The role of beekeeping within agrarian and natural ecosystems

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (sup1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santi Longo
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ecosystems

The issue of radioactive contamination in context of ecosystem services development

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Chobotko ◽  
L. Raychuk ◽  
I. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
The State ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Type Region ◽  
State Register ◽  
Agrarian Policy ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
Radiation Contamination ◽  
Logical Research

The aim of the article was to defi ne the role of the radioactive environment contamination in the formation of ecosystem services strategy. Methods. Monographic, systemic and structural, factor analysis, abstract and logical research methods have been used. The data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, materials of scientifi c researches, international materials and reports and other literary sources on the issues investigated have been used as an information base. Results. Retrospective analysis of sources and state of radioactive eco- systems contamination was conducted and the priority steps in developing the concept of ecosystem services in conditions of radiation contamination were found. Conclusions. The current socio-ecological paradigm of the transition from environmental use to environmental management should be refl ected in the relevant envi- ronmental management mechanisms. Currently, when assessing the state of ecosystem services in Ukraine and worldwide one must take into account the changes in food demand of residents of radioactively contaminated areas, the exploitation of radioactively safe ecosystems growth, their overload and degradation. All of this re- quires an inventory of ecosystem services by type, region, consumers, etc. and the formation of a state register of ecosystem services with a clear assignment of area of responsibility for appropriate natural ecosystems. This will help to make the economic evaluation of different ecosystem services and mechanisms of charges for ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Recapitulation of the Function and Role of ROS Generated in Response to Heat Stress in Plants

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Emily Medina ◽  
Su-Hwa Kim ◽  
Miriam Yun ◽  
Won-Gyu Choi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Oxygen Species ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Signaling Molecule ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
Cell Compartments ◽  
Tropical Area

In natural ecosystems, plants are constantly exposed to changes in their surroundings as they grow, caused by a lifestyle that requires them to live where their seeds fall. Thus, plants strive to adapt and respond to changes in their exposed environment that change every moment. Heat stress that naturally occurs when plants grow in the summer or a tropical area adversely affects plants’ growth and poses a risk to plant development. When plants are subjected to heat stress, they recognize heat stress and respond using highly complex intracellular signaling systems such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS was previously considered a byproduct that impairs plant growth. However, in recent studies, ROS gained attention for its function as a signaling molecule when plants respond to environmental stresses such as heat stress. In particular, ROS, produced in response to heat stress in various plant cell compartments such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, plays a crucial role as a signaling molecule that promotes plant growth and triggers subsequent downstream reactions. Therefore, this review aims to address the latest research trends and understandings, focusing on the function and role of ROS in responding and adapting plants to heat stress.

scholarly journals Finance and Management for the Anthropocene

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Shrivastava ◽  
Laszlo Zsolnai ◽  
David Wasieleski ◽  
Mark Stafford-Smith ◽  
Thomas Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Planetary Boundaries ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Leverage Points

The Anthropocene era is characterized by a pronounced negative impact of human and social activities on natural ecosystems. To the extent finance, economics and management underlie human social activities, we need to reassess these fields and their role in achieving global sustainability. This article briefly presents the scientific evidence on accelerating impacts of human activities on nature, which have resulted in breach of planetary boundaries and onset of global climate change. It offers some potential leverage points for change toward sustainability stewardship by highlighting the important role of finance and economics in addressing climate change. We examine the role of financial stakeholders in addressing planetary boundaries and offer a modified stakeholder theory, from which we propose future directions for finance in the Anthropocene.

scholarly journals Environmental Role of National Parks

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molla Mekonnen Alemu
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Spiritual Values ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Access To Food

The natural ecosystems are endangered due to human behavior; the razing of forests is diminishing the world’s oxygen supply and potentially irreplaceable natural resources. Wetlands are being drained, eliminating breeding environments for millions of birds and reproducing grounds for fish; cherished fauna and flora species are being endangered from extinction. Clean water, clean air, access to food sources, buffers of weather events, cultural and spiritual values, and raw materials for consumers, are some of the ecosystem services that ensure the well-being of humanity. Well-managed protected areas are a proven mechanism in the protection and conservation of healthy ecosystems and the services they provide. National Parks are essentially planned to shelter the lasting "wilderness" of a given country and have principally dedicated on the maintenance of extraordinary areas or emblematic species. This paper is aimed at exploring the environmental role of national parks by having an extensive literature review and come up with recommendations which can help the conservation of national parks.

scholarly journals Predator diversity stabilizes and strengthens trophic control of a keystone grazer

