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{"title":"Palaeoenvironmental dynamics of an Early Miocene palaeolake in eastern Iberia: vegetation, climate, and hydrology","authors":"Manuel Casas-Gallego ,&nbsp;Rafael Carballeira ,&nbsp;Pere Anadón ,&nbsp;Yul Altolaguirre ,&nbsp;José María Postigo-Mijarra ,&nbsp;Rafael Pablo Lozano ,&nbsp;Rafael Moreno-Domínguez ,&nbsp;Eduardo Barrón","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109909","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109909","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Rubielos de Mora lacustrine basin in eastern Spain is a key site for understanding Early Miocene ecosystems due to its exceptional fossil record, which preserves diverse taxa from multiple biological groups. Previous studies have interpreted the basin's vegetation and hydrology as reflecting varying degrees of xeric conditions, with some even proposing sub-desertic environments and steppe-like landscapes. These interpretations contrast with broader European trends, where forested environments predominated during the Early Miocene. Owing to these distinctive vegetation reconstructions, the basin has become central to discussions on southwestern European landscapes during the early Neogene. Here, we revisit the Rubielos de Mora Basin using a multiproxy approach that integrates palynological, diatom, and geochemical data from two well-studied surface sections from the eastern and western sectors of the basin to reassess its palaeoenvironmental evolution and situate it within the broader context of Cenozoic vegetation dynamics in Europe. Our results from both sectors converge on a consistent picture of regional vegetation dominated by diverse semi-open forests or woodlands during the Burdigalian. These habitats were mostly composed of thermophilous evergreen taxa adapted to relatively xeric conditions, possibly co-existing with mesic, deciduous elements. The flora of Rubielos de Mora reveals a largely forested ecosystem with increasing signs of xericity prior to the Miocene Climate Optimum. From a hydrological perspective, the Rubielos paleolake underwent alternating humid and dry phases, which affected lake productivity and water chemistry. Geochemical and palynological indicators suggest that these climatic fluctuations led to oxic–anoxic sediment cycles. Palaeoclimatic reconstructions indicate warm conditions during the Burdigalian, with mean annual temperatures of at least 16.8–18.5 °C and coldest-month means above 10 °C, suggesting a frost-free climate with pronounced seasonality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109909"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatiotemporal analysis of rainfall erosivity in Oklahoma","authors":"Mengting Chen ,&nbsp;Jaime Catherine Schussler ,&nbsp;Deb Mishra","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and its family of models have been used for soil loss prediction and erosion mitigation. These empirical models relied on precipitation data predating 1957 to calculate the <em>Rainfall Erosivity (R-factor)</em> value; however, the isoerodent map published in AH703 is still widely used in soil loss estimations today. Climatic and precipitation changes have presented questions about the validity and reliability of using these estimation methods. Additionally, instrumentation, precipitation gauging networks, and data availability have improved since the original publication of the AH703 isoerodent map. This study conducted a spatiotemporal analysis in the GIS environment to estimate modern rainfall erosivity across Oklahoma using high-resolution rainfall data. Average annual and monthly rainfall erosivity factors, <em>R-factor</em> and <span><math><msub><mi>R</mi><mi>m</mi></msub></math></span><em>-factor</em>, respectively, were estimated using 5-min interval rainfall data collected from 111 Oklahoma Mesonet sites. The sites had an average historical precipitation record of 28 years. Using new rainfall erosivity values, spatial variation was assessed within two geographical segments: a) NOAA-defined state climate divisions and b) EPA-defined Level III ecoregions. Temporal analysis revealed that rainfall erosivity occurring between April and October contributed 86% of the annual R-factor. This study also developed an updated isoerodent map for the state of Oklahoma. The updated R-factor significantly differed from the original AH703 isoerodent map. Specifically, comparing the isoerodent maps revealed that the R-factor changed between −20% and 112%. The reasons contribute to the discrepancies between the two maps are also discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109853"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating ensemble learning and rocky desertification indices improves accuracy and interpretability of soil thickness prediction in karst landscapes","authors":"Fayong Fang ,&nbsp;Ruyi Zi ,&nbsp;Tingsheng Chen ,&nbsp;Qilian Zhu ,&nbsp;Zhen Han ,&nbsp;Rui Hou ,&nbsp;Wanyang Yu ,&nbsp;Longshan Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109876","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109876","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil thickness, a critical parameter for hydrological partitioning, ecosystem functioning, and biogeochemical cycling, is challenging to predict spatially in complex karst landscapes—hampered by high heterogeneity, intricate natural/anthropogenic impacts, and rocky desertification. Here, we integrate interpretable machine learning (ML) with rocky desertification information indices (RIs) to enhance soil thickness prediction in typical karst regions. We evaluated six individual ML models and three stacking ensembles (with/without RIs). RIs significantly boosted model explanatory power and consistency (average 7% improvement, 4%–11%), capturing the heterogeneity of soil thickness associated with karst-specific soil degradation processes. Stacking ensembles reduced RMSE (1.33–2.95 cm) and MAE (0.99–2.73 cm); the stacking model with linear regression as meta-model performed best (R² = 0.47, RMSE = 31.50 cm), while the Cubist base model showed highest accuracy (CCC = 0.63, R² = 0.45). Shapley additive explanations and permutation feature importance highlighted dominant drivers (rock exposure, vegetation cover, topography), improving transparency. Uncertainty assessments (prediction interval width and prediction interval ratio) validated robustness and identified high-uncertainty areas (steep topography, severe rocky desertification, model disagreement and sparse sampling). Our RIs-integrated model improves soil thickness prediction in karst regions, presents a potentially scalable framework for analogous complex landscapes, advances understanding of soil formation processes in karst systems, and thereby delivers targeted decision support for regional soil management practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109876"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Textural features of sand fraction grains as a source of information on the transfer of alluvial sediments in step-pool channels in small forested mountain catchments","authors":"Ewa Słowik-Opoka ,&nbsp;Dawid Piątek ,&nbsp;Dominika Wrońska-Wałach ,&nbsp;Mateusz P. Sęk ,&nbsp;Anna Michno","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109877","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109877","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In small mountain catchments, hillslope and fluvial processes interact closely in both spatial and temporal dimensions. Understanding their interplay is essential for interpreting sediment supply, transport, and deposition in fluvial systems. This study analyzed the sand fraction of sediments collected from the channel of the Dupniański Stream. From these, 100 grains of each of three textural types were selected: Q – pure quartz, QW – „weathered” quartz, and S – sandstone. For each grain, shape parameters were measured: circular equivalent diameter (CE), HS circularity (HS), convexity (CON), aspect ratio (AR), solidity (SOL), and elongation (ELO). Relationships between grain features (above and below of log (LS) and boulder (BS) steps) and variables such as contributing catchment area (A), channel slope (SS), and height (H) and width (W) of the step were examined. Differentiation was based on grain type, deposition location, and the step type. The aim was to assess whether grain texture can indicate sediment processing and transfer in step-pool mountain streams. Three hypotheses were tested: (H:1) Various sand grain types provide insight into sediment sources and processing; (H:2) Grain shaping reflects catchment and channel morphometry; (H:3) Textural features can define a transition zone (TZ) between hillslope and fluvial systems.The study confirmed that using sand grains of varied textures is an effective method for analyzing sediment transfer in small mountain catchments. Grain features reflect their origin (e.g., hillslopes or eroded rock steps) and evolve as they move downstream. This analysis precisely identified the transition zone and revealed links between grain shape and channel morphology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109877"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant–microbe interactions underpin contrasting enzymatic responses to flooding intensity variation in the cascade reservoir riparian areas","authors":"Nan-ping Wu ,&nbsp;Shan-ze Li ,&nbsp;Kailang Yin ,&nbsp;Yu-chun Wang ,&nbsp;Zheng Sun ,&nbsp;Xuming Xu ,&nbsp;Qingkong Chen ,&nbsp;Yufei Bao ,&nbsp;Jie Wen","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109869","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109869","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Periodic anoxia, induced by flooding and erosion, has been regarded as a protective mechanism for soil organic