scholarly journals Predicting pre-Columbian anthropogenic soils in Amazonia

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1777) ◽  
pp. 20132475 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. McMichael ◽  
M. W. Palace ◽  
M. B. Bush ◽  
B. Braswell ◽  
S. Hagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Soil Characteristics ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Anthropogenic Soils ◽  
Terra Preta ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lowland Amazonia

The extent and intensity of pre-Columbian impacts on lowland Amazonia have remained uncertain and controversial. Various indicators can be used to gauge the impact of pre-Columbian societies, but the formation of nutrient-enriched terra preta soils has been widely accepted as an indication of long-term settlement and site fidelity. Using known and newly discovered terra preta sites and maximum entropy algorithms (Maxent), we determined the influence of regional environmental conditions on the likelihood that terra pretas would have been formed at any given location in lowland Amazonia. Terra pretas were most frequently found in central and eastern Amazonia along the lower courses of the major Amazonian rivers. Terrain, hydrologic and soil characteristics were more important predictors of terra preta distributions than climatic conditions. Our modelling efforts indicated that terra pretas are likely to be found throughout ca 154 063 km 2 or 3.2% of the forest. We also predict that terra preta formation was limited in most of western Amazonia. Model results suggested that the distribution of terra preta was highly predictable based on environmental parameters. We provided targets for future archaeological surveys under the vast forest canopy and also highlighted how few of the long-term forest inventory sites in Amazonia are able to capture the effects of historical disturbance.

DOES HARMFUL CLIMATE INCREASE OR DECREASE MIGRATION? EVIDENCE FROM RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGERIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 1950013
Author(s):  
CRISTINA CATTANEO ◽  
EMANUELE MASSETTI
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Adaptation Strategy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Migrant Households ◽  
The Impact

This paper analyzes whether migration is an adaptation strategy that households employ to cope with climate in Nigeria. We estimate our model using the cross-sectional variation in climate and long-term migration decisions because we are interested in the average response to long-term climatic conditions. For households that operate farms, we find that the relationship between climate and migration is nonlinear. In particular, climates closer to ideal farming conditions are associated with a higher propensity to migrate, whereas in the least favorable climatic conditions, the propensity to migrate declines. The marginal effect of rainfall and temperature changes on migration varies by season. We estimate the impact of climate change on the number of migrant households in 2031–2060 and 2071–2100, ceteris paribus. With current population levels, climate change generates between 3.6 and 6.3 million additional migrants, most of them being internal. However, these estimates are not statistically significant.

scholarly journals Material Contact and Environmental Effects on Vitamin A Fortified Vegetable Frying Oil

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 29-33
Author(s):  
Sukmo Wening ◽  
Dewi Yuliyanti Andayani ◽  
Latifun Jayanti ◽  
Isti Christianti ◽  
Karyanto Mulyono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Frying Oil ◽  
Linear Low Density Polyethylene ◽  
Commercial Grade ◽  
Material Contact ◽  
The Impact

Observations about the impact of environmental parameters and time, on fortified vegetable oil, using typical commercial grade linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) packaging during typical shelf-life conditions, are minimal. We tested the long-term (12 months) impact of temperature and illuminance (light: 100 to 150 lux and darkness <1 lux) on refined bleached deodorized palm olein (RBDPOL), fortified with vitamin A, and without antioxidant. Results showed degradation of fortified RBDPOL with 70 ppm vitamin A was  approximately 19% at 18-22oC in Light, 18% at 18-22oC in Darkness, 38% at 32-33oC in light and 24% 32-33oC in darkness. A similar trend was observed at 45 ppm vitamin A. Exposure to both heat and light impacted vitamin A degradation, but was primarily attributed to prolonged exposure at elevated temperature, irrespective of the packaging material. This short study validates extensive research by Silalahi et al., (2017), doi:10.1111/ijfs.13462 on the impact of environmental effects of fortified vegetable frying oil, during extensive storage life periods.

