Biodiversity Conservation in the REDD

Background

Forests occur across diverse biomes, each of which shows a specific composition of plant communities associated with the particular climate regimes. Predicted future climate change will have impacts on the vulnerability and productivity of forests; in some regions higher temperatures will extend the growing season and thus improve forest productivity, while changed annual precipitation patterns may show disadvantageous effects in areas, where water availability is restricted. While adaptation of forests to predicted future climate scenarios has been intensively studied, less attention was paid to mitigation strategies such as the introduction of tree species well adapted to changing environmental conditions.

Results

We simulated the development of managed forest ecosystems in Germany for the time period between 2000 and 2100 under different forest management regimes and climate change scenarios. The management regimes reflect different rotation periods, harvesting intensities and species selection for reforestations. The climate change scenarios were taken from the IPCC's Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES). We used the scenarios A1B (rapid and successful economic development) and B1 (high level of environmental and social consciousness combined with a globally coherent approach to a more sustainable development). Our results indicate that the effects of different climate change scenarios on the future productivity and species composition of German forests are minor compared to the effects of forest management.

Conclusions

The inherent natural adaptive capacity of forest ecosystems to changing environmental conditions is limited by the long life time of trees. Planting of adapted species and forest management will reduce the impact of predicted future climate change on forests.     

Early onset of a microcystin-producing cyanobacterial bloom in an agriculturally-influenced Great Lakes tributary

In late May 2016, a cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom(cHAB) was detected in the Maumee River, the largest tributary to Lake Erie, the southernmost lake of the Laurentian Great Lakes system. Testing on 31 May identified Planktothrix agardhii as the dominant cyanobacterium with cell abundance exceeding 1.7×10~9 cells/L and total microcystins(MC) reaching 19 μg/L MC-LR equivalents, a level over 10-fold higher than the 2015 revised U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) national health advisory levels for drinking water exposure to adults. Low river discharge coincident with negligible precipitation through the latter half of May coincided with an 80% decline in river turbidity that likely favored bloom formation by a low-light adapted P. agardhii population. Also contributing to the c HAB were high initial nutrient loads and an increase of the river temperature from 13℃ to 26℃ over this same period. The bloom persisted through 5 June with microcystins exceeding 22 μg/L MC-LR equivalents at the bloom peak. By 6 June, the river had returned to its muddy character following a rain event and sampling on 7 June detected only low levels of toxin(0.6 μg/L) at public water systems located near the bloom origin. The elevated toxin production associated with this early onset bloom was without precedent for the Maumee River and an unique attribute of the c HAB was the high proportion of potentially-toxic genotypes. Whereas Planktothrix spp. is common in lotic environments, and has been previously detected in the Maumee, blooms are not commonly reported. This early onset, microcystin-producing c HAB provided a rare opportunity to glean insights into environmental factors that promote bloom development and dominance by Planktothrix in lotic environments.     

Hyperspectral analysis of soil polluted with four types of hydrocarbons

In this study, a high spectral resolution GER-2600 spectroradiometer was used to obtain the spectral data of soil samples that were polluted with four different types of petroleum–hydrocarbons products: Diesel, Gasoline, Crude Oil and Fuel Oil. The polluted soil samples were prepared in the laboratory at five concentrations levels: unpolluted soil, 2500, 100,000, 250,000 ppm and pure pollutant. Spectral data were pre-processed and then analysed with various approaches: Principal Components Transformation and ANOVA, Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Hydrocarbon Index (HI) and Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA). The results showed that it was possible to determine the different spectral response between clean soil and some of the polluted soils: crude oil at concentrations higher than 100,000 ppm were the easiest to recognize; while samples polluted with gasoline at concentrations below 250,000 ppm were the most difficult to distinguish from non-polluted samples.     

Feeding behavior in Caribbean surgeonfishes varies across fish size,algal abundance,and habitat characteristics

Feeding behavior of coral reef fishes often determines their species‐specific ecological roles. We studied the two most common Caribbean surgeonfishes (Acanthurus coeruleus and Acanthurus tractus) to examine their species‐specific grazing rates and feeding preferences and how these differed with environmental context. We quantified the feeding activity of both surgeonfishes at four spur and groove reefs in the Florida Keys, USA, that varied in fish abundance, rugosity, algal community composition, and sediment loading. Overall, A. tractus fed twice as fast as A. coeruleus. Both species selected for turf algae but avoided feeding on turf algae that had become laden with sediment. Selectivity for upright macroalgae was more complex with A. tractus targeting Dictyota spp., while A. coeruleus avoided Dictyota spp. relative to the alga's abundance. Both species selected for epiphytes growing on other organisms such as macroalgae and sponges. However, several of these feeding patterns changed with ontogeny. For example, larger individuals of both species fed more frequently on long, sediment‐laden algal turf and less frequently on Dictyota spp. compared to smaller sized individuals. In addition, A. tractus also increased its preference for upright calcareous algae as they attained larger sizes. Overall, the disparity in feeding preferences of surgeonfishes likely indicates subtle differences in species‐specific ecological roles. Both A. coeruleus and A. tractus likely prevent development of turf algae and thus maintain algal communities in the early stages of succession. Additionally, A. tractus may also help reduce macroalgal abundance by targeting common macroalgal species.     

