scholarly journals Quantifying Long-Term Urban Grassland Dynamics: Biotic Homogenization and Extinction Debts

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1989
Author(s):  
Marié J. du Toit ◽  
D. Johan Kotze ◽  
Sarel S. Cilliers
Keyword(s):  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Vegetation ◽  
Vegetation Patterns ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Vegetation Sampling ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sustainable Conservation ◽  
Long Term Studies

Sustainable urban nature conservation calls for a rethinking of conventional approaches. Traditionally, conservationists have not incorporated the history of the landscape in management strategies. This study shows that extant vegetation patterns are correlated to past landscapes indicating potential extinction debts. We calculated urban landscape measures for seven time periods (1938–2019) and correlated it to three vegetation sampling events (1995, 2012, 2019) using GLM models. We also tested whether urban vegetation was homogenizing. Our results indicated that urban vegetation in our study area is not currently homogenizing but that indigenous forb species richness is declining significantly. Furthermore, long-term studies are essential as the time lags identified for different vegetation sampling periods changed as well as the drivers best predicting these changes. Understanding these dynamics are critical to ensuring sustainable conservation of urban vegetation for future citizens.

Coda: Some Reflections on the Long-Term Ecological Research Program

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Schlesinger
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Research ◽  
Environmental Biology ◽  
College Age ◽  
Lake Washington ◽  
Long Term Ecological Research ◽  
History Of ◽  
Personal Reflections ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Long Term Studies

Ecology has a history of long-term studies that offer great insight to ecosystem processes. The advent of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program institutionalized long-term studies with some core measurements at a selection of sites across North America. The most successful LTER sites are those that have an energetic leader with a clear vision, who has guided the work over many years. Several LTER sites have established successful education programs for K–12 and college-age students, as well as for science policy-makers. Implementation of more and better cross-site work would be welcome. The various essays in this volume reflect a broad range of experiences among participants in the LTER program. Nearly all are positive: only mad dogs bite the hand that feeds them. All authors appreciate the advantages of long-term funding for their research and lament that funding of the LTER program by the National Science Foundation (NSF) is so limited. There are numerous testimonials for how the LTER program has changed and broadened participation in collaborative science. The real question is whether the LTER program has allowed science to proceed faster, deeper, broader, and with more critical insight than if the program had not been created. To answer that question, I offer a few personal reflections on the LTER program. First, we must note that long-term research existed well before the LTER program. Edmondson began his long-term measurements of exogenous phosphorus in Lake Washington in the early 1950s (Edmondson 1991). Across the country, Herb Bormann and Gene Likens began long-term studies, now in their 50th year, of forest biogeochemistry at Hubbard Brook in 1963 (Likens 2013). Each of these long-term studies enjoys ample coverage in every text of introductory ecology. The advantages of long-term research are undisputed among those who are funded for it. Indeed, NSF embraces a wide variety of decade-long studies with its Long-Term Research in Environmental Biology (LTREB) program. The authors of several chapters recall how Howard Odum’s early work focused their attention on the connections between large units of the landscape.

scholarly journals THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OF A HIGHLY URBANIZED NEOTROPICAL CITY: THE ROLE OF THE URBAN VEGETATION IN PRESERVING NATIVE BIODIVERSITY

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Carlos Castro Pena ◽  
Danilo Marques Magalhães ◽  
Ana Clara Mourão Moura ◽  
Robert John Young ◽  
Marcos Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Green Infrastructure ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Urban Forestry ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Urban Vegetation ◽  
Urban Resilience ◽  
Street Trees

We mapped and described the composition of the urban vegetation that comprises the green infrastructure of a highly urbanized Neotropical city, and discussed how it can be used to preserve and maintain urban biodiversity. Almost half of our study area is occupied by 12 types of arboreal and herbaceous vegetation, composed mostly of urban parks, gardens and street trees. Forty-one percent of the almost 90,000 street trees are composed of 10 species with only 4 native species. These results show that this urban landscape is highly heterogeneous and has a great potential for biodiversity conservation. However, management strategies are needed, such as better planning of the urban forestry. This study is the first step towards a better understanding of how this landscape influences local biodiversity, and can be used as a management tool to increase urban resilience and functionality.

scholarly journals Advancing the long view of ecological change in tundra systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1624) ◽  
pp. 20120477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Post ◽  
Toke T. Høye
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Ecological Change ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Research Personnel ◽  
Ecological Responses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Population And Community Dynamics ◽  
Long Term Studies

