In coastal area, salinization is a common and serious problem for crop cultivation and ecological

Episodic flooding due to intense rainfall events is characteristic in many wetlands, which may modify wetland-atmosphere exchange of CO 2 . However, the degree to which episodic flooding affects net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE) is poorly documented in supratidal wetlands of coastal zone, where rainfall-driven episodic flooding often occurs. To address this issue, the ecosystem CO 2 fluxes were continuously measured using the eddy covariance technique for 4 years (2010-2013) in a supratidal wetland in the Yellow River Delta. Our results showed that over the growing season, the daily average uptake in the supratidal wetland was À1.4, À1.3, À1.0, and À1.3 g C m À2 d À1 for 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. On the annual scale, the supratidal wetland functioned as a strong sink for atmospheric CO 2 , with the annual NEE of À223, À164, and À247 g C m À2 yr À1 for 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. The mean diurnal pattern of NEE exhibited a smaller range of variation before episodic flooding than after it. Episodic flooding reduced the average daytime net CO 2 uptake and the maximum rates of photosynthesis. In addition, flooding clearly suppressed the nighttime CO 2 release from the wetland but increased its temperature sensitivity. Therefore, effects of episodic flooding on the direction and magnitude of NEE should be considered when predicting the ecosystem responses to future climate change in supratidal wetlands.

Using the Eddy Covariance (EC) technique, we analyzed temporal variation in net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE) and determined the effects of environmental factors on the balance between ecosystem photosynthesis and respiration in a reed (Phragmites australis) wetland in the Yellow River Delta, China. Our results indicated that diurnal and seasonal patterns of NEE and its components (ecosystem respiration (R eco ), gross primary production (GPP)) varied markedly among months for the growing season (May to October). The cumulative CO 2 emission was 1,657 g CO 2 m . The ratio of R eco to GPP in reed wetland was 0.68, which was close to other temperate wetlands. Soil temperature and soil moisture exerted the primary controls on R eco during the growing season. Daytime NEE values during the growing season were strongly correlated with photosynthetically active radiation. Aboveground biomass showed significant linear relationships with 24-h average NEE, daytime GPP, and R eco , respectively. Thus, we conclude that the coastal wetland acted as a carbon sink during the growing season despite the variations in environmental conditions, and long-term flux measurements over these ecosystems are undoubtedly necessary.

Coastal ecosystems play significant ecological and economic roles but are threatened and facing decline. Microbes drive various biogeochemical processes in coastal ecosystems. Tidal flats are critical components of coastal ecosystems; however, the structure and function of microbial communities in tidal flats are poorly understood. Here we investigated the seasonal variations of bacterial communities along a tidal flat series (subtidal, intertidal and supratidal flats) and the factors affecting the variations. Bacterial community composition and diversity were analyzed over four seasons by 16S rRNA genes using the Ion Torrent PGM platform. Bacterial community composition differed significantly along the tidal flat series. Bacterial phylogenetic diversity increased while phylogenetic turnover decreased from subtidal to supratidal flats. Moreover, the bacterial community structure differed seasonally. Canonical correspondence analysis identified salinity as a major environmental factor structuring the microbial community in the sediment along the successional series. Meanwhile, temperature and nitrite concentration were major drivers of seasonal microbial changes. Despite major compositional shifts, nitrogen, methane and energy metabolisms predicted by PICRUSt were inhibited in the winter. Taken together, this study indicates that bacterial community structure changed along the successional tidal flat series and provides new insights on the characteristics of bacterial communities in coastal ecosystems.

The delivery and distribution of nutrients in coastal wetland ecosystems is much related to the land use. The spatial variations of TOC, TN, NH4+-N, NO3−-N and TP and associated soil salinity with depth in 9 kinds land uses in coastal zone of the modern Yellow River Delta (YRD) was evaluated based on monitoring data in field from 2009 to 2015. The results showed that the average contents of soil TOC, TN, NO3−-N, NH4+-N and TP were 4.21 ± 2.40 g kg−1, 375.91 ± 213.44, 5.36 ± 9.59 and 7.20 ± 5.58 and 591.27 ± 91.16 mg kg−1, respectively. The high N and C contents were found in cropland in southern part and low values in natural wetland, while TP was relatively stable both in profiles and in different land uses. The land use, land formation age and salinity were important factors influencing distributions of TOC and N. Higher contents of TOC and N were observed in older formation age lands in whole study region, while the opposite regulation were found in new-born natural wetland, indicating that the anthropogenic activities could greatly alter the original distribution regulations of nutrients in coastal natural wetlands by changing the regional land use.

