Arthropods are important ecological indicators in sustainable agriculture, yet the impact of greenhouse structures on their assemblage dynamics is not well understood. This study examined how structural openness affects arthropod diversity and assemblage composition by comparing open-field orchards with enclosed greenhouse orchards under eco-friendly management. We collected a total of 1,961 individuals representing 141 species. The results showed that open-field orchards had significantly higher species richness and overall diversity compared to greenhouse orchards. Rarefaction and extrapolation analyses confirmed that estimated richness was markedly higher in open-field systems. Additionally, assemblage ordination indicated strong differentiation among open-field sites, while greenhouse orchards displayed significant assemblage homogenization, likely due to limited dispersal and reduced connectivity caused by physical enclosure. These findings highlight that structural openness is a key factor influencing arthropod assemblage structure in orchard environments. They also suggest a potential trade-off between production stability and biodiversity conservation in protected cultivation systems. Broader surveys of various orchard types and structural configurations, along with long-term monitoring, are needed to better understand the ecological impacts of protected cultivation on arthropod communities in managed landscapes.
Hummocks and other forms of microtopography in arid and semi-arid regions are essential for regulating soil moisture and supporting plant growth. However, research on this topic in Mongolia is limited. This study aims to explore the physical and ecological characteristics of hummocks and associated microtopography, as well as plant distribution in the Zuunkharaa region, and to propose restoration strategies based on these features. Field surveys were conducted in July 2025 within two 20×20 m quadrats: one dominated by woody plants (Quadrat 1) and the other by herbaceous plants (Quadrat 2). A total of 71 hummocks were examined, and small 1×1 m quadrats were set up to record hummock dimensions (major axis, minor axis, basal area, and height) and resident plant species. We identified 34 plant species, categorized as forbs (25 species), graminoids (5 species), and shrubs (4 species). Quadrat 2 showed significantly greater short axis length, basal area, and height compared to Quadrat 1, suggesting a decrease in size or compression during the establishment of shrubs. Additionally, the shrub emergence rate was notably higher in Quadrat 1 (65%) than in Quadrat 2 (26%), indicating shifts in biotype composition based on the development stage of the hummocks. This underscores the need for ecological restoration strategies that replicate the ecosystems associated with such microtopography in arid and semi-arid regions.