Environmental and Earth Sciences

Abstract: Crumb rubber, a recycled tire product used in artificial turf fields, alters soil physical properties and releases chemical contaminants, but few studies have examined its effects on plant physiology and resource allocation. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to evaluate the responses of soybeans (Glycine max) grown in soils containing increasing proportions of crumb rubber (0%, 16.6%, 33.3%, and 50% by weight). Germination, plant growth, chlorophyll content, soil respiration, biomass production, water loss, root allocation, and elemental composition of soils and plant tissues were measured over a 21-day period. Most indicators of plant performance (germination, plant height, chlorophyll content, soil respiration, and total biomass) were not significantly affected by crumb rubber additions. However, crumb rubber significantly reduced cumulative water loss and increased both root biomass and root-to-shoot ratios at moderate and high concentrations. Soil and plant tissue analyses revealed substantial increases in zinc concentrations across the crumb rubber gradient, with leaf zinc concentrations exceeding sufficiency ranges at higher treatments. These results demonstrate that crumb rubber contamination can alter soil water dynamics, plant resource allocation, and trace metal accumulation even when aboveground growth responses remain limited.

Abstract: The Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion (KSE) of southwest Oregon-northern California, USA has globally exceptional biodiversity but is experiencing mounting pressures from climate change and land uses. We conducted an ecoregional conservation assessment of the KSE and the Siskiyou Crest subregion (SCS), a proposed climate refugium within the KSE, to integrate protected area priorities with climate change planning and fire risk reduction for communities. Both areas contained very low levels (<30%) of protection (GAP status 1, 2) for nearly all land cover types (n=22), including serpentine substrates where endemic plants are highly concentrated, older forests with potential refugia properties, and habitat for Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and Pacific fisher (Pekania pennanti). At the ecoregional scale, high severity fire levels were proportionately similar across GAP land-use status (“managed” vs. protected). However, high severity fire was lowest for protected areas at the subregional scale reflective of potential refugium properties. Most fuel treatments by federal agencies were >1-km from nearest structures, far removed from effective community fire protection in both locales. The relatively higher-elevation SCS is projected to maintain refugia properties (cooler, wetter) for longer periods than the KSE; however, that function may dissipate toward the end of the century and under a higher emissions scenario. Stepped up protections especially of potential refugia combined with fire risk reduction of the built environment are urgently needed to prevent unprecedented losses.

Abstract: Brasenia schreberi is a nationally protected aquatic macrophyte of substantial ecological value and economic significance, yet its wild populations have declined drastically due to habitat degradation and anthropogenic disturbances. This review systematically synthesizes research progress on the effects of water pH and depth on the growth, ecophysiology, mucilage quality, and community structure of B. schreberi, integrating findings from field surveys and controlled greenhouse experiments to elucidate critical ecological thresholds under combined environmental stressors. Our analysis reveals that natural B. schreberi populations are predominantly distributed in lentic habitats with stable water depths of 0.5-1.5 m (optimally 1.2-1.5 m) and circumneutral to weakly acidic conditions (pH 6.0-7.5). Deviations from these parameters substantially impair plant performance: when water depth exceeds 1.5 m or pH falls below 5.5, photosynthetic efficiency declines, root-to-shoot ratios increase aberrantly, and mucilage thickness decreases significantly. The synergistic critical threshold for population decline was identified at 1.1 m depth × pH 6.3. For artificial propagation, optimal cultivation strategies diverge from wild habitat preferences: maintaining pH at 7.0-7.5 (weakly alkaline) enhances mucilage polysaccharide accumulation and commercial quality, whereas a phenological stage-specific dynamic water-depth management regime (“shallow-deep-shallow-deep”) maximizes vegetative propagation success and yield. This review provides a theoretical framework and parameterized technical guidance for wild population restoration, standardized cultivation, and hydrological regulation in plateau wetland ecosystems. Future research priorities should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying pH- and depth-mediated mucilage synthesis, developing precision water quality management systems, and strengthening ex situ germplasm conservation.

