scholarly journals SQI: Development index and application for two contrasting mediterranean landscapes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Antonio Sillero-Medina ◽  
Paloma Hueso-Gonzalez ◽  
Jose Damián Ruiz-Sinoga
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mediterranean Landscapes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Edaphic Properties ◽  
Climate Crisis

<p>Soil quality indexes (SQIs) are very useful in assessing the status and edaphic health of soils. This is particularly the case in the Mediterranean area, where successive torrential rainfall episodes give rise to erosion and soil degradation processes; these are being exacerbated by the current climate crisis. The objective of this study was to analyze the soil quality in two contrasting Mediterranean watersheds in the province of Malaga (Spain): the middle and upper watersheds of the Rio Grande (sub-humid conditions) and the Benamargosa River (semi-arid conditions). Field soil sampling was carried out at representative sites, and the soils were subsequently analyzed for various edaphic properties in the laboratory. From the resulting data, the mean values ​​have been grouped and reclassified, and based on a multicriteria evaluation, a SQI for the study region was generated. The results show that there are major differences between the two watersheds, with optimal soil quality values being found in the Rio Grande watershed, but more unfavorable values occurring throughout most of the Benamargosa River watershed.</p>

scholarly journals Differences in the Soil Quality Index for Two Contrasting Mediterranean Landscapes in Southern Spain

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 405
Author(s):  
José A. Sillero-Medina ◽  
Paloma Hueso-González ◽  
José D. Ruiz-Sinoga
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Soil Quality Index ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mediterranean Landscapes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Torrential Rainfall ◽  
Climate Crisis

Soil quality indexes (SQIs) are very useful in assessing the status and edaphic health of soils. This is particularly the case in the Mediterranean area, where successive torrential rainfall episodes give rise to erosion and soil degradation processes; these are being exacerbated by the current climate crisis. The objective of this study was to analyze the soil quality in two contrasting Mediterranean watersheds in the province of Malaga (Spain): the middle and upper watersheds of the Rio Grande (sub-humid conditions) and the Benamargosa River (semi-arid conditions). Field soil sampling was carried out at representative sites, and the soils were subsequently analyzed for various edaphic properties in the laboratory. From the resulting data, the mean values have been grouped and reclassified, and, based on a multicriteria evaluation, an SQI for the study region was generated. The results show that there are major differences between the two watersheds, with optimal soil quality values being found in the Rio Grande watershed (very high soil quality—34.26%), but more unfavorable values occurring throughout most of the Benamargosa River watershed (very low soil quality—63.33%). Thus, these results have been subjected to a validation process in the field.

scholarly journals Land Use Effect on Quality of Plateau Soils: A Case Study of Ososo in Northern Edo State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Orobosa Orobator ◽  
Emmanuel Ekpenkhio
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Secondary Forest ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Status ◽  
Edo State ◽  
Cocoa Plantation

The study examined land use effect on quality of plateau soils, using Ososo in Northern Edo State, Nigeria as a case study. The objectives were to examine the status of soils under the different land uses and evaluate variation in the physicochemical properties of soils among the investigated sites. A total of thirty-six soil samples were collected from secondary forest, cocoa plantation and quarry site at 0 - 15 and 15 - 30 cm depths. Soil quality indicators were analyzed in the laboratory, while data were examined by descriptive and inferential statistics. Due to the effect of mining activities, quarry site had lower mean values of soil organic matter, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, effective cation exchange capacity, potassium, copper and manganese while iron, zinc and calcium were lower in secondary forest. However, Na and ECEC were higher in cocoa plantation. The study further revealed that though the examined land uses had varied effects on the soil properties; quarry site impacted the soil quality parameters more negatively compared to the secondary forest and cocoa plantation land use types. Significant variation (p < 0.05) in sand, clay and available phosphorous was detected in the topsoil of the different land uses. The research concluded that the status of the soil nutrients was low. To improve the quality of the plateau soils, liming and the use of animal droppings, town refuse ash and plant remains is recommended.

scholarly journals Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Measures on Soil Quality Indicators: The Case of Geshy Subcatchment, Gojeb River Catchment, Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melku Dagnachew ◽  
Awdenegest Moges ◽  
Asfaw Kebede ◽  
Adane Abebe
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil And Water Conservation ◽  
Land Resources ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Volumetric Soil Water Content ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
The Status ◽  
Soil And Water

