Direct and indirect effects of pollution on the foraging behaviour of forest passerines during the breeding season

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lluís Brotons ◽  
Marc Magrans ◽  
Lluís Ferrús ◽  
Jacint Nadal

Direct and indirect effects of acid deposition on the foraging behaviour of three forest passerine species, the Crested Tit (Parus cristatus), Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus), and Coal Tit (P. ater), during the breeding season were studied. In two areas, one affected by pollution from a nearby coal-fired power station and the other unaffected by pollution, we measured needle density and arthropod availability on tree branches; both factors are recognised as affecting the foraging behaviour of forest birds. Tree-site use and movement patterns of birds searching for prey were also determined in both areas. Branch needle density was lower in the polluted area, as were densities of the main arthropod groups found on needled twigs (Homoptera and Aranae); however, the total abundance of arthropods did not differ between the areas, and some groups even seemed to increase slightly in abundance in the polluted area. Bird behaviour differed between zones in both tree-site use and foraging activities. The Coal Tit showed the greatest number of differences between the areas. The three species showed lower pecking and higher vigilance rates in the polluted area. Higher vigilance rates are interpreted as a response to a higher predation risk due to thinned canopies in polluted forests. The results are discussed in relation to species' breeding performance and ecology. It is concluded that, through increasing levels of stress, the indirect effects of pollution have a negative impact on bird foraging behaviour during the breeding season.

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-265
Author(s):  
Lana Batinić ◽  
Marina Merkaš

The aim of the paper was to examine the direct and indirect effect of economic adjustment on the emotional and behavioural school engagement of children, through parental punishment. The direct and indirect effects were examined depending on the gender of the child and the parent, and the source of the assessment of the examined constructs. Based on theoretical models, namely the Adams's and Ryan Family–School Relationships Model (2005), the Conger's and colleges Family Stress Model (2010), and the model of Yoshikawa and colleges (2012), hypothesis has been postulated about the existence of significant indirect but not the direct effect of the economic adjustment on the school engagement of boys and girls. In this paper, the data collected from 285 schoolchildren and their parents analysed. Children assessed punishment of the father and of the mother, and their school engagement and parents provided information on the economic adjustment. Using the Hayes's (2013) mediation process analysis, eight models were tested with direct and indirect effects of the economic adjustment on school engagement of the children. The results partly supported the hypothesis of the existence of significant indirect but not direct effects of economic adjustment on school engagement. The obtained results indicate that the effect of economic adjustment on school engagement of boys is only indirect, namely through parental punishment, while in girls the economic adjustment is both directly and indirectly related to school engagement. In boys, the adverse effect of economic adjustment on school engagement is realized through the behaviour of both mothers and fathers, while in girls only with the relation to maternal behaviour. The results indicate the significant and negative impact of the economic adjustment on school engagement of children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shurui Zhang ◽  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Lingran Yuan ◽  
Xiaoguang Liu ◽  
Binlei Gong

PurposeThis article investigates the mechanism of the direct and indirect effects of epidemics on agricultural production and projects the impact of COVID-19 on agricultural output in China.Design/methodology/approachThis article first adopts a dynamic panel model and spatial Durbin model to estimate the direct and indirect effects, followed by a growth accounting method to identify the channels by which epidemics affect agriculture; finally, it projects the overall impact of COVID-19 on agriculture.FindingsThe incidence rate of epidemics in a province has a negative impact on that province's own agricultural productivity, but the increase in the input factors (land, fertilizer and machinery) can make up for the loss and thus lead to insignificant direct effects. However, this “input-offset-productivity” mechanism fails to radiate to the surrounding provinces and therefore leads to significant indirect/spillover effects. It is projected that COVID-19 will lower China's agricultural growth rate by 0.4%–2.0% in 2020 under different scenarios.Research limitations/implicationsIt is crucial to establish a timely disclosure and sharing system of epidemic information across provinces, improve the support and resilience of agricultural production in the short run and accelerate the process of agricultural modernization in the long run.Originality/valueConsidering the infectivity of epidemics, this article evaluates the mechanism of the direct and indirect effects by introducing a spatial dynamic model into the growth accounting framework. Moreover, besides the impact on input portfolio and productivity, this article also investigates whether epidemics reshape agricultural production processes due to panic effects and control measures.


Oecologia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 149 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul L. E. Bodelier ◽  
Maayke Stomp ◽  
Luis Santamaria ◽  
Marcel Klaassen ◽  
Hendrikus J. Laanbroek

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 999
Author(s):  
María Guadalupe Pizano-Escalante ◽  
Luis Miguel Anaya-Esparza ◽  
Karla Nuño ◽  
José de Jesús Rodríguez-Romero ◽  
Sughey Gonzalez-Torres ◽  
...  

Frailty is a state of vulnerability to stressors because of a decreased physiological reserve, resulting in poor health outcomes. This state is related to chronic conditions, many of which are risk factors for outcomes in elderly patients having SARS-COV-2. This review aims to describe frailty as a physiological vulnerability agent during the COVID-19 pandemic in elderly patients, summarizing the direct and indirect effects caused by the SARS-COV-2 infection and its prognosis in frail individuals, as well as the interventions and recommendations to reduce their effects. Cohort studies have shown that patients with a Clinical Frailty Scale higher than five have a higher risk of mortality and use of mechanical ventilation after COVID-19; nonetheless, other scales have also associated frailty with longer hospital stays and more severe forms of the disease. Additionally, the indirect effects caused by the pandemic have a negative impact on the health status of older people. Due to the above, a holistic intervention is proposed based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment for frail patients (preventive or post-infection) with emphasis on physical activity and nutritional recommendations, which could be a potential preventive intervention in viral infections by COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Rhys Jenkins

The chapter considers three key aspects of China’s economic impact on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). First, the direct and indirect effects of increased Chinese demand for commodities, which benefitted a number of SSA economies in the short and medium term, are looked at. China’s major contribution to development in the region has been through financing and building infrastructure. Finally, the impact on SSA manufacturing is analyzed. Despite concerns about the negative impact on domestic industry, it only appears to be a major problem in South Africa. However, optimistic views of the potential for Chinese firms to contribute to industrialization in the region appear over-optimistic. The chapter also includes case studies of the impact of China’s economic involvement in Angola, Ethiopia, and South Africa, which represent three different types of Sino-African relations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mor saban ◽  
Vicky Myers ◽  
Osnat Luxenburng ◽  
Rachel Wilf-miron

Abstract Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in almost every aspect of life. The fatal consequences of the pandemic have been clearly reported, with direct and indirect effects; however, there is some evidence of a positive secondary impact, such as fewer motor accidents and reduced air pollution. Methods. We present a model to describe the opposing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality, taking into account external pressures and internal resources and their relationship with resilience and health behaviors, which affect mortality risk. Individuals with lower resources and from more deprived communities are likely to be more negatively affected by the external changes occurring. Results. The COVID-19 pandemic has had both a positive and negative impact on mortality. Conclusions. Decision makers should consider ways to incorporate the positive changes which occurred as part of the exit strategy. Special emphasis should be given to populations most affected by external changes, in order to build resilience and reduce disparities.


2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana M. Binder ◽  
Martin J. Bourgeois ◽  
Christine M. Shea Adams

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