carbon (SOC) by limiting microbial decomposition. However, this effect was not observed uniformly across riparian zones. This study distinguishes S-type from Non-S-type riparian areas, where the former retains SOC through microbial limitation, while the latter experiences accelerated SOC loss due to high reducible metals and organic carbon. To explore these dynamics, field experiments were conducted across 19 plots in the riparian areas of cascade reservoirs along the Jinsha River, China. In older reservoirs with prolonged flooding, phenol oxidase activity was suppressed (12 years: 4.033 ± 0.240 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹; 13 years: 5.442 ± 0.199 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹) compared to a 5-year-old reservoir (8.430 ± 0.340 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹). Non-S-type riparian areas exposed to high flooding intensity (FI) showed significantly higher phenol oxidase activity (high FI: 6.336 ± 0.236 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ vs. low FI: 3.801 ± 0.181 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), along with reduced lignin-derived compounds. These Non-S-type riparian areas exhibited higher microbial diversity, dominated by r-strategist taxa (e.g., Proteobacteria), enhanced bacterial connectivity, and hosted three fungal guilds acting as network connectors—traits absent in S-type areas. Furthermore, microbial communities in Non-S-type riparian zones showed structural stability through iron-reducing and phenol oxidation-related carbon metabolism. Mantel's test analysis showed that the weak correlation between lignin-derived compounds and phenol oxidase-producing microbes dynamics in these areas suggested that lignin-degrading taxa, resilient to hydrological perturbations (S-type: <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05, Non-S-type: <em>P</em> &gt; 0.05), mitigate the impact of lignin on carbon metabolism. These findings disclosed the presence of distinct microbial resilience mechanisms in response to hydrological extremes, highlighting the capacity of Non-S-type zones to maintain ecological functions under fluctuating environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109869"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Straw incorporation affects soil organic carbon pools by modulating microbial communities and associated metabolic activities","authors":"Lingxu Meng ,&nbsp;Jieyun Guo ,&nbsp;Jing He ,&nbsp;Yunxiang Cheng ,&nbsp;Huhe","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109871","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109871","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The microbial carbon pump (MCP) is essential for the turnover and long-term stabilization of soil organic carbon (SOC). Fertilization (organic and inorganic) regulates soil microbial communities and associated functions, shaping the formation of soil carbon pools in croplands. However, the mechanisms by which straw incorporation promotes the microbial degradation of plant and microbial biomass for SOC stabilization in croplands remain unclear. Therefore, we conducted a three-year field experiment with four fertilization practices to investigate how straw incorporation shapes microbial community composition, carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme), and extracellular enzyme activities, in order to track microbial-mediated SOC formation in croplands. Fertilization significantly altered microbial community composition and function and enhanced microbial respiration. Straw incorporation significantly expanded SOC stocks, which was closely associated with shifts in the fungal community. Fertilization, particularly straw incorporation, significantly increased the abundance of CAZyme genes involved in the degradation of lignocellulose (by 1.42%–182.93%), pectin/starch (by 67.05%–314.48%), bacterial-derived carbon (by 63.09%–170.94%), and fungal-derived carbon (β-glucan/chitin) (by 25.44%–115.44%), indicating enhanced utilization of organic carbon from diverse sources. The proportion of microbial CAZymes decomposing plant components (75.18%–83.29%) exceeded that of CAZymes degrading microbial components (16.71%–24.82%), suggesting a greater microbial capacity for the degradation of plant biomass in cropland soils. Furthermore, enzyme activity was significantly correlated with CAZyme gene abundance. In conclusion, shifts in CAZyme genes encoding the degradation of diverse carbon sources may facilitate the formation of SOC and its fractions in straw-incorporated soils via MCP regulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109871"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sedimentary and environmental changes of terminal lake in the arid region of Mongolia during the last two millennia","authors":"Shuukhaaz Ganbat ,&nbsp;Noriko Hasebe ,&nbsp;Davaadorj Davaasuren ,&nbsp;Keisuke Fukushi ,&nbsp;Shinya