Land degradation is a global negative environmental process that causes the decline in the productivity of land resources’ capacity to perform their functions. Though soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies have been adopted in Geshy subcatchment, their effects on soil quality were limitedly studied. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects SWC measures on soil quality indicators in Geshy subcatchment, Gojeb River Catchment, Ethiopia. A total of 54 soil samples (two treatments–farmlands with and without SWC measures ∗ three slope classes ∗ three terrace positions ∗ three replications) were collected at a depth of 20 cm. Statistical differences in soil quality indicators were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) following the general linear model procedure of SPSS Version 20.0 for Windows. Means that exhibited significant differences were compared using Tukey’s honest significance difference at 5% probability level. The studied soils are characterized by low bulk density, slightly acidic with clay and clay loam texture. The results revealed that farmlands with SWC measures had significantly improved soil physical (silt and clay fractions, and volumetric soil water content (VSWC)) and chemical (pH, SOC, TN, C : N ratio, and Av. phosphorus) quality indicators as compared with farmlands without SWC measures. The significantly higher VSWC, clay, SOC, TN, C : N ratio, and Av. P at the bottom slope classes and terrace positions could be attributed to the erosion reduction and deposition effects of SWC measures. Generally, the status of the studied soils is low in SOC contents, TN, C : N ratio, and Av. P (deficient). Thus, integral use of both physical and biological SWC options and agronomic interventions would have paramount importance in improving soil quality for better agricultural production and productivity.

scholarly journals Climate Change Impacts Assessment on Wine-Growing Bioclimatic Transition Areas

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
Alba Piña-Rey ◽  
Estefanía González-Fernández ◽  
María Fernández-González ◽  
Mª. Nieves Lorenzo ◽  
Fco. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Cultural Practice ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Bioclimatic Indices ◽  
Northwestern Spain ◽  
The Mediterranean

Viticultural climatic indices were assessed for the evaluation of the meteorological variations in the requirements of wine cultivars. The applied bioclimatic indices have been widely used to provide an initial evaluation of climate change impacts on grapevine and to delineate wine regions and suitable areas for planting around the world. The study was carried out over a period of 16 years (from 2000 to 2015) in five Designation of Origin areas in Northwestern Spain located in the Eurosiberian region, the transition zone between the Eurosiberian and the Mediterranean areas, and in the Mediterranean area. In addition, the high-resolution meteorological dataset “Spain02” was applied to the bioclimatic indices for the period 1950–2095. To further assess the performance of “Spain02”, Taylor diagrams were elaborated for the different bioclimatic indices. A significant trend to an increase of the Winkler, Huglin, Night Cold Index and GSS Indices was detected in the North-western Spain, whereas slight negative trends for BBLI and GSP Indices were observed. To analyze future projections 2061–2095, data from the high-resolution dynamically downscaled daily climate simulations from EURO-CORDEX project were used. To further assess the performance of Spain02, Taylor diagrams were elaborated for the different bioclimatic indices. A trend to an increase of the Winkler, Huglin, Night Cold Index and GSP Indices was detected in Northwestern Spain, whereas slight negative trends for BBLI and GSP Indices were observed. Our results showed that climatic conditions in the study region could variate for the crop in the future, more for Mediterranean than Eurosiberian bioclimatic area. Due to an advance in the phenological events or the vintage data, more alcohol-fortified wines and variations in the acidity level of wines could be expected in Northwestern Spain, these processes being most noticeable in the Mediterranean area. The projections for the BBLI and GSP Indices will induce a decrease in the pressure of the mildew attacks incidence in the areas located at the Eurosiberian region and the nearest transition zones. Projections showed if the trend of temperature increase continues, some cultural practice variations should be conducted in order to preserve the grape cultivation suitability in the studied area.

Ecological thresholds and the status of fire-sensitive vegetation in western Arnhem Land, northern Australia: implications for management

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Edwards ◽  
Jeremy Russell-Smith
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Ecological Thresholds ◽  
Arnhem Land ◽  
The Status

The paper examines the application of the ecological thresholds concept to fire management issues concerning fire-sensitive vegetation types associated with the remote, biodiversity-rich, sandstone Arnhem Plateau, in western Arnhem Land, monsoonal northern Australia. In the absence of detailed assessments of fire regime impacts on component biota such as exist for adjoining Nitmiluk and World Heritage Kakadu National Parks, the paper builds on validated 16-year fire history and vegetation structural mapping products derived principally from Landsat-scale imagery, to apply critical ecological thresholds criteria as defined by fire regime parameters for assessing the status of fire-sensitive habitat and species elements. Assembled data indicate that the 24 000 km2 study region today experiences fire regimes characterised generally by high annual frequencies (mean = 36.6%) of large (>10 km2) fires that occur mostly in the late dry season under severe fire-weather conditions. Collectively, such conditions substantially exceed defined ecological thresholds for significant proportions of fire-sensitive indicator rain forest and heath vegetation types, and the long-lived obligate seeder conifer tree species, Callitris intratropica. Thresholds criteria are recognised as an effective tool for informing ecological fire management in a variety of geographic settings.

