scholarly journals Great tits feed their nestlings with more but smaller prey items and fewer caterpillars in cities than in forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Csenge Sinkovics ◽  
Gábor Seress ◽  
Ivett Pipoly ◽  
Ernő Vincze ◽  
András Liker
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Great Tit ◽  
The Other ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Urban Parents ◽  
Prey Items

AbstractRapidly increasing urbanisation is one of the most significant anthropogenic environmental changes which can affect demographic traits of animal populations, for example resulting in reduced reproductive success. The food limitation hypothesis suggests that the shortage of high-quality nestling food in cities is a major factor responsible for the reduced reproductive performance in insectivorous birds. To study this explanation, we collected data on the parental provisioning behaviour of urban and forest great tits (Parus major) in three years that varied both in caterpillar availability (the main food of great tit nestlings) and in reproductive success of the birds. In all years, urban parents provisioned caterpillars in a smaller proportion to their nestlings, but the total amount of food per nestling (estimated by the volumes of all prey items) did not differ between habitats. In the two years with much lower reproductive success in urban than forest habitats, urban parents had higher provisioning rates, but provided more non-arthropod food and brought smaller prey items than forest parents. In the year with reduced habitat difference in reproductive success, urban parents were able to compensate for the scarcity of caterpillars by provisioning other arthropods rather than non-arthropod food, and by delivering larger preys than in the other years. Specifically, in this latter year, caterpillars provisioned by urban pairs were cc. twice as large as in the other two years, and were similar in size to caterpillars provisioned in the forest broods. These results show that although urban great tit parents can provide the same quantity of food per nestling as forest parents by reducing their brood size and increasing the per capita feeding rates for nestlings, they cannot compensate fully for the scarcity of high-quality preys (caterpillars) in poor years. In some years, however, favourable conditions for urban caterpillar development can greatly reduce food limitation in cities, allowing urban birds to achieve higher reproductive success. We suggest that urban green areas designed and managed in a way to facilitate conditions for phytophagous arthropods could improve habitat quality for urban birds.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of four methods to estimate coral calcification under various environmental conditions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Gómez Batista ◽  
Marc Metian ◽  
François Oberhänsli ◽  
Simon Pouil ◽  
Peter W. Swarzenski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
The Other ◽  
Total Alkalinity ◽  
Precipitate Calcium Carbonate ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Stylophora Pistillata ◽  
Coral Calcification ◽  
Highly Correlated

Abstract. Coral reefs are constructed by calcifiers that precipitate calcium carbonate to build their shells or skeletons through the process of calcification. Accurately assessing coral calcification rates is crucial to determine the health of these ecosystems and their response to major environmental changes such as ocean warming and acidification. Several approaches have been used to assess rates of coral calcification but there is a real need to compare these approaches in order to ascertain that high quality and intercomparable results can be produced. Here, we assessed four methods (total alkalinity anomaly, calcium anomaly, 45Ca incorporation and 13C incorporation) to determine coral calcification of the reef-building coral Stylophora pistillata. Given the importance of environmental conditions on this process, the study was performed under two pH (ambient and low level) and two light (light and dark) conditions. Under all conditions, calcification rates estimated using the alkalinity and calcium anomaly techniques as well as 45Ca incorporation were highly correlated. Such a strong correlation between the alkalinity anomaly and 45Ca incorporation techniques has not been observed in previous studies and most probably results from improvements described in the present paper. The only method which provided calcification rates significantly different from the other three techniques was 13C incorporation. Calcification rates based on this method were consistently higher than those measured using the other techniques. Although reasons for these discrepancies remain unclear, the use of this technique for assessing calcification rates in corals is not recommended without further investigations.