Ochiai ,&nbsp;Kazumasa Miura ,&nbsp;Akihiro Tamura ,&nbsp;Baasansuren Gankhurel ,&nbsp;Uyangaa Udaanjargal","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109872","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109872","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding past environmental and climate changes is essential for understanding their influence on human history and for predicting future trends. The Valley of Gobi Lake in Mongolia is highly sensitive to climate changes. We analyzed two sediment cores from Boontsagaan Lake, the largest in the Valley of Gobi Lakes and only permanent lake: a 111 cm core (East-20240226) close to the inflow river mouth and a 141 cm core (North-20240227) located 8 km away from the river mouth. Grain size differences between the cores indicate coarser material deposition near the river mouth (East-20240226) due to the density underflow, whereas the distant core (North-20240227) shows finer fluvial and aeolian inputs. The radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating methods applied to the North-20240227 core. Sandy layers below the lacustrine sediment sequence probably indicate dramatic lake level lowering between ∼300 CE and 1200 CE, corresponding dry phase in the region. A subsequent recovery of lake conditions, linked to the increased river inflow by the topographic shifts, marks a wetter phase after ∼1200 CE and coinciding with the expansion of the Mongolian empire. After ∼1400 CE, enhanced carbonate precipitation suggests another dry period, which potentially coincided with the decline of Mongolian empire. The high sediment rate and coarsening grain size in the North-20240227 core show intensified aeolian input due to continued lake shrinkage after ∼1850 CE. The sediment record from this permanent lake captures key environmental transitions over the last two millennia, regional climate changes and sociopolitical developments in Mongolian territory, including the rise and decline of the Mongolian Empire.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109872"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial functional shifts amplify the temperature sensitivity of soil nitrogen across the erosion-deposition continuum","authors":"Tianming Zhang,&nbsp;Zhongmin Fan,&nbsp;Jia Shi,&nbsp;Yumei Peng,&nbsp;Xiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109875","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109875","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil erosion drives biogeochemical decoupling of nitrogen (N) transformation pathways via spatial segregation of microbial processing hotspots along toposequences. However, the mechanisms governing this decoupling are poorly understood. Therefore, erosion-mediated reorganization of N cycling processes was investigated using high-resolution quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based functional gene quantification, N fractions analysis, and temperature-gradient incubations. Soil samples were collected in early April from a black soil region in Northeast China. Total N (TN) and mineral N (NO³⁻-N and NH4⁺-N) were determined. Temperature-controlled incubations (15 °C vs. 25 °C) were performed to determine net N mineralization, and qPCR was used to quantify genes involved in N cycling. The results demonstrated that 50.40% of TN and 54.88% of mineral N were depleted in eroding soil compared with non-eroding soil, whereas N accumulated in deposition-enriched subsoil primarily through mineral-associated N accumulation, accounting for 80.22%–93.71% of TN. Functional gene analysis revealed that the denitrification potential was intensified in eroding topsoils, as evidenced by a 3.3-fold upregulation of <em>nirK</em> and a 4.6-fold upregulation of <em>norB</em>. In contrast, depositional sites exhibited preferential activation of nitrification pathways. The temperature sensitivity of N mineralization was spatially divergent; it was 13.3 times higher in eroding topsoil than in depositional sites. Deposition depressed depth-dependent temperature sensitivity. This spatial biogeochemical partitioning establishes a climate-sensitive feedback loopin which erosional hotspots sustain N losses mediated by denitrification, and depositional microsites amplify temperature-contingent nitrification. The functional divergence between nitrification (depositional sites) and denitrification (eroding sites) hotspots is thermally modulated, creating distinct microbial metabolic regimes. These findings demonstrate how erosion–deposition interfaces potentiate soil N-cycling in topsoil and subsoil along a sloping landscape, providing a theoretical basis for preserving soil microbial function and resilience of the soil nitrogen pool in response to erosion and climate warming.