scholarly journals Aves, Passeriformes, Cotingidae, Phytotoma rutila (Vieillot, 1818): new record in Brazil

Check List ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 637
Author(s):  
José Antônio Fazio Sanabria ◽  
Daniel Danilewicz ◽  
Márcio Borges-Martins
Keyword(s):  
New Record ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
The Status

The White-tipped Plantcutter Phytotoma rutila has only one documented record for Brazil, that occurred in 1974 in the extreme west of Rio Grande do Sul. We report herein a second record - one individual photographed in April 2009 at a dunefield in the municipality of Capão da Canoa, northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, about 700 km from the previous one. This new record corroborates the status of vagrant for this species in Brazil. 

scholarly journals Association of HIV-1 Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy With Type 2 Diabetes in the Hispanic Population of the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Lopez-Alvarenga ◽  
Dora A. Martinez ◽  
Alvaro Diaz-Badillo ◽  
Liza D. Morales ◽  
Rector Arya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Mexican American ◽  
Robust Regression ◽  
Rio Grande Valley ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Cell Counts

The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in South Texas has one of the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the United States (US). We report for the first time the T2D prevalence in persons with HIV (PWH) in the RGV and the interrelationship between T2D, cardiometabolic risk factors, HIV-related indices, and antiretroviral therapies (ART). The PWH in this study received medical care at Valley AIDS Council (VAC) clinic sites located in Harlingen and McAllen, Texas. Henceforth, this cohort will be referred to as Valley AIDS Council Cohort (VACC). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using retrospective data obtained from 1,827 registries. It included demographic and anthropometric variables, cardiometabolic traits, and HIV-related virological and immunological indices. For descriptive statistics, we used mean values of the quantitative variables from unbalanced visits across 20 months. Robust regression methods were used to determine the associations. For comparisons, we used cardiometabolic trait data obtained from HIV-uninfected San Antonio Mexican American Family Studies (SAMAFS; N = 2,498), and the Mexican American population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES; N = 5,989). The prevalence of T2D in VACC was 51% compared to 27% in SAMAFS and 19% in HHANES, respectively. The PWH with T2D in VACC were younger (4.7 years) and had lower BMI (BMI 2.43 units less) when compared to SAMAFS individuals. In contrast, VACC individuals had increased blood pressure and dyslipidemia. The increased T2D prevalence in VACC was independent of BMI. Within the VACC, ART was associated with viral load and CD4+ T cell counts but not with metabolic dysfunction. Notably, we found that individuals with any INSTI combination had higher T2D risk: OR 2.08 (95%CI 1.67, 2.6; p &lt; 0.001). In summary, our results suggest that VACC individuals may develop T2D at younger ages independent of obesity. The high burden of T2D in these individuals necessitates rigorously designed longitudinal studies to draw potential causal inferences and develop better treatment regimens.

scholarly journals ESTADO MINERAL DE BOVINOS DE CORTE EM REBANHOS SUPLEMENTADOS NO CENTRO-OESTE DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.S. PRESTES ◽  
A.R. FILAPPI ◽  
M. CECIM
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Inorganic Phosphorus ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Mineral Mixture ◽  
Native Pastures

