approval of the State Council. These ASTPs have created a benign environmental condition for the advance of agricultural science and technology in China and for the development of newand high-tech-based industries in the agricultural sector, and accordingly, they have played an important role in promoting modern agriculture, in enlivening rural economy, in increasing the income of farmers, and in restructuring agriculture.     

Drawing the Developmental Landscape of the Human Prefrontal Cortex by Single-cell RNAseq

正The prefrontal cortex(PFC)is the cerebral cortex which covers the front part of the frontal lobe in mammalian brain anatomy and in the case of humankind,it has increased six-fold throughout this species’evolution.This brain region has been implicated in planning complex cognitive behavior,decision-