Keyword: ~to-add-doi-url
2018 (3)
No More Excuses for Non-Reproducible Methods. Teytelman, L. Nature, 560(7719):411, August, 2018.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Online technologies make it easy to share precise experimental protocols – and doing so is essential to modern science, says Lenny Teytelman. [Excerpt] [...] Protocols – precise step-by-step recipes for repeating experiments – are missing from published research more often than not, and even the original researchers can have trouble pinpointing particulars years later. [...] But the gap between meticulous methods and adequate description remains. To fill it, efforts must start at the bench, well before results are ready to be written up. Lab members and lab heads should be on the lookout for tools that facilitate tracking, and be willing to give them a try. And decisions about how to document and share methods should be made when researchers are designing their experiments, not when they are writing their manuscripts. [...]
@article{teytelmanNoMoreExcuses2018,
title = {No More Excuses for Non-Reproducible Methods},
author = {Teytelman, Lenny},
year = {2018},
month = aug,
volume = {560},
pages = {411},
issn = {0028-0836},
doi = {10.1038/d41586-018-06008-w},
abstract = {Online technologies make it easy to share precise experimental protocols -- and doing so is essential to modern science, says Lenny Teytelman.
[Excerpt] [...] Protocols -- precise step-by-step recipes for repeating experiments -- are missing from published research more often than not, and even the original researchers can have trouble pinpointing particulars years later. [...] But the gap between meticulous methods and adequate description remains. To fill it, efforts must start at the bench, well before results are ready to be written up. Lab members and lab heads should be on the lookout for tools that facilitate tracking, and be willing to give them a try. And decisions about how to document and share methods should be made when researchers are designing their experiments, not when they are writing their manuscripts. [...]},
journal = {Nature},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14628850,~to-add-doi-URL,algorithms,data-transformation-modelling,free-scientific-knowledge,free-scientific-software,free-software,methods,modularization,reproducibility,reproducible-research,scientific-knowledge-sharing},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14628850},
number = {7719}
}Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2017. San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., Houston Durrant, T., Boca, R., Libertà, G., Branco, A., de Rigo , D., Ferrari, D., Maianti, P., Artés Vivancos, T., Costa, H., Lana, F., Löffler, P., Nuijten, D., Ahlgren, A. C., Leray, T., Benchikha, A., Abbas, M., Humer, F., Baetens, J., Konstantinov, V., Pe ̌sut, I., Petkovi ̌cek, S., Papageorgiou, K., Toumasis, I., Pecl, J., Valgepea, M., Kõiv, K., Ruuska, R., Timovska, M., Michaut, P., Joannelle, P., Lachmann, M., Theodoridou, C., Debreceni, P., Nagy, D., Nugent, C., Zaken, A. B., di Fonzo , M., Sciunnach, R., Leisavnieks, E., Jaun ̧ki ̧kis, Z., Mitri, G., Rep ̌sienė, S., Assali, F., Mharzi Alaoui, H., Botnen, D., Piwnicki, J., Szczygie\l, R., Almeida, R., Pereira, T., Cruz, M., Sbirnea, R., Mara, S., Eritsov, A., Longauerová, V., Jak ̌sa, J., Enriquez, E., Lopez, A., Sandahl, L., Reinhard, M., Conedera, M., Pezzatti, B., Dursun, K. T., Baltaci, U., & Moffat, A. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2018.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Excerpt: Executive summary] This is the 18th issue of the EFFIS annual report on forest fires for the year 2017. This report is consolidated as highly appreciated documentation of the previous year's forest fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In its different sections, the report includes information on the evolution of fire danger in the European and Mediterranean regions, the damage caused by fires and detailed description of the fire conditions during the 2017 fire campaign in the majority of countries in the EFFIS network. The chapter on national reporting gives an overview of the efforts undertaken at national and regional levels, and provides inspiration for countries exposed to forest fire risk. [\n] The preparation and publication of the report aims also at improving cooperation with the members of the Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF) especially with regard to fire prevention actions. Our common aim is to maintain and protect our landscapes and natural heritage, to avoid loss of human lives and to minimise the damage caused to property by uncontrolled forest fires. [\n] The aim of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) is to provide harmonised information on forest fires and assessment of their effects in the pan-European region. For this purpose, collaboration with EU Member States and neighbouring countries has been on-going since 1998. EFFIS started as a pilot project of collaboration between the European Countries and the European Commission in the area of fire information and fire prevention. [\n] On the Commission side, EFFIS was initiated by the Joint Research Centre in collaboration with the DG Environment. Due to the high support from the Expert Group on Forest Fires, which constitutes the network of experts from the countries contributing to EFFIS, the system was developed to an operational level supporting national and European policies and providing the information basis for the discussion of issues related to forest fires in the European Parliament . Currently, EFFIS provides operational support to DG ECHO in the area of civil protection, DG GROW in the implementation of the Copernicus Regulation [3] as well as to DG REGIO regarding the implementation of the EU Solidarity Fund Regulation [4] for critical fires. In 2015, EFFIS was adopted as one of the components of the EU Copernicus Program, which provides a legal and financial basis for its operation under this framework. [\n] EFFIS provides an ideal platform for countries to exchange good practices on fire prevention, firefighting, restoration practices and other activities related to fire management, and for the European Commission to update the forest fire services in the countries on relevant initiatives at the European level. [\n] Since its first operation in the year 2000, the number of countries contributing to the information on forest fires in EFFIS and receiving data from it has increased steadily. [\n] [...] [Foreward] At the time of preparing this 2017 report, wildfires have shown again in 2018 that they can be very deadly, even when countries are aware of the fire danger conditions and prepared for firefighting, such as the dramatic fires in Greece this July. Simultaneously, we are observing how extreme weather conditions can affect all the territories of the European Union, not only the Mediterranean region. In 2018, wildfires have heavily affected Sweden, UK, Ireland, Finland, and Latvia; countries in which wildfires have not been a concern in past years. This shows the importance and the urgency to seriously invest in the prevention of forest fires. [\n] This report presents the dramatic effects of wildfires in the year 2017. Despite the efforts by national and regional wildfire administrations and the support of the European Commission to prevent and fight wildfires in the European Union (EU), in 2017 wildfires burnt over 1.2 million ha of natural lands in the EU and killed 127 people among fire fighters and civilians. Over 25\,% of the total burnt area was in the Natura2000 network, destroying much of the efforts of the EU countries in preserving key biodiversity and natural habitats for future generations. The European Forest Fire Information System estimated losses of around 10 billion euros caused by these fires. [\n] I would like to stress again that the extreme conditions by themselves are not the cause of wildfires. In the vast majority of the cases, it is human intervention that ignites fires, which, under extreme weather conditions spread uncontrollably, causing enormous destruction and significant losses of human lives and assets. Fire prevention is thus key in tackling wildfires. More efforts should be channelled to increasing population and decision makers' awareness on the risk of wildfires. Member States and the EU Institutions must work hand in hand in providing guidelines on how to act in case of wildfires and how to increase our resilience, building on individual national experiences and capacities and sharing best practices. [\n] Furthermore, unsustainable forest management practices, degradation of ecosystems and their services, as well as the continuity of fuels of very flammable forest tree species facilitate fire ignition and favours fire propagation. Awareness raising and training of local communities, policy makers and stakeholders should be combined with investing in sustainable land-use practices that ensure the multifunctional role of forests beyond their economic function. Forest ecosystem services such as the regulation of the water cycle, soil protection, habitats provision for biodiversity, air cleaning, are under pressure due to climate change and intensified management and more investments are needed in ensuring forest resilience and supporting the ecosystem services that forests provide to the economy and the wider society. [\n] The EU is actively supporting wildfire prevention and fighting, the restoration of burnt lands, as well as education and awareness raising measures through its Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Rural Development Fund (EAFRD). The European Commission is working with its Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF), made of 41 national wildfire administrations from the EU and the Mediterranean neighbouring countries, in developing guidelines for better wildfire prevention and common basic criteria to assess wildfire risk at the pan-European level. These basic criteria will be ready by the end of 2018 and will help in assessing wildfire risk and developing better prevention and preparedness measures to tackle wildfires in the pan-European area. The EGFF is also working on a guidance, due in 2019, on forest fire prevention to support Member States in their prevention processes. [\n] These activities are conducted with the support of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), which constitutes the backbone of wildfire information, provides near-real time information on wildfires and support to firefighting operations coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). Moreover, with the recent RescEU proposal the Commission aims at strengthening the European civil protection focusing on two complementary strands of action: creating a stronger collective response at the European level, and improved prevention and preparedness capacities. [\n] The Commission intends to keep on working together with the national administrations to be better prepared for wildfire conditions that may worsen in the future by the effects of climate change. Wildfires can be a real concern to any of the EU countries, as shown by the ongoing 2018 wildfire season. It is thus essential that coordinated actions are taken at European level to increase the resilience of our forest, to learn from each other through the exchange of good practices and to increase preparedness for firefighting operations. We need to show the EU solidarity in action and through effective EU initiatives strengthen the EU capacity to defend the lives of our citizens and protect our natural capital for future generations. [\n] [...]
@book{san-miguel-ayanzForestFiresEurope2018a,
title = {Forest Fires in {{Europe}}, {{Middle East}} and {{North Africa}} 2017},
author = {{San-Miguel-Ayanz}, Jes{\'u}s and Houston Durrant, Tracy and Boca, Roberto and Libert{\`a}, Giorgio and Branco, Alfredo and {de Rigo}, Daniele and Ferrari, Davide and Maianti, Pieralberto and Art{\'e}s Vivancos, Tom{\`a}s and Costa, Hugo and Lana, Fabio and L{\"o}ffler, Peter and Nuijten, Daniel and Ahlgren, Anders C. and Leray, Tha{\"i}s and Benchikha, Abdelhafid and Abbas, Mohamed and Humer, Franz and Baetens, Jan and Konstantinov, Vladimir and Pe{\v s}ut, Ivana and Petkovi{\v c}ek, Sini{\v s}a and Papageorgiou, Kostas and Toumasis, Ioannis and Pecl, Jan and Valgepea, Mati and K{\~o}iv, Kadi and Ruuska, Rami and Timovska, Maja and Michaut, Philippe and Joannelle, Philippe and Lachmann, Michaela and Theodoridou, Christina and Debreceni, Peter and Nagy, D{\'a}niel and Nugent, Ciaran and Zaken, Avi B. and {di Fonzo}, Marco and Sciunnach, Renato and Leisavnieks, Edijs and Jaun{\c k}i{\c k}is, Zigmunds and Mitri, George and Rep{\v s}ien{\.e}, Svetlana and Assali, Fouad and Mharzi Alaoui, Hicham and Botnen, Dag and Piwnicki, Joseph and Szczygie{\l}, Ryszard and Almeida, Rui and Pereira, Tania and Cruz, Miguel and Sbirnea, Radu and Mara, Septimius and Eritsov, Andrey and Longauerov{\'a}, Val{\'e}ria and Jak{\v s}a, Jo{\v s}t and Enriquez, Elsa and Lopez, Antonio and Sandahl, Leif and Reinhard, Michael and Conedera, Marco and Pezzatti, Boris and Dursun, Kamil T. and Baltaci, Ugur and Moffat, Andy},
editor = {{San-Miguel-Ayanz}, Jes{\'u}s and Houston Durrant, Tracy and Boca, Roberto and Libert{\`a}, Giorgio and Branco, Alfredo and {de Rigo}, Daniele and Ferrari, Davide and Maianti, Pieralberto and Art{\'e}s Vivancos, Tom{\`a}s and Costa, Hugo and Lana, Fabio and L{\"o}ffler, Peter and Nuijten, Daniel and Ahlgren, Anders C. and Leray, Tha{\"i}s},
year = {2018},
publisher = {{Publications Office of the European Union}},
address = {{Luxembourg}},
issn = {1831-9424},
doi = {10.2760/663443},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Executive summary] This is the 18th issue of the EFFIS annual report on forest fires for the year 2017. This report is consolidated as highly appreciated documentation of the previous year's forest fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In its different sections, the report includes information on the evolution of fire danger in the European and Mediterranean regions, the damage caused by fires and detailed description of the fire conditions during the 2017 fire campaign in the majority of countries in the EFFIS network. The chapter on national reporting gives an overview of the efforts undertaken at national and regional levels, and provides inspiration for countries exposed to forest fire risk.
[\textbackslash n] The preparation and publication of the report aims also at improving cooperation with the members of the Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF) especially with regard to fire prevention actions. Our common aim is to maintain and protect our landscapes and natural heritage, to avoid loss of human lives and to minimise the damage caused to property by uncontrolled forest fires.
[\textbackslash n] The aim of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) is to provide harmonised information on forest fires and assessment of their effects in the pan-European region. For this purpose, collaboration with EU Member States and neighbouring countries has been on-going since 1998. EFFIS started as a pilot project of collaboration between the European Countries and the European Commission in the area of fire information and fire prevention.
[\textbackslash n] On the Commission side, EFFIS was initiated by the Joint Research Centre in collaboration with the DG Environment. Due to the high support from the Expert Group on Forest Fires, which constitutes the network of experts from the countries contributing to EFFIS, the system was developed to an operational level supporting national and European policies and providing the information basis for the discussion of issues related to forest fires in the European Parliament . Currently, EFFIS provides operational support to DG ECHO in the area of civil protection, DG GROW in the implementation of the Copernicus Regulation [3] as well as to DG REGIO regarding the implementation of the EU Solidarity Fund Regulation [4] for critical fires. In 2015, EFFIS was adopted as one of the components of the EU Copernicus Program, which provides a legal and financial basis for its operation under this framework.
[\textbackslash n] EFFIS provides an ideal platform for countries to exchange good practices on fire prevention, firefighting, restoration practices and other activities related to fire management, and for the European Commission to update the forest fire services in the countries on relevant initiatives at the European level.
[\textbackslash n] Since its first operation in the year 2000, the number of countries contributing to the information on forest fires in EFFIS and receiving data from it has increased steadily.
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[Foreward] At the time of preparing this 2017 report, wildfires have shown again in 2018 that they can be very deadly, even when countries are aware of the fire danger conditions and prepared for firefighting, such as the dramatic fires in Greece this July. Simultaneously, we are observing how extreme weather conditions can affect all the territories of the European Union, not only the Mediterranean region. In 2018, wildfires have heavily affected Sweden, UK, Ireland, Finland, and Latvia; countries in which wildfires have not been a concern in past years. This shows the importance and the urgency to seriously invest in the prevention of forest fires.
[\textbackslash n] This report presents the dramatic effects of wildfires in the year 2017. Despite the efforts by national and regional wildfire administrations and the support of the European Commission to prevent and fight wildfires in the European Union (EU), in 2017 wildfires burnt over 1.2 million ha of natural lands in the EU and killed 127 people among fire fighters and civilians. Over 25\,\% of the total burnt area was in the Natura2000 network, destroying much of the efforts of the EU countries in preserving key biodiversity and natural habitats for future generations. The European Forest Fire Information System estimated losses of around 10 billion euros caused by these fires.
[\textbackslash n] I would like to stress again that the extreme conditions by themselves are not the cause of wildfires. In the vast majority of the cases, it is human intervention that ignites fires, which, under extreme weather conditions spread uncontrollably, causing enormous destruction and significant losses of human lives and assets. Fire prevention is thus key in tackling wildfires. More efforts should be channelled to increasing population and decision makers' awareness on the risk of wildfires. Member States and the EU Institutions must work hand in hand in providing guidelines on how to act in case of wildfires and how to increase our resilience, building on individual national experiences and capacities and sharing best practices.
[\textbackslash n] Furthermore, unsustainable forest management practices, degradation of ecosystems and their services, as well as the continuity of fuels of very flammable forest tree species facilitate fire ignition and favours fire propagation. Awareness raising and training of local communities, policy makers and stakeholders should be combined with investing in sustainable land-use practices that ensure the multifunctional role of forests beyond their economic function. Forest ecosystem services such as the regulation of the water cycle, soil protection, habitats provision for biodiversity, air cleaning, are under pressure due to climate change and intensified management and more investments are needed in ensuring forest resilience and supporting the ecosystem services that forests provide to the economy and the wider society.
[\textbackslash n] The EU is actively supporting wildfire prevention and fighting, the restoration of burnt lands, as well as education and awareness raising measures through its Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Rural Development Fund (EAFRD). The European Commission is working with its Expert Group on Forest Fires (EGFF), made of 41 national wildfire administrations from the EU and the Mediterranean neighbouring countries, in developing guidelines for better wildfire prevention and common basic criteria to assess wildfire risk at the pan-European level. These basic criteria will be ready by the end of 2018 and will help in assessing wildfire risk and developing better prevention and preparedness measures to tackle wildfires in the pan-European area. The EGFF is also working on a guidance, due in 2019, on forest fire prevention to support Member States in their prevention processes.
[\textbackslash n] These activities are conducted with the support of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), which constitutes the backbone of wildfire information, provides near-real time information on wildfires and support to firefighting operations coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). Moreover, with the recent RescEU proposal the Commission aims at strengthening the European civil protection focusing on two complementary strands of action: creating a stronger collective response at the European level, and improved prevention and preparedness capacities.
[\textbackslash n] The Commission intends to keep on working together with the national administrations to be better prepared for wildfire conditions that may worsen in the future by the effects of climate change. Wildfires can be a real concern to any of the EU countries, as shown by the ongoing 2018 wildfire season. It is thus essential that coordinated actions are taken at European level to increase the resilience of our forest, to learn from each other through the exchange of good practices and to increase preparedness for firefighting operations. We need to show the EU solidarity in action and through effective EU initiatives strengthen the EU capacity to defend the lives of our citizens and protect our natural capital for future generations.
[\textbackslash n] [...]},
isbn = {978-92-79-92831-4},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14655948,~to-add-doi-URL,disturbances,effis,europe,european-commission,featured-publication,forest-fires,forest-resources,middle-east,multiauthor,north-africa,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14655948}
}Assessing the Influence of Roads on Fire Ignition: Does Land Cover Matter?. Ricotta, C., Bajocco, S., Guglietta, D., & Conedera, M. Fire, 1(2):24+, July, 2018.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
In human-affected fire environments, assessing the influence of human activities on the spatial distribution of wildfire ignitions is of paramount importance for fire management planning. Previous studies have shown that roads have significant effects on fire ignition. However, since different land cover classes are subject to different levels of ignition risk, roads in different land cover classes may differently affect fire ignition. The aim of this paper is thus to assess the influence of roads on fire ignition in selected land cover classes subjected to different levels of anthropogenic pressure in Sardinia (Italy). Our results show that fires are preferentially ignited close to roads in all land cover classes. However, the influence of roads is much stronger in less impacted land uses, where the availability of human-induced ignitions highly depends on the accessibility networks. Our approach represents a first step towards the systematic integration of interacting fire ignition drivers such as roads and land cover into fire risk analysis.
@article{ricottaAssessingInfluenceRoads2018,
title = {Assessing the Influence of Roads on Fire Ignition: Does Land Cover Matter?},
author = {Ricotta, Carlo and Bajocco, Sofia and Guglietta, Daniela and Conedera, Marco},
year = {2018},
month = jul,
volume = {1},
pages = {24+},
issn = {2571-6255},
doi = {10.3390/fire1020024},
abstract = {In human-affected fire environments, assessing the influence of human activities on the spatial distribution of wildfire ignitions is of paramount importance for fire management planning. Previous studies have shown that roads have significant effects on fire ignition. However, since different land cover classes are subject to different levels of ignition risk, roads in different land cover classes may differently affect fire ignition. The aim of this paper is thus to assess the influence of roads on fire ignition in selected land cover classes subjected to different levels of anthropogenic pressure in Sardinia (Italy). Our results show that fires are preferentially ignited close to roads in all land cover classes. However, the influence of roads is much stronger in less impacted land uses, where the availability of human-induced ignitions highly depends on the accessibility networks. Our approach represents a first step towards the systematic integration of interacting fire ignition drivers such as roads and land cover into fire risk analysis.},
journal = {Fire},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14614293,~to-add-doi-URL,fire-fuel,forest-fires,forest-resources,ignition-factors,italy,roads,vegetation,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14614293},
number = {2}
}2017 (3)
Maryam Mirzakhani (1977-2017). Wright, A. Science, 357(6353):758, August, 2017.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
On 14 July, Maryam Mirzakhani, a luminary in pure mathematics, died of cancer at the age of 40. Her achievements had been most recently honored in 2014 by the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics. [Excerpt] [...] There are many possible uniformly curved shapes into which the surface can be bent. These shapes are called hyperbolic metrics and exhibit the non-Euclidean geometry discovered in the 1800s after 2000 years of attempts to prove its nonexistence. The plethora of all possible hyperbolic metrics on a surface populate a universe called a moduli space, which is itself a higher-dimensional version of a surface and is one of the focal points of modern mathematics and theoretical physics. Mirzakhani's work illuminates the geometry of moduli spaces. [...] [] More recently, with Alex Eskin and Amir Mohammadi, Mirzakhani considered surfaces that can be built from flat puzzle pieces instead of saddle-shaped ones. [...] For decades, mathematicians had tried to understand the geometries resulting from such stretching and shearing, fearing that perhaps the answer might be so intricate and complicated as to be beyond human understanding. In a stunning achievement spanning hundreds of pages, Eskin, Mirzakhani, and Mohammadi showed that, instead, the answers are so tame that mathematicians can hope to detail every possibility. Some call the result the '' magic wand theorem'' because of its seemingly endless applicability to more concrete problems [...] [] Mathematicians working in pairs often fall into '' good cop, bad cop'' roles, in which the more optimistic one proposes daring plans and dreams of success, and the more grounded one tempers this optimism by looking for pitfalls and providing an ongoing reality check. Mirzakhani was always the good cop. During lunch breaks separating multihour sessions at the blackboard, she would joke that the true time to complete a project could be obtained by doubling the estimate and then changing the units from days to weeks, weeks to months, or even months to years. [...]
@article{wrightMaryamMirzakhani197720172017,
title = {Maryam {{Mirzakhani}} (1977-2017)},
author = {Wright, Alex},
year = {2017},
month = aug,
volume = {357},
pages = {758},
issn = {1095-9203},
doi = {10.1126/science.aao6074},
abstract = {On 14 July, Maryam Mirzakhani, a luminary in pure mathematics, died of cancer at the age of 40. Her achievements had been most recently honored in 2014 by the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics.
[Excerpt] [...] There are many possible uniformly curved shapes into which the surface can be bent. These shapes are called hyperbolic metrics and exhibit the non-Euclidean geometry discovered in the 1800s after 2000 years of attempts to prove its nonexistence. The plethora of all possible hyperbolic metrics on a surface populate a universe called a moduli space, which is itself a higher-dimensional version of a surface and is one of the focal points of modern mathematics and theoretical physics. Mirzakhani's work illuminates the geometry of moduli spaces. [...]
[] More recently, with Alex Eskin and Amir Mohammadi, Mirzakhani considered surfaces that can be built from flat puzzle pieces instead of saddle-shaped ones. [...] For decades, mathematicians had tried to understand the geometries resulting from such stretching and shearing, fearing that perhaps the answer might be so intricate and complicated as to be beyond human understanding. In a stunning achievement spanning hundreds of pages, Eskin, Mirzakhani, and Mohammadi showed that, instead, the answers are so tame that mathematicians can hope to detail every possibility. Some call the result the '' magic wand theorem'' because of its seemingly endless applicability to more concrete problems [...]
[] Mathematicians working in pairs often fall into '' good cop, bad cop'' roles, in which the more optimistic one proposes daring plans and dreams of success, and the more grounded one tempers this optimism by looking for pitfalls and providing an ongoing reality check. Mirzakhani was always the good cop. During lunch breaks separating multihour sessions at the blackboard, she would joke that the true time to complete a project could be obtained by doubling the estimate and then changing the units from days to weeks, weeks to months, or even months to years. [...]},
journal = {Science},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14420487,~to-add-doi-URL,mathematics,publish-or-perish,research-management,short-term-vs-long-term,team-diversity,theoretical-approach},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14420487},
number = {6353}
}Forest Condition in Europe: 2017 Technical Report of ICP Forests - Report under the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). Michel, A. & Seidling, W., editors Volume 24/2017 of BFW-Dokumentation, BFW Austrian Research Centre for Forests, Vienna, Austria, 2017.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Summary] The International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) is one of the most diverse programmes within the Working Group on Effects (WGE) under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). To provide a regular overview of the programme's activities, the ICP Forests Programme Co-ordinating Centre (PCC) yearly publishes an ICP Forests Technical Report which summarises research highlights and provides an opportunity for all participating countries to report on their national ICP Forests activities. The PCC also invites all ICP Forests Expert Panels, Working Groups, and Committees to publish a comprehensive chapter on their most recent results from regular data evaluations. [\n] This 2017 Technical Report presents results from up to 32 of the 42 countries participating in ICP Forests. Part A presents research highlights from the 2016/17 reporting period, including: [::] a review of this year's 32 scientific publications for which ICP Forests data and/or the ICP Forests infrastructure were used; [::] a summary of the 5th ICP Forests Scientific Conference in Luxembourg in May 2016; [::] a list of all 49 ICP Forests research projects ongoing for at least one month between June 2016 and May 2017. [\n] Part B focuses on regular evaluations from within the programme. This year the Technical Report includes chapters on: [::] the spatial variation of atmospheric throughfall deposition in forests in Europe in 2015; [::] trends in foliar nitrogen and phosphorus foliar concentrations and element ratios since 2000; [::] tree crown condition in 2016 including trend analyses; [::] selected meteorological stress indices for 2013-2015. [\n] Part C includes national reports on ICP Forests activities from the participating countries. [\n] For contact information of all authors and persons responsible in this programme, please refer to the annex at the end of this report. For more information on the ICP Forests programme, please visit the ICP Forests website. [::Summary of the presented results from regular evaluations in ICP Forests (Part B)] [\n] Monitoring the atmospheric deposition to forests is a prerequisite for understanding forest ecosystem processes and an important contribution for evaluating the spatio-temporal trends of air pollution. In this report the annual throughfall deposition of eutrophying, acidifying and buffering components on ICP Forests Level II plots in 2015 is presented. It must be noted, however, that the total deposition to forests is typically higher by a factor of 1 to 2 than the throughfall deposition measured under the forest canopy. [\n] The nitrogen (N) compounds nitrate (NO3 -) and ammonium (NH4 +) are the main drivers of eutrophication and also contribute to acidification. High throughfall deposition rates to forests (throughfall deposition $>$ 8 kg N ha-1 yr-1) were measured at several plots in central Europe (Belgium, Germany) but also in the Czech Republic, Denmark and southern Sweden. Low throughfall deposition rates were reported primarily for northern Europe. [\n] Sulfate (SO4 2-) has been the most important driver of soil acidification. High throughfall deposition of SO4 2- ($>$ 8 kg SO4 2–S ha-1 yr-1) was still found in central and southern Europe (Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, and Greece). [\n] Calcium (Ca2+) throughfall deposition was high across southern Europe, likely related to contributions from Saharan Dust. The spatial pattern of magnesium (Mg2+) deposition is mainly dominated by marine sources. Both Ca2+and Mg2+ are macronutrients and act as buffers against acidification. [\n] The overall spatial patterns of throughfall deposition in 2015 remained similar to results from the previous years. [\n] Analyses of the chemical composition of leaves and needles over time and space allow the identification of trends and spatial patterns of the nutritional state of single trees and forest stands. Both, the levels and trends of foliar nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and the N:P ratio of the tree species European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were analysed. Average concentrations a decade ago (2000- 2005) were compared with recent values (2010 -2015) while trends were analysed for the overall period 1993 to 2015. [\n] A declining trend in foliar P concentrations was found in European beech and Norway spruce, indicating an increasing P limitation of trees and forest stands. Foliar P concentrations were, however, relatively stable over the years in Scots pine. With regard to foliar N concentrations, the results suggest that the supply is at least adequate on the majority of the observed Level II plots for Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris, while a larger proportion of Picea abies plots remains in the deficiency range. The N:P ratio in all three species increased during 1993-2015. [\n] The chapter on tree crown condition presents results from the assessments carried out on the largescale, representative, transnational monitoring network (Level I) of ICP Forests in 2016, as well as longterm trends for the main species and species groups. [\n] In 2016, the average crown defoliation in the participating countries was 22.1\,% for broadleaved and 20.1\,% for conifer species. For most species, it remained largely in the range of observations from previous years. However, the defoliation of Scots pine, which generally does not deviate much from the trend, was higher in 2016 than the long-term mean, and the defoliation of Norway spruce remained on the level above the long-term trend for the third consecutive year. For Norway spruce especially, a large share of damage symptoms could not be assigned to specific damage agents, complicating the interpretation of defoliation assessments. After several years of improved crown condition, the defoliation of beech increased to the highest value ever recorded. The most common identified causes of damage on beech in 2016 were mining insects and defoliators. Mediterranean lowland pines showed the strongest trend in defoliation (around 3\,% every 10 years) while the highest mean defoliation in 2016 was observed in evergreen oaks (25.0\,%). [\n] The average number of recorded damage symptoms per assessed tree was lower for the conifer species or species groups (on average 0.5 symptoms per tree in Norway spruce, Austrian pine, Mediterranean lowland pines and Scots pine) than for broadleaved species (on average 0.9 symptoms per tree in common beech, deciduous (sub-) Mediterranean and temperate oaks and evergreen oaks). Insects, abiotic causes and fungi were the most common damage agent groups, comprising altogether more than half (54.9\,%) of all damage records. [\n] Climatic conditions significantly affect forest ecosystems and the inherent biogeochemical processes and relationships in the system of soil, plant and atmosphere. In a changing climate, the observation and analysis of long-term climatic conditions and solely weather events is crucial to evaluate and rank the processes and changes observed in the different surveys of the ICP Forests monitoring programme. This chapter reports on values of stress indicators related to specific weather conditions across Europe of the years 2013 to 2015 and identifies spatial patterns and relationships for such weather events. Despite the short study period of this evaluation, substantial differences in the meteorological stress indicators values were found between plots across Europe. Therefore, it is crucial that climatic conditions be considered when evaluating the results of other surveys since significant differences in meteorological variables may be responsible for significant changes in forest ecosystems.
@book{michelForestConditionEurope2017,
title = {Forest Condition in {{Europe}}: 2017 Technical Report of {{ICP Forests}} - {{Report}} under the {{UNECE Convention}} on {{Long}}-Range {{Transboundary Air Pollution}} ({{CLRTAP}})},
editor = {Michel, Alexa and Seidling, Walter},
year = {2017},
volume = {24/2017},
publisher = {{BFW Austrian Research Centre for Forests}},
address = {{Vienna, Austria}},
issn = {1811-3044},
doi = {10.13140/RG.2.2.17808.30720},
abstract = {[Summary] The International Co-operative Programme on Assessment and Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Forests (ICP Forests) is one of the most diverse programmes within the Working Group on Effects (WGE) under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). To provide a regular overview of the programme's activities, the ICP Forests Programme Co-ordinating Centre (PCC) yearly publishes an ICP Forests Technical Report which summarises research highlights and provides an opportunity for all participating countries to report on their national ICP Forests activities. The PCC also invites all ICP Forests Expert Panels, Working Groups, and Committees to publish a comprehensive chapter on their most recent results from regular data evaluations.
[\textbackslash n] This 2017 Technical Report presents results from up to 32 of the 42 countries participating in ICP Forests. Part A presents research highlights from the 2016/17 reporting period, including:
[::] a review of this year's 32 scientific publications for which ICP Forests data and/or the ICP Forests infrastructure were used;
[::] a summary of the 5th ICP Forests Scientific Conference in Luxembourg in May 2016;
[::] a list of all 49 ICP Forests research projects ongoing for at least one month between June 2016 and May 2017.
[\textbackslash n] Part B focuses on regular evaluations from within the programme. This year the Technical Report includes chapters on:
[::] the spatial variation of atmospheric throughfall deposition in forests in Europe in 2015;
[::] trends in foliar nitrogen and phosphorus foliar concentrations and element ratios since 2000;
[::] tree crown condition in 2016 including trend analyses;
[::] selected meteorological stress indices for 2013-2015.
[\textbackslash n] Part C includes national reports on ICP Forests activities from the participating countries.
[\textbackslash n] For contact information of all authors and persons responsible in this programme, please refer to the annex at the end of this report. For more information on the ICP Forests programme, please visit the ICP Forests website.
[::Summary of the presented results from regular evaluations in ICP Forests (Part B)]
[\textbackslash n] Monitoring the atmospheric deposition to forests is a prerequisite for understanding forest ecosystem processes and an important contribution for evaluating the spatio-temporal trends of air pollution. In this report the annual throughfall deposition of eutrophying, acidifying and buffering components on ICP Forests Level II plots in 2015 is presented. It must be noted, however, that the total deposition to forests is typically higher by a factor of 1 to 2 than the throughfall deposition measured under the forest canopy.
[\textbackslash n] The nitrogen (N) compounds nitrate (NO3 -) and ammonium (NH4 +) are the main drivers of eutrophication and also contribute to acidification. High throughfall deposition rates to forests (throughfall deposition {$>$} 8 kg N ha-1 yr-1) were measured at several plots in central Europe (Belgium, Germany) but also in the Czech Republic, Denmark and southern Sweden. Low throughfall deposition rates were reported primarily for northern Europe.
[\textbackslash n] Sulfate (SO4 2-) has been the most important driver of soil acidification. High throughfall deposition of SO4 2- ({$>$} 8 kg SO4 2--S ha-1 yr-1) was still found in central and southern Europe (Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, and Greece).
[\textbackslash n] Calcium (Ca2+) throughfall deposition was high across southern Europe, likely related to contributions from Saharan Dust. The spatial pattern of magnesium (Mg2+) deposition is mainly dominated by marine sources. Both Ca2+and Mg2+ are macronutrients and act as buffers against acidification.
[\textbackslash n] The overall spatial patterns of throughfall deposition in 2015 remained similar to results from the previous years.
[\textbackslash n] Analyses of the chemical composition of leaves and needles over time and space allow the identification of trends and spatial patterns of the nutritional state of single trees and forest stands. Both, the levels and trends of foliar nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and the N:P ratio of the tree species European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were analysed. Average concentrations a decade ago (2000- 2005) were compared with recent values (2010 -2015) while trends were analysed for the overall period 1993 to 2015.
[\textbackslash n] A declining trend in foliar P concentrations was found in European beech and Norway spruce, indicating an increasing P limitation of trees and forest stands. Foliar P concentrations were, however, relatively stable over the years in Scots pine. With regard to foliar N concentrations, the results suggest that the supply is at least adequate on the majority of the observed Level II plots for Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris, while a larger proportion of Picea abies plots remains in the deficiency range. The N:P ratio in all three species increased during 1993-2015.
[\textbackslash n] The chapter on tree crown condition presents results from the assessments carried out on the largescale, representative, transnational monitoring network (Level I) of ICP Forests in 2016, as well as longterm trends for the main species and species groups.
[\textbackslash n] In 2016, the average crown defoliation in the participating countries was 22.1\,\% for broadleaved and 20.1\,\% for conifer species. For most species, it remained largely in the range of observations from previous years. However, the defoliation of Scots pine, which generally does not deviate much from the trend, was higher in 2016 than the long-term mean, and the defoliation of Norway spruce remained on the level above the long-term trend for the third consecutive year. For Norway spruce especially, a large share of damage symptoms could not be assigned to specific damage agents, complicating the interpretation of defoliation assessments. After several years of improved crown condition, the defoliation of beech increased to the highest value ever recorded. The most common identified causes of damage on beech in 2016 were mining insects and defoliators. Mediterranean lowland pines showed the strongest trend in defoliation (around 3\,\% every 10 years) while the highest mean defoliation in 2016 was observed in evergreen oaks (25.0\,\%).
[\textbackslash n] The average number of recorded damage symptoms per assessed tree was lower for the conifer species or species groups (on average 0.5 symptoms per tree in Norway spruce, Austrian pine, Mediterranean lowland pines and Scots pine) than for broadleaved species (on average 0.9 symptoms per tree in common beech, deciduous (sub-) Mediterranean and temperate oaks and evergreen oaks). Insects, abiotic causes and fungi were the most common damage agent groups, comprising altogether more than half (54.9\,\%) of all damage records.
[\textbackslash n] Climatic conditions significantly affect forest ecosystems and the inherent biogeochemical processes and relationships in the system of soil, plant and atmosphere. In a changing climate, the observation and analysis of long-term climatic conditions and solely weather events is crucial to evaluate and rank the processes and changes observed in the different surveys of the ICP Forests monitoring programme. This chapter reports on values of stress indicators related to specific weather conditions across Europe of the years 2013 to 2015 and identifies spatial patterns and relationships for such weather events. Despite the short study period of this evaluation, substantial differences in the meteorological stress indicators values were found between plots across Europe. Therefore, it is crucial that climatic conditions be considered when evaluating the results of other surveys since significant differences in meteorological variables may be responsible for significant changes in forest ecosystems.},
isbn = {978-3-902762-89-4},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14580369,~to-add-doi-URL,drought-stress,europe,forest-resources,indicators,precipitation,temperature,temperature-stress,vegetation,water-stress},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14580369},
series = {{{BFW}}-{{Dokumentation}}}
}On the Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis and Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Ex-Ante Impact Assessment. Munda, G. Volume 28768 EN , Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2017.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
When a public administration wishes to implement policies, there is a need of comparing different options and valuating and evaluating them to assess their social attractiveness. Traditionally, welfare economics has used cost-benefit analysis based on the Kaldor-Hicks compensation principle, which was invented to achieve two clear objectives: [::1] To compare individuals' preferences according to the efficiency oriented utilitarian calculus, explicitly avoiding the principle one individual, one vote. [::2] To implement an objective evaluation criterion, that could be accepted in the framework of the positivistic philosophical paradigm. [\n] A relevant question now is: are these objectives still relevant in the 21st Century? This article aims at presenting a structured comparison of the main distinguishing features of monetary and non-monetary methods useful in the assessment of public policy options. In particular, cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) are discussed according to the following ten comparison criteria: efficiency, fairness, democratic basis, effectiveness, problem structuring, alternatives taken into account, policy consequences, comprehensiveness, transparency and mathematical aggregation rule. [\n] A conclusion is that regarding public policy problems, CBA and MCE can be considered as competitive methods only if all consequences of a policy decision can be correctly transformed into monetary values and efficiency is the only relevant policy objective. In all other cases, CBA can be used as a criterion in a MCE framework; thus in general terms, CBA and MCE are complementary in nature. MCE seems to be an appropriate public policy framework to integrate different scientific languages, when concerns about civil society and future generations have to be considered along with policy objectives and market conditions.
@book{mundaUseCostbenefitAnalysis2017,
title = {On the Use of Cost-Benefit Analysis and Multi-Criteria Evaluation in Ex-Ante Impact Assessment},
author = {Munda, Giuseppe},
year = {2017},
volume = {28768 EN},
publisher = {{Publications Office of the European Union}},
address = {{Luxembourg}},
issn = {1831-9424},
doi = {10.2760/311199},
abstract = {When a public administration wishes to implement policies, there is a need of comparing different options and valuating and evaluating them to assess their social attractiveness. Traditionally, welfare economics has used cost-benefit analysis based on the Kaldor-Hicks compensation principle, which was invented to achieve two clear objectives: [::1] To compare individuals' preferences according to the efficiency oriented utilitarian calculus, explicitly avoiding the principle one individual, one vote. [::2] To implement an objective evaluation criterion, that could be accepted in the framework of the positivistic philosophical paradigm.
[\textbackslash n] A relevant question now is: are these objectives still relevant in the 21st Century? This article aims at presenting a structured comparison of the main distinguishing features of monetary and non-monetary methods useful in the assessment of public policy options. In particular, cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) are discussed according to the following ten comparison criteria: efficiency, fairness, democratic basis, effectiveness, problem structuring, alternatives taken into account, policy consequences, comprehensiveness, transparency and mathematical aggregation rule.
[\textbackslash n] A conclusion is that regarding public policy problems, CBA and MCE can be considered as competitive methods only if all consequences of a policy decision can be correctly transformed into monetary values and efficiency is the only relevant policy objective. In all other cases, CBA can be used as a criterion in a MCE framework; thus in general terms, CBA and MCE are complementary in nature. MCE seems to be an appropriate public policy framework to integrate different scientific languages, when concerns about civil society and future generations have to be considered along with policy objectives and market conditions.},
isbn = {978-92-79-73213-3},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14541972,~to-add-doi-URL,array-of-factors,assessment,comparison,cost-benefit-analysis,economics,multi-criteria-decision-analysis,multiplicity,neglecting-non-monetary-criteria,precaution,precaution-principle,values-vs-scientific-evidence},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14541972}
}2016 (6)
Decades of Population Genetic Research Reveal the Need for Harmonization of Molecular Markers: The Grey Wolf Canis Lupus as a Case Study. de Groot , G. A., Nowak, C., Skrbin ̌sek, T., Andersen, L. W., Aspi, J., Fumagalli, L., Godinho, R., Harms, V., Jansman, H. A. H., Liberg, O., Marucco, F., Mys\lajek, R. W., Nowak, S., Pilot, M., Randi, E., Reinhardt, I., Śmietana, W., Szewczyk, M., Taberlet, P., Vilà, C., & Muñoz-Fuentes, V. Mammal Review, 46(1):44–59, January, 2016.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Following protection measures implemented since the 1970s, large carnivores are currently increasing in number and returning to areas from which they were absent for decades or even centuries. Monitoring programmes for these species rely extensively on non-invasive sampling and genotyping. However, attempts to connect results of such studies at larger spatial or temporal scales often suffer from the incompatibility of genetic markers implemented by researchers in different laboratories. This is particularly critical for long-distance dispersers, revealing the need for harmonized monitoring schemes that would enable the understanding of gene flow and dispersal dynamics. [] Based on a review of genetic studies on grey wolves Canis lupus from Europe, we provide an overview of the genetic markers currently in use, and identify opportunities and hurdles for studies based on continent-scale datasets. [] Our results highlight an urgent need for harmonization of methods to enable transnational research based on data that have already been collected, and to allow these data to be linked to material collected in the future. We suggest timely standardization of newly developed genotyping approaches, and propose that action is directed towards the establishment of shared single nucleotide polymorphism panels, next-generation sequencing of microsatellites, a common reference sample collection and an online database for data exchange. [] Enhanced cooperation among genetic researchers dealing with large carnivores in consortia would facilitate streamlining of methods, their faster and wider adoption, and production of results at the large spatial scales that ultimately matter for the conservation of these charismatic species.
@article{degrootDecadesPopulationGenetic2016,
title = {Decades of Population Genetic Research Reveal the Need for Harmonization of Molecular Markers: The Grey Wolf {{Canis}} Lupus as a Case Study},
author = {{de Groot}, G. Arjen and Nowak, Carsten and Skrbin{\v s}ek, Toma{\v z} and Andersen, Liselotte W. and Aspi, Jouni and Fumagalli, Luca and Godinho, Raquel and Harms, Verena and Jansman, Hugh A. H. and Liberg, Olof and Marucco, Francesca and Mys{\l}ajek, Robert W. and Nowak, Sabina and Pilot, Ma{\l}gorzata and Randi, Ettore and Reinhardt, Ilka and {\'S}mietana, Wojciech and Szewczyk, Maciej and Taberlet, Pierre and Vil{\`a}, Carles and {Mu{\~n}oz-Fuentes}, Violeta},
year = {2016},
month = jan,
volume = {46},
pages = {44--59},
issn = {0305-1838},
doi = {10.1111/mam.12052},
abstract = {Following protection measures implemented since the 1970s, large carnivores are currently increasing in number and returning to areas from which they were absent for decades or even centuries. Monitoring programmes for these species rely extensively on non-invasive sampling and genotyping. However, attempts to connect results of such studies at larger spatial or temporal scales often suffer from the incompatibility of genetic markers implemented by researchers in different laboratories. This is particularly critical for long-distance dispersers, revealing the need for harmonized monitoring schemes that would enable the understanding of gene flow and dispersal dynamics.
[] Based on a review of genetic studies on grey wolves Canis lupus from Europe, we provide an overview of the genetic markers currently in use, and identify opportunities and hurdles for studies based on continent-scale datasets.
[] Our results highlight an urgent need for harmonization of methods to enable transnational research based on data that have already been collected, and to allow these data to be linked to material collected in the future. We suggest timely standardization of newly developed genotyping approaches, and propose that action is directed towards the establishment of shared single nucleotide polymorphism panels, next-generation sequencing of microsatellites, a common reference sample collection and an online database for data exchange.
[] Enhanced cooperation among genetic researchers dealing with large carnivores in consortia would facilitate streamlining of methods, their faster and wider adoption, and production of results at the large spatial scales that ultimately matter for the conservation of these charismatic species.},
journal = {Mammal Review},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14037452,~to-add-doi-URL,canis-lupus,carnivores,europe,featured-publication,genetic-variability,species-distribution},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14037452},
number = {1}
}Wave Climate in the Arctic 1992-2014: Seasonality and Trends. Stopa, J. E., Ardhuin, F., & Girard-Ardhuin, F. The Cryosphere, 10(4):1605–1629, July, 2016.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Over the past decade, the diminishing Arctic sea ice has impacted the wave field, which depends on the ice-free ocean and wind. This study characterizes the wave climate in the Arctic spanning 1992-2014 from a merged altimeter data set and a wave hindcast that uses CFSR winds and ice concentrations from satellites as input. The model performs well, verified by the altimeters, and is relatively consistent for climate studies. The wave seasonality and extremes are linked to the ice coverage, wind strength, and wind direction, creating distinct features in the wind seas and swells. The altimeters and model show that the reduction of sea ice coverage causes increasing wave heights instead of the wind. However, trends are convoluted by interannual climate oscillations like the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation. In the Nordic Greenland Sea the NAO influences the decreasing wind speeds and wave heights. Swells are becoming more prevalent and wind-sea steepness is declining. The satellite data show the sea ice minimum occurs later in fall when the wind speeds increase. This creates more favorable conditions for wave development. Therefore we expect the ice freeze-up in fall to be the most critical season in the Arctic and small changes in ice cover, wind speeds, and wave heights can have large impacts to the evolution of the sea ice throughout the year. It is inconclusive how important wave-ice processes are within the climate system, but selected events suggest the importance of waves within the marginal ice zone.
@article{stopaWaveClimateArctic2016,
title = {Wave Climate in the {{Arctic}} 1992-2014: Seasonality and Trends},
author = {Stopa, Justin E. and Ardhuin, Fabrice and {Girard-Ardhuin}, Fanny},
year = {2016},
month = jul,
volume = {10},
pages = {1605--1629},
issn = {1994-0424},
doi = {10.5194/tc-10-1605-2016},
abstract = {Over the past decade, the diminishing Arctic sea ice has impacted the wave field, which depends on the ice-free ocean and wind. This study characterizes the wave climate in the Arctic spanning 1992-2014 from a merged altimeter data set and a wave hindcast that uses CFSR winds and ice concentrations from satellites as input. The model performs well, verified by the altimeters, and is relatively consistent for climate studies. The wave seasonality and extremes are linked to the ice coverage, wind strength, and wind direction, creating distinct features in the wind seas and swells. The altimeters and model show that the reduction of sea ice coverage causes increasing wave heights instead of the wind. However, trends are convoluted by interannual climate oscillations like the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation. In the Nordic Greenland Sea the NAO influences the decreasing wind speeds and wave heights. Swells are becoming more prevalent and wind-sea steepness is declining. The satellite data show the sea ice minimum occurs later in fall when the wind speeds increase. This creates more favorable conditions for wave development. Therefore we expect the ice freeze-up in fall to be the most critical season in the Arctic and small changes in ice cover, wind speeds, and wave heights can have large impacts to the evolution of the sea ice throughout the year. It is inconclusive how important wave-ice processes are within the climate system, but selected events suggest the importance of waves within the marginal ice zone.},
journal = {The Cryosphere},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14109175,~to-add-doi-URL,arctic-region,artic-sea-ice,climate,remote-sensing,waves-energy,wind},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14109175},
number = {4}
}The Resource Identification Initiative: A Cultural Shift in Publishing. Bandrowski, A., Brush, M., Grethe, J. S., Haendel, M. A., Kennedy, D. N., Hill, S., Hof, P. R., Martone, M. E., Pols, M., Tan, S. S., Washington, N., Zudilova-Seinstra, E., & Vasilevsky, N. Neuroinformatics, 14(2):169–182, 2016.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, i.e., reagents, tools, and materials that are used to perform experiments. However, current reporting practices for research resources are insufficient to identify the exact resources that are reported or to answer basic questions such as '' How did other studies use resource X?'' To address this issue, the Resource Identification Initiative was launched as a pilot project to improve the reporting standards for research resources in the methods sections of papers and thereby improve identifiability and scientific reproducibility. The pilot engaged over 25 biomedical journal editors from most major publishers, as well as scientists and funding officials. Authors were asked to include Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) in their manuscripts prior to publication for three resource types: antibodies, model organisms, and tools (i.e., software and databases). RRIDs are assigned by an authoritative database, for example a model organism database, for each type of resource. To make it easier for authors to obtain RRIDs, resources were aggregated from the appropriate databases and their RRIDs made available in a central web portal (http:/\slash scicrunch.\mbox org\slash resources). RRIDs meet three key criteria: they are machine readable, free to generate and access, and are consistent across publishers and journals. The pilot was launched in February of 2014 and over 300 papers have appeared that report RRIDs. The number of journals participating has expanded from the original 25 to more than 40 with RRIDs appearing in 62 different journals to date. Here, we present an overview of the pilot project and its outcomes to date. We show that authors are able to identify resources and are supportive of the goals of the project. Identifiability of the resources post-pilot showed a dramatic improvement for all three resource types, suggesting that the project has had a significant impact on identifiability of research resources.
@article{bandrowskiResourceIdentificationInitiative2016,
title = {The {{Resource Identification Initiative}}: A Cultural Shift in Publishing},
author = {Bandrowski, Anita and Brush, Matthew and Grethe, Jeffery S. and Haendel, Melissa A. and Kennedy, David N. and Hill, Sean and Hof, Patrick R. and Martone, Maryann E. and Pols, Maaike and Tan, Serena S. and Washington, Nicole and {Zudilova-Seinstra}, Elena and Vasilevsky, Nicole},
year = {2016},
volume = {14},
pages = {169--182},
issn = {1559-0089},
doi = {10.1007/s12021-015-9284-3},
abstract = {A central tenet in support of research reproducibility is the ability to uniquely identify research resources, i.e., reagents, tools, and materials that are used to perform experiments. However, current reporting practices for research resources are insufficient to identify the exact resources that are reported or to answer basic questions such as '' How did other studies use resource X?'' To address this issue, the Resource Identification Initiative was launched as a pilot project to improve the reporting standards for research resources in the methods sections of papers and thereby improve identifiability and scientific reproducibility. The pilot engaged over 25 biomedical journal editors from most major publishers, as well as scientists and funding officials. Authors were asked to include Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs) in their manuscripts prior to publication for three resource types: antibodies, model organisms, and tools (i.e., software and databases). RRIDs are assigned by an authoritative database, for example a model organism database, for each type of resource. To make it easier for authors to obtain RRIDs, resources were aggregated from the appropriate databases and their RRIDs made available in a central web portal (http:/\slash scicrunch.\mbox org\slash resources). RRIDs meet three key criteria: they are machine readable, free to generate and access, and are consistent across publishers and journals. The pilot was launched in February of 2014 and over 300 papers have appeared that report RRIDs. The number of journals participating has expanded from the original 25 to more than 40 with RRIDs appearing in 62 different journals to date. Here, we present an overview of the pilot project and its outcomes to date. We show that authors are able to identify resources and are supportive of the goals of the project. Identifiability of the resources post-pilot showed a dramatic improvement for all three resource types, suggesting that the project has had a significant impact on identifiability of research resources.},
journal = {Neuroinformatics},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14025773,~to-add-doi-URL,free-scientific-knowledge,free-scientific-software,free-software,open-science,reproducibility,reproducible-research,research-management,research-metrics,scientific-communication,technology-mediated-communication},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14025773},
number = {2}
}Higher-Order Organization of Complex Networks. Benson, A. R., Gleich, D. F., & Leskovec, J. Science, 353(6295):163–166, July, 2016.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Resolving a network of hubs] Graphs are a pervasive tool for modeling and analyzing network data throughout the sciences. Benson et al. developed an algorithmic framework for studying how complex networks are organized by higher-order connectivity patterns (see the Perspective by Pržulj and Malod-Dognin). Motifs in transportation networks reveal hubs and geographical elements not readily achievable by other methods. A motif previously suggested as important for neuronal networks is part of a '' rich club'' of subnetworks. [Abstract] Networks are a fundamental tool for understanding and modeling complex systems in physics, biology, neuroscience, engineering, and social science. Many networks are known to exhibit rich, lower-order connectivity patterns that can be captured at the level of individual nodes and edges. However, higher-order organization of complex networks – at the level of small network subgraphs – remains largely unknown. Here, we develop a generalized framework for clustering networks on the basis of higher-order connectivity patterns. This framework provides mathematical guarantees on the optimality of obtained clusters and scales to networks with billions of edges. The framework reveals higher-order organization in a number of networks, including information propagation units in neuronal networks and hub structure in transportation networks. Results show that networks exhibit rich higher-order organizational structures that are exposed by clustering based on higher-order connectivity patterns.
@article{bensonHigherorderOrganizationComplex2016,
title = {Higher-Order Organization of Complex Networks},
author = {Benson, A. R. and Gleich, D. F. and Leskovec, J.},
year = {2016},
month = jul,
volume = {353},
pages = {163--166},
issn = {0036-8075},
doi = {10.1126/science.aad9029},
abstract = {[Resolving a network of hubs]
Graphs are a pervasive tool for modeling and analyzing network data throughout the sciences. Benson et al. developed an algorithmic framework for studying how complex networks are organized by higher-order connectivity patterns (see the Perspective by Pr\v{z}ulj and Malod-Dognin). Motifs in transportation networks reveal hubs and geographical elements not readily achievable by other methods. A motif previously suggested as important for neuronal networks is part of a '' rich club'' of subnetworks.
[Abstract]
Networks are a fundamental tool for understanding and modeling complex systems in physics, biology, neuroscience, engineering, and social science. Many networks are known to exhibit rich, lower-order connectivity patterns that can be captured at the level of individual nodes and edges. However, higher-order organization of complex networks -- at the level of small network subgraphs -- remains largely unknown. Here, we develop a generalized framework for clustering networks on the basis of higher-order connectivity patterns. This framework provides mathematical guarantees on the optimality of obtained clusters and scales to networks with billions of edges. The framework reveals higher-order organization in a number of networks, including information propagation units in neuronal networks and hub structure in transportation networks. Results show that networks exhibit rich higher-order organizational structures that are exposed by clustering based on higher-order connectivity patterns.},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
eprint = {1612.08447},
eprinttype = {arxiv},
journal = {Science},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14090983,~to-add-doi-URL,complexity,connectivity,networks,pattern},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14090983},
number = {6295}
}Projections of Climate Change Indices of Temperature and Precipitation from an Ensemble of Bias-Adjusted High-Resolution EURO-CORDEX Regional Climate Models. Dosio, A. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 121(10):2015JD024411-5511, May, 2016.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Statistical bias-adjustment of climate models' outputs is being increasingly used for assessing the impact of climate change on several sectors. It is known that these techniques may alter the mean climate signal of the adjusted variable; however, the effect on the projected occurrence of climate extremes is less commonly investigated. Here the outputs of an ensemble of high-resolution (0.11°) regional climate models (RCM) from the Coordinated Regional-climate Downscaling Experiment for Europe (EURO-CORDEX) have been bias adjusted, and a number of climate indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices have been calculated for the present (1981-2010) and future (2071-2100) climate. Indices include absolute-thresholds indices, percentile-based indices, and indices based on the duration of an event. Results show that absolute-threshold indices are largely affected by bias adjustment, as they depend strongly on both the present mean climate value (usually largely biased in the original RCMs) and its shift under climate change. The change of percentile-based indices is less affected by bias adjustment, as that of indices based on the duration of an event (e.g., consecutive dry days or heat waves) although the present climate value can differ between original and bias-adjusted results. Indices like R95ptot (the total amount of precipitation larger than the 95th reference percentile) are largely affected by bias adjustment, although, when analyzing an ensemble of RCMs, the differences are usually smaller than, or comparable to, the intermodel variability.
