An integrative approach to studying plasticity in growth disruption and outcomes: A bioarchaeological case study of Napoleonic soldiers

The identification of sponges that lack a mineral skeleton is always highly challenging, especially for Hexadella species, which are also fibreless. Recently, the yellow species Hexadella pruvoti Topsent was identified as a cryptic species complex while the pink coloured Hexadella racovitzai Topsent showed two highly divergent lineages. We performed a COI phylogenetic reconstruction using 27 new Mediterranean Hexadella samples in order to confirm the presence of divergent lineages within both shallow-water species. Specimens were described with an integrative approach combining morphological and cytological investigations, biochemical profiling and assessment of natural toxicity in order to identify diagnostic characters for each taxon. H. topsenti, sp. nov. is distinguished from H. racovitzai by its colour, its surface network shape, divergent secondary metabolite patterns and toxicity values. H. crypta, sp. nov. differs from H. pruvoti by a different encrusting growth form when alive, and by distinctively colouring the ethanol fixative solution. In addition, H. pruvoti and H. crypta show different types of cells with inclusions as well as distinct metabolic fingerprints. Natural toxicity values, however, do not permit the separation of H. pruvoti and H. crypta. Our work shows that only the use of a combination of complementary tools can provide relevant descriptions for some problematic taxa.

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Innovative approaches to the development of strategic planning and management

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202128407030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 284 ◽

pp. 07030

Author(s):

Natalia Strekalova ◽

Elena Korchagina ◽

Larisa Desfonteines

Keyword(s):

Strategic Planning ◽

Process Model ◽

Thinking Skills ◽

Business Practice ◽

Strategic Thinking ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Strategic Analysis ◽

Management Competencies ◽

Planning Development

The article discusses modern concepts and approaches to the strategic planning development and managers’ strategic thinking formation. Today the strategic thinking is considered as one of the most important and most demanded management competencies. However, there is still no understanding how managers can develop that competencies. The article proposes an integrative approach based on the use of competence, process and situational approaches. The article deals with a process model of the formation of managers’ strategic thinking skills based on the use of the concept of a business model, strategic analysis, and case study. The results obtained help to increase the managers’ training effectiveness and ensure its relevance to business practice. They can also be useful for practicing managers in conducting strategic sessions and strategic planning, as well as for professionals in the field of business education.

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Cosmolian: High-resolution Integrated OSL and CN modelling Program for Sand Transportation in Eolian Realms (HIPSTER)

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-7120 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shlomy Vainer ◽

Yoav Ben Dor

Keyword(s):

Landscape Evolution ◽

Sand Dunes ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Arid Environments ◽

Aeolian Transport ◽

Migration Patterns ◽

Aeolian Processes ◽

Simpson Desert

<p>The extensivity of sand dunes in continental interiors makes the understating of their morphodynamical properties valuable for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and the interpretation of landscape evolution. Nevertheless, the study of aeolian landscape development at the million-years timescale is hampered by the complex interaction of factors determining dune migration and the inherently self-destructive nature of their chronostratigraphy, thus limiting the applicability of traditional luminescence-based dating methods for configuring processes beyond ~300 Ka. In this study, we present a standalone program that simulates aeolian transport based on luminescence-derived chronologies coupled with numerical modelling of cosmogenic nuclides accumulation. This integrative approach reveals ancient phases of sand irruption and provides a data-based scheme facilitating the morphodynamical study of aeolian processes over multiple timescales. We present a case study of the program application by analyzing data from the Australian Simpson Desert, unfolding several phases of aeolian vitality since the late Pliocene. The synchronicity of the results with drastic changes in environmental settings exemplifies the applicability of process-based modelling in constructing a timeframe of key landscape evolution events in arid environments by studying aeolian landforms. Finally, the relationships between model parameters used to determine environmental settings on sand migration patterns make the program a powerful tool to further investigating triggers and mechanisms of aeolian processes.</p>

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Assessment of the environmental impact of an abandoned mine using an integrative approach: A case-study of the “Las Musas” mine (Extremadura, Spain)

The Science of The Total Environment ◽

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.321 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 659 ◽

pp. 84-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Patrícia Palma ◽

Rocío López-Orozco ◽

Clarisse Mourinha ◽

Ana Lourdes Oropesa ◽

Maria Helena Novais ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Abandoned Mine ◽

Integrative Approach

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Methods for identifying green infrastructure

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-020-03575-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (11) ◽

Author(s):

Erica Honeck ◽

Arthur Sanguet ◽

Martin A. Schlaepfer ◽

Nicolas Wyler ◽

Anthony Lehmann

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Literature Review ◽

Green Infrastructure ◽

Scientific Literature ◽

Landscape Connectivity ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Future Challenges ◽

Political Decisions

AbstractNature forms interdependent networks in a landscape, which is key to the survival of species and the maintenance of genetic diversity. Nature provides crucial socio-economic benefits to people, but they are typically undervalued in political decisions. This has led to the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI), which defines an interlinked network of (semi-)natural areas with high ecological values for wildlife and people, to be conserved and managed in priority to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. This relatively new concept has been used in different contexts, but with widely diverging interpretations. There is no apparent consensus in the scientific literature on the methodology to map and implement GI. This paper serves as an informed primer for researchers that are new to GI mapping understand the key principles and terminology for the needs of their own case-study, and as a framework for more advance researchers willing to contribute to the formalization of the concept. Through a literature review of articles on creating GI networks, we summarized and evaluated commonly used methods to identify and map GI. We provided key insights for the assessment of diversity, ecosystem services and landscape connectivity, the three ‘pillars’ on which GI identification is based according to its definition. Based on this literature review, we propose 5 theoretical levels toward a more complex, reliable and integrative approach to identify GI networks. We then discuss the applications and limits of such method and point out future challenges for GI identification and implementation.

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