scholarly journals Economic-Engineering Modelling of the Buildings Sector to Study the Transition towards Deep Decarbonisation in the EU

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 2745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fotiou ◽  
Vita ◽  
Capros
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Electric Heating ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mathematical Framework ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

The paper presents a newly developed economic-engineering model of the buildings sector and its implementation for all the European Union (EU) Member States (MS), designed to study in detail ambitious energy efficiency strategies and policies, in the context of deep decarbonisation in the long term. The model has been used to support the impact assessment study that accompanied the European Commission’s communication “A Clear Planet for All”, in November 2018. The model covers all EU countries with a fine resolution of building types, and represents agent decision-making in a complex and dynamic economic-engineering mathematical framework. Emphasis is given to behaviours driving the energy renovation of buildings and the ensuing choice of equipment for heating and cooling. The model represents several market and non-market policies that can influence energy decisions in buildings and promote deep energy renovation. Moreover, the paper presents key applications for supporting policies targeting ambitious reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions in buildings across Europe. The results illustrate that the achievement of ambitious energy-efficiency targets in the long-term heavily depends on pursuing a fast and extensive renovation of existing buildings, at annual rates between 1.21% and 1.77% for the residential sector and between 0.92% to 1.35% for the services sector. In both cases, the renovation rates are far higher past trends. Strong policies aimed at removing non-market barriers are deemed necessary. Electrification constitutes a reasonable choice for deeply renovated buildings and, as a result, almost 50% of households chooses electric heating over gas heating in the long term. However, heat pumps need to exploit further their learning potential to be economical and implementable for the various climatic conditions in Europe. The results also show that the cost impacts are modest even if renovation and decarbonisation in buildings develop ambitiously in the EU. The reduced energy bills due to energy savings can almost offset the increasing capital expenditures. Fundraising difficulties and the cost of capital are, however, of concern.

Pesticide Runoff from Paddy Field and Its Impact on Receiving Water

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 69-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Li ◽  
J. Migita
Keyword(s):  
Paddy Field ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Dynamic Factors ◽  
Pesticide Runoff ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pesticide Usage

A mathematical model is developed to predict the runoff of pesticides from paddy field to a river. The model describes the long term runoff as a function of physical-chemical properties of pesticides, cultural practices and climatic conditions. It is assumed that the adsorption and desorption of pesticides between soil and water phases are in equilibrium state, while the degradation in water and soil and the evaporation from water to atmosphere are of first-order reaction. The model is used to examine the relationships between the seasonal amounts of pesticide runoff and their environmental dynamic factors. A four-stage evaluation system is proposed to assess the impact of the runoff on drinking water by taking into account the amount of application, runoff ratio, toxicity and the possibility of being removed from raw water by water purification processes. The model simulates the daily variation of contaminant level in river water, thereby providing a basis for making recommendations for pesticide usage and water management for rice cultivation.

THE IMPACT OF AERIAL FENITROTHION SPRAYING UPON THE POPULATION BIOLOGY OF BUMBLE BEES (BOMBUS LATR.: HYM.) IN SOUTH-WESTERN NEW BRUNSWICK

1978 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1145-1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Plowright ◽  
B. A. Pendrel ◽  
I. A. McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Dense Forest ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAerially sprayed fenitrothion (0.21 kg/ha) caused mortalities from 100% among experimentally caged bees in exposed habitats to 47% in cages placed under dense forest canopy. Bumble bees found foraging in sprayed areas during the days immediately following the spray suffered significantly higher subsequent mortality than those in unsprayed areas.Long-term effects were investigated by comparing late summer Bombus population densities among sites representing various spray histories. For all species combined, abundances in unsprayed areas averaged 3 times higher than in fenitrothion treated areas. Population recovery appeared to be complete within a few years after discontinuation of spraying.Foraging performance by laboratory reared colonies was significantly higher in sprayed areas with reduced bee populations than in a control area, possibly because of relaxation of competitive stress. The diversity of plant species used for pollen collection was nearly twice as great in the control as compared with sprayed areas, suggesting that the effect of fenitrothion spraying on cross-pollination may be greatest for plants which are subdominant in the hierarchy of bee preference In one such plant, red clover, reduced seed-set was demonstrated.