@article{dosioProjectionsClimateChange2016,
title = {Projections of Climate Change Indices of Temperature and Precipitation from an Ensemble of Bias-Adjusted High-Resolution {{EURO}}-{{CORDEX}} Regional Climate Models},
author = {Dosio, Alessandro},
year = {2016},
month = may,
volume = {121},
pages = {2015JD024411-5511},
issn = {2169-897X},
doi = {10.1002/2015jd024411},
abstract = {Statistical bias-adjustment of climate models' outputs is being increasingly used for assessing the impact of climate change on several sectors. It is known that these techniques may alter the mean climate signal of the adjusted variable; however, the effect on the projected occurrence of climate extremes is less commonly investigated. Here the outputs of an ensemble of high-resolution (0.11\textdegree ) regional climate models (RCM) from the Coordinated Regional-climate Downscaling Experiment for Europe (EURO-CORDEX) have been bias adjusted, and a number of climate indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices have been calculated for the present (1981-2010) and future (2071-2100) climate. Indices include absolute-thresholds indices, percentile-based indices, and indices based on the duration of an event. Results show that absolute-threshold indices are largely affected by bias adjustment, as they depend strongly on both the present mean climate value (usually largely biased in the original RCMs) and its shift under climate change. The change of percentile-based indices is less affected by bias adjustment, as that of indices based on the duration of an event (e.g., consecutive dry days or heat waves) although the present climate value can differ between original and bias-adjusted results. Indices like R95ptot (the total amount of precipitation larger than the 95th reference percentile) are largely affected by bias adjustment, although, when analyzing an ensemble of RCMs, the differences are usually smaller than, or comparable to, the intermodel variability.},
journal = {J. Geophys. Res. Atmos.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14053888,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,climate-change,ipcc,ipcc-scenarios,precipitation,temperature},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14053888},
number = {10}
}Forest-Landscape Structure Mediates Effects of a Spruce Bark Beetle (Dendroctonus Rufipennis) Outbreak on Subsequent Likelihood of Burning in Alaskan Boreal Forest. Hansen, W. D., Chapin, F. S., Naughton, H. T., Rupp, T. S., & Verbyla, D. Forest Ecology and Management, 369:38–46, June, 2016.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Highlights] [::] We measured forest-landscape structure effects on disturbance patterns in Alaska. [::] Disturbance patterns and interactions were related to tree-species composition. [::] Bark beetles lead to increased probability of fire in mixed-spruce stands. [::] Results can inform management of disturbance in Alaska with climate change. [Abstract] Characterizing how variation in forest landscape structure shapes patterns of natural disturbances and mediates interactions between multiple disturbances is critical for anticipating ecological consequences of climate change in high-latitude forest ecosystems. During the 1990s, a massive spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) outbreak took place in boreal spruce forest on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska allowing us to ask (1) How did the extent and duration of bark beetle outbreak differ between a homogenous landscape dominated by white spruce (Picea glauca), and a landscape in which white spruce and black spruce (Picea mariana) were intermixed? (2) How has the occurrence and duration of bark beetle outbreak influenced the likelihood of subsequent burning in these two landscapes? Forest landscape structure had a substantial effect on disturbance patterns and interactions between disturbances in this study. The spruce bark beetle outbreak was smaller in extent and duration where white spruce, the beetle's primary host tree, was intermixed with more beetle-resistant black spruce. However, likelihood of subsequent burning increased where outbreak did occur. Surface fuel loads increased substantially in this landscape following the outbreak, potentially increasing the flammability of white spruce where they once served as fire breaks. In contrast, the outbreak was larger and lasted longer in the landscape with homogeneous stands of white spruce, but was not related to likelihood of subsequent burning, which is consistent with the fire history. Our results suggest that bark beetle outbreaks may have different effects on subsequent patterns of burning than in other systems, such as the Rocky Mountains. These results could inform more effective and targeted management strategies to ameliorate fire risk in beetle-killed stands of Alaska and may help us anticipate the dynamics and consequences of future boreal bark beetle outbreaks as climate warms at high latitudes.
@article{hansenForestlandscapeStructureMediates2016,
title = {Forest-Landscape Structure Mediates Effects of a Spruce Bark Beetle ({{Dendroctonus}} Rufipennis) Outbreak on Subsequent Likelihood of Burning in {{Alaskan}} Boreal Forest},
author = {Hansen, Winslow D. and Chapin, F. Stuart and Naughton, Helen T. and Rupp, T. Scott and Verbyla, David},
year = {2016},
month = jun,
volume = {369},
pages = {38--46},
issn = {0378-1127},
doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2016.03.036},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] We measured forest-landscape structure effects on disturbance patterns in Alaska.
[::] Disturbance patterns and interactions were related to tree-species composition.
[::] Bark beetles lead to increased probability of fire in mixed-spruce stands.
[::] Results can inform management of disturbance in Alaska with climate change.
[Abstract]
Characterizing how variation in forest landscape structure shapes patterns of natural disturbances and mediates interactions between multiple disturbances is critical for anticipating ecological consequences of climate change in high-latitude forest ecosystems. During the 1990s, a massive spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) outbreak took place in boreal spruce forest on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska allowing us to ask (1) How did the extent and duration of bark beetle outbreak differ between a homogenous landscape dominated by white spruce (Picea glauca), and a landscape in which white spruce and black spruce (Picea mariana) were intermixed? (2) How has the occurrence and duration of bark beetle outbreak influenced the likelihood of subsequent burning in these two landscapes? Forest landscape structure had a substantial effect on disturbance patterns and interactions between disturbances in this study. The spruce bark beetle outbreak was smaller in extent and duration where white spruce, the beetle's primary host tree, was intermixed with more beetle-resistant black spruce. However, likelihood of subsequent burning increased where outbreak did occur. Surface fuel loads increased substantially in this landscape following the outbreak, potentially increasing the flammability of white spruce where they once served as fire breaks. In contrast, the outbreak was larger and lasted longer in the landscape with homogeneous stands of white spruce, but was not related to likelihood of subsequent burning, which is consistent with the fire history. Our results suggest that bark beetle outbreaks may have different effects on subsequent patterns of burning than in other systems, such as the Rocky Mountains. These results could inform more effective and targeted management strategies to ameliorate fire risk in beetle-killed stands of Alaska and may help us anticipate the dynamics and consequences of future boreal bark beetle outbreaks as climate warms at high latitudes.},
journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14074431,~to-add-doi-URL,alaska,bark-beetle,dead-wood,dendroctonus-rufipennis,dendroctonus-spp,disturbances,feedback,fire-fuel,forest-pests,forest-resources,integration-techniques,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14074431}
}2015 (6)
Possible Land Management Uses of Common Cypress to Reduce Wildfire Initiation Risk: A Laboratory Study. Della Rocca, G., Hernando, C., Madrigal, J., Danti, R., Moya, J., Guijarro, M., Pecchioli, A., & Moya, B. Journal of Environmental Management, 159:68–77, August, 2015.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
The flammability of Cupressus sempervirens has been fully characterized. Two contrasted bench-scale methodologies have been used to ratify the results. Cypress showed low ignitability and consumability and high sustainability and combustibility. The low ignitability of C.~sempervirens suggests a potential resistance to moderate wildfires. Cypress stands could be a promising land management tool to reduce the wildfire initiation risk. Accurate determination of flammability is required in order to improve knowledge about vegetation fire risk. Study of the flammability of different plant species is essential for the Mediterranean area, where most ecosystems are adapted to natural fire but vulnerable to recurrent human-induced fires, which are the main cause of forest degradation. However, the methods used to evaluate vegetation flammability have not yet been standardized. Cupressus sempervirens is a native or naturalized forest tree species in the Mediterranean area that is able to tolerate prolonged drought and high temperatures. The aim of this study was to characterize the flammability of C.~sempervirens var. horizontalis at particle level by using different bench-scale calorimetry techniques (mass loss calorimeter, epiradiator and oxygen bomb) to determine the main flammability descriptors (ignitability, sustainability, combustibility and consumability) in live crown and litter samples. Our findings indicate that this variety of cypress is relatively resistant to ignition because of the high ash content, the high critical heat flux, the high time to ignition displayed by both crown and litter samples and the ability of the leaves to maintain a high water content during the summer. We also discuss the possibility of exploiting some morphological, functional and ecological traits of the species to construct a barrier system (with selected varieties of cypress) as a promising complementary land management tool to reduce the fire spread and intensity in a Mediterranean context. [Excerpt: Discussion and conclusions] [...] The FMC of live C. sempervirens samples was relatively high and stable between April and the middle of August (84-96%). Furthermore, the low variability in the water content across the crown layers ( Fig. 3) may have important implications for crown fire potential ( Van Wagner, 1977). Madrigal et al. (2013) reported a wider range of FMC for Pinus pinaster needles (95-155%), whereas Viegas et al. (2001) indicated that the FMC of live Mediterranean forest fuels may be as low as 50-60\,% during the summer season, much lower than the value detected in the present study in live crown samples of cypress. Ignition and fire occurrence are closely related to the moisture content of live and dead fuel ( Dimitrakopoulos and Papaioannou, 2001) and fresh leaves of Mediterranean species appear to become very flammable when the moisture content decreases below 75\,% ( Chandler et al., 1983) or below 100\,% in the case of pine needles ( Van Wagner, 1977). An interaction between the physiological state of a live plant (which determines the moisture content) and the concentration of volatile compounds has also been reported ( Weise et al., 2005 and Alessio et al., 2008). During an intense wildfire, the effect due to accumulation of gasified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be stronger than the effect due to a low water content, thus explaining specific occurrences such as extreme rate of fire spread and eruptive fire events ( Viegas and Simeoni, 2011). [\n] The live fresh samples of C. sempervirens did not ignite in MLC tests performed at 25 kW/m2, whereas in a previous study, live P. pinaster needles with similar FMC (95%) ignited at the same heat flux ( Madrigal et al., 2013) ( Supplementary Fig. 1). Notably, the HRR curve obtained for C. sempervirens at 35 kW/m2 was similar to that obtained by Madrigal et al. (2013) for live P. pinaster needles at a lower heat flux (25 kW/m2). In EPI2, at 25 kW/m2 ( Table 5), the IF of fresh cypress live fuel was as low as 23\,%, while at 55 kW/m2, the IF was 100\,%, for both crown fresh samples and litter samples (conditioned and oven-dried). These results are consistent with the CHF values determined in MLC tests. [\n][...] [\n] The TTI and CHF are the most representative descriptors of ignitability. Both TTI (at 50 kW/m2) and CHF of live cypress fuel obtained with MLC in the present study were significantly higher than those determined by Madrigal et al. (2013) for live P. pinaster needles with the same FMC value (95%). The ignitability of common cypress was much lower than that of P. pinaster. Live C. sempervirens leaves also displayed the longest TTI in a comparative study of ornamental species Ganteaume et al. (2013a). However, based on TTI, common cypress has been reported to be the most flammable of several Mediterranean species tested ( Liodakis et al., 2002). This discrepancy may be due to different ignition devices used in the two studies. [\n] Heat content is known to be highly dependent upon the chemical composition of a fuel. The GHC values obtained in this study for live C. sempervirens samples in the oxygen bomb test were higher than those obtained for litter ( Table 3). Whereas, in contrast to the findings of Elvira and Hernando (1989), only slight differences in GHC values of live samples were found between spring and summer in the present study ( Table 4). Madrigal et al. (2011) reported a higher GHC for live P. halepensis and P. pinaster needles than for C. sempervirens and Pinus pinea. Even greater differences were observed between species on comparing the GHC of litter samples ( Supplementary Table 2). Liodakis et al. (2002) reported a lower GHC for C. sempervirens leaves that for other Mediterranean species, both conifers and broadleaf species, possibly due to differences in the proportion of chemical components in the leaves and to differences in the residual mass fraction. [\n] [...] [\n] In highly resinous species (i.e. pines) and during the heating phase, the effect of volatile flammable gases (VOCs) is crucial in priming and/or accelerating combustion (Chetehouna et al., 2009). Our findings indicate the natural resistance of live fuel of common cypress to the initial stages of combustion (ignitability). The gases produced by thermal degradation of cypress live fuel did not ignite, irrespective of the heat source (EPI or MLC) or the heat flux to which the samples were subjected. The VOCs stored in cypress leaf glands (Della Rocca, 2012 and Moya and Moya, 2013d) are probably degassed (Greenberg et al., 2006 and Ciccioli et al., 2014) when vegetation is warming up (at 60-150 °C), and thus will not contribute to ignition. Moreover, cypress is not a resinous species in the strict sense. Neither the xylem or the bark produce resin constitutively, but only as consequence of mechanical wounds or lesions due to pathogens or pests. [\n] In Mediterranean regions characterized by long dry summers, litter appears to play a crucial role in fire risk and transmission (Hogkinson, 2002). Both conditioned and oven-dried C. sempervirens litter samples always ignited (IF 100%); however, in the present study all flammability parameters (except TTI) measured at 35 kW/m2 were lower than those obtained at 25 kW/m2 for P. pinaster litter with the same FMC (11%) by Madrigal et al. (2011) ( Supplementary Table 2). Comparing different Mediterranean species, Petriccione (2006) classified the flammability of cypress litter as moderate-high, similar to that of Myrtus communis, Q. ilex, O. europea and P. halepensis, but lower than that of Quercus pubescens, Fraxinus ornus, P. pinaster and Genista aetnensis. [\n] In nature, C. sempervirens litter has a high bulk density ( Ganteaume et al., 2013b), as the small segments accumulate in thick layers, also due to a low mineralisation rate ( Della Rocca et al., 2006). These traits reduce the circulation of air in the litter, which may act like a sponge and retain humidity, thus hampering ignition. A thick litter layer is also known to favour self-extinction of fire ( Ormeño et al., 2009). [\n] In this study, the RMF at the end of the test was considered as ash content. In the MLC tests, the ash content of cypress fresh fine fuel ranged from 3.5 to 6.8\,%. This is consistent with the results reported by Dimitrakopoulos and Panov (2001) who obtained higher values of mineral ash for C. sempervirens leaves (4.73%) than for other Mediterranean species such as Q. ilex (2.9%) and P. brutia (2.8%). The heat content of plant material has been demonstrated to be negatively related to ash content. A higher ash content essentially indicates that there is less mass to burn ( Mutch and Philpot, 1970 and Philpot, 1970), thus influencing fire sustainability and consumability. [...] [Management recommendations and future research] Common cypress is known to produce a deep dense litter that is difficult to ignite and even prevents the development of understory vegetation due to a presumed allelopathic effect. This species is also often planted as a windbreak to protect valuable crops from prevailing winds in the Mediterranean area. In addition to these traits, the findings of our laboratory trials, which have demonstrated the low ignitability of crown and litter cypress samples, encourage further studies at tree and plantation levels to assess the effectiveness of cypress barriers as a silviculture measure to reduce wildfire initiation risk in sensitive sites (e.g. WUIs). Well designed plantations constructed with suitable varieties of cypress (selected for habit and resistance to pathogens causing severe dieback and resin exudation, e.g. cypress canker) and taking into account topography, flammability risk mapping, land use etc. may be useful for creating buffer zones to hinder or prevent the rapid spread of wildfire, also decreasing the likelihood that a surface fire will become a crown fire. The ability of cypress plantations to slow fire progression is derived from a combination of properties of individual trees. The need of transposing laboratory results and empirical observations to a real scale, lead the Diputación de Valencia (Spain) and the province of Siena (Italy) to plan the realization of the first experimental plantations of the 'cypress system' as a way to conduct further research aimed at improving prevention against wildfires. Useful information on setting up operational cypress plantations as firewalls is reported in Della Rocca et al. (2014).
@article{dellaroccaPossibleLandManagement2015,
title = {Possible Land Management Uses of Common Cypress to Reduce Wildfire Initiation Risk: A Laboratory Study},
author = {Della Rocca, G. and Hernando, C. and Madrigal, J. and Danti, R. and Moya, J. and Guijarro, M. and Pecchioli, A. and Moya, B.},
year = {2015},
month = aug,
volume = {159},
pages = {68--77},
issn = {0301-4797},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.05.020},
abstract = {The flammability of Cupressus sempervirens has been fully characterized. Two contrasted bench-scale methodologies have been used to ratify the results. Cypress showed low ignitability and consumability and high sustainability and combustibility. The low ignitability of C.~sempervirens suggests a potential resistance to moderate wildfires. Cypress stands could be a promising land management tool to reduce the wildfire initiation risk. Accurate determination of flammability is required in order to improve knowledge about vegetation fire risk. Study of the flammability of different plant species is essential for the Mediterranean area, where most ecosystems are adapted to natural fire but vulnerable to recurrent human-induced fires, which are the main cause of forest degradation. However, the methods used to evaluate vegetation flammability have not yet been standardized. Cupressus sempervirens is a native or naturalized forest tree species in the Mediterranean area that is able to tolerate prolonged drought and high temperatures. The aim of this study was to characterize the flammability of C.~sempervirens var. horizontalis at particle level by using different bench-scale calorimetry techniques (mass loss calorimeter, epiradiator and oxygen bomb) to determine the main flammability descriptors (ignitability, sustainability, combustibility and consumability) in live crown and litter samples. Our findings indicate that this variety of cypress is relatively resistant to ignition because of the high ash content, the high critical heat flux, the high time to ignition displayed by both crown and litter samples and the ability of the leaves to maintain a high water content during the summer. We also discuss the possibility of exploiting some morphological, functional and ecological traits of the species to construct a barrier system (with selected varieties of cypress) as a promising complementary land management tool to reduce the fire spread and intensity in a Mediterranean context.
[Excerpt: Discussion and conclusions]
[...] The FMC of live C. sempervirens samples was relatively high and stable between April and the middle of August (84-96\%). Furthermore, the low variability in the water content across the crown layers ( Fig. 3) may have important implications for crown fire potential ( Van Wagner, 1977). Madrigal et al. (2013) reported a wider range of FMC for Pinus pinaster needles (95-155\%), whereas Viegas et al. (2001) indicated that the FMC of live Mediterranean forest fuels may be as low as 50-60\,\% during the summer season, much lower than the value detected in the present study in live crown samples of cypress. Ignition and fire occurrence are closely related to the moisture content of live and dead fuel ( Dimitrakopoulos and Papaioannou, 2001) and fresh leaves of Mediterranean species appear to become very flammable when the moisture content decreases below 75\,\% ( Chandler et al., 1983) or below 100\,\% in the case of pine needles ( Van Wagner, 1977). An interaction between the physiological state of a live plant (which determines the moisture content) and the concentration of volatile compounds has also been reported ( Weise et al., 2005 and Alessio et al., 2008). During an intense wildfire, the effect due to accumulation of gasified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be stronger than the effect due to a low water content, thus explaining specific occurrences such as extreme rate of fire spread and eruptive fire events ( Viegas and Simeoni, 2011).
[\textbackslash n] The live fresh samples of C. sempervirens did not ignite in MLC tests performed at 25 kW/m2, whereas in a previous study, live P. pinaster needles with similar FMC (95\%) ignited at the same heat flux ( Madrigal et al., 2013) ( Supplementary Fig. 1). Notably, the HRR curve obtained for C. sempervirens at 35 kW/m2 was similar to that obtained by Madrigal et al. (2013) for live P. pinaster needles at a lower heat flux (25 kW/m2). In EPI2, at 25 kW/m2 ( Table 5), the IF of fresh cypress live fuel was as low as 23\,\%, while at 55 kW/m2, the IF was 100\,\%, for both crown fresh samples and litter samples (conditioned and oven-dried). These results are consistent with the CHF values determined in MLC tests.
[\textbackslash n][...]
[\textbackslash n] The TTI and CHF are the most representative descriptors of ignitability. Both TTI (at 50 kW/m2) and CHF of live cypress fuel obtained with MLC in the present study were significantly higher than those determined by Madrigal et al. (2013) for live P. pinaster needles with the same FMC value (95\%). The ignitability of common cypress was much lower than that of P. pinaster. Live C. sempervirens leaves also displayed the longest TTI in a comparative study of ornamental species Ganteaume et al. (2013a). However, based on TTI, common cypress has been reported to be the most flammable of several Mediterranean species tested ( Liodakis et al., 2002). This discrepancy may be due to different ignition devices used in the two studies.
[\textbackslash n] Heat content is known to be highly dependent upon the chemical composition of a fuel. The GHC values obtained in this study for live C. sempervirens samples in the oxygen bomb test were higher than those obtained for litter ( Table 3). Whereas, in contrast to the findings of Elvira and Hernando (1989), only slight differences in GHC values of live samples were found between spring and summer in the present study ( Table 4). Madrigal et al. (2011) reported a higher GHC for live P. halepensis and P. pinaster needles than for C. sempervirens and Pinus pinea. Even greater differences were observed between species on comparing the GHC of litter samples ( Supplementary Table 2). Liodakis et al. (2002) reported a lower GHC for C. sempervirens leaves that for other Mediterranean species, both conifers and broadleaf species, possibly due to differences in the proportion of chemical components in the leaves and to differences in the residual mass fraction.
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[\textbackslash n] In highly resinous species (i.e. pines) and during the heating phase, the effect of volatile flammable gases (VOCs) is crucial in priming and/or accelerating combustion (Chetehouna et al., 2009). Our findings indicate the natural resistance of live fuel of common cypress to the initial stages of combustion (ignitability). The gases produced by thermal degradation of cypress live fuel did not ignite, irrespective of the heat source (EPI or MLC) or the heat flux to which the samples were subjected. The VOCs stored in cypress leaf glands (Della Rocca, 2012 and Moya and Moya, 2013d) are probably degassed (Greenberg et al., 2006 and Ciccioli et al., 2014) when vegetation is warming up (at 60-150 \textdegree C), and thus will not contribute to ignition. Moreover, cypress is not a resinous species in the strict sense. Neither the xylem or the bark produce resin constitutively, but only as consequence of mechanical wounds or lesions due to pathogens or pests.
[\textbackslash n] In Mediterranean regions characterized by long dry summers, litter appears to play a crucial role in fire risk and transmission (Hogkinson, 2002). Both conditioned and oven-dried C. sempervirens litter samples always ignited (IF 100\%); however, in the present study all flammability parameters (except TTI) measured at 35 kW/m2 were lower than those obtained at 25 kW/m2 for P. pinaster litter with the same FMC (11\%) by Madrigal et al. (2011) ( Supplementary Table 2). Comparing different Mediterranean species, Petriccione (2006) classified the flammability of cypress litter as moderate-high, similar to that of Myrtus communis, Q. ilex, O. europea and P. halepensis, but lower than that of Quercus pubescens, Fraxinus ornus, P. pinaster and Genista aetnensis.
[\textbackslash n] In nature, C. sempervirens litter has a high bulk density ( Ganteaume et al., 2013b), as the small segments accumulate in thick layers, also due to a low mineralisation rate ( Della Rocca et al., 2006). These traits reduce the circulation of air in the litter, which may act like a sponge and retain humidity, thus hampering ignition. A thick litter layer is also known to favour self-extinction of fire ( Orme\~no et al., 2009).
[\textbackslash n] In this study, the RMF at the end of the test was considered as ash content. In the MLC tests, the ash content of cypress fresh fine fuel ranged from 3.5 to 6.8\,\%. This is consistent with the results reported by Dimitrakopoulos and Panov (2001) who obtained higher values of mineral ash for C. sempervirens leaves (4.73\%) than for other Mediterranean species such as Q. ilex (2.9\%) and P. brutia (2.8\%). The heat content of plant material has been demonstrated to be negatively related to ash content. A higher ash content essentially indicates that there is less mass to burn ( Mutch and Philpot, 1970 and Philpot, 1970), thus influencing fire sustainability and consumability. [...]
[Management recommendations and future research]
Common cypress is known to produce a deep dense litter that is difficult to ignite and even prevents the development of understory vegetation due to a presumed allelopathic effect. This species is also often planted as a windbreak to protect valuable crops from prevailing winds in the Mediterranean area. In addition to these traits, the findings of our laboratory trials, which have demonstrated the low ignitability of crown and litter cypress samples, encourage further studies at tree and plantation levels to assess the effectiveness of cypress barriers as a silviculture measure to reduce wildfire initiation risk in sensitive sites (e.g. WUIs). Well designed plantations constructed with suitable varieties of cypress (selected for habit and resistance to pathogens causing severe dieback and resin exudation, e.g. cypress canker) and taking into account topography, flammability risk mapping, land use etc. may be useful for creating buffer zones to hinder or prevent the rapid spread of wildfire, also decreasing the likelihood that a surface fire will become a crown fire. The ability of cypress plantations to slow fire progression is derived from a combination of properties of individual trees. The need of transposing laboratory results and empirical observations to a real scale, lead the Diputaci\'on de Valencia (Spain) and the province of Siena (Italy) to plan the realization of the first experimental plantations of the 'cypress system' as a way to conduct further research aimed at improving prevention against wildfires. Useful information on setting up operational cypress plantations as firewalls is reported in Della Rocca et al. (2014).},
journal = {Journal of Environmental Management},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13745883,~to-add-doi-URL,cupressus-sempervirens,fire-fuel,forest-resources,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13745883}
}Climate-Change 'hiatus' Disappears with New Data. Tollefson, J. Nature, June, 2015.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
US agency's updated temperature records suggest that global warming continues apace. [Excerpt] An apparent pause in global warming might have been a temporary mirage, according to recent analysis. Global average temperatures have continued to rise throughout the first part of the 21st century, researchers report on 5 June in Science1. [\n] That finding, which contradicts the 2013 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is based on an update of the global temperature records maintained by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The previous version of the NOAA dataset had showed less warming during the first decade of the millennium. [\n] Researchers revised the NOAA dataset to correct for known biases in sea-surface temperature records and to incorporate data from new land-based monitoring stations that extend into the Arctic – an area where observations are sparse. The updated NOAA dataset also includes observations from 2013 and 2014; the latter ranked as the warmest year on record. [...]
@article{tollefsonClimatechangeHiatusDisappears2015,
title = {Climate-Change 'hiatus' Disappears with New Data},
author = {Tollefson, Jeff},
year = {2015},
month = jun,
issn = {1476-4687},
doi = {10.1038/nature.2015.17700},
abstract = {US agency's updated temperature records suggest that global warming continues apace.
[Excerpt] An apparent pause in global warming might have been a temporary mirage, according to recent analysis. Global average temperatures have continued to rise throughout the first part of the 21st century, researchers report on 5 June in Science1.
[\textbackslash n] That finding, which contradicts the 2013 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is based on an update of the global temperature records maintained by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The previous version of the NOAA dataset had showed less warming during the first decade of the millennium.
[\textbackslash n] Researchers revised the NOAA dataset to correct for known biases in sea-surface temperature records and to incorporate data from new land-based monitoring stations that extend into the Arctic -- an area where observations are sparse. The updated NOAA dataset also includes observations from 2013 and 2014; the latter ranked as the warmest year on record. [...]},
journal = {Nature},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13640209,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,climate-change,data-uncertainty,global-warming,modelling,temperature},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13640209}
}Interdisciplinary Research by the Numbers. Van Noorden, R. Nature, 525(7569):306–307, September, 2015.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
An analysis reveals the extent and impact of research that bridges disciplines. [Excerpt] Interdisciplinary work is considered crucial by scientists, policymakers and funders – but how widespread is it really, and what impact does it have? Scholars say that the concept is complex to define and measure, but efforts to map papers by the disciplines of the journals they appear in and by their citation patterns are – tentatively – revealing the growth and influence of interdisciplinary research. [\n][...] [Interdisciplinary research takes time to have an impact] Whether interdisciplinary research gains more citations than disciplinary research is contentious. Over three years, papers with diverse references tend to pick up fewer citations than the norm, but over 13 years they gain more. Some studies suggest that a little interdisciplinarity is better than a lot: papers that combine very disparate fields tend to earn fewer citations. But interdisciplinary work can have broad societal and economic impacts that are not captured by citations. [...]
@article{vannoordenInterdisciplinaryResearchNumbers2015,
title = {Interdisciplinary Research by the Numbers},
author = {Van Noorden, Richard},
year = {2015},
month = sep,
volume = {525},
pages = {306--307},
issn = {0028-0836},
doi = {10.1038/525306a},
abstract = {An analysis reveals the extent and impact of research that bridges disciplines.
[Excerpt] Interdisciplinary work is considered crucial by scientists, policymakers and funders -- but how widespread is it really, and what impact does it have? Scholars say that the concept is complex to define and measure, but efforts to map papers by the disciplines of the journals they appear in and by their citation patterns are -- tentatively -- revealing the growth and influence of interdisciplinary research.
[\textbackslash n][...]
[Interdisciplinary research takes time to have an impact]
Whether interdisciplinary research gains more citations than disciplinary research is contentious. Over three years, papers with diverse references tend to pick up fewer citations than the norm, but over 13 years they gain more. Some studies suggest that a little interdisciplinarity is better than a lot: papers that combine very disparate fields tend to earn fewer citations. But interdisciplinary work can have broad societal and economic impacts that are not captured by citations. [...]},
journal = {Nature},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13768935,~to-add-doi-URL,cooperation,cross-disciplinary-perspective,integration-techniques,interdisciplinary-research,research-funding,research-management,research-metrics,transboundary-effects,transdisciplinary-research},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13768935},
number = {7569}
}Watchdogs of the European System. Wilsdon, J. Science, 348(6238):947, May, 2015.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Henry Kissinger, as U.S Secretary of State, is famously said to have asked: '' If I want to call Europe, who do I call?'' Until recently, the scientific community thought it had an answer to this question: the chief scientific adviser (CSA) to the president of the European Commission (EC). Two weeks ago, that changed. [Excerpt] President Juncker insisted that he was still committed to scientific advice and asked Carlos Moedas, the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, to lead a review of how it could be better organized. Two weeks ago, the findings were unveiled. As expected, the CSA remains dead and buried and will be replaced by a seven-strong '' high-level group'' of experts, who will be appointed before the end of the year. These experts, described by a senior official as '' watchdogs of the system,''* will be fully independent but supported by a team of around 25 staff from the EC's research directorate. Further resources of '' up to \texteuro 6 million'' will be offered to Europe's national academies to enable them to play a greater role in the provision of advice. Good working links will also be developed to the EC's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre. [...]
@article{wilsdonWatchdogsEuropeanSystem2015,
title = {Watchdogs of the {{European}} System},
author = {Wilsdon, James},
year = {2015},
month = may,
volume = {348},
pages = {947},
issn = {1095-9203},
doi = {10.1126/science.aac6092},
abstract = {Henry Kissinger, as U.S Secretary of State, is famously said to have asked: '' If I want to call Europe, who do I call?'' Until recently, the scientific community thought it had an answer to this question: the chief scientific adviser (CSA) to the president of the European Commission (EC). Two weeks ago, that changed.
[Excerpt] President Juncker insisted that he was still committed to scientific advice and asked Carlos Moedas, the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, to lead a review of how it could be better organized. Two weeks ago, the findings were unveiled. As expected, the CSA remains dead and buried and will be replaced by a seven-strong '' high-level group'' of experts, who will be appointed before the end of the year. These experts, described by a senior official as '' watchdogs of the system,''* will be fully independent but supported by a team of around 25 staff from the EC's research directorate. Further resources of '' up to \texteuro 6 million'' will be offered to Europe's national academies to enable them to play a greater role in the provision of advice. Good working links will also be developed to the EC's in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre. [...]},
journal = {Science},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13632162,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,joint-research-centre,science-based-decision-making,science-ethics,science-policy-interface,science-society-interface,scientific-communication},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13632162},
number = {6238}
}Tree Neighbourhood Matters - Tree Species Composition Drives Diversity-Productivity Patterns in a near-Natural Beech Forest. Ratcliffe, S., Holzwarth, F., Nadrowski, K., Levick, S., & Wirth, C. Forest Ecology and Management, 335:225–234, January, 2015.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Highlights] [::] We test tree diversity-productivity relationships in a temperate beech forest. [::] Beech and hornbeam trees grew faster in more diverse neighbourhoods. [::] Complementarity effects were driven by differences in species' competitive strengths. [::] Small scale admixture with patches of different species promotes tree growth. [Abstract] European beech forest with a variable admixture is one of the most important forest types in Central Europe. Growing evidence has demonstrated the positive effect of increased biodiversity on vital forest ecosystem functions and services such as productivity and nutrient cycling. Both complementarity in resource use and species identity are known to influence tree productivity but they have received relatively little attention in observational studies. Using a large dataset of repeat inventory trees in a near-natural deciduous forest in Central Germany we test whether tree diversity enhances tree productivity at the tree and the stand level, whilst accounting for tree size, tree vitality, local topography and the potentially confounding effects of spatial autocorrelation and negative growth estimates. Beech and hornbeam individual tree growth was sensitive to their neighbourhood diversity and composition whilst ash trees were only sensitive to the neighbourhood tree density. Neighbourhood complementarity effects were driven by differences in species' competitive strengths, whilst at the stand level productivity gains were primarily attributable to the density of ash and diversity effects were less prominent. We conclude that small-scale admixture with patches of different species promotes tree growth in European beech forest; congruent with current management plans for beech and hardwood forests.
@article{ratcliffeTreeNeighbourhoodMatters2015,
title = {Tree Neighbourhood Matters - {{Tree}} Species Composition Drives Diversity-Productivity Patterns in a near-Natural Beech Forest},
author = {Ratcliffe, Sophia and Holzwarth, Fr{\'e}d{\'e}ric and Nadrowski, Karin and Levick, Shaun and Wirth, Christian},
year = {2015},
month = jan,
volume = {335},
pages = {225--234},
issn = {0378-1127},
doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2014.09.032},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] We test tree diversity-productivity relationships in a temperate beech forest.
[::] Beech and hornbeam trees grew faster in more diverse neighbourhoods.
[::] Complementarity effects were driven by differences in species' competitive strengths.
[::] Small scale admixture with patches of different species promotes tree growth.
[Abstract]
European beech forest with a variable admixture is one of the most important forest types in Central Europe. Growing evidence has demonstrated the positive effect of increased biodiversity on vital forest ecosystem functions and services such as productivity and nutrient cycling. Both complementarity in resource use and species identity are known to influence tree productivity but they have received relatively little attention in observational studies. Using a large dataset of repeat inventory trees in a near-natural deciduous forest in Central Germany we test whether tree diversity enhances tree productivity at the tree and the stand level, whilst accounting for tree size, tree vitality, local topography and the potentially confounding effects of spatial autocorrelation and negative growth estimates. Beech and hornbeam individual tree growth was sensitive to their neighbourhood diversity and composition whilst ash trees were only sensitive to the neighbourhood tree density. Neighbourhood complementarity effects were driven by differences in species' competitive strengths, whilst at the stand level productivity gains were primarily attributable to the density of ash and diversity effects were less prominent. We conclude that small-scale admixture with patches of different species promotes tree growth in European beech forest; congruent with current management plans for beech and hardwood forests.},
journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14070499,~to-add-doi-URL,acer-campestre,acer-platanoides,acer-pseudoplatanus,biodiversity,carpinus-betulus,diversity,fagus-sylvatica,forest-resources,fraxinus-excelsior,germany,species-richness,ulmus-glabra},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14070499}
}Rational Design of Antibiotic Treatment Plans: A Treatment Strategy for Managing Evolution and Reversing Resistance. Mira, P. M., Crona, K., Greene, D., Meza, J. C., Sturmfels, B., & Barlow, M. PLOS ONE, 10(5):e0122283+, 2015.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
The development of reliable methods for restoring susceptibility after antibiotic resistance arises has proven elusive. A greater understanding of the relationship between antibiotic administration and the evolution of resistance is key to overcoming this challenge. Here we present a data-driven mathematical approach for developing antibiotic treatment plans that can reverse the evolution of antibiotic resistance determinants. We have generated adaptive landscapes for 16 genotypes of the TEM $\beta$-lactamase that vary from the wild type genotype '' TEM-1'' through all combinations of four amino acid substitutions. We determined the growth rate of each genotype when treated with each of 15 $\beta$-lactam antibiotics. By using growth rates as a measure of fitness, we computed the probability of each amino acid substitution in each $\beta$-lactam treatment using two different models named the Correlated Probability Model (CPM) and the Equal Probability Model (EPM). We then performed an exhaustive search through the 15 treatments for substitution paths leading from each of the 16 genotypes back to the wild type TEM-1. We identified optimized treatment paths that returned the highest probabilities of selecting for reversions of amino acid substitutions and returning TEM to the wild type state. For the CPM model, the optimized probabilities ranged between 0.6 and 1.0. For the EPM model, the optimized probabilities ranged between 0.38 and 1.0. For cyclical CPM treatment plans in which the starting and ending genotype was the wild type, the probabilities were between 0.62 and 0.7. Overall this study shows that there is promise for reversing the evolution of resistance through antibiotic treatment plans.
@article{miraRationalDesignAntibiotic2015,
title = {Rational Design of Antibiotic Treatment Plans: A Treatment Strategy for Managing Evolution and Reversing Resistance},
author = {Mira, Portia M. and Crona, Kristina and Greene, Devin and Meza, Juan C. and Sturmfels, Bernd and Barlow, Miriam},
year = {2015},
volume = {10},
pages = {e0122283+},
issn = {1932-6203},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0122283},
abstract = {The development of reliable methods for restoring susceptibility after antibiotic resistance arises has proven elusive. A greater understanding of the relationship between antibiotic administration and the evolution of resistance is key to overcoming this challenge. Here we present a data-driven mathematical approach for developing antibiotic treatment plans that can reverse the evolution of antibiotic resistance determinants. We have generated adaptive landscapes for 16 genotypes of the TEM {$\beta$}-lactamase that vary from the wild type genotype '' TEM-1'' through all combinations of four amino acid substitutions. We determined the growth rate of each genotype when treated with each of 15 {$\beta$}-lactam antibiotics. By using growth rates as a measure of fitness, we computed the probability of each amino acid substitution in each {$\beta$}-lactam treatment using two different models named the Correlated Probability Model (CPM) and the Equal Probability Model (EPM). We then performed an exhaustive search through the 15 treatments for substitution paths leading from each of the 16 genotypes back to the wild type TEM-1. We identified optimized treatment paths that returned the highest probabilities of selecting for reversions of amino acid substitutions and returning TEM to the wild type state. For the CPM model, the optimized probabilities ranged between 0.6 and 1.0. For the EPM model, the optimized probabilities ranged between 0.38 and 1.0. For cyclical CPM treatment plans in which the starting and ending genotype was the wild type, the probabilities were between 0.62 and 0.7. Overall this study shows that there is promise for reversing the evolution of resistance through antibiotic treatment plans.},
journal = {PLOS ONE},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13632645,~to-add-doi-URL,evolution,genetic-variability,human-health,phenotypes-vs-genotypes},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13632645},
number = {5}
}2014 (4)
Exploring the Spatial Patterns of Fire Density in Southern Europe Using Geographically Weighted Regression. Oliveira, S., Pereira, J. M. C., San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., & Louren ̧co, L. Applied Geography, 51:143–157, July, 2014.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Highlights] [::] We explored the spatial patterns of fire density in two regions of Southern Europe. [::] Geographically Weighted Regression was applied to investigate main drivers of fire. [::] A strong spatial variability of the explanatory power of the variables was found. [::] Precipitation, livestock and shrubland were significant factors in both regions. [::] Fire prevention strategies can be adjusted to particular fire conditions in an area. [Abstract] The spatial patterns of fire occurrence were analyzed in two regions of Southern Europe, focusing on the long-term factors that influence fire distribution. The relationship between fire occurrence and the physical and anthropogenic variables collected was investigated with Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and the results were compared with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). Local patterns of the significant variables were explored and a strong spatial variability of their explanatory power was revealed. Climate (precipitation), livestock and land cover (shrubland) were found to be significant in both regions, although in particular areas and to different extents. Regarding model performance, GWR showed an improvement over OLS in both regions. [] The investigation of the spatial variation in the importance of the main drivers over a broad study area, gives a valuable contribution to the improvement of fire management and prevention strategies, adjusted to the particular conditions of different areas.
@article{oliveiraExploringSpatialPatterns2014,
title = {Exploring the Spatial Patterns of Fire Density in Southern {{Europe}} Using Geographically Weighted Regression},
author = {Oliveira, Sandra and Pereira, Jos{\'e} M. C. and {San-Miguel-Ayanz}, Jes{\'u}s and Louren{\c c}o, Luciano},
year = {2014},
month = jul,
volume = {51},
pages = {143--157},
issn = {0143-6228},
doi = {10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.04.002},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] We explored the spatial patterns of fire density in two regions of Southern Europe. [::] Geographically Weighted Regression was applied to investigate main drivers of fire. [::] A strong spatial variability of the explanatory power of the variables was found. [::] Precipitation, livestock and shrubland were significant factors in both regions. [::] Fire prevention strategies can be adjusted to particular fire conditions in an area.
[Abstract]
The spatial patterns of fire occurrence were analyzed in two regions of Southern Europe, focusing on the long-term factors that influence fire distribution. The relationship between fire occurrence and the physical and anthropogenic variables collected was investigated with Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and the results were compared with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). Local patterns of the significant variables were explored and a strong spatial variability of their explanatory power was revealed. Climate (precipitation), livestock and land cover (shrubland) were found to be significant in both regions, although in particular areas and to different extents. Regarding model performance, GWR showed an improvement over OLS in both regions.
[] The investigation of the spatial variation in the importance of the main drivers over a broad study area, gives a valuable contribution to the improvement of fire management and prevention strategies, adjusted to the particular conditions of different areas.},
journal = {Applied Geography},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14174521,~to-add-doi-URL,land-cover,mediterranean-region,precipitation,southern-europe,spatial-pattern,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14174521}
}Remaining Natural Vegetation in the Global Biodiversity Hotspots. Sloan, S., Jenkins, C. N., Joppa, L. N., Gaveau, D. L. A., & Laurance, W. F. Biological Conservation, 177:12–24, September, 2014.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Highlights] [::] We estimate the area of natural intact vegetation in the global biodiversity hotspots. [::] Natural intact vegetation spans 3,545,975 km2, or 14.9\,% of its original extent. [::] Hotspots previously considered most intact suffered greatest downward adjustments. [::] Natural intact vegetation area is critical ($<$10%) in 6 of 12 biomes in the hotspots. [::] Natural intact vegetation is marketed more fragmented when $<$10\,% of hotspot area. [Abstract] The biodiversity hotspots are 35 biogeographical regions that have both exceptional endemism and extreme threats to their vegetation integrity, and as such are global conservation priorities. Nonetheless, prior estimates of natural intact vegetation (NIV) in the hotspots are generally imprecise, indirect, coarse, and/or dated. Using moderate- and high-resolution satellite imagery as well as maps of roads, settlements, and fires, we estimate the current extent of NIV for the hotspots. Our analysis indicates that hotspots retain 14.9\,% of their total area as NIV ($\sim$3,546,975 km2). Most hotspots have much less NIV than previously estimated, with half now having $\leqslant$10\,% NIV by area, a threshold beneath which mean NIV patch area declines precipitously below 1000 ha. Hotspots with the greatest previous NIV estimates suffered the greatest apparent losses. The paucity of NIV is most pronounced in biomes dominated by dry forests, open woodlands, and grasslands, reflecting their historic affinities with agriculture, such that NIV tends to concentrate in select biomes. Low and declining levels of NIV in the hotspots underscore the need for an urgent focus of limited conservation resources on these biologically crucial regions.
@article{sloanRemainingNaturalVegetation2014,
title = {Remaining Natural Vegetation in the Global Biodiversity Hotspots},
author = {Sloan, Sean and Jenkins, Clinton N. and Joppa, Lucas N. and Gaveau, David L. A. and Laurance, William F.},
year = {2014},
month = sep,
volume = {177},
pages = {12--24},
issn = {0006-3207},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2014.05.027},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] We estimate the area of natural intact vegetation in the global biodiversity hotspots. [::] Natural intact vegetation spans 3,545,975 km2, or 14.9\,\% of its original extent. [::] Hotspots previously considered most intact suffered greatest downward adjustments. [::] Natural intact vegetation area is critical ({$<$}10\%) in 6 of 12 biomes in the hotspots. [::] Natural intact vegetation is marketed more fragmented when {$<$}10\,\% of hotspot area.
[Abstract]
The biodiversity hotspots are 35 biogeographical regions that have both exceptional endemism and extreme threats to their vegetation integrity, and as such are global conservation priorities. Nonetheless, prior estimates of natural intact vegetation (NIV) in the hotspots are generally imprecise, indirect, coarse, and/or dated. Using moderate- and high-resolution satellite imagery as well as maps of roads, settlements, and fires, we estimate the current extent of NIV for the hotspots. Our analysis indicates that hotspots retain 14.9\,\% of their total area as NIV ({$\sim$}3,546,975 km2). Most hotspots have much less NIV than previously estimated, with half now having {$\leqslant$}10\,\% NIV by area, a threshold beneath which mean NIV patch area declines precipitously below 1000 ha. Hotspots with the greatest previous NIV estimates suffered the greatest apparent losses. The paucity of NIV is most pronounced in biomes dominated by dry forests, open woodlands, and grasslands, reflecting their historic affinities with agriculture, such that NIV tends to concentrate in select biomes. Low and declining levels of NIV in the hotspots underscore the need for an urgent focus of limited conservation resources on these biologically crucial regions.},
journal = {Biological Conservation},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13268307,~to-add-doi-URL,biodiversity,biodiversity-hotspot,conservation,forest-resources,global-scale,habitat-conservation,hotspot,vegetation},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13268307}
}Time to Do Something about Reproducibility. Morrison, S. J. eLife, 3:e03981+, December, 2014.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Individual scientists, scientific communities and scientific journals can do more to assess the publication of irreproducible results, to promote good science, and to increase the efficiency with which the scientific community self-corrects.
@article{morrisonTimeSomethingReproducibility2014,
title = {Time to Do Something about Reproducibility},
author = {Morrison, Sean J.},
year = {2014},
month = dec,
volume = {3},
pages = {e03981+},
issn = {2050-084X},
doi = {10.7554/elife.03981},
abstract = {Individual scientists, scientific communities and scientific journals can do more to assess the publication of irreproducible results, to promote good science, and to increase the efficiency with which the scientific community self-corrects.},
journal = {eLife},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13550760,~to-add-doi-URL,open-science,reproducibility,science-ethics,scientific-community-self-correction},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13550760}
}Taking a Bite out of Biodiversity. Machovina, B. & Feeley, K. J. Science, 343(6173):838, February, 2014.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[excerpt] In the Review '' Status and ecological effects of the world's largest carnivores'' (10 January, DOI: 10.1126/science.1241484), W. J. Ripple et al. claim that meat consumption by humans is one of many threats to carnivores and biodiversity. We argue that human carnivory is in fact the single greatest threat to overall biodiversity. Livestock production accounts for up to 75\,% of all agricultural lands and 30\,% of Earth's land surface, making it the single largest anthropogenic land use. Meat and feedstock production is rapidly rising in biodiversity-rich developing countries. [...] Substituting meat with soy protein could reduce total human biomass appropriation in 2050 by 94\,% below 2000 baseline levels and greatly reduce other environmental impacts related to use of water, fertilizer, fossil fuel, and biocides. [...] We argue that reducing and maintaining animal products to even 10\,% of the global human diet would enable the future global population to be fed on just the current area of agricultural lands. [...]
@article{machovinaTakingBiteOut2014,
title = {Taking a Bite out of Biodiversity},
author = {Machovina, Brian and Feeley, Kenneth J.},
year = {2014},
month = feb,
volume = {343},
pages = {838},
issn = {1095-9203},
doi = {10.1126/science.343.6173.838-a},
abstract = {[excerpt] In the Review '' Status and ecological effects of the world's largest carnivores'' (10 January, DOI: 10.1126/science.1241484), W. J. Ripple et al. claim that meat consumption by humans is one of many threats to carnivores and biodiversity. We argue that human carnivory is in fact the single greatest threat to overall biodiversity. Livestock production accounts for up to 75\,\% of all agricultural lands and 30\,\% of Earth's land surface, making it the single largest anthropogenic land use. Meat and feedstock production is rapidly rising in biodiversity-rich developing countries. [...] Substituting meat with soy protein could reduce total human biomass appropriation in 2050 by 94\,\% below 2000 baseline levels and greatly reduce other environmental impacts related to use of water, fertilizer, fossil fuel, and biocides. [...] We argue that reducing and maintaining animal products to even 10\,\% of the global human diet would enable the future global population to be fed on just the current area of agricultural lands. [...]},
journal = {Science},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13056490,~to-add-doi-URL,agricultural-land,agricultural-policy,agricultural-resources,biodiversity,carnivores,environment-society-economy,food-security,global-scale,land-use,scenario-analysis},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13056490},
number = {6173}
}2013 (6)
Rising Policy Conflicts in Europe over Bioenergy and Forestry. Söderberg, C. & Eckerberg, K. Forest Policy and Economics, 33:112–119, August, 2013.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
[Highlights] [::] EU Bioenergy policy cuts across forest, agriculture, energy and transport sectors. [::] Increased pressure on forest biomass risks putting EU in a wood-deficit situation. [::] Bioenergy conflicts regard land use, biodiversity, climate and sustainability. [::] Conflicts on environmental consequences from bioenergy policy are reconcilable. [::] Conflicts on globally shared rights and responsibilities are not easily reconciled. [Abstract] Growing concerns over emissions of green-house gases causing climate change as well as energy security concerns have spurred the interest in bioenergy production pushed by EU targets to fulfil the goal of 20~per cent renewable energy in 2020, as well as the goal of 10~per cent renewable fuels in transport by 2020. Increased bioenergy production is also seen to have political and economic benefits for rural areas and farming regions in Europe and in the developing world. There are, however, conflicting views on the potential benefits of large scale bioenergy production, and recent debates have also drawn attention to a range of environmental and socio-economic issues that may arise in this respect. One of these challenges will be that of accommodating forest uses - including wood for energy, and resulting intensification of forest management - with biodiversity protection in order to meet EU policy goals. We note that the use of biomass and biofuels spans over several economic sector policy areas, which calls for assessing and integrating environmental concerns across forest, agriculture, energy and transport sectors. In this paper, we employ frame analysis to identify the arguments for promoting bioenergy and assess the potential policy conflicts in the relevant sectors, through the analytical lens of environmental policy integration. We conclude that while there is considerable leverage of environmental arguments in favour of bioenergy in the studied economic sectors, and potential synergies with other policy goals, environmental interest groups remain sceptical to just how bioenergy is currently being promoted. There is a highly polarised debate particularly relating to biofuel production. Based on our analysis, we discuss the potential for how those issues could be reconciled drawing on the frame conflict theory, distinguishing between policy disagreements and policy controversies.
@article{soderbergRisingPolicyConflicts2013,
title = {Rising Policy Conflicts in {{Europe}} over Bioenergy and Forestry},
author = {S{\"o}derberg, Charlotta and Eckerberg, Katarina},
year = {2013},
month = aug,
volume = {33},
pages = {112--119},
issn = {1389-9341},
doi = {10.1016/j.forpol.2012.09.015},
abstract = {[Highlights]
[::] EU Bioenergy policy cuts across forest, agriculture, energy and transport sectors. [::] Increased pressure on forest biomass risks putting EU in a wood-deficit situation. [::] Bioenergy conflicts regard land use, biodiversity, climate and sustainability. [::] Conflicts on environmental consequences from bioenergy policy are reconcilable. [::] Conflicts on globally shared rights and responsibilities are not easily reconciled.
[Abstract] Growing concerns over emissions of green-house gases causing climate change as well as energy security concerns have spurred the interest in bioenergy production pushed by EU targets to fulfil the goal of 20~per cent renewable energy in 2020, as well as the goal of 10~per cent renewable fuels in transport by 2020. Increased bioenergy production is also seen to have political and economic benefits for rural areas and farming regions in Europe and in the developing world. There are, however, conflicting views on the potential benefits of large scale bioenergy production, and recent debates have also drawn attention to a range of environmental and socio-economic issues that may arise in this respect. One of these challenges will be that of accommodating forest uses - including wood for energy, and resulting intensification of forest management - with biodiversity protection in order to meet EU policy goals. We note that the use of biomass and biofuels spans over several economic sector policy areas, which calls for assessing and integrating environmental concerns across forest, agriculture, energy and transport sectors. In this paper, we employ frame analysis to identify the arguments for promoting bioenergy and assess the potential policy conflicts in the relevant sectors, through the analytical lens of environmental policy integration. We conclude that while there is considerable leverage of environmental arguments in favour of bioenergy in the studied economic sectors, and potential synergies with other policy goals, environmental interest groups remain sceptical to just how bioenergy is currently being promoted. There is a highly polarised debate particularly relating to biofuel production. Based on our analysis, we discuss the potential for how those issues could be reconciled drawing on the frame conflict theory, distinguishing between policy disagreements and policy controversies.},
journal = {Forest Policy and Economics},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-11738844,~to-add-doi-URL,bioenergy,biomass,europe,forest-resources,ghg,science-policy-interface,uncertainty},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-11738844}
}Global, 30-m Resolution Continuous Fields of Tree Cover: Landsat-Based Rescaling of MODIS Vegetation Continuous Fields with Lidar-Based Estimates of Error. Sexton, J. O., Song, X., Feng, M., Noojipady, P., Anand, A., Huang, C., Kim, D., Collins, K. M., Channan, S., DiMiceli, C., & Townshend, J. R. International Journal of Digital Earth, 6(5):427–448, September, 2013.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
We developed a global, 30-m resolution dataset of percent tree cover by rescaling the 250-m MOderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) Tree Cover layer using circa- 2000 and 2005 Landsat images, incorporating the MODIS Cropland Layer to improve accuracy in agricultural areas. Resulting Landsat-based estimates maintained consistency with the MODIS VCF in both epochs (RMSE = 8.6\,% in 2000 and 11.9\,% in 2005), but showed improved accuracy in agricultural areas and increased discrimination of small forest patches. Against lidar measurements, the Landsat-based estimates exhibited accuracy slightly less than that of the MODIS VCF (RMSE = 16.8\,% for MODIS-based vs. 17.4\,% for Landsat-based estimates), but RMSE of Landsat estimates was 3.3 percentage points lower than that of the MODIS data in an agricultural region. The Landsat data retained the saturation artifact of the MODIS VCF at greater than or equal to 80\,% tree cover but showed greater potential for removal of errors through calibration to lidar, with post-calibration RMSE of 9.4\,% compared to 13.5\,% in MODIS estimates. Provided for free download at the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) website (www.landcover.org), the 30-m resolution GLCF tree cover dataset is the highest-resolution multi-temporal depiction of Earth's tree cover available to the Earth science community.