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109875"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal flooding amplifies the positive asymmetric response of ecosystem carbon exchange along the precipitation gradient in saline wetlands","authors":"Xinge Li ,&nbsp;Wenbo Zhu ,&nbsp;Lianqi Zhu ,&nbsp;Weimin Song ,&nbsp;Peiguang Li ,&nbsp;Xiaojie Wang ,&nbsp;Guangxuan Han","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109865","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109865","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intensified precipitation variability profoundly affects saline wetland hydrological dynamics, potentially interfering with key carbon processes within ecosystems. However, the mechanisms underlying how precipitation changes affect ecosystems carbon processes in saline wetland remain unclear. Moreover, whether seasonal flooding influences wetland ecosystems' carbon processes response to precipitation changes is still poorly understood. Based on a six-year field precipitation experiment including five precipitation levels (−60%, −40%, +0%, +40%, and + 60% of ambient precipitation) in the Yellow River Delta wetlands, we examined how seasonal flooding regulated ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE), gross ecosystem production (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) response to precipitation changes. Over three years, ecosystem carbon fluxes exhibited a positive asymmetric response along the precipitation gradient, with the increment under wet treatments exceeding the reduction under dry treatments. Compared with the control, the −60% treatment significantly reduced GEP and ER by 9.7% and 9.3% respectively; whereas the +40% and + 60% treatments significantly increased GEP, ER, and NEE by 18.0%, 23.5%, 15.4%, 19.4%, 22.1%, and 29.0% respectively. Moreover, the observed positive asymmetry in ecosystem carbon flux arose because, under reduced precipitation, vegetation coverage and total biomass were less affected by high soil salinity. Additionally, plants coverage responded differently to flooding under precipitation treatments: saline plants were most affected under reduced precipitation, while gramineous plants showed no significant difference. Our results demonstrated that acclimation of vegetation to salinization leads to the asymmetric response of ecosystem carbon exchange along the precipitation gradient, while seasonal flooding may amplify the positive asymmetric response by affecting vegetation community composition in saline wetlands. The findings underscore the importance of seasonal flooding in modulating wetland ecosystem responses within global change manipulation experiments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109865"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Summer zokor mounds as greenhouse gas hotspots compared to spring and autumn mounds on the Tibetan plateau","authors":"Zhiying Zhang ,&nbsp;Bin Chu ,&nbsp;Limin Hua ,&nbsp;Rui Dong ,&nbsp;Jian Sun ,&nbsp;Xidong Zhu ,&nbsp;Mulati Subinur ,&nbsp;Yujie Niu","doi":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109867","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.catena.2026.109867","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small subterranean mammals, such as plateau zokors, disturb grassland topsoil through mound creation, potentially elevating greenhouse gas emissions. While the ecological impacts of mounds have been studied in spring and autumn, little attention has been given to summer mound creation, a period of peak microbial activity and intensified plant–soil interactions. This knowledge gap limits the understanding of seasonal dynamics and mechanisms of greenhouse gas emissions in alpine ecosystems. In this study, the static chamber method was used to quantify net ecosystem exchange, ecosystem respiration, and CH₄ and N₂O fluxes from zokor mounds during spring, summer, and autumn, alongside measurements of soil, plant, and fauna communities. Results showed that summer mounds shifted the alpine meadow from a net CO₂ sink to a source, with CH₄ emissions (65.85 μg/m²/h), and N₂O emissions (52.81 μg/m²/h) all significantly higher than those from spring and autumn mounds. Net global warming potential increased on summer mounds, whereas spring and autumn mounds tended to reduce relative to intact pasture. The structural equation model indicated that zokor mounding reduced vegetation coverage and biomass, increasing net global warming potential and turning localized areas from greenhouse gas sinks to sources. To reliably evaluate the impacts of zokor mounds on greenhouse gases and their balances, it is crucial to consider the seasonal variation of mound creation. Additionally, reducing summer mound creation through appropriate grassland grazing management could help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the ecological impact of zokor burrowing activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":9801,"journal":{"name":"Catena","volume":"265 ","pages":"Article 109867"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}