scholarly journals Intercomparison of four methods to estimate coral calcification under various environmental conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 887-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Gómez Batista ◽  
Marc Metian ◽  
François Oberhänsli ◽  
Simon Pouil ◽  
Peter W. Swarzenski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
The Other ◽  
Total Alkalinity ◽  
Precipitate Calcium Carbonate ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Stylophora Pistillata ◽  
Coral Calcification ◽  
Highly Correlated

Abstract. Coral reefs are constructed by calcifiers that precipitate calcium carbonate to build their shells or skeletons through the process of calcification. Accurately assessing coral calcification rates is crucial to determine the health of these ecosystems and their response to major environmental changes such as ocean warming and acidification. Several approaches have been used to assess rates of coral calcification, but there is a real need to compare these approaches in order to ascertain that high-quality and intercomparable results can be produced. Here, we assessed four methods (total alkalinity anomaly, calcium anomaly, 45Ca incorporation, and 13C incorporation) to determine coral calcification of the reef-building coral Stylophora pistillata. Given the importance of environmental conditions for this process, the study was performed under two starting pH levels (ambient: 8.05 and low: 7.2) and two light (light and dark) conditions. Under all conditions, calcification rates estimated using the alkalinity and calcium anomaly techniques as well as 45Ca incorporation were highly correlated. Such a strong correlation between the alkalinity anomaly and 45Ca incorporation techniques has not been observed in previous studies and most probably results from improvements described in the present paper. The only method which provided calcification rates significantly different from the other three techniques was 13C incorporation. Calcification rates based on this method were consistently higher than those measured using the other techniques. Although reasons for these discrepancies remain unclear, the use of this technique for assessing calcification rates in corals is not recommended without further investigations.

scholarly journals Temporal changes in reproductive success and optimal breeding decisions in a long-distance migratory bird

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Reséndiz-Infante ◽  
Gilles Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Breeding Phenology ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Seasonal Decline

AbstractMany avian migrants have not adjusted breeding phenology to climate warming resulting in negative consequences for their offspring. We studied seasonal changes in reproductive success of the greater snow goose (Anser caerulescens atlantica), a long-distance migrant. As the climate warms and plant phenology advances, the mismatch between the timing of gosling hatch and peak nutritive quality of plants will increase. We predicted that optimal laying date yielding highest reproductive success occurred earlier over time and that the seasonal decline in reproductive success increased. Over 25 years, reproductive success of early breeders increased by 42%, producing a steeper seasonal decline in reproductive success. The difference between the laying date producing highest reproductive success and the median laying date of the population increased, which suggests an increase in the selection pressure for that trait. Observed clutch size was lower than clutch size yielding the highest reproductive success for most laying dates. However, at the individual level, clutch size could still be optimal if the additional time required to acquire nutrients to lay extra eggs is compensated by a reduction in reproductive success due to a delayed laying date. Nonetheless, breeding phenology may not respond sufficiently to meet future environmental changes induced by warming temperatures.

scholarly journals Life history, climate and biogeography interactively affect worldwide genetic diversity of plant and animal populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. De Kort ◽  
J. G. Prunier ◽  
S. Ducatez ◽  
O. Honnay ◽  
M. Baguette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Life History ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Peripheral Populations ◽  
Plant Dispersal ◽  
Weak Support ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Conservation Genetic

AbstractUnderstanding how biological and environmental factors interactively shape the global distribution of plant and animal genetic diversity is fundamental to biodiversity conservation. Genetic diversity measured in local populations (GDP) is correspondingly assumed representative for population fitness and eco-evolutionary dynamics. For 8356 populations across the globe, we report that plants systematically display much lower GDP than animals, and that life history traits shape GDP patterns both directly (animal longevity and size), and indirectly by mediating core-periphery patterns (animal fecundity and plant dispersal). Particularly in some plant groups, peripheral populations can sustain similar GDP as core populations, emphasizing their potential conservation value. We further find surprisingly weak support for general latitudinal GDP trends. Finally, contemporary rather than past climate contributes to the spatial distribution of GDP, suggesting that contemporary environmental changes affect global patterns of GDP. Our findings generate new perspectives for the conservation of genetic resources at worldwide and taxonomic-wide scales.