@article{sextonGlobal30mResolution2013,
title = {Global, 30-m Resolution Continuous Fields of Tree Cover: {{Landsat}}-Based Rescaling of {{MODIS}} Vegetation Continuous Fields with Lidar-Based Estimates of Error},
author = {Sexton, Joseph O. and Song, Xiao-Peng and Feng, Min and Noojipady, Praveen and Anand, Anupam and Huang, Chengquan and Kim, Do-Hyung and Collins, Kathrine M. and Channan, Saurabh and DiMiceli, Charlene and Townshend, John R.},
year = {2013},
month = sep,
volume = {6},
pages = {427--448},
issn = {1753-8947},
doi = {10.1080/17538947.2013.786146},
abstract = {We developed a global, 30-m resolution dataset of percent tree cover by rescaling the 250-m MOderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) Tree Cover layer using circa- 2000 and 2005 Landsat images, incorporating the MODIS Cropland Layer to improve accuracy in agricultural areas. Resulting Landsat-based estimates maintained consistency with the MODIS VCF in both epochs (RMSE = 8.6\,\% in 2000 and 11.9\,\% in 2005), but showed improved accuracy in agricultural areas and increased discrimination of small forest patches. Against lidar measurements, the Landsat-based estimates exhibited accuracy slightly less than that of the MODIS VCF (RMSE = 16.8\,\% for MODIS-based vs. 17.4\,\% for Landsat-based estimates), but RMSE of Landsat estimates was 3.3 percentage points lower than that of the MODIS data in an agricultural region. The Landsat data retained the saturation artifact of the MODIS VCF at greater than or equal to 80\,\% tree cover but showed greater potential for removal of errors through calibration to lidar, with post-calibration RMSE of 9.4\,\% compared to 13.5\,\% in MODIS estimates. Provided for free download at the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) website (www.landcover.org), the 30-m resolution GLCF tree cover dataset is the highest-resolution multi-temporal depiction of Earth's tree cover available to the Earth science community.},
journal = {International Journal of Digital Earth},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12286079,~to-add-doi-URL,forest-resources,global-scale,land-cover,lidar,modis,open-data,proportion,remote-sensing},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-12286079},
number = {5}
}Disciplinary Action. Nature Nature, 495(7442):409–410, March, 2013.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
How scientists share and reuse information is driven by technology but shaped by discipline. [Excerpt] [] [...] The transformation of research publishing is less a revolution and more a war of attrition. Battle lines were drawn long ago and all sides are well dug-in. In 2001, this journal published a series of viewpoints on the future of 'e-access to the primary literature' (see go.nature.com/pezj84). Those attitudes seem strikingly familiar today. At the time, the founders of the Public Library of Science initiative (then PLS, now reborn as the publisher PLoS) urged that research results should be stored in free, online, centralized repositories. Technology enthusiasts sang the praises of easy search and retrieval across a wide range of publication formats beyond the traditional journal article, but warned of the need for common standards. Publishers pointed out that someone would have to finance the publication of the increasing tide of information, and debated where revenue sources should come from. [] There was a voice missing from that debate: yours. More than a decade on, this journal's publisher, Nature Publishing Group (NPG), tried to remedy that by surveying more than 23,000 scientists about their experience of and opinions on open-access publishing. The key question is not just what scientists could have, but what they want. [...] [] One preliminary result that stands out is the diversity of experiences and attitudes across disciplines. In biology, 17\,% of papers published by the respondents over the past three years had been immediately made free for all to read by paying the publisher up front, and more than half of the biologists surveyed said that they had published at least one such paper. In chemistry, the proportion of papers was just 4\,%, and less than one-quarter of chemists had published at least one open-access paper. More than half of biologists felt that '' all papers should be published open-access'', whereas just under one-third of chemists agreed (the remaining one-third of chemists neither agreed nor disagreed). [] Nor do scientists hold consistent views about how widely information should be shared and reused. [...] [] [...] [] The dazzling variety of publishing options will fragment the information available on the web. Scholars need to think through how they would like that information to be shared and reused – answers may be different for the various disciplines. One revolution does not yet fit all.
@article{natureDisciplinaryAction2013,
title = {Disciplinary Action},
author = {{Nature}},
year = {2013},
month = mar,
volume = {495},
pages = {409--410},
issn = {0028-0836},
doi = {10.1038/495409b},
abstract = {How scientists share and reuse information is driven by technology but shaped by discipline.
[Excerpt] [] [...]
The transformation of research publishing is less a revolution and more a war of attrition. Battle lines were drawn long ago and all sides are well dug-in. In 2001, this journal published a series of viewpoints on the future of 'e-access to the primary literature' (see go.nature.com/pezj84). Those attitudes seem strikingly familiar today. At the time, the founders of the Public Library of Science initiative (then PLS, now reborn as the publisher PLoS) urged that research results should be stored in free, online, centralized repositories. Technology enthusiasts sang the praises of easy search and retrieval across a wide range of publication formats beyond the traditional journal article, but warned of the need for common standards. Publishers pointed out that someone would have to finance the publication of the increasing tide of information, and debated where revenue sources should come from.
[] There was a voice missing from that debate: yours. More than a decade on, this journal's publisher, Nature Publishing Group (NPG), tried to remedy that by surveying more than 23,000 scientists about their experience of and opinions on open-access publishing. The key question is not just what scientists could have, but what they want. [...]
[] One preliminary result that stands out is the diversity of experiences and attitudes across disciplines. In biology, 17\,\% of papers published by the respondents over the past three years had been immediately made free for all to read by paying the publisher up front, and more than half of the biologists surveyed said that they had published at least one such paper. In chemistry, the proportion of papers was just 4\,\%, and less than one-quarter of chemists had published at least one open-access paper. More than half of biologists felt that '' all papers should be published open-access'', whereas just under one-third of chemists agreed (the remaining one-third of chemists neither agreed nor disagreed).
[] Nor do scientists hold consistent views about how widely information should be shared and reused. [...]
[] [...]
[] The dazzling variety of publishing options will fragment the information available on the web. Scholars need to think through how they would like that information to be shared and reused -- answers may be different for the various disciplines. One revolution does not yet fit all.},
journal = {Nature},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14090276,~to-add-doi-URL,cross-disciplinary-perspective,disciplinary-barrier,free-scientific-knowledge,free-software,knowledge-freedom,open-access,open-data,open-science,scientific-knowledge-sharing},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14090276},
number = {7442}
}Forest Landscape in Europe: Pattern, Fragmentation and Connectivity. Estreguil, C., Caudullo, G., de Rigo , D., & San-Miguel-Ayanz, J. Volume 25717 of EUR - Scientific and Technical Research, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2013.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
The JRC demonstrated the feasibility to assess and report in a harmonized manner, forest landscape pattern and fragmentation in Europe, on the basis of an easily reproducible set of indices. Results were used in the Forest EUROPE, UN ECE and FAO joint ministerial reporting process on the protection of forests in Europe where data on forest pattern do not exist from national forest inventories. In the EU, 40\,% of the forest lands are within a 100m distance from other lands, thus potentially less suitable as interior habitat and more likely to be exposed to invasive species, pests and diseases. Forest edges are also mainly (60%) along intensive land uses. In Europe, 40\,% of woodlands have in their 1km2 surroundings a mosaic landscape of other natural/semi-natural lands, agriculture and artificial lands, 15\,% of woodlands are strongly fragmented by mainly intensive land uses. Landscapes with woodlands poorly connected represent 70\,% of the European territory and are potentially more vulnerable to further fragmentation in the future. National profiles of forest pattern were also provided. The mitigation of ecosystem fragmentation is also important in new targets of the European Biodiversity strategy to 2020. By affecting ecological processes, fragmentation affects ecosystem services such as habitat provision, pollination, and has also an impact on pest propagation in different ways. Forest area is still increasing in Europe at an annual rate of 0.4\,% but the JRC assessment showed that new forest areas do not always enhance connectivity. For example, in the Iberian Peninsula, the net forest gain in the 1990-2006 period had no impact on connectivity for nearly 10\,% of the landscapes. Further, the forest fragmentation processes that were found need to be captured at landscape level. They consist of minor forest losses due to intensive agriculture, transport infrastructures, settlements and fires. These findings support the consideration of forest spatial pattern and fragmentation in sustainable forest management plans for a regional landscape planning of clearings and re/afforestation measures and for habitat provision ecosystem services, particularly in the context of climate change.
@book{estreguilForestLandscapeEurope2013,
title = {Forest Landscape in {{Europe}}: Pattern, Fragmentation and Connectivity},
author = {Estreguil, Christine and Caudullo, Giovanni and {de Rigo}, Daniele and {San-Miguel-Ayanz}, Jes{\'u}s},
year = {2013},
volume = {25717},
publisher = {{Publications Office of the European Union}},
address = {{Luxembourg}},
issn = {1831-9424},
doi = {10.2788/77842},
abstract = {The JRC demonstrated the feasibility to assess and report in a harmonized manner, forest landscape pattern and fragmentation in Europe, on the basis of an easily reproducible set of indices. Results were used in the Forest EUROPE, UN ECE and FAO joint ministerial reporting process on the protection of forests in Europe where data on forest pattern do not exist from national forest inventories. In the EU, 40\,\% of the forest lands are within a 100m distance from other lands, thus potentially less suitable as interior habitat and more likely to be exposed to invasive species, pests and diseases. Forest edges are also mainly (60\%) along intensive land uses. In Europe, 40\,\% of woodlands have in their 1km2 surroundings a mosaic landscape of other natural/semi-natural lands, agriculture and artificial lands, 15\,\% of woodlands are strongly fragmented by mainly intensive land uses. Landscapes with woodlands poorly connected represent 70\,\% of the European territory and are potentially more vulnerable to further fragmentation in the future. National profiles of forest pattern were also provided. The mitigation of ecosystem fragmentation is also important in new targets of the European Biodiversity strategy to 2020. By affecting ecological processes, fragmentation affects ecosystem services such as habitat provision, pollination, and has also an impact on pest propagation in different ways. Forest area is still increasing in Europe at an annual rate of 0.4\,\% but the JRC assessment showed that new forest areas do not always enhance connectivity. For example, in the Iberian Peninsula, the net forest gain in the 1990-2006 period had no impact on connectivity for nearly 10\,\% of the landscapes. Further, the forest fragmentation processes that were found need to be captured at landscape level. They consist of minor forest losses due to intensive agriculture, transport infrastructures, settlements and fires. These findings support the consideration of forest spatial pattern and fragmentation in sustainable forest management plans for a regional landscape planning of clearings and re/afforestation measures and for habitat provision ecosystem services, particularly in the context of climate change.},
isbn = {978-92-79-28118-1},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12613694,~to-add-doi-URL,connectivity,europe,european-commission,forest-resources,fragmentation,landscape-modelling,mastrave-modelling-library,spatial-pattern},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-12613694},
series = {{{EUR}} - {{Scientific}} and {{Technical Research}}}
}Pathogens of the Bark Beetle Ips Cembrae: Microsporidia and Gregarines Also Known from Other Ips Species. Holu ̌sa, J., Luká ̌sová, K., Wegensteiner, R., Grodzki, W., Pernek, M., & Weiser, J. Journal of Applied Entomology, 137(3):181–187, April, 2013.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
The objective of the current study was to identify pathogens of the large larch bark beetle, Ips cembrae, which is a secondary pest that has produced several local outbreaks across Europe in recent years. Beetles were collected from pheromone traps, trap trees and emergence traps (Larix decidua) during 2007 to 2011 at 10 study sites in central Europe. A total of 3379 mature and callow beetles were examined with a light microscope, and only two microsporidian pathogens [Chytridiopsis typographi and a diplokaryotic microsporidium (probably Nosema sp.)] and two gregarines (Gregarina typographi and Mattesia schwenkei) were found. Within the I.~cembrae populations, the infection rate for C.~typographi ranged from 2 to 58\,%. Nosema sp. occurred in only two beetles in 2007 (at two study sites). G.~typographi was recorded only in Austria and Croatia and only in 1-2\,% of the beetles in those countries. Mattesia schwenkei was observed solely in Croatia in 0.6\,% of the beetles in that country. Only one fungal pathogen in the genus Fusarium was found and only in two mature beetles (0.7%) in 2010. The pathogen species found during our study of I.~cembrae were very similar to the pathogens previously identified for Ips typographus. No species-specific pathogen was detected.
@article{holusaPathogensBarkBeetle2013,
title = {Pathogens of the Bark Beetle {{Ips}} Cembrae: Microsporidia and Gregarines Also Known from Other {{Ips}} Species},
author = {Holu{\v s}a, J. and Luk{\'a}{\v s}ov{\'a}, K. and Wegensteiner, R. and Grodzki, W. and Pernek, M. and Weiser, J.},
year = {2013},
month = apr,
volume = {137},
pages = {181--187},
issn = {1439-0418},
doi = {10.1111/j.1439-0418.2012.01717.x},
abstract = {The objective of the current study was to identify pathogens of the large larch bark beetle, Ips cembrae, which is a secondary pest that has produced several local outbreaks across Europe in recent years. Beetles were collected from pheromone traps, trap trees and emergence traps (Larix decidua) during 2007 to 2011 at 10 study sites in central Europe. A total of 3379 mature and callow beetles were examined with a light microscope, and only two microsporidian pathogens [Chytridiopsis typographi and a diplokaryotic microsporidium (probably Nosema sp.)] and two gregarines (Gregarina typographi and Mattesia schwenkei) were found. Within the I.~cembrae populations, the infection rate for C.~typographi ranged from 2 to 58\,\%. Nosema sp. occurred in only two beetles in 2007 (at two study sites). G.~typographi was recorded only in Austria and Croatia and only in 1-2\,\% of the beetles in those countries. Mattesia schwenkei was observed solely in Croatia in 0.6\,\% of the beetles in that country. Only one fungal pathogen in the genus Fusarium was found and only in two mature beetles (0.7\%) in 2010. The pathogen species found during our study of I.~cembrae were very similar to the pathogens previously identified for Ips typographus. No species-specific pathogen was detected.},
journal = {Journal of Applied Entomology},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13796059,~to-add-doi-URL,chytridiopsis-typographi,europe,gregarina-typographi,ips-cembrae,ips-typographus,larix-decidua,mattesia-schwenkei,outbreaks},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13796059},
number = {3}
}Landslide-Facilitated Species Diversity in a Beech-Dominant Forest. Seiwa, K., Miwa, Y., Akasaka, S., Kanno, H., Tomita, M., Saitoh, T., Ueno, N., Kimura, M., Hasegawa, Y., Konno, M., & Masaka, K. Ecological Research, 28(1):29–41, November, 2013.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
To evaluate the extent to which landslides affect community dynamics and consequent species diversity in a beech-dominated forest, differences in the composition and size structure of tree species were compared between landslide and adjacent stable (control) stands. Demography and changes in size were compared between the two stands over a 5-year period about 60 years after a landslide. In the control stand, replacement occurred even amongst late-successional species, with beech ( Fagus crenata ) – the most dominant species – increasing in relative abundance. In the landslide stand, very few large individuals of late-successional species occurred, whereas large individuals of early-successional species occurred only in the landslide stand. The traits indicate that the landslide strongly facilitated species diversity, not only by reducing the dominance of late-successional species, but also by promoting recruitment of early-successional species. However, new recruitment of early-successional species was inhibited in the landslide stand, although we observed succeeding regeneration and subsequent population growth of late-successional species there. As a result, the relative dominance of late-successional species increased with succession after the landslide, thus decreasing future species diversity. In beech-dominant forest landscapes in Japan that include communities with different developmental stages, the mosaic of serial stages may facilitate species diversity after a landslide.
@article{seiwaLandslidefacilitatedSpeciesDiversity2013,
title = {Landslide-Facilitated Species Diversity in a Beech-Dominant Forest},
author = {Seiwa, Kenji and Miwa, Yoshiko and Akasaka, Shigetoshi and Kanno, Hiroshi and Tomita, Mizuki and Saitoh, Tomoyuki and Ueno, Naoto and Kimura, Megumi and Hasegawa, Yoichi and Konno, Miki and Masaka, Kazuhiko},
year = {2013},
month = nov,
volume = {28},
pages = {29--41},
issn = {0912-3814},
doi = {10.1007/s11284-012-0996-7},
abstract = {To evaluate the extent to which landslides affect community dynamics and consequent species diversity in a beech-dominated forest, differences in the composition and size structure of tree species were compared between landslide and adjacent stable (control) stands. Demography and changes in size were compared between the two stands over a 5-year period about 60 years after a landslide. In the control stand, replacement occurred even amongst late-successional species, with beech ( Fagus crenata ) -- the most dominant species -- increasing in relative abundance. In the landslide stand, very few large individuals of late-successional species occurred, whereas large individuals of early-successional species occurred only in the landslide stand. The traits indicate that the landslide strongly facilitated species diversity, not only by reducing the dominance of late-successional species, but also by promoting recruitment of early-successional species. However, new recruitment of early-successional species was inhibited in the landslide stand, although we observed succeeding regeneration and subsequent population growth of late-successional species there. As a result, the relative dominance of late-successional species increased with succession after the landslide, thus decreasing future species diversity. In beech-dominant forest landscapes in Japan that include communities with different developmental stages, the mosaic of serial stages may facilitate species diversity after a landslide.},
journal = {Ecological Research},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-11682676,~to-add-doi-URL,biodiversity,disturbances,diversity,fagus-crenata,forest-resources,forest-succession,japan,landslides,species-richness},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-11682676},
number = {1}
}2012 (1)
Fire Ecology and Post-Fire Restoration Approaches in Southern European Forest Types. Vallejo, Arianoutsou, M., & Moreira, F. In Moreira, F., Arianoutsou, M., Corona, P., & De las Heras, J., editors, Post-Fire Management and Restoration of Southern European Forests, volume 24, of Managing Forest Ecosystems, pages 93–119. Springer Netherlands, 2012.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
In this chapter we start by making an overview of plant adaptations to fire and post-fire response types, which will determine the post-fire management alternatives that might be used in specific forest and shrubland types. Some implications of climate change on fire regimes and plant responses are addressed, and the more fire prone forest types in Southern Europe are identified. We finish by discussing the major post-fire questions and management alternatives faced by forest managers, common to all forest and shrubland types affected by wildfires. These include measures to protect soil and reduce erosion risk, how to manage the burned trees, the use of restoration or conversion, active or indirect restoration, the management of herbivory, alien species, and pests and diseases.
@incollection{vallejoFireEcologyPostfire2012,
title = {Fire Ecology and Post-Fire Restoration Approaches in {{Southern European}} Forest Types},
booktitle = {Post-{{Fire Management}} and {{Restoration}} of {{Southern European Forests}}},
author = {{Vallejo} and Arianoutsou, Margarita and Moreira, Francisco},
editor = {Moreira, Francisco and Arianoutsou, Margarita and Corona, Piermaria and {De las Heras}, Jorge},
year = {2012},
volume = {24},
pages = {93--119},
publisher = {{Springer Netherlands}},
doi = {10.1007/978-94-007-2208-8\\_5},
abstract = {In this chapter we start by making an overview of plant adaptations to fire and post-fire response types, which will determine the post-fire management alternatives that might be used in specific forest and shrubland types. Some implications of climate change on fire regimes and plant responses are addressed, and the more fire prone forest types in Southern Europe are identified. We finish by discussing the major post-fire questions and management alternatives faced by forest managers, common to all forest and shrubland types affected by wildfires. These include measures to protect soil and reduce erosion risk, how to manage the burned trees, the use of restoration or conversion, active or indirect restoration, the management of herbivory, alien species, and pests and diseases.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13528291,~to-add-doi-URL,forest-resources,mediterranean-region,pinus-brutia,pinus-halepensis,pinus-pinaster,post-fire-management,post-fire-regeneration},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13528291},
series = {Managing {{Forest Ecosystems}}}
}2011 (3)
SESAM - a New Framework Integrating Macroecological and Species Distribution Models for Predicting Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Species Assemblages. Guisan, A. & Rahbek, C. Journal of Biogeography, 38(8):1433–1444, August, 2011.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Two different approaches currently prevail for predicting spatial patterns of species assemblages. The first approach (macroecological modelling, MEM) focuses directly on realized properties of species assemblages, whereas the second approach (stacked species distribution modelling, S-SDM) starts with constituent species to approximate the properties of assemblages. Here, we propose to unify the two approaches in a single 'spatially explicit species assemblage modelling' (SESAM) framework. This framework uses relevant designations of initial species source pools for modelling, macroecological variables, and ecological assembly rules to constrain predictions of the richness and composition of species assemblages obtained by stacking predictions of individual species distributions. We believe that such a framework could prove useful in many theoretical and applied disciplines of ecology and evolution, both for improving our basic understanding of species assembly across spatio-temporal scales and for anticipating expected consequences of local, regional or global environmental changes. In this paper, we propose such a framework and call for further developments and testing across a broad range of community types in a variety of environments.
@article{guisanSESAMNewFramework2011,
title = {{{SESAM}} - a New Framework Integrating Macroecological and Species Distribution Models for Predicting Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Species Assemblages},
author = {Guisan, Antoine and Rahbek, Carsten},
year = {2011},
month = aug,
volume = {38},
pages = {1433--1444},
issn = {0305-0270},
doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02550.x},
abstract = {Two different approaches currently prevail for predicting spatial patterns of species assemblages. The first approach (macroecological modelling, MEM) focuses directly on realized properties of species assemblages, whereas the second approach (stacked species distribution modelling, S-SDM) starts with constituent species to approximate the properties of assemblages. Here, we propose to unify the two approaches in a single 'spatially explicit species assemblage modelling' (SESAM) framework. This framework uses relevant designations of initial species source pools for modelling, macroecological variables, and ecological assembly rules to constrain predictions of the richness and composition of species assemblages obtained by stacking predictions of individual species distributions. We believe that such a framework could prove useful in many theoretical and applied disciplines of ecology and evolution, both for improving our basic understanding of species assembly across spatio-temporal scales and for anticipating expected consequences of local, regional or global environmental changes. In this paper, we propose such a framework and call for further developments and testing across a broad range of community types in a variety of environments.},
journal = {Journal of Biogeography},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9560635,~to-add-doi-URL,ecology,integration-techniques,modelling,pattern,spatio-temporal-scale,species-distribution,species-richness,statistics},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-9560635},
number = {8}
}Post-Wildfire Soil Erosion in the Mediterranean: Review and Future Research Directions. Shakesby, R. A. Earth-Science Reviews, 105(3-4):71–100, April, 2011.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Wildfires increased dramatically in frequency and extent in the European Mediterranean region from the 1960s, aided by a general warming and drying trend, but driven primarily by socio-economic changes, including rural depopulation, land abandonment and afforestation with flammable species. Published research into post-wildfire hydrology and soil erosion, beginning during the 1980s in Spain, has been followed by studies in other European Mediterranean countries together with Israel and has now attained a sufficiently large critical mass to warrant a major review. Although variations in climate, vegetation, soil, topography and fire severity cause differences in Mediterranean post-wildfire erosion, the long history of human landscape impact up to the present day is responsible for some its distinctive characteristics. This paper highlights these characteristics in reviewing wildfire impacts on hydrology, soil properties and soil erosion by water. The 'mosaic' nature of many Mediterranean landscapes (e.g. an intricate land-use pattern, abandoned terraces and tracks interrupting slopes) may explain sometimes conflicting post-fire hydrological and erosional responses at different sites and spatial scales. First-year post-wildfire soil losses at point- (average, 45-56~t~ha-~1) and plot-scales (many $<~$1~t~ha-~1 and the majority $<~$10~t~ha-~1 in the first year) are similar to or even lower than those reported for fire-affected land elsewhere or other disturbed (e.g. cultivated) and natural poorly-vegetated (e.g. badlands, rangeland) land in the Mediterranean. The few published losses at larger-scales (hillslope and catchment) are variable. Thin soil and high stone content can explain supply-limited erosion preceding significant protection by recovering vegetation. Peak erosion can sometimes be delayed for years, largely through slow vegetation recovery and temporal variability of erosive storms. Preferential removal of organic matter and nutrients in the commonly thin, degraded soils is arguably just as if not more important than the total soil loss. Aspect is important, with more erosion reported for south- than north-facing slopes, which is attributed to greater fire frequency, slower vegetation recovery on the former and with soil characteristics more prone to erosion (e.g. lower aggregate stability). Post-fire wind erosion is a potentially important but largely neglected process. Gauging the degradational significance of wildfires has relied on comparison with unburnt land, but the focus for comparison should be switched to other agents of soil disturbance and/or currently poorly understood soil renewal rates. Human impact on land use and vegetation may alter expected effects (increased fire activity and post-wildfire erosion) arising from future climatic change. Different future wildfire mitigation responses and likely erosional consequences are outlined. Research gaps are identified, and more research effort is suggested to: (1) improve assessment of post-wildfire erosion impact on soil fertility, through further quantification of soil nutrient depletion resulting from single and multiple fire cycles, and on soil longevity; (2) investigate prescribed fire impacts on carbon release, air pollution and nutrient losses as well as on soil loss; (3) isolate hillslope- and catchment-scale impacts of soil water repellency under Mediterranean post-wildfire conditions; (4) test and refine application of cosmogenic radionuclides to post-wildfire hillslope-scale soil redistribution at different temporal scales; (5) use better temporal resolution of sedimentary sequences to understand palaeofire-erosion-sedimentation links; (6) quantify post-wildfire wind erosion; (7) improve the integration of wildfire into an overall assessment of the processes and impacts of land degradation in the Mediterranean; and (8) raise public awareness of wildfire impact on soil degradation.
@article{shakesbyPostwildfireSoilErosion2011,
title = {Post-Wildfire Soil Erosion in the {{Mediterranean}}: Review and Future Research Directions},
author = {Shakesby, R. A.},
year = {2011},
month = apr,
volume = {105},
pages = {71--100},
issn = {0012-8252},
doi = {10.1016/j.earscirev.2011.01.001},
abstract = {Wildfires increased dramatically in frequency and extent in the European Mediterranean region from the 1960s, aided by a general warming and drying trend, but driven primarily by socio-economic changes, including rural depopulation, land abandonment and afforestation with flammable species. Published research into post-wildfire hydrology and soil erosion, beginning during the 1980s in Spain, has been followed by studies in other European Mediterranean countries together with Israel and has now attained a sufficiently large critical mass to warrant a major review. Although variations in climate, vegetation, soil, topography and fire severity cause differences in Mediterranean post-wildfire erosion, the long history of human landscape impact up to the present day is responsible for some its distinctive characteristics. This paper highlights these characteristics in reviewing wildfire impacts on hydrology, soil properties and soil erosion by water. The 'mosaic' nature of many Mediterranean landscapes (e.g. an intricate land-use pattern, abandoned terraces and tracks interrupting slopes) may explain sometimes conflicting post-fire hydrological and erosional responses at different sites and spatial scales. First-year post-wildfire soil losses at point- (average, 45-56~t~ha-~1) and plot-scales (many {$<~$}1~t~ha-~1 and the majority {$<~$}10~t~ha-~1 in the first year) are similar to or even lower than those reported for fire-affected land elsewhere or other disturbed (e.g. cultivated) and natural poorly-vegetated (e.g. badlands, rangeland) land in the Mediterranean. The few published losses at larger-scales (hillslope and catchment) are variable. Thin soil and high stone content can explain supply-limited erosion preceding significant protection by recovering vegetation. Peak erosion can sometimes be delayed for years, largely through slow vegetation recovery and temporal variability of erosive storms. Preferential removal of organic matter and nutrients in the commonly thin, degraded soils is arguably just as if not more important than the total soil loss. Aspect is important, with more erosion reported for south- than north-facing slopes, which is attributed to greater fire frequency, slower vegetation recovery on the former and with soil characteristics more prone to erosion (e.g. lower aggregate stability). Post-fire wind erosion is a potentially important but largely neglected process. Gauging the degradational significance of wildfires has relied on comparison with unburnt land, but the focus for comparison should be switched to other agents of soil disturbance and/or currently poorly understood soil renewal rates. Human impact on land use and vegetation may alter expected effects (increased fire activity and post-wildfire erosion) arising from future climatic change. Different future wildfire mitigation responses and likely erosional consequences are outlined. Research gaps are identified, and more research effort is suggested to: (1) improve assessment of post-wildfire erosion impact on soil fertility, through further quantification of soil nutrient depletion resulting from single and multiple fire cycles, and on soil longevity; (2) investigate prescribed fire impacts on carbon release, air pollution and nutrient losses as well as on soil loss; (3) isolate hillslope- and catchment-scale impacts of soil water repellency under Mediterranean post-wildfire conditions; (4) test and refine application of cosmogenic radionuclides to post-wildfire hillslope-scale soil redistribution at different temporal scales; (5) use better temporal resolution of sedimentary sequences to understand palaeofire-erosion-sedimentation links; (6) quantify post-wildfire wind erosion; (7) improve the integration of wildfire into an overall assessment of the processes and impacts of land degradation in the Mediterranean; and (8) raise public awareness of wildfire impact on soil degradation.},
journal = {Earth-Science Reviews},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-8753154,~to-add-doi-URL,aspect,climate-extremes,complexity,erosion,feedback,forest-resources,grasslands,mediterranean-region,non-linearity,postfire-recovery,slope,soil-erosion,soil-resources,solar-radiation,trade-offs,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-8753154},
number = {3-4}
}Harmonization Tests. Chirici, G., McRoberts, R. E., Winter, S., Barbati, A., Brändli, U., Abegg, M., Beranova, J., Rondeux, J., Bertini, R., Alberdi Asensio, I., & Condés, S. In Chirici, G., Winter, S., & McRoberts, R. E., editors, National Forest Inventories: Contributions to Forest Biodiversity Assessments, volume 20, of Managing Forest Ecosystems, pages 121–190. Springer Netherlands, 2011.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Chapter 5 reports the results of testing the proposed procedures for harmonizing estimates of indicators for six of the seven essential features of forest biodiversity. Twenty indicators were tested using data from the common database.In general, positive results were obtained for forest categories, forest structure, forest age, deadwood, and naturalness; the results were less positive for ground vegetation because of the considerable differences in definitions and data acquisition methods. Of importance is, that the test focused on assessing harmonization procedures rather than on producing comprehensive estimates for particular countries or forest categories.
@incollection{chiriciHarmonizationTests2011,
title = {Harmonization Tests},
booktitle = {National Forest Inventories: Contributions to Forest Biodiversity Assessments},
author = {Chirici, Gherardo and McRoberts, Ronald E. and Winter, Susanne and Barbati, Anna and Br{\"a}ndli, Urs-Beat and Abegg, Meinrad and Beranova, Jana and Rondeux, Jacques and Bertini, Roberta and Alberdi Asensio, Iciar and Cond{\'e}s, Sonia},
editor = {Chirici, Gherardo and Winter, Susanne and McRoberts, Ronald E.},
year = {2011},
volume = {20},
pages = {121--190},
publisher = {{Springer Netherlands}},
issn = {1568-1319},
doi = {10.1007/978-94-007-0482-4\\_5},
abstract = {Chapter 5 reports the results of testing the proposed procedures for harmonizing estimates of indicators for six of the seven essential features of forest biodiversity. Twenty indicators were tested using data from the common database.In general, positive results were obtained for forest categories, forest structure, forest age, deadwood, and naturalness; the results were less positive for ground vegetation because of the considerable differences in definitions and data acquisition methods. Of importance is, that the test focused on assessing harmonization procedures rather than on producing comprehensive estimates for particular countries or forest categories.},
isbn = {978-94-007-0482-4},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14249004,~to-add-doi-URL,biodiversity,biodiversity-indicator,europe,forest-inventories,forest-resources},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14249004},
series = {Managing {{Forest Ecosystems}}}
}2010 (1)
Climatic Impact of Global-Scale Deforestation: Radiative versus Nonradiative Processes. Davin, E. L. & de Noblet-Ducoudré , N. Journal of Climate, 23(1):97–112, January, 2010.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
A fully coupled land-ocean-atmosphere GCM is used to explore the biogeophysical impact of large-scale deforestation on surface climate. By analyzing the model sensitivity to global-scale replacement of forests by grassland, it is shown that the surface albedo increase owing to deforestation has a cooling effect of -1.36 K globally. On the other hand, forest removal decreases evapotranspiration efficiency and decreases surface roughness, both leading to a global surface warming of 0.24 and 0.29 K, respectively. The net biogeophysical impact of deforestation results from the competition between these effects. Globally, the albedo effect is dominant because of its wider-scale impact, and the net biogeophysical impact of deforestation is thus a cooling of -1 K. Over land, the balance between the different processes varies with latitude. In temperate and boreal zones of the Northern Hemisphere the albedo effect is stronger and deforestation thus induces a cooling. Conversely, in the tropics the net impact of deforestation is a warming, because evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness provide the dominant influence. The authors also explore the importance of the ocean coupling in shaping the climate response to deforestation. First, the temperature over ocean responds to the land cover perturbation. Second, even the temperature change over land is greatly affected by the ocean coupling. By assuming fixed oceanic conditions, the net effect of deforestation, averaged over all land areas, is a warming, whereas taking into account the coupling with the ocean leads, on the contrary, to a net land cooling. Furthermore, it is shown that the main parameter involved in the coupling with the ocean is surface albedo. Indeed, a change in albedo modifies temperature and humidity in the whole troposphere, thus enabling the initially land-confined perturbation to be transferred to the ocean. Finally, the radiative forcing framework is discussed in the context of land cover change impact on climate. The experiments herein illustrate that deforestation triggers two opposite types of forcingmechanisms-radiative forcing (owing to surface albedo change) and nonradiative forcing (owing to change in evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness)-that exhibit a similar magnitude globally. However, when applying the radiative forcing concept, nonradiative processes are ignored, which may lead to a misrepresentation of land cover change impact on climate. [Excerpt: Conclusions] In this study we addressed the biogeophysical impact of deforestation with a fully coupled land-ocean-atmosphere GCM. We contrasted the climate of a maximally forested earth with the climate resulting from the replacement of forest by grass. Our experimental design allows us to separate the respective roles of surface albedo, evapotranspiration efficiency, and surface roughness in shaping the net biogeophysical effect of deforestation. Whereas our main focus here was on the energy budget and surface temperature, investigations of the response of the hydrological cycle will be conducted in the future. [\n] Increase in surface albedo owing to complete deforestation has a cooling effect on climate (-1.36 K globally). On the other hand, forest removal decreases evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness, which warms surface climate (respectively, by 0.24 and 0.29 K globally). The magnitude of these different effects varies regionally. The cooling effect due to albedo change is stronger at high latitudes and affects both land and ocean. Conversely, the warming effect from change in evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness is stronger at low latitudes and does not affect the oceans. [\n] The net biogeophysical impact of deforestation results from the competition between these effects. Globally, the albedo effect is dominant and the net biogeophysical impact of deforestation is a cooling of -1 K. This is mainly because the albedo effect spreads over the ocean, whereas the other effects do not. On continents, however, the balance between the different processes changes with latitude. In temperate and boreal zones of the Northern Hemisphere the albedo effect is stronger and deforestation thus induces a cooling, as has already been noticed in previous studies (e.g., Betts 2001; Bounoua et al. 2002). Conversely, in the tropics the net impact of deforestation is a warming because evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness provide the dominant influence in these regions. [\n] This study also highlights the importance of the coupling with the ocean. Up to now, most of our knowledge concerning the impact of land cover change on climate comes from atmospheric models not coupled to an ocean model but instead assuming fixed oceanic conditions (e.g., Dickinson and Henderson-Sellers 1988; Nobre et al. 1991; Bonan 1997; Lean and Rowntree 1997; Chase et al. 2000; Gedney and Valdes 2000; Betts 2001; Bounoua et al. 2002; DeFries et al. 2002; Voldoire 2006). Implicitly, this assumption was justified be the fact that the perturbation owing to land cover change is applied to land and not to the ocean. However, our experiments show that taking into account the coupling with the ocean greatly affect the simulated response to deforestation. First, we noted that the ocean surface responds to deforestation by a cooling. Second, even the temperature change over land is strongly affected by the ocean coupling. By not taking into account the coupling with the ocean we would have concluded that the net effect of deforestation, averaged over all land areas, is a warming. By accounting for the ocean coupling, this net effect is of opposite sign. We also further demonstrated that the main parameter involved in the coupling with the ocean is surface albedo. This is because change in albedo modifies temperature and humidity in the whole troposphere, thus enabling the initially land-confined perturbation to be transferred to the ocean. [\n] Finally, the results presented here give some insight concerning the nature of the forcing owing to land cover change. Supporting earlier hypothesis (Pielke et al. 2002; NRC 2005; Davin et al. 2007), we showed that deforestation involves two opposite types of forcing mechanisms: a radiative forcing (owing to surface albedo change) and a nonradiative forcing (owing to change in evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness). We quantified the relative importance of these opposite forcings in the context of our complete deforestation experiments and found that, globally, they are of similar magnitude. This result highlights the limitation of the classical radiative forcing framework in which equilibrium temperature change is viewed as a response to a radiative forcing perturbation. Land cover change can also affect equilibrium temperature through nonradiative processes. Historical deforestation took place mostly in temperate regions, and therefore radiative forcing was roughly acceptable in quantifying its effect. Future deforestation, however, is expected to take place in the tropics where nonradiative effects are dominant. Hence, using the radiative forcing framework in the context of future land cover change may lead to a misrepresentation of its impact on climate.
@article{davinClimaticImpactGlobalscale2010,
title = {Climatic Impact of Global-Scale Deforestation: Radiative versus Nonradiative Processes},
author = {Davin, Edouard L. and {de Noblet-Ducoudr{\'e}}, Nathalie},
year = {2010},
month = jan,
volume = {23},
pages = {97--112},
issn = {1520-0442},
doi = {10.1175/2009jcli3102.1},
abstract = {A fully coupled land-ocean-atmosphere GCM is used to explore the biogeophysical impact of large-scale deforestation on surface climate. By analyzing the model sensitivity to global-scale replacement of forests by grassland, it is shown that the surface albedo increase owing to deforestation has a cooling effect of -1.36 K globally. On the other hand, forest removal decreases evapotranspiration efficiency and decreases surface roughness, both leading to a global surface warming of 0.24 and 0.29 K, respectively. The net biogeophysical impact of deforestation results from the competition between these effects. Globally, the albedo effect is dominant because of its wider-scale impact, and the net biogeophysical impact of deforestation is thus a cooling of -1 K. Over land, the balance between the different processes varies with latitude. In temperate and boreal zones of the Northern Hemisphere the albedo effect is stronger and deforestation thus induces a cooling. Conversely, in the tropics the net impact of deforestation is a warming, because evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness provide the dominant influence. The authors also explore the importance of the ocean coupling in shaping the climate response to deforestation. First, the temperature over ocean responds to the land cover perturbation. Second, even the temperature change over land is greatly affected by the ocean coupling. By assuming fixed oceanic conditions, the net effect of deforestation, averaged over all land areas, is a warming, whereas taking into account the coupling with the ocean leads, on the contrary, to a net land cooling. Furthermore, it is shown that the main parameter involved in the coupling with the ocean is surface albedo. Indeed, a change in albedo modifies temperature and humidity in the whole troposphere, thus enabling the initially land-confined perturbation to be transferred to the ocean. Finally, the radiative forcing framework is discussed in the context of land cover change impact on climate. The experiments herein illustrate that deforestation triggers two opposite types of forcingmechanisms-radiative forcing (owing to surface albedo change) and nonradiative forcing (owing to change in evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness)-that exhibit a similar magnitude globally. However, when applying the radiative forcing concept, nonradiative processes are ignored, which may lead to a misrepresentation of land cover change impact on climate.
[Excerpt: Conclusions]
In this study we addressed the biogeophysical impact of deforestation with a fully coupled land-ocean-atmosphere GCM. We contrasted the climate of a maximally forested earth with the climate resulting from the replacement of forest by grass. Our experimental design allows us to separate the respective roles of surface albedo, evapotranspiration efficiency, and surface roughness in shaping the net biogeophysical effect of deforestation. Whereas our main focus here was on the energy budget and surface temperature, investigations of the response of the hydrological cycle will be conducted in the future.
[\textbackslash n] Increase in surface albedo owing to complete deforestation has a cooling effect on climate (-1.36 K globally). On the other hand, forest removal decreases evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness, which warms surface climate (respectively, by 0.24 and 0.29 K globally). The magnitude of these different effects varies regionally. The cooling effect due to albedo change is stronger at high latitudes and affects both land and ocean. Conversely, the warming effect from change in evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness is stronger at low latitudes and does not affect the oceans.
[\textbackslash n] The net biogeophysical impact of deforestation results from the competition between these effects. Globally, the albedo effect is dominant and the net biogeophysical impact of deforestation is a cooling of -1 K. This is mainly because the albedo effect spreads over the ocean, whereas the other effects do not. On continents, however, the balance between the different processes changes with latitude. In temperate and boreal zones of the Northern Hemisphere the albedo effect is stronger and deforestation thus induces a cooling, as has already been noticed in previous studies (e.g., Betts 2001; Bounoua et al. 2002). Conversely, in the tropics the net impact of deforestation is a warming because evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness provide the dominant influence in these regions.
[\textbackslash n] This study also highlights the importance of the coupling with the ocean. Up to now, most of our knowledge concerning the impact of land cover change on climate comes from atmospheric models not coupled to an ocean model but instead assuming fixed oceanic conditions (e.g., Dickinson and Henderson-Sellers 1988; Nobre et al. 1991; Bonan 1997; Lean and Rowntree 1997; Chase et al. 2000; Gedney and Valdes 2000; Betts 2001; Bounoua et al. 2002; DeFries et al. 2002; Voldoire 2006). Implicitly, this assumption was justified be the fact that the perturbation owing to land cover change is applied to land and not to the ocean. However, our experiments show that taking into account the coupling with the ocean greatly affect the simulated response to deforestation. First, we noted that the ocean surface responds to deforestation by a cooling. Second, even the temperature change over land is strongly affected by the ocean coupling. By not taking into account the coupling with the ocean we would have concluded that the net effect of deforestation, averaged over all land areas, is a warming. By accounting for the ocean coupling, this net effect is of opposite sign. We also further demonstrated that the main parameter involved in the coupling with the ocean is surface albedo. This is because change in albedo modifies temperature and humidity in the whole troposphere, thus enabling the initially land-confined perturbation to be transferred to the ocean.
[\textbackslash n] Finally, the results presented here give some insight concerning the nature of the forcing owing to land cover change. Supporting earlier hypothesis (Pielke et al. 2002; NRC 2005; Davin et al. 2007), we showed that deforestation involves two opposite types of forcing mechanisms: a radiative forcing (owing to surface albedo change) and a nonradiative forcing (owing to change in evapotranspiration efficiency and surface roughness). We quantified the relative importance of these opposite forcings in the context of our complete deforestation experiments and found that, globally, they are of similar magnitude. This result highlights the limitation of the classical radiative forcing framework in which equilibrium temperature change is viewed as a response to a radiative forcing perturbation. Land cover change can also affect equilibrium temperature through nonradiative processes. Historical deforestation took place mostly in temperate regions, and therefore radiative forcing was roughly acceptable in quantifying its effect. Future deforestation, however, is expected to take place in the tropics where nonradiative effects are dominant. Hence, using the radiative forcing framework in the context of future land cover change may lead to a misrepresentation of its impact on climate.},
journal = {Journal of Climate},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-6519442,~to-add-doi-URL,albedo,boreal-forests,climate,complexity,deforestation,evapotranspiration,feedback,forest-resources,global-climate-models,humidity,land-cover,large-vs-wide-scale,oceans,off-site-effects,surface-roughness,temperate-forests,temperature,trade-offs,tropical-forests,wide-scale},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-6519442},
number = {1}
}2009 (2)
Climate Change, Habitat Loss, Protected Areas and the Climate Adaptation Potential of Species in Mediterranean Ecosystems Worldwide. Klausmeyer, K. R. & Shaw, M. R. PLOS ONE, 4(7):e6392+, July, 2009.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Mediterranean climate is found on five continents and supports five global biodiversity hotspots. Based on combined downscaled results from 23 atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) for three emissions scenarios, we determined the projected spatial shifts in the mediterranean climate extent (MCE) over the next century. Although most AOGCMs project a moderate expansion in the global MCE, regional impacts are large and uneven. The median AOGCM simulation output for the three emissions scenarios project the MCE at the end of the 21st century in Chile will range from 129-153\,% of its current size, while in Australia, it will contract to only 77-49\,% of its current size losing an area equivalent to over twice the size of Portugal. Only 4\,% of the land area within the current MCE worldwide is in protected status (compared to a global average of 12\,% for all biome types), and, depending on the emissions scenario, only 50-60\,% of these protected areas are likely to be in the future MCE. To exacerbate the climate impact, nearly one third (29-31\,%) of the land where the MCE is projected to remain stable has already been converted to human use, limiting the size of the potential climate refuges and diminishing the adaptation potential of native biota. High conversion and low protection in projected stable areas make Australia the highest priority region for investment in climate-adaptation strategies to reduce the threat of climate change to the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean biome.
@article{klausmeyerClimateChangeHabitat2009,
title = {Climate Change, Habitat Loss, Protected Areas and the Climate Adaptation Potential of Species in {{Mediterranean}} Ecosystems Worldwide},
author = {Klausmeyer, Kirk R. and Shaw, M. R.},
year = {2009},
month = jul,
volume = {4},
pages = {e6392+},
issn = {1932-6203},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0006392},
abstract = {Mediterranean climate is found on five continents and supports five global biodiversity hotspots. Based on combined downscaled results from 23 atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) for three emissions scenarios, we determined the projected spatial shifts in the mediterranean climate extent (MCE) over the next century. Although most AOGCMs project a moderate expansion in the global MCE, regional impacts are large and uneven. The median AOGCM simulation output for the three emissions scenarios project the MCE at the end of the 21st century in Chile will range from 129-153\,\% of its current size, while in Australia, it will contract to only 77-49\,\% of its current size losing an area equivalent to over twice the size of Portugal. Only 4\,\% of the land area within the current MCE worldwide is in protected status (compared to a global average of 12\,\% for all biome types), and, depending on the emissions scenario, only 50-60\,\% of these protected areas are likely to be in the future MCE. To exacerbate the climate impact, nearly one third (29-31\,\%) of the land where the MCE is projected to remain stable has already been converted to human use, limiting the size of the potential climate refuges and diminishing the adaptation potential of native biota. High conversion and low protection in projected stable areas make Australia the highest priority region for investment in climate-adaptation strategies to reduce the threat of climate change to the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean biome.},
journal = {PLOS ONE},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257874,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,australia,biodiversity,chile,climate-change,conservation,ecosystem,habitat-conservation,mediterranean-region,protected-areas},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14257874},
number = {7}
}Status of Desertification in the Mediterranean Region. Safriel, U. N. In Rubio, J. L., Safriel, U., Daussa, R., Blum, W., & Pedrazzini, F., editors, Water Scarcity, Land Degradation and Desertification in the Mediterranean Region, of NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security, pages 33–73. Springer Netherlands, 2009.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Assessment of the status of Mediterranean desertification requires a robust and agreed upon definition of desertification, which is still lacking, partly due to the widespread use of '' desertification'' either interchangeably or in conjunction with '' land degradation''. By definition desertification is a subset of land degradation confined to drylands, thus adding '' land degradation'' to '' desertification'' implies relevance of the UNCCD to land degradation in both drylands and non-drylands, globally and in the Mediterranean. Another interpretation for pairing '' desertification'' and '' land degradation'' is that desertification is not a globally spatial but a dryland temporal subset of land degradation; namely '' desertification'' represents culmination of the process of land degradation in the drylands. The UNCCD usage of '' desertification'' (to be combated) in conjunction with drought (to be mitigated) and climatic variations (a desertification driver) also confounds understanding and assessment of desertification and its status. Qualifying desertification as a persistent reduction of biological productivity in the drylands may resolve difficulties in addressing desertification, though no agreement exists as to what degree of degradation and its reversibility properties would qualify as desertification. Desertification is habitually believed to be driven by human impact proportional to population size and growth rate, which are higher than the global average and relative to all other ecosystems, respectively. Global scale data demonstrating that desertification is highest at the intermediate section of the aridity gradient suggest that desertification is driven by an interaction of ecosystem sensitivity (expressed by natural biological productivity) and the pressure exerted on land resources (expressed by population density). Yet, though GDP and infant mortality rates are lower and higher in drylands, relatively to other ecosystems and to global averages, respectively, it is not known if the drylands' low human well-being is driven by desertification, or by the inherently low productivity of drylands impacted by growing populations, or both. Thus desertification constitutes a paradigm, one of a downward spiral of degradation leading to human misery, through self-reinforcing positive feedback loops. This paradigm is reinforced by an environmental security narrative, in which migrations and conflicts driven by the desertification-associated demand and supply-induced environmental scarcities, reduce overall environmental security in the drylands. A '' counter paradigm'' based on some evidence suggests that drylands' adversities trigger '' induced innovations'' in rural communities that lead to development tracks which circumvent desertification. Yet, if dryland population continues to increase the '' induced ingenuity'' will eventually be exhausted, unless dryland livelihoods independent of land productivity are gradually adopted. [\n] Mediterranean climates, of wet winters but dry summers, prevail in five seaboard semiarid and dry-subhumid regions on the globe, one of which is the Mediterranean Basin, with a long history of intensive use by man resulting in biological adaptations providing high ecosystem resilience to human impact. The southern, African lands of the Mediterranean Basin are drier than the northern, European lands, the latter being mainly semiarid drylands, with high desertification extent, yet more people are affected by desertification in the southern than in the northern sections of the Basin. All over the Mediterranean Basin the most extensively used land is also the most intensively used and becoming most degraded, irrespective of type of use. Thus in the northern Mediterranean desertification is driven by irrigation developments, themselves driven by markets and regional agricultural policies, whereas in the southern Mediterranean desertification is driven by encroachment of cultivation on rangelands, which are driven by population growth and national policies. Yet, the Mediterranean ecosystems are fairly resilient to mounting external pressures, due to a balance in the interaction of soil state with soil vegetation cover, up to a point in which a threshold is crossed. [\n] A way to avoid desertification in grazed Mediterranean shrublands is to encourage the historical prevalence of a spatio-temporal mosaic of distinct patches of annual and perennial vegetation through controlling grazing and fire at moderate levels, and moving these controls adaptively and dynamically between patches. Yet, when degradation did take over, rehabilitation through afforestation have taken place on a large scale in the Mediterranean Basin. This afforestation, mainly with Aleppo Pine, reduced soil erosion and flooding but compromised water resources and poorly performed in restoring the indigenous vegetation cover, but seemed to be more successful and water-efficient in drier areas, where the objective was soil conservation rather than the vegetation restoration. [\n] Global climate change is projected to exert an additional pressure on the Mediterranean drylands, through an overall decrease in water resources, such that even a relatively small climatic change would suffice to initiate a spatio-temporal transformation of the Mediterranean semiarid to arid drylands, and also an overall transformation of non-drylands into drylands, in both their climate and their biological productivity. Given the projected combined impacts of global climate change, dryland population growth and the pressure on drylands brought about by global decline in good cultivable land, it may be effective to address Mediterranean desertification as an environmental security issue, which encompasses risking food security, health security, livelihood security, national and transboundary security. However, the direct links between desertification and migration within the Mediterranean Basin have not yet been demonstrated. [\n] Even though means to promote land productivity improve, an eventual widespread desertification leading to reduced human well-being, land desertion and migration can emerge in the Mediterranean Basin. A way out is to explore means of diversifying dryland livelihoods, such that the pressure on land resources is reduced yet dryland people opt to stay on their land. Paradoxically, with all its drawbacks, global climate change provides opportunities to people of the Mediterranean drylands, encouraging them to diversify their livelihoods, e.g. afforestation in the non-desert Mediterranean drylands for carbon trading, and solar energy development in the desert drylands for exporting electricity. These and other livelihoods of advantage in drylands yet not depending on dryland land resources can be mixed with improvements of traditional dryland livelihoods. Thus the flows between the southern and northern Mediterranean may dramatically transform – rather than development aid cash, payments for purchases of clean energy would flow from the North to the South, and the South – North flow of migrants would be replaced by North – South flow of tourists. These changes would promote the sustainability of dryland livelihoods especially in the South, and would bring abut environmental security and subsequent political stability throughout the Mediterranean Basin.
@incollection{safrielStatusDesertificationMediterranean2009,
title = {Status of Desertification in the {{Mediterranean}} Region},
booktitle = {Water {{Scarcity}}, {{Land Degradation}} and {{Desertification}} in the {{Mediterranean Region}}},
author = {Safriel, Uriel N.},
editor = {Rubio, Jos{\'e} L. and Safriel, Uriel and Daussa, Raul and Blum, Winfried and Pedrazzini, Fausto},
year = {2009},
pages = {33--73},
publisher = {{Springer Netherlands}},
doi = {10.1007/978-90-481-2526-5\\_3},
abstract = {Assessment of the status of Mediterranean desertification requires a robust and agreed upon definition of desertification, which is still lacking, partly due to the widespread use of '' desertification'' either interchangeably or in conjunction with '' land degradation''. By definition desertification is a subset of land degradation confined to drylands, thus adding '' land degradation'' to '' desertification'' implies relevance of the UNCCD to land degradation in both drylands and non-drylands, globally and in the Mediterranean. Another interpretation for pairing '' desertification'' and '' land degradation'' is that desertification is not a globally spatial but a dryland temporal subset of land degradation; namely '' desertification'' represents culmination of the process of land degradation in the drylands. The UNCCD usage of '' desertification'' (to be combated) in conjunction with drought (to be mitigated) and climatic variations (a desertification driver) also confounds understanding and assessment of desertification and its status. Qualifying desertification as a persistent reduction of biological productivity in the drylands may resolve difficulties in addressing desertification, though no agreement exists as to what degree of degradation and its reversibility properties would qualify as desertification. Desertification is habitually believed to be driven by human impact proportional to population size and growth rate, which are higher than the global average and relative to all other ecosystems, respectively. Global scale data demonstrating that desertification is highest at the intermediate section of the aridity gradient suggest that desertification is driven by an interaction of ecosystem sensitivity (expressed by natural biological productivity) and the pressure exerted on land resources (expressed by population density). Yet, though GDP and infant mortality rates are lower and higher in drylands, relatively to other ecosystems and to global averages, respectively, it is not known if the drylands' low human well-being is driven by desertification, or by the inherently low productivity of drylands impacted by growing populations, or both. Thus desertification constitutes a paradigm, one of a downward spiral of degradation leading to human misery, through self-reinforcing positive feedback loops. This paradigm is reinforced by an environmental security narrative, in which migrations and conflicts driven by the desertification-associated demand and supply-induced environmental scarcities, reduce overall environmental security in the drylands. A '' counter paradigm'' based on some evidence suggests that drylands' adversities trigger '' induced innovations'' in rural communities that lead to development tracks which circumvent desertification. Yet, if dryland population continues to increase the '' induced ingenuity'' will eventually be exhausted, unless dryland livelihoods independent of land productivity are gradually adopted.
[\textbackslash n] Mediterranean climates, of wet winters but dry summers, prevail in five seaboard semiarid and dry-subhumid regions on the globe, one of which is the Mediterranean Basin, with a long history of intensive use by man resulting in biological adaptations providing high ecosystem resilience to human impact. The southern, African lands of the Mediterranean Basin are drier than the northern, European lands, the latter being mainly semiarid drylands, with high desertification extent, yet more people are affected by desertification in the southern than in the northern sections of the Basin. All over the Mediterranean Basin the most extensively used land is also the most intensively used and becoming most degraded, irrespective of type of use. Thus in the northern Mediterranean desertification is driven by irrigation developments, themselves driven by markets and regional agricultural policies, whereas in the southern Mediterranean desertification is driven by encroachment of cultivation on rangelands, which are driven by population growth and national policies. Yet, the Mediterranean ecosystems are fairly resilient to mounting external pressures, due to a balance in the interaction of soil state with soil vegetation cover, up to a point in which a threshold is crossed.
[\textbackslash n] A way to avoid desertification in grazed Mediterranean shrublands is to encourage the historical prevalence of a spatio-temporal mosaic of distinct patches of annual and perennial vegetation through controlling grazing and fire at moderate levels, and moving these controls adaptively and dynamically between patches. Yet, when degradation did take over, rehabilitation through afforestation have taken place on a large scale in the Mediterranean Basin. This afforestation, mainly with Aleppo Pine, reduced soil erosion and flooding but compromised water resources and poorly performed in restoring the indigenous vegetation cover, but seemed to be more successful and water-efficient in drier areas, where the objective was soil conservation rather than the vegetation restoration.
[\textbackslash n] Global climate change is projected to exert an additional pressure on the Mediterranean drylands, through an overall decrease in water resources, such that even a relatively small climatic change would suffice to initiate a spatio-temporal transformation of the Mediterranean semiarid to arid drylands, and also an overall transformation of non-drylands into drylands, in both their climate and their biological productivity. Given the projected combined impacts of global climate change, dryland population growth and the pressure on drylands brought about by global decline in good cultivable land, it may be effective to address Mediterranean desertification as an environmental security issue, which encompasses risking food security, health security, livelihood security, national and transboundary security. However, the direct links between desertification and migration within the Mediterranean Basin have not yet been demonstrated.