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Griffin ◽  
Brian R. Silliman
Keyword(s):  
Effective Control ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Marsh Vegetation ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Insurance Hypothesis ◽  
Predator Diversity ◽  
Predation Rates ◽  
Species Deletion

Despite the global vulnerability of predators to extinction, and the critical functional role they play in many ecosystems, there have been few realistic tests of the consequences of predator species deletion (conversely, predator diversity) in natural ecosystems. We performed a four-month field experiment in a southeastern United States salt marsh to test the role of predatory crab diversity in regulating populations of a keystone grazer that can decimate marsh vegetation at high densities. Our results revealed that a combination of this system's two resident predator species, in comparison to individual species, both stabilize and strengthen predation rates on the potent grazer. Monthly monitoring of predation rates from intense, hot summer months into the cooler autumn indicate this diversity benefit arises from predators responding differentially to changing environmental conditions across seasons. This study provides some of the first experimental field support for the insurance hypothesis from marine ecosystems, suggests that predator temporal complementarity may be more common than currently perceived, and argues for conservation of predator diversity to ensure reliable and effective control of potentially habitat-destroying grazers.

scholarly journals Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as a potential tool for bioremediation of heavy metals in contaminated soil

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-228
Author(s):  
Herath BMMD ◽  
Madushan KWA ◽  
Lakmali JPD ◽  
Yapa PN
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Plant Roots ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Physical Methods ◽  
Potential Tool

Human activities have introduced large amounts of heavy metals into natural ecosystems in recent years. As a result, the accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids in plants, animals, and humans, which may have caused some health problems. Chemical and physical methods can remove the heavy metal in contaminated soil, but both are very expensive and ineffective. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are mutualistic symbionts in most plant roots. Furthermore, AMF are the essential mycorrhizae for phytoremediation, and the extensive hyphal network of them can increase the uptake of micro and macronutrients, water and heavy metals from the soil. However, AMF hyphae colonized in plant roots have an ability for compartmentalizing heavy metals inside plant roots. Furthermore, AMF hyphae are capable of secreting a glycoprotein, named glomalin, which can bind heavy metals and subsequently remove heavy metals absorbed by the plants from contaminated soil. Glomalin can develop the properties and structure of the soil, which helps to enhance soil fertility. This paper presents the role of AMF in the ecosystems and as potential tools for bioremediation of heavy metals in the soil.

scholarly journals Functional diversity: a key aspect in the provision of ecosystem services

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
JESÚS BALLESTEROS CORREA ◽  
JAIRO PÉREZ TORRES
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship

 Functional diversity is one of the crucial aspects of the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of ecosystem services. In this review paper, we analyze how biodiversity contributes to human well-being through the provision of goods and ecosystem services, and related aspects of ecological processes and their relationship with the functional diversity of ecosystems are presented. It aims to explain in a simple way, the concepts related to functional diversity, the importance of the functional groups and the role of functional traits of the species as a key element in the responses of organisms to environmental changes. Understanding the relationship between ecosystem processes, functional diversity of species and providing ecosystem services, allow better management of natural ecosystems and their biodiversity, enabling conservation and sustainable use of different types of services provided by ecosystems.

scholarly journals Tree diversity regulates forest pest invasion

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (15) ◽  
pp. 7382-7386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinfeng Guo ◽  
Songlin Fei ◽  
Kevin M. Potter ◽  
Andrew M. Liebhold ◽  
Jun Wen
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tree Diversity ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Invasion Success ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Forest Pest ◽  
Natural Ecosystems

Nonnative pests often cause cascading ecological impacts, leading to detrimental socioeconomic consequences; however, how plant diversity may influence insect and disease invasions remains unclear. High species diversity in host communities may promote pest invasions by providing more niches (i.e., facilitation), but it can also diminish invasion success because low host dominance may make it more difficult for pests to establish (i.e., dilution). Most studies to date have focused on small-scale, experimental, or individual pest/disease species, while large-scale empirical studies, especially in natural ecosystems, are extremely rare. Using subcontinental-level data, we examined the role of tree diversity on pest invasion across the conterminous United States and found that the tree-pest diversity relationships are hump-shaped. Pest diversity increases with tree diversity at low tree diversity (because of facilitation or amplification) and is reduced at higher tree diversity (as a result of dilution). Thus, tree diversity likely regulates forest pest invasion through both facilitation and dilution that operate simultaneously, but their relative strengths vary with overall diversity. Our findings suggest the role of native species diversity in regulating nonnative pest invasions.