Abstract: Naturally formed treefall gaps represent primary sources of environmental heterogeneity in tropical forests, yet their role in driving the components of beta diversity in specialized leaf-litter fauna remains poorly understood. We investigated the influence of natural treefall gaps on harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) community structure and beta diversity partitioning in a well-preserved Atlantic Forest remnant in southern Bahia, Brazil. Using standardized nocturnal searches and leaf-litter sampling, we recorded 845 individuals across 23 species. Coverage-based rarefaction indicated higher estimated richness in gaps, although observed alpha diversity did not differ significantly among habitats. Community composition differed significantly along the gap–forest gradient, driven mainly by litter depth and microclimatic variation. Indicator species analysis identified Protimesius sp. as a robust gap-specialist. Beta diversity partitioning revealed that turnover accounted for 79.5% of total dissimilarity, while nestedness contributed 20.5%. Treefall gaps exhibited the highest internal beta diversity and species exclusivity, supporting their role as dynamic environmental filters that enhance regional diversity. Our findings highlight the ecological importance of natural disturbance and litter structure in maintaining biodiversity patterns in tropical forests.

Abstract: Under global climate change, shifts in the suitable distribution of forest vegetation have become an important issue in ecology and biogeography. Birch forests are widely distributed across cold-temperate, temperate, and montane regions in China, but different birch forest types may vary in their environmental adaptations and spatial responses to climate change. In this study, three representative birch forest vegetation types in China, namely Betula utilis forest, Betula albosinensis forest, and Betula ermanii krummholz, were selected for comparative analysis. Based on vegetation distribution records and environmental variables, an optimized MaxEnt model was constructed using ENMeval to identify current suitable distribution patterns, key environmental drivers, and future habitat changes under climate change scenarios.The results showed that the three birch forest types differed markedly in current suitable distribution patterns. Betula utilis forest was mainly concentrated in the Qinling Mountains, Betula albosinensis forest showed a broader montane distribution pattern, and Betula ermanii krummholz was restricted to high-altitude or high-latitude cold habitats. Climatic factors were the dominant drivers of suitability, but the key environmental variables differed among the three vegetation types, indicating niche differentiation along temperature, precipitation, and elevation gradients. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitats of the three types showed type-specific changes in area, spatial stability, and centroid migration. Betula utilis forest and Betula albosinensis forest mainly exhibited regional spatial adjustment and partial expansion, whereas Betula ermanii krummholz showed stronger dependence on high-elevation cold habitats and more limited spatial adjustment capacity. These findings indicate that different birch forest vegetation types in China do not respond uniformly to climate change. The study provides a vegetation-type-specific basis for identifying stable suitable areas, potential expansion areas, and climate-sensitive habitats, and can support adaptive management and conservation planning for montane forest vegetation under future climate change.

Abstract: Monitoring dynamic post-catastrophic landscapes necessitates unsupervised classification approaches capable of incorporating newly emerging landscape-cover states without relying on predefined classes. Within this framework, the temporal matching of independently derived spectral clusters presents a critical methodological challenge. This study compared alternative temporal matching approaches for multi-temporal Sentinel-2 imagery of the post-catastrophic floodplain landscape of Khortytsia Island (Ukraine) from 2021 to 2026. In addition to conventional methods based on centroid distance, Mahalanobis distance, Linear Discriminant Analysis, and Random Forest, geometrically oriented approaches employing the elongation and principal-axis orientation of spectral point clouds were evaluated. A series of tests assessed matching accuracy, robustness to seasonal and interannual drift, graph connectivity, and consensus structure among alternative matching solutions. The results demonstrated that geometrically oriented approaches preserved temporal correspondence among landscape-cover states with high stability despite phenological and interannual variability. In particular, axis-based matching more effectively maintained separation between corresponding and competing clusters amid progressive temporal divergence. Consensus analysis revealed that disagreement among methods was concentrated in ecotonal and actively transforming zones, indicating areas of increased landscape instability. This study shows that the geometry of spectral trajectories contains valuable information for temporal matching and provides a promising foundation for monitoring dynamic post-catastrophic landscape systems.

Abstract: Forest edge effects are commonly interpreted as radial gradients from the edge toward the interior, but this assumption may oversimplify the spatial organization of heterogeneous tropical forest fragments. Here, we integrated field-based phytosociological data with Sentinel-2 spectral indices to evaluate whether edge-effect interpretation depends on analytical scale in Semideciduous Seasonal Forest fragments embedded in the Brazilian Cerrado. Five fragments were analyzed using transect-based plots and continuous pixel-level modeling. Basal area showed a strong positive correlation with NDVI (r = 0.95), supporting its use as the main spectral proxy for vegetation structure. Plot-level segmented regression detected edge-to-interior transitions, with breakpoints ranging from approximately 13 to 39 m. However, pixel-level modeling revealed scale-dependent responses, including shallow gradients in IF and AC, an intermediate transition in CN, a deeper gradient in IP, and high internal heterogeneity without a single dominant radial transition in Panga. The first two PCA axes explained approximately 81% of the total variance, reinforcing the structural–spectral correspondence. These findings show that edge effects are detectable but not adequately represented by fixed radial zones alone. Pixel-level Sentinel-2 modeling improves the spatial interpretation of fragmented tropical forests.