scholarly journals The potential to characterize ecological data with terrestrial laser scanning in Harvard Forest, MA

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 20170044 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Orwig ◽  
P. Boucher ◽  
I. Paynter ◽  
E. Saenz ◽  
Z. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Forest Ecology ◽  
Terrestrial Laser Scanning ◽  
Adelges Tsugae ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Harvard Forest ◽  
The Impact

Contemporary terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is being used widely in forest ecology applications to examine ecosystem properties at increasing spatial and temporal scales. Harvard Forest (HF) in Petersham, MA, USA, is a long-term ecological research (LTER) site, a National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) location and contains a 35 ha plot which is part of Smithsonian Institution's Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO). The combination of long-term field plots, eddy flux towers and the detailed past historical records has made HF very appealing for a variety of remote sensing studies. Terrestrial laser scanners, including three pioneering research instruments: the Echidna Validation Instrument, the Dual-Wavelength Echidna Lidar and the Compact Biomass Lidar, have already been used both independently and in conjunction with airborne laser scanning data and forest census data to characterize forest dynamics. TLS approaches include three-dimensional reconstructions of a plot over time, establishing the impact of ice storm damage on forest canopy structure, and characterizing eastern hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis ) canopy health affected by an invasive insect, the hemlock woolly adelgid ( Adelges tsugae ). Efforts such as those deployed at HF are demonstrating the power of TLS as a tool for monitoring ecological dynamics, identifying emerging forest health issues, measuring forest biomass and capturing ecological data relevant to other disciplines. This paper highlights various aspects of the ForestGEO plot that are important to current TLS work, the potential for exchange between forest ecology and TLS, and emphasizes the strength of combining TLS data with long-term ecological field data to create emerging opportunities for scientific study.

scholarly journals Herbaria as Functional Trait Databases

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e25766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofie Meeus
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Functional Trait ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Forest Community ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Water Losses ◽  
Climatological Data ◽  
The Impact

Although tropical rainforests play an important role in regulating the world’s climate, they are at the same time particularly vulnerable to changes in the climate. Intense and prolonged droughts, for instance, can lead to biomass loss which will further accelerate these changes. Especially for tree species it becomes problematic, due to their long lifespan, to quickly adapt to or evade unfavorable climatic conditions affecting the composition of the forest community as a whole and consequently the ecosystem services that the rainforests provide. A long-term drying trend currently threatens tropical regions worldwide but is especially strong in the central African rainforest, the second-largest rainforest on Earth. The impact of this decrease in precipitation on the vegetation is, however, still largely unknown due to the limited amount of historical eco-climatological data. Fortunately, these kind of data do exist albeit in a poorly accessible (analog) format in herbarium collections. To investigate if trees show changes in morphology and/or physiology invoked by climatic changes in the last century, the COBECORE team (Congo Basin Eco-Climatological Data Recovery and Valorization”) is exploring the usability of herbaria as potential sources of plant leaf functional trait data using established protocols adjusted to dried leaf material. Photosynthesis as well as gas exchange and transpiration are processes regulated by a plant’s leaves, and depend on the specific leaf area (SLA) and the number and size of the stomata. The less area the latter structures occupy on the leaf the less the plant will suffer from water losses which increases the resistance to drought of plants. We explored the recently digitized African Herbarium of the Botanic Garden Meise which contains over 1.2 million African specimens with a very good coverage of the Congo Basin, dating back to 1880. Currently, we obtained average SLA measurements for 833 herbarium specimens from 59 of the most common tree species of central African rainforests. Pictures for stomata counts and size measurements were taken from over one hundred specimens mainly focused on three Prioria species, giant tree species (up to 60 metres) currently suffering from overexploitation. The data generated in this project will be valuable to understand some lower-level vegetation responses such as plant water use needed to model and predict long-term climate change impacts on vegetation.

