scholarly journals Designed Ecologies: Breaking away from islandised conservation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elvina Quartermain
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New Era ◽  
Warming Climate ◽  
Vital Component ◽  
National Significance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Productive Landscapes

<p>This research investigates the role of designed ecologies in the management of our ecosystems and natural resources. It argues that society has adopted a ‘protectionist’ approach toward the planning of our landscapes which in turn has had a detrimental effect on the integration between conservation and occupation. The topic of diminishing landscapes has become increasingly more apparent within recent years and has had a significant contribution toward such approach. With concerns around global warming, climate change and an increase in population, methods of counteraction toward the decline of our native species has become of fundamental importance. It is evident that ecosystems and natural resources provide a vital component toward our livability and therefore planning their resilience is crucial. Various policies have been established to constrain and restrict development in order to protect these ecologies, often within areas of national significance e.g. national parks. These implications have proven to be successful in their intention however, the focus of concern lies in the lack of integral thinking on approach to these spaces. Conservation, as it stands, is weighted significantly toward the islandisation of areas with little to no interaction or benefit to those who are expected to protect them. Looking toward theories centered around productive landscapes and the balance of untouched nature verse those that are interpreted, this research seeks understanding of compromise and compliment. It aims to define a new design approach which 1) engages with traditional aims to ensure our enjoyment of these ecologies is sustained for future generations, and 2) makes more efficient use of such asset in the way these spaces are utilised on a day to day basis. Four different approach methods have been tested and are outlined as follows in an attempt to determine a framework for integration. Though the following was formulated from a design perspective, the critique should not be constricted to simply one discipline but instigate a dialogue of discussion between architects, planners, ecologists, environmentalists, politicians and so forth. These methods should be critiqued on the success of integration between conservation and occupation in order to establish a design process which enables hybridised ecologies to coexist and function simultaneously. Successful implications of such model will use landscape architecture as a means to breathe new life back into these spaces, breaking away from islandised conservation and into a new era of dual functioning resilient outcomes.</p>

scholarly journals Designed Ecologies: Breaking away from islandised conservation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elvina Quartermain
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Native Species ◽  
New Era ◽  
Warming Climate ◽  
Vital Component ◽  
National Significance ◽  
And Function ◽  
Productive Landscapes

<p>This research investigates the role of designed ecologies in the management of our ecosystems and natural resources. It argues that society has adopted a ‘protectionist’ approach toward the planning of our landscapes which in turn has had a detrimental effect on the integration between conservation and occupation. The topic of diminishing landscapes has become increasingly more apparent within recent years and has had a significant contribution toward such approach. With concerns around global warming, climate change and an increase in population, methods of counteraction toward the decline of our native species has become of fundamental importance. It is evident that ecosystems and natural resources provide a vital component toward our livability and therefore planning their resilience is crucial. Various policies have been established to constrain and restrict development in order to protect these ecologies, often within areas of national significance e.g. national parks. These implications have proven to be successful in their intention however, the focus of concern lies in the lack of integral thinking on approach to these spaces. Conservation, as it stands, is weighted significantly toward the islandisation of areas with little to no interaction or benefit to those who are expected to protect them. Looking toward theories centered around productive landscapes and the balance of untouched nature verse those that are interpreted, this research seeks understanding of compromise and compliment. It aims to define a new design approach which 1) engages with traditional aims to ensure our enjoyment of these ecologies is sustained for future generations, and 2) makes more efficient use of such asset in the way these spaces are utilised on a day to day basis. Four different approach methods have been tested and are outlined as follows in an attempt to determine a framework for integration. Though the following was formulated from a design perspective, the critique should not be constricted to simply one discipline but instigate a dialogue of discussion between architects, planners, ecologists, environmentalists, politicians and so forth. These methods should be critiqued on the success of integration between conservation and occupation in order to establish a design process which enables hybridised ecologies to coexist and function simultaneously. Successful implications of such model will use landscape architecture as a means to breathe new life back into these spaces, breaking away from islandised conservation and into a new era of dual functioning resilient outcomes.</p>

Ecology of Mammals of the Shortgrass Steppe

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Stapp ◽  
Beatrice Van Horne
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Shortgrass Steppe ◽  
Prairie Dogs ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Patterns And Processes ◽  
And Function