Effect of Monetary Incentives on Mail Survey Response Rates for Midwestern Farmers

Response rates to mail-based surveys have declined in recent decades, and survey response rates for farmers tend to be low overall. Maintaining high response rates is necessary to prevent non-response bias. Historically, incentives have been an effective tool to increase response rates with general populations. However, the effect of incentives on farmers has not been well tested. In this study, we experimentally manipulated the use of a $2 incentive in two surveys targeted at farmers. We tested both the use of the incentive and the timing of incentive distribution in the survey process. We found the incentive significantly increased response rates with farmers but there was no significant effect of when the incentive was distributed. Additionally, we evaluated the cost-effectiveness of using the incentive. While the incentive increased response rate, the cost per survey response also increased and the cost of the incentive was not offset by the increased response rate.     

Regional analysis of indirect factors affecting the recovery,degradation and deforestation in the tropical dry forests of Oaxaca,Mexico

This study evaluates the dynamics and identifies the indirect biophysical and socio‐economic factors related to the recovery, degradation and deforestation of the tropical dry forest (TDF) cover in the municipality of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Annual rates and transition matrices were determined to identify indirect factors; the cartographic information of 25 variables with shift points were overlaid and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were applied. The change process with the greatest impact in TDF during the study period (1993–2011) was degradation, with 10468 ha degraded (12 per cent of the initial tropical cover); recovery of coverage was the second most important change process, with 4808 ha (5.5 per cent); and deforestation was the change process with the lowest impact, with a loss of 2800 ha (3.23 per cent). The net balance was negative, with a decrease (through land degradation and deforestation) of 8460 ha (9.75 per cent). The recovery of coverage was mainly associated with biophysical factors such as land suitability and accessibility to natural vegetation. On the other hand, deforestation and degradation of coverage were associated with both biophysical and socioeconomic factors such as land suitability, accessibility to natural vegetation, migration, marginalization, population pressure, economy, education and health. The findings of this study determined the spatial distribution of forest recovery, deforestation and degradation processes at a regional level, allowing for future researchers to focus their efforts at local and landscape levels. Also, the work allows for an approximation of the factors associated with the change processes studied, hence supporting the allocation of resources for the establishment of management, conservation, development and restoration strategies of tropical dry forests at the regional level.     

Seasonal changes of antioxidant and oxidative parameters in the coral Pocillopora capitata on the Pacific coast of Mexico

The physiological responses of the coral Pocillopora capitata to environmental conditions common in winter and summer were studied in 2007 during February–March (winter) and June–July (summer) at La Boquita reef (Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico). Shallow and deep sampling stations were established at different distances from a small jetty built next to the Juluapan Lagoon. We analyzed superoxide radicals () and lipid peroxidants (TBARS); the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST); chlorophyll a (Chl a), zooxanthellae density (ZD); and mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs). Our results showed that the , TBARS, CAT, GST, MAAs, and Chl a, levels were significantly higher in summer (P < 0.05); no seasonal difference was found for GPx, GR or ZD. We found significant differences (P < 0.05) in winter only for Chl a and ZD at shallow sites and, in contrast, for at deeper sites. The results of this study indicate that increasing temperature and radiation associated with seasonal changes (from winter to summer), the efficiency of the enzymes GST, CR and GPX, and the production of MAAs together form a powerful mechanism for P. capitata to offset the detrimental effects of environmental change.     

Quantifying Annual Nitrogen Loss to Groundwater Via Edge-of-Field Monitoring: Method and Application

Increased nitrate concentrations in groundwater and surface waters represent one of the most widespread and acute impacts of modern agriculture on the environment. However, there is often a fundamental gap in understanding how individual agricultural fields and practices contribute to this broad-scale issue. To practically address nutrient dynamics at individual agricultural sites, methods for assessing nitrogen loss to groundwater that are minimally invasive and thus can encourage farmer “buy in” are necessary. We present an approach that uses edge-of-field monitoring at multilevel samplers along with a once-per-year tracer application (bromide) to calculate nitrogen loss on an annual basis. Using appropriate spatio-temporal integrals of measured concentrations, a net loss of nitrogen to groundwater (per field area) can be calculated. This approach directly measures impacts of nitrogen leaching below the water table, while avoiding permanent in-field installations that can interfere with farm operations. We present an application of this technique to assess nitrogen loss to groundwater over 5 years for a commercial agricultural field in Sauk County, WI. Results from Field 19 indicate that nitrogen losses are similar to (or slightly below) previously reported values for corn and potato crops. In all years, however, we estimate that more than 25% (>60 kg/ha) of nitrogen applied leached as nitrate to groundwater. Use of this mass flux estimation method was most reliable when: (1) tracer is injected directly at the water table, limiting “smearing” within the vadose zone; and (2) nitrate concentrations from laboratory analysis were obtained, rather than using ion-selective electrodes or nitrate test strips.     

The importance of wind forcing in fjord wave modelling

Ocean Dynamics - Accurate predictions of surface ocean waves in coastal areas are important for a number of marine activities. In complex coastlines with islands and fjords, the quality of wind...     

Buckling of circular, annular plates of non-uniform thickness

This paper deals with the solution of the title problem in the case where the outer boundary is subjected to uniform, hydrostatic pressure while the inner edge of the plate is free. It is assumed that the plate thickness varies (a) in a discontinuous fashion and (b) linearly.An approximate approach is proposed using polynomial coordinate functions which identically satisfy the boundary conditions at the outer edge, only. The eigenvalues are determined using the optimized Rayleigh-Ritz method and good engineering agreement is shown to exist with buckling parameters obtained by means of a finite element code.