A Two-Channel Focal Reducer for Small (Diameter ≥ 1 M) F/8 Telescopes

The new Two-Channel Focal Reducer of the Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie is described. The instrument is primarily designed for astronomical imaging of solar system objects, where, because of changes in time scales of about 10-30 min not only the photon flux but also the total number of photons is limited. Colour dividers allow to split the light of the object into a "blue" and a "red" channel. Both channels are observed simultaneously with two separate CCD cameras. Besides wide-band imaging with filters derived from the Gunn photometric system, the instrument allows simultaneous determination of polarization and colour in a small field and imaging with interference filters and with a tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer. One Fabry-Perot system serves both channels. Proper selection of the interference order allows simultaneous observing in narrow bands of about 3 width for a large number of wavelength pairs. There is also a coronagraph mode with Lyot stops in both channels which allows observations of the torus associated with Jupiter's satellite Io. Long-slit two-channel spectroscopy will be possible as soon as the necessary grating prisms will have been acquired.     

The Black Band Disease of Atlantic Reef Corals.

Abstract. The cyanophyte (Cyanobaclerium) that causes black band disease of Atlantic reef corals is described under the name Phormidium corallyticum , new species (family Oscillatoriaceae) , and its generic placement is discussed from the standpoint of the GEITLERian (classical) and D rouet systems. Distinguishing characters include densely interwoven filaments that form a blackish mat and trichomes without significant cell wall constrictions, almost isodiametric cells (4.2 μm mean width, 4.0μm mean length) tapering end cells, and thin (0.1 μm or less) mucilaginous wall coating. Transmission electron microscopy shows typical cyanophyte cell walls, sheath, nucleoplasm, and cytoplasmic inclusions, but an unusual thylakoid of straight, and, as seen in cell cross section, radiating lamellae. The dark coloration is due to a high concentration of phycocyanin and some phycoerythrin. The species is similar to Oscillatoria (= Phormidium) submembranacea , which differs in several morphological features and does not infect coral tissue. It is concluded that Phormidium should be used for this and related species that have external mucilage but not the distinct sheath found in Lyngbya.     

The Influence of Metoclopramide and Melatonin on Activity and Schooling Behaviour in Chromis viridis (CUVIER, 1830; Pomacentridae, Teleostei)

Abstract. The role of prolactin (PRL) in the neuroendocrine control of schooling behaviour and activity in the demoiselle Chromis viridis is analysed by administration of a prolactin-releasing drug, metoclopramide (Paspertin®). In addition, the dependence of the activity state, schooling time, and colour changes on the administration of an epiphysial hormone, melatonin, is examined. Each substance tested affects schooling behaviour and activity by a different mechanism.     

IGU Study group “famine research and food production systems”

IGU-Reports

IGU Study group famine research and food production systems     

IGU study group “Famine research and food production systems”

The International Geographical Union Reports

IGU study group Famine research and food production systemsIn collaboration with the IGU study group critical environmental regions/places     

Kinematics of the Dadeldhura klippe shear zones (W Nepal): implications for the foreland evolution of the Himalayan metamorphic core

Mapping combined with structural analyses in the foreland edge of the metamorphic core of the Himalayas in SW Nepal highlights the existence of two north‐dipping shear zones with opposite sense of shear. Here, the metamorphic core is mainly affected by non‐coaxial top‐to‐the‐south sense of shear at temperatures between 450 °C and 550 °C that switch to a top‐to‐the‐north sense of shear at the top of the metamorphic core. We regionally correlate this upper shear zone with the South Tibetan detachment system. Ar‐dating on white mica indicates that both shear zones operated between 23 Ma and 17 Ma. Restoration of the folded South Tibetan detachment in far western Nepal yields a minimum dip‐slip distance of 190 km, compatible with predictions made by models of extrusion of a weak mid‐crustal channel. Our results support an orogenic model in which channel flow in the hinterland coexisted with thrust wedge mechanics in the foreland.     

Rainfall interception in a lower montane forest in Ecuador: effects of canopy properties

Rainfall interception in forests is influenced by properties of the canopy that tend to vary over small distances. Our objectives were: (i) to determine the variables needed to model the interception loss of the canopy of a lower montane forest in south Ecuador, i.e. the storage capacity of the leaves S and of the trunks and branches S_t, and the fractions of direct throughfall p and stemflow p_t; (ii) to assess the influence of canopy density and epiphyte coverage of trees on the interception of rainfall and subsequent evaporation losses. The study site was located on the eastern slope of the eastern cordillera in the south Ecuadorian Andes at 1900–2000 m above sea level. We monitored incident rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow between April 1998 and April 2001. In 2001, the leaf area index (LAI), inferred from light transmission, and epiphyte coverage was determined. The mean annual incident rainfall at three gauging stations ranged between 2319 and 2561 mm. The mean annual interception loss at five study transects in the forest varied between 591 and 1321 mm, i.e. between 25 and 52% of the incident rainfall. Mean S was estimated at 1·91 mm for relatively dry weeks with a regression model and at 2·46 mm for all weeks with the analytical Gash model; the respective estimates of mean S_t were 0·04 mm and 0·09 mm, of mean p were 0·42 and 0·63, and of mean p_t were 0·003 and 0·012. The LAI ranged from 5·19 to 9·32. Epiphytes, mostly bryophytes, covered up to 80% of the trunk and branch surfaces. The fraction of direct throughfall p and the LAI correlated significantly with interception loss (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = −0·77 and 0·35 respectively, n = 40). Bryophyte and lichen coverage tended to decrease S_t and vascular epiphytes tended to increase it, although there was no significant correlation between epiphyte coverage and interception loss. Our results demonstrate that canopy density influences interception loss but only explains part of the total variation in interception loss. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.