[\textbackslash n] Even though means to promote land productivity improve, an eventual widespread desertification leading to reduced human well-being, land desertion and migration can emerge in the Mediterranean Basin. A way out is to explore means of diversifying dryland livelihoods, such that the pressure on land resources is reduced yet dryland people opt to stay on their land. Paradoxically, with all its drawbacks, global climate change provides opportunities to people of the Mediterranean drylands, encouraging them to diversify their livelihoods, e.g. afforestation in the non-desert Mediterranean drylands for carbon trading, and solar energy development in the desert drylands for exporting electricity. These and other livelihoods of advantage in drylands yet not depending on dryland land resources can be mixed with improvements of traditional dryland livelihoods. Thus the flows between the southern and northern Mediterranean may dramatically transform -- rather than development aid cash, payments for purchases of clean energy would flow from the North to the South, and the South -- North flow of migrants would be replaced by North -- South flow of tourists. These changes would promote the sustainability of dryland livelihoods especially in the South, and would bring abut environmental security and subsequent political stability throughout the Mediterranean Basin.},
isbn = {978-90-481-2525-8},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13912452,~to-add-doi-URL,afforestation,desertification,forest-resources,mediterranean-region,pinus-halepensis},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13912452},
series = {{{NATO Science}} for {{Peace}} and {{Security Series C}}: {{Environmental Security}}}
}2008 (1)
Vegetation-Environment Relationships in the Alderwood Communities of Caspian Lowlands, N. Iran (toward an Ecological Classification). Naqinezhad, A., Hamzeh'ee, B., & Attar, F. Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 203(7):567–577, October, 2008.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Hyrcanian (Caspian) lowland forests (northern Iran) include alderwood communities, dominated by Alnus glutinosa ssp. barbata. A data set of these alderwoods, including floristic relevés and environmental variables (groundwater level, soil physical and chemical properties from two depths) was analyzed in order to describe the relationships between floristic composition and environmental variables. Classification of relevés using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and a clustering technique displayed five clear vegetation groups of A. glutinosa ssp. barbata, each with specific indicator species. Principal component analysis (PCA) displayed two major gradients in environmental variables, namely a gradient of acidity-related variables and one of groundwater level-related variables. The five vegetation groups were confirmed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and can be interpreted with these two major environmental gradients and also life form data which were passively projected on the diagram. Hydrophytes and helophytes were mostly found in swampy or wet groups where they influenced the first axis, while other life forms were mostly concentrated in the drier groups on the second axis. The results of both direct canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and indirect (DCA) analyses of vegetation-environmental data were almost the same. The main environmental variables controlling the separation of these vegetation groups on the first two axes are groundwater level and acidity. There is a little difference between environmental variables analysis by PCA and vegetation-environment analysis by DCA and CCA mainly on different effects of CaCO3 on two first axes. Comparisons between habitat ecology of European alderwoods (stands of A. glutinosa ssp. glutinosa) and the measured environmental variables in the Hyrcanian alderwoods indicate some similar trends of variation of pH and C/N over these habitats in both areas. Three major types of A. glutinosa ssp. barbata habitats in Hyrcanian lowlands are distinguished mainly based on groundwater regime and geomorphology. These major types are compared with similar alderwoods in Europe.
@article{naqinezhadVegetationenvironmentRelationshipsAlderwood2008,
title = {Vegetation-Environment Relationships in the Alderwood Communities of {{Caspian}} Lowlands, {{N}}. {{Iran}} (toward an Ecological Classification)},
author = {Naqinezhad, Alireza and Hamzeh'ee, Behnam and Attar, Farideh},
year = {2008},
month = oct,
volume = {203},
pages = {567--577},
issn = {0367-2530},
doi = {10.1016/j.flora.2007.09.007},
abstract = {Hyrcanian (Caspian) lowland forests (northern Iran) include alderwood communities, dominated by Alnus glutinosa ssp. barbata. A data set of these alderwoods, including floristic relev\'es and environmental variables (groundwater level, soil physical and chemical properties from two depths) was analyzed in order to describe the relationships between floristic composition and environmental variables. Classification of relev\'es using two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and a clustering technique displayed five clear vegetation groups of A. glutinosa ssp. barbata, each with specific indicator species. Principal component analysis (PCA) displayed two major gradients in environmental variables, namely a gradient of acidity-related variables and one of groundwater level-related variables. The five vegetation groups were confirmed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and can be interpreted with these two major environmental gradients and also life form data which were passively projected on the diagram. Hydrophytes and helophytes were mostly found in swampy or wet groups where they influenced the first axis, while other life forms were mostly concentrated in the drier groups on the second axis. The results of both direct canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and indirect (DCA) analyses of vegetation-environmental data were almost the same. The main environmental variables controlling the separation of these vegetation groups on the first two axes are groundwater level and acidity. There is a little difference between environmental variables analysis by PCA and vegetation-environment analysis by DCA and CCA mainly on different effects of CaCO3 on two first axes. Comparisons between habitat ecology of European alderwoods (stands of A. glutinosa ssp. glutinosa) and the measured environmental variables in the Hyrcanian alderwoods indicate some similar trends of variation of pH and C/N over these habitats in both areas. Three major types of A. glutinosa ssp. barbata habitats in Hyrcanian lowlands are distinguished mainly based on groundwater regime and geomorphology. These major types are compared with similar alderwoods in Europe.},
journal = {Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14097574,~to-add-doi-URL,alnus-glutinosa,forest-classification,forest-resources,iran,vegetation-types},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14097574},
number = {7}
}2007 (1)
Open Sourcing Ecological Data. Parr, C. S. BioScience, 57(4):309–310, April, 2007.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
In a thought-provoking Viewpoint, Cassey and Blackburn (2006) suggest that reproducibility should not be required of ecological studies. Thus, ecological journals should not require authors to publish data as a requirement of publication, nor should reviewers insist on it. Cassey and Blackburn make three cautionary points: First, the goal of reproducibility should not be applied piecemeal. Second, journals are not ready for custodianship of data. Third, publishing data places the intellectual rights of authors at risk under the current reward system. I will respond to each of these points, then end with another view of the future of ecological research: an open-source web of ecological data.
@article{parrOpenSourcingEcological2007,
title = {Open Sourcing Ecological Data},
author = {Parr, Cynthia S.},
year = {2007},
month = apr,
volume = {57},
pages = {309--310},
issn = {1525-3244},
doi = {10.1641/b570402},
abstract = {In a thought-provoking Viewpoint, Cassey and Blackburn (2006) suggest that reproducibility should not be required of ecological studies. Thus, ecological journals should not require authors to publish data as a requirement of publication, nor should reviewers insist on it. Cassey and Blackburn make three cautionary points: First, the goal of reproducibility should not be applied piecemeal. Second, journals are not ready for custodianship of data. Third, publishing data places the intellectual rights of authors at risk under the current reward system. I will respond to each of these points, then end with another view of the future of ecological research: an open-source web of ecological data.},
journal = {BioScience},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-1197018,~to-add-doi-URL,data-sharing,ecology,free-scientific-knowledge,knowledge-freedom,metaknowledge,open-data,open-science,scientific-knowledge-sharing},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-1197018},
number = {4}
}2006 (1)
Improving Generalized Regression Analysis for the Spatial Prediction of Forest Communities. Maggini, R., Lehmann, A., Zimmermann, N. E., & Guisan, A. Journal of Biogeography, 33(10):1729–1749, October, 2006.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Aim This study used data from temperate forest communities to assess: (1) five different stepwise selection methods with generalized additive models, (2) the effect of weighting absences to ensure a prevalence of 0.5, (3) the effect of limiting absences beyond the environmental envelope defined by presences, (4) four different methods for incorporating spatial autocorrelation, and (5) the effect of integrating an interaction factor defined by a regression tree on the residuals of an initial environmental model. Location State of Vaud, western Switzerland. Methods Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted using the grasp package (generalized regression analysis and spatial predictions, http://www.cscf.ch/grasp). Results Model selection based on cross-validation appeared to be the best compromise between model stability and performance (parsimony) among the five methods tested. Weighting absences returned models that perform better than models fitted with the original sample prevalence. This appeared to be mainly due to the impact of very low prevalence values on evaluation statistics. Removing zeroes beyond the range of presences on main environmental gradients changed the set of selected predictors, and potentially their response curve shape. Moreover, removing zeroes slightly improved model performance and stability when compared with the baseline model on the same data set. Incorporating a spatial trend predictor improved model performance and stability significantly. Even better models were obtained when including local spatial autocorrelation. A novel approach to include interactions proved to be an efficient way to account for interactions between all predictors at once. Main conclusions Models and spatial predictions of 18 forest communities were significantly improved by using either: (1) cross-validation as a model selection method, (2) weighted absences, (3) limited absences, (4) predictors accounting for spatial autocorrelation, or (5) a factor variable accounting for interactions between all predictors. The final choice of model strategy should depend on the nature of the available data and the specific study aims. Statistical evaluation is useful in searching for the best modelling practice. However, one should not neglect to consider the shapes and interpretability of response curves, as well as the resulting spatial predictions in the final assessment.
@article{magginiImprovingGeneralizedRegression2006,
title = {Improving Generalized Regression Analysis for the Spatial Prediction of Forest Communities},
author = {Maggini, Ramona and Lehmann, Anthony and Zimmermann, Niklaus E. and Guisan, Antoine},
year = {2006},
month = oct,
volume = {33},
pages = {1729--1749},
issn = {0305-0270},
doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01465.x},
abstract = {Aim\hspace{0.6em} This study used data from temperate forest communities to assess: (1) five different stepwise selection methods with generalized additive models, (2) the effect of weighting absences to ensure a prevalence of 0.5, (3) the effect of limiting absences beyond the environmental envelope defined by presences, (4) four different methods for incorporating spatial autocorrelation, and (5) the effect of integrating an interaction factor defined by a regression tree on the residuals of an initial environmental model. Location\hspace{0.6em} State of Vaud, western Switzerland. Methods\hspace{0.6em} Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted using the grasp package (generalized regression analysis and spatial predictions, http://www.cscf.ch/grasp). Results\hspace{0.6em} Model selection based on cross-validation appeared to be the best compromise between model stability and performance (parsimony) among the five methods tested. Weighting absences returned models that perform better than models fitted with the original sample prevalence. This appeared to be mainly due to the impact of very low prevalence values on evaluation statistics. Removing zeroes beyond the range of presences on main environmental gradients changed the set of selected predictors, and potentially their response curve shape. Moreover, removing zeroes slightly improved model performance and stability when compared with the baseline model on the same data set. Incorporating a spatial trend predictor improved model performance and stability significantly. Even better models were obtained when including local spatial autocorrelation. A novel approach to include interactions proved to be an efficient way to account for interactions between all predictors at once. Main conclusions\hspace{0.6em} Models and spatial predictions of 18 forest communities were significantly improved by using either: (1) cross-validation as a model selection method, (2) weighted absences, (3) limited absences, (4) predictors accounting for spatial autocorrelation, or (5) a factor variable accounting for interactions between all predictors. The final choice of model strategy should depend on the nature of the available data and the specific study aims. Statistical evaluation is useful in searching for the best modelling practice. However, one should not neglect to consider the shapes and interpretability of response curves, as well as the resulting spatial predictions in the final assessment.},
journal = {Journal of Biogeography},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-835166,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,bioclimatic-predictors,correlation-analysis,forest-resources,habitat-suitability,statistics,uncertainty,weighting},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-835166},
number = {10}
}2005 (1)
Olive (Olea Europaea L.). Rugini, E., Mencuccini, M., Biasi, R., & Altamura, M. In Jain & Gupta, P., editors, Protocol for Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants, volume 77, of Forestry Sciences, pages 345–360. Springer Netherlands, 2005.
doi bibtex
doi bibtex
@incollection{ruginiOliveOleaEuropaea2005,
title = {Olive ({{Olea}} Europaea {{L}}.)},
booktitle = {Protocol for {{Somatic Embryogenesis}} in {{Woody Plants}}},
author = {Rugini, Eddo and Mencuccini, Massimo and Biasi, Rita and Altamura, MariaMaddalena},
editor = {{Jain} and Gupta, PramodK},
year = {2005},
volume = {77},
pages = {345--360},
publisher = {{Springer Netherlands}},
doi = {10.1007/1-4020-2985-3\\_27},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13594187,~to-add-doi-URL,forest-resources,genetic-resources,olea-europaea},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13594187},
series = {Forestry {{Sciences}}}
}2004 (2)
Would Climate Change Drive Species out of Reserves? An Assessment of Existing Reserve-Selection Methods. Araujo, M. B., Cabeza, M., Thuiller, W., Hannah, L., & Williams, P. H. Global Change Biology, 10(9):1618–1626, September, 2004.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Concern for climate change has not yet been integrated in protocols for reserve selection. However if climate changes as projected, there is a possibility that current reserve-selection methods might provide solutions that are inadequate to ensure species' long-term persistence within reserves. We assessed, for the first time, the ability of existing reserve-selection methods to secure species in a climate-change context. Six methods using a different combination of criteria (representation, suitability and reserve clustering) are compared. The assessment is carried out using European distributions of 1200 plant species and considering two extreme scenarios of response to climate change: no dispersal and universal dispersal. With our data, 6-11\,% of species modelled would be potentially lost from selected reserves in a 50-year period. Measured uncertainties varied in 6\,% being 1-3\,% attributed to dispersal assumptions and 2-5\,% to the choice of reserve-selection method. Suitability approaches to reserve selection performed best, while reserve clustering performed poorly. We also found that 5\,% of species modelled would lose their entire climatic envelope in the studied area; 2\,% of the species modelled would have nonoverlapping distributions; 93\,% of the species modelled would maintain varying levels of overlapping distributions. We conclude there are opportunities to minimize species' extinctions within reserves but new approaches are needed to account for impacts of climate change on species; especially for those projected to have temporally nonoverlapping distributions.
@article{araujoWouldClimateChange2004,
title = {Would Climate Change Drive Species out of Reserves? {{An}} Assessment of Existing Reserve-Selection Methods},
author = {Araujo, Miguel B. and Cabeza, Mar and Thuiller, Wilfried and Hannah, Lee and Williams, Paul H.},
year = {2004},
month = sep,
volume = {10},
pages = {1618--1626},
issn = {1354-1013},
doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00828.x},
abstract = {Concern for climate change has not yet been integrated in protocols for reserve selection. However if climate changes as projected, there is a possibility that current reserve-selection methods might provide solutions that are inadequate to ensure species' long-term persistence within reserves. We assessed, for the first time, the ability of existing reserve-selection methods to secure species in a climate-change context. Six methods using a different combination of criteria (representation, suitability and reserve clustering) are compared. The assessment is carried out using European distributions of 1200 plant species and considering two extreme scenarios of response to climate change: no dispersal and universal dispersal. With our data, 6-11\,\% of species modelled would be potentially lost from selected reserves in a 50-year period. Measured uncertainties varied in 6\,\% being 1-3\,\% attributed to dispersal assumptions and 2-5\,\% to the choice of reserve-selection method. Suitability approaches to reserve selection performed best, while reserve clustering performed poorly. We also found that 5\,\% of species modelled would lose their entire climatic envelope in the studied area; 2\,\% of the species modelled would have nonoverlapping distributions; 93\,\% of the species modelled would maintain varying levels of overlapping distributions. We conclude there are opportunities to minimize species' extinctions within reserves but new approaches are needed to account for impacts of climate change on species; especially for those projected to have temporally nonoverlapping distributions.},
journal = {Global Change Biology},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-201812,~to-add-doi-URL,climate-change,clustering,conservation,europe,species-dispersal,species-distribution,uncertainty},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-201812},
number = {9}
}Direct Regeneration Is Not the Only Response of Mediterranean Forests to Large Fires. Rodrigo, A., Retana, J., & Picó, F. X. Ecology, 85(3):716–729, March, 2004.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
It is widely accepted that the postfire recovery in Mediterranean plant communities is carried out by direct regeneration, i.e., the fast recovery of a plant community with the same species pool that it had immediately prior to disturbance. However, there is evidence that not all plant species in the Mediterranean basin survive fire in all situations, suggesting that the direct regeneration process might not apply to all situations. We analyze whether the main combinations of forest tree species (up to 16) of the western Mediterranean basin exhibit a postfire direct regeneration process. Based on data from field surveys, we have developed a stochastic model to predict the medium-term forest dynamics. In general, Quercus species (resprouters) and the pines Pinus halepensis and P. pinaster (seeders that produce abundant seedlings) showed direct regeneration patterns. In contrast, forests of P. nigra, P. sylvestris, and P. pinea (seeders that produce few seedlings) changed to other situations after fire. This outcome was validated by additional data from plots with known fire history. These results did not support completely the direct regeneration model, since only half of the combinations of tree species analyzed exhibited a $>$50\,% probability of recovering the original prefire situation after fire. This partial failure of direct regeneration evidences the need for reconsidering restoration and conservation plans for Mediterranean ecosystems after fire. [Excerpt: Discussion] [::Postfire direct regeneration in Mediterranean forests] The results indicated that forest types with the highest resilience were those of resprouter species (Q. ilex, Q. cerrioides, and Q. suber) or with efficient seedling recruitment after fire (P. halepensis and P. pinaster). However, only 7 out of 16 forest types analyzed in this study had a .50\,% probability of recovering the prefire forest type after fire. Particularly, monospecific and mixed forests of P. nigra, P. sylvestris, and P. pinea exhibited low or nil stasis after fire (Tables 3 and 4) and had high probabilities of change toward states dominated by different Quercus species or grasslands. As a result, the postfire regeneration of many of these forest types cannot be interpreted as a direct regeneration process because the composition and structure of the new postfire forest type were completely different from those of the prefire forest type. The resilience of P. halepensis and P. pinaster was due to high initial seedling densities (Table 2). These species overcome the destruction caused by fires through very powerful postfire regeneration based on their ability to safeguard seeds in a long-term permanent seed bank on the serotinous cones of the canopy, which open after the passage of fires (Saracino et al. 1993, Daskalakou and Thanos 1996, Broncano 2000). However, there was a high variability in germination of these species among plots and, as a consequence, the high probability of changing to other forest types observed in mixed forests of these pines (Fig. 5). The almost complete absence of P. nigra and P. sylvestris in the postfire scenarios can be attributed to very low seedling density after fire. They do not have serotinous cones, and their seeds are dispersed in late winter to spring (Skordilis and Thanos 1997). As most seeds have already germinated in late spring (A. Rodrigo, personal observation), they are burned as seedlings during summer fires, which are the most common in the Mediterranean region. In the case of P. pinea, its low presence after fire is not due to low seedling density (Table 2), but to high seedling mortality in the first years after fire. The probability that these forests may change toward states dominated by Quercus species or grasslands depends on topographical and/or management features that favor or hinder the establishment of Quercus individuals under the overstory of pines (Espelta et al. 1995, Broncano et al. 1998). The high stasis of the three Quercus species is due to their resprouting ability, although they show different strategies. Q. ilex and, to a lesser extent, Q. suber, produce a large number of resprouts per individual after fire (Espelta et al. 1999), which causes strong intraindividual competition and high mortality through time. On the other hand, Q. cerrioides produces fewer resprouts per individual (Espelta et al. 2003), but shows lower mortality than the former species. Stem density of the three species 30 years after fire was quite similar to the prefire situation with both resprouting strategies [...] [] Overall, the results of this study suggest that the historical idea that direct regeneration of Mediterranean plant species to fire was a feedback mechanism protecting Mediterranean ecosystems from the continuous human impact during millennia should be regarded with care. Mediterranean forests may change considerably due to fire. By a similar reasoning, other recent works also show that posthurricane regeneration of tropical mangroves is more complex than direct regeneration models proposed for other tropical forests affected by hurricanes, and where regeneration is dominated by resprouting (Baldwin et al. 2001). Considering the high biodiversity of the Mediterranean Basin, which is one of the hotspots that should receive particular priority at a worldwide scale (Myers et al. 2000), the inability of postfire regeneration exhibited by some Mediterranean forests under the present fire regime might have important consequences of loss of biodiversity, not only of trees, but of many other plant and animal species affected by community-scale changes. This shows the need to reconsider management and restoration plans for Mediterranean species and ecosystems in response to fire, which should also include the real possibility that some species or communities do not recover from fire in the way that would be expected based on classical theory.
@article{rodrigoDirectRegenerationNot2004,
title = {Direct Regeneration Is Not the Only Response of {{Mediterranean}} Forests to Large Fires},
author = {Rodrigo, Anselm and Retana, Javier and Pic{\'o}, F. Xavier},
year = {2004},
month = mar,
volume = {85},
pages = {716--729},
issn = {0012-9658},
doi = {10.1890/02-0492},
abstract = {It is widely accepted that the postfire recovery in Mediterranean plant communities is carried out by direct regeneration, i.e., the fast recovery of a plant community with the same species pool that it had immediately prior to disturbance. However, there is evidence that not all plant species in the Mediterranean basin survive fire in all situations, suggesting that the direct regeneration process might not apply to all situations. We analyze whether the main combinations of forest tree species (up to 16) of the western Mediterranean basin exhibit a postfire direct regeneration process. Based on data from field surveys, we have developed a stochastic model to predict the medium-term forest dynamics. In general, Quercus species (resprouters) and the pines Pinus halepensis and P. pinaster (seeders that produce abundant seedlings) showed direct regeneration patterns. In contrast, forests of P. nigra, P. sylvestris, and P. pinea (seeders that produce few seedlings) changed to other situations after fire. This outcome was validated by additional data from plots with known fire history. These results did not support completely the direct regeneration model, since only half of the combinations of tree species analyzed exhibited a {$>$}50\,\% probability of recovering the original prefire situation after fire. This partial failure of direct regeneration evidences the need for reconsidering restoration and conservation plans for Mediterranean ecosystems after fire.
[Excerpt: Discussion] [::Postfire direct regeneration in Mediterranean forests] The results indicated that forest types with the highest resilience were those of resprouter species (Q. ilex, Q. cerrioides, and Q. suber) or with efficient seedling recruitment after fire (P. halepensis and P. pinaster). However, only 7 out of 16 forest types analyzed in this study had a .50\,\% probability of recovering the prefire forest type after fire. Particularly, monospecific and mixed forests of P. nigra, P. sylvestris, and P. pinea exhibited low or nil stasis after fire (Tables 3 and 4) and had high probabilities of change toward states dominated by different Quercus species or grasslands. As a result, the postfire regeneration of many of these forest types cannot be interpreted as a direct regeneration process because the composition and structure of the new postfire forest type were completely different from those of the prefire forest type. The resilience of P. halepensis and P. pinaster was due to high initial seedling densities (Table 2). These species overcome the destruction caused by fires through very powerful postfire regeneration based on their ability to safeguard seeds in a long-term permanent seed bank on the serotinous cones of the canopy, which open after the passage of fires (Saracino et al. 1993, Daskalakou and Thanos 1996, Broncano 2000). However, there was a high variability in germination of these species among plots and, as a consequence, the high probability of changing to other forest types observed in mixed forests of these pines (Fig. 5). The almost complete absence of P. nigra and P. sylvestris in the postfire scenarios can be attributed to very low seedling density after fire. They do not have serotinous cones, and their seeds are dispersed in late winter to spring (Skordilis and Thanos 1997). As most seeds have already germinated in late spring (A. Rodrigo, personal observation), they are burned as seedlings during summer fires, which are the most common in the Mediterranean region. In the case of P. pinea, its low presence after fire is not due to low seedling density (Table 2), but to high seedling mortality in the first years after fire. The probability that these forests may change toward states dominated by Quercus species or grasslands depends on topographical and/or management features that favor or hinder the establishment of Quercus individuals under the overstory of pines (Espelta et al. 1995, Broncano et al. 1998). The high stasis of the three Quercus species is due to their resprouting ability, although they show different strategies. Q. ilex and, to a lesser extent, Q. suber, produce a large number of resprouts per individual after fire (Espelta et al. 1999), which causes strong intraindividual competition and high mortality through time. On the other hand, Q. cerrioides produces fewer resprouts per individual (Espelta et al. 2003), but shows lower mortality than the former species. Stem density of the three species 30 years after fire was quite similar to the prefire situation with both resprouting strategies [...]
[] Overall, the results of this study suggest that the historical idea that direct regeneration of Mediterranean plant species to fire was a feedback mechanism protecting Mediterranean ecosystems from the continuous human impact during millennia should be regarded with care. Mediterranean forests may change considerably due to fire. By a similar reasoning, other recent works also show that posthurricane regeneration of tropical mangroves is more complex than direct regeneration models proposed for other tropical forests affected by hurricanes, and where regeneration is dominated by resprouting (Baldwin et al. 2001). Considering the high biodiversity of the Mediterranean Basin, which is one of the hotspots that should receive particular priority at a worldwide scale (Myers et al. 2000), the inability of postfire regeneration exhibited by some Mediterranean forests under the present fire regime might have important consequences of loss of biodiversity, not only of trees, but of many other plant and animal species affected by community-scale changes. This shows the need to reconsider management and restoration plans for Mediterranean species and ecosystems in response to fire, which should also include the real possibility that some species or communities do not recover from fire in the way that would be expected based on classical theory.},
journal = {Ecology},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13797221,~to-add-doi-URL,disturbances,forest-fires,forest-resources,mediterranean-region,pinus-halepensis,pinus-nigra,pinus-pinaster,pinus-pinea,pinus-sylvestris,postfire-recovery,quercus-cerrioides,quercus-ilex,quercus-suber,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13797221},
number = {3}
}2002 (1)
Analysis of Trophic Indices in Gypsy Moth (Lymantria Dispar L.) Larvae from Two Geographic Populations. Andreeva, E. M. Russian Journal of Ecology, 33(5):342–348, 2002.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Specific features of larval feeding in two geographic populations of the gypsy moth are considered. It is shown that in larvae reared on an artificial diet, trophic indices depend on several factors, including the age and sex of larvae and the food plant on which the parental generation developed in nature. It is shown that larval micropopulations belonging to the same geographic population but feeding in nature on different plant species differ from each other to a greater extent than those of different geographic populations feeding on the same species.
@article{andreevaAnalysisTrophicIndices2002,
title = {Analysis of Trophic Indices in {{Gypsy}} Moth ({{Lymantria}} Dispar {{L}}.) Larvae from Two Geographic Populations},
author = {Andreeva, E. M.},
year = {2002},
volume = {33},
pages = {342--348},
issn = {1608-3334},
doi = {10.1023/a:1020269827577},
abstract = {Specific features of larval feeding in two geographic populations of the gypsy moth are considered. It is shown that in larvae reared on an artificial diet, trophic indices depend on several factors, including the age and sex of larvae and the food plant on which the parental generation developed in nature. It is shown that larval micropopulations belonging to the same geographic population but feeding in nature on different plant species differ from each other to a greater extent than those of different geographic populations feeding on the same species.},
journal = {Russian Journal of Ecology},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13779110,~to-add-doi-URL,betula-alba,betula-pendula,forest-pests,forest-resources,lymantria-dispar,quercus-robur,russia,salix-babylonica,salix-caprea},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13779110},
number = {5}
}2001 (2)
Anthropogenic Disturbance and Tree Diversity in Montane Rain Forests in Chiapas, Mexico. Ramírez-Marcial, N., González-Espinosa, M., & Williams-Linera, G. Forest Ecology and Management, 154(1-2):311–326, November, 2001.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
We studied the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on forest structure and composition in the highly populated Montane Rain Forests of northern Chiapas, Mexico. We evaluated species richness, basal area and stem density on 81 circular plots (0.1~ha each) along a categorical disturbance gradient due to forest extraction, livestock grazing, and fires. A total of 116 tree species ($>$5~cm DBH) were recorded in three major forest types recognized by TWINSPAN. The three forest types were: Quercus-Podocarpus Forest (QPF), Pinus-Quercus-Liquidambar Forest (PQLF), and Pinus Forest (PF). The number of canopy and understory trees species, absolute density, and basal area decreased with disturbance intensity. Mean basal area of Pinus spp. was high at intermediate and severe disturbed sites (27 and 19~m2~ha-1, respectively), and low (0.2~m2~ha-1) in well preserved old-growth stands. Distribution of life forms was heterogeneous among forest types, with a high number of understory trees species in QPF, and an impoverished composition in PF. A first axis obtained by factor analysis, represented a combination of anthropogenic disturbance along with environmental and structural variables. Scores of the first factor explained almost 50\,% of variation, and was positively correlated with livestock grazing, firewood extraction, basal area of Pinus spp. and soil pH, and negatively associated with elevation, plant cover and basal area of Quercus spp. A second factor explained an additional 12\,% of variation and was associated with forest fires and timber extraction. Distribution of size classes in the QPF was significantly different (p$<$0.05) than in the other two forest types, including the largest individuals in all inventories. Our results suggest that small scale, but frequent anthropogenic disturbance, increases the dominance of Pinus and drastically decreases floristic richness, mostly understory trees. This points to the need of developing restoration practices aimed to attain highly diverse mixed forests from induced depauperate pinelands. On the other hand, the remnant MRF stands are currently under risk of deforestation in a highly populated Mayan territory, and their conservation under criteria of sustainable use may require finding alternative high value uses not included in conventional commercial forestry.
@article{ramirez-marcialAnthropogenicDisturbanceTree2001,
title = {Anthropogenic Disturbance and Tree Diversity in {{Montane Rain Forests}} in {{Chiapas}}, {{Mexico}}},
author = {{Ram{\'{\i}}rez-Marcial}, Neptal{\'{\i}} and {Gonz{\'a}lez-Espinosa}, Mario and {Williams-Linera}, Guadalupe},
year = {2001},
month = nov,
volume = {154},
pages = {311--326},
issn = {0378-1127},
doi = {10.1016/s0378-1127(00)00639-3},
abstract = {We studied the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on forest structure and composition in the highly populated Montane Rain Forests of northern Chiapas, Mexico. We evaluated species richness, basal area and stem density on 81 circular plots (0.1~ha each) along a categorical disturbance gradient due to forest extraction, livestock grazing, and fires. A total of 116 tree species ({$>$}5~cm DBH) were recorded in three major forest types recognized by TWINSPAN. The three forest types were: Quercus-Podocarpus Forest (QPF), Pinus-Quercus-Liquidambar Forest (PQLF), and Pinus Forest (PF). The number of canopy and understory trees species, absolute density, and basal area decreased with disturbance intensity. Mean basal area of Pinus spp. was high at intermediate and severe disturbed sites (27 and 19~m2~ha-1, respectively), and low (0.2~m2~ha-1) in well preserved old-growth stands. Distribution of life forms was heterogeneous among forest types, with a high number of understory trees species in QPF, and an impoverished composition in PF. A first axis obtained by factor analysis, represented a combination of anthropogenic disturbance along with environmental and structural variables. Scores of the first factor explained almost 50\,\% of variation, and was positively correlated with livestock grazing, firewood extraction, basal area of Pinus spp. and soil pH, and negatively associated with elevation, plant cover and basal area of Quercus spp. A second factor explained an additional 12\,\% of variation and was associated with forest fires and timber extraction. Distribution of size classes in the QPF was significantly different (p{$<$}0.05) than in the other two forest types, including the largest individuals in all inventories. Our results suggest that small scale, but frequent anthropogenic disturbance, increases the dominance of Pinus and drastically decreases floristic richness, mostly understory trees. This points to the need of developing restoration practices aimed to attain highly diverse mixed forests from induced depauperate pinelands. On the other hand, the remnant MRF stands are currently under risk of deforestation in a highly populated Mayan territory, and their conservation under criteria of sustainable use may require finding alternative high value uses not included in conventional commercial forestry.},
journal = {Forest Ecology and Management},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9584282,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropogenic-changes,biodiversity,biomass-to-energy,disturbances,diversity,forest-fires,forest-management,grazing,timber-harvesting,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-9584282},
number = {1-2}
}Post-Fire Legacy of Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities in the Swedish Boreal Forest in Relation to Fire Severity and Logging Intensity. Dahlberg, A., Schimmel, J., Taylor, A. F. S., & Johannesson, H. Biological Conservation, 100(2):151–161, August, 2001.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Swedish foresters are placing increasing reliance in burning of forestland and green tree retention, in order to enhance biodiversity in the Swedish boreal forests. However, much remains to be learned about how to optimise nature conservation goals by different logging and burning procedures. We monitored the survival of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi as mycorrhizas, at a clear-cut, a seed tree stand and an uncut stand of Scots pine in central Sweden, with and without burning at two levels of fire severity. The abundance of mycorrhizas and the EM fungal diversity declined with increased logging intensity and with increased depth of burn. Deep burning fires in combination with logging or fire-caused tree mortality can kill much of the existing EM community. Logging intensity, fire intensity and fire severity are all factors that can be manipulated, thus changing the effects on EM fungi and other soil biota.
@article{dahlbergPostfireLegacyEctomycorrhizal2001,
title = {Post-Fire Legacy of Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities in the {{Swedish}} Boreal Forest in Relation to Fire Severity and Logging Intensity},
author = {Dahlberg, Anders and Schimmel, Johnny and Taylor, Andy F. S. and Johannesson, Hanna},
year = {2001},
month = aug,
volume = {100},
pages = {151--161},
issn = {0006-3207},
doi = {10.1016/s0006-3207(00)00230-5},
abstract = {Swedish foresters are placing increasing reliance in burning of forestland and green tree retention, in order to enhance biodiversity in the Swedish boreal forests. However, much remains to be learned about how to optimise nature conservation goals by different logging and burning procedures. We monitored the survival of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi as mycorrhizas, at a clear-cut, a seed tree stand and an uncut stand of Scots pine in central Sweden, with and without burning at two levels of fire severity. The abundance of mycorrhizas and the EM fungal diversity declined with increased logging intensity and with increased depth of burn. Deep burning fires in combination with logging or fire-caused tree mortality can kill much of the existing EM community. Logging intensity, fire intensity and fire severity are all factors that can be manipulated, thus changing the effects on EM fungi and other soil biota.},
journal = {Biological Conservation},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14074696,~to-add-doi-URL,boreal-forests,disasters,fire-severity,forest-fires,forest-management,forest-resources,logging,mycorrhizal-fungi,sweden,wildfires},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14074696},
number = {2}
}2000 (1)
Trends in Extreme Weather and Climate Events: Issues Related to Modeling Extremes in Projections of Future Climate Change. Meehl, G. A., Zwiers, F., Evans, J., Knutson, T., Mearns, L., & Whetton, P. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 81(3):427–436, March, 2000.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Projections of statistical aspects of weather and climate extremes can be derived from climate models representing possible future climate states. Some of the recent models have reproduced results previously reported in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Second Assessment Report, such as a greater frequency of extreme warm days and lower frequency of extreme cold days associated with a warmer mean climate, a decrease in diurnal temperature range associated with higher nighttime temperatures, increased precipitation intensity, midcontinent summer drying, decreasing daily variability of surface temperature in winter, and increasing variability of northern midlatitude summer surface temperatures. This reconfirmation of previous results gives an increased confidence in the credibility of the models, though agreement among models does not guarantee those changes will occur. New results since the IPCC Second Assessment Report indicate a possible increase of extreme heat stress events in a warmer climate, an increase of cooling degree days and decrease in heating degree days, an increase of precipitation extremes such that there is a decrease in return periods for 20 – yr extreme precipitation events, and more detailed analyses of possible changes in 20 – yr return values for extreme maximum and minimum temperatures. Additionally, recent studies are now addressing interannual and synoptic time and space scale processes that affect weather and climate extremes, such as tropical cyclones, El Niño effects, and extratropical storms. However, current climate models are not yet in agreement with respect to possible future changes in such features.
@article{meehlTrendsExtremeWeather2000,
title = {Trends in Extreme Weather and Climate Events: Issues Related to Modeling Extremes in Projections of Future Climate Change},
author = {Meehl, Gerald A. and Zwiers, Francis and Evans, Jenni and Knutson, Thomas and Mearns, Linda and Whetton, Peter},
year = {2000},
month = mar,
volume = {81},
pages = {427--436},
issn = {1520-0477},
doi = {10.1175/1520-0477(2000)081<0427:TIEWAC>2.3.CO;2},
abstract = {Projections of statistical aspects of weather and climate extremes can be derived from climate models representing possible future climate states. Some of the recent models have reproduced results previously reported in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Second Assessment Report, such as a greater frequency of extreme warm days and lower frequency of extreme cold days associated with a warmer mean climate, a decrease in diurnal temperature range associated with higher nighttime temperatures, increased precipitation intensity, midcontinent summer drying, decreasing daily variability of surface temperature in winter, and increasing variability of northern midlatitude summer surface temperatures. This reconfirmation of previous results gives an increased confidence in the credibility of the models, though agreement among models does not guarantee those changes will occur. New results since the IPCC Second Assessment Report indicate a possible increase of extreme heat stress events in a warmer climate, an increase of cooling degree days and decrease in heating degree days, an increase of precipitation extremes such that there is a decrease in return periods for 20 -- yr extreme precipitation events, and more detailed analyses of possible changes in 20 -- yr return values for extreme maximum and minimum temperatures. Additionally, recent studies are now addressing interannual and synoptic time and space scale processes that affect weather and climate extremes, such as tropical cyclones, El Ni\~no effects, and extratropical storms. However, current climate models are not yet in agreement with respect to possible future changes in such features.},
journal = {Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-7425318,~to-add-doi-URL,climate-change,climate-extremes,climate-projections,droughts,dry-spells,el-nino,extreme-events,extreme-weather,modelling,precipitation,storm,temperature},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-7425318},
number = {3}
}1999 (1)
Plant-Pest Interactions in Time and Space: A Douglas-Fir Bark Beetle Outbreak as a Case Study. Powers, J. S., Sollins, P., Harmon, M. E., & Jones, J. Landscape Ecology, 14(2):105–120, 1999.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
A conceptual model of Douglas-fir bark beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) dynamics and associated host tree mortality across multiple spatial and temporal scales was developed, then used to guide a study of the association between the occurrence of beetle- killed trees and factors that might render trees more susceptible to attack. Long-term records of beetle kill showed that beetle epidemics were associated with windstorms and drought at statewide and local spatial scales. At the landscape scale, beetle kill was associated with (i) portions of the landscape that were potentially drier (southern aspects, lower elevations) and (ii) portions of the landscape that had more mature and old-growth conifer vegetation. The patches of beetle-killed trees were aggregated with respect to other patches at scales of approximately 1 and 4 km. At the scale of the individual tree, there was not a strong relationship between beetle kill and resistance to attack measured by tree growth rate prior to attack. Our results show that landscape-scale phenomena and temporal patterns were more strongly correlated with beetle-kill events than was recent growth history at the scale of individual trees. We suggest that the multi-scale approach we employed is useful for elucidating the relative roles of fine- versus coarse-scale constraints on ecological processes.
@article{powersPlantpestInteractionsTime1999,
title = {Plant-Pest Interactions in Time and Space: A {{Douglas}}-Fir Bark Beetle Outbreak as a Case Study},
author = {Powers, Jennifer S. and Sollins, Phillip and Harmon, Mark E. and Jones, JuliaA},
year = {1999},
volume = {14},
pages = {105--120},
issn = {1572-9761},
doi = {10.1023/A:1008017711917},
abstract = {A conceptual model of Douglas-fir bark beetle (Dendroctonus pseudotsugae) dynamics and associated host tree mortality across multiple spatial and temporal scales was developed, then used to guide a study of the association between the occurrence of beetle- killed trees and factors that might render trees more susceptible to attack. Long-term records of beetle kill showed that beetle epidemics were associated with windstorms and drought at statewide and local spatial scales. At the landscape scale, beetle kill was associated with (i) portions of the landscape that were potentially drier (southern aspects, lower elevations) and (ii) portions of the landscape that had more mature and old-growth conifer vegetation. The patches of beetle-killed trees were aggregated with respect to other patches at scales of approximately 1 and 4 km. At the scale of the individual tree, there was not a strong relationship between beetle kill and resistance to attack measured by tree growth rate prior to attack. Our results show that landscape-scale phenomena and temporal patterns were more strongly correlated with beetle-kill events than was recent growth history at the scale of individual trees. We suggest that the multi-scale approach we employed is useful for elucidating the relative roles of fine- versus coarse-scale constraints on ecological processes.},
journal = {Landscape Ecology},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14074284,~to-add-doi-URL,dendroctonus-pseudotsugae,elevation,forest-pests,forest-resources,outbreaks,pseudotsuga-menziesii,solar-radiation,topography},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14074284},
number = {2}
}1992 (1)
The Ecological Status of Grey Alder (Alnus Incana (L.) Moench) in the Upper Subalpine Birch Forest of the Central Scandes. Kullman, L. New Phytologist, 120(3):445–451, 1992.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Elevational distribution, site characteristics and regeneration patterns of grey alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench] have been studied in subalpine forest of the southern Swedish Scandes, mainly as a basis for paleoecological inferences. Alder occurs very sparsely in the mountain birch forest and is strictly confined to sites with fresh finegrained soils with an insignificant mor humus layer. It frequently grows in close association with moving water (inundation in the spring). The potential climatic tree-limit is inferred to appear about 30 m below that of mountain birch. Within a more than 200 m broad vertical zone below the tree-limit, sexual reproduction does not take place at the present. Conceivably, the alders here are old relicts from a warmer period in the past. In contrast to other tree species, the range-limit did not advance altitudinally in response to the 20th century warming (up to the 1930s/1940s) and a non-equilibrium relationship with climate is hypothesized to have developed after the maximum range extension in the early- or mid-Holocene. The virtual extinction of alder in the upper subalpine forest during the late Holocene is understandable in terms of pronounced thermophily of generative life-cycle stages and a narrow range of soil preference. Both these properties are acting regressively on reproductive success as a consequence of climatic cooling and long-term soil deterioration.
@article{kullmanEcologicalStatusGrey1992,
title = {The Ecological Status of Grey Alder ({{Alnus}} Incana ({{L}}.) {{Moench}}) in the Upper Subalpine Birch Forest of the Central {{Scandes}}},
author = {Kullman, Leif},
year = {1992},
volume = {120},
pages = {445--451},
doi = {10.1111/j.1469-8137.1992.tb01085.x},
abstract = {Elevational distribution, site characteristics and regeneration patterns of grey alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench] have been studied in subalpine forest of the southern Swedish Scandes, mainly as a basis for paleoecological inferences. Alder occurs very sparsely in the mountain birch forest and is strictly confined to sites with fresh finegrained soils with an insignificant mor humus layer. It frequently grows in close association with moving water (inundation in the spring). The potential climatic tree-limit is inferred to appear about 30 m below that of mountain birch. Within a more than 200 m broad vertical zone below the tree-limit, sexual reproduction does not take place at the present. Conceivably, the alders here are old relicts from a warmer period in the past. In contrast to other tree species, the range-limit did not advance altitudinally in response to the 20th century warming (up to the 1930s/1940s) and a non-equilibrium relationship with climate is hypothesized to have developed after the maximum range extension in the early- or mid-Holocene. The virtual extinction of alder in the upper subalpine forest during the late Holocene is understandable in terms of pronounced thermophily of generative life-cycle stages and a narrow range of soil preference. Both these properties are acting regressively on reproductive success as a consequence of climatic cooling and long-term soil deterioration.},
journal = {New Phytologist},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13621138,~to-add-doi-URL,alnus-incana,alnus-spp,autoecology,characteristics,history,regeneration,tree-limit,vegetation},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13621138},
number = {3}
}1991 (1)
Biodiversity Studies: Science and Policy. Ehrlich, P. R. & Wilson, E. O. Science, 253(5021):758–762, August, 1991.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
Biodiversity studies comprise the systematic examination of the full array of different kinds of organisms together with the technology by which the diversity can be maintained and used for the benefit of humanity. Current basic research at the species level focuses on the process of species formation, the standing levels of species numbers in various higher taxonomic categories, and the phenomena of hyperdiversity and extinction proneness. The major practical concern is the massive extinction rate now caused by human activity, which threatens losses in the esthetic quality of the world, in economic opportunity, and in vital ecosystem services.
@article{ehrlichBiodiversityStudiesScience1991,
title = {Biodiversity Studies: Science and Policy},
author = {Ehrlich, Paul R. and Wilson, Edward O.},
year = {1991},
month = aug,
volume = {253},
pages = {758--762},
issn = {0036-8075},
doi = {10.1126/science.253.5021.758},
abstract = {Biodiversity studies comprise the systematic examination of the full array of different kinds of organisms together with the technology by which the diversity can be maintained and used for the benefit of humanity. Current basic research at the species level focuses on the process of species formation, the standing levels of species numbers in various higher taxonomic categories, and the phenomena of hyperdiversity and extinction proneness. The major practical concern is the massive extinction rate now caused by human activity, which threatens losses in the esthetic quality of the world, in economic opportunity, and in vital ecosystem services.},
journal = {Science},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13908742,~to-add-doi-URL,biodiversity,ecosystem-services,precursor-research,science-policy-interface},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-13908742},
number = {5021}
}1973 (1)
Simultaneous Estimation of Multinomial Cell Probabilities. Fienberg, S. E. & Holland, P. W. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 68(343):683–691, September, 1973.
doi abstract bibtex
doi abstract bibtex
A new estimator, p*, of the multinomial parameter vector is proposed, and it is shown to be a better choice in most situations than the usual estimator, (the vector of observed proportions). The risk functions (expected squared-error loss) of these two estimators are examined in three ways using: (a) exact calculations, (b) standard asymptotic theory, and (c) a novel asymptotic framework in which the number of cells is large and the number of observations per cell is moderate. The general superiority of p* over in large sparse multinomials is thus revealed. The novel asymptotic framework may also provide insight in other multinomial problems.
@article{fienbergSimultaneousEstimationMultinomial1973,
title = {Simultaneous Estimation of Multinomial Cell Probabilities},
author = {Fienberg, Stephen E. and Holland, Paul W.},
year = {1973},
month = sep,
volume = {68},
pages = {683--691},
issn = {1537-274X},
doi = {10.1080/01621459.1973.10481405},
abstract = {A new estimator, p*, of the multinomial parameter vector is proposed, and it is shown to be a better choice in most situations than the usual estimator, (the vector of observed proportions). The risk functions (expected squared-error loss) of these two estimators are examined in three ways using: (a) exact calculations, (b) standard asymptotic theory, and (c) a novel asymptotic framework in which the number of cells is large and the number of observations per cell is moderate. The general superiority of p* over in large sparse multinomials is thus revealed. The novel asymptotic framework may also provide insight in other multinomial problems.},
journal = {Journal of the American Statistical Association},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14064644,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,confusion-matrix,presence-absence,statistics},
lccn = {INRMM-MiD:c-14064644},
number = {343}
}undefined (51)
Association Genetics of Chemical Wood Properties in Black Poplar (Populus Nigra). Guerra, F. P., Wegrzyn, J. L., Sykes, R., Davis, M. F., Stanton, B. J., & Neale, D. B. 197(1):162–176.
![Association Genetics of Chemical Wood Properties in Black Poplar (Populus Nigra) [link]](https://bibbase.org/img/filetypes/link.svg "link")
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [::] Black poplar (Populus nigra) is a potential feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production, although breeding for this specific end use is required. Our goal was to identify associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers within candidate genes encoding cellulose and lignin biosynthetic enzymes, with chemical wood property phenotypic traits, toward the aim of developing genomics-based breeding technologies for bioethanol production. [::] Pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry was used to determine contents of five- and six-carbon sugars, lignin, and syringyl~:~guaiacyl ratio. The association population included 599 clones from 17 half-sib families, which were successfully genotyped using 433 SNPs from 39 candidate genes. Statistical analyses were performed to estimate genetic parameters, linkage disequilibrium (LD), and single marker and haplotype-based associations. [::] A moderate to high heritability was observed for all traits. The LD, across all candidate genes, showed a rapid decay with physical distance. Analysis of single marker-phenotype associations identified six significant marker-trait pairs, whereas nearly 280 haplotypes were associated with phenotypic traits, in both an individual and multiple trait-specific manner. [::] The rapid decay of LD within candidate genes in this population and the genetic associations identified suggest a close relationship between the associated SNPs and the causative polymorphisms underlying the genetic variation of lignocellulosic traits in black poplar.
@article{guerraAssociationGeneticsChemical2013,
title = {Association Genetics of Chemical Wood Properties in Black Poplar ({{Populus}} Nigra)},
author = {Guerra, Fernando P. and Wegrzyn, Jill L. and Sykes, Robert and Davis, Mark F. and Stanton, Brian J. and Neale, David B.},
date = {2013-01},
journaltitle = {New Phytologist},
volume = {197},
pages = {162--176},
issn = {0028-646X},
doi = {10.1111/nph.12003},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.12003},
abstract = {[::] Black poplar (Populus nigra) is a potential feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production, although breeding for this specific end use is required. Our goal was to identify associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers within candidate genes encoding cellulose and lignin biosynthetic enzymes, with chemical wood property phenotypic traits, toward the aim of developing genomics-based breeding technologies for bioethanol production. [::] Pyrolysis molecular beam mass spectrometry was used to determine contents of five- and six-carbon sugars, lignin, and syringyl~:~guaiacyl ratio. The association population included 599 clones from 17 half-sib families, which were successfully genotyped using 433 SNPs from 39 candidate genes. Statistical analyses were performed to estimate genetic parameters, linkage disequilibrium (LD), and single marker and haplotype-based associations. [::] A moderate to high heritability was observed for all traits. The LD, across all candidate genes, showed a rapid decay with physical distance. Analysis of single marker-phenotype associations identified six significant marker-trait pairs, whereas nearly 280 haplotypes were associated with phenotypic traits, in both an individual and multiple trait-specific manner. [::] The rapid decay of LD within candidate genes in this population and the genetic associations identified suggest a close relationship between the associated SNPs and the causative polymorphisms underlying the genetic variation of lignocellulosic traits in black poplar.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13157127,~to-add-doi-URL,association-genetics,bioethanol,cellulose,forest-resources,half-sib-families,lignin,populus-nigra,single-nucleotide-polymorphism},
number = {1}
}Analysis of Dyes in Textiles from the Chehrabad Salt Mine in Iran. Mouri, C., Aali, A., Zhang, X., & Laursen, R. 2(1):20.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex This study describes the analysis of dyes from three textile specimens associated with human remains found in the Chehrabad salt mine in northwestern Iran dating to 2000\,±\,400 years BP. They are unique for this part of the world not only because of their age, but because they represent textiles used by common people (salt miners) as opposed to funerary garments of the wealthy. Samples of yarns from these specimens were extracted and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection. The red dye was obtained from madder (specifically Rubia tinctorum L.), and the blue was from an indigo plant, probably woad (Isatis tinctoria L.), both of which are known in Iran. Two yellow, plant-derived, flavonol dyes were found. The first seems to be from a species of tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), whereas the second, found in both yellow and green yarns, is from a so-far unidentified plant. This work represents the first detailed study of these salt mine dyes, and the first evidence for the use of tamarisk as a dyestuff.
@article{mouriAnalysisDyesTextiles2014,
title = {Analysis of Dyes in Textiles from the {{Chehrabad}} Salt Mine in {{Iran}}},
author = {Mouri, Chika and Aali, Abolfazl and Zhang, Xian and Laursen, Richard},
date = {2014},
journaltitle = {Heritage Science},
volume = {2},
pages = {20},
issn = {2050-7445},
doi = {10.1186/s40494-014-0020-3},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-014-0020-3},
abstract = {This study describes the analysis of dyes from three textile specimens associated with human remains found in the Chehrabad salt mine in northwestern Iran dating to 2000\,±\,400 years BP. They are unique for this part of the world not only because of their age, but because they represent textiles used by common people (salt miners) as opposed to funerary garments of the wealthy. Samples of yarns from these specimens were extracted and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection. The red dye was obtained from madder (specifically Rubia tinctorum L.), and the blue was from an indigo plant, probably woad (Isatis tinctoria L.), both of which are known in Iran. Two yellow, plant-derived, flavonol dyes were found. The first seems to be from a species of tamarisk (Tamarix sp.), whereas the second, found in both yellow and green yarns, is from a so-far unidentified plant. This work represents the first detailed study of these salt mine dyes, and the first evidence for the use of tamarisk as a dyestuff.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13589725,~to-add-doi-URL,forest-resources,iran,secondary-production,tamarix-spp},
number = {1}
}Reframing Ecosystem Management in the Era of Climate Change: Issues and Knowledge from Forests. Mori, A. S., Spies, T. A., Sudmeier-Rieux, K., & Andrade, A. 165:115–127.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex We discuss ” ecosystem management (EM)” to face contemporary climate change issues. EM focuses on sustaining ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs. EM plans have been largely developed independent of concerns about climate change. However, EM is potentially effective for climate change mitigation and adaptation. We provide the principle guidelines based on EM to adaptively tackle the issues. Climate change is one of the significant concerns in land and resource management, creating an urgent need to build social-ecological capacity to address widespread and uncertain environmental changes. Given the diversity and complexity of ecological responses to climate change ” ecosystem management” approaches are needed to provide solutions for meeting both ecological and human needs, while reducing anthropogenic warming and climate-related impacts on society. For instance, ecosystem management can contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions through improved land-use and reduced deforestation at a regional scale. Further, conserving and restoring naturally-functioning ecosystems, which is often one of the goals of ecosystem management can significantly contribute to buffering ecological responses to climate extremes such as droughts and wildfires. Moreover, ecosystem management helps build capacity for learning and adaptation at multiple scales. As a result, societies will be better prepared to respond to surprises and uncertainties associated with climate change. In this regard, it is imperative to reframe climate change issues based on the ecosystem approach. Although climate change and ecosystem management plans have largely developed independently, it is now essential for all stakeholders to work together to achieve multiple goals. The ecosystem-based approaches can enable flexible and effective responses to the uncertainties associated with climate change. Reframing ecosystem management helps to face an urgent need for reconsideration and improvement of social-ecological resilience in order to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. [Excerpt: Conclusion] Novel approaches underpinned by sociology, ecology and climate science are necessary to perform assessments that reflect the many roles that ecosystem management can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. No single method and focal scale for addressing the effects or causes of climate change exists. Indeed, there are often trade-offs such as those between the goals of building resilience (learning from failure) and reducing vulnerability (minimizing failure) (Adger et al., 2008), suggesting some policies aimed at minimizing exposure to any hazards at the regional scale can potentially conflict with the proactive implementation of adaptive management at the local scale. In this article, we have discussed reframing ecosystem management as an effective way to address the uncertainties of climate change. It is therefore necessary to adopt flexible and robust management strategies that consider various scenarios, rather than adopting a single measure. Similar to climate change, which is intricately connected to other issues beyond physical climatic change, ecological issues are deeply associated with global issues. A number of environmental policies and plans have been historically developed with little consideration of climate instability. Among them, our attempt that integrates different management considerations into the common context lends a strong support for the objectives and approaches of ecosystem management as an effective tool to face climate change uncertainties. [\n] It is important for all stakeholders to work together to identity multiple goals. Ecologists need to address ecosystem processes and functions in the context of possible future conditions; resource managers and policymakers need to build capacity for learning and adaptation; and all stakeholders need to share a recognition that social-ecological systems are interacting not only with each other (social-ecological interdependence) but also with the climate system. In keeping with the view of Moss et al. (2010) that the future climate largely depends on the behaviour of global society, the fates of ecosystems will strongly depend on how human society faces climate change. In particular, there are still important gaps in the combined study of climate and ecosystem science that need to be addressed. At the time of UNFCCC meetings in Copenhagen in 2009, UNEP (2009a) stated that climate information, when coupled with other information such as ecology and socio-economics, should be centralized within policy formulation and decision making process for practical ecosystem management at local and regional scales with reasonable timescales of the next several decades. Bringing different fields together is essential to tackle future complexity. The constructive improvements that come from an ecosystem management strategy, as summarized in Table 2, has the potential to effectively fill the gaps among disciplines and stakeholders.