Abstract: This study characterizes macroalgal assemblage structure in the transitional water system Mar Piccolo of Taranto (eLTER site) from 2012 to 2023, assessing the impact of non-indigenous species (NIS) establishment. Seasonal sampling at three sites evaluated diversity and biomass variation through PERMANOVA, PCoA, PERMDISP and Indicator Value (IndVal) analyses. Results reveal significant spatio-temporal heterogeneity: Site 1 remains dominated by native species (>70% biomass), summer peaks of NIS were recorded at Site 3, whereas Site 4 experienced a substantial NIS expansion, reaching 97% of total biomass by 2021. Statistical clustering identified distinct indicator species for each inlet, such as Amphiroa beauvoisii in the First Inlet and the NIS Hypnea corona in the Second. Water temperature emerged as a primary driver of community shifts. Most species, including both native (Chondracanthus acicularis) and several NIS (Polysiphonia morrowii, Osmundea oederi), exhibited negative correlations with mean thermal values, while Ulva laetevirens showed greater tolerance. These findings highlight the importance of LTER monitoring in demonstrating that the Mar Piccolo’s resistance to NIS pressure is non-uniform across the basin. Under a global warming scenario, thermal forcing is actively reshaping macroalgal assemblages.

Abstract: Tropical forests are facing escalating deforestation, while forest degradation, driven by a complex interplay of human-induced factors, emerges as an additional and compounding threat. In this context, regulated selective logging persists as an alternative to conciliate forest protection and economic development. This study synthesizes current knowledge on the impacts of logging, focusing on research trends, geographic distribution, ecological topics, and key variables like logging intensity, time since logging, and number of logging cycles. Since the 1970s, 641 papers listed on the Scopus platform have demonstrated a sharp increase in publication activity over the past five years, followed by a tendency toward stabilization. Papers were concentrated in Brazil and Malaysia, with few papers coming from other countries, particularly from Africa. Notably, 47% of the studies did not report logging intensity, and one-third focused almost exclusively on its impacts on forest physical structure, damage, or biomass—leaving a wide range of other topics largely unexplored until 2022. We refer to 13 topics with less than 20 studies in total, such as nutrient cycling, non-timber forest products, biological invasion, and key biological taxa. Herbs, epiphytes, fish and amphibians were among the least investigated taxa across the regions. Furthermore, when controlling variables like region and logging intensity, most ecological topics had fewer than five dedicated studies. Research remains largely restricted to similar scenarios: first-cycle logging in old-growth forests, leaving substantial knowledge gaps. As logging operations are expected to increase, we argue for a (1) mandatory long-term monitoring in logging regulations; (2) public access to monitoring data, reports and information related to regulated logging; (3) a global platform to exchange experience as long-term monitoring, better practices, silvicultural approaches and sustainability assessment; (4) alignment among regulatory and certification agencies on sustainability standards; (5) capacity building initiatives; and (6) long-term experiments devoted to logging sustainability and better practices.

Abstract: During crop growth, leaf photosynthetic capacity changes continuously, and the vertical distribution of leaf nitrogen (Na) and chlorophyll (Chla) affects photosynthesis in different canopy layers. Understanding stratified photosynthesis is vital for accurate prediction of crop photosynthetic capacity. We conducted a two-year field study on winter wheat and paddy rice in Eastern China, measuring leaf maximum carboxylation rate (Vc_max25), maximum electron transport rate (J_max25), Na, and Chla every 7–10 days from greening to maturity. We analyzed vertical variations of these parameters in upper (T-1), middle (T-2), and lower (T-3) canopy layers and explored relationships between Na/Chla and Vc_max25. Results showed significant vertical variations: Vc_max25 and J_max25 in T-1 were higher than T-2, and T-2 higher than T-3. The vertical distribution of Na and Vc_max25 was more pronounced than Chla. Correlation between Na and Vc_max25 increased from T-1 to lower layers, while Vc_max25-Chla correlation decreased. A single Vc_max25 estimation model based on Na performed well across layers (R²=0.619, RMSE=15.751 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Differentiating T-1 from T-2/T-3 improved Chla-based models. Na was better than Chla for characterizing Vc_max25 vertical variation, with Chla-based models requiring separation of T-1 from T-2/T-3. This study provides key insights for remote sensing of photosynthetic parameters and improves understanding of crop canopy photosynthesis.