At first glance, the shortgrass steppe seems to offer little in the way of habitat for mammals. The expansive rolling plains, with little topographic relief or vegetative cover, provide minimal protection from predators or the harsh weather typical of the region. The short stature of the dominant native grasses prevents the development of any significant litter layer, and although snowfall can often be significant, too little accumulates to form the subnivean habitats that support small mammal populations in forests and more productive grasslands in winter. As a consequence, ecologists have typically considered the vertebrate fauna of the shortgrass steppe to be depauperate compared with other Great Plains grasslands, a hardy collection of generalists living in sparse populations. Although this characterization may generally be accurate, it has led mammalian ecologists to overlook the fauna of the shortgrass steppe in favor of that of other grasslands. It is precisely these circumstances, however, that suggest that a long-term approach may be necessary to understand the dynamics of mammal populations here. Relatively few such studies have been completed to date, but we can use the comparative and experimental results that are available to begin to determine what factors might be important. Here we review research on mammals in the shortgrass steppe, with the goal of identifying the general patterns and processes that contribute to them. Our review is roughly divided into four parts. We begin by describing the mammal communities and their broad habitat associations in shortgrass steppe environments. We then review the history of mammal research in the region to synthesize what these studies (many unpublished) have taught us about the most important determinants of the distribution and abundance of native species. Studies of mammal\ populations in the northern shortgrass steppe have spanned nearly 40 years, and we next describe some major patterns that have emerged from studies during this period. Much of this past research focused on the role of mammals in the structure and function of shortgrass steppe ecosystems, and we revisit this issue in some detail, with special emphasis on the important and sometimes controversial role of prairie dogs and other burrowing rodents. Finally, we end by considering how humans, and especially agriculture and its related activities, affect the diversity, abundance, and persistence of resident mammal populations.

The role of biotic interactions in invasion ecology: theories and hypotheses.

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-44
Author(s):  
Cang Hui ◽  
◽  
Pietro Landi ◽  
Guillaume Latombe ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Evolutionary Games ◽  
Invasion Ecology ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Ecological Fitting ◽  
And Function

Changes in biotic interactions in the native and invaded range can enable a non-native species to establish and spread in novel environments. Invasive non-native species can in turn generate impacts in recipient systems partly through the changes they impose on biotic interactions; these interactions can lead to altered ecosystem processes in the recipient systems. This chapter reviews models, theories and hypotheses on how invasion performance and impact of introduced species in recipient ecosystems can be conjectured according to biotic interactions between native and non-native species. It starts by exploring the nature of biotic interactions as ensembles of ecological and evolutionary games between individuals of both the same and different groups. This allows us to categorize biotic interactions as direct and indirect (i.e. those involving more than two species) that emerge from both coevolution and ecological fitting during community assembly and invasion. We then introduce conceptual models that can reveal the ecological and evolutionary dynamics between interacting non-native and resident species in ecological networks and communities. Moving from such theoretical grounding, we review 20 hypotheses that have been proposed in invasion ecology to explain the invasion performance of a single non-native species, and seven hypotheses relating to the creation and function of assemblages of non-native species within recipient ecosystems. We argue that, although biotic interactions are ubiquitous and quintessential to the assessment of invasion performance, they are nonetheless difficult to detect and measure due to strength dependency on sampling scales and population densities, as well as the non-equilibrium transient dynamics of ecological communities and networks. We therefore call for coordinated efforts in invasion science and beyond, to devise and review approaches that can rapidly map out the entire web of dynamic interactions in a recipient ecosystem.

scholarly journals Prospects and criteria of protected areas in the Lviv region

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Ukrainets ◽  
R. P. Paranyak ◽  
O. P. Suchorska
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Geographical Position ◽  
And Function ◽  
Environmental Network ◽  
Role And Function

The use and forms of ecological and economic assessment of protected sites and areas in the Lviv region are analysed . The functional nature of the object value determining is indicated and the long–term plans to increase reserve indicator area is noted. The role and function of the object depends on its type and category. In Lviv region the most common (with respect to area) are national parks, regional landscape parks and nature reserves. Designing of protected objects is conducted mainly with account of their inclusion in the ecological network. Because of its multifunctions nature the  national parks are a promising direction for the development and expansion of natural reserve fund. Objects that are created must be environmentally effective and economically justified. The role of the recreational function of the parks increases while choosing the directions of development. Formation of new units in this category of protected areas should take place, taking into account a number of criteria: environmental, economic, logistic and environment–psychological. National parks in regional environmental network segment will promote the development of sustainable tourism in the region and will form a positive image of the region for recreation Lviv region using its unique geographical position.

scholarly journals Imaging myocardial ischemia: from emerging techniques to state-of-the-art

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akos Varga-Szemes ◽  
Pal Suranyi
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Ischemia ◽  
Tissue Characterization ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
New Era ◽  
Myocardial Tissue Characterization ◽  
Cardiac Volumes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Constant Improvement ◽  
Single Modality

AbstractThe widespread clinical use of cardiovascular imaging inspires constant improvement in imaging technology and post-processing applications. Recent advances in hardware and software have brought about important developments in the assessment of myocardial ischemia such as the rapid evaluation of cardiac volumes and function, ability for detection of subtle myocardial changes, and the combination of anatomic and functional assessment of a coronary artery stenosis via a single modality, which was previously not possible in a noninvasive fashion. These milestones indicate the start of a new era, a paradigm shift that broadens the role of noninvasive imaging. The thematic series Myocardial tissue characterization in ischemic heart disease introduces a set of narrative review and original articles by world renowned authors demonstrating such novel advancements and the state-of-the-art techniques in cardiac imaging.

The role of biotic interactions in invasion ecology: theories and hypotheses.