@article{moriReframingEcosystemManagement2013,
title = {Reframing Ecosystem Management in the Era of Climate Change: Issues and Knowledge from Forests},
author = {Mori, Akira S. and Spies, Thomas A. and Sudmeier-Rieux, Karen and Andrade, Angela},
date = {2013-09},
journaltitle = {Biological Conservation},
volume = {165},
pages = {115--127},
issn = {0006-3207},
doi = {10.1016/j.biocon.2013.05.020},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2013.05.020},
abstract = {We discuss ” ecosystem management (EM)” to face contemporary climate change issues. EM focuses on sustaining ecosystems to meet both ecological and human needs. EM plans have been largely developed independent of concerns about climate change. However, EM is potentially effective for climate change mitigation and adaptation. We provide the principle guidelines based on EM to adaptively tackle the issues. Climate change is one of the significant concerns in land and resource management, creating an urgent need to build social-ecological capacity to address widespread and uncertain environmental changes. Given the diversity and complexity of ecological responses to climate change ” ecosystem management” approaches are needed to provide solutions for meeting both ecological and human needs, while reducing anthropogenic warming and climate-related impacts on society. For instance, ecosystem management can contribute to a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions through improved land-use and reduced deforestation at a regional scale. Further, conserving and restoring naturally-functioning ecosystems, which is often one of the goals of ecosystem management can significantly contribute to buffering ecological responses to climate extremes such as droughts and wildfires. Moreover, ecosystem management helps build capacity for learning and adaptation at multiple scales. As a result, societies will be better prepared to respond to surprises and uncertainties associated with climate change. In this regard, it is imperative to reframe climate change issues based on the ecosystem approach. Although climate change and ecosystem management plans have largely developed independently, it is now essential for all stakeholders to work together to achieve multiple goals. The ecosystem-based approaches can enable flexible and effective responses to the uncertainties associated with climate change. Reframing ecosystem management helps to face an urgent need for reconsideration and improvement of social-ecological resilience in order to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.
[Excerpt: Conclusion]
Novel approaches underpinned by sociology, ecology and climate science are necessary to perform assessments that reflect the many roles that ecosystem management can play in mitigating and adapting to climate change. No single method and focal scale for addressing the effects or causes of climate change exists. Indeed, there are often trade-offs such as those between the goals of building resilience (learning from failure) and reducing vulnerability (minimizing failure) (Adger et al., 2008), suggesting some policies aimed at minimizing exposure to any hazards at the regional scale can potentially conflict with the proactive implementation of adaptive management at the local scale. In this article, we have discussed reframing ecosystem management as an effective way to address the uncertainties of climate change. It is therefore necessary to adopt flexible and robust management strategies that consider various scenarios, rather than adopting a single measure. Similar to climate change, which is intricately connected to other issues beyond physical climatic change, ecological issues are deeply associated with global issues. A number of environmental policies and plans have been historically developed with little consideration of climate instability. Among them, our attempt that integrates different management considerations into the common context lends a strong support for the objectives and approaches of ecosystem management as an effective tool to face climate change uncertainties.
[\textbackslash n] It is important for all stakeholders to work together to identity multiple goals. Ecologists need to address ecosystem processes and functions in the context of possible future conditions; resource managers and policymakers need to build capacity for learning and adaptation; and all stakeholders need to share a recognition that social-ecological systems are interacting not only with each other (social-ecological interdependence) but also with the climate system. In keeping with the view of Moss et al. (2010) that the future climate largely depends on the behaviour of global society, the fates of ecosystems will strongly depend on how human society faces climate change. In particular, there are still important gaps in the combined study of climate and ecosystem science that need to be addressed. At the time of UNFCCC meetings in Copenhagen in 2009, UNEP (2009a) stated that climate information, when coupled with other information such as ecology and socio-economics, should be centralized within policy formulation and decision making process for practical ecosystem management at local and regional scales with reasonable timescales of the next several decades. Bringing different fields together is essential to tackle future complexity. The constructive improvements that come from an ecosystem management strategy, as summarized in Table 2, has the potential to effectively fill the gaps among disciplines and stakeholders.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13912160,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,climate-change,climate-extremes,droughts,ecology,ecosystem,forest-resources,incomplete-knowledge,knowledge-integration,mitigation,uncertainty,wildfires}
}Waterways as Invasion Highways - Impact of Climate Change and Globalization Biological Invasions. Galil, B. S., Nehring, S., & Panov, V. In Biological Invasions, volume 193, of Ecological Studies, pages 59–74. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex The earliest civilizations flourished on the banks of navigable rivers. Indeed, their first monumental hydrological construction projects were concerned with irrigation and transport: around 2200 b.c., the first navigable canal, the Shatt-el-hai, linking the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, was excavated; in the 6th century b.c., a canal was built which joined the Nile with the northern Red Sea and, in the 4th century b.c., the Grand Canal in China connected Peking to Hangzhou, a distance of almost 1,000 km.The technological innovations of the 18th century led to an expansion of the network of navigable inland waterways, followed in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century by the excavation of two interoceanic canals: the Suez Canal, which opened a direct route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and the Panama Canal, which afforded passage between the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans. Canals connecting rivers over watersheds or seas across narrow land bridges ” dissolve” natural barriers to the dispersal of aquatic organisms, thereby furnishing these with many opportunities for natural dispersal as well as for shipping-mediated transport. The introduction of alien aquatic species has proven to be one of the most profound and damaging anthropogenic deeds - involving both ecological and economic costs. Globalization and climate change are projected to increase aquatic bioinvasions and reduce environmental resistance to invasion of thermophilic biota. Navigable waterways serving as major invasion corridors offer a unique opportunity to study the impact of these processes.
@incollection{galilWaterwaysInvasionHighways2007,
title = {Waterways as Invasion Highways - {{Impact}} of Climate Change and Globalization Biological Invasions},
booktitle = {Biological {{Invasions}}},
author = {Galil, Bella S. and Nehring, Stefan and Panov, Vadim},
editor = {Nentwig, Wolfgang},
date = {2007},
volume = {193},
pages = {59--74},
publisher = {{Springer Berlin Heidelberg}},
location = {{Berlin, Heidelberg}},
doi = {10.1007/978-3-540-36920-2\\_5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-36920-2_5},
abstract = {The earliest civilizations flourished on the banks of navigable rivers. Indeed, their first monumental hydrological construction projects were concerned with irrigation and transport: around 2200 b.c., the first navigable canal, the Shatt-el-hai, linking the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, was excavated; in the 6th century b.c., a canal was built which joined the Nile with the northern Red Sea and, in the 4th century b.c., the Grand Canal in China connected Peking to Hangzhou, a distance of almost 1,000 km.The technological innovations of the 18th century led to an expansion of the network of navigable inland waterways, followed in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century by the excavation of two interoceanic canals: the Suez Canal, which opened a direct route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, and the Panama Canal, which afforded passage between the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans. Canals connecting rivers over watersheds or seas across narrow land bridges ” dissolve” natural barriers to the dispersal of aquatic organisms, thereby furnishing these with many opportunities for natural dispersal as well as for shipping-mediated transport. The introduction of alien aquatic species has proven to be one of the most profound and damaging anthropogenic deeds - involving both ecological and economic costs. Globalization and climate change are projected to increase aquatic bioinvasions and reduce environmental resistance to invasion of thermophilic biota. Navigable waterways serving as major invasion corridors offer a unique opportunity to study the impact of these processes.},
isbn = {978-3-540-77375-7},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-11477007,~to-add-doi-URL,alien-species,climate-change,global-change,natural-resources-interactions,water-resources},
series = {Ecological {{Studies}}}
}Extensive Sharing of Chloroplast Haplotypes among European Birches Indicates Hybridization among Betula Pendula, B. Pubescens and B. Nana. Palme, A. E., Su, Q., Palsson, S., & Lascoux, M. 13(1):167–178.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Extensive sharing of chloroplast haplotypes among the silver birch, Betula pendula Roth., the downy birch, B. pubescens Ehrh., and the dwarf birch, B. nana L., was discovered using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymporphism markers. The geographical component of the genetic variation was stronger than the species component: the species were not significantly different while 11\,% of the variation could be attributed to differentiation between the two main regions studied, Scandinavia and western Russia. All haplotypes occurring in more than 2\,% of the individuals were shared among the species and the introgression ratios were quite large: 0.79 between B. pubescens and B. pendula and 0.67 between B. pubescens and B. nana. The data also indicate that B. pendula individuals are more similar to sympatric B. pubescens than to B. pendula individuals from nearby forests. However, this trend is not as pronounced when B. pubescens is considered, suggesting that introgression is not symmetrical. The haplotype sharing among the three Betula species is most likely caused by hybridization and subsequent cytoplasmic introgression.
@article{palmeExtensiveSharingChloroplast2004,
title = {Extensive Sharing of Chloroplast Haplotypes among {{European}} Birches Indicates Hybridization among {{Betula}} Pendula, {{B}}. Pubescens and {{B}}. Nana},
author = {Palme, A. E. and Su, Q. and Palsson, S. and Lascoux, M.},
date = {2004-01},
journaltitle = {Molecular Ecology},
volume = {13},
pages = {167--178},
issn = {0962-1083},
doi = {10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.02034.x},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-294x.2003.02034.x},
abstract = {Extensive sharing of chloroplast haplotypes among the silver birch, Betula pendula Roth., the downy birch, B. pubescens Ehrh., and the dwarf birch, B. nana L., was discovered using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymporphism markers. The geographical component of the genetic variation was stronger than the species component: the species were not significantly different while 11\,\% of the variation could be attributed to differentiation between the two main regions studied, Scandinavia and western Russia. All haplotypes occurring in more than 2\,\% of the individuals were shared among the species and the introgression ratios were quite large: 0.79 between B. pubescens and B. pendula and 0.67 between B. pubescens and B. nana. The data also indicate that B. pendula individuals are more similar to sympatric B. pubescens than to B. pendula individuals from nearby forests. However, this trend is not as pronounced when B. pubescens is considered, suggesting that introgression is not symmetrical. The haplotype sharing among the three Betula species is most likely caused by hybridization and subsequent cytoplasmic introgression.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13628397,~to-add-doi-URL,betula-nana,betula-pendula,betula-pubescens,europe,forest-resources,hybridisation},
number = {1}
}Nature vs. Nurture: Managing Relationships between Forests, Agroforestry and Wild Biodiversity. McNeely, J. A. 61-62(1-3):155–165.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Many agroforestry systems are found in places that otherwise would be appropriate for natural forests, and often have replaced them. Humans have had a profound influence on forests virtually everywhere they both are found. Thus 'natural' defined as 'without human influence' is a hypothetical construct, though one that has assumed mythological value among many conservationists. Biodiversity is a forest value that does not carry a market price. It is the foundation, however, upon which productive systems depend. The relationship between agroforestry and the wild biodiversity contained in more natural forests is a complicated one, depending on the composition of the agroforestry system itself and the way it is managed. Complex forest gardens are more supportive of biodiversity than monocrop systems, shade coffee more than sun coffee, and systems using native plants tend to be more biologically diverse. Nonnative plants, especially potentially invasive alien species, threaten biodiversity and need to be avoided. The relationship between forests, agroforestry and wild biodiversity can be made most productive through applying adaptive management approaches that incorporate ongoing research and monitoring in order to feed information back into the management system. Maintaining diversity in approaches to management of agroforestry systems will provide humanity with the widest range of options for adapting to changing conditions. Clear government policy frameworks are needed that support alliances among the many interest groups involved in forest biodiversity.
@article{mcneelyNatureVsNurture2004,
title = {Nature vs. Nurture: Managing Relationships between Forests, Agroforestry and Wild Biodiversity},
author = {McNeely, J. A.},
date = {2004},
journaltitle = {Agroforestry Systems},
volume = {61-62},
pages = {155--165},
issn = {1572-9680},
doi = {10.1023/B:AGFO.0000028996.92553.ea},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1023/B:AGFO.0000028996.92553.ea},
abstract = {Many agroforestry systems are found in places that otherwise would be appropriate for natural forests, and often have replaced them. Humans have had a profound influence on forests virtually everywhere they both are found. Thus 'natural' defined as 'without human influence' is a hypothetical construct, though one that has assumed mythological value among many conservationists. Biodiversity is a forest value that does not carry a market price. It is the foundation, however, upon which productive systems depend. The relationship between agroforestry and the wild biodiversity contained in more natural forests is a complicated one, depending on the composition of the agroforestry system itself and the way it is managed. Complex forest gardens are more supportive of biodiversity than monocrop systems, shade coffee more than sun coffee, and systems using native plants tend to be more biologically diverse. Nonnative plants, especially potentially invasive alien species, threaten biodiversity and need to be avoided. The relationship between forests, agroforestry and wild biodiversity can be made most productive through applying adaptive management approaches that incorporate ongoing research and monitoring in order to feed information back into the management system. Maintaining diversity in approaches to management of agroforestry systems will provide humanity with the widest range of options for adapting to changing conditions. Clear government policy frameworks are needed that support alliances among the many interest groups involved in forest biodiversity.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13938673,~to-add-doi-URL,agroforestry,asia,biodiversity,central-america,europe,forest-management,forest-resources,integration-techniques,mediterranean-region,multi-criteria-decision-analysis,multi-objective-planning,multi-stakeholder-decision-making,multiplicity,north-america,south-america},
number = {1-3}
}Welcome to Postnormal Times. Sardar, Z. 42(5):435–444.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex All that was 'normal' has now evaporated; we have entered postnormal times, the in-between period where old orthodoxies are dying, new ones have not yet emerged, and nothing really makes sense. To have any notion of a viable future, we must grasp the significance of this period of transition which is characterised by three c's: complexity, chaos and contradictions. These forces propel and sustain postnormal times leading to uncertainty and different types of ignorance that make decision-making problematic and increase risks to individuals, society and the planet. Postnormal times demands, this paper argues, that we abandon the ideas of 'control and management', and rethink the cherished notions of progress, modernisation and efficiency. The way forward must be based on virtues of humility, modesty and accountability, the indispensible requirement of living with uncertainty, complexity and ignorance. We will have to imagine ourselves out of postnormal times and into a new age of normalcy – with an ethical compass and a broad spectrum of imaginations from the rich diversity of human cultures.
@article{sardarWelcomePostnormalTimes2010,
title = {Welcome to Postnormal Times},
author = {Sardar, Ziauddin},
date = {2010-06},
journaltitle = {Futures},
volume = {42},
pages = {435--444},
issn = {0016-3287},
doi = {10.1016/j.futures.2009.11.028},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2009.11.028},
abstract = {All that was 'normal' has now evaporated; we have entered postnormal times, the in-between period where old orthodoxies are dying, new ones have not yet emerged, and nothing really makes sense. To have any notion of a viable future, we must grasp the significance of this period of transition which is characterised by three c's: complexity, chaos and contradictions. These forces propel and sustain postnormal times leading to uncertainty and different types of ignorance that make decision-making problematic and increase risks to individuals, society and the planet. Postnormal times demands, this paper argues, that we abandon the ideas of 'control and management', and rethink the cherished notions of progress, modernisation and efficiency. The way forward must be based on virtues of humility, modesty and accountability, the indispensible requirement of living with uncertainty, complexity and ignorance. We will have to imagine ourselves out of postnormal times and into a new age of normalcy -- with an ethical compass and a broad spectrum of imaginations from the rich diversity of human cultures.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-6230082,~to-add-doi-URL,chaos,complexity,deep-uncertainty,ethics,feedback,mitigation,non-linearity,post-normal-science,science-ethics,science-society-interface,social-system,technocracy,trade-offs,uncertainty,unknown},
number = {5}
}Evaluating Post-Fire Forest Resilience Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Analysis: An Example from Cape Sounion National Park, Greece. Arianoutsou, M., Koukoulas, S., & Kazanis, D. 47(3):384–397.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Forest fires are one of the major causes of ecological disturbance in the mediterranean climate ecosystems of the world. Despite the fact that a lot of resources have been invested in fire prevention and suppression, the number of fires occurring in the Mediterranean Basin in the recent decades has continued to markedly increase. The understanding of the relationship between landscape and fire lies, among others, in the identification of the system's post-fire resilience. In our study, ecological and landscape data are integrated with decision-support techniques in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to evaluate the risk of losing post-fire resilience in Pinus halepensis forests, using Cape Sounion National Park, Central Greece, as a pilot case. The multi-criteria decision support approach has been used to synthesize both bio-indicators (woody cover, pine density, legume cover and relative species richness and annual colonizers) and geo-indicators (fire history, parent material, and slope inclination) in order to rank the landscape components. Judgments related to the significance of each factor were incorporated within the weights coefficients and then integrated into the multicriteria rule to map the risk index. Sensitivity analysis was very critical for assessing the contribution of each factor and the sensitivity to subjective weight judgments to the final output. The results of this study include a final ranking map of the risk of losing resilience, which is very useful in identifying the risk hotspots , where post-fire management measures should be applied in priority.
@article{arianoutsouEvaluatingPostfireForest2011,
title = {Evaluating Post-Fire Forest Resilience Using {{GIS}} and Multi-Criteria Analysis: An Example from {{Cape Sounion National Park}}, {{Greece}}},
author = {Arianoutsou, Margarita and Koukoulas, Sotirios and Kazanis, Dimitrios},
date = {2011-02},
journaltitle = {Environmental Management},
volume = {47},
pages = {384--397},
issn = {0364-152X},
doi = {10.1007/s00267-011-9614-7},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-011-9614-7},
abstract = {Forest fires are one of the major causes of ecological disturbance in the mediterranean climate ecosystems of the world. Despite the fact that a lot of resources have been invested in fire prevention and suppression, the number of fires occurring in the Mediterranean Basin in the recent decades has continued to markedly increase. The understanding of the relationship between landscape and fire lies, among others, in the identification of the system's post-fire resilience. In our study, ecological and landscape data are integrated with decision-support techniques in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to evaluate the risk of losing post-fire resilience in Pinus halepensis forests, using Cape Sounion National Park, Central Greece, as a pilot case. The multi-criteria decision support approach has been used to synthesize both bio-indicators (woody cover, pine density, legume cover and relative species richness and annual colonizers) and geo-indicators (fire history, parent material, and slope inclination) in order to rank the landscape components. Judgments related to the significance of each factor were incorporated within the weights coefficients and then integrated into the multicriteria rule to map the risk index. Sensitivity analysis was very critical for assessing the contribution of each factor and the sensitivity to subjective weight judgments to the final output. The results of this study include a final ranking map of the risk of losing resilience, which is very useful in identifying the risk hotspots , where post-fire management measures should be applied in priority.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-8804314,~to-add-doi-URL,array-of-factors,forest-fires,gis,greece,multi-criteria-decision-analysis,multiplicity,postfire-impacts,resilience,wildfires},
number = {3}
}A Review of the Mechanical Effects of Plant Roots on Concentrated Flow Erosion Rates. Vannoppen, W., Vanmaercke, M., De Baets, S., & Poesen, J. 150:666–678.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Living plant roots modify both mechanical and hydrological characteristics of the soil matrix (e.g. soil aggregate stability by root exudates, soil cohesion, infiltration rate, soil moisture content, soil organic matter) and negatively influence the soil erodibility. During the last two decades several studies reported on the effects of plant roots in controlling concentrated flow erosion rates. However a global analysis of the now available data on root effects is still lacking. Yet, a meta-data analysis will contribute to a better understanding of the soil-root interactions as our capability to assess the effectiveness of roots in reducing soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow in different environments remains difficult. The objectives of this study are therefore: i) to provide a state of the art on studies quantifying the effectiveness of roots in reducing soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow; and ii) to explore the overall trends in erosion reduction as a function of the root (length) density, root architecture and soil texture, based on an integrated analysis of published data. We therefore compiled a dataset of measured soil detachment ratios (SDR) for the root density (RD; 822 observations) as well as for the root length density (RLD; 274 observations). A Hill curve model best describes the decrease in SDR as a function of R(L)D. An important finding of our meta-analysis is that RLD is a much more suitable variable to estimate SDR compared to RD as it is linked to root architecture. However, a large proportion of the variability in SDR could not be attributed to RD or RLD, resulting in a low predictive accuracy of these Hill curve models with a model efficiency of 0.11 and 0.17 for RD and RLD respectively. Considering root architecture and soil texture did yield a better predictive model for RLD with a model efficiency of 0.37 for fibrous roots in non-sandy soils while no improvement was found for RD. The unexplained variance is attributed to differences in experimental set-ups and measuring errors which could not be explicitly accounted for due to a lack of additional data. Based on those results, it remains difficult to predict the effects of roots on soil erosion rates. However, by using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, we were able to establish relationships that allow assessing the likely erosion-reducing effects of plant roots, while taking these uncertainties into account. Overall, this study demonstrates that plant roots can be very effective in reducing soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow. [Excerpt: Conclusions] Vegetation can be used to reduce soil degradation by soil erosion processes. This study showed that plant roots can be very effective in controlling soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow. A combination of a well-established vegetation cover together with a dense root system in the topsoil is therefore most effective and recommended to protect the soil against soil erosion processes by water. The erosion-reducing potential of plant roots can be explained by their indirect negative effect on soil erodibility through affecting various soil properties (e.g. aggregate stability, cohesion, organic matter content, infiltration rate and moisture content). However both the environment and management practices have to be taken into account as they influence the effectiveness of plant roots in reducing soil erosion rates. Analysis of a global dataset based on published data showed that the decrease in SDR as a function of RD or RLD could be best described by a Hill curve model. Root architecture and soil texture were further considered as an attempt to improve the models. This resulted in better predictive models for RLD (for fibrous roots in non-sandy soils) while no improvement could be observed for RD. Consequently, it remains difficult to predict the erosion-reducing effects of plant roots on concentrated flow erosion rates as still a large part of the variance remains unexplained. Results of the Monte Carlo analyses ( Fig. 5) present confidence intervals on estimated SDR values for the proposed models that should be used as an estimation of the uncertainty range. As such, the established relationships between root (length) density and the soil detachment ratio allow for meaningful estimations of the mechanical effects of plant roots on concentrated flow erosion rates. The advantage of this approach is that the results of this study can be extrapolated to different environments to examine the likely root effects on erosion rates, as we implicitly take into account the variability in root and soil characteristics. [\n] As tap root systems are less effective in controlling soil erosion compared to fibrous roots, we furthermore prefer the use of RLD as root variable as it indirectly takes into account the root architecture. The influence of soil texture on erosion-reducing potential could not be demonstrated due to a lack of sufficient data on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots in different soil textures. More empirical studies are needed to examine the role of soil texture on the erosion-reducing potential. Moreover, a more accurate global database is needed to unravel the influence of additional soil, root and environmental variables on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots and to improve the predictive quality of the models.
@article{vannoppenReviewMechanicalEffects2015,
title = {A Review of the Mechanical Effects of Plant Roots on Concentrated Flow Erosion Rates},
author = {Vannoppen, W. and Vanmaercke, M. and De Baets, S. and Poesen, J.},
date = {2015-11},
journaltitle = {Earth-Science Reviews},
volume = {150},
pages = {666--678},
issn = {0012-8252},
doi = {10.1016/j.earscirev.2015.08.011},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2015.08.011},
abstract = {Living plant roots modify both mechanical and hydrological characteristics of the soil matrix (e.g. soil aggregate stability by root exudates, soil cohesion, infiltration rate, soil moisture content, soil organic matter) and negatively influence the soil erodibility. During the last two decades several studies reported on the effects of plant roots in controlling concentrated flow erosion rates. However a global analysis of the now available data on root effects is still lacking. Yet, a meta-data analysis will contribute to a better understanding of the soil-root interactions as our capability to assess the effectiveness of roots in reducing soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow in different environments remains difficult. The objectives of this study are therefore: i) to provide a state of the art on studies quantifying the effectiveness of roots in reducing soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow; and ii) to explore the overall trends in erosion reduction as a function of the root (length) density, root architecture and soil texture, based on an integrated analysis of published data. We therefore compiled a dataset of measured soil detachment ratios (SDR) for the root density (RD; 822 observations) as well as for the root length density (RLD; 274 observations). A Hill curve model best describes the decrease in SDR as a function of R(L)D. An important finding of our meta-analysis is that RLD is a much more suitable variable to estimate SDR compared to RD as it is linked to root architecture. However, a large proportion of the variability in SDR could not be attributed to RD or RLD, resulting in a low predictive accuracy of these Hill curve models with a model efficiency of 0.11 and 0.17 for RD and RLD respectively. Considering root architecture and soil texture did yield a better predictive model for RLD with a model efficiency of 0.37 for fibrous roots in non-sandy soils while no improvement was found for RD. The unexplained variance is attributed to differences in experimental set-ups and measuring errors which could not be explicitly accounted for due to a lack of additional data. Based on those results, it remains difficult to predict the effects of roots on soil erosion rates. However, by using a Monte Carlo simulation approach, we were able to establish relationships that allow assessing the likely erosion-reducing effects of plant roots, while taking these uncertainties into account. Overall, this study demonstrates that plant roots can be very effective in reducing soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow.
[Excerpt: Conclusions]
Vegetation can be used to reduce soil degradation by soil erosion processes. This study showed that plant roots can be very effective in controlling soil erosion rates due to concentrated flow. A combination of a well-established vegetation cover together with a dense root system in the topsoil is therefore most effective and recommended to protect the soil against soil erosion processes by water. The erosion-reducing potential of plant roots can be explained by their indirect negative effect on soil erodibility through affecting various soil properties (e.g. aggregate stability, cohesion, organic matter content, infiltration rate and moisture content). However both the environment and management practices have to be taken into account as they influence the effectiveness of plant roots in reducing soil erosion rates. Analysis of a global dataset based on published data showed that the decrease in SDR as a function of RD or RLD could be best described by a Hill curve model. Root architecture and soil texture were further considered as an attempt to improve the models. This resulted in better predictive models for RLD (for fibrous roots in non-sandy soils) while no improvement could be observed for RD. Consequently, it remains difficult to predict the erosion-reducing effects of plant roots on concentrated flow erosion rates as still a large part of the variance remains unexplained. Results of the Monte Carlo analyses ( Fig. 5) present confidence intervals on estimated SDR values for the proposed models that should be used as an estimation of the uncertainty range. As such, the established relationships between root (length) density and the soil detachment ratio allow for meaningful estimations of the mechanical effects of plant roots on concentrated flow erosion rates. The advantage of this approach is that the results of this study can be extrapolated to different environments to examine the likely root effects on erosion rates, as we implicitly take into account the variability in root and soil characteristics.
[\textbackslash n] As tap root systems are less effective in controlling soil erosion compared to fibrous roots, we furthermore prefer the use of RLD as root variable as it indirectly takes into account the root architecture. The influence of soil texture on erosion-reducing potential could not be demonstrated due to a lack of sufficient data on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots in different soil textures. More empirical studies are needed to examine the role of soil texture on the erosion-reducing potential. Moreover, a more accurate global database is needed to unravel the influence of additional soil, root and environmental variables on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots and to improve the predictive quality of the models.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13794980,~to-add-doi-URL,boreal-forests,comparison,eucalyptus-citriodora,forest-resources,macchia,modelling,pinus-tabulaeformis,review,robinia-pseudoacacia,sclerophyllous,soil-erosion,soil-resources,stabilization,uncertainty,vegetation}
}Social Reference: Aggregating Online Usage of Scientific Literature in CiteULike for Clustering Academic Resources. Jiang, J., He, D., & Ni, C. In Proceedings of the 11th Annual International ACM/IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries, of JCDL '11, pages 401–402. ACM.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Citation-based methods have been widely studied and employed for clustering academic resources and mapping science. Although effective, these methods suffer from citation delay. In this study, we extend reference and citation analysis to a broader notion from social perspective. We coin the term "social reference" to refer to the references of literatures in social academic web environment. We propose clustering methods using social reference information from CiteULike. We experiment for journal clustering and author clustering using social reference and compare with citation-based methods. Our experiments indicate: first, social reference implies connections among literatures which are as effective as citation in clustering academic resources; second, in practical settings, social reference-based clustering methods are not as effective as citation-based ones due to the sparseness of social reference data, but they can outperform in clustering new resources that have few citation.
@inproceedings{jiangSocialReferenceAggregating2011,
title = {Social Reference: Aggregating Online Usage of Scientific Literature in {{CiteULike}} for Clustering Academic Resources},
booktitle = {Proceedings of the 11th Annual International {{ACM}}/{{IEEE}} Joint Conference on {{Digital}} Libraries},
author = {Jiang, Jiepu and He, Daqing and Ni, Chaoqun},
date = {2011},
pages = {401--402},
publisher = {{ACM}},
doi = {10.1145/1998076.1998155},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1145/1998076.1998155},
abstract = {Citation-based methods have been widely studied and employed for clustering academic resources and mapping science. Although effective, these methods suffer from citation delay. In this study, we extend reference and citation analysis to a broader notion from social perspective. We coin the term "social reference" to refer to the references of literatures in social academic web environment. We propose clustering methods using social reference information from CiteULike. We experiment for journal clustering and author clustering using social reference and compare with citation-based methods. Our experiments indicate: first, social reference implies connections among literatures which are as effective as citation in clustering academic resources; second, in practical settings, social reference-based clustering methods are not as effective as citation-based ones due to the sparseness of social reference data, but they can outperform in clustering new resources that have few citation.},
isbn = {978-1-4503-0744-4},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-10600782,~to-add-doi-URL,citeulike,clustering,metadata,metaknowledge,scientific-communication,scientific-knowledge-sharing,wiki-communication},
series = {{{JCDL}} '11},
venue = {Ottawa, Ontario, Canada}
}Climatic Discrimination of Mediterranean Broad‐leaved Sclerophyllous and Deciduous Forests in Central Spain. Gavilán, R. & Fernández-González, F. 8(3):377–386.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Climatic differences between three types of deciduous (Quercus pyrenaica) and three types of sclerophyllous (Quercus rotundifolia) Mediterranean forests in the Spanish Sistema Central were analyzed by means of Canonical Discriminant Analysis and Jancey's Discriminant Analysis, applied in successive steps to data from 252 meteorological stations. Climatic data included temperature and precipitation records as well as bioclimatic indices. Discriminant analysis was applied to broad-leaved sclerophyllous and deciduous forest communities sampled at each meteorological station using phytosociological methods. Annual and seasonal (summer, spring) water availability are the most important factor controlling the distribution of the two physiognomic forest types; southwestern associations of Quercus pyrenaica and Q. rotundifolia differ from their colder homologues by annual and monthly temperatures; western associations were separated from eastern ones in terms of annual and seasonal precipitation gradients. Discriminant analysis was a good technique to explore climatic gradients not shown by other general ordination or classification methods.
@article{gavilanClimaticDiscriminationMediterranean1997,
title = {Climatic Discrimination of {{Mediterranean}} Broad‐leaved Sclerophyllous and Deciduous Forests in Central {{Spain}}},
author = {Gavilán, Rosario and Fernández-González, Federico},
date = {1997-06},
journaltitle = {Journal of Vegetation Science},
volume = {8},
pages = {377--386},
doi = {10.2307/3237327},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2307/3237327},
abstract = {Climatic differences between three types of deciduous (Quercus pyrenaica) and three types of sclerophyllous (Quercus rotundifolia) Mediterranean forests in the Spanish Sistema Central were analyzed by means of Canonical Discriminant Analysis and Jancey's Discriminant Analysis, applied in successive steps to data from 252 meteorological stations. Climatic data included temperature and precipitation records as well as bioclimatic indices. Discriminant analysis was applied to broad-leaved sclerophyllous and deciduous forest communities sampled at each meteorological station using phytosociological methods. Annual and seasonal (summer, spring) water availability are the most important factor controlling the distribution of the two physiognomic forest types; southwestern associations of Quercus pyrenaica and Q. rotundifolia differ from their colder homologues by annual and monthly temperatures; western associations were separated from eastern ones in terms of annual and seasonal precipitation gradients. Discriminant analysis was a good technique to explore climatic gradients not shown by other general ordination or classification methods.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13559286,~to-add-doi-URL,broadleaved,forest-classification,forest-resources,forest-types,mediterranean-region,spain},
number = {3}
}Well below 2 °C: Mitigation Strategies for Avoiding Dangerous to Catastrophic Climate Changes. Xu, Y. & Ramanathan, V. 114(39):10315–10323.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex The historic Paris Agreement calls for limiting global temperature rise to ” well below 2 °C.” Because of uncertainties in emission scenarios, climate, and carbon cycle feedback, we interpret the Paris Agreement in terms of three climate risk categories and bring in considerations of low-probability (5\,%) high-impact (LPHI) warming in addition to the central (∼50\,% probability) value. The current risk category of dangerous warming is extended to more categories, which are defined by us here as follows: $>$1.5 °C as dangerous; $>$3 °C as catastrophic; and $>$5 °C as unknown, implying beyond catastrophic, including existential threats. With unchecked emissions, the central warming can reach the dangerous level within three decades, with the LPHI warming becoming catastrophic by 2050. We outline a three-lever strategy to limit the central warming below the dangerous level and the LPHI below the catastrophic level, both in the near term ($<$2050) and in the long term (2100): the carbon neutral (CN) lever to achieve zero net emissions of CO2, the super pollutant (SP) lever to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants, and the carbon extraction and sequestration (CES) lever to thin the atmospheric CO2 blanket. Pulling on both CN and SP levers and bending the emissions curve by 2020 can keep the central warming below dangerous levels. To limit the LPHI warming below dangerous levels, the CES lever must be pulled as well to extract as much as 1 trillion tons of CO2 before 2100 to both limit the preindustrial to 2100 cumulative net CO2 emissions to 2.2 trillion tons and bend the warming curve to a cooling trend. [Excerpt: Summary] Basically, for a safe climate, all three levers (CN, SP, and CES) must be deployed as soon as possible. The CN and SP levers must be deployed by 2030 and 2020, respectively; the cumulative CO2 emissions from preindustrial must be limited to 2.2 trillion tons of CO2 (or 0.6 trillion tons of carbon); and the CES lever should extract and sequester as much as 1 trillion tons of CO2 (CES1t), depending on when the CN lever is deployed. If the CN lever is deployed as early as 2020, the required CES is much less than 1 trillion tons. [] We propose that mitigation goals be set in terms of climate risk category instead of a temperature threshold. In this paper, we offer three broad risk categories, but it is likely that a more granular set of categories is required. The temperature threshold has served policy very well; however, given the imminence of dangerous warming within decades, the focus must broaden to include extreme climate changes. Precipitation, flooding, fire, and drought will all become serious sources of concern. The temperature will still occupy our attention because of the heat stress phenomenon and the likelihood of approximately half of the population exposed to deadly heat by 2050 (Box 2). [] We conclude with a commentary on the feasibility of the mitigation options considered thus far. Over 24 technological measures to reduce SLCPs have been detailed previously (39) (details are provided in SI Appendix). These measures include providing clean cook stoves to the poorest three billion of the world's total population and installing particulate filters in all diesel vehicles to reduce global BC emissions by nearly 80\,% and also reduce air pollution-related mortalities by ∼2 million; routine maintenance of gas pipes and banning gas flaring to reduce methane leaks; recovering methane from landfills, water sewage treatment plants, and farm manure; replacing HFCs with other available refrigerants that have negligible greenhouse effects; and installing catalytic converters in vehicles to reduce emissions of ozone precursors. [] CN levers require switching from fossil fuels to renewables such as wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear sources, among others. Also, CO2 emissions from industrial processes should be eliminated. This requires electrification of all end uses and production of electricity from renewables (40). Since many renewables (solar and wind) are intermittent, storage is a crucial issue. Batteries, hydrogen production by renewables, and pumped hydropower are all possible options for storage. While about 50\,% of reductions are possible with scaling up of existing technologies, innovations are required for achieving carbon neutrality in a cost-effective manner (40). Achievement of carbon neutrality also requires societal transformation, governance, and market mechanisms such as cap and trade and carbon pricing (40). The encouraging sign is that 52 cities, 65 businesses, and numerous universities have already embarked on the CN pathway (41). Some of these living laboratories, like California and Stockholm, have shown that the gross domestic product (GDP) can be decoupled from carbon emissions. Their carbon emission per GDP has decreased by 20\,% while bending the carbon emissions curve. The technology development and innovations from these living laboratories should be scaled to the world to greatly accelerate efforts to achieve CN within decades. [] Of the three levers recommended here, the third lever dealing with CES is the most challenging and formidable due to lack of scalable technologies. However, many technologies are being explored, including capturing CO2 in bioenergy power plants (42), biochar production by pyrolysis and storage in soils (43), restoration of soil organic pools (44), chemical weathering of rocks, mineral sequestration, reforestation, and urban forestry, among others. The availability of land and conflict with food production is another important constraint in some of the CES solutions. Major breakthroughs are needed urgently, and in the meantime, the best option is to start on the CN goal by 2020 and mitigate the SPs as soon as possible, since cost-effective technologies are already present to immediately start bending the emission curves.
@article{xuWellMitigationStrategies2017,
title = {Well below 2 °{{C}}: Mitigation Strategies for Avoiding Dangerous to Catastrophic Climate Changes},
author = {Xu, Yangyang and Ramanathan, Veerabhadran},
date = {2017-09},
journaltitle = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
volume = {114},
pages = {10315--10323},
issn = {1091-6490},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.1618481114},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1618481114},
abstract = {The historic Paris Agreement calls for limiting global temperature rise to ” well below 2 °C.” Because of uncertainties in emission scenarios, climate, and carbon cycle feedback, we interpret the Paris Agreement in terms of three climate risk categories and bring in considerations of low-probability (5\,\%) high-impact (LPHI) warming in addition to the central (∼50\,\% probability) value. The current risk category of dangerous warming is extended to more categories, which are defined by us here as follows: {$>$}1.5 °C as dangerous; {$>$}3 °C as catastrophic; and {$>$}5 °C as unknown, implying beyond catastrophic, including existential threats. With unchecked emissions, the central warming can reach the dangerous level within three decades, with the LPHI warming becoming catastrophic by 2050. We outline a three-lever strategy to limit the central warming below the dangerous level and the LPHI below the catastrophic level, both in the near term ({$<$}2050) and in the long term (2100): the carbon neutral (CN) lever to achieve zero net emissions of CO2, the super pollutant (SP) lever to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants, and the carbon extraction and sequestration (CES) lever to thin the atmospheric CO2 blanket. Pulling on both CN and SP levers and bending the emissions curve by 2020 can keep the central warming below dangerous levels. To limit the LPHI warming below dangerous levels, the CES lever must be pulled as well to extract as much as 1 trillion tons of CO2 before 2100 to both limit the preindustrial to 2100 cumulative net CO2 emissions to 2.2 trillion tons and bend the warming curve to a cooling trend.
[Excerpt: Summary] Basically, for a safe climate, all three levers (CN, SP, and CES) must be deployed as soon as possible. The CN and SP levers must be deployed by 2030 and 2020, respectively; the cumulative CO2 emissions from preindustrial must be limited to 2.2 trillion tons of CO2 (or 0.6 trillion tons of carbon); and the CES lever should extract and sequester as much as 1 trillion tons of CO2 (CES1t), depending on when the CN lever is deployed. If the CN lever is deployed as early as 2020, the required CES is much less than 1 trillion tons.
[] We propose that mitigation goals be set in terms of climate risk category instead of a temperature threshold. In this paper, we offer three broad risk categories, but it is likely that a more granular set of categories is required. The temperature threshold has served policy very well; however, given the imminence of dangerous warming within decades, the focus must broaden to include extreme climate changes. Precipitation, flooding, fire, and drought will all become serious sources of concern. The temperature will still occupy our attention because of the heat stress phenomenon and the likelihood of approximately half of the population exposed to deadly heat by 2050 (Box 2).
[] We conclude with a commentary on the feasibility of the mitigation options considered thus far. Over 24 technological measures to reduce SLCPs have been detailed previously (39) (details are provided in SI Appendix). These measures include providing clean cook stoves to the poorest three billion of the world's total population and installing particulate filters in all diesel vehicles to reduce global BC emissions by nearly 80\,\% and also reduce air pollution-related mortalities by ∼2 million; routine maintenance of gas pipes and banning gas flaring to reduce methane leaks; recovering methane from landfills, water sewage treatment plants, and farm manure; replacing HFCs with other available refrigerants that have negligible greenhouse effects; and installing catalytic converters in vehicles to reduce emissions of ozone precursors.
[] CN levers require switching from fossil fuels to renewables such as wind, solar, geothermal and nuclear sources, among others. Also, CO2 emissions from industrial processes should be eliminated. This requires electrification of all end uses and production of electricity from renewables (40). Since many renewables (solar and wind) are intermittent, storage is a crucial issue. Batteries, hydrogen production by renewables, and pumped hydropower are all possible options for storage. While about 50\,\% of reductions are possible with scaling up of existing technologies, innovations are required for achieving carbon neutrality in a cost-effective manner (40). Achievement of carbon neutrality also requires societal transformation, governance, and market mechanisms such as cap and trade and carbon pricing (40). The encouraging sign is that 52 cities, 65 businesses, and numerous universities have already embarked on the CN pathway (41). Some of these living laboratories, like California and Stockholm, have shown that the gross domestic product (GDP) can be decoupled from carbon emissions. Their carbon emission per GDP has decreased by 20\,\% while bending the carbon emissions curve. The technology development and innovations from these living laboratories should be scaled to the world to greatly accelerate efforts to achieve CN within decades.
[] Of the three levers recommended here, the third lever dealing with CES is the most challenging and formidable due to lack of scalable technologies. However, many technologies are being explored, including capturing CO2 in bioenergy power plants (42), biochar production by pyrolysis and storage in soils (43), restoration of soil organic pools (44), chemical weathering of rocks, mineral sequestration, reforestation, and urban forestry, among others. The availability of land and conflict with food production is another important constraint in some of the CES solutions. Major breakthroughs are needed urgently, and in the meantime, the best option is to start on the CN goal by 2020 and mitigate the SPs as soon as possible, since cost-effective technologies are already present to immediately start bending the emission curves.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14438775,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,carbon-capture-and-storage,carbon-emissions,carbon-mitigation,climate-change,global-scale,mitigation,pollution,system-catastrophe},
number = {39}
}Enhanced Poleward Propagation of Storms under Climate Change. Tamarin-Brodsky, T. & Kaspi, Y.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Earth's midlatitudes are dominated by regions of large atmospheric weather variability – often referred to as storm tracks – which influence the distribution of temperature, precipitation and wind in the extratropics. Comprehensive climate models forced by increased greenhouse gas emissions suggest that under global warming the storm tracks shift poleward. While the poleward shift is a robust response across most models, there is currently no consensus on what the underlying dynamical mechanism is. Here we present a new perspective on the poleward shift, which is based on a Lagrangian view of the storm tracks. We show that in addition to a poleward shift in the genesis latitude of the storms, associated with the shift in baroclinicity, the latitudinal displacement of cyclonic storms increases under global warming. This is achieved by applying a storm-tracking algorithm to an ensemble of CMIP5 models. The increased latitudinal propagation in a warmer climate is shown to be a result of stronger upper-level winds and increased atmospheric water vapour. These changes in the propagation characteristics of the storms can have a significant impact on midlatitude climate.
@article{tamarin-brodskyEnhancedPolewardPropagation2017,
title = {Enhanced Poleward Propagation of Storms under Climate Change},
author = {Tamarin-Brodsky, Talia and Kaspi, Yohai},
date = {2017-11},
journaltitle = {Nature Geoscience},
issn = {1752-0894},
doi = {10.1038/s41561-017-0001-8},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-017-0001-8},
abstract = {Earth's midlatitudes are dominated by regions of large atmospheric weather variability -- often referred to as storm tracks -- which influence the distribution of temperature, precipitation and wind in the extratropics. Comprehensive climate models forced by increased greenhouse gas emissions suggest that under global warming the storm tracks shift poleward. While the poleward shift is a robust response across most models, there is currently no consensus on what the underlying dynamical mechanism is. Here we present a new perspective on the poleward shift, which is based on a Lagrangian view of the storm tracks. We show that in addition to a poleward shift in the genesis latitude of the storms, associated with the shift in baroclinicity, the latitudinal displacement of cyclonic storms increases under global warming. This is achieved by applying a storm-tracking algorithm to an ensemble of CMIP5 models. The increased latitudinal propagation in a warmer climate is shown to be a result of stronger upper-level winds and increased atmospheric water vapour. These changes in the propagation characteristics of the storms can have a significant impact on midlatitude climate.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14476167,~to-add-doi-URL,climate-change,cyclone,global-scale,precipitation,rcp85,storm,wind}
}The Population Dynamics of Microparasites and Their Invertebrate Hosts. Anderson, R. M. & May, R. M. 291(1054):451–524.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex We show how directly transmitted microparasites, broadly defined to include viruses, bacteria, protozoans and fungi, may regulate natural populations of invertebrate hosts. The study combines elements of conventional epidemiology (where the host population is assumed constant) with elements of prey-predator studies (which conventionally emphasize how prey and predator populations may be regulated by their interaction). To this end, we construct simple models embodying the essentials of the dynamical interaction between invertebrate hosts and their directly transmitted microparasites. In successive refinements, these models include the effects of recovery and disease-induced mortality, castration or diminished reproduction of infected hosts, vertical transmission, latent periods of infection, stress-related pathogenicity, the interplay between disease and other density-dependent constraints on host population growth, and free-living infective stages. In analysing the dynamical behaviour of these models, we focus on : the possible regulation of the host population by the parasite; the basic reproductive rate of the parasite, and the way in which it affects the dynamics and the evolution of the host-parasite association; and the threshold host density and its implications for endemic or epidemic maintenance of the infection. These are examined in the light of synoptic compilations of field and laboratory data on: birth rates (and disease-induced reduction thereof), natural death rates and disease-induced death rates of hosts; latent periods and efficiencies of vertical transmission of pathogens; the rate of production and lifetime of free-living infective stages; and some characteristics of long-term cycles and of epidemic outbreaks of disease in forest insects. In particular, our models suggest that the baculovirus and microsporidian infections of many temperate forest insects will tend to produce stable cycles in host abundance and in prevalence of infection, with periods in the range 5-12 years. Enough is known about the European larch budmoth and an associated granulosis virus for us to undertake a detailed comparison between theory and data that strongly suggests that the observed 9-10 year cycles are driven by the host-parasite interaction. We also discuss the possible control of invertebrate pest species by pathogens, showing how our models could guide laboratory or field studies, to help estimate whether a given pathogen is capable of regulating the target pest population, and, if so, roughly what quantity is needed to effect a specific level of (local) control. Throughout, the emphasis is on the biological ingredients of the models, and on the biological conclusions to be drawn; mathematical details are given in appendixes.
@article{andersonPopulationDynamicsMicroparasites1981,
title = {The Population Dynamics of Microparasites and Their Invertebrate Hosts},
author = {Anderson, R. M. and May, R. M.},
date = {1981-04},
journaltitle = {Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences},
volume = {291},
pages = {451--524},
issn = {0962-8436},
doi = {10.1098/rstb.1981.0005},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14479954},
abstract = {We show how directly transmitted microparasites, broadly defined to include viruses, bacteria, protozoans and fungi, may regulate natural populations of invertebrate hosts. The study combines elements of conventional epidemiology (where the host population is assumed constant) with elements of prey-predator studies (which conventionally emphasize how prey and predator populations may be regulated by their interaction). To this end, we construct simple models embodying the essentials of the dynamical interaction between invertebrate hosts and their directly transmitted microparasites. In successive refinements, these models include the effects of recovery and disease-induced mortality, castration or diminished reproduction of infected hosts, vertical transmission, latent periods of infection, stress-related pathogenicity, the interplay between disease and other density-dependent constraints on host population growth, and free-living infective stages. In analysing the dynamical behaviour of these models, we focus on : the possible regulation of the host population by the parasite; the basic reproductive rate of the parasite, and the way in which it affects the dynamics and the evolution of the host-parasite association; and the threshold host density and its implications for endemic or epidemic maintenance of the infection. These are examined in the light of synoptic compilations of field and laboratory data on: birth rates (and disease-induced reduction thereof), natural death rates and disease-induced death rates of hosts; latent periods and efficiencies of vertical transmission of pathogens; the rate of production and lifetime of free-living infective stages; and some characteristics of long-term cycles and of epidemic outbreaks of disease in forest insects. In particular, our models suggest that the baculovirus and microsporidian infections of many temperate forest insects will tend to produce stable cycles in host abundance and in prevalence of infection, with periods in the range 5-12 years. Enough is known about the European larch budmoth and an associated granulosis virus for us to undertake a detailed comparison between theory and data that strongly suggests that the observed 9-10 year cycles are driven by the host-parasite interaction. We also discuss the possible control of invertebrate pest species by pathogens, showing how our models could guide laboratory or field studies, to help estimate whether a given pathogen is capable of regulating the target pest population, and, if so, roughly what quantity is needed to effect a specific level of (local) control. Throughout, the emphasis is on the biological ingredients of the models, and on the biological conclusions to be drawn; mathematical details are given in appendixes.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14479954,~to-add-doi-URL,100-ecology-articles,bacteria,dynamic-system,fungi,high-impact-publication,host-parasite,invertebrates,parasite,protozoans,virus},
number = {1054}
}Flood Plains: Critically Threatened Ecosystems. Tockner, K., Bunn, S. E., Gordon, C., Naiman, R. J., Quinn, G. P., & Stanford, J. A. In Aquatic Ecosystems, pages 45–62. Cambridge University Press.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Introduction] Riparian zones, river-marginal wetland environments and flood plains are key landscape elements with a high diversity of natural functions and services. They are dynamic systems that are shaped by repeated erosion and deposition of sediment, inundation during rising water levels, and complex groundwater-surface water exchange processes (Chapter 3). This dynamic nature makes flood plains among the most biologically productive and diverse ecosystems on earth [...]. Flood plains are also of great cultural and economic importance; most early civilizations arose in fertile flood plains and throughout history people have learned to cultivate and use their rich resources. Flood plains have also served as focal points for urban development and exploitation of their natural functions. [\n] Awareness has been growing during the past decade of the global significance of freshwater biodiversity, of the array of factors that have (or will have) threatened it and the extent to which real damage has already been done [...]. Flood plains in particular have been highly degraded throughout the world by river and flow management and by land-use pressures. Nowadays, they are among the most endangered ecosystems worldwide [...]. Accordingly, flood plains deserve increased attention for their inherent biodiversity, for the goods and services provided to human societies and for their aesthetic and cultural appeal. [\n] This chapter builds upon a recent comprehensive environmental review of riverine flood plains [...]. It starts with a short summary of the distribution and extent of the world's flood plains, followed by an overview of their primary economic, ecological and cultural values. The multifaceted threats that make flood plains one of the most endangered landscape elements worldwide are then discussed. Finally, future trends in floodplain exploitation in developing and developed countries are contrasted, and the ecological consequences of rapid alteration of floodplain ecosystems forecasted. Since flood plains, wetlands and river systems are not always clearly distinguished, general examples of rivers or floodplain wetlands are included in the present review when appropriate. The flood-inundated wetlands and lakes of the humid tropics are treated in more detail later (Chapter 10). [\n] [...] [Flood plain distribution] Flood plains are defined as 'areas of low lying land that are subject to inundation by lateral overflow water from rivers or lakes with which they are associated' [...]. This definition includes fringing flood plains of lakes and rivers, internal deltas and the deltaic flood plains of estuaries. [\n] [...] Based on data from 145 major river corridors around the world, the extent of human impacts on riparian zones is apparent [...]. For example, 11\,% of the riparian area of African rivers (mean population density 24 people km2) is intensively cultivated, compared to 46\,% for North American rivers (mean population density, excluding northern Canada and Alaska, 24 people km2) and 79\,% for European rivers (mean population density 75 people km2). The most impacted riparian corridors with respect to land use are found in Europe and in the densely populated areas of Asia (catchments with population densities $>$200 people km2) [...]. There, 60-99\,% of the entire riparian corridor has been transformed into cropland and/or is urbanized, the latter particularly so in Europe, where the Seine River (France) shows the highest impact of all rivers investigated. [\n] [...] The current situation for European flood plains is critical [...] with 95\,% of the original floodplain area converted to other uses [...]. In 45 European countries, 88\,% of alluvial forests have disappeared from their potential range [...]. Many of the remaining European flood plains are far from pristine and have lost most of their natural functions. For example, of the former 26 000 km2 of floodplain area along the Danube and its major tributaries, about 20 000 km2 are isolated by levees [...]. However, major flood events have highlighted the vast extent of plains still subject to flooding [...]. [\n] [...] [Conclusions] Flood plains are unique and dynamic ecosystems that link rivers with their catchments. They are highly productive environments, supporting a diverse biota, but are also intensively used by humans for agricultural and urban development, resulting in loss of biodiversity and ecological functioning. The priority for flood plains is to conserve those that are still intact and to attempt to rehabilitate those that are degraded. In both cases, protecting or restoring key components of the natural flow regime is essential, while maintaining sustainable use of floodplain resources by local communities, particularly in developing countries. Finding this compromise between conservation and resource use requires a greater understanding of the role of flow relative to other stressors in driving ecological processes in flood plains. Floodplain management and restoration strategies must also take into account climate change models that predict significant changes to flow regimes in most of the world's rivers, especially in temperate and arid regions.
@incollection{tocknerFloodPlainsCritically2008,
title = {Flood Plains: Critically Threatened Ecosystems},
booktitle = {Aquatic {{Ecosystems}}},
author = {Tockner, Klement and Bunn, Stuart E. and Gordon, Christopher and Naiman, Robert J. and Quinn, Gerry P. and Stanford, Jack A.},
editor = {Polunin, Nicholas V. C.},
date = {2008},
pages = {45--62},
publisher = {{Cambridge University Press}},
location = {{Cambridge}},
doi = {10.1017/cbo9780511751790.006},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511751790.006},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Introduction]
Riparian zones, river-marginal wetland environments and flood plains are key landscape elements with a high diversity of natural functions and services. They are dynamic systems that are shaped by repeated erosion and deposition of sediment, inundation during rising water levels, and complex groundwater-surface water exchange processes (Chapter 3). This dynamic nature makes flood plains among the most biologically productive and diverse ecosystems on earth [...]. Flood plains are also of great cultural and economic importance; most early civilizations arose in fertile flood plains and throughout history people have learned to cultivate and use their rich resources. Flood plains have also served as focal points for urban development and exploitation of their natural functions.
[\textbackslash n] Awareness has been growing during the past decade of the global significance of freshwater biodiversity, of the array of factors that have (or will have) threatened it and the extent to which real damage has already been done [...]. Flood plains in particular have been highly degraded throughout the world by river and flow management and by land-use pressures. Nowadays, they are among the most endangered ecosystems worldwide [...]. Accordingly, flood plains deserve increased attention for their inherent biodiversity, for the goods and services provided to human societies and for their aesthetic and cultural appeal.
[\textbackslash n] This chapter builds upon a recent comprehensive environmental review of riverine flood plains [...]. It starts with a short summary of the distribution and extent of the world's flood plains, followed by an overview of their primary economic, ecological and cultural values. The multifaceted threats that make flood plains one of the most endangered landscape elements worldwide are then discussed. Finally, future trends in floodplain exploitation in developing and developed countries are contrasted, and the ecological consequences of rapid alteration of floodplain ecosystems forecasted. Since flood plains, wetlands and river systems are not always clearly distinguished, general examples of rivers or floodplain wetlands are included in the present review when appropriate. The flood-inundated wetlands and lakes of the humid tropics are treated in more detail later (Chapter 10).
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[Flood plain distribution]
Flood plains are defined as 'areas of low lying land that are subject to inundation by lateral overflow water from rivers or lakes with which they are associated' [...]. This definition includes fringing flood plains of lakes and rivers, internal deltas and the deltaic flood plains of estuaries. [\textbackslash n] [...]
Based on data from 145 major river corridors around the world, the extent of human impacts on riparian zones is apparent [...]. For example, 11\,\% of the riparian area of African rivers (mean population density 24 people km2) is intensively cultivated, compared to 46\,\% for North American rivers (mean population density, excluding northern Canada and Alaska, 24 people km2) and 79\,\% for European rivers (mean population density 75 people km2). The most impacted riparian corridors with respect to land use are found in Europe and in the densely populated areas of Asia (catchments with population densities {$>$}200 people km2) [...]. There, 60-99\,\% of the entire riparian corridor has been transformed into cropland and/or is urbanized, the latter particularly so in Europe, where the Seine River (France) shows the highest impact of all rivers investigated.
[\textbackslash n] [...]
The current situation for European flood plains is critical [...] with 95\,\% of the original floodplain area converted to other uses [...]. In 45 European countries, 88\,\% of alluvial forests have disappeared from their potential range [...]. Many of the remaining European flood plains are far from pristine and have lost most of their natural functions. For example, of the former 26 000 km2 of floodplain area along the Danube and its major tributaries, about 20 000 km2 are isolated by levees [...]. However, major flood events have highlighted the vast extent of plains still subject to flooding [...].
