ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF THE EPIC CROP MODEL FOR USE IN THE STUDY OF IMPACTS OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN WEST AFRICA

The EPIC (Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator) crop model, developed by scientists of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has been successfully applied to the study of erosion, water pollution, crop growth and production in the US but is yet to be introduced for serious research purposes in other countries or regions. This paper reports on the applicability of the EPIC 8120 crop model for the assessment of the potential impacts of climate variability and climate change on crop productivity in sub‐Saharan West Africa, using Nigeria as the case study. Among the crops whose productivity has been successfully simulated with this model are five of West Africa's staple food crops: maize, millet, sorghum (guinea corn), rice and cassava. Thus, using the model, the sensitivities of maize, sorghum and millet to seasonal rainfall were demonstrated with coefficients of correlation significant at over 98 per cent confidence limits. The validation tests were based on a comparison of the observed and the model‐generated yields of rice and maize. The main problems of validation relate to the multiplicity of crop varieties with contrasting performances under similar field conditions. There are also the difficulties in representing micro‐environments in the model. Thus, some gaps appear between the observed and the simulated yields, arising from data or model deficiencies, or both. Based on the results of the sensitivity and validation tests, the EPIC crop model could be satisfactorily employed in assessing the impacts of and adaptations to climate variability and climate change. Its use for the estimation of production and the assessment of vulnerabilities need to be pursued with further field surveys and field experimentation.     

Life in sandy deserts: the scorpion model

The biology, ecology, biogeography, phylogeny, and evolution of sand-dwelling scorpions are reviewed. We present general features of sand that form the ecological theatre on which psammophiles have evolved. Sand scorpions, compared to those that live off sand, are not very diverse in any one local habitat, although they are often relatively abundant. Worldwide, they are represented by 29 genera, 11 of which exist exclusively in sand. Endemic genera belong to non-related families, suggesting that psammophilic adaptations evolvedin situin different sand deserts of the world.     

The economic impact of climate change on Kenyan crop agriculture: A Ricardian approach

This paper measures the economic impact of climate on crops in Kenya. We use cross-sectional data on climate, hydrological, soil and household level data for a sample of 816 households. We estimate a seasonal Ricardian model to assess the impact of climate on net crop revenue per acre. The results show that climate affects crop productivity. There is a non-linear relationship between temperature and revenue on one hand and between precipitation and revenue on the other. Estimated marginal impacts suggest that global warming is harmful for crop productivity. Predictions from global circulation models confirm that global warming will have a substantial impact on net crop revenue in Kenya. The results also show that the temperature component of global warming is much more important than precipitation. Findings call for monitoring of climate change and dissemination of information to farmers to encourage adaptations to climate change. Improved management and conservation of available water resources, water harvesting and recycling of wastewater could generate water for irrigation purposes especially in the arid and semi-arid areas.     

中国自然地理学中的气候变化研究前沿进展

气候学是自然地理学的重要组成部分;过去气候变化和当代气候增暖的影响与适应研究是中国自然地理学在气候变化领域的2个主要研究方向。本文综述了这2个研究方向的主要进展,包括：分别简述研究的意义、发展历程与主要科学问题;梳理总结中国过去气候变化重建与时空特征分析,历史时期气候变化的影响,全球增暖背景下中国气候区划变动特征,全球增暖对中国自然生态系统、水资源、农业等方面影响的区域差异,气候变化的综合风险区划等方面的前沿进展,特别是在各方面所取得的主要科学认识;以期为未来的深入研究,特别是编制相关领域和学科发展战略提供参考。     

Sponge Communities in Three Submarine Caves of the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean): Adaptations and Faunistic Composition

Abstract. The sponge fauna of three neighbouring submarine caves of the Island of Majorca (Balcaric Islands) is studied along a light gradient; 45 species have been recorded and systematic data are given for those showing morphological, pigmentary, or spicule differences. Adaptation to darkness and precarious trophic conditions is also discussed.     