Despite uncertainties related to sustained funding, ideological rivalries and the turnover of research personnel, long-term studies and studies espousing a long-term perspective in ecology have a history of contributing landmark insights into fundamental topics, such as population- and community dynamics, species interactions and ecosystem function. They also have the potential to reveal surprises related to unforeseen events and non-stationary dynamics that unfold over the course of ongoing observation and experimentation. The unprecedented rate and magnitude of current and expected abiotic changes in tundra environments calls for a synthetic overview of the scope of ecological responses these changes have elicited. In this special issue, we present a series of contributions that advance the long view of ecological change in tundra systems, either through sustained long-term research, or through retrospective or prospective modelling. Beyond highlighting the value of long-term research in tundra systems, the insights derived herein should also find application to the study of ecological responses to environmental change in other biomes as well.

scholarly journals Water-soluble vitamins: their physiological significance, role in life of humans and their content in the nutrition of the population suffered as a result of Chernobyl accident

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-79
Author(s):  
I.T. Matasar ◽  
L.M. Petryschenko ◽  
A.V. Chernyshov
Keyword(s):  
Chernobyl Accident ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Vitamin Deficiency ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Long Term Studies

Aim of the Research. Generalization of information about the properties and history of discovery of water-soluble vitamins, their up-to-date classification, sources of their intake and daily consumption by people of different ages and for people affected by the Chernobyl accident and living in environmentally hazardous areas. The article describes the results and data of long-term studies of the actual consumption of water-soluble vitamins by the population living in radioactively contaminated areas as a result of the Chernobyl accident. Materials and Methods. The presented data of the academic literature on the history of discovery of vitamins reveal their main characteristics and significance for the functioning of the human body. The information about physiological needs and the main sources of vitamins intake are presented. Conclusions. The article is relevant for family doctors, hygienists, nutritiologists, nutritionists and others as a scientific information material on the prevention and correction of vitamin deficiency. Key Words: water-soluble vitamins, vitamin deficiency, daily intake of vitamins, population of environmentally fragile regions, Chernobyl accident.

Heart rate variability: prognostic implications

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
LG Futterman ◽  
L Lemberg
Keyword(s):  
Sudden Cardiac Death ◽  
Cardiac Arrhythmias ◽  
Cardiac Death ◽  
Autonomic Function ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Hrv Analysis ◽  
Prognostic Implications ◽  
Long Term Studies

HRV offers information about sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic function and thus can serve as a measure of risk stratification for serious cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. HRV appears to be altered in patients with acute myocardial infarction or diabetic neuropathy and is affected by other physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. Use of HRV measurements requires continued investigation to determine optimal methods and tools by which HRV indices and its variables are analyzed. Long-term studies are required to help correct for differences in values pertaining to age and disease process. Also, studies are needed to determine how patient management strategies will be affected by knowledge gained through HRV analysis and to determine which patient populations should be monitored for HRV analysis and to identify those at risk for sudden cardiac death.

Declines in populations of Australia's endemic tropical rainforest frogs

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Richards ◽  
Keith R. McDonald ◽  
Ross A. Alford
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Tropical Rainforests ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
History Of

Comparisons of present and past occurrences suggest that populations of six frog species endemic to the tropical rainforests of northern Queensland have declined during the past ten years. Most declines have occurred at high altitudes in the southern portions of the tropical rainforest. An extensive survey conducted during the summer of 1991-1992 did not locate any individuals of two upland species, Litoria nyakalensis and Taudactylus rheophilus. Another upland species, T. acutirostris, which formerly was widely distributed, appears to have declined in rainforests south of the Daintree River. Three species (Litoria nannotis, L. rheocola and Nyctimystes dayi) were absent from most upland sites south of the Daintree River, but were common at lowland sites and at all sites north of the Daintree River. Aspects of water chemistry, including inorganic ions, heavy metals, and pesticide residues, were analysed for many sites. These analyses failed to identify any abnormalities that might have contributed to frog declines. Declines appear to be unrelated to the history of forestry or mining at sites, or to low rainfall in wet seasons. Levels of habitat disturbance by feral pigs appear to have increased at some sites in recent years and, either by this disturbance or through direct predation, feral pigs may have contributed to declines in some populations. However, pigs are unlikely to be the sole cause of frog population declines. Once declines have occurred, fragmentation of rainforest habitats may prevent recolonization from adjacent sites. Until causal agents associated with declines can be identified, management strategies to ensure the long-term survival of these species must involve protection of the riparian habitats in which they occur.