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[Conclusions]
Flood plains are unique and dynamic ecosystems that link rivers with their catchments. They are highly productive environments, supporting a diverse biota, but are also intensively used by humans for agricultural and urban development, resulting in loss of biodiversity and ecological functioning. The priority for flood plains is to conserve those that are still intact and to attempt to rehabilitate those that are degraded. In both cases, protecting or restoring key components of the natural flow regime is essential, while maintaining sustainable use of floodplain resources by local communities, particularly in developing countries. Finding this compromise between conservation and resource use requires a greater understanding of the role of flow relative to other stressors in driving ecological processes in flood plains. Floodplain management and restoration strategies must also take into account climate change models that predict significant changes to flow regimes in most of the world's rivers, especially in temperate and arid regions.},
isbn = {978-0-511-75179-0},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13938341,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropogenic-changes,arid-climate,climate-change,ecosystem,flood-frequency,flooding-tolerance,floods,forest-resources,river-flow,temperate-climate,vegetation,water-resources}
}A Data Citation Roadmap for Scientific Publishers. Cousijn, H., Kenall, A., Ganley, E., Harrison, M., Kernohan, D., Murphy, F., Polischuk, P., Martone, M., & Clark, T.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex This article presents a practical roadmap for scholarly publishers to implement data citation in accordance with the Joint Declaration of Data Citation Principles (JDDCP) [1], a synopsis and harmonization of the recommendations of major science policy bodies. It was developed by the Publishers Early Adopters Expert Group as part of the Data Citation Implementation Pilot (DCIP) project, an initiative of FORCE11.org and the NIH BioCADDIE program. The structure of the roadmap presented here follows the ” life of a paper” workflow and includes the categories Pre-submission, Submission, Production, and Publication. The roadmap is intended to be publisher-agnostic so that all publishers can use this as a starting point when implementing JDDCP-compliant data citation.
@article{cousijnDataCitationRoadmap2017,
title = {A Data Citation Roadmap for Scientific Publishers},
author = {Cousijn, Helena and Kenall, Amye and Ganley, Emma and Harrison, Melissa and Kernohan, David and Murphy, Fiona and Polischuk, Patrick and Martone, Maryann and Clark, Timothy},
date = {2017-01},
journaltitle = {bioRxiv},
pages = {100784+},
doi = {10.1101/100784},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1101/100784},
abstract = {This article presents a practical roadmap for scholarly publishers to implement data citation in accordance with the Joint Declaration of Data Citation Principles (JDDCP) [1], a synopsis and harmonization of the recommendations of major science policy bodies. It was developed by the Publishers Early Adopters Expert Group as part of the Data Citation Implementation Pilot (DCIP) project, an initiative of FORCE11.org and the NIH BioCADDIE program. The structure of the roadmap presented here follows the ” life of a paper” workflow and includes the categories Pre-submission, Submission, Production, and Publication. The roadmap is intended to be publisher-agnostic so that all publishers can use this as a starting point when implementing JDDCP-compliant data citation.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14270950,~to-add-doi-URL,check-list,citation-metrics,open-data,open-science,research-funding-vs-public-outcome,research-metrics,rewarding-best-research-practices}
}Soil Degradation and Soil Quality in Western Europe: Current Situation and Future Perspectives. Virto, I., Imaz, M., Fernández-Ugalde, O., Gartzia-Bengoetxea, N., Enrique, A., & Bescansa, P. 7(1):313–365.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex The extent and causes of chemical, physical and biological degradation of soil, and of soil loss, vary greatly in different countries in Western Europe. The objective of this review paper is to examine these issues and also strategies for soil protection and future perspectives for soil quality evaluation, in light of present legislation aimed at soil protection. Agriculture and forestry are the main causes of many of the above problems, especially physical degradation, erosion and organic matter loss. Land take and soil sealing have increased in recent decades, further enhancing the problems. In agricultural land, conservation farming, organic farming and other soil-friendly practices have been seen to have site-specific effects, depending on the soil characteristics and the particular types of land use and land users. No single soil management strategy is suitable for all regions, soil types and soil uses. Except for soil contamination, specific legislation for soil protection is lacking in Western Europe. The Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection in the European Union has produced valuable information and has encouraged the development of networks and databases. However, soil degradation is addressed only indirectly in environmental policies and through the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, which promotes farming practices that support soil conservation. Despite these efforts, there remains a need for soil monitoring networks and decision-support systems aimed at optimization of soil quality in the region. The pressure on European soils will continue in the future, and a clearly defined regulatory framework is needed.
@article{virtoSoilDegradationSoil2014,
title = {Soil Degradation and Soil Quality in {{Western Europe}}: Current Situation and Future Perspectives},
author = {Virto, Iñigo and Imaz, Maŕıa and Fernández-Ugalde, Oihane and Gartzia-Bengoetxea, Nahia and Enrique, Alberto and Bescansa, Paloma},
date = {2014-12},
journaltitle = {Sustainability},
volume = {7},
pages = {313--365},
issn = {2071-1050},
doi = {10.3390/su7010313},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/su7010313},
abstract = {The extent and causes of chemical, physical and biological degradation of soil, and of soil loss, vary greatly in different countries in Western Europe. The objective of this review paper is to examine these issues and also strategies for soil protection and future perspectives for soil quality evaluation, in light of present legislation aimed at soil protection. Agriculture and forestry are the main causes of many of the above problems, especially physical degradation, erosion and organic matter loss. Land take and soil sealing have increased in recent decades, further enhancing the problems. In agricultural land, conservation farming, organic farming and other soil-friendly practices have been seen to have site-specific effects, depending on the soil characteristics and the particular types of land use and land users. No single soil management strategy is suitable for all regions, soil types and soil uses. Except for soil contamination, specific legislation for soil protection is lacking in Western Europe. The Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection in the European Union has produced valuable information and has encouraged the development of networks and databases. However, soil degradation is addressed only indirectly in environmental policies and through the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, which promotes farming practices that support soil conservation. Despite these efforts, there remains a need for soil monitoring networks and decision-support systems aimed at optimization of soil quality in the region. The pressure on European soils will continue in the future, and a clearly defined regulatory framework is needed.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13475511,~to-add-doi-URL,mitigation,protection,soil-resources,sustainability,western-europe},
number = {1}
}Soil Characteristics and Landcover Relationships on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity at a Hillslope Scale: A View towards Local Flood Management. Archer, N. A. L., Bonell, M., Coles, N., MacDonald, A. M., Auton, C. A., & Stevenson, R. 497:208–222.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex We evaluate woodland/grassland cover and soil types to reduce local flooding. We measured field saturated hydraulic conductivity under grassland and woodland. Established broadleaf woodland had significantly higher infiltration rates than grassland. 1 in 10~year storm events would cause infiltration-excess overland flow on grassland. We suggest deciduous shelterbelts upslope could locally reduce overland flow. There are surprisingly few studies in humid temperate forests which provide reliable evidence that soil permeability is enhanced under forests. This work addresses this research gap through a detailed investigation of permeability on a hillslope in the Eddleston Catchment, Scottish Borders UK, to evaluate the impact of land cover, superficial geology and soil types on permeability using measurements of field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) supported by detailed topsoil profile descriptions and counting of roots with diameters $>$2~mm. Kfs was measured at depth 0.04-0.15~m using a constant head well permeameter across four paired landcover sites of adjacent tree and intensely grazed grassland. The measured tree types were: 500-year-old mixed woodland; 180-year-old mixed woodland; 45-year-old Pinus sylvestris plantation; and 180-year-old Salix caprea woodland. The respective paired grids of trees and grassland were compared on similar soil texture and topography. This study highlights the significant impact of broadleaf woodland at a hillslope scale on Kfs in comparison to grassland areas: median Kfs values under 180-year-old S. caprea woodland (8~mm~h-1), 180-year-old mixed woodland (119~mm~h-1) and 500-year-old broadleaf woodland (174~mm~h-1) were found to be respectively 8, 6 and 5 times higher than neighbouring grazed grassland areas on the same superficial geology. Further statistical analysis indicates that such Kfs enhancement is associated with the presence of coarse roots ($>$2~mm diameter) creating conduits for preferential flow and a deeper organic layer in the topsoil profile under woodlands. By contrast the P. sylvestris forest had only slightly higher (42~mm~h-1), but not statistically different Kfs values, when compared to adjacent pasture (35~mm~h-1). In the grassland areas, in the absence of course roots, the superficial geology was dominant in accounting for differences in Kfs, with the alluvium floodplain having a significantly lower median Kfs (1~mm~h-1) than surrounding hillslope sites, which had a range of median Kfs from 21 to 39~mm~h-1. The data were used to infer areas of runoff generation by comparing Kfs values with modelled 15~min maximum intensity duration rainfall with a 1 in 10~year return period. Infiltration prevailed in the 180- and 500-year-old mixed and broadleaf woodland, whereas some grassland areas and the floodplain were inferred to generate overland flow. The significantly higher Kfs under broadleaf mature forests suggests that planting broadleaf woodlands on hillslopes in clusters or as shelterbelts within grasslands would provide areas of increased capacity for rainfall infiltration and arrest runoff generation during flood-producing storm events. [Excerpt: Conclusions] Overall this study highlights the significant impact of broadleaf woodland on a hillslope that increases Kfs in comparison to grassland areas. In particular, Kfs under 180 and 500 year old broadleaf forest was found to be respectively 6 and 5 times higher than neighbouring grazed grassland areas on the same superficial geology. This was attributed to the significantly deeper organic layer in the topsoil profile providing greater available water storage and the presence of coarse roots ($>$2 mm diameter) creating conduits for preferential flow. On the other hand, the Kfs under P. sylvestris had only slightly higher Kfs values than the adjacent grassland area, and were statistically not significantly different. This result is surprising considering that root numbers and diameter under P. sylvestris is similar to the 180 year old broadleaf forest. Causal factors may have been due to enhanced illuviation of available organic colloids from pine needles, which could cause soil repellency, ultimately reducing Kfs. The floodplain broadleaf woodland had significantly lower Kfs values than the other woodland area, illustrating the problem of poor soil drainage relating to the gley soils in the floodplain. The coarse roots that did exist within the floodplain woodland were shallow and were spatially less extensive (in clumps), but they did provide some high outlying Kfs values and an associated large mean variance in this parameter. The low median Kfs values at 0.04-0.15 m soil depth under all four measured grassland ranged from median 1 to 39 mm h-1. The highest grassland Kfs values were in head deposits (high gravel content) and the lowest in the alluvium floodplain deposits (higher silt and clay content). The diverse particle size distribution of clay, silt, sand and gravel within the hillslope indicated the significant effect of glaciation and fluvial transport in depositing and sorting which in turn, affected the topsoil Kfs under grassland. Moreover no coarse roots ($>$2 mm diameter) were observed in the soil profiles in the grass areas. Thus at these sites the superficial geology was a more dominant influence on Kfs than biological factors, which were more dominant in broadleaf woodland. Low Kfs values in the floodplain were also observed to be influenced by soil compaction caused by high stocking rates. Of all the soil description parameters (total root numbers, number of roots $>$5 mm, number of roots between 2 and 5 mm, humus depth, stone size, depth of gravel layer), an increase in Kfs was determined by regression analysis to be most associated with total root numbers $>$2 mm diameter. By contrast no statistical relationship between gravel size and Kfs was evident. [\n] Mapping in situ Kfs measurements inferred possible areas of sources and sinks for overland flow during high intensity duration rainfall (the example used was I15max 1 in 10 year rainfall event). A source of overland flow (infiltration-excess and saturation-excess) occurs in most grassland areas and particularly in the floodplain silty soils. Broadleaf woodland areas are likely to act as sinks to overland flow during high intensity rainfall, but at a depth $>$0.15 m sub-surface storm flow is likely to occur. [\n] In terms of NFM, this study suggests that older broadleaf forests on pastoral hillslopes could mitigate local flooding because of the significantly higher infiltration rates and sub-soil Kfs under these forested areas in contrast to the heavily, grazed grasslands. However, as indicated earlier, such deciduous forests occupy only ∼7\,% of woodland in the Scottish Borders ( Anon, 1999) and a paradigm shift in forestation practice in terms of species is thus required.
@article{archerSoilCharacteristicsLandcover2013,
title = {Soil Characteristics and Landcover Relationships on Soil Hydraulic Conductivity at a Hillslope Scale: A View towards Local Flood Management},
author = {Archer, N. A. L. and Bonell, M. and Coles, N. and MacDonald, A. M. and Auton, C. A. and Stevenson, R.},
date = {2013-08},
journaltitle = {Journal of Hydrology},
volume = {497},
pages = {208--222},
issn = {0022-1694},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.05.043},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.05.043},
abstract = {We evaluate woodland/grassland cover and soil types to reduce local flooding. We measured field saturated hydraulic conductivity under grassland and woodland. Established broadleaf woodland had significantly higher infiltration rates than grassland. 1 in 10~year storm events would cause infiltration-excess overland flow on grassland. We suggest deciduous shelterbelts upslope could locally reduce overland flow. There are surprisingly few studies in humid temperate forests which provide reliable evidence that soil permeability is enhanced under forests. This work addresses this research gap through a detailed investigation of permeability on a hillslope in the Eddleston Catchment, Scottish Borders UK, to evaluate the impact of land cover, superficial geology and soil types on permeability using measurements of field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) supported by detailed topsoil profile descriptions and counting of roots with diameters {$>$}2~mm. Kfs was measured at depth 0.04-0.15~m using a constant head well permeameter across four paired landcover sites of adjacent tree and intensely grazed grassland. The measured tree types were: 500-year-old mixed woodland; 180-year-old mixed woodland; 45-year-old Pinus sylvestris plantation; and 180-year-old Salix caprea woodland. The respective paired grids of trees and grassland were compared on similar soil texture and topography. This study highlights the significant impact of broadleaf woodland at a hillslope scale on Kfs in comparison to grassland areas: median Kfs values under 180-year-old S. caprea woodland (8~mm~h-1), 180-year-old mixed woodland (119~mm~h-1) and 500-year-old broadleaf woodland (174~mm~h-1) were found to be respectively 8, 6 and 5 times higher than neighbouring grazed grassland areas on the same superficial geology. Further statistical analysis indicates that such Kfs enhancement is associated with the presence of coarse roots ({$>$}2~mm diameter) creating conduits for preferential flow and a deeper organic layer in the topsoil profile under woodlands. By contrast the P. sylvestris forest had only slightly higher (42~mm~h-1), but not statistically different Kfs values, when compared to adjacent pasture (35~mm~h-1). In the grassland areas, in the absence of course roots, the superficial geology was dominant in accounting for differences in Kfs, with the alluvium floodplain having a significantly lower median Kfs (1~mm~h-1) than surrounding hillslope sites, which had a range of median Kfs from 21 to 39~mm~h-1. The data were used to infer areas of runoff generation by comparing Kfs values with modelled 15~min maximum intensity duration rainfall with a 1 in 10~year return period. Infiltration prevailed in the 180- and 500-year-old mixed and broadleaf woodland, whereas some grassland areas and the floodplain were inferred to generate overland flow. The significantly higher Kfs under broadleaf mature forests suggests that planting broadleaf woodlands on hillslopes in clusters or as shelterbelts within grasslands would provide areas of increased capacity for rainfall infiltration and arrest runoff generation during flood-producing storm events.
[Excerpt: Conclusions]
Overall this study highlights the significant impact of broadleaf woodland on a hillslope that increases Kfs in comparison to grassland areas. In particular, Kfs under 180 and 500 year old broadleaf forest was found to be respectively 6 and 5 times higher than neighbouring grazed grassland areas on the same superficial geology. This was attributed to the significantly deeper organic layer in the topsoil profile providing greater available water storage and the presence of coarse roots ({$>$}2 mm diameter) creating conduits for preferential flow. On the other hand, the Kfs under P. sylvestris had only slightly higher Kfs values than the adjacent grassland area, and were statistically not significantly different. This result is surprising considering that root numbers and diameter under P. sylvestris is similar to the 180 year old broadleaf forest. Causal factors may have been due to enhanced illuviation of available organic colloids from pine needles, which could cause soil repellency, ultimately reducing Kfs. The floodplain broadleaf woodland had significantly lower Kfs values than the other woodland area, illustrating the problem of poor soil drainage relating to the gley soils in the floodplain. The coarse roots that did exist within the floodplain woodland were shallow and were spatially less extensive (in clumps), but they did provide some high outlying Kfs values and an associated large mean variance in this parameter. The low median Kfs values at 0.04-0.15 m soil depth under all four measured grassland ranged from median 1 to 39 mm h-1. The highest grassland Kfs values were in head deposits (high gravel content) and the lowest in the alluvium floodplain deposits (higher silt and clay content). The diverse particle size distribution of clay, silt, sand and gravel within the hillslope indicated the significant effect of glaciation and fluvial transport in depositing and sorting which in turn, affected the topsoil Kfs under grassland. Moreover no coarse roots ({$>$}2 mm diameter) were observed in the soil profiles in the grass areas. Thus at these sites the superficial geology was a more dominant influence on Kfs than biological factors, which were more dominant in broadleaf woodland. Low Kfs values in the floodplain were also observed to be influenced by soil compaction caused by high stocking rates. Of all the soil description parameters (total root numbers, number of roots {$>$}5 mm, number of roots between 2 and 5 mm, humus depth, stone size, depth of gravel layer), an increase in Kfs was determined by regression analysis to be most associated with total root numbers {$>$}2 mm diameter. By contrast no statistical relationship between gravel size and Kfs was evident.
[\textbackslash n] Mapping in situ Kfs measurements inferred possible areas of sources and sinks for overland flow during high intensity duration rainfall (the example used was I15max 1 in 10 year rainfall event). A source of overland flow (infiltration-excess and saturation-excess) occurs in most grassland areas and particularly in the floodplain silty soils. Broadleaf woodland areas are likely to act as sinks to overland flow during high intensity rainfall, but at a depth {$>$}0.15 m sub-surface storm flow is likely to occur.
[\textbackslash n] In terms of NFM, this study suggests that older broadleaf forests on pastoral hillslopes could mitigate local flooding because of the significantly higher infiltration rates and sub-soil Kfs under these forested areas in contrast to the heavily, grazed grasslands. However, as indicated earlier, such deciduous forests occupy only ∼7\,\% of woodland in the Scottish Borders ( Anon, 1999) and a paradigm shift in forestation practice in terms of species is thus required.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13908859,~to-add-doi-URL,ancient-forests,broadleaved,flood-control,floods,forest-resources,grasslands,land-cover,mature-forests,mitigation,pinus-sylvestris,plantation,runoff,salix-caprea,soil-resources,storm,vegetation,water-resources}
}Belowground Carbon Trade among Tall Trees in a Temperate Forest. Klein, T., Siegwolf, R. T. W., & Korner, C. 352(6283):342–344.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Editor summary: Carbon trading between adult trees] Competition between individual plants for resources is well known, but sharing of resources may also occur. Klein et al. observed tree-to-tree carbon shuttling between roots of tall trees in a mixed temperate forest in Switzerland (see the Perspective by van der Heijden). By applying stable carbon isotope labeling to individual tree canopies, they show that up to 40\,% of the carbon in the fine roots of one individual may be derived from photosynthetic products of a neighbor. Carbon transfer of this kind, mediated by plant-associated fungi, or mycorrhizae, in the soil, has been reported on a smaller scale in seedlings, but not before in trees. [Abstract] Forest trees compete for light and soil resources, but photoassimilates, once produced in the foliage, are not considered to be exchanged between individuals. Applying stable carbon isotope labeling at the canopy scale, we show that carbon assimilated by 40-meter-tall spruce is traded over to neighboring beech, larch, and pine via overlapping root spheres. Isotope mixing signals indicate that the interspecific, bidirectional transfer, assisted by common ectomycorrhiza networks, accounted for 40\,% of the fine root carbon (about 280 kilograms per hectare per year tree-to-tree transfer). Although competition for resources is commonly considered as the dominant tree-to-tree interaction in forests, trees may interact in more complex ways, including substantial carbon exchange.
@article{kleinBelowgroundCarbonTrade2016,
title = {Belowground Carbon Trade among Tall Trees in a Temperate Forest},
author = {Klein, T. and Siegwolf, R. T. W. and Korner, C.},
date = {2016-04},
journaltitle = {Science},
volume = {352},
pages = {342--344},
issn = {0036-8075},
doi = {10.1126/science.aad6188},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aad6188},
abstract = {[Editor summary: Carbon trading between adult trees]
Competition between individual plants for resources is well known, but sharing of resources may also occur. Klein et al. observed tree-to-tree carbon shuttling between roots of tall trees in a mixed temperate forest in Switzerland (see the Perspective by van der Heijden). By applying stable carbon isotope labeling to individual tree canopies, they show that up to 40\,\% of the carbon in the fine roots of one individual may be derived from photosynthetic products of a neighbor. Carbon transfer of this kind, mediated by plant-associated fungi, or mycorrhizae, in the soil, has been reported on a smaller scale in seedlings, but not before in trees.
[Abstract]
Forest trees compete for light and soil resources, but photoassimilates, once produced in the foliage, are not considered to be exchanged between individuals. Applying stable carbon isotope labeling at the canopy scale, we show that carbon assimilated by 40-meter-tall spruce is traded over to neighboring beech, larch, and pine via overlapping root spheres. Isotope mixing signals indicate that the interspecific, bidirectional transfer, assisted by common ectomycorrhiza networks, accounted for 40\,\% of the fine root carbon (about 280 kilograms per hectare per year tree-to-tree transfer). Although competition for resources is commonly considered as the dominant tree-to-tree interaction in forests, trees may interact in more complex ways, including substantial carbon exchange.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14013061,~to-add-doi-URL,complexity,ecology,forest-resources,mycorrhizal-fungi,networks,organic-carbon,soil-resources,temperate-forests,vegetation},
number = {6283}
}Improving Generalized Regression Analysis for the Spatial Prediction of Forest Communities. Maggini, R., Lehmann, A., Zimmermann, N. E., & Guisan, A. 33(10):1729–1749.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Aim This study used data from temperate forest communities to assess: (1) five different stepwise selection methods with generalized additive models, (2) the effect of weighting absences to ensure a prevalence of 0.5, (3) the effect of limiting absences beyond the environmental envelope defined by presences, (4) four different methods for incorporating spatial autocorrelation, and (5) the effect of integrating an interaction factor defined by a regression tree on the residuals of an initial environmental model. Location State of Vaud, western Switzerland. Methods Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted using the grasp package (generalized regression analysis and spatial predictions, http://www.cscf.ch/grasp). Results Model selection based on cross-validation appeared to be the best compromise between model stability and performance (parsimony) among the five methods tested. Weighting absences returned models that perform better than models fitted with the original sample prevalence. This appeared to be mainly due to the impact of very low prevalence values on evaluation statistics. Removing zeroes beyond the range of presences on main environmental gradients changed the set of selected predictors, and potentially their response curve shape. Moreover, removing zeroes slightly improved model performance and stability when compared with the baseline model on the same data set. Incorporating a spatial trend predictor improved model performance and stability significantly. Even better models were obtained when including local spatial autocorrelation. A novel approach to include interactions proved to be an efficient way to account for interactions between all predictors at once. Main conclusions Models and spatial predictions of 18 forest communities were significantly improved by using either: (1) cross-validation as a model selection method, (2) weighted absences, (3) limited absences, (4) predictors accounting for spatial autocorrelation, or (5) a factor variable accounting for interactions between all predictors. The final choice of model strategy should depend on the nature of the available data and the specific study aims. Statistical evaluation is useful in searching for the best modelling practice. However, one should not neglect to consider the shapes and interpretability of response curves, as well as the resulting spatial predictions in the final assessment.
@article{magginiImprovingGeneralizedRegression2006,
title = {Improving Generalized Regression Analysis for the Spatial Prediction of Forest Communities},
author = {Maggini, Ramona and Lehmann, Anthony and Zimmermann, Niklaus E. and Guisan, Antoine},
date = {2006-10},
journaltitle = {Journal of Biogeography},
volume = {33},
pages = {1729--1749},
issn = {0305-0270},
doi = {10.1111/j.1365-2699.2006.01465.x},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/835166},
abstract = {Aim\hspace{0.6em} This study used data from temperate forest communities to assess: (1) five different stepwise selection methods with generalized additive models, (2) the effect of weighting absences to ensure a prevalence of 0.5, (3) the effect of limiting absences beyond the environmental envelope defined by presences, (4) four different methods for incorporating spatial autocorrelation, and (5) the effect of integrating an interaction factor defined by a regression tree on the residuals of an initial environmental model. Location\hspace{0.6em} State of Vaud, western Switzerland. Methods\hspace{0.6em} Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted using the grasp package (generalized regression analysis and spatial predictions, http://www.cscf.ch/grasp). Results\hspace{0.6em} Model selection based on cross-validation appeared to be the best compromise between model stability and performance (parsimony) among the five methods tested. Weighting absences returned models that perform better than models fitted with the original sample prevalence. This appeared to be mainly due to the impact of very low prevalence values on evaluation statistics. Removing zeroes beyond the range of presences on main environmental gradients changed the set of selected predictors, and potentially their response curve shape. Moreover, removing zeroes slightly improved model performance and stability when compared with the baseline model on the same data set. Incorporating a spatial trend predictor improved model performance and stability significantly. Even better models were obtained when including local spatial autocorrelation. A novel approach to include interactions proved to be an efficient way to account for interactions between all predictors at once. Main conclusions\hspace{0.6em} Models and spatial predictions of 18 forest communities were significantly improved by using either: (1) cross-validation as a model selection method, (2) weighted absences, (3) limited absences, (4) predictors accounting for spatial autocorrelation, or (5) a factor variable accounting for interactions between all predictors. The final choice of model strategy should depend on the nature of the available data and the specific study aims. Statistical evaluation is useful in searching for the best modelling practice. However, one should not neglect to consider the shapes and interpretability of response curves, as well as the resulting spatial predictions in the final assessment.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-835166,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,bioclimatic-predictors,correlation-analysis,forest-resources,habitat-suitability,statistics,uncertainty,weighting},
number = {10}
}Assessing Crown Fire Potential in Coniferous Forests of Western North America: A Critique of Current Approaches and Recent Simulation Studies. Cruz, M. G. & Alexander, M. E. 19(4):377+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex To control and use wildland fires safely and effectively depends on creditable assessments of fire potential, including the propensity for crowning in conifer forests. Simulation studies that use certain fire modelling systems (i.e. NEXUS, FlamMap, FARSITE, FFE-FVS (Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator), Fuel Management Analyst (FMAPlus®), BehavePlus) based on separate implementations or direct integration of Rothermel's surface and crown rate of fire spread models with Van Wagner's crown fire transition and propagation models are shown to have a significant underprediction bias when used in assessing potential crown fire behaviour in conifer forests of western North America. The principal sources of this underprediction bias are shown to include: [::(i)] incompatible model linkages; [::(ii)] use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and [::(iii)] reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on the use of unsubstantiated crown fraction burned functions. [::The use of uncalibrated custom fuel models] to represent surface fuelbeds is a fourth potential source of bias. [\n] These sources are described and documented in detail based on comparisons with experimental fire and wildfire observations and on separate analyses of model components. The manner in which the two primary canopy fuel inputs influencing crown fire initiation (i.e. foliar moisture content and canopy base height) is handled in these simulation studies and the meaning of Scott and Reinhardt's two crown fire hazard indices are also critically examined. [Excerpt: Summary and concluding remarks] The ready availability of a multitude of fire modelling systems in the US in recent years has led to their widespread use in numerous simulation studies aimed at assessing various fire behaviour characteristics associated with specific fuel complex structures, including the propensity for crown fire initiation and spread (McHugh 2006). The results of these simulations, often aimed at evaluating fuel treatment effectiveness, are in turn utilised in a whole host of applications (e.g. Scott 2003; Fiedler et al. 2004; Skog et al. 2006; Johnson et al. 2007; Finkral and Evans 2008; Huggett et al. 2008; Johnson 2008; Reinhardt et al. 2010) and thus have significant implications for public and wildland firefighter safety, community fire protection, fire management policy-making, and forest management practices. As Cheney (1981) has noted, 'The reality of fire behaviour predictions is that overestimates can be easily readjusted without serious consequences; underestimates of behaviour can be disastrous both to the operations of the fire controller and the credibility of the person making the predictions'. [\n] A critical review of several of these simulation studies, as documented here, has found that the results are often unrealistic for a variety of reasons. It's recognised that the authors of these studies commonly point out the limitations of the models and modelling systems being used through a customary disclaimer concerning the unknowns regarding crown fire behaviour (e.g. Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, the fact that the fuel treatment evaluation studies referenced here are based on modelling systems that utilised model linkages for gauging potential crown fire behaviour that have not previously undergone any form of performance evaluation against independent datasets or any empirical observations should be of concern. There appears, however, to be an aversion within an element of the fire research community to do so (e.g. Scott and Reinhardt 2001; Scott 2006; Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, such testing is now generally regarded as a basic tenet of modern-day model development and evaluation (Jakeman et al. 2006). [\n] Fire modelling systems like NEXUS (Scott and Reinhardt 2001), FFE-FVS (Reinhardt and Crookston 2003), FARSITE (Finney 2004), FMAPlus (Carlton 2005), FlamMap (Finney 2006), and BehavePlus (Andrews et al. 2008) that are based on separate implementations or linkages between Rothermel's (1972, 1991) rate of fire spread models and Van Wagner's (1977, 1993) crown fire transition and propagation models have been shown to have a marked underprediction bias when used to assess potential crown fire behaviour. What has been allowed to evolve is a family of modelling systems composed of independently developed, linked models that were never intended to work together, are sometimes based on very limited data, and may propagate errors beyond acceptable limits. [\n] We have documented here the sources of the bias based on empirical evidence in the form of published experimental fire and wildfire datasets. By analysing model linkages and components, we have described the primary sources of such bias, namely: (1) incompatible model linkages; (2) use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and (3) reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on use of unsubstantiated CFB functions. The use of uncalibrated, custom fuel models to represent surface fuelbeds is considered another potential source of bias. [\n] Our analysis has also shown that the crown fire initiation underprediction bias inherent in all of these fire modelling systems could possibly be rectified by modifying the method used to calculate the surface fireline intensity for the purposes of assessing crown fire initiation potential, namely using Nelson's (2003) model to estimate tr in place of Anderson's model (1969). Other modelling systems exist for predicting the likelihood of crown fire initiation and other aspects of crown fire behaviour (Alexander et al. 2006; Cruz et al. 2006b, 2008). Mitsopoulos and Dimitrakopoulos (2007) have, for example, made extensive use of this suite of models in their assessment of crown fire potential in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests in Greece. These systems are based on models that have undergone performance evaluations against independent datasets and been shown to be reasonably reliable (Cruz et al. 2003b, 2004, 2006b; Cronan and Jandt 2008). Resolving the underprediction bias associated with predicting active crown fire rate of spread inherent in the Rothermel (1991) model would require substantial changes, including a reassessment of the use of a CFB function, if not complete replacement with a more robust empirically developed model (Cruz et al. 2005) that has been extensively tested (Alexander and Cruz 2006) or a physically based one that has undergone limited testing (Butler et al. 2004). [\n] Alexander (2007) has emphasised that assessments of wildland fire potential involving simulation modelling must be complemented with fire behaviour case study knowledge and by experienced judgment. This review has revealed an overwhelming need for the research users of fire modelling systems to be grounded in the theory and proper application of such tools, including a solid understanding of the assumptions, limitations and accuracy of the underlying models as well as practical knowledge of the subject phenomena (Brown and Davis 1973; Albini 1976; Alexander 2009a, 2009b).
@article{cruzAssessingCrownFire2010,
title = {Assessing Crown Fire Potential in Coniferous Forests of Western {{North America}}: A Critique of Current Approaches and Recent Simulation Studies},
author = {Cruz, Miguel G. and Alexander, Martin E.},
date = {2010},
journaltitle = {International Journal of Wildland Fire},
volume = {19},
pages = {377+},
issn = {1049-8001},
doi = {10.1071/wf08132},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1071/wf08132},
abstract = {To control and use wildland fires safely and effectively depends on creditable assessments of fire potential, including the propensity for crowning in conifer forests. Simulation studies that use certain fire modelling systems (i.e. NEXUS, FlamMap, FARSITE, FFE-FVS (Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator), Fuel Management Analyst (FMAPlus®), BehavePlus) based on separate implementations or direct integration of Rothermel's surface and crown rate of fire spread models with Van Wagner's crown fire transition and propagation models are shown to have a significant underprediction bias when used in assessing potential crown fire behaviour in conifer forests of western North America. The principal sources of this underprediction bias are shown to include:
[::(i)] incompatible model linkages;
[::(ii)] use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and
[::(iii)] reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on the use of unsubstantiated crown fraction burned functions.
[::The use of uncalibrated custom fuel models] to represent surface fuelbeds is a fourth potential source of bias.
[\textbackslash n] These sources are described and documented in detail based on comparisons with experimental fire and wildfire observations and on separate analyses of model components. The manner in which the two primary canopy fuel inputs influencing crown fire initiation (i.e. foliar moisture content and canopy base height) is handled in these simulation studies and the meaning of Scott and Reinhardt's two crown fire hazard indices are also critically examined.
[Excerpt: Summary and concluding remarks]
The ready availability of a multitude of fire modelling systems in the US in recent years has led to their widespread use in numerous simulation studies aimed at assessing various fire behaviour characteristics associated with specific fuel complex structures, including the propensity for crown fire initiation and spread (McHugh 2006). The results of these simulations, often aimed at evaluating fuel treatment effectiveness, are in turn utilised in a whole host of applications (e.g. Scott 2003; Fiedler et al. 2004; Skog et al. 2006; Johnson et al. 2007; Finkral and Evans 2008; Huggett et al. 2008; Johnson 2008; Reinhardt et al. 2010) and thus have significant implications for public and wildland firefighter safety, community fire protection, fire management policy-making, and forest management practices. As Cheney (1981) has noted, 'The reality of fire behaviour predictions is that overestimates can be easily readjusted without serious consequences; underestimates of behaviour can be disastrous both to the operations of the fire controller and the credibility of the person making the predictions'.
[\textbackslash n] A critical review of several of these simulation studies, as documented here, has found that the results are often unrealistic for a variety of reasons. It's recognised that the authors of these studies commonly point out the limitations of the models and modelling systems being used through a customary disclaimer concerning the unknowns regarding crown fire behaviour (e.g. Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, the fact that the fuel treatment evaluation studies referenced here are based on modelling systems that utilised model linkages for gauging potential crown fire behaviour that have not previously undergone any form of performance evaluation against independent datasets or any empirical observations should be of concern. There appears, however, to be an aversion within an element of the fire research community to do so (e.g. Scott and Reinhardt 2001; Scott 2006; Stephens et al. 2009). Nevertheless, such testing is now generally regarded as a basic tenet of modern-day model development and evaluation (Jakeman et al. 2006).
[\textbackslash n] Fire modelling systems like NEXUS (Scott and Reinhardt 2001), FFE-FVS (Reinhardt and Crookston 2003), FARSITE (Finney 2004), FMAPlus (Carlton 2005), FlamMap (Finney 2006), and BehavePlus (Andrews et al. 2008) that are based on separate implementations or linkages between Rothermel's (1972, 1991) rate of fire spread models and Van Wagner's (1977, 1993) crown fire transition and propagation models have been shown to have a marked underprediction bias when used to assess potential crown fire behaviour. What has been allowed to evolve is a family of modelling systems composed of independently developed, linked models that were never intended to work together, are sometimes based on very limited data, and may propagate errors beyond acceptable limits.
[\textbackslash n] We have documented here the sources of the bias based on empirical evidence in the form of published experimental fire and wildfire datasets. By analysing model linkages and components, we have described the primary sources of such bias, namely: (1) incompatible model linkages; (2) use of surface and crown fire rate of spread models that have an inherent underprediction bias; and (3) reduction in crown fire rate of spread based on use of unsubstantiated CFB functions. The use of uncalibrated, custom fuel models to represent surface fuelbeds is considered another potential source of bias.
[\textbackslash n] Our analysis has also shown that the crown fire initiation underprediction bias inherent in all of these fire modelling systems could possibly be rectified by modifying the method used to calculate the surface fireline intensity for the purposes of assessing crown fire initiation potential, namely using Nelson's (2003) model to estimate tr in place of Anderson's model (1969). Other modelling systems exist for predicting the likelihood of crown fire initiation and other aspects of crown fire behaviour (Alexander et al. 2006; Cruz et al. 2006b, 2008). Mitsopoulos and Dimitrakopoulos (2007) have, for example, made extensive use of this suite of models in their assessment of crown fire potential in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests in Greece. These systems are based on models that have undergone performance evaluations against independent datasets and been shown to be reasonably reliable (Cruz et al. 2003b, 2004, 2006b; Cronan and Jandt 2008). Resolving the underprediction bias associated with predicting active crown fire rate of spread inherent in the Rothermel (1991) model would require substantial changes, including a reassessment of the use of a CFB function, if not complete replacement with a more robust empirically developed model (Cruz et al. 2005) that has been extensively tested (Alexander and Cruz 2006) or a physically based one that has undergone limited testing (Butler et al. 2004).
[\textbackslash n] Alexander (2007) has emphasised that assessments of wildland fire potential involving simulation modelling must be complemented with fire behaviour case study knowledge and by experienced judgment. This review has revealed an overwhelming need for the research users of fire modelling systems to be grounded in the theory and proper application of such tools, including a solid understanding of the assumptions, limitations and accuracy of the underlying models as well as practical knowledge of the subject phenomena (Brown and Davis 1973; Albini 1976; Alexander 2009a, 2009b).},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13706015,~to-add-doi-URL,canada,comparison,conifers,model-comparison,modelling-uncertainty,prediction-bias,rothermel,simulation,software-uncertainty,uncertainty,united-states,wildfires},
number = {4}
}Root Exudates Drive Interspecific Facilitation by Enhancing Nodulation and N2 Fixation. Bai, L., Yu-Ying, L., Hua-Mao, W., Fang-Fang, Z., Chun-Jie, L., Xue-Xian, L., Hans, L., & Long, L. 113(23):6496–6501.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Significance] Plant diversity often leads to an increase in ecosystem productivity, but the underpinning mechanisms remain poorly understood. We found that faba bean/maize intercropping enhances productivity, nodulation, and N2 fixation of faba bean through interspecific root interactions. We provide a mechanism explaining how maize promotes N2 fixation of faba bean, where root exudates from maize increase root hair deformation and nodulation in faba bean, double exudation of flavonoids (signaling compounds for rhizobia), and up-regulate the expression of a chalcone-flavanone isomerase gene involved in flavonoid synthesis, and genes mediating nodulation and auxin responses. Our results provide a mechanism for facilitative root-root interactions explaining how species diversity may enhance ecosystem productivity with important implications for developing sustainable agriculture. [Abstract] Plant diversity in experimental systems often enhances ecosystem productivity, but the mechanisms causing this overyielding are only partly understood. Intercropping faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) result in overyielding and also, enhanced nodulation by faba beans. By using permeable and impermeable root barriers in a 2-y field experiment, we show that root-root interactions between faba bean and maize significantly increase both nodulation and symbiotic N2 fixation in intercropped faba bean. Furthermore, root exudates from maize promote faba bean nodulation, whereas root exudates from wheat and barley do not. Thus, a decline of soil nitrate concentrations caused by intercropped cereals is not the sole mechanism for maize promoting faba bean nodulation. Intercropped maize also caused a twofold increase in exudation of flavonoids (signaling compounds for rhizobia) in the systems. Roots of faba bean treated with maize root exudates exhibited an immediate 11-fold increase in the expression of chalcone-flavanone isomerase (involved in flavonoid synthesis) gene together with a significantly increased expression of genes mediating nodulation and auxin response. After 35 d, faba beans treated with maize root exudate continued to show up-regulation of key nodulation genes, such as early nodulin 93 (ENOD93), and promoted nitrogen fixation. Our results reveal a mechanism for how intercropped maize promotes nitrogen fixation of faba bean, where maize root exudates promote flavonoid synthesis in faba bean, increase nodulation, and stimulate nitrogen fixation after enhanced gene expression. These results indicate facilitative root-root interactions and provide a mechanism for a positive relationship between species diversity and ecosystem productivity.
@article{baiRootExudatesDrive2016,
title = {Root Exudates Drive Interspecific Facilitation by Enhancing Nodulation and {{N2}} Fixation},
author = {Bai, Li and Yu-Ying, Li and Hua-Mao, Wu and Fang-Fang, Zhang and Chun-Jie, Li and Xue-Xian, Li and Hans, Lambers and Long, Li},
date = {2016-06},
journaltitle = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
volume = {113},
pages = {6496--6501},
issn = {1091-6490},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.1523580113},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14062242},
abstract = {[Significance]
Plant diversity often leads to an increase in ecosystem productivity, but the underpinning mechanisms remain poorly understood. We found that faba bean/maize intercropping enhances productivity, nodulation, and N2 fixation of faba bean through interspecific root interactions. We provide a mechanism explaining how maize promotes N2 fixation of faba bean, where root exudates from maize increase root hair deformation and nodulation in faba bean, double exudation of flavonoids (signaling compounds for rhizobia), and up-regulate the expression of a chalcone-flavanone isomerase gene involved in flavonoid synthesis, and genes mediating nodulation and auxin responses. Our results provide a mechanism for facilitative root-root interactions explaining how species diversity may enhance ecosystem productivity with important implications for developing sustainable agriculture.
[Abstract]
Plant diversity in experimental systems often enhances ecosystem productivity, but the mechanisms causing this overyielding are only partly understood. Intercropping faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) result in overyielding and also, enhanced nodulation by faba beans. By using permeable and impermeable root barriers in a 2-y field experiment, we show that root-root interactions between faba bean and maize significantly increase both nodulation and symbiotic N2 fixation in intercropped faba bean. Furthermore, root exudates from maize promote faba bean nodulation, whereas root exudates from wheat and barley do not. Thus, a decline of soil nitrate concentrations caused by intercropped cereals is not the sole mechanism for maize promoting faba bean nodulation. Intercropped maize also caused a twofold increase in exudation of flavonoids (signaling compounds for rhizobia) in the systems. Roots of faba bean treated with maize root exudates exhibited an immediate 11-fold increase in the expression of chalcone-flavanone isomerase (involved in flavonoid synthesis) gene together with a significantly increased expression of genes mediating nodulation and auxin response. After 35 d, faba beans treated with maize root exudate continued to show up-regulation of key nodulation genes, such as early nodulin 93 (ENOD93), and promoted nitrogen fixation. Our results reveal a mechanism for how intercropped maize promotes nitrogen fixation of faba bean, where maize root exudates promote flavonoid synthesis in faba bean, increase nodulation, and stimulate nitrogen fixation after enhanced gene expression. These results indicate facilitative root-root interactions and provide a mechanism for a positive relationship between species diversity and ecosystem productivity.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14062242,~to-add-doi-URL,agricultural-resources,biodiversity,diversity,ecosystem,nitrogen,soil-resources,species-association,sustainability,vegetation,vicia-faba,zea-mays},
number = {23}
}Observational Evidence for Cloud Cover Enhancement over Western European Forests. Teuling, A. J., Taylor, C. M., Meirink, J. F., Melsen, L. A., Miralles, D. G., van Heerwaarden, C. C., Vautard, R., Stegehuis, A. I., Nabuurs, G., & de Arellano, J. V. 8:14065+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Forests impact regional hydrology and climate directly by regulating water and heat fluxes. Indirect effects through cloud formation and precipitation can be important in facilitating continental-scale moisture recycling but are poorly understood at regional scales. In particular, the impact of temperate forest on clouds is largely unknown. Here we provide observational evidence for a strong increase in cloud cover over large forest regions in western Europe based on analysis of 10 years of 15\,min resolution data from geostationary satellites. In addition, we show that widespread windthrow by cyclone Klaus in the Landes forest led to a significant decrease in local cloud cover in subsequent years. Strong cloud development along the downwind edges of larger forest areas are consistent with a forest-breeze mesoscale circulation. Our results highlight the need to include impacts on cloud formation when evaluating the water and climate services of temperate forests, in particular around densely populated areas.
@article{teulingObservationalEvidenceCloud2017,
title = {Observational Evidence for Cloud Cover Enhancement over Western {{European}} Forests},
author = {Teuling, Adriaan J. and Taylor, Christopher M. and Meirink, Jan F. and Melsen, Lieke A. and Miralles, Diego G. and van Heerwaarden, Chiel C. and Vautard, Robert and Stegehuis, Annemiek I. and Nabuurs, Gert-Jan and de Arellano, Jordi V.},
date = {2017-01},
journaltitle = {Nature Communications},
volume = {8},
pages = {14065+},
issn = {2041-1723},
doi = {10.1038/ncomms14065},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14257971},
abstract = {Forests impact regional hydrology and climate directly by regulating water and heat fluxes. Indirect effects through cloud formation and precipitation can be important in facilitating continental-scale moisture recycling but are poorly understood at regional scales. In particular, the impact of temperate forest on clouds is largely unknown. Here we provide observational evidence for a strong increase in cloud cover over large forest regions in western Europe based on analysis of 10 years of 15\,min resolution data from geostationary satellites. In addition, we show that widespread windthrow by cyclone Klaus in the Landes forest led to a significant decrease in local cloud cover in subsequent years. Strong cloud development along the downwind edges of larger forest areas are consistent with a forest-breeze mesoscale circulation. Our results highlight the need to include impacts on cloud formation when evaluating the water and climate services of temperate forests, in particular around densely populated areas.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257971,~to-add-doi-URL,climate,climate-projections,cloud-formation,cloudiness,cross-disciplinary-perspective,ecosystem-services,europe,featured-publication,feedback,forest-breeze,forest-resources,modelling-uncertainty,temperate-forests},
options = {useprefix=true}
}Extreme Terseness: Some Languages Are More Agile than Others. Taylor, S. 2675:334–336.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex While XP principles are independent of the languages in which software is developed, we can distinguish properties of programming languages that affect the agility of development. Some languages are inherently more agile than others, and the experience of developing software in these languages reflects this. A family of languages descended from the mathematics notation developed at Harvard in the 1950s by Iverson [1] shares properties of extreme terseness and abstractive power with weak data typing. The history of software development in these languages foreshadows some of the characteristics of XP projects. To these linguistic communities, XP offers the prospect of rehabilitating styles of software development that fell into disrepute with the rise of software engineering. Conversely, these languages offer XP practitioners the possibility of radical condensation of the conversation between developer and customer.
@article{taylorExtremeTersenessLanguages2003,
title = {Extreme Terseness: Some Languages Are More Agile than Others},
author = {Taylor, Stephen},
editor = {Marchesi, Michele and Succi, Giancarlo},
date = {2003-06},
journaltitle = {Lecture Notes in Computer Science},
volume = {2675},
pages = {334--336},
issn = {0302-9743},
doi = {10.1007/3-540-44870-5_44},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-44870-5_44},
abstract = {While XP principles are independent of the languages in which software is developed, we can distinguish properties of programming languages that affect the agility of development. Some languages are inherently more agile than others, and the experience of developing software in these languages reflects this. A family of languages descended from the mathematics notation developed at Harvard in the 1950s by Iverson [1] shares properties of extreme terseness and abstractive power with weak data typing. The history of software development in these languages foreshadows some of the characteristics of XP projects. To these linguistic communities, XP offers the prospect of rehabilitating styles of software development that fell into disrepute with the rise of software engineering. Conversely, these languages offer XP practitioners the possibility of radical condensation of the conversation between developer and customer.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-9337607,~to-add-doi-URL,agile-programming,array-programming,mathematical-reasoning,notation,notation-as-a-tool-of-thought,software-engineering,terseness},
series = {Lecture {{Notes}} in {{Computer Science}}}
}A New Global Burned Area Product for Climate Assessment of Fire Impacts. Chuvieco, E., Yue, C., Heil, A., Mouillot, F., Alonso-Canas, I., Padilla, M., Pereira, J. M., Oom, D., & Tansey, K. 25(5):619–629.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Aim] This paper presents a new global burned area (BA) product developed within the framework of the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme, along with a first assessment of its potentials for atmospheric and carbon cycle modelling. [Innovation] Methods are presented for generating a new global BA product, along with a comparison with existing BA products, in terms of BA extension, fire size and shapes and emissions derived from biomass burnings. [Main conclusions] Three years of the global BA product were produced, accounting for a total BA of between 360 and 380 Mha year-1. General omission and commission errors for BA were 0.76 and 0.64, but they decreased to 0.51 and 0.52, respectively, for sites with more than 10\,% BA. Intercomparison with other existing BA datasets found similar spatial and temporal trends, mainly with the BA included in the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4), although regional differences were found (particularly in the 2006 fires of eastern Europe). The simulated carbon emissions from biomass burning averaged 2.1 Pg C year-1.
@article{chuviecoNewGlobalBurned2016,
title = {A New Global Burned Area Product for Climate Assessment of Fire Impacts},
author = {Chuvieco, Emilio and Yue, Chao and Heil, Angelika and Mouillot, Florent and Alonso-Canas, Itziar and Padilla, Marc and Pereira, Jose M. and Oom, Duarte and Tansey, Kevin},
date = {2016-05},
journaltitle = {Global Ecology and Biogeography},
volume = {25},
pages = {619--629},
issn = {1466-822X},
doi = {10.1111/geb.12440},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12440},
abstract = {[Aim] This paper presents a new global burned area (BA) product developed within the framework of the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme, along with a first assessment of its potentials for atmospheric and carbon cycle modelling.
[Innovation] Methods are presented for generating a new global BA product, along with a comparison with existing BA products, in terms of BA extension, fire size and shapes and emissions derived from biomass burnings.
[Main conclusions] Three years of the global BA product were produced, accounting for a total BA of between 360 and 380 Mha year-1. General omission and commission errors for BA were 0.76 and 0.64, but they decreased to 0.51 and 0.52, respectively, for sites with more than 10\,\% BA. Intercomparison with other existing BA datasets found similar spatial and temporal trends, mainly with the BA included in the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4), although regional differences were found (particularly in the 2006 fires of eastern Europe). The simulated carbon emissions from biomass burning averaged 2.1 Pg C year-1.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257088,~to-add-doi-URL,burnt-area,carbon-emissions,climate-change,fire-emissions,global-scale,wildfires},
number = {5}
}HISDAC-US, Historical Settlement Data Compilation for the Conterminous United States over 200 Years. Leyk, S. & Uhl, J. H. 5:180175+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Human settlement plays a key role in understanding social processes such as urbanization and interactions between human and environmental systems but not much is known about the landscape evolution before the era of operational remote sensing technology. In this study, housing and property databases are used to create new gridded settlement layers describing human settlement processes at fine spatial and temporal resolution in the conterminous United States between 1810 and 2015. The main products are a raster composite layer representing the year of first settlement, and a raster time series of built-up intensity representing the sum of building areas in a pixel. Several accompanying uncertainty surfaces are provided to ensure the user is informed about inherent spatial, temporal and thematic uncertainty in the data. A validation study using high quality reference data confirms high levels of accuracy of the resulting data products. These settlement data will be of great interest in disciplines in which the long-term evolution of human settlement represents crucial information to explore novel research questions.
@article{leykHISDACUSHistoricalSettlement2018,
title = {{{HISDAC}}-{{US}}, Historical Settlement Data Compilation for the Conterminous {{United States}} over 200 Years},
author = {Leyk, Stefan and Uhl, Johannes H.},
date = {2018-09},
journaltitle = {Scientific Data},
volume = {5},
pages = {180175+},
issn = {2052-4463},
doi = {10.1038/sdata.2018.175},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2018.175},
abstract = {Human settlement plays a key role in understanding social processes such as urbanization and interactions between human and environmental systems but not much is known about the landscape evolution before the era of operational remote sensing technology. In this study, housing and property databases are used to create new gridded settlement layers describing human settlement processes at fine spatial and temporal resolution in the conterminous United States between 1810 and 2015. The main products are a raster composite layer representing the year of first settlement, and a raster time series of built-up intensity representing the sum of building areas in a pixel. Several accompanying uncertainty surfaces are provided to ensure the user is informed about inherent spatial, temporal and thematic uncertainty in the data. A validation study using high quality reference data confirms high levels of accuracy of the resulting data products. These settlement data will be of great interest in disciplines in which the long-term evolution of human settlement represents crucial information to explore novel research questions.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14633453,~to-add-doi-URL,data-integration,historical-perspective,human-settlement,integrated-modelling,integration-techniques,open-data,time-series,uncertainty,united-states}
}Italian Scientists Vilified in Wake of Olive-Tree Deaths. Abbott, A.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt] [...] plant scientists at various institutes in Bari, the capital of the Puglia region, [southern Italy, ...] have been subject to a police investigation about whether they are responsible for the introduction of the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, into Puglia, or for allowing its subsequent spread. Police have called in several researchers involved in Xylella research for questioning and confiscated computers and documents from scientific institutes. ” We'd just like to be left to do our work without this suspicion and this stress,” says Donato Boscia, head of the Bari unit of the CNR Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), whom police questioned in April. [...] Xylella is endemic in parts of the Americas, including Costa Rica, Brazil and California, but was not previously found in Europe. That changed in October 2013, when scientists at the IPSP and the University of Bari identified the bacterium as the cause of an unusual disease outbreak in olive trees. The outbreak immediately became subject to European Union (EU) regulations to limit its spread, and regional scientists began a systematic effort to understand the disease and contain it: the scientists went on to show that the bacterium was being carried by the spittlebug insect. [::Ornamental plants] From the start, farmers and environmentalists in Italy objected to containment measures, which involved uprooting trees and spraying the groves with pesticides. But trouble for the Puglian scientists began in April 2014, when individuals told police that they suspected that the epidemic was caused by bacteria that scientists had brought in from California for a European training course on Xylella at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (IAMB) in 2010. [\n] Scientists say that this suggestion is ludicrous because the Puglia strain is different from the strains used at the workshop; the widely accepted theory is that the infection was imported with ornamental plants from Costa Rica, where the endemic Xylella strain matches the Puglia strain. [\n] However, the complaints spawned a much broader investigation by public prosecutors, including what role scientists may have had in the epidemic. [...] The prosecutors declined Nature's request for comment. But in March, one of them [...] implied in an interview [...] that they are looking into theories that the bacterium may have been deliberately introduced into the area, or became entrenched because agricultural scientists failed to monitor the region properly, either deliberately or through neglect. [...The prosecutor expressed concern] about the possible corrupting influence of businesses, such as solar-energy companies, which might stand to gain from the clearing of olive groves. [...] [\n] Puglian scientists have had to contend with public criticism too. Several popular blogs devoted to the Xylella emergency have cast doubt on scientists' ways of working and their results – saying, for example, that a remedy exists but is being suppressed [... and] that Xylella had not been proved to be the source of the outbreak and that the deaths were instead due to a fungus that could be eliminated without destroying trees. An expert panel of the European Food Safety Authority debunked these suggestions in a report published in April. [...] [\n] On 27 May, the regional government announced a €2-million (US\$2.2-million) fund for projects that might aid the diagnosis, epidemiology and monitoring of the bacterium. It said that a 'containment area' in the province of Lecce – where the bacterium is now endemic, making complete eradication impossible – will be used as an open-air Xylella laboratory. National and European research agencies have also promised money, says Boscia. ” The outdoor laboratory would be perfect for all of us – and also allow critics to put their own theories to the test.”
@article{abbottItalianScientistsVilified2015,
title = {Italian Scientists Vilified in Wake of Olive-Tree Deaths},
author = {Abbott, Alison},
date = {2015-06},
journaltitle = {Nature},
issn = {1476-4687},
doi = {10.1038/nature.2015.17651},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/nature.2015.17651},
abstract = {[Excerpt] [...] plant scientists at various institutes in Bari, the capital of the Puglia region, [southern Italy, ...] have been subject to a police investigation about whether they are responsible for the introduction of the bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, into Puglia, or for allowing its subsequent spread. Police have called in several researchers involved in Xylella research for questioning and confiscated computers and documents from scientific institutes. ” We'd just like to be left to do our work without this suspicion and this stress,” says Donato Boscia, head of the Bari unit of the CNR Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP), whom police questioned in April. [...]
Xylella is endemic in parts of the Americas, including Costa Rica, Brazil and California, but was not previously found in Europe. That changed in October 2013, when scientists at the IPSP and the University of Bari identified the bacterium as the cause of an unusual disease outbreak in olive trees. The outbreak immediately became subject to European Union (EU) regulations to limit its spread, and regional scientists began a systematic effort to understand the disease and contain it: the scientists went on to show that the bacterium was being carried by the spittlebug insect.