The influence of dispersible clay and wetting/drying cycles on the tensile strength of a red-brown earth

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
BD Kay ◽  
AR Dexter
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Subsequent Increase ◽  
Natural Aggregates ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Dispersible Clay

The tensile strength of aggregates is a dynamic property under field conditions and for any given soil reflects the integration of processes leading to a strengthening and weakening of failure zones. The objectives of this study were to determine if variation in the tensile strength of natural aggregates from a red-brown earth could be related to the combined effects of (a) conditions favouring dispersion of clay and a subsequent increase in strength by cementation on drying and (b) wetting/drying cycles which would result in a decrease in strength. Aggregates were collected from the A horizon of different long-term rotations. The seasonal variation in tensile strength was assessed using data collected in 1988 and unpublished data which had been collected annually between 1978 and 1981. Trends in tensile strength over 5 years confirmed the importance of an interaction between climatic conditions which could lead to increased dispersion of clay and wetting/drying cycles. The extent of weakening of failure zones by wetting/drying cycles varied with the rotation. The nature of the impact of cropping history on tensile strength was dependent on antecedent climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Long-Term Performance Analysis Using TRNSYS Software of Hybrid Systems with PV-T

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 6921
Author(s):  
Sebastian Pater
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
One Year ◽  
Systems Simulation ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance ◽  
The Impact

A hybrid photovoltaic-thermal collector (PV-T) with the capability to produce thermal energy and electrical energy simultaneously has attracted the attention of researchers, especially in terms of improving PV-T performance. This study analyses the work of four model installations with PV-T and other devices built in the transient systems simulation program. The novelty of this article lies in a long-term approach to the operation of PV-T panels under selected climatic conditions. Influence of the installation’s configuration on the obtained temperatures of solar cells, and, in consequence, on electric power generated by PV-T and the amount of heat produced during one year in a selected location is presented. Among others, the impact of the temperature coefficient of photovoltaic cells for long-term PV-T operation was analyzed in the paper. The results showed that the type of cell used may decrease the yearly electric energy production from PV-T even by 7%. On the other hand, intensification of the process of heat reception from PV-T using a heat pump increased this production by 6% in relation to the base model. The obtained research results indicate possible methods for improving the effectiveness of PV-T operation in a long-term aspect.

scholarly journals Influence of climatic conditions on fire risk in Djerdap National Park (Serbia): A case study of September 2011

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5 Part A) ◽  
pp. 2845-2855
Author(s):  
Stanimir Zivanovic ◽  
Ivana Tosic
Keyword(s):  
Forest Fires ◽  
National Park ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Using Data ◽  
June July ◽  
The Impact

The Djerdap National Park in Serbia is vulnerable to fires. The variability of a fire in the Djerdap National Park is studied depending on the impact of climatic conditions. The influence was investigated on a yearly, monthly, and daily basis using data recorded at the meteorological station Veliko Gradiste. Data were analyzed for two periods: 1961-1990 and 1991-2017, and for the year of 2011. Special attention is devoted to the conditions for the emergence of the largest forest fire in the Djerdap National Park in September 2011. In this study, the Angstrom index, the Nesterov index, and method of deficit and surplus of precipitation are used to predict the risk of fire. There was an increased danger of fire in the forests in the period of 1991-2017 compared to the period of 1961-1990. Indices showing fire risk are increased for the months of June, July, and August. The September 2011 is characterized by an increase of average monthly air temperature by 3.7?C and a reduction of the total monthly rainfall of 32.3 mm compared to a long-term average value which favorable influenced to the occurrence of large forest fires.

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