scholarly journals Influence of cutting type and size on rooting of Lavandula dentata L

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Bona ◽  
I.R. Biasetto ◽  
M. Masetto ◽  
C. Deschamps ◽  
L.A. Biasi
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Vegetative Propagation ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
The Other ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Root Number ◽  
Polystyrene Foam ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Cutting Propagation ◽  
Superior Clones

Even though the Lavandula species may be propagated by seeds, it should not be the preferred propagation method because it causes a great lack of uniformity. On the other hand, asexually propagated lavender crops would provide more homogeneous crops, and clones from high quality plant material would increase the odds for obtaining a higher quality essential oil. However, problems such as poor rooting and restrict market availability for superior clones have been a problem in vegetative propagation of the Lavandula species. The objective of this work was to define which type and size of cutting is more adequate for cutting propagation of L. dentata, a very productive Lavandula species. Cuttings with 5, 8, 10 or 13 cm and from the apical or basal parts of stems cut from L. dentata stock plants were placed in Plantmax HT® filled polystyrene foam trays and kept under intermittent mist system for two months. Averages of root number, length of the longest root, fresh and dry root weight, and percentage of rooting were evaluated. Apical cuttings combined 97.9% rooting with an average of 13.2 roots per cutting and basal cuttings 93.7% rooting with 2.98 roots per cutting. Apical cuttings with at least 10 cm in length were considered the most adequate for cutting propagation of L. dentata.

scholarly journals The development of small scale farming: two cases from the Commonwealth Caribbean.

1968 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-274
Author(s):  
D.T. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
The Other ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Rapid Rate ◽  
The Face ◽  
Market Gardening ◽  
Commonwealth Caribbean ◽  
The Government

Two very different cases of small-scale farm development in the Commonwealth Caribbean are reviewed. One is Jamaican small farming, which responded little to considerable efforts made for its improvement by the Government agencies. The other is market gardening at Aranjuez, Trinidad where production grew at an extremely rapid rate in the face of intense and antagonistic competition between the market gardeners and without significant direct assistance by official agencies. The conclusions include a number of possible strategies for farm development, comprising individual or collective persuasion, coercion, creation of new farms, and environmental changes. T. A. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

scholarly journals RISKS OF THE EDUCATION

THE BULLETIN ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (390) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
R. Aetdinova ◽  
I. Maslova ◽  
Sh. Niyazbekova ◽  
O. Balabanova ◽  
Zh. Zhakiyanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Institution ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Quality Education ◽  
The Other ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Modern World ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Education ◽  
The One ◽  
The University

The article justifies for the need to identify and to keep track, in practice, of different groups of risks inherent in educational institutions under current conditions of pandemic and post-pandemic transformation of education under the influence of modern world uncertainty. Transformation of education functions in the epoch of digital economy changes the content and types of risks concomitant to the activities carried out by schools. Schools belong to the most conservative types of organizations. However, the environment in which schools operate is constantly changing. An educational institution, as any enterprise, has to engage in the activity aimed at risk management. Manifestation of the risk is, on the one hand, fraught with threats and damage, on the other hand, with opportunities. Assessment of possible threats and risks allows timely projection of undesirable results, creation of a system for situational response to unforeseen circumstances and, in the final analysis, formulation of a strategy for development of the university which would allow achievement of modern high quality education, its fundamentality and conformity to important topical requirements of the personality, society and state. Causes of developing risks characteristic of educational institutions are disclosed. External and internal risks characteristic of educational institutions, sources generating them and the importance of managing them are analyzed. The analysis of risks made reveals multi-varied threats and opportunities in the external and internal envi-ronment of the institution and their ability to have a significant effect on educational, organizational and financial activities of the schools.