The Ecology of Marine Hydroids and Effects of Environmental factors: A Review

Abstract. The history of the study of hydroid ecology is briefly outlined, pointing out the major methodological innovations which have contributed to the development of ecological research in the last thirty years. The influence of the major ecological factors on hydroid ecology and biology is synthesized, taking into account: substratum, water movement, light, salinity, sedimentation, exposure to air, temperature, food availability and pollution. Besides affecting the species composition of the hydroid community, these factors also influence the morphology and general biology of the individual species. The adaptations and reactions of hydroids to different intensities of the various environmental factors and to their combinations are reported.     

Neolithic wooden trackways and bog hydrology

Five wooden trackways in raised bogs located along a precipitation gradient in Northwest Europe (Ireland, England, The Netherlands and Germany), and all dated toc. 2600 cal.BC, show differences in building method related to variable hydrological conditions in the local bog surfaces. Differences in the bearing strength of the highly humified hummock-hollow surfaces can be largely attributed to differences in the climatically related water content of the peat. Water balance studies, based on current climatic data and using the concept of system-linked discharge, can explain the hydrological differences between the ombrotrophic bogs established by archaeological excavations of the wooden trackways. Active peat growth at the time of construction and building methods used indicate mean annual precipitation values similar to present reflecting the modern rainfall gradient.This publication is the fourth paper in a series of papers presented at the session on Past Climatic Change and the Development of Peatlands at the ASLO and SWS Meetings in Edmonton, Canada, May 30–June 3, 1993. Dr P. Kuhry and Dr S. C. Zoltai are serving as Guest Editors.     

Diversity and Adaptations of Immature Diptera in Semiaquatic Habitats at Shorelines of Hypersaline Lakes in the Crimea,with a Brief Review of Diptera in Mineralized Bodies of Water

正The order Diptera(Insecta)is one of animal groups most successful in the colonization of mineralized shallow aquatic and semiaquatic environments.At the same time,the taxonomic composition of Diptera,their role in     

Adaptations of the chiton Sypharochiton pelliserpentis to rocky and estuarine habitats

Various morphological and physiological features of Sypharochiton pelliserpentis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1835) were examined in relation to the different physico‐chemical characteristics experienced at 4 sites on Kaikoura Peninsula and 2 sites in the Avon‐Heathcote Estuary. Body water content of chitons from high‐shore exposed and estuarine rocky sites was significantly greater (P<0.005) and desiccation rates were significantly less (P<0.05) than those of chitons from low‐shore marine sites and an estuarine mudflat. The percentage of body water loss causing death was greatest for high‐shore marine chitons and least for estuarine chitons. Estuarine chitons had relatively more gill tissue than marine individuals. Body shape appeared to be correlated with intensity of wave action, and narrow animals were found in more wave‐exposed areas. Variations in radula length showed no clear‐cut trends among localities.     

Evolution of bone-cracking adaptations in hyaenids (Mammalia,Carnivora)

The Hyaenidae are one of the most diverse groups of carnivores in terms of body size and craniodental morphology, and as such they represent an ideal case to study the correlation between dental, and skeletal anatomy, and behavioral ecology in mammals. However, a comprehensive analysis, based on extant and fossil forms, including both gross-morphological and microstructural characters, is lacking. In this work, some representatives of the Hyaenidae were examined, in order to document the diversity of the masticatory apparatus, including enamel microstructure, and to trace the evolution of bone-cracking adaptations within this group. Primitive hyaenids lack bonecracking modifications as compared to the generalized carnivore morphotype, in agreement with their insectivorous-omnivorous diet. A key innovation in hyaenid evolution was the acquisition of an enamel dominated by zig-zag Hunter-Schreger bands in the Middle Miocene, marking the transition of the group to the bone-eating niche. The observed morphological changes in hyaenids suggest an increasing degree of specialization towards bone-consumption. Editorial handling: J.-P. Billon-Bruyat & M. Chiari (Guest)