Cooperation in a minimum-waste innovation ecosystem: a case study of the Czech Hemp Cluster

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindrich Spicka
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Ecological Guilds ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Innovation Ecosystem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Ecosystems

PurposeInnovation ecosystems face many environmental challenges. The literature review shows that innovation ecosystems accelerate innovation activity, but empirical studies have not provided enough case studies focusing on the minimum-waste business strategy as one aspect of the circular economy. Various forms of interaction between members occur in the innovation ecosystems, which determines the level of cooperation. This paper aims to show the structure and forms of cooperation in an innovation ecosystem using the Czech Hemp Cluster (CHC) and its surroundings and suggest research directions in the field of interaction between members in an innovation ecosystem. Although hemp is associated with the production and distribution of narcotics, it is a versatile plant supporting the minimum-waste business strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a theoretical part of a literature review of major scientific articles on innovation ecosystems from 2016 to 2021. The case study of the CHC and the hemp ecosystem is based on qualitative research in the form of a content analysis of the mission of the cluster members. In addition to content analysis, the classic multidimensional scaling method and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to reveal ecological guilds.FindingsThe case study highlighted the specific relationship between the cluster and the ecosystem. The cluster does not determine the ecosystem boundaries, but the ecosystem is a much broader system of cooperation and interaction between organisations. Clusters emerge after an ecosystem has existed for a particular time to coordinate collaboration and information between organisations and stakeholders. The analysis of the CHC revealed the specific role of non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the innovation ecosystem. NPOs are not engaged in primary functions in the value chain, but they provide supporting activities through coordinated networking, disseminating information on innovation, awareness-raising and stakeholder education. Compared to natural ecosystems, innovation ecosystems are typically characterised by higher forms of collaboration between members.Research limitations/implicationsAn exciting opportunity for research on innovation ecosystems is the ecological guilds taken from natural ecosystems and whose identification can help define the boundaries of innovation ecosystems. An opportunity for further research is the comparison of NPO-based and government-based clusters playing a central role in developing innovation ecosystems. Regarding the problematic generalisability of the case study to the entire agricultural production, a challenge is a search for minimum-waste business models in agriculture characterised by the biological nature of production.Originality/valueTheoretical and empirical studies have not yet considered innovation ecosystems in the minimum-waste context to a sufficient extent. The paper builds on previous scholarly studies focusing on innovation ecosystems and, for the first time, discusses the role of NPOs in the innovation ecosystem. The CHC case study adds a suitable minimum-waste business model to the still very scarce literature on sustainable innovation ecosystems. The article discusses the purpose and forms of cooperation in an innovation ecosystem, identifies a complementarity of roles in the innovation cluster and describes the interrelationship between the cluster and the ecosystem. Discussion of the ecosystem leader in the cluster-based innovation ecosystem shows the differences between Czech, Polish and German life science ecosystems.

The role of mycorrhizae in plant ecology

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 1005-1014 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. V. St. John ◽  
D. C. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae ◽  
Carbon Allocation ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Plant Ecology ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Organic Layer ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Mycorrhizal Roots

The effects of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) and ectomycorrhizae (ECM) on plant ecology are considered, with emphasis on four areas. The first of these is mycotrophy in wild plants. We suggest that many natives have lower nutrient demands than crop plants and may therefore be less responsive to mycorrhizal infection. Pot experiments must be interpreted with caution because their outcome is strongly influenced by such factors as soil type and pot size. The second topic is the role of mycorrhizae in competition. Mycorrhizae have been shown to figure in plant–plant competition for limited resources. Several lines of indirect evidence suggest that mycorrhizae are involved in allelopathic interactions between plants. Mycorrhizae could aid in competition between plants and microorganisms. Mycorrhizal roots are sometimes found in humus layers of the forest floor. It has been postulated that mycorrhizal fungi influence the decomposition of plant detritus. The most important role of mycorrhizal roots in the organic layer may be, in many cases, a close physical association with the most nutrient-rich microsites of the heterogeneous soil volume. The ability to allocate absorbing tissue to localized organic matter zones has been documented for roots of forest trees and for hyphae of VAM fungi. The advantageous physical placement may result in greater nutrient acquisition for the plant than would occur if root and hyphal distribution were random. Third, the occurrence of mycorrhizae in natural communities has not frequently been documented in ways that show the abundance of infection in the whole community. Future surveys in natural ecosystems should include a measure of the relative abundance of the major plant species in the community. The final topic is carbon allocation to the symbiosis. We suggest that estimates for VAM from a few percent to ~50% of gross photosynthesis can be reconciled to some extent by considering the dynamic processes of root and mycelial turnover.

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