Abstract: The Muški bunar old-growth forest on Mount Psunj represents one of the rare preserved mixed ecosystems of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Southeastern Europe, providing an important reference for understanding natural forest dynamics. This study aimed to analyse stand structure, age distribution, growth dynamics, and disturbance regime based on repeated field surveys conducted in 1979 and 2021. The results revealed pronounced structural heterogeneity, a wide range of tree sizes and ages, and clear interspecific differences. European beech dominates smaller and medium diameter and age classes, whereas sessile oak is primarily present in older and larger diameter classes. A very high growing stock (1155.81 m³ ha⁻¹) indicates exceptional stand productivity, with maximum cambial ages of 295 years for oak and 253 years for beech. Basal area increment analysis showed that even old trees maintain substantial growth. Although both species exhibit positive long-term growth trends, recent decades show divergence, with increasing growth in beech and stagnation or decline in oak. Stand dynamics are mainly driven by low-intensity disturbances, while recent windthrows have further increased structural heterogeneity and regeneration. These findings highlight the importance of old-growth forests as reference systems for close-to-nature forest management.

Abstract: The Island of Montecristo, part of the Tuscan Archipelago, was subjected to an “invasive species” eradication effort co-financed by the European Union under the Life+ “Montecristo 2010” project in 2012. Biocidal agents were utilized in abundance, with the objective of targeting select species of flora and fauna. This included the aerial broadcast of pellets containing brodifacoum to attempt to eradicate the rat population along with the application of several herbicides to eliminate Ailanthus [Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle]. The potential risks and concerns associated with the dispersal of brodifacoum include the mortality of non-target and protected species, including the Montecristo goat (Capra aegagrus Erxleben, 1777). Brodifacoum's environmental persistence has led to concerns regarding its potential for secondary, tertiary, and subsequent poisoning of numerous species. Pellets may have reached the sea due to the island's steep terrain, potentially impacting marine life. Rodenticides and herbicides are classified as "chemical biocides", a concept first proposed by the American biologist Rachel Carson over six decades ago. The question of whether this practice constitutes a conservation initiative or could lead to an environmental disaster is a salient one and this study aims to provide multidisciplinary scientific analysis to address this question.

Abstract: Due to the exclusion of the tobacco industry from the mandatory compliance framework of the national carbon market, and the consequent absence of sustained policy-driven mechanisms and data verification systems, China has not yet established carbon emission calculation standards specifically tailored to cigarette factories. This study systematically reviewed mainstream domestic and international carbon accounting methodologies, analyzed emission sources specific to cigarette factories across Scope 1 to Scope 3, and developed corresponding calculation methods. Based on statistical data from field research at actual cigarette factories, a complete annual carbon emission covering Scopes 1-3 was calculated for a case-study factory. Considering data availability, internal controllability within the tobacco industry, and the guidance value for the sector's green and low-carbon transition, this study proposes recommended carbon emission calculation boundaries and itemized calculation methods for cigarette factories, aiming to promote the accuracy and standardization of carbon emission calculations in cigarette factories.

Abstract: The production of liquefied natural gas can be divided into four stages: production, preparation and transportation of natural gas by pipeline to the liquefaction plant; processing, liquefaction, storage and loading onto specialized liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers; maritime transport of the LNG, usually over long distances, to the country of sale; unloading of the LNG from the receiving terminal, regasification, storage and delivery to end users by pipeline. These four stages are interconnected and form a chain from the gas well to the end user. Any weak link in the chain can jeopardize the entire LNG project . The ranking of jobs (from most to least risky) are: LNG plant operators (highest exposure to cryogenic hazards, high-pressure systems); pipeline maintenance workers (risk of gas leaks, explosions); cryogenic storage technicians (risks from LNG tanks, potential spills); LNG tanker crews (transportation risks, but controlled environments); safety inspectors (least direct exposure, but high responsibility). The AHP-ELECTRE method systematically ranks jobs based on risk severity, with LNG plant operators typically having the most hazardous role due to their direct handling of liquefaction processes, while safety inspectors face the least direct physical risk.