O presente estudo objetivou analisar os níveis plasmáticos de cálcio (Ca), fósforo inorgânico (Pi), cobre (Cu) e zinco (Zn) em vacas de corte primíparas e multíparas, mantidas em campo nativo e suplementadas com misturas minerais comerciais completas, em rebanhos na região Centro-Oeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Amostras sangüíneas foram colhidas nos períodos de Final de Gestação (FG), Pico da Lactação (PL) e Entoure (E). As médias plasmáticas dos elementos minerais analisados estiveram conforme as referências, com exceção do Pi, nas vacas primíparas, no período de E. Entre períodos, nas vacas primíparas, houve diferença significativa nos níveis de Ca, sendo maiores no PL do que no FG; quanto ao Cu, os níveis foram significativamente maiores no E em relação ao FG; no Zn os níveis foram significativamente menores no PL. Nas multíparas, os níveis de Zn foram significativamente menores no período de PL em relação FG. Entre categorias, os níveis de Ca foram significativamente maiores nas primíparas, no PL; quanto ao Cu, os níveis foram significativamente maiores nas primíparas, no período de PL e E. Nas condições em que o estudo foi conduzido, conclui-se que a suplementação mineral completa provém níveis plasmáticos marginais de cálcio, fósforo inorgânico e cobre em ambas as categorias e em todos os períodos produtivos. Mesmo com suplementação mineral irrestrita, o período produtivo exerce influência sobre os níveis plasmáticos de cálcio, cobre e zinco, nas vacas primíparas. Mineral status of supplemented beef herds in Mid-West Rio Grande do Sul State Abstract The objective of the present study was to analyze plasma levels of calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (Pi), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in heifers and mature cows maintained in native pastures with free access to a complete mineral mixture. Blood samples were collected at the end of gestation (FG), at peak of lactation (PL) and during breeding season (E). The mean values for all minerals were around the lower limit of international reference ranges, with exception of Pi in first calf heifers during breeding. Among periods in heifers, Ca was higher during PL than in FG. Copper levels were higher in E than in FG while zinc values were lowest in PL than in the other two periods. Between categories, Ca levels were higher in PL heifers, and Cu was higher during PL and E than in FG. The present results suggest that supplementation with a complete mineral mix sustained only marginal plasma levels of Ca, Pi, and Cu in both groups in all periods studied. Even with free access to mineral supplement, the period of the productive cycle has an influence on plasma levels of Ca, Cu and Zn in first calf heifers.

scholarly journals Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Nigella sativa Oil in Human Pre-Adipocytes

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Bordoni ◽  
Donatella Fedeli ◽  
Cinzia Nasuti ◽  
Filippo Maggi ◽  
Fabrizio Papa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Nigella Sativa ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Black Cumin ◽  
Marche Region ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

The oil obtained from the seeds of Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa), also known as black cumin, is frequently used in the Mediterranean area for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the oil extracted from seeds of a N. sativa cultivar produced in the Marche region of Italy, and to determine if the thymoquinone content, antioxidant properties, and biological activity would decay during storage. Cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of N. sativa oil were tested in an in vitro model of low-grade inflammation in Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome human pre-adipocytes. The fresh extracted oil (FEO) contained 33% more thymoquinone than stored extracted oil (SEO), demonstrating that storage affects its overall quality. In addition, the thymoquinone content in the N. sativa oil from the Marche region cultivar was higher compared with other N. sativa oils produced in the Middle East and in other Mediterranean regions. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., Interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) were differently modulated by fresh and stored extracts from N. sativa oils: FEO, containing more thymoquinone reduced IL-6 levels significantly, while SEO inhibited IL-1beta and had a higher antioxidant activity. Total antioxidant activity, reported as µM of Trolox, was 11.273 ± 0.935 and 6.103 ± 0.446 for SEO and FEO (p = 1.255 × 10−7), respectively, while mean values of 9.895 ± 0.817 (SEO) and 4.727 ± 0.324 (FEO) were obtained with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay (p = 2.891 × 10−14). In conclusion, the oil capacity to counteract proinflammatory cytokine production does not strictly depend on the thymoquinone content, but also on other antioxidant components of the oil.

scholarly journals Analysis of soil and vegetation patterns in semi-arid Mediterranean landscapes by way of a conceptual water balance model

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 899-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Portoghese ◽  
V. Iacobellis ◽  
M. Sivapalan
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Mediterranean Landscapes ◽  
Soil Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract. This paper investigates the impact of various vegetation types on water balance variability in semi-arid Mediterranean landscapes, and the different strategies they may have developed to succeed in such water-limited environments. The existence of preferential associations between soil water holding capacity and vegetation species is assessed through an extensive soil geo-database focused on a study region in Southern Italy. Water balance constraints that dominate the organization of landscapes are investigated by a conceptual bucket approach. The temporal water balance dynamics are modelled, with vegetation water use efficiency being parameterized through the use of empirically obtained crop coefficients as surrogates of vegetation behavior in various developmental stages. Sensitivity analyses with respect to the root zone depth and soil water holding capacity are carried out with the aim of explaining the existence of preferential soil-vegetation associations and, hence, the spatial distribution of vegetation types within the study region. Based on these sensitivity analyses the degrees of suitability and adaptability of each vegetation type to parts of the study region are explored with respect of the soil water holding capacity, and the model results were found consistent with the observed affinity patterns.

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