[::Ornamental plants]
From the start, farmers and environmentalists in Italy objected to containment measures, which involved uprooting trees and spraying the groves with pesticides. But trouble for the Puglian scientists began in April 2014, when individuals told police that they suspected that the epidemic was caused by bacteria that scientists had brought in from California for a European training course on Xylella at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (IAMB) in 2010.
[\textbackslash n] Scientists say that this suggestion is ludicrous because the Puglia strain is different from the strains used at the workshop; the widely accepted theory is that the infection was imported with ornamental plants from Costa Rica, where the endemic Xylella strain matches the Puglia strain.
[\textbackslash n] However, the complaints spawned a much broader investigation by public prosecutors, including what role scientists may have had in the epidemic. [...] The prosecutors declined Nature's request for comment. But in March, one of them [...] implied in an interview [...] that they are looking into theories that the bacterium may have been deliberately introduced into the area, or became entrenched because agricultural scientists failed to monitor the region properly, either deliberately or through neglect. [...The prosecutor expressed concern] about the possible corrupting influence of businesses, such as solar-energy companies, which might stand to gain from the clearing of olive groves. [...]
[\textbackslash n] Puglian scientists have had to contend with public criticism too. Several popular blogs devoted to the Xylella emergency have cast doubt on scientists' ways of working and their results -- saying, for example, that a remedy exists but is being suppressed [... and] that Xylella had not been proved to be the source of the outbreak and that the deaths were instead due to a fungus that could be eliminated without destroying trees. An expert panel of the European Food Safety Authority debunked these suggestions in a report published in April. [...]
[\textbackslash n] On 27 May, the regional government announced a €2-million (US\$2.2-million) fund for projects that might aid the diagnosis, epidemiology and monitoring of the bacterium. It said that a 'containment area' in the province of Lecce -- where the bacterium is now endemic, making complete eradication impossible -- will be used as an open-air Xylella laboratory. National and European research agencies have also promised money, says Boscia. ” The outdoor laboratory would be perfect for all of us -- and also allow critics to put their own theories to the test.”},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13636189,~to-add-doi-URL,agricultural-resources,complexity,disturbances,forest-resources,multi-stakeholder-decision-making,olea-europaea,plant-pests,science-based-decision-making,science-ethics,science-policy-interface,science-society-interface,scientific-communication,solar-energy,uncertainty,xylella-fastidiosa}
}Wildfire Smoke Exposure: A Guide for the Nurse Practitioner. Forsberg, N. T., Longo, B. M., Baxter, K., & Boutté, M. 8(2):98–106.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Wildfires produce enormous quantities of finely sized air pollution. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with increased incidence of cardio-respiratory health effects, especially in children, persons with chronic disease, and the elderly. This article discusses exposure to particle air pollution, toxicological mechanisms, timing of clinical presentations, and treatment guidelines for use by the nurse practitioner during smoke events.
@article{forsbergWildfireSmokeExposure2012,
title = {Wildfire Smoke Exposure: A Guide for the Nurse Practitioner},
author = {Forsberg, Nicole T. and Longo, Bernadette M. and Baxter, Kimberly and Boutté, Marie},
date = {2012-02},
journaltitle = {The Journal for Nurse Practitioners},
volume = {8},
pages = {98--106},
issn = {1555-4155},
doi = {10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.07.001},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2011.07.001},
abstract = {Wildfires produce enormous quantities of finely sized air pollution. Exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with increased incidence of cardio-respiratory health effects, especially in children, persons with chronic disease, and the elderly. This article discusses exposure to particle air pollution, toxicological mechanisms, timing of clinical presentations, and treatment guidelines for use by the nurse practitioner during smoke events.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14617565,~to-add-doi-URL,adaptation,air-pollution,check-list,fire-emissions,guidelines,human-health,mortality,particulate-matter,smoke,wildfires},
number = {2}
}What Can Machine Learning Do? Workforce Implications. Brynjolfsson, E. & Mitchell, T. 358(6370):1530–1534.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Digital computers have transformed work in almost every sector of the economy over the past several decades (1). We are now at the beginning of an even larger and more rapid transformation due to recent advances in machine learning (ML), which is capable of accelerating the pace of automation itself. However, although it is clear that ML is a ” general purpose technology,” like the steam engine and electricity, which spawns a plethora of additional innovations and capabilities (2), there is no widely shared agreement on the tasks where ML systems excel, and thus little agreement on the specific expected impacts on the workforce and on the economy more broadly. We discuss what we see to be key implications for the workforce, drawing on our rubric of what the current generation of ML systems can and cannot do [see the supplementary materials (SM)]. Although parts of many jobs may be ” suitable for ML” (SML), other tasks within these same jobs do not fit the criteria for ML well; hence, effects on employment are more complex than the simple replacement and substitution story emphasized by some. Although economic effects of ML are relatively limited today, and we are not facing the imminent ” end of work” as is sometimes proclaimed, the implications for the economy and the workforce going forward are profound.
@article{brynjolfssonWhatCanMachine2017,
title = {What Can Machine Learning Do? {{Workforce}} Implications},
author = {Brynjolfsson, Erik and Mitchell, Tom},
date = {2017-12},
journaltitle = {Science},
volume = {358},
pages = {1530--1534},
issn = {0036-8075},
doi = {10.1126/science.aap8062},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap8062},
abstract = {Digital computers have transformed work in almost every sector of the economy over the past several decades (1). We are now at the beginning of an even larger and more rapid transformation due to recent advances in machine learning (ML), which is capable of accelerating the pace of automation itself. However, although it is clear that ML is a ” general purpose technology,” like the steam engine and electricity, which spawns a plethora of additional innovations and capabilities (2), there is no widely shared agreement on the tasks where ML systems excel, and thus little agreement on the specific expected impacts on the workforce and on the economy more broadly. We discuss what we see to be key implications for the workforce, drawing on our rubric of what the current generation of ML systems can and cannot do [see the supplementary materials (SM)]. Although parts of many jobs may be ” suitable for ML” (SML), other tasks within these same jobs do not fit the criteria for ML well; hence, effects on employment are more complex than the simple replacement and substitution story emphasized by some. Although economic effects of ML are relatively limited today, and we are not facing the imminent ” end of work” as is sometimes proclaimed, the implications for the economy and the workforce going forward are profound.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14507143,~to-add-doi-URL,artificial-intelligence,artificial-neural-networks,automation,computational-science,ethics,human-behaviour,human-centered-automation,human-machine-interface,machine-learning,science-ethics},
number = {6370}
}Soil Erosion Assessment - Mind the Gap. Kim, J., Ivanov, V. Y., & Fatichi, S. 43(24):2016GL071480+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Accurate assessment of erosion rates remains an elusive problem because soil loss is strongly nonunique with respect to the main drivers. In addressing the mechanistic causes of erosion responses, we discriminate between macroscale effects of external factors – long studied and referred to as ” geomorphic external variability”, and microscale effects, introduced as ” geomorphic internal variability.” The latter source of erosion variations represents the knowledge gap, an overlooked but vital element of geomorphic response, significantly impacting the low predictability skill of deterministic models at field-catchment scales. This is corroborated with experiments using a comprehensive physical model that dynamically updates the soil mass and particle composition. As complete knowledge of microscale conditions for arbitrary location and time is infeasible, we propose that new predictive frameworks of soil erosion should embed stochastic components in deterministic assessments of external and internal types of geomorphic variability.
@article{kimSoilErosionAssessment2016,
title = {Soil Erosion Assessment - {{Mind}} the Gap},
author = {Kim, Jongho and Ivanov, Valeriy Y. and Fatichi, Simone},
date = {2016-12},
journaltitle = {Geophys. Res. Lett.},
volume = {43},
pages = {2016GL071480+},
issn = {0094-8276},
doi = {10.1002/2016gl071480},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14257841},
abstract = {Accurate assessment of erosion rates remains an elusive problem because soil loss is strongly nonunique with respect to the main drivers. In addressing the mechanistic causes of erosion responses, we discriminate between macroscale effects of external factors -- long studied and referred to as ” geomorphic external variability”, and microscale effects, introduced as ” geomorphic internal variability.” The latter source of erosion variations represents the knowledge gap, an overlooked but vital element of geomorphic response, significantly impacting the low predictability skill of deterministic models at field-catchment scales. This is corroborated with experiments using a comprehensive physical model that dynamically updates the soil mass and particle composition. As complete knowledge of microscale conditions for arbitrary location and time is infeasible, we propose that new predictive frameworks of soil erosion should embed stochastic components in deterministic assessments of external and internal types of geomorphic variability.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257841,~to-add-doi-URL,erodibility,local-scale,modelling-uncertainty,soil-erosion,soil-resources,uncertainty},
number = {24}
}Influence of Landscape Structure on Patterns of Forest Fires in Boreal Forest Landscapes in Sweden. Hellberg, E., Niklasson, M., & Granström, A. 34(2):332–338.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex To analyze the effect of landscape structure (viz. amount of wetlands) on the past forest fire regime in boreal Sweden, we reconstructed detailed fire histories by cross-dating fire scars in living and dead Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in two different landscape types: mire-free landscapes with a low proportion (1\,%-2\,%) of mires and mire-rich landscapes with a high proportion (21\,%-33\,%) of mires. Two localities were selected and at each one, adjacent mire-free and mire-rich areas of 256-601 ha were sampled. Over the studied 650-year period, the two landscape types differed primarily in the fire intervals and sizes of fires. In the mire-rich landscapes, fires had frequently stopped against mire elements. The net effect was significantly longer fire intervals in the mire-rich than in the mire-free landscape (on average, 32 versus 56 years). The mire-rich areas also had a tail of very long fire intervals lacking in the mire-free areas (maximal interval 292 years). We conclude that mires can have a profound effect on both spatial and temporal patterns of forest fires in the boreal forest, but only when they are effective fuel breaks (i.e., they are wet enough) at the time the fires burn and if they truly dissect the nonmire portion of the forest landscape.
@article{hellbergInfluenceLandscapeStructure2004,
title = {Influence of Landscape Structure on Patterns of Forest Fires in Boreal Forest Landscapes in {{Sweden}}},
author = {Hellberg, Erik and Niklasson, Mats and Granström, Anders},
date = {2004-02},
journaltitle = {Canadian Journal of Forest Research},
volume = {34},
pages = {332--338},
issn = {1208-6037},
doi = {10.1139/x03-175},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14426179},
abstract = {To analyze the effect of landscape structure (viz. amount of wetlands) on the past forest fire regime in boreal Sweden, we reconstructed detailed fire histories by cross-dating fire scars in living and dead Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in two different landscape types: mire-free landscapes with a low proportion (1\,\%-2\,\%) of mires and mire-rich landscapes with a high proportion (21\,\%-33\,\%) of mires. Two localities were selected and at each one, adjacent mire-free and mire-rich areas of 256-601 ha were sampled. Over the studied 650-year period, the two landscape types differed primarily in the fire intervals and sizes of fires. In the mire-rich landscapes, fires had frequently stopped against mire elements. The net effect was significantly longer fire intervals in the mire-rich than in the mire-free landscape (on average, 32 versus 56 years). The mire-rich areas also had a tail of very long fire intervals lacking in the mire-free areas (maximal interval 292 years). We conclude that mires can have a profound effect on both spatial and temporal patterns of forest fires in the boreal forest, but only when they are effective fuel breaks (i.e., they are wet enough) at the time the fires burn and if they truly dissect the nonmire portion of the forest landscape.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14426179,~to-add-doi-URL,boreal-forests,fire-frequency,forest-fires,forest-resources,mires,spatial-pattern,water-resources,wetlands,wildfires},
number = {2}
}Pest Categorisation of Melampsora Medusae. Jeger, M., Bragard, C., Caffier, D., Candresse, T., Chatzivassiliou, E., Dehnen-Schmutz, K., Gilioli, G., Grégoire, J., Jaques Miret, J. A., MacLeod, A., Navajas Navarro, M., Niere, B., Parnell, S., Potting, R., Rafoss, T., Rossi, V., Urek, G., Van Bruggen, A., Van der Werf, W., West, J., Winter, S., Boberg, J., Gonthier, P., & Pautasso, M. 16(7):e05354+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Melampsora medusae, a well-defined and distinguishable fungal species of the family Melampsoraceae. The pathogen is regulated in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism whose introduction into the EU is banned. M. medusae is a heteroecious rust fungus with Populus spp. as primary telial hosts and various conifers (Larix, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Abies, Picea and Tsuga spp.) as secondary aecial hosts. M. medusae is native to North America and has spread to South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, as well as the EU, where M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae has been reported with a restricted distribution and low impacts from Belgium, south-west France and southern Portugal. The pest could spread to other EU countries, via dissemination of spores, movement of host plants for planting and cut branches. Climate is assumed not to be a limiting factor for the establishment of the pathogen in the EU. M. medusae is the most widespread and important Melampsora rust in North America. In western Canada, extensive damage has been reported to conifers and Populus spp. in nurseries and plantations as well as in woodlands. M. medusae is damaging in both Australia and New Zealand. The pest could have economic and environmental impacts in the EU if aggressive isolates of M. medusae were introduced into the EU. Import prohibition of host plants for planting is an available measure to reduce the risk of further introductions. Some resistant Populus cultivars are available. Moreover, increasing the genetic diversity of poplar plantations can prevent disease impacts. The main uncertainty concerns the factors explaining the low pathogenicity of the populations of M. medusae present in the EU. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met (the pest is present, but with a restricted distribution, and is officially under control). Given that plants for planting are not the main pathway of spread, not all criteria for consideration as a regulated non-quarantine pest are met. [Excerpt: Conclusions] [...] [::Identity of the pest] The identity of the pest as a species is clear. [] [...] [] The recent change in name from Ceratocystis fagacearum to Bretziella fagacearum may take time for acceptance by the scientific community. [...] [::Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory] M. medusae is present, although not widespread, in the EU (and only represented by M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae). It is reported as present with few occurrences both in Belgium and France, and present with a restricted distribution in South Portugal. [...] [::Regulatory status] M. medusae is regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction into, and spread within, all Member States shall be banned. [] [...] [::Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory] Entry: the pest could enter the EU via host plants for planting and cut branches. [] Establishment: hosts and favourable climatic conditions are widespread in the risk assessment area. [] Spread: hosts and favourable climatic conditions are widespread in the risk assessment area. [] [...] [] Plants for planting are not the main means of spread, as the pathogen can also spread via cut branches and aerial dissemination of spores. [] [...] [] There is uncertainty about which factors are limiting the spread of M. medusae in the EU MS which have reported the pathogen (overwintering problems, host alternation or ecological constraints). [] There is uncertainty about the level of susceptibility of the native P. alba and P. tremula. [...] [::Potential for consequences in the EU territory] The introduction into the EU of aggressive isolates of M. medusae (of both the already present M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae and the not known to occur M. medusae f. sp. tremuloides) would have economic and environmental impacts in woodlands, poplar plantations and nurseries. [] [...] [] The introduction into the EU of aggressive isolates of M. medusae (of both the already present M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae and the not known to occur M. medusae f. sp. tremuloides) would have an impact on the intended use of plants for planting. [] [...] [] It is unclear if low pathogenicity of populations of either f. sp. of M. medusae may be due to their reduced life cycle characteristics. [...] [::Available measures] Import prohibition of host plants for planting is an available measure to reduce the risk of introduction. [] Some resistant Populus cultivars are available. Moreover, increasing host genetic diversity can prevent disease impacts. [] [...] [] Production of plants for planting in pest free areas and places of production can prevent pest presence on plants for planting. [] [...] [] The effectiveness of pest free areas for the production of clean nursery stock is uncertain, due to the long-distance dispersal potential of the rust. [...] [::Conclusion on pest categorisation] The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met. The pathogen is present in the EU but with a restricted distribution and is under official control. [] [...] [] The criterion on plants for planting as the main pathway of spread is not met. [...] [::Aspects of assessment to focus on/scenarios to address in future if appropriate] The main knowledge gap concerns the factors responsible for the low aggressiveness of the populations of M. medusae present in Europe. [...]
@article{jegerPestCategorisationMelampsora2018,
title = {Pest Categorisation of {{Melampsora}} Medusae},
author = {Jeger, Michael and Bragard, Claude and Caffier, David and Candresse, Thierry and Chatzivassiliou, Elisavet and Dehnen-Schmutz, Katharina and Gilioli, Gianni and Grégoire, Jean-Claude and Jaques Miret, Josep A. and MacLeod, Alan and Navajas Navarro, Maria and Niere, Björn and Parnell, Stephen and Potting, Roel and Rafoss, Trond and Rossi, Vittorio and Urek, Gregor and Van Bruggen, Ariena and Van der Werf, Wopke and West, Jonathan and Winter, Stephan and Boberg, Johanna and Gonthier, Paolo and Pautasso, Marco},
date = {2018-07},
journaltitle = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {16},
pages = {e05354+},
issn = {1831-4732},
doi = {10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5354},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5354},
abstract = {Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Melampsora medusae, a well-defined and distinguishable fungal species of the family Melampsoraceae. The pathogen is regulated in Annex IAI of Council Directive 2000/29/EC as a harmful organism whose introduction into the EU is banned. M. medusae is a heteroecious rust fungus with Populus spp. as primary telial hosts and various conifers (Larix, Pinus, Pseudotsuga, Abies, Picea and Tsuga spp.) as secondary aecial hosts. M. medusae is native to North America and has spread to South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania, as well as the EU, where M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae has been reported with a restricted distribution and low impacts from Belgium, south-west France and southern Portugal. The pest could spread to other EU countries, via dissemination of spores, movement of host plants for planting and cut branches. Climate is assumed not to be a limiting factor for the establishment of the pathogen in the EU. M. medusae is the most widespread and important Melampsora rust in North America. In western Canada, extensive damage has been reported to conifers and Populus spp. in nurseries and plantations as well as in woodlands. M. medusae is damaging in both Australia and New Zealand. The pest could have economic and environmental impacts in the EU if aggressive isolates of M. medusae were introduced into the EU. Import prohibition of host plants for planting is an available measure to reduce the risk of further introductions. Some resistant Populus cultivars are available. Moreover, increasing the genetic diversity of poplar plantations can prevent disease impacts. The main uncertainty concerns the factors explaining the low pathogenicity of the populations of M. medusae present in the EU. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met (the pest is present, but with a restricted distribution, and is officially under control). Given that plants for planting are not the main pathway of spread, not all criteria for consideration as a regulated non-quarantine pest are met.
[Excerpt: Conclusions] [...] [::Identity of the pest] The identity of the pest as a species is clear. [] [...] [] The recent change in name from Ceratocystis fagacearum to Bretziella fagacearum may take time for acceptance by the scientific community. [...]
[::Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory] M. medusae is present, although not widespread, in the EU (and only represented by M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae). It is reported as present with few occurrences both in Belgium and France, and present with a restricted distribution in South Portugal. [...]
[::Regulatory status] M. medusae is regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction into, and spread within, all Member States shall be banned. [] [...]
[::Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory] Entry: the pest could enter the EU via host plants for planting and cut branches.
[] Establishment: hosts and favourable climatic conditions are widespread in the risk assessment area.
[] Spread: hosts and favourable climatic conditions are widespread in the risk assessment area. [] [...]
[] Plants for planting are not the main means of spread, as the pathogen can also spread via cut branches and aerial dissemination of spores. [] [...]
[] There is uncertainty about which factors are limiting the spread of M. medusae in the EU MS which have reported the pathogen (overwintering problems, host alternation or ecological constraints).
[] There is uncertainty about the level of susceptibility of the native P. alba and P. tremula. [...]
[::Potential for consequences in the EU territory] The introduction into the EU of aggressive isolates of M. medusae (of both the already present M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae and the not known to occur M. medusae f. sp. tremuloides) would have economic and environmental impacts in woodlands, poplar plantations and nurseries. [] [...] [] The introduction into the EU of aggressive isolates of M. medusae (of both the already present M. medusae f. sp. deltoidae and the not known to occur M. medusae f. sp. tremuloides) would have an impact on the intended use of plants for planting. [] [...] [] It is unclear if low pathogenicity of populations of either f. sp. of M. medusae may be due to their reduced life cycle characteristics. [...]
[::Available measures] Import prohibition of host plants for planting is an available measure to reduce the risk of introduction.
[] Some resistant Populus cultivars are available. Moreover, increasing host genetic diversity can prevent disease impacts. [] [...]
[] Production of plants for planting in pest free areas and places of production can prevent pest presence on plants for planting. [] [...]
[] The effectiveness of pest free areas for the production of clean nursery stock is uncertain, due to the long-distance dispersal potential of the rust. [...]
[::Conclusion on pest categorisation] The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as a potential quarantine pest are met. The pathogen is present in the EU but with a restricted distribution and is under official control. [] [...]
[] The criterion on plants for planting as the main pathway of spread is not met. [...]
[::Aspects of assessment to focus on/scenarios to address in future if appropriate] The main knowledge gap concerns the factors responsible for the low aggressiveness of the populations of M. medusae present in Europe. [...]},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14636135,~to-add-doi-URL,abies-spp,disturbances,efsa,efsa-scientific-opinion,europe,forest-pests,forest-resources,fungal-diseases,fungi,larix-spp,melampsora-medusae,picea-spp,pinus-spp,plant-pests,populus-spp,pseudotsuga-spp,tsuga-spp},
number = {7}
}The Use of Terrestrial LiDAR Technology in Forest Science: Application Fields, Benefits and Challenges. Dassot, M., Constant, T., & Fournier, M. 68(5):959–974.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Introduction] The use of terrestrial LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanners in forest environments is being studied extensively at present due to the high potential of this technology to acquire three-dimensional data on standing trees rapidly and accurately. This article aims to establish the state-of-the-art in this emerging area. [Objectives] Terrestrial LiDAR has been applied to forest inventory measurements (plot cartography, species recognition, diameter at breast height, tree height, stem density, basal area and plot-level wood volume estimates) and canopy characterisation (virtual projections, gap fraction and three-dimensional foliage distribution). These techniques have been extended to stand value and wood quality assessment. Terrestrial LiDAR also provides new support for ecological applications such as the assessment of the physical properties of leaves, transpiration processes and microhabitat diversity. [Results] Since 2003, both the capabilities of the devices and data processing technology have improved significantly, with encouraging results. Nevertheless, measurement patterns and device specifications must be selected carefully according to the objectives of the study. Moreover, automated and reliable programmes are still required to process data to make these methodologies applicable specifically to the forest sciences and to fill the gap between time-consuming manual methods and wide-scale remote sensing such as airborne LiDAR scanning. [Excerpt: Conclusions] The aim of this article was to establish the state-of-the-art of the current applications of T-LiDAR technology in forest science, as well as to determine its applicability for its intended use. It appears that T-LiDAR instruments have the potential to enhance forest measurements and to overcome metrological difficulties by describing the under-canopy structure faster and in greater detail than time-consuming manual techniques. T-LiDAR scanning also provides information inaccessible to large-scale airborne LiDAR measurements. Its potential implications in the fields of forest inventories, commercial wood management and forest ecology are many. Two aspects need to be improved to make this technology specifically applicable to forestry. The first concerns the T-LiDAR devices themselves, particularly in terms of acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio, and cost. The second concerns the development of cheap and easy-to-use software that would make it possible to automatically extract information from incomplete data. T-LiDAR has also been used within the field of forest ecology over the past few years. These studies concerned very specific applications, but demonstrated the potential of this technology to provide a good background for ecological questions such as microhabitat distribution and the assessment of the ecological processes that occur in the forest environment. Despite the maturity of these devices, some progress remains to be made in the analysis of the 3D cloud to enhance the extraction of relevant information. There is no doubt that the evolution of devices and computing science will make T-LiDAR technology an important source of information for describing natural environments in the future.
@article{dassotUseTerrestrialLiDAR2011,
title = {The Use of Terrestrial {{LiDAR}} Technology in Forest Science: Application Fields, Benefits and Challenges},
author = {Dassot, Mathieu and Constant, Thiéry and Fournier, Meriem},
date = {2011},
journaltitle = {Annals of Forest Science},
volume = {68},
pages = {959--974},
issn = {1297-966X},
doi = {10.1007/s13595-011-0102-2},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/13704459},
abstract = {[Introduction] The use of terrestrial LiDAR (light detection and ranging) scanners in forest environments is being studied extensively at present due to the high potential of this technology to acquire three-dimensional data on standing trees rapidly and accurately. This article aims to establish the state-of-the-art in this emerging area.
[Objectives] Terrestrial LiDAR has been applied to forest inventory measurements (plot cartography, species recognition, diameter at breast height, tree height, stem density, basal area and plot-level wood volume estimates) and canopy characterisation (virtual projections, gap fraction and three-dimensional foliage distribution). These techniques have been extended to stand value and wood quality assessment. Terrestrial LiDAR also provides new support for ecological applications such as the assessment of the physical properties of leaves, transpiration processes and microhabitat diversity.
[Results] Since 2003, both the capabilities of the devices and data processing technology have improved significantly, with encouraging results. Nevertheless, measurement patterns and device specifications must be selected carefully according to the objectives of the study. Moreover, automated and reliable programmes are still required to process data to make these methodologies applicable specifically to the forest sciences and to fill the gap between time-consuming manual methods and wide-scale remote sensing such as airborne LiDAR scanning.
[Excerpt: Conclusions] The aim of this article was to establish the state-of-the-art of the current applications of T-LiDAR technology in forest science, as well as to determine its applicability for its intended use. It appears that T-LiDAR instruments have the potential to enhance forest measurements and to overcome metrological difficulties by describing the under-canopy structure faster and in greater detail than time-consuming manual techniques. T-LiDAR scanning also provides information inaccessible to large-scale airborne LiDAR measurements. Its potential implications in the fields of forest inventories, commercial wood management and forest ecology are many. Two aspects need to be improved to make this technology specifically applicable to forestry. The first concerns the T-LiDAR devices themselves, particularly in terms of acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio, and cost. The second concerns the development of cheap and easy-to-use software that would make it possible to automatically extract information from incomplete data. T-LiDAR has also been used within the field of forest ecology over the past few years. These studies concerned very specific applications, but demonstrated the potential of this technology to provide a good background for ecological questions such as microhabitat distribution and the assessment of the ecological processes that occur in the forest environment. Despite the maturity of these devices, some progress remains to be made in the analysis of the 3D cloud to enhance the extraction of relevant information. There is no doubt that the evolution of devices and computing science will make T-LiDAR technology an important source of information for describing natural environments in the future.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13704459,~to-add-doi-URL,data,ecology,field-measurements,forest-resources,inventories,lidar,remote-sensing,terrestrial-lidar,wide-scale},
number = {5}
}Phenolic Profile in the Quality Control of Walnut (Juglans Regia L.) Leaves. Amaral, J. S., Seabra, R. M., Andrade, P. B., Valentão, P., Pereira, J. A., & Ferreres, F. 88(3):373–379.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Qualitative and quantitative determinations of phenolic compounds were carried out on walnut leaves samples from six different cultivars, with the same agricultural, geographical and climatic conditions. The evolution of major phenolic compounds amounts was monitored from May to September. Two extractive procedures were assayed and best results were obtained using acidified water and a solid phase extraction column purification step. Qualitative analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD/MS and, in all samples, seven phenolic compounds were identified (3-caffeoylquinic, 3-p-coumaroylquinic and 4-p-coumaroylquinic acids, quercetin 3-galactoside, quercetin 3-arabinoside, quercetin 3-xyloside, quercetin 3-rhamnoside) and two other partially identified phenolics (quercetin 3-pentoside and kaempferol 3-pentoside derivatives) were also detected. Quantification of phenolic compounds was performed by HPLC-DAD, which revealed that quercetin 3-galactoside was always the major compound while 4-p-coumaroylquinic acid was the minor one. The highest content of phenolics was found in May and July.
@article{amaralPhenolicProfileQuality2004,
title = {Phenolic Profile in the Quality Control of Walnut ({{Juglans}} Regia {{L}}.) Leaves},
author = {Amaral, Joana S. and Seabra, Rosa M. and Andrade, Paula B. and Valentão, Patŕıcia and Pereira, José A. and Ferreres, Federico},
date = {2004},
journaltitle = {Food Chemistry},
volume = {88},
pages = {373--379},
doi = {10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.01.055},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.01.055},
abstract = {Qualitative and quantitative determinations of phenolic compounds were carried out on walnut leaves samples from six different cultivars, with the same agricultural, geographical and climatic conditions. The evolution of major phenolic compounds amounts was monitored from May to September. Two extractive procedures were assayed and best results were obtained using acidified water and a solid phase extraction column purification step. Qualitative analysis was performed by HPLC-DAD/MS and, in all samples, seven phenolic compounds were identified (3-caffeoylquinic, 3-p-coumaroylquinic and 4-p-coumaroylquinic acids, quercetin 3-galactoside, quercetin 3-arabinoside, quercetin 3-xyloside, quercetin 3-rhamnoside) and two other partially identified phenolics (quercetin 3-pentoside and kaempferol 3-pentoside derivatives) were also detected. Quantification of phenolic compounds was performed by HPLC-DAD, which revealed that quercetin 3-galactoside was always the major compound while 4-p-coumaroylquinic acid was the minor one. The highest content of phenolics was found in May and July.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13576805,~to-add-doi-URL,juglans-regia,phenolic-compounds,walnut-leaf},
number = {3}
}Escaping RGBland: Selecting Colors for Statistical Graphics. Zeileis, A., Hornik, K., & Murrell, P. 53(9):3259–3270.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Statistical graphics are often augmented by the use of color coding information contained in some variable. When this involves the shading of areas (and not only points or lines) – e.g.,~as in bar plots, pie charts, mosaic displays or heatmaps – it is important that the colors are perceptually based and do not introduce optical illusions or systematic bias. Based on the perceptually-based Hue-Chroma-Luminance (HCL) color space suitable color palettes are derived for coding categorical data (qualitative palettes) and numerical variables (sequential and diverging palettes).
@article{zeileisEscapingRGBlandSelecting2009,
title = {Escaping {{RGBland}}: Selecting Colors for Statistical Graphics},
author = {Zeileis, Achim and Hornik, Kurt and Murrell, Paul},
date = {2009-07},
journaltitle = {Computational Statistics \& Data Analysis},
volume = {53},
pages = {3259--3270},
issn = {0167-9473},
doi = {10.1016/j.csda.2008.11.033},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1229881},
abstract = {Statistical graphics are often augmented by the use of color coding information contained in some variable. When this involves the shading of areas (and not only points or lines) -- e.g.,~as in bar plots, pie charts, mosaic displays or heatmaps -- it is important that the colors are perceptually based and do not introduce optical illusions or systematic bias. Based on the perceptually-based Hue-Chroma-Luminance (HCL) color space suitable color palettes are derived for coding categorical data (qualitative palettes) and numerical variables (sequential and diverging palettes).},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-5094127,~to-add-doi-URL,cognitive-structure,scientific-communication,semantics,technology-mediated-communication,visual-notation,visualization},
number = {9}
}Dalby Söderskog Revisited: Long-Term Vegetation Changes in a South Swedish Deciduous Forest. von Oheimb, G. & Brunet, J. 31(2):229–242.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex In this study, we report on 67 years of secondary succession in the temperate deciduous forest Dalby Söderskog, southern Sweden. In 2002 vegetation analyses were conducted in 74 systematically distributed plots and the results compared with similar investigations during the years 1935, 1969 and 1976. Additionally, a floristic survey of the forest was made and compared with inventories of the years 1925, 1935 and 1970. From 1970 to 2002, overall species richness of the forest continued to decline, but at a lower rate than before. In 2002, for the first time, shade-tolerant forest species constituted the largest group. In the upper tree layer Fraxinus excelsior became the most important species, at the expense of Quercus robur and Ulmus glabra. In the herb layer, no changes in total or mean species richness were exhibited at plot scale between 1976 and 2002. In contrast to the lack of quantitative changes in species richness, we observed major changes in species composition at the plot level. In particular, the former dominant species Mercurialis perennis had declined markedly. After release from a historical regime of livestock grazing and irregular cuttings, the predicted steady-state community dominated by Ulmus and Mercurialis only prevailed for a few decades before unexpected external events, in this particular case Dutch elm disease and invasion by the slug Arion lusitanicus, initiated a successional change. We conclude that unexpected diseases or pests or rare climatic extremes can play a decisive role in forest dynamics and strongly interact with more gradual autogenic changes of forest structure and composition. [Excerpt: Changes in the tree and shrub layer] A similar long-term decline in regeneration of Quercus spp., such as observed in Dalby Söderskog, has been reported from a wide range of forest reserves in Europe and North America ( Glitzenstein et al., 1986, Emborg et al., 1996, Vera, 2000, Cowell and Jackson, 2002, Harcombe et al., 2002, Runkle et al., 2005 and von Oheimb et al., 2005). The present Quercus canopy trees are relicts of the more open stand structure of former times and do not regenerate under a closed canopy ( Table 2). In the absence of management, Lindquist, 1938 and Malmer et al., 1978 and Diekmann (1994) suggest that Ulmus would be the dominating tree species on moist eutric cambisols due to its characteristics as a shade-bearing, late-successional species, with the advanced regeneration exhibiting a higher shade-tolerance and the canopy trees having a higher competitive vigour than the early- to mid-successional species Fraxinus. Leemans (1992) used the forest succession model FORSKA to simulate species composition and stand structure of Dalby Söderskog. Starting the simulation run in 1920, the author found that species composition stabilized after 100 years as a forest of Ulmus, with scattered individuals of Fraxinus and Quercus. Fagus remained limited to the patches which initially had a high Fagus abundance. [\n] However, Diekmann (1994) suggested the Dutch elm disease (DED) had the potential to reverse these future trends. DED is a response of Ulmus spp. to infection by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, which is spread by Scolytus beetles ( Röhrig, 1996). A particularly aggressive strain of DED was first recorded in Sk˚ane in 1979. In 1986, Dalby Söderskog was not yet visibly damaged ( Persson, 1987), but DED started to spread in the reserve during the following years. In order to reduce damage, 10-70 Ulmus trees were cut per year in Dalby Söderskog between 1988 and 1997 (pers. comm., 2002, County Board of Sk˚ane). By 2002, a considerable proportion of the Ulmus canopy trees had been killed or infected by DED (personal observation). [\n] In an unmanaged Ulmus glabra population in Lady Park Wood (western Britain), which has been recorded since 1945 and which has been subjected to DED since 1972, Peterken and Mountford (1998) found that about 65\,% of the individuals present 40 years ago have been killed by DED. However, the population increased 1.4 times during this period. In particular on moist sites of the forest, seedling regeneration was the main survival mechanism and a few individuals survived by producing basal sprouts. While Ulmus recruitment from seedlings was infrequent before the onset of DED in Lady Park Wood, new saplings established soon after the canopy had been opened up. Peterken and Mountford (1998) suggest that, unless DED abates, Ulmus seems likely to persist as a fast turnover population of poles that never reaches the forest canopy. In a population of Ulmus americana in Michigan most of the larger trees were killed by DED, but the species remained dominant in the understorey ( Richardson and Cares, 1976). Based on the vegetation data of the plots, the impact of DED seems to result in similar changes of the Ulmus population in Dalby Söderskog. [\n] [...] [Conclusions] Considering seven decades of vegetation changes in Dalby Söderskog, our results highlight the role of unpredictable historical events that strongly influence the process of autogenic succession. In most places, disturbance after windstorms, fire, pathogen outbreaks or other unpredictable large-scale disturbance will prevent the persistence of stable late-successional forest communities (Pontailler et al., 1997 and McLachlan et al., 2000). Long-term studies are essential in separating the effects of autogenic processes, extreme events, and more gradual changes in the environment upon community structure (Mountford et al., 1999, Runkle, 2000, Woods, 2000 and Harcombe et al., 2002). [\n] After release from a historical regime of livestock grazing and irregular cuttings, the predicted steady-state community in Dalby Söderskog dominated by Ulmus and Mercurialis perennis only prevailed for a few decades before unexpected external events, in this particular case Dutch elm disease and invasion by the slug Arion lusitanicus, initiated a successional change which will be interesting to follow. When walking through the forest in 2006, large numbers of juvenile Fraxinus and Fagus can be seen in gaps, but young Ulmus trees are also common, and in several places Quercus saplings can be observed. The last tree inventory was in 1970 and a new survey which includes regeneration will be of particular importance in an analysis of the changing structure of the forest.
@article{vonoheimbDalbySoderskogRevisited2007,
title = {Dalby {{Söderskog}} Revisited: Long-Term Vegetation Changes in a South {{Swedish}} Deciduous Forest},
author = {von Oheimb, Goddert and Brunet, Jörg},
date = {2007-03},
journaltitle = {Acta Oecologica},
volume = {31},
pages = {229--242},
issn = {1146-609X},
doi = {10.1016/j.actao.2006.12.001},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2006.12.001},
abstract = {In this study, we report on 67 years of secondary succession in the temperate deciduous forest Dalby Söderskog, southern Sweden. In 2002 vegetation analyses were conducted in 74 systematically distributed plots and the results compared with similar investigations during the years 1935, 1969 and 1976. Additionally, a floristic survey of the forest was made and compared with inventories of the years 1925, 1935 and 1970. From 1970 to 2002, overall species richness of the forest continued to decline, but at a lower rate than before. In 2002, for the first time, shade-tolerant forest species constituted the largest group. In the upper tree layer Fraxinus excelsior became the most important species, at the expense of Quercus robur and Ulmus glabra. In the herb layer, no changes in total or mean species richness were exhibited at plot scale between 1976 and 2002. In contrast to the lack of quantitative changes in species richness, we observed major changes in species composition at the plot level. In particular, the former dominant species Mercurialis perennis had declined markedly. After release from a historical regime of livestock grazing and irregular cuttings, the predicted steady-state community dominated by Ulmus and Mercurialis only prevailed for a few decades before unexpected external events, in this particular case Dutch elm disease and invasion by the slug Arion lusitanicus, initiated a successional change. We conclude that unexpected diseases or pests or rare climatic extremes can play a decisive role in forest dynamics and strongly interact with more gradual autogenic changes of forest structure and composition.
[Excerpt: Changes in the tree and shrub layer]
A similar long-term decline in regeneration of Quercus spp., such as observed in Dalby Söderskog, has been reported from a wide range of forest reserves in Europe and North America ( Glitzenstein et al., 1986, Emborg et al., 1996, Vera, 2000, Cowell and Jackson, 2002, Harcombe et al., 2002, Runkle et al., 2005 and von Oheimb et al., 2005). The present Quercus canopy trees are relicts of the more open stand structure of former times and do not regenerate under a closed canopy ( Table 2). In the absence of management, Lindquist, 1938 and Malmer et al., 1978 and Diekmann (1994) suggest that Ulmus would be the dominating tree species on moist eutric cambisols due to its characteristics as a shade-bearing, late-successional species, with the advanced regeneration exhibiting a higher shade-tolerance and the canopy trees having a higher competitive vigour than the early- to mid-successional species Fraxinus. Leemans (1992) used the forest succession model FORSKA to simulate species composition and stand structure of Dalby Söderskog. Starting the simulation run in 1920, the author found that species composition stabilized after 100 years as a forest of Ulmus, with scattered individuals of Fraxinus and Quercus. Fagus remained limited to the patches which initially had a high Fagus abundance.
[\textbackslash n] However, Diekmann (1994) suggested the Dutch elm disease (DED) had the potential to reverse these future trends. DED is a response of Ulmus spp. to infection by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, which is spread by Scolytus beetles ( Röhrig, 1996). A particularly aggressive strain of DED was first recorded in Sk˚ane in 1979. In 1986, Dalby Söderskog was not yet visibly damaged ( Persson, 1987), but DED started to spread in the reserve during the following years. In order to reduce damage, 10-70 Ulmus trees were cut per year in Dalby Söderskog between 1988 and 1997 (pers. comm., 2002, County Board of Sk˚ane). By 2002, a considerable proportion of the Ulmus canopy trees had been killed or infected by DED (personal observation).
[\textbackslash n] In an unmanaged Ulmus glabra population in Lady Park Wood (western Britain), which has been recorded since 1945 and which has been subjected to DED since 1972, Peterken and Mountford (1998) found that about 65\,\% of the individuals present 40 years ago have been killed by DED. However, the population increased 1.4 times during this period. In particular on moist sites of the forest, seedling regeneration was the main survival mechanism and a few individuals survived by producing basal sprouts. While Ulmus recruitment from seedlings was infrequent before the onset of DED in Lady Park Wood, new saplings established soon after the canopy had been opened up. Peterken and Mountford (1998) suggest that, unless DED abates, Ulmus seems likely to persist as a fast turnover population of poles that never reaches the forest canopy. In a population of Ulmus americana in Michigan most of the larger trees were killed by DED, but the species remained dominant in the understorey ( Richardson and Cares, 1976). Based on the vegetation data of the plots, the impact of DED seems to result in similar changes of the Ulmus population in Dalby Söderskog. [\textbackslash n] [...]
[Conclusions]
Considering seven decades of vegetation changes in Dalby Söderskog, our results highlight the role of unpredictable historical events that strongly influence the process of autogenic succession. In most places, disturbance after windstorms, fire, pathogen outbreaks or other unpredictable large-scale disturbance will prevent the persistence of stable late-successional forest communities (Pontailler et al., 1997 and McLachlan et al., 2000). Long-term studies are essential in separating the effects of autogenic processes, extreme events, and more gradual changes in the environment upon community structure (Mountford et al., 1999, Runkle, 2000, Woods, 2000 and Harcombe et al., 2002).
[\textbackslash n] After release from a historical regime of livestock grazing and irregular cuttings, the predicted steady-state community in Dalby Söderskog dominated by Ulmus and Mercurialis perennis only prevailed for a few decades before unexpected external events, in this particular case Dutch elm disease and invasion by the slug Arion lusitanicus, initiated a successional change which will be interesting to follow. When walking through the forest in 2006, large numbers of juvenile Fraxinus and Fagus can be seen in gaps, but young Ulmus trees are also common, and in several places Quercus saplings can be observed. The last tree inventory was in 1970 and a new survey which includes regeneration will be of particular importance in an analysis of the changing structure of the forest.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13713915,~to-add-doi-URL,arion-lusitanicus,corylus-avellana,crataegus-spp,disturbances,dutch-elm-disease,forest-pests,forest-resources,forest-succession,fraxinus-excelsior,ground-vegetation,mercurialis-perennis,plant-pests,quercus-robur,sweden,ulmus-glabra},
number = {2},
options = {useprefix=true}
}Mechanisms of Carbon Storage in Mountainous Headwater Rivers. Wohl, E., Dwire, K., Sutfin, N., Polvi, L., & Bazan, R. 3:1263+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Published research emphasizes rapid downstream export of terrestrial carbon from mountainous headwater rivers, but little work focuses on mechanisms that create carbon storage along these rivers, or on the volume of carbon storage. Here we estimate organic carbon stored in diverse valley types of headwater rivers in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, USA. We show that low-gradient, broad valley bottoms with old-growth forest or active beaver colonies store the great majority of above- and below-ground carbon. These laterally unconfined valley segments constitute $<$25\,% of total river length, but store ̃75\,% of the carbon. Floodplain sediment and coarse wood dominate carbon storage. Our estimates of riverine carbon storage represent a previously undocumented but important carbon sink. Our results indicate that: not all mountainous rivers rapidly export carbon; not all valley segments are equally important in carbon storage; and historical changes in riverine complexity have likely reduced carbon storage.
@article{wohlMechanismsCarbonStorage2012,
title = {Mechanisms of Carbon Storage in Mountainous Headwater Rivers},
author = {Wohl, Ellen and Dwire, Kathleen and Sutfin, Nicholas and Polvi, Lina and Bazan, Roberto},
date = {2012-12},
journaltitle = {Nature Communications},
volume = {3},
pages = {1263+},
issn = {2041-1723},
doi = {10.1038/ncomms2274},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2274},
abstract = {Published research emphasizes rapid downstream export of terrestrial carbon from mountainous headwater rivers, but little work focuses on mechanisms that create carbon storage along these rivers, or on the volume of carbon storage. Here we estimate organic carbon stored in diverse valley types of headwater rivers in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, USA. We show that low-gradient, broad valley bottoms with old-growth forest or active beaver colonies store the great majority of above- and below-ground carbon. These laterally unconfined valley segments constitute {$<$}25\,\% of total river length, but store ̃75\,\% of the carbon. Floodplain sediment and coarse wood dominate carbon storage. Our estimates of riverine carbon storage represent a previously undocumented but important carbon sink. Our results indicate that: not all mountainous rivers rapidly export carbon; not all valley segments are equally important in carbon storage; and historical changes in riverine complexity have likely reduced carbon storage.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13886685,~to-add-doi-URL,carbon-stock,forest-resources,mountainous-areas,slope,spatial-prioritization,water-resources}
}Modelling Long-Term Fire Occurrence Factors in Spain by Accounting for Local Variations with Geographically Weighted Regression. Mart́ınez-Fernández, J., Chuvieco, E., & Koutsias, N. 13(2):311–327.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Humans are responsible for most forest fires in Europe, but anthropogenic factors behind these events are still poorly understood. We tried to identify the driving factors of human-caused fire occurrence in Spain by applying two different statistical approaches. Firstly, assuming stationary processes for the whole country, we created models based on multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression to find factors associated with fire density and fire presence, respectively. Secondly, we used geographically weighted regression (GWR) to better understand and explore the local and regional variations of those factors behind human-caused fire occurrence. [] The number of human-caused fires occurring within a 25-yr period (1983-2007) was computed for each of the 7638 Spanish mainland municipalities, creating a binary variable (fire/no fire) to develop logistic models, and a continuous variable (fire density) to build standard linear regression models. A total of 383 657 fires were registered in the study dataset. The binary logistic model, which estimates the probability of having/not having a fire, successfully classified 76.4\,% of the total observations, while the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model explained 53\,% of the variation of the fire density patterns (adjusted R2 = 0.53). Both approaches confirmed, in addition to forest and climatic variables, the importance of variables related with agrarian activities, land abandonment, rural population exodus and developmental processes as underlying factors of fire occurrence. [] For the GWR approach, the explanatory power of the GW linear model for fire density using an adaptive bandwidth increased from 53\,% to 67\,%, while for the GW logistic model the correctly classified observations improved only slightly, from 76.4\,% to 78.4\,%, but significantly according to the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), from 3451.19 to 3321.19. The results from GWR indicated a significant spatial variation in the local parameter estimates for all the variables and an important reduction of the autocorrelation in the residuals of the GW linear model. Despite the fitting improvement of local models, GW regression, more than an alternative to "global" or traditional regression modelling, seems to be a valuable complement to explore the non-stationary relationships between the response variable and the explanatory variables. The synergy of global and local modelling provides insights into fire management and policy and helps further our understanding of the fire problem over large areas while at the same time recognizing its local character.
@article{martinez-fernandezModellingLongtermFire2013,
title = {Modelling Long-Term Fire Occurrence Factors in {{Spain}} by Accounting for Local Variations with Geographically Weighted Regression},
author = {Mart́ınez-Fernández, J. and Chuvieco, E. and Koutsias, N.},
date = {2013-02},
journaltitle = {Natural Hazards and Earth System Science},
volume = {13},
pages = {311--327},
issn = {1684-9981},
doi = {10.5194/nhess-13-311-2013},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14257121},
abstract = {Humans are responsible for most forest fires in Europe, but anthropogenic factors behind these events are still poorly understood. We tried to identify the driving factors of human-caused fire occurrence in Spain by applying two different statistical approaches. Firstly, assuming stationary processes for the whole country, we created models based on multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression to find factors associated with fire density and fire presence, respectively. Secondly, we used geographically weighted regression (GWR) to better understand and explore the local and regional variations of those factors behind human-caused fire occurrence.
[] The number of human-caused fires occurring within a 25-yr period (1983-2007) was computed for each of the 7638 Spanish mainland municipalities, creating a binary variable (fire/no fire) to develop logistic models, and a continuous variable (fire density) to build standard linear regression models. A total of 383 657 fires were registered in the study dataset. The binary logistic model, which estimates the probability of having/not having a fire, successfully classified 76.4\,\% of the total observations, while the ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model explained 53\,\% of the variation of the fire density patterns (adjusted R2 = 0.53). Both approaches confirmed, in addition to forest and climatic variables, the importance of variables related with agrarian activities, land abandonment, rural population exodus and developmental processes as underlying factors of fire occurrence.
[] For the GWR approach, the explanatory power of the GW linear model for fire density using an adaptive bandwidth increased from 53\,\% to 67\,\%, while for the GW logistic model the correctly classified observations improved only slightly, from 76.4\,\% to 78.4\,\%, but significantly according to the corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), from 3451.19 to 3321.19. The results from GWR indicated a significant spatial variation in the local parameter estimates for all the variables and an important reduction of the autocorrelation in the residuals of the GW linear model. Despite the fitting improvement of local models, GW regression, more than an alternative to "global" or traditional regression modelling, seems to be a valuable complement to explore the non-stationary relationships between the response variable and the explanatory variables. The synergy of global and local modelling provides insights into fire management and policy and helps further our understanding of the fire problem over large areas while at the same time recognizing its local character.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14257121,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropogenic-impacts,forest-fires,spain,spatial-analysis,spatial-pattern,wildfires},
number = {2}
}Modelling the Potential Distribution of Betula Utilis in the Himalaya. Bobrowski, M., Gerlitz, L., & Schickhoff, U. 11:69–83.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Highlights] [::] We modelled for the first time potential distribution of Betula utilis in the Himalayan mountains on a broad scale. [::] Two temperature and three precipitation variables are useful for predicting the current potential distribution of B. utilis. [::] We applied Generalized Linear Models and evaluated model performance using a multi-faceted approach. [::] Comparison between the current predictions and the distribution range decribed in the vegetation map of Schweinfurth (1957). [::] New starting point for modelling treeline dynamics and treeline shifts in the Himalaya under novel climate conditions. [Abstract] Developing sustainable adaptation pathways under climate change conditions in mountain regions requires accurate predictions of treeline shifts and future distribution ranges of treeline species. Here, we model for the first time the potential distribution of Betula utilis, a principal Himalayan treeline species, to provide a basis for the analysis of future range shifts. Our target species Betula utilis is widespread at alpine treelines in the Himalayan mountains, the distribution range extends across the Himalayan mountain range. Our objective is to model the potential distribution of B. utilis in relation to current climate conditions. We generated a dataset of 590 occurrence records and used 24 variables for ecological niche modelling. We calibrated Generalized Linear Models using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and evaluated model performance using threshold-independent (AUC, Area Under the Curve) and threshold-dependent (TSS, True Skill Statistics) characteristics as well as visual assessments of projected distribution maps. We found two temperature-related (Mean Temperature of the Wettest Quarter, Temperature Annual Range) and three precipitation-related variables (Precipitation of the Coldest Quarter, Average Precipitation of March, April and May and Precipitation Seasonality) to be useful for predicting the potential distribution of B. utilis. All models had high predictive power (AUC ≥ 0.98 and TSS ≥ 0.89). The projected suitable area in the Himalayan mountains varies considerably, with most extensive distribution in the western and central Himalayan region. A substantial difference between potential and real distribution in the eastern Himalaya points to decreasing competitiveness of B. utilis under more oceanic conditions in the eastern part of the mountain system. A comparison between the vegetation map of Schweinfurth (1957) and our current predictions suggests that B. utilis does not reach the upper elevational limit in vast areas of its potential distribution range due to anthropogenically caused treeline depressions. This study underlines the significance of accuracies of current environmental niche models for species distribution modelling under climate change scenarios. Analysing and understanding the environmental factors driving the current distribution of B. utilis is crucial for the prediction of future range shifts of B. utilis and other treeline species, and for deriving appropriate climate change adaptation strategies.
@article{bobrowskiModellingPotentialDistribution2017,
title = {Modelling the Potential Distribution of {{Betula}} Utilis in the {{Himalaya}}},
author = {Bobrowski, Maria and Gerlitz, Lars and Schickhoff, Udo},
date = {2017-07},
journaltitle = {Global Ecology and Conservation},
volume = {11},
pages = {69--83},
issn = {2351-9894},
doi = {10.1016/j.gecco.2017.04.003},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14385050},
abstract = {[Highlights] [::] We modelled for the first time potential distribution of Betula utilis in the Himalayan mountains on a broad scale. [::] Two temperature and three precipitation variables are useful for predicting the current potential distribution of B. utilis. [::] We applied Generalized Linear Models and evaluated model performance using a multi-faceted approach. [::] Comparison between the current predictions and the distribution range decribed in the vegetation map of Schweinfurth (1957). [::] New starting point for modelling treeline dynamics and treeline shifts in the Himalaya under novel climate conditions.
[Abstract] Developing sustainable adaptation pathways under climate change conditions in mountain regions requires accurate predictions of treeline shifts and future distribution ranges of treeline species. Here, we model for the first time the potential distribution of Betula utilis, a principal Himalayan treeline species, to provide a basis for the analysis of future range shifts. Our target species Betula utilis is widespread at alpine treelines in the Himalayan mountains, the distribution range extends across the Himalayan mountain range. Our objective is to model the potential distribution of B. utilis in relation to current climate conditions. We generated a dataset of 590 occurrence records and used 24 variables for ecological niche modelling. We calibrated Generalized Linear Models using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and evaluated model performance using threshold-independent (AUC, Area Under the Curve) and threshold-dependent (TSS, True Skill Statistics) characteristics as well as visual assessments of projected distribution maps. We found two temperature-related (Mean Temperature of the Wettest Quarter, Temperature Annual Range) and three precipitation-related variables (Precipitation of the Coldest Quarter, Average Precipitation of March, April and May and Precipitation Seasonality) to be useful for predicting the potential distribution of B. utilis. All models had high predictive power (AUC ≥ 0.98 and TSS ≥ 0.89). The projected suitable area in the Himalayan mountains varies considerably, with most extensive distribution in the western and central Himalayan region. A substantial difference between potential and real distribution in the eastern Himalaya points to decreasing competitiveness of B. utilis under more oceanic conditions in the eastern part of the mountain system. A comparison between the vegetation map of Schweinfurth (1957) and our current predictions suggests that B. utilis does not reach the upper elevational limit in vast areas of its potential distribution range due to anthropogenically caused treeline depressions. This study underlines the significance of accuracies of current environmental niche models for species distribution modelling under climate change scenarios. Analysing and understanding the environmental factors driving the current distribution of B. utilis is crucial for the prediction of future range shifts of B. utilis and other treeline species, and for deriving appropriate climate change adaptation strategies.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14385050,~to-add-doi-URL,betula-utilis,bioclimatic-predictors,chelsa-climate,forest-resources,habitat-suitability,himalayan-region,precipitation,temperature}
}Has Land Use Pushed Terrestrial Biodiversity beyond the Planetary Boundary? A Global Assessment. Newbold, T., Hudson, L. N., Arnell, A. P., Contu, S., De Palma, A., Ferrier, S., Hill, S. L. L., Hoskins, A. J., Lysenko, I., Phillips, H. R. P., Burton, V. J., Chng, C. W. T., Emerson, S., Gao, D., Pask-Hale, G., Hutton, J., Jung, M., Sanchez-Ortiz, K., Simmons, B. I., Whitmee, S., Zhang, H., Scharlemann, J. P. W., & Purvis, A. 353(6296):288–291.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Crossing ” safe” limits for biodiversity loss] The planetary boundaries framework attempts to set limits for biodiversity loss within which ecological function is relatively unaffected. Newbold et al. present a quantitative global analysis of the extent to which the proposed planetary boundary has been crossed (see the Perspective by Oliver). Using over 2 million records for nearly 40,000 terrestrial species, they modeled the response of biodiversity to land use and related pressures and then estimated, at a spatial resolution of ∼1 km2, the extent and spatial patterns of changes in local biodiversity. Across 65\,% of the terrestrial surface, land use and related pressures have caused biotic intactness to decline beyond 10\,%, the proposed ” safe” planetary boundary. Changes have been most pronounced in grassland biomes and biodiversity hotspots. [Abstract] Land use and related pressures have reduced local terrestrial biodiversity, but it is unclear how the magnitude of change relates to the recently proposed planetary boundary ( ” safe limit”). We estimate that land use and related pressures have already reduced local biodiversity intactness – the average proportion of natural biodiversity remaining in local ecosystems – beyond its recently proposed planetary boundary across 58.1\,% of the world's land surface, where 71.4\,% of the human population live. Biodiversity intactness within most biomes (especially grassland biomes), most biodiversity hotspots, and even some wilderness areas is inferred to be beyond the boundary. Such widespread transgression of safe limits suggests that biodiversity loss, if unchecked, will undermine efforts toward long-term sustainable development.