Abstract: As urbanization accelerates, transportation-related environmental challenges have become increasingly pressing. This study investigates the psychological and contextual drivers of Chinese consumers’ purchase intentions toward battery electric vehicles (BEVs) through the Value–Attitude–Behavior (VAB) framework. A large-scale cross-sectional online survey was conducted via the WJX platform in November 2023, yielding 596 valid responses collected using stratified sampling to ensure demographic diversity across age, income, education, and geographic distribution. Perceived value was conceptualized into green, hedonic, and utilitarian dimensions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test hypothesized pathways, and interaction analysis was used to examine moderating effects. Results reveal that perceived green value and hedonic value significantly enhance consumer attitudes, which in turn strongly influence BEV purchase intentions. Technophilia positively moderates the link between attitude and intention, while range anxiety and battery cost weaken the influence of green and utilitarian value on attitude formation. Theoretically, this study enriches the VAB framework by integrating key moderating variables relevant to sustainable mobility. Practically, it highlights the importance of emphasizing both emotional and environmental benefits in BEV marketing strategies, while addressing consumer concerns over range and cost. Tailored communication strategies that leverage technophilia are especially effective for engaging younger, technology-oriented urban consumers.

Abstract: This study examines the interactions between agricultural development, environmental sustainability, and energy transition in Morocco, where agriculture is a key driver of economic growth, employment, and food security but is increasingly constrained by environmental pressures and rising CO2 emissions. It aims to assess the compatibility between agricultural performance and ecological sustainability in the context of energy transition and trade liberalization. The analysis uses annual data from 1990 to 2021, including agricultural GDP, CO2 emissions, agricultural employment, renewable energy consumption, and trade openness. An Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model is employed to investigate both short- and long-run relationships. Stationarity is tested using ADF and PP tests, while the F-Bounds test confirms the presence of long-run cointegration among the variables. The findings indicate that CO2 emissions negatively affect agricultural growth in the long run, whereas trade openness has a positive effect, and renewable energy consumption exerts a significant negative impact. In the short run, CO2 emissions and renewable energy consumption positively influence agricultural GDP, while trade openness has a negative effect. Granger causality tests reveal unidirectional relationships, and diagnostic checks confirm model robustness.

Abstract: In the ecotones, trees growth and population are the most sensitive to the changing hydrothermal regime. Here we analyzed Larix sibirica and Populus laurifolia response to the moisture changes in the unique refugia that bordered the Mongolian desert in the southern Siberia. The age of old-growth trees (A>500 y) suggests that refugia have existed throughout the Holocene. We aimed to analyze (1) larch and poplar growth dependence on the climate variables, (2) treelines shift into the desert and (3) ground cover GPP (gross primary production) dynamics. We used on-ground survey, dendroecological analysis and remote sensing data. Beyond the refugia, trees were established after the warming onset in the study area (c. 1980). Since that, growth of both species has increased and has been controlled by atmospheric and soil droughts (measured by the SPEI and scPDSI indices, correspondingly). Summer winds impair trees’ growth via increased evapotranspiration. We found that both larch and poplar treelines shifted into southward sandy dunes. Although poplar is a less drought-resistant species, its treeline was shifting ahead of the larch one with a mean speed of 5.6 m/y vs 0.8 for larch. The mean and max treeline shifts were 260 and 450 m for poplar and 35 m and 70 m for larch. During the warming, the poplar population has dramatically increased (+300% vs + 46% for larch). P. laurifolia occupied climate-caused new niches ahead of drought-resistant L. sibirica due to its high anemophily and seed production. We found that increasing GPP trends in both refugia and in adjacent sandy dunes caused phenomenon of “desert greening”. The treelines migration into the desert contradict the predicted shrinkage of the tree range within its southern boundary. However, the projected increase of moisture deficit at the 2080–2100 may impair that phenomenon. Nevertheless, current changes in the hydrology regime are favorable for trees growth and expansion into the adjacent Mongolian desert.