Rhus typhina, an alien species introduced from North America, was identified as a main afforestation species in Beijing municipality. However, its invasiveness is still at odds. To clarify this problem, we applied the North American Screening System and the Australian Screening System to preliminarily predict its invasion possibility. Both screening systems gave the same recommendation to "reject". The geographical distribution was surveyed, with the population features of R. typhina against the native plant communities being assessed. With anthropogenic assistance, R. typhina has been scattered on almost all habitats from downtown to mountains, including roadsides, farmlands and protected areas. As a clonal shrub, R. typhina possessed a high spreading rate, varying from 6.3 m/3 years at sterile habitats to 6.7 m/3 years at fertile ones. Significantly lower species richness, individual density and diversity were observed in the R. typhina community than those of the native Vitex negundo Linn.var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehd. community at both sterile and fertile habitats. Continual wide plantation of R. typhina may further foster its population expansion, which helps the species to overcome spatial isolation. The fact that each root fragment can develop into a new individual makes R. typhina very difficult to be eradicated once established. From a biological point of view, we believe that R. typhina is a plant invader in Beijing. We therefore suggest the government should remove the name of R. typhina from the main tree species list in afforesting Beijing.

Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and its receptor, CXCR4, play an important role in tumor progression. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process is linked to disease pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate the roles and underlying mechanisms of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in EMT process of glioblastoma. In the present study, CXCR4 activation and inhibition in U87 were induced with exogenous SDF-1 and with CXCR4 small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively. CXCR4 downstream signal molecules AKT, ERK, and EMT biomarkers (vementin, snail, N-cadherin, and E-cadherin) were tested using the Western blot. Our results showed that SDF-1 can induce AKT and ERK phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, and endogenous CXCR4 can be blocked thoroughly by CXCR4 siRNA in U87. Notably SDF-1 alone treatment can induce the upregulation of vementin, snail, and N-cadherin of U87; besides, the downregulation of E-cadherin also occurred. On the contrary, CXCR4 siRNA significantly prohibited SDF-1-induced AKT and ERK phosphorylation, at the same time, EMT biomarker changes were not observed. Function analysis revealed that CXCR4 siRNA obviously interfered with U87 cell migration and proliferation, according to wound healing assay. In conclusion, this study suggested that EMT process can be triggered by the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in glioblastoma, and then involved in the tumor cell invasion and proliferation via activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK pathway. Our study lays a new foundation for the treatment of glioblastoma through antagonizing CXCR4.

a b s t r a c tLittle is known about the impacts of agricultural exploitation of coastal wetlands on ecosystem CO 2 exchange, although coastal wetlands have been widely reclaimed for agricultural use across the world. We measured net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE) and its major components, gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (R eco ) using an eddy covariance flux technique in a natural coastal wetland (reed) and an adjacent, newly reclaimed farmland (cotton) in the Yellow River Delta, China. The results showed that agricultural reclamation changed the ecosystem CO 2 exchange of the coastal wetland at three distinct levels. Initially, the conversion from the wetland to farmland changed the light response parameters (˛, A max , and R eco, day ) of NEE and temperature sensitivity (Q 10 ) of R eco mainly by changing the dominant vegetation type. Over the growing season, NEE, R eco and GPP were significantly correlated with LAI at both sites and aboveground biomass at the farmland site. Next, the reclamation of wetland modified the diurnal and seasonal dynamics of ecosystem CO 2 exchange. Significant differences in diurnal variations of NEE between the wetland and farmland sites were found during the growing season (with the exception of June and July). Seasonal means of daily GPP and R eco values at the wetland site were higher than those at the farmland. Ultimately, the agricultural reclamation altered the CO 2 sequestration capacity of the coastal wetland. The cumulative NEE in the wetland (−237.4 g C m −2 ) was higher than that in the farmland (−202.0 g C m −2 ). When biomass removal was taken into account, the farmland was a strong source for CO 2 of around 131.9 g C m −2 during the growing season. Overall, land use changes by reclamation altered ecosystem CO 2 exchange at several ecological scales by changing the dominant vegetation type and altering the ecosystem's natural development.