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-44
Author(s):  
Cang Hui ◽  
Pietro Landi ◽  
Guillaume Latombe
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Evolutionary Games ◽  
Invasion Ecology ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Ecological Fitting ◽  
And Function

Abstract Changes in biotic interactions in the native and invaded range can enable a non-native species to establish and spread in novel environments. Invasive non-native species can in turn generate impacts in recipient systems partly through the changes they impose on biotic interactions; these interactions can lead to altered ecosystem processes in the recipient systems. This chapter reviews models, theories and hypotheses on how invasion performance and impact of introduced species in recipient ecosystems can be conjectured according to biotic interactions between native and non-native species. It starts by exploring the nature of biotic interactions as ensembles of ecological and evolutionary games between individuals of both the same and different groups. This allows us to categorize biotic interactions as direct and indirect (i.e. those involving more than two species) that emerge from both coevolution and ecological fitting during community assembly and invasion. We then introduce conceptual models that can reveal the ecological and evolutionary dynamics between interacting non-native and resident species in ecological networks and communities. Moving from such theoretical grounding, we review 20 hypotheses that have been proposed in invasion ecology to explain the invasion performance of a single non-native species, and seven hypotheses relating to the creation and function of assemblages of non-native species within recipient ecosystems. We argue that, although biotic interactions are ubiquitous and quintessential to the assessment of invasion performance, they are nonetheless difficult to detect and measure due to strength dependency on sampling scales and population densities, as well as the non-equilibrium transient dynamics of ecological communities and networks. We therefore call for coordinated efforts in invasion science and beyond, to devise and review approaches that can rapidly map out the entire web of dynamic interactions in a recipient ecosystem.

Scanning electron microscopic study of collagen fibrillogenesis and extracellular compartmentalization in the chick embryo tendon

1986 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 208-209
Author(s):  
Grace C.H. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Chick Embryo ◽  
Extracellular Space ◽  
Fibroblast Cell ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Voltage Electron ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic Study ◽  
Microscopic Studies ◽  
And Function

The size and organization of collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix is an important determinant of tissue structure and function. The synthesis and deposition of collagen involves multiple steps which begin within the cell and continue in the extracellular space. High-voltage electron microscopic studies of the chick embryo cornea and tendon suggested that the extracellular space is compartmentalized by the fibroblasts for the regulation of collagen fibril, bundle, and tissue specific macroaggregate formation. The purpose of this study is to gather direct evidence regarding the association of the fibroblast cell surface with newly formed collagen fibrils, and to define the role of the fibroblast in the control and the precise positioning of collagen fibrils, bundles, and macroaggregates during chick tendon development.

Role of the Cilia Membrane in Control of Microtubule Sliding

1980 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 612-615
Author(s):  
Edna S. Kaneshiro
Keyword(s):  
Control Mechanism ◽  
Beat Frequency ◽  
Surface Membrane ◽  
Ciliary Membrane ◽  
Ciliary Beating ◽  
Ciliary Reversal ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Reversal Mechanism ◽  
And Function

It is currently believed that ciliary beating results from microtubule sliding which is restricted in regions to cause bending. Cilia beat can be modified to bring about changes in beat frequency, cessation of beat and reversal in beat direction. In ciliated protozoans these modifications which determine swimming behavior have been shown to be related to intracellular (intraciliary) Ca2+ concentrations. The Ca2+ levels are in turn governed by the surface ciliary membrane which exhibits increased Ca2+ conductance (permeability) in response to depolarization. Mutants with altered behaviors have been isolated. Pawn mutants fail to exhibit reversal of the effective stroke of ciliary beat and therefore cannot swim backward. They lack the increased inward Ca2+ current in response to depolarizing stimuli. Both normal and pawn Paramecium made leaky to Ca2+ by Triton extrac¬tion of the surface membrane exhibit backward swimming only in reactivating solutions containing greater than IO-6 M Ca2+ Thus in pawns the ciliary reversal mechanism itself is left operational and only the control mechanism at the membrane is affected. The topographic location of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels has been identified as a component of the ciliary mem¬brane since the inward Ca2+ conductance response is eliminated by deciliation and the return of the response occurs during cilia regeneration. Since the ciliary membrane has been impli¬cated in the control of Ca2+ levels in the cilium and therefore is the site of at least one kind of control of microtubule sliding, we have focused our attention on understanding the structure and function of the membrane.

POPDC proteins and cardiac function

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1393-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brand
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Muscle Disease ◽  
Disease Genes ◽  
Protein Protein Interaction ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
And Function

Abstract The Popeye domain-containing gene family encodes a novel class of cAMP effector proteins in striated muscle tissue. In this short review, we first introduce the protein family and discuss their structure and function with an emphasis on their role in cyclic AMP signalling. Another focus of this review is the recently discovered role of POPDC genes as striated muscle disease genes, which have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and muscular dystrophy. The pathological phenotypes observed in patients will be compared with phenotypes present in null and knockin mutations in zebrafish and mouse. A number of protein–protein interaction partners have been discovered and the potential role of POPDC proteins to control the subcellular localization and function of these interacting proteins will be discussed. Finally, we outline several areas, where research is urgently needed.

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