Abstract: Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass) is widely recognised as one of the most aggressive invasive perennial grasses affecting agricultural and rangeland ecosystems worldwide. Its rapid spread, ecological adaptability, and dual role as both a potential forage resource and a toxic risk to livestock present complex challenges for sustainable livestock production. Despite extensive research on its ecology and management, existing knowledge remains fragmented across multiple disciplines, limiting the development of integrated control strategies. This systematic review synthesises existing scientific evidence on the ecological invasion dynamics, origin and distribution patterns, biodiversity impacts, livestock-related risks, and management strategies associated with S. halepense, intending to inform sustainable livestock production systems. A systematic literature review approach was employed to identify and evaluate peer-reviewed and grey literature. Relevant studies were retrieved from major scientific databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate, using predefined search terms related to S. halepense, invasion ecology, livestock toxicity, and weed management. Articles were screened based on relevance, methodological quality, and thematic alignment with the objectives of the review. The findings indicate that S. halepense has successfully invaded diverse agro-ecological regions due to its hybrid origin, polyploid genome structure, prolific seed production, and extensive rhizome system. The species significantly alters plant community composition, reduces biodiversity, and competes with crops and native forage species. Although it may provide forage under certain conditions, its accumulation of cyanogenic compounds and nitrates poses serious poisoning risks to grazing livestock. Current control strategies, including mechanical removal, cultural practices, herbicide application, and prescribed burning, vary in effectiveness and are often limited by ecological constraints, cost, and the increasing emergence of herbicide resistance. The review highlights the need for integrated, ecosystem-based management strategies that balance invasive weed control with sustainable forage production. Future research should prioritise climate-responsive management approaches, improved understanding of invasion ecology, and the development of cost-effective control measures suitable for livestock production systems. A multidisciplinary framework integrating weed science, rangeland ecology, and animal health will be critical for mitigating the ecological and economic impacts of S. halepense in invaded landscapes.

Abstract: Lead-zinc slag and smelting activities represent a persistent global source of soil con-tamination, releasing toxic heavy metals — lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) — with documented risks to ecosystems and human health. No systematic mapping of environmental assessment methods for slag-contaminated soils exists, and evidence from Central Asia remains entirely absent. This scoping review, following PRISMA-ScR 2018 guidelines, maps the global evidence base on soil contamination from lead-zinc slag and associated assessment methods. Searches across Dimensions, PubMed, and OpenAlex identified 410 records; 56 studies (2010–2025) met inclusion criteria. Studies were concentrated in China (35.7%), Poland (8.9%), and Brazil (7.1%); no studies from Kazakhstan were identified despite major Pb-Zn smelting operations in the Shymkent region. All studies reported heavy metal concentrations exceeding regulatory thresholds, with cadmium as the primary ecological risk driver and lead posing the greatest health risk to children. Assessment methods included pollution in-dices (73.2%), ecological risk assessment (67.9%), GIS-based spatial analysis (57.1%), human health risk frameworks (51.8%), and source apportionment models (50.0%). Post-2018 studies increasingly applied integrated multi-method frameworks. Critical gaps include the absence of Central Asian research, limited predictive modeling, and lack of standardized protocols. Findings provide a structured evidence map to guide environmental monitoring and remediation at slag-contaminated sites globally.

Abstract: Protected areas are often treated as internally homogeneous conservation units, yet their communities may be structured either as discrete modules or as continuous gradients shaped by environmental heterogeneity and human disturbance. Using camera-trap data from Liziping Nature Reserve, China, we examined the spatial organization of mammal and galliform bird communities and tested whether species-level environmental responses help explain community structure. From 148 camera-trap sites surveyed between July 2018 and June 2019, we obtained 4,065 independent detections and retained 15 species for analysis. We combined β-diversity decomposition, clustering, NMDS ordination, single-species occupancy models, clustering of environmental response coefficients, and Mantel tests. Community variation was dominated by turnover rather than nestedness, and clustering based on co-occurrence and relative activity patterns did not reveal well-separated discrete modules. Instead, NMDS indicated continuous variation along environmental gradients, with elevation and vegetation productivity as the strongest correlates. Occupancy models showed marked species-specific environmental responses, especially to elevation, habitat structure, and human disturbance, and β-based clustering identified two distinct environmental response groups. These results indicate that communities in Liziping are better characterized as continuous gradient structures than as discrete modules, and suggest that conservation should emphasize the maintenance of environmental heterogeneity, habitat continuity, and connectivity within mountain protected areas.