@article{newboldHasLandUse2016,
title = {Has Land Use Pushed Terrestrial Biodiversity beyond the Planetary Boundary? {{A}} Global Assessment},
author = {Newbold, T. and Hudson, L. N. and Arnell, A. P. and Contu, S. and De Palma, A. and Ferrier, S. and Hill, S. L. L. and Hoskins, A. J. and Lysenko, I. and Phillips, H. R. P. and Burton, V. J. and Chng, C. W. T. and Emerson, S. and Gao, D. and Pask-Hale, G. and Hutton, J. and Jung, M. and Sanchez-Ortiz, K. and Simmons, B. I. and Whitmee, S. and Zhang, H. and Scharlemann, J. P. W. and Purvis, A.},
date = {2016-07},
journaltitle = {Science},
volume = {353},
pages = {288--291},
issn = {0036-8075},
doi = {10.1126/science.aaf2201},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf2201},
abstract = {[Crossing ” safe” limits for biodiversity loss]
The planetary boundaries framework attempts to set limits for biodiversity loss within which ecological function is relatively unaffected. Newbold et al. present a quantitative global analysis of the extent to which the proposed planetary boundary has been crossed (see the Perspective by Oliver). Using over 2 million records for nearly 40,000 terrestrial species, they modeled the response of biodiversity to land use and related pressures and then estimated, at a spatial resolution of ∼1 km2, the extent and spatial patterns of changes in local biodiversity. Across 65\,\% of the terrestrial surface, land use and related pressures have caused biotic intactness to decline beyond 10\,\%, the proposed ” safe” planetary boundary. Changes have been most pronounced in grassland biomes and biodiversity hotspots.
[Abstract]
Land use and related pressures have reduced local terrestrial biodiversity, but it is unclear how the magnitude of change relates to the recently proposed planetary boundary ( ” safe limit”). We estimate that land use and related pressures have already reduced local biodiversity intactness -- the average proportion of natural biodiversity remaining in local ecosystems -- beyond its recently proposed planetary boundary across 58.1\,\% of the world's land surface, where 71.4\,\% of the human population live. Biodiversity intactness within most biomes (especially grassland biomes), most biodiversity hotspots, and even some wilderness areas is inferred to be beyond the boundary. Such widespread transgression of safe limits suggests that biodiversity loss, if unchecked, will undermine efforts toward long-term sustainable development.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14097161,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropocene,anthropogenic-changes,biodiversity,ecology,global-change,global-scale,grasslands,homeostasis,hotspot,land-use,species-richness,tipping-point},
number = {6296}
}Plants and Habitats of European Cities. Kelcey, J. G. & Müller, N., editors .
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Plants and Habitats of European Cities contains details of sixteen cities in the European peninsula from Almeria to St. Petersburg and from Sofia to London. The chapters start with a description of the natural features and history of the cities and then consider how urbanization has affected the environment (for example, pollution, the heat island effect and climatic changes). The recorded botanical history of the city is followed by an account of the flora, which is mainly concerned with flowering plants and ferns. Where there is sufficient information the chapters include summary descriptions of the algae, bryophytes, lichens and fungi. The plant communities and species composition of the major natural and semi-natural habitats are described and followed by accounts of the species found in more typical urban habitats. These include housing areas of different types and densities, industrial zones, unused and previously developed land, parks, cemeteries, allotments and similar habitats, transport routes (for example railway land and road verges) and various aquatic habitats including rivers and flooded mineral workings. Plants and Habitats of European Cities is another important step towards the full understanding of the natural history of European cities. It is unique in describing, for the first time in a single volume, the flora and plant communities that occur in some of the major European cities. The authors are leading experts on urban botany and of the flora of the cities about which they have written. The book has been written and edited to be accessible to a wide range of interests and expertise including academic botanists and ecologists, landscape architects, planners, urban designers, ordinary people with an interest in natural history in general and botany in particular, undergraduates and other students not only in Europe but throughout the world. About the Editors: John G. Kelcey is not an academic but a practitioner. After graduating in Botany and Geology from the University of Manchester, Britain, he was appointed the ecologist of Milton Keynes Development Corporation a new town for 250,000 people, which was promoted by the British Government. Subsequently he became an ecological consultant and advisor and carried out ecological assessments of major development projects including housing schemes, commercial and retail developments, mainly in urban areas. During this time he was a member of nine professional institutions and several learned societies in Europe. Norbert Müller is a vegetation ecologist and Professor in the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, Germany, holding the chair of the Department Landscape Management and Restoration Ecology. Within his main research fields, urban biodiversity and conservation biology, he studied flora and vegetation of several large cities in Asia, Europe, North America and South Africa. He is responsible for URBIO - a worldwide scientific network with the aim of promoting urban biodiversity through a continuing dialogue with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
@collection{kelceyPlantsHabitatsEuropean2011,
title = {Plants and {{Habitats}} of {{European Cities}}},
editor = {Kelcey, John G. and Müller, Norbert},
date = {2011},
publisher = {{Springer-Verlag}},
location = {{New York}},
doi = {10.1007/978-0-387-89684-7},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/13577957},
abstract = {Plants and Habitats of European Cities contains details of sixteen cities in the European peninsula from Almeria to St. Petersburg and from Sofia to London. The chapters start with a description of the natural features and history of the cities and then consider how urbanization has affected the environment (for example, pollution, the heat island effect and climatic changes). The recorded botanical history of the city is followed by an account of the flora, which is mainly concerned with flowering plants and ferns. Where there is sufficient information the chapters include summary descriptions of the algae, bryophytes, lichens and fungi. The plant communities and species composition of the major natural and semi-natural habitats are described and followed by accounts of the species found in more typical urban habitats. These include housing areas of different types and densities, industrial zones, unused and previously developed land, parks, cemeteries, allotments and similar habitats, transport routes (for example railway land and road verges) and various aquatic habitats including rivers and flooded mineral workings. Plants and Habitats of European Cities is another important step towards the full understanding of the natural history of European cities. It is unique in describing, for the first time in a single volume, the flora and plant communities that occur in some of the major European cities. The authors are leading experts on urban botany and of the flora of the cities about which they have written. The book has been written and edited to be accessible to a wide range of interests and expertise including academic botanists and ecologists, landscape architects, planners, urban designers, ordinary people with an interest in natural history in general and botany in particular, undergraduates and other students not only in Europe but throughout the world. About the Editors: John G. Kelcey is not an academic but a practitioner. After graduating in Botany and Geology from the University of Manchester, Britain, he was appointed the ecologist of Milton Keynes Development Corporation a new town for 250,000 people, which was promoted by the British Government. Subsequently he became an ecological consultant and advisor and carried out ecological assessments of major development projects including housing schemes, commercial and retail developments, mainly in urban areas. During this time he was a member of nine professional institutions and several learned societies in Europe. Norbert Müller is a vegetation ecologist and Professor in the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, Germany, holding the chair of the Department Landscape Management and Restoration Ecology. Within his main research fields, urban biodiversity and conservation biology, he studied flora and vegetation of several large cities in Asia, Europe, North America and South Africa. He is responsible for URBIO - a worldwide scientific network with the aim of promoting urban biodiversity through a continuing dialogue with the Convention on Biological Diversity.},
isbn = {978-0-387-89684-7},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13577957,~to-add-doi-URL,europe,forest-resources,urban-areas,urban-habitats,vegetation-composition,vegetation-types}
}Pricing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: The Never-Ending Story. Gatto, M. & De Leo, G. A. 50(4):347–355.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt from the Conclusions] An impressive literature is available on environmental impact assessment and multiattribute analysis that documents the experience gained through 30 years of study and application. Nevertheless, these studies seem to be confined to the area of urban planning and are almost completely ignored by present-day economists as well as by many ecologists. Somewhere between the assignment of a zero value to biodiversity (the old-fashioned but still used practice, in which environmental impacts are viewed as externalities to be discarded from the balance sheet) and the assignment of an infinite value (as advocated by some radical environmentalists), lie more sensible methods to assign value to biodiversity than the price tag techniques suggested by the new wave of environmental economists. Rather than collapsing every measure of social and environmental value onto a monetary axis, environmental impact assessment and multiattribute analysis allow for explicit consideration of intangible nonmonctary values along with classical economic assessment, which, of course, remains important. It is, in fact, possible to assess ecosystem values and the ecological impact of human activity without using prices. Concepts such as Odum's eMergy (1996) and Rees' ecological footprint (Wackernagel and Rees 1996), although perceived by some as naive, may aid both ecologists and economists in addressing this important need. To summarize our viewpoint, economists should recognize that cost – benefit analysis is only part of the decision-making process and that it lies at the same level as other considerations. Ecologists should accept that monetary valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services is possible (and even helpful) for part of its value, typically its use value. We contend that the realistic substitute for markets, when they fail, is a transparent decision-making process, not old-style cost – benefit analysis. The idea that, if one could get the price right, the best and most effective decisions at both the individual and public levels would automatically follow is, for many scientists, a sort of Panglossian obsession. In reality, there is no simple solution to complex problems. We fear that putting an a priori monetary value on biodiversity and ecosystem services will prevent humans from valuing the environment other than as a commodity to be exploited, thus reinvigorating the old economic paradigm that assumes a perfect substitution between natural and human-made capital (Ehrenfeld 1988). As Rees (1998) wrote, "for all its theoretical attractiveness, ascribing money values to nature's services is only a partial solution to the present dilemma and, if relied on exclusively, may actually be counterproductive" (p. 52).
@article{gattoPricingBiodiversityEcosystem2000,
title = {Pricing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: The Never-Ending Story},
author = {Gatto, Marino and De Leo, Giulio A.},
date = {2000},
journaltitle = {BioScience},
volume = {50},
pages = {347--355},
issn = {0006-3568},
doi = {10.1641/0006-3568(2000)050[0347:PBAEST]2.3.CO;2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2000)050[0347:PBAEST]2.3.CO;2},
abstract = {[Excerpt from the Conclusions] An impressive literature is available on environmental impact assessment and multiattribute analysis that documents the experience gained through 30 years of study and application. Nevertheless, these studies seem to be confined to the area of urban planning and are almost completely ignored by present-day economists as well as by many ecologists. Somewhere between the assignment of a zero value to biodiversity (the old-fashioned but still used practice, in which environmental impacts are viewed as externalities to be discarded from the balance sheet) and the assignment of an infinite value (as advocated by some radical environmentalists), lie more sensible methods to assign value to biodiversity than the price tag techniques suggested by the new wave of environmental economists. Rather than collapsing every measure of social and environmental value onto a monetary axis, environmental impact assessment and multiattribute analysis allow for explicit consideration of intangible nonmonctary values along with classical economic assessment, which, of course, remains important. It is, in fact, possible to assess ecosystem values and the ecological impact of human activity without using prices. Concepts such as Odum's eMergy (1996) and Rees' ecological footprint (Wackernagel and Rees 1996), although perceived by some as naive, may aid both ecologists and economists in addressing this important need. To summarize our viewpoint, economists should recognize that cost -- benefit analysis is only part of the decision-making process and that it lies at the same level as other considerations. Ecologists should accept that monetary valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services is possible (and even helpful) for part of its value, typically its use value. We contend that the realistic substitute for markets, when they fail, is a transparent decision-making process, not old-style cost -- benefit analysis. The idea that, if one could get the price right, the best and most effective decisions at both the individual and public levels would automatically follow is, for many scientists, a sort of Panglossian obsession. In reality, there is no simple solution to complex problems. We fear that putting an a priori monetary value on biodiversity and ecosystem services will prevent humans from valuing the environment other than as a commodity to be exploited, thus reinvigorating the old economic paradigm that assumes a perfect substitution between natural and human-made capital (Ehrenfeld 1988). As Rees (1998) wrote, "for all its theoretical attractiveness, ascribing money values to nature's services is only a partial solution to the present dilemma and, if relied on exclusively, may actually be counterproductive" (p. 52).},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12608523,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-toward-primacy-of-theory-over-reality,biodiversity,complexity,cost-benefit-analysis,costs,ecosystem-services,multi-criteria-decision-analysis,multi-objective-planning,nonmarket-impacts,pricing,risk-assessment,trade-offs},
number = {4}
}Projections of Climate Change Indices of Temperature and Precipitation from an Ensemble of Bias-Adjusted High-Resolution EURO-CORDEX Regional Climate Models. Dosio, A. 121(10):2015JD024411-5511.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Statistical bias-adjustment of climate models' outputs is being increasingly used for assessing the impact of climate change on several sectors. It is known that these techniques may alter the mean climate signal of the adjusted variable; however, the effect on the projected occurrence of climate extremes is less commonly investigated. Here the outputs of an ensemble of high-resolution (0.11°) regional climate models (RCM) from the Coordinated Regional-climate Downscaling Experiment for Europe (EURO-CORDEX) have been bias adjusted, and a number of climate indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices have been calculated for the present (1981-2010) and future (2071-2100) climate. Indices include absolute-thresholds indices, percentile-based indices, and indices based on the duration of an event. Results show that absolute-threshold indices are largely affected by bias adjustment, as they depend strongly on both the present mean climate value (usually largely biased in the original RCMs) and its shift under climate change. The change of percentile-based indices is less affected by bias adjustment, as that of indices based on the duration of an event (e.g., consecutive dry days or heat waves) although the present climate value can differ between original and bias-adjusted results. Indices like R95ptot (the total amount of precipitation larger than the 95th reference percentile) are largely affected by bias adjustment, although, when analyzing an ensemble of RCMs, the differences are usually smaller than, or comparable to, the intermodel variability.
@article{dosioProjectionsClimateChange2016,
title = {Projections of Climate Change Indices of Temperature and Precipitation from an Ensemble of Bias-Adjusted High-Resolution {{EURO}}-{{CORDEX}} Regional Climate Models},
author = {Dosio, Alessandro},
date = {2016-05},
journaltitle = {J. Geophys. Res. Atmos.},
volume = {121},
pages = {2015JD024411-5511},
issn = {2169-897X},
doi = {10.1002/2015jd024411},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14053888},
abstract = {Statistical bias-adjustment of climate models' outputs is being increasingly used for assessing the impact of climate change on several sectors. It is known that these techniques may alter the mean climate signal of the adjusted variable; however, the effect on the projected occurrence of climate extremes is less commonly investigated. Here the outputs of an ensemble of high-resolution (0.11°) regional climate models (RCM) from the Coordinated Regional-climate Downscaling Experiment for Europe (EURO-CORDEX) have been bias adjusted, and a number of climate indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices have been calculated for the present (1981-2010) and future (2071-2100) climate. Indices include absolute-thresholds indices, percentile-based indices, and indices based on the duration of an event. Results show that absolute-threshold indices are largely affected by bias adjustment, as they depend strongly on both the present mean climate value (usually largely biased in the original RCMs) and its shift under climate change. The change of percentile-based indices is less affected by bias adjustment, as that of indices based on the duration of an event (e.g., consecutive dry days or heat waves) although the present climate value can differ between original and bias-adjusted results. Indices like R95ptot (the total amount of precipitation larger than the 95th reference percentile) are largely affected by bias adjustment, although, when analyzing an ensemble of RCMs, the differences are usually smaller than, or comparable to, the intermodel variability.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14053888,~to-add-doi-URL,bias-correction,climate-change,ipcc,ipcc-scenarios,precipitation,temperature},
number = {10}
}Population Viability Risk Management (PVRM) for in Situ Management of Endangered Tree Species - A Case Study on a Taxus Baccata L. Population. Dhar, A., Ruprecht, H., & Vacik, H. 255(7):2835–2845.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Population viability risk management (PVRM) provides a framework for explicitly including qualitative information about the possible outcomes of a management decision with regard to the viability of an endangered population in conservation management. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques enables managers to select the most preferred choice of action in a context where several criteria apply simultaneously. In that context a combined approach of the PVRM concept and a MCDM technique is presented for the development, evaluation and finally ranking of the in situ conservation strategies. We discuss the concept based on a case study for the maintenance of a gene conservation forest of an English yew population (Taxus baccata L.) in Styria, Austria. As part of the PVRM the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to evaluate six conservation strategies with regard to the viability of the yew population. The viability of the population is evaluated based on the results of an analysis of the current environmental, social and economical state and a characterization of the ecological parameters of its population. The most significant risk factors (illegal cutting, browsing by game, tree competition, light availability and genetic sustainability) are structured and prioritised according to their impact on the viability of the yew population applying the AHP. Effects of the six conservation strategies on the viability of the yew population are determined through a qualitative assessment of the probability of a decrease of the population along with four different environmental scenarios. In this context strategy IV combining selective thinning, protection measures, game control with public relation activities seems to be the most effective alternative. The benefits of the combined approach of the PVRM concept with the AHP for the rational analysis of conservation strategies for this endangered tree species are discussed.
@article{dharPopulationViabilityRisk2008,
title = {Population Viability Risk Management ({{PVRM}}) for in Situ Management of Endangered Tree Species - {{A}} Case Study on a {{Taxus}} Baccata {{L}}. Population},
author = {Dhar, Amalesh and Ruprecht, Herwig and Vacik, Harald},
date = {2008},
journaltitle = {Forest Ecology and Management},
volume = {255},
pages = {2835--2845},
issn = {0378-1127},
doi = {10.1016/j.foreco.2008.01.059},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2008.01.059},
abstract = {Population viability risk management (PVRM) provides a framework for explicitly including qualitative information about the possible outcomes of a management decision with regard to the viability of an endangered population in conservation management. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques enables managers to select the most preferred choice of action in a context where several criteria apply simultaneously. In that context a combined approach of the PVRM concept and a MCDM technique is presented for the development, evaluation and finally ranking of the in situ conservation strategies. We discuss the concept based on a case study for the maintenance of a gene conservation forest of an English yew population (Taxus baccata L.) in Styria, Austria. As part of the PVRM the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to evaluate six conservation strategies with regard to the viability of the yew population. The viability of the population is evaluated based on the results of an analysis of the current environmental, social and economical state and a characterization of the ecological parameters of its population. The most significant risk factors (illegal cutting, browsing by game, tree competition, light availability and genetic sustainability) are structured and prioritised according to their impact on the viability of the yew population applying the AHP. Effects of the six conservation strategies on the viability of the yew population are determined through a qualitative assessment of the probability of a decrease of the population along with four different environmental scenarios. In this context strategy IV combining selective thinning, protection measures, game control with public relation activities seems to be the most effective alternative. The benefits of the combined approach of the PVRM concept with the AHP for the rational analysis of conservation strategies for this endangered tree species are discussed.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13507586,~to-add-doi-URL,population-viability-risk-management,taxus-baccata},
number = {7}
}Pest Categorisation of Stegophora~Ulmea. Jeger, M., Bragard, C., Caffier, D., Candresse, T., Chatzivassiliou, E., Dehnen-Schmutz, K., Gilioli, G., Gregoire, J., Jaques Miret, J. A., MacLeod, A., Navajas Navarro, M., Niere, B., Parnell, S., Potting, R., Rafoss, T., Rossi, V., Urek, G., Van Bruggen, A., Van der Werf, W., West, J., Winter, S., Boberg, J., Gonthier, P., & Pautasso, M. 15(12):e05105+.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) performed a pest categorisation of Stegophora ulmea, a well-defined and distinguishable fungal species of the family Sydowiellaceae. S. ulmea causes a tree disease known as black spot of elm (Ulmus spp.). The pathogen is reported from North America (native range) and Asia (Far-East Russia and China), but not from the EU. S. ulmea is regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction into the EU is banned on plants of Ulmus L. and Zelkova L., intended for planting, other than seeds. The pathogen has been occasionally intercepted on imported bonsai plants (and then destroyed) in the Netherlands and the UK. It could enter the EU and spread within it via plants for planting (including bonsai) and cut branches. Hosts and favourable climatic conditions are common in the EU. The European native elm species Ulmus glabra and Ulmus laevis were found to be more susceptible to the disease than North American elm species, but information is lacking on Ulmus minor. The disease is rarely fatal, but S. ulmea can cause considerable damage, particularly in wet summers. Reduction of inoculum by the removal of leaf debris and avoiding overhead watering in nurseries can reduce the risk of spread of the pathogen. The main knowledge gaps concern (i) the distribution of the pest in Asian countries, (ii) the relative role of the means of entry/spread and (iii) the potential consequences in mature tree plantations and native woodland. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as potential quarantine pest are met. For regulated non-quarantine pests, the criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met. [Excerpt: Conclusions] [...] [::Identity of the pest] The identity of the pest as a species is clear. [...] [::Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory] The pest is not reported to be present in the EU. [...] There is a doubtful and unconfirmed record of the fungus in Romania. Interceptions in the Netherlands and UK were followed by eradication. [...] [::Regulatory status] S. ulmea is regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIA) on plants of Ulmus and Zelkova, intended for planting, other than seeds. [...] [::Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory] Entry: the pest could enter the EU via the plants for planting pathway, as well as on bonsai plants and cut foliage [] Establishment: hosts and favourable climatic conditions are widespread in the risk assessment (RA) area [] Spread: the pest would be able to spread following establishment mainly on infected plants for planting and bonsai plants. [...] [] There is a lack of data on the trade of Ulmus spp. and Zelkova spp. bonsai plants within the EU [...] [::Potential for consequences in the EU territory] The pest introduction could have impacts especially in nurseries and on amenity trees. [...] [] The introduction of the pest could have an impact on the intended use of plants for planting. [...] [] There is uncertainty about the level of impact of the disease, which has rarely been described in detail, particularly in native woodland and planted forests. The consequences for U. minor are uncertain, given the lack of information on its susceptibility. [...] [::Available measures] Reduction of inoculum by the removal and appropriate disposal of leaf debris and avoiding overhead watering in nurseries can reduce the risk of spread of the pathogen. Breeding for host resistance/tolerance may reduce the level of impacts. [...] [] Key uncertainties: The relative importance of overwintering in buds compared to primary infection in spring. [...] [::Conclusion on pest categorisation] The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as potential quarantine pest are met. [...] [] The criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met. [...] [::Aspects of assessment to focus on/scenarios to address in future if appropriate] The main knowledge gaps concern (i) the distribution of the pest in Asian countries, (ii) the relative role of the means of entry/spread (plants for planting other than bonsai plants, bonsai plants and cut foliage), and (iii) the potential consequences in mature tree plantations and native woodland. However, the present categorisation has explored most if not all of the available data on these knowledge gaps [...]
@article{jegerPestCategorisationStegophora2017,
title = {Pest Categorisation of {{Stegophora}}~Ulmea},
author = {Jeger, Michael and Bragard, Claude and Caffier, David and Candresse, Thierry and Chatzivassiliou, Elisavet and Dehnen-Schmutz, Katharina and Gilioli, Gianni and Gregoire, Jean-Claude and Jaques Miret, Josep A. and MacLeod, Alan and Navajas Navarro, Maria and Niere, Björn and Parnell, Stephen and Potting, Roel and Rafoss, Trond and Rossi, Vittorio and Urek, Gregor and Van Bruggen, Ariena and Van der Werf, Wopke and West, Jonathan and Winter, Stephan and Boberg, Johanna and Gonthier, Paolo and Pautasso, Marco},
date = {2017-12},
journaltitle = {EFSA Journal},
volume = {15},
pages = {e05105+},
issn = {1831-4732},
doi = {10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5105},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5105},
abstract = {Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLH) performed a pest categorisation of Stegophora ulmea, a well-defined and distinguishable fungal species of the family Sydowiellaceae. S. ulmea causes a tree disease known as black spot of elm (Ulmus spp.). The pathogen is reported from North America (native range) and Asia (Far-East Russia and China), but not from the EU. S. ulmea is regulated in Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIAI) as a harmful organism whose introduction into the EU is banned on plants of Ulmus L. and Zelkova L., intended for planting, other than seeds. The pathogen has been occasionally intercepted on imported bonsai plants (and then destroyed) in the Netherlands and the UK. It could enter the EU and spread within it via plants for planting (including bonsai) and cut branches. Hosts and favourable climatic conditions are common in the EU. The European native elm species Ulmus glabra and Ulmus laevis were found to be more susceptible to the disease than North American elm species, but information is lacking on Ulmus minor. The disease is rarely fatal, but S. ulmea can cause considerable damage, particularly in wet summers. Reduction of inoculum by the removal of leaf debris and avoiding overhead watering in nurseries can reduce the risk of spread of the pathogen. The main knowledge gaps concern (i) the distribution of the pest in Asian countries, (ii) the relative role of the means of entry/spread and (iii) the potential consequences in mature tree plantations and native woodland. The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as potential quarantine pest are met. For regulated non-quarantine pests, the criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met.
[Excerpt: Conclusions] [...] [::Identity of the pest] The identity of the pest as a species is clear. [...]
[::Absence/presence of the pest in the EU territory] The pest is not reported to be present in the EU. [...] There is a doubtful and unconfirmed record of the fungus in Romania. Interceptions in the Netherlands and UK were followed by eradication. [...]
[::Regulatory status] S. ulmea is regulated by Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Annex IIA) on plants of Ulmus and Zelkova, intended for planting, other than seeds. [...]
[::Pest potential for entry, establishment and spread in the EU territory] Entry: the pest could enter the EU via the plants for planting pathway, as well as on bonsai plants and cut foliage
[] Establishment: hosts and favourable climatic conditions are widespread in the risk assessment (RA) area
[] Spread: the pest would be able to spread following establishment mainly on infected plants for planting and bonsai plants. [...]
[] There is a lack of data on the trade of Ulmus spp. and Zelkova spp. bonsai plants within the EU [...]
[::Potential for consequences in the EU territory] The pest introduction could have impacts especially in nurseries and on amenity trees. [...]
[] The introduction of the pest could have an impact on the intended use of plants for planting. [...]
[] There is uncertainty about the level of impact of the disease, which has rarely been described in detail, particularly in native woodland and planted forests. The consequences for U. minor are uncertain, given the lack of information on its susceptibility. [...]
[::Available measures] Reduction of inoculum by the removal and appropriate disposal of leaf debris and avoiding overhead watering in nurseries can reduce the risk of spread of the pathogen. Breeding for host resistance/tolerance may reduce the level of impacts. [...]
[] Key uncertainties: The relative importance of overwintering in buds compared to primary infection in spring. [...]
[::Conclusion on pest categorisation] The criteria assessed by the Panel for consideration as potential quarantine pest are met. [...] [] The criterion on the pest presence in the EU is not met. [...]
[::Aspects of assessment to focus on/scenarios to address in future if appropriate] The main knowledge gaps concern (i) the distribution of the pest in Asian countries, (ii) the relative role of the means of entry/spread (plants for planting other than bonsai plants, bonsai plants and cut foliage), and (iii) the potential consequences in mature tree plantations and native woodland.
However, the present categorisation has explored most if not all of the available data on these knowledge gaps [...]},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14506369,~to-add-doi-URL,disturbances,efsa,efsa-scientific-opinion,europe,forest-pests,plant-pests,stegophora-ulmea,ulmus-glabra,ulmus-laevis,ulmus-spp,zelkova-spp},
number = {12}
}Vegetation and Fire History of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei) as Recorded by Lateglacial and Holocene Sedimentary Series from Lago Della Costa (Northeastern Italy). Kaltenrieder, P., Procacci, G., Vannière, B., & Tinner, W. 20(5):679–695.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex We reconstruct the vegetational and fire history of the Colli Euganei and northeastern Po Plain from c . 16 500 cal. BP to the present using AMS-dated sedimentary pollen, microscopic and macroscopic charcoal records. Our study site, Lago della Costa, is the only natural water basin with an undisturbed late-Quaternary sediment accumulation in the northeastern Po Plain. Mixed coniferous-deciduous forests occurred since at latest 14 500 cal. BP. Gradual expansion of e.g. Alnus glutinosa and Carpinus betulus is documented after c. 11 000 cal. BP. A further expansion of Abies alba and Alnus at 9200 cal. BP coincided with a population buildup of these species in the Insubrian region c. 200 km northwest of our site. A further increase of Alnus about 6400 cal. BP was accompanied by an expansion of Castanea sativa and Juglans regia as well as meadow and field plants. This vegetational change was contemporaneous with a huge increase of regional and local fire activity. Our data suggest that fire disturbance favoured strong and moderate re-sprouters, e.g. Alnus, Carpinus and Castanea, whereas fire-sensitive taxa, e.g. Tilia and Abies were disadvantaged. The close link between crops, weeds and fire activity suggests human impact as the main source of changes in Neolithic vegetation and fire regime. To our knowledge these are the oldest palaeobotanical data suggesting the cultivation of Castanea and Juglans in Europe and elsewhere. Our pollen and charcoal records document the subsequent cultivation of Castanea, Juglans, Olea and Cerealia t. during the Bronze Age (4150 – 2750 cal. BP). Subsequently, intensification of land use continued during the Iron and Roman Age and Medieval times. In contrast with other northern Italian sites vegetation around our site was always rather open with a substantial proportion covered by grassland. We explain this peculiarity of the site by its location near river banks and floodlands.
@article{kaltenriederVegetationFireHistory2010,
title = {Vegetation and Fire History of the {{Euganean Hills}} ({{Colli Euganei}}) as Recorded by {{Lateglacial}} and {{Holocene}} Sedimentary Series from {{Lago}} Della {{Costa}} (Northeastern {{Italy}})},
author = {Kaltenrieder, P. and Procacci, G. and Vannière, B. and Tinner, W.},
date = {2010-08},
journaltitle = {The Holocene},
volume = {20},
pages = {679--695},
issn = {1477-0911},
doi = {10.1177/0959683609358911},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683609358911},
abstract = {We reconstruct the vegetational and fire history of the Colli Euganei and northeastern Po Plain from c . 16 500 cal. BP to the present using AMS-dated sedimentary pollen, microscopic and macroscopic charcoal records. Our study site, Lago della Costa, is the only natural water basin with an undisturbed late-Quaternary sediment accumulation in the northeastern Po Plain. Mixed coniferous-deciduous forests occurred since at latest 14 500 cal. BP. Gradual expansion of e.g. Alnus glutinosa and Carpinus betulus is documented after c. 11 000 cal. BP. A further expansion of Abies alba and Alnus at 9200 cal. BP coincided with a population buildup of these species in the Insubrian region c. 200 km northwest of our site. A further increase of Alnus about 6400 cal. BP was accompanied by an expansion of Castanea sativa and Juglans regia as well as meadow and field plants. This vegetational change was contemporaneous with a huge increase of regional and local fire activity. Our data suggest that fire disturbance favoured strong and moderate re-sprouters, e.g. Alnus, Carpinus and Castanea, whereas fire-sensitive taxa, e.g. Tilia and Abies were disadvantaged. The close link between crops, weeds and fire activity suggests human impact as the main source of changes in Neolithic vegetation and fire regime. To our knowledge these are the oldest palaeobotanical data suggesting the cultivation of Castanea and Juglans in Europe and elsewhere. Our pollen and charcoal records document the subsequent cultivation of Castanea, Juglans, Olea and Cerealia t. during the Bronze Age (4150 -- 2750 cal. BP). Subsequently, intensification of land use continued during the Iron and Roman Age and Medieval times. In contrast with other northern Italian sites vegetation around our site was always rather open with a substantial proportion covered by grassland. We explain this peculiarity of the site by its location near river banks and floodlands.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13593940,~to-add-doi-URL,castanea-spp,charcoal,colli-euganei,juglans-spp,paleoecology,po-plain,pollen},
number = {5}
}The Potential for Eucalyptus as a Wood Fuel in the UK. Leslie, A. D., Mencuccini, M., & Perks, M. 89(1):176–182.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Considerable potential exists in the UK for utilising woody biomass, grown under short rotation forestry management systems, to produce electricity or heat. There are benefits to using biomass in generating heat and power the main environmental benefit being from substituting for fossil fuel combustion and consequent carbon emissions. Woody biomass production in short rotation forestry involves growing single stemmed trees rather than coppice over rotations of between 10 and 15~years. Eucalypts are particularly suited to such biomass production as they exhibit relatively high wood density, have suitable chemical characteristics, exhibit low moisture content and can be easily harvested all year around using conventional machinery if single-stemmed growth form is maintained. The UK has a climate that is not well suited to the majority of eucalypts. However, there is a small number of eucalypt species that can withstand the stresses caused by frozen ground and desiccating winds or sub-zero temperatures that can occur. These species are from more southern latitudes and high altitude areas of Australia. However, even the most cold resistant species can be damaged by UK winter climate extremes and therefore careful matching of species to site environmental constraints is critical. Informed decision making is made problematic by the small area and limited distribution of current planting, although it is clear that particularly cold areas and for most species, sites with poor drainage should be generally avoided. This article provides a discussion of the potential of, and constraints to, using eucalypts for biomass in the UK and provides a tentative list of recommended species, their potential growth rates and their advantages and disadvantages. ⺠Eucalyptus in plantations has potential in the UK as a source of woody biomass. ⺠Fast early growth enables high productivity over short rotations. ⺠Unseasonal frosts and unusually cold winters pose a risk. ⺠It is not clear whether climate change will benefit or hinder use of eucalypts for biomass in the UK. [Excerpt: Conclusions] The interest in using biomass as a source of energy has provided a catalyst for the re-examination of the potential role of eucalypts in short rotation forestry in Britain. Their high productivity can provide substantial yields of biomass, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption and can also reduce operational fossil fuel use by replacement of more energy intensive forms of land use. Existing trials and small plantations of eucalypts have shown that there are a limited range of species of eucalypts that can survive and thrive in the relatively low temperatures prevalent in the UK. The limited distribution and extent of plantings make detailed matching of species to site currently imperfect. A sensible approach is, therefore, to attempt to identify species and provenances that will perform well over a wide range of sites and avoid areas that are particularly cold, have low rainfall and for most species, have poor drainage.
@article{lesliePotentialEucalyptusWood2012,
title = {The Potential for {{Eucalyptus}} as a Wood Fuel in the {{UK}}},
author = {Leslie, A. D. and Mencuccini, M. and Perks, M.},
date = {2012-01},
journaltitle = {Applied Energy},
volume = {89},
pages = {176--182},
issn = {0306-2619},
doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.07.037},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.07.037},
abstract = {Considerable potential exists in the UK for utilising woody biomass, grown under short rotation forestry management systems, to produce electricity or heat. There are benefits to using biomass in generating heat and power the main environmental benefit being from substituting for fossil fuel combustion and consequent carbon emissions. Woody biomass production in short rotation forestry involves growing single stemmed trees rather than coppice over rotations of between 10 and 15~years. Eucalypts are particularly suited to such biomass production as they exhibit relatively high wood density, have suitable chemical characteristics, exhibit low moisture content and can be easily harvested all year around using conventional machinery if single-stemmed growth form is maintained. The UK has a climate that is not well suited to the majority of eucalypts. However, there is a small number of eucalypt species that can withstand the stresses caused by frozen ground and desiccating winds or sub-zero temperatures that can occur. These species are from more southern latitudes and high altitude areas of Australia. However, even the most cold resistant species can be damaged by UK winter climate extremes and therefore careful matching of species to site environmental constraints is critical. Informed decision making is made problematic by the small area and limited distribution of current planting, although it is clear that particularly cold areas and for most species, sites with poor drainage should be generally avoided. This article provides a discussion of the potential of, and constraints to, using eucalypts for biomass in the UK and provides a tentative list of recommended species, their potential growth rates and their advantages and disadvantages. ⺠Eucalyptus in plantations has potential in the UK as a source of woody biomass. ⺠Fast early growth enables high productivity over short rotations. ⺠Unseasonal frosts and unusually cold winters pose a risk. ⺠It is not clear whether climate change will benefit or hinder use of eucalypts for biomass in the UK.
[Excerpt: Conclusions]
The interest in using biomass as a source of energy has provided a catalyst for the re-examination of the potential role of eucalypts in short rotation forestry in Britain. Their high productivity can provide substantial yields of biomass, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption and can also reduce operational fossil fuel use by replacement of more energy intensive forms of land use. Existing trials and small plantations of eucalypts have shown that there are a limited range of species of eucalypts that can survive and thrive in the relatively low temperatures prevalent in the UK. The limited distribution and extent of plantings make detailed matching of species to site currently imperfect. A sensible approach is, therefore, to attempt to identify species and provenances that will perform well over a wide range of sites and avoid areas that are particularly cold, have low rainfall and for most species, have poor drainage.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-13780667,~to-add-doi-URL,eucalyptus-spp,forest-resources,fuelwood,short-rotation-forestry,united-kingdom},
number = {1}
}Fungal Endophytes in Mediterranean Oak Forests: A Lesson from Discula Quercina. Moricca, S. & Ragazzi, A. 98(4):380–386.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Fungal endophytes that colonize forest trees are widespread, but they are less well known than endophytes infecting grasses. The few studies on endophytes in trees mainly concern the tropical areas and the northernmost latitudes, while similar investigations in the Mediterranean region have so far been scarce and incidental. Endophytes are studied mostly in economically important forests suffering from diseases, such as oak forests. One common endophyte that has received some study on oak is the mitosporic Discula quercina. This paper, after first addressing some basic problems on tree endophytes, examines the ecology of D. quercina in Mediterranean oak stands. D. quercina is usually viewed as a symptomless colonizer of healthy Quercus cerris, infecting new leaves early in the growing season, in an unstable equilibrium between transient mutualism/neutralism and latent pathogenesis. It is postulated here that climatic factors can change the endophytic nature of D. quercina, turning it into a weak pathogen or an opportunistic invader of senescing and indeed healthy trees. It is argued more generally that stochastic events can cause the lifestyle of an endophyte to switch from beneficial/neutral to pathogenic, transforming the tree-endophyte interaction, an interaction that depends in part on the matching genomes of the tree and endophyte, and on the environmental context.
@article{moriccaFungalEndophytesMediterranean2008,
title = {Fungal Endophytes in {{Mediterranean}} Oak Forests: A Lesson from {{Discula}} Quercina},
author = {Moricca, S. and Ragazzi, A.},
date = {2008-04},
journaltitle = {Phytopathology},
volume = {98},
pages = {380--386},
issn = {0031-949X},
doi = {10.1094/phyto-98-4-0380},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1094/phyto-98-4-0380},
abstract = {Fungal endophytes that colonize forest trees are widespread, but they are less well known than endophytes infecting grasses. The few studies on endophytes in trees mainly concern the tropical areas and the northernmost latitudes, while similar investigations in the Mediterranean region have so far been scarce and incidental. Endophytes are studied mostly in economically important forests suffering from diseases, such as oak forests. One common endophyte that has received some study on oak is the mitosporic Discula quercina. This paper, after first addressing some basic problems on tree endophytes, examines the ecology of D. quercina in Mediterranean oak stands. D. quercina is usually viewed as a symptomless colonizer of healthy Quercus cerris, infecting new leaves early in the growing season, in an unstable equilibrium between transient mutualism/neutralism and latent pathogenesis. It is postulated here that climatic factors can change the endophytic nature of D. quercina, turning it into a weak pathogen or an opportunistic invader of senescing and indeed healthy trees. It is argued more generally that stochastic events can cause the lifestyle of an endophyte to switch from beneficial/neutral to pathogenic, transforming the tree-endophyte interaction, an interaction that depends in part on the matching genomes of the tree and endophyte, and on the environmental context.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-8971667,~to-add-doi-URL,droughts,fitness,forest-pests,forest-resources,fungal-diseases,opportunistic-plant-pests,parasitism,quercus-cerris,symbiosis},
number = {4}
}Wildfire-Related Debris Flow from a Hazards Perspective. Cannon, S. H. & Gartner, J. E. In Debris-Flow Hazards and Related Phenomena, of Springer Praxis Books, pages 363–385. Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Excerpt: Introduction] Wildland fire can have profound effects on the hydrologic response of a watershed. Consumption of the rainfall-intercepting canopy and of the soil-mantling litter and duff, intensive drying of the soil, combustion of soil-binding organic matter, and the enhancement or formation of water-repellent soils can change the infiltration characteristics and erodibility of the soil, leading to decreased rainfall infiltration, subsequent significantly increased overland flow and runoff in channels, and movement of soil (e.g., Swanson, 1981; Spittler, 1995; Doerr et al., 2000; Martin and Moody, 2001; Moody and Martin, 2001b; Wondzell and King, 2003). Unit-area peak discharges measured following wildfire have shown between 1.45- and 870-fold increases over pre-fire rates (Moody and Martin, 2001a). Removal of obstructions by wildfire through consumption of vegetation can also enhance the erosive power of overland flow, resulting in accelerated erosion of material from hillslopes (Meyer, 2002). Increased runoff can erode significant volumes of material from channels, either by bank failure or channel bed erosion. Over longer time periods, decreased rates of evapotranspiration caused by vegetation mortality and decay of root structure may result in increased soil moisture and the loss of soil cohesion (Klock and Helvey, 1976; Swanson, 1981; Schmidt et al., 2001). Rainfall on burned watersheds thus has a high potential to transport and deposit large volumes of sediment both within and down-channel from the burned area. [\n] Debris flows can be one of the most hazardous consequences of rainfall on burned hillslopes (e.g., Parrett, 1987; Morton, 1989; Meyer and Wells, 1997; Cannon, 2001) (Fig. 15.1A,B). They pose a hazard distinct from other sediment-laden flows because of their unique destructive power. Debris flows can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, and even small debris flows can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures by impact and erosion, and endanger human life. The deaths of sixteen people during the Christmas Day 2003 storm that impacted recently-burned hillslopes in southern California highlight the most drastic consequences of post-wildfire debris flows (Los Angeles Times, 2003). In addition to the lives lost, US\$9.5 million were spent to remove the 4.1 million cubic meters of material deposited in debris retention basins following this event. Understanding the processes that result in fire-related debris flows, the conditions under which they occur, and their size and frequency of occurrence are critical elements in effective post-fire hazard assessments. [\n] The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current understanding of post-wildfire debris-flow processes and their occurrence. [\n] [...] [Summary and conclusions] Data compiled from studies of debris-flow processes following wildfires throughout the western U.S. can answer some of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments - what, where, why, when, how big, and how often? Not all elements of all questions have satisfactory answers, but what follows is what can be gleaned from the preceding pages. [::What and why?] Fire-related debris flows have been found to initiate through two primary processes: runoff-dominated erosion by surface overland flow, and infiltration-triggered failure of a discrete landslide mass. Runoff-dominated processes are by far the most prevalent (76\,% of a sample of 210 basins), and occur in response to decreased infiltration and attendant increased runoff and erosion brought about by the immediate effects of the fires. Infiltration-triggered landslide activity is frequently attributed to both increased soil moisture brought about by vegetation-mortality-induced reduced transpiration rates, and root decay associated with decreases in soil cohesion. [::Where?] Debris flows that initiate through runoff-dominated erosion have been documented throughout the intermountain west and southern California. Basins underlain with sedimentary and metamorphic rock types with more than about 65\,% of their areas burned at a combination of high and moderate severities, and with areas and average gradients that fall above the threshold shown in Fig. 15.9 are those most likely to produce this type of debris flow. [\n] [...] [::When?] Runoff-initiated debris flows are produced in response to storms that occur up to two years after the fire, and often in response to the first significant rainfall of the storm season. They occur most frequently in response to storms with average intensities greater than about 4 mm/hr and between 30 minutes and 24 hours in duration. However, debris flows have occurred within a storm after as little as 6 minutes of rainfall at intensities of 95 mm/hr. [\n] [...] [\n] Debris flows generated through mobilization of landslides can occur during the first rainy season immediately after the fire, and up to about 10 years after the fire. These events generally occur in response to prolonged rainfall events, and in some cases, considerably more material is contributed to the debris flows from hillslope runoff and channel erosion than from the landslide scars. [...] [::How big?] Reported peak discharge estimates for runoff-initiated debris-flow events vary between 2 and 240 m3/s and reported volumes range from as little as 600 m3 to 300,000 m3. [...] [::How often?] Basins with thin colluvial covers and minimal channel-fill deposits generally produce debris flows only in response to the first significant rainfall of the season. Basins with thick channel-fill deposits, and those mantled with thick accumulations of talus, frequently produce numerous debris flows throughout the rainy season. [\n] In the absence of similar data in other settings throughout the world, the relations developed here may be appropriate for preliminary hazard assessments. However, we would expect that local conditions strongly affect debris-flow occurrence, and collection and analysis of site-specific data can only help but to improve such assessments. [\n] [...]
@incollection{cannonWildfirerelatedDebrisFlow2005,
title = {Wildfire-Related Debris Flow from a Hazards Perspective},
booktitle = {Debris-Flow {{Hazards}} and {{Related Phenomena}}},
author = {Cannon, Susan H. and Gartner, Joseph E.},
date = {2005},
pages = {363--385},
publisher = {{Springer Berlin Heidelberg}},
doi = {10.1007/3-540-27129-5\\_15},
url = {http://mfkp.org/INRMM/article/14110940},
abstract = {[Excerpt: Introduction] Wildland fire can have profound effects on the hydrologic response of a watershed. Consumption of the rainfall-intercepting canopy and of the soil-mantling litter and duff, intensive drying of the soil, combustion of soil-binding organic matter, and the enhancement or formation of water-repellent soils can change the infiltration characteristics and erodibility of the soil, leading to decreased rainfall infiltration, subsequent significantly increased overland flow and runoff in channels, and movement of soil (e.g., Swanson, 1981; Spittler, 1995; Doerr et al., 2000; Martin and Moody, 2001; Moody and Martin, 2001b; Wondzell and King, 2003). Unit-area peak discharges measured following wildfire have shown between 1.45- and 870-fold increases over pre-fire rates (Moody and Martin, 2001a). Removal of obstructions by wildfire through consumption of vegetation can also enhance the erosive power of overland flow, resulting in accelerated erosion of material from hillslopes (Meyer, 2002). Increased runoff can erode significant volumes of material from channels, either by bank failure or channel bed erosion. Over longer time periods, decreased rates of evapotranspiration caused by vegetation mortality and decay of root structure may result in increased soil moisture and the loss of soil cohesion (Klock and Helvey, 1976; Swanson, 1981; Schmidt et al., 2001). Rainfall on burned watersheds thus has a high potential to transport and deposit large volumes of sediment both within and down-channel from the burned area.
[\textbackslash n] Debris flows can be one of the most hazardous consequences of rainfall on burned hillslopes (e.g., Parrett, 1987; Morton, 1989; Meyer and Wells, 1997; Cannon, 2001) (Fig. 15.1A,B). They pose a hazard distinct from other sediment-laden flows because of their unique destructive power. Debris flows can occur with little warning, can exert great impulsive loads on objects in their paths, and even small debris flows can strip vegetation, block drainage ways, damage structures by impact and erosion, and endanger human life. The deaths of sixteen people during the Christmas Day 2003 storm that impacted recently-burned hillslopes in southern California highlight the most drastic consequences of post-wildfire debris flows (Los Angeles Times, 2003). In addition to the lives lost, US\$9.5 million were spent to remove the 4.1 million cubic meters of material deposited in debris retention basins following this event. Understanding the processes that result in fire-related debris flows, the conditions under which they occur, and their size and frequency of occurrence are critical elements in effective post-fire hazard assessments.
[\textbackslash n] The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current understanding of post-wildfire debris-flow processes and their occurrence.
[\textbackslash n] [...]
[Summary and conclusions] Data compiled from studies of debris-flow processes following wildfires throughout the western U.S. can answer some of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments - what, where, why, when, how big, and how often? Not all elements of all questions have satisfactory answers, but what follows is what can be gleaned from the preceding pages.
[::What and why?] Fire-related debris flows have been found to initiate through two primary processes: runoff-dominated erosion by surface overland flow, and infiltration-triggered failure of a discrete landslide mass. Runoff-dominated processes are by far the most prevalent (76\,\% of a sample of 210 basins), and occur in response to decreased infiltration and attendant increased runoff and erosion brought about by the immediate effects of the fires. Infiltration-triggered landslide activity is frequently attributed to both increased soil moisture brought about by vegetation-mortality-induced reduced transpiration rates, and root decay associated with decreases in soil cohesion.
[::Where?] Debris flows that initiate through runoff-dominated erosion have been documented throughout the intermountain west and southern California. Basins underlain with sedimentary and metamorphic rock types with more than about 65\,\% of their areas burned at a combination of high and moderate severities, and with areas and average gradients that fall above the threshold shown in Fig. 15.9 are those most likely to produce this type of debris flow. [\textbackslash n] [...]
[::When?] Runoff-initiated debris flows are produced in response to storms that occur up to two years after the fire, and often in response to the first significant rainfall of the storm season. They occur most frequently in response to storms with average intensities greater than about 4 mm/hr and between 30 minutes and 24 hours in duration. However, debris flows have occurred within a storm after as little as 6 minutes of rainfall at intensities of 95 mm/hr. [\textbackslash n] [...] [\textbackslash n] Debris flows generated through mobilization of landslides can occur during the first rainy season immediately after the fire, and up to about 10 years after the fire. These events generally occur in response to prolonged rainfall events, and in some cases, considerably more material is contributed to the debris flows from hillslope runoff and channel erosion than from the landslide scars. [...]
[::How big?] Reported peak discharge estimates for runoff-initiated debris-flow events vary between 2 and 240 m3/s and reported volumes range from as little as 600 m3 to 300,000 m3. [...]
[::How often?] Basins with thin colluvial covers and minimal channel-fill deposits generally produce debris flows only in response to the first significant rainfall of the season. Basins with thick channel-fill deposits, and those mantled with thick accumulations of talus, frequently produce numerous debris flows throughout the rainy season.
[\textbackslash n] In the absence of similar data in other settings throughout the world, the relations developed here may be appropriate for preliminary hazard assessments. However, we would expect that local conditions strongly affect debris-flow occurrence, and collection and analysis of site-specific data can only help but to improve such assessments.
[\textbackslash n] [...]},
isbn = {978-3-540-27129-1},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14110940,~to-add-doi-URL,burnt-area,debris-flows,erodibility,forest-resources,hydrology,landslides,natural-hazards,postfire-impacts,precipitation,runoff,sediment-transport,soil-erosion,soil-hydrophobicity,soil-moisture,soil-resources,water-resources,wildfires},
series = {Springer {{Praxis Books}}}
}Global Urban Signatures of Phenotypic Change in Animal and Plant Populations. Alberti, M., Correa, C., Marzluff, J. M., Hendry, A. P., Palkovacs, E. P., Gotanda, K. M., Hunt, V. M., Apgar, T. M., & Zhou, Y.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex [Significance] Ecoevolutionary feedbacks on contemporary timescales were hypothesized over half a century ago, but only recently has evidence begun to emerge. The role that human activity plays in such dynamics is still unclear. Through a metaanalysis of $>$1,600 phenotypic changes in species across regions and ecosystem types, we examine the evidence that the rate of phenotypic change has an urban signature. Our findings indicate greater phenotypic change in urbanizing systems compared with natural and nonurban anthropogenic systems. By explicitly linking urban development to trait changes that might affect ecosystem function, we provide insights into the potential ecoevolutionary implications for maintaining ecosystem function and the sustainability of human well-being. [Abstract] Humans challenge the phenotypic, genetic, and cultural makeup of species by affecting the fitness landscapes on which they evolve. Recent studies show that cities might play a major role in contemporary evolution by accelerating phenotypic changes in wildlife, including animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms. Many studies of ecoevolutionary change have focused on anthropogenic drivers, but none of these studies has specifically examined the role that urbanization plays in ecoevolution or explicitly examined its mechanisms. This paper presents evidence on the mechanisms linking urban development patterns to rapid evolutionary changes for species that play important functional roles in communities and ecosystems. Through a metaanalysis of experimental and observational studies reporting more than 1,600 phenotypic changes in species across multiple regions, we ask whether we can discriminate an urban signature of phenotypic change beyond the established natural baselines and other anthropogenic signals. We then assess the relative impact of five types of urban disturbances including habitat modifications, biotic interactions, habitat heterogeneity, novel disturbances, and social interactions. Our study shows a clear urban signal; rates of phenotypic change are greater in urbanizing systems compared with natural and nonurban anthropogenic systems. By explicitly linking urban development to traits that affect ecosystem function, we can map potential ecoevolutionary implications of emerging patterns of urban agglomerations and uncover insights for maintaining key ecosystem functions upon which the sustainability of human well-being depends.
@article{albertiGlobalUrbanSignatures2017,
title = {Global Urban Signatures of Phenotypic Change in Animal and Plant Populations},
author = {Alberti, Marina and Correa, Cristian and Marzluff, John M. and Hendry, Andrew P. and Palkovacs, Eric P. and Gotanda, Kiyoko M. and Hunt, Victoria M. and Apgar, Travis M. and Zhou, Yuyu},
date = {2017-01},
journaltitle = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
pages = {201606034+},
issn = {1091-6490},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.1606034114},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1606034114},
abstract = {[Significance]
Ecoevolutionary feedbacks on contemporary timescales were hypothesized over half a century ago, but only recently has evidence begun to emerge. The role that human activity plays in such dynamics is still unclear. Through a metaanalysis of {$>$}1,600 phenotypic changes in species across regions and ecosystem types, we examine the evidence that the rate of phenotypic change has an urban signature. Our findings indicate greater phenotypic change in urbanizing systems compared with natural and nonurban anthropogenic systems. By explicitly linking urban development to trait changes that might affect ecosystem function, we provide insights into the potential ecoevolutionary implications for maintaining ecosystem function and the sustainability of human well-being.
[Abstract]
Humans challenge the phenotypic, genetic, and cultural makeup of species by affecting the fitness landscapes on which they evolve. Recent studies show that cities might play a major role in contemporary evolution by accelerating phenotypic changes in wildlife, including animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms. Many studies of ecoevolutionary change have focused on anthropogenic drivers, but none of these studies has specifically examined the role that urbanization plays in ecoevolution or explicitly examined its mechanisms. This paper presents evidence on the mechanisms linking urban development patterns to rapid evolutionary changes for species that play important functional roles in communities and ecosystems. Through a metaanalysis of experimental and observational studies reporting more than 1,600 phenotypic changes in species across multiple regions, we ask whether we can discriminate an urban signature of phenotypic change beyond the established natural baselines and other anthropogenic signals. We then assess the relative impact of five types of urban disturbances including habitat modifications, biotic interactions, habitat heterogeneity, novel disturbances, and social interactions. Our study shows a clear urban signal; rates of phenotypic change are greater in urbanizing systems compared with natural and nonurban anthropogenic systems. By explicitly linking urban development to traits that affect ecosystem function, we can map potential ecoevolutionary implications of emerging patterns of urban agglomerations and uncover insights for maintaining key ecosystem functions upon which the sustainability of human well-being depends.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-14246966,~to-add-doi-URL,anthropocene,anthropogenic-changes,anthropogenic-impacts,ecosystem,ecosystem-functions,evolution,genetic-variability,meta-analysis,phenotypes-vs-genotypes,sustainability,urban-areas}
}How to Hasten Open Access. Swan, A., Cockerill, M., & Sipp, D. 495(7442):442–443.
Paper doi abstract bibtex
Paper doi abstract bibtex Three advocates for a universally free scholarly literature give their prescriptions for the movement's next push, from findability to translations.
@article{swanHowHastenOpen2013,
title = {How to Hasten Open Access},
author = {Swan, Alma and Cockerill, Matthew and Sipp, Douglas},
date = {2013-03},
journaltitle = {Nature},
volume = {495},
pages = {442--443},
issn = {0028-0836},
doi = {10.1038/495442a},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/495442a},
abstract = {Three advocates for a universally free scholarly literature give their prescriptions for the movement's next push, from findability to translations.},
keywords = {*imported-from-citeulike-INRMM,~INRMM-MiD:c-12216944,~to-add-doi-URL,european-commission,free-scientific-knowledge,knowledge-freedom,open-access,open-access-embargo,science-policy-interface,scientific-knowledge-sharing,united-states},
number = {7442}
}