scholarly journals Metallogeny of the Lyapinsky megablock (Subpolar Urals)

2021 ◽  
pp. 88-105
Author(s):  
DUSHIN Vladimir Aleksandrovich
Keyword(s):  
Geological Structure ◽  
Porphyry Deposits ◽  
History Of Development ◽  
Ferrous Metals ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
Analysis And Synthesis ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
Long Term Studies

Purpose of the work: elucidation of the geological structure, manifestations of magmatism, geodynamics and metallogeny of one of the largest segments of the paleocontinental sector of the Lyapin megablock in the Urals. The peculiarity of the metallogenic specialization of the latter for uranium, thorium, rare metals, gold, optical quartz caused both increased interest and contradictory ideas about its geology, composition of rock complexes, their age and genesis. Methodology of the work: generalization, analysis and synthesis of materials from long-term studies of the geology and metallogeny of the region, including experimental, methodological, thematic and geological survey work (GDP-200/2 sheets P-40-VI, P-40-XII) with the involvement of extensive literary sources. Results. For the first time, on the basis of the created formation map and the developed author’s legend of the territory, the geological structure is shown, the geological structure, geodynamic conditions of formation, metallogenic features of uneven-aged rock associations are shown. The Lyapinsky megablock, which corresponds to the Lyapinsky mineragenic zone, is a component of the West Ural megazone of the Ural Mineragenic Province, including the Mankhambovsky, Malopatoksky, Nyartinsky and Sаledsky ore nodes. In their history of development, four metallogenic epochs are distinguished: the Pre-Riphean, Riphean-Cambrian, Paleozoic and MesozoicCenozoic, specialized in noble, rare, radioactive, and non-ferrous metals, the largest objects of which include the Yasnoye, Narodnoye, Turman, Chudnoye, Sosnovoye, Telaizskoye, Torgovskoye, Turupinskoye, Kholodnoye, Kozhimskoye, and others. Conclusions. The results obtained indicate that along with a certain ore specialization of metallogenic epochs, an important factor affecting the ore content of the territory is the activated suture zones established in the course of research, in the areas where the largest ore objects, including stratiform and porphyry deposits, are localized, as well as unconventional objects of the “structural-stratigraphic disagreement” type.

‘Never so at home’: Charles Elton and the Woods of Wytham

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina M. Montgomery
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Site ◽  
The People ◽  
As Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
A Site ◽  
Scientific Value ◽  
Scientific Environment ◽  
Long Term Studies

Focusing on the history of an ecological site northwest of Oxford, UK, this essay explores the people, research and values behind the development of Wytham Woods as a scientific environment. A small patch of woodland, Wytham has long been identified by ecologists as a site of great scientific value. In addition to traditional sources of scientific value, such as species diversity, this article examines the role of emotional connection and aesthetics in how scientific sites are formed and maintained over long periods of time. As such, this history of Wytham Woods sheds light on the multiple factors that nurture the relationships formed when researchers dedicate decades to long-term studies conducted in specific scientific environments.

Ephesus in the Late Roman and Early Byzantine Period: Changes in its Urban Character from the Third to the Seventh Century ad

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. LADSTÄTTER ◽  
A. PÜLZ
Keyword(s):  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Seventh Century ◽  
The Third ◽  
Public Areas ◽  
History Of ◽  
Byzantine Period ◽  
Urban Character ◽  
The City

The third century marked a profound change in the urban landscape of Ephesus and proved to exert a profound influence on the city's later development. There is conclusive evidence for catastrophic disasters when the city was afflicted by a series of earthquakes which led to a temporary downturn in its economic circumstances. These destructive earthquakes not only had long-term consequences for the city's appearance, but also affected the very foundations of urbanism. This chapter traces the history of Metropolis Asiae after the earthquakes of the third and fourth centuries. The archaeological evidence proves that rebuilding took place and within public areas, such as agorae or buildings along the roads and included fountains and baths. The work was not limited only to the reconstruction of buildings but efforts were made to restore the splendid appearance of the city, reflecting the restoration of its high urban status and commercial importance. This chapter also describes the city's numerous churches that graphically attest to the growing importance of Christianity as the state religion.

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