scholarly journals Urine as a high-quality source of host genomic DNA from wild populations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew T. Ozga ◽  
Timothy H. Webster ◽  
Ian C. Gilby ◽  
Melissa A. Wilson ◽  
Rebecca S. Nockerts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Material ◽  
Population History ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Dental Calculus ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Allelic Dropout ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Animal Populations

AbstractThe ability to generate genomic data from wild animal populations has the potential to give unprecedented insight into the population history and dynamics of species in their natural habitats. However, in the case of many species, it is impossible legally, ethically, or logistically to obtain tissues samples of high-quality necessary for genomic analyses. In this study we evaluate the success of multiple sources of genetic material (feces, urine, dentin, and dental calculus) and several capture methods (shotgun, whole-genome, exome) in generating genome-scale data in wild eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) from Gombe National Park, Tanzania. We found that urine harbors significantly more host DNA than other sources, leading to broader and deeper coverage across the genome. Urine also exhibited a lower rate of allelic dropout. We found exome sequencing to be far more successful than both shotgun sequencing and whole-genome capture at generating usable data from low-quality samples such as feces and dental calculus. These results highlight urine as a promising and untapped source of DNA that can be noninvasively collected from wild populations of many species.

scholarly journals Análisis comparativo de los moluscos en la reserva de la biosfera Los Petenes y lagunas costeras del sureste de México

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia González-Solis ◽  
Daniel Torruco ◽  
Ángel D. Torruco-González
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Evaluation ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Study Data ◽  
The Other ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Terminos Lagoon ◽  
Multiple Uses ◽  
Trophic Chains

The phylum Mollusca is widely distributed in all types of environments. The species it contains are important for their multiple uses as food (as part of several trophic chains), as vectors of other groups of organisms, for the extraction of substances, and as sentinels ofnatural and induced environmental changes. In this work, a comparative evaluation of the malacological biodiversity associated with different habitats in the Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve in Campeche and in eight coastal water bodies in southeastern Mexico was performed.To obtain data comparable to those that were used in a previous study, data from the Los Petenes mollusks were obtained by collection of sediment cores 10 cm in diameter at a depth of 15 cm at 20 sites in different habitats every four months during 2014. For the other lagoons,records were obtained from various published sources. For Los Petenes, a total of 175 species and 12,850 individuals were recorded. The species Rissoella caribaea was the most common and the most abundant. Comparative evaluation of each of the habitats that coexist in this ecosystem did not show significant changes in abundance. Similarly, faunal associations exhibited a sea-land gradient, and although thedifferences in biomass were significant, species richness did not show the same pattern among habitats. The Los Petenes system as a whole exhibited some of the greatest biodiversity among the water bodies analyzed, and the Terminos lagoon showed the highest biodiversity (169and 175 species, respectively). In contrast, the Sabancuy estuary featured fauna records with a richness of 43 species; in the Tupilco-Ostión lagoon, only 62 species were recorded, and in the rest of the lagoons, the numbers of species were even lower.

scholarly journals Artistic Skills and Scientific Abilities in Architectural Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 143-152
Author(s):  
Adil Zamil Manshad Al-Saidi
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Architectural Education ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Art And Science ◽  
Educational Method ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The Impact

The integration between art and science is required for the student in the department of architecture. This paper concentrates on the importance of integration between artistic skills and scientific abilities for the student to achieve high quality level of learning in the department of architecture in Iraq. It analyses the criteria of the architectural education and the educational method used. It demonstrates the integration relationship between art, science and architecture. It follows a descriptive analyses methodology to investigate the skills and abilities required for the student to cope with the criteria of architectural education. It conducted a case study on students in the department of architecture in Iraq to explore the impact of having these skills and abilities on the student’s progression. It explains why a few students only graduate with high grades. The results obtained showed that the integration between artistic skills and scientific abilities is very important for the students. On the other hand, developing the artistic skills is harder than developing the scientific abilities in architectural education.

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