Zoogeomorphosite: A concept for, and example of, linking geoheritage and biodiversity heritage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Bétard
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Termite Mounds ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
Formica Rufa ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Results ◽  
Ant Mounds

<p>Zoogeomorphosites can be defined as geomorphological sites of special interest for animal biodiversity and conservation. They appear as ideal places for linking geoheritage and biodiversity heritage because of the reciprocal effects and interactions between landforms and animals. On one hand, geomorphodiversity exerts an influence on animal biodiversity at alpha, beta and gamma levels, and many landforms constitute valuable habitats for a wide range of animal species. On the other hand, animals can have direct and indirect geomorphic effects by creating specific landforms (e.g., mounds) and by influencing geomorphic processes (e.g, runoff), respectively.</p><p>The aim of this presentation is (1) to illustrate a worldwide range of sites fitting the conceptual definition of a zoogeomorphosite, with a proposed typology, and (2) to present an example of zoogeomorphological survey conducted on a site in Northwest France (Bois-des-Jarries, Vendée), where geoheritage meets with biodiversity heritage. The selected study site is a granitic geomorphosite composed of two hills with small tors and boulders outcropping at 230-260 m a.s.l., and franging a large fluvial paleo-valley of Ypresian age. The land cover is a mosaic of mixed forests and dry heathlands recognized for their high ecological interest, with many valuable species of vascular plants, birds and invertebrates. A major zoogeomorphic interest of the site is that it hosts an important population of mound-building red wood ants (<em>Formica rufa</em>), a regionally rare and vulnerable species responsible for an impressive collection of biogenic microlandforms (ant mounds) on a small surface (62 ha). A zoogeomorphogical survey carried out in summer 2020 on these ant mounds involved a two-stage methodology: (1) linear surveys along forest paths, in order to calculate mound densities and to proceed with a general inventory of ant mounds; (2) morphometric measurements of mounds using strip transects in 13 representative habitat types, in order to calculate mound volumes and to evaluate their evolution on a 5-years period.</p><p>119 mounds of <em>Formica rufa</em> have been inventoried in summer 2020 along the forest paths, indicating a density of 2-4 mounds ha<sup>–1</sup>. First results of the morphometric measurements indicate that the highest biovolumes are found in pine or mixed forest habitats, and that the geomorphology of the granitic hills (slope, aspect, height above drainage, etc.) is of major influence on their distribution and shape. In turn, ant mounds create environmental heterogeneity, or patch-scale geodiversity, highly favourable to biodiversity, notably because they offer microhabitats for various myrmecophilous insects. Finally, ant mounds can be viewed as a remarkable example of biogeomorphological heritage, hybrid and evolutionary in nature, but highly sensitive to environmental and human-induced changes (e.g., forest clear cuts, tourism pressure). Because ant mounds are an integral component of natural heritage and a key provider of ecosystem services, their inventory and protection as zoogeomorphosites – just like that of termite mounds – are of prime relevance in the wider scope of integrating geodiversity and biodiversity in nature conservation policies and strategies.</p>

scholarly journals Star formation thresholds derived From THINGS

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S237) ◽  
pp. 397-397
Author(s):  
F. Bigiel ◽  
F. Walter ◽  
E. de Blok ◽  
E. Brinks ◽  
B. Madore
Keyword(s):  
Star Formation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gravitational Instability ◽  
Critical Density ◽  
Nearby Galaxy ◽  
Uv Emission ◽  
Radial Profiles ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Results ◽  
Type Mass

AbstractWe present first results from THINGS (The HI Nearby Galaxy Survey), which consists of high quality HI maps obtained with the VLA of 34 galaxies across a wide range of galaxy parameters (Hubble type, mass/luminosity). We compare the distribution of HI to the UV emission in our sample galaxies. In particular we present radial profiles of the HI (tracing the neutral interstellar medium) and UV (mainly tracing regions of recent star formation) in our sample galaxies. The azimuthally averaged HI profiles are compared to the predicted critical density above which organized large-scale star formation is believed to start (this threshold is based on the Toomre-Q parameter, which in turn is a measure for local gravitational instability).

Strain-Rate Effect on the Tensile Behaviour of High Strength Alloys

2011 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 124-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ezio Cadoni ◽  
Matteo Dotta ◽  
Daniele Forni ◽  
Stefano Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Strain Rate ◽  
Rate Sensitivity ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Constitutive Law ◽  
Tensile Behaviour ◽  
Strain Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Split Hopkinson Tensile Bar ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Results

In this paper the first results of the mechanical characterization in tension of two high strength alloys in a wide range of strain rates are presented. Different experimental techniques were used for different strain rates: a universal machine, a Hydro-Pneumatic Machine and a JRC-Split Hopkinson Tensile Bar. The experimental research was developed in the DynaMat laboratory of the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland. An increase of the stress at a given strain increasing the strain-rate from 10-3 to 103 s-1, a moderate strain-rate sensitivity of the uniform and fracture strain, a poor reduction of the cross-sectional area at fracture with increasing the strain-rate were shown. Based on these experimental results the parameters required by the Johnson-Cook constitutive law were determined.

scholarly journals Changes to the chemical state of the northern hemisphere atmosphere during the second half of the twentieth century

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike J. Newland ◽  
Patricia Martinerie ◽  
Emmanuel Witrant ◽  
Detlev Helmig ◽  
David R. Worton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Secondary Products ◽  
Alkyl Nitrates ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract. The NOX (NO and NO2) and HOX (OH and HO2) budgets of the atmosphere exert a major influence on atmospheric composition, controlling removal of primary pollutants and formation of a wide range of secondary products, including ozone, that can influence human health and climate. However, there remain large uncertainties in the changes to these budgets over recent decades. Due to their short atmospheric lifetimes, NOX and HOX are highly variable in space and time, and so the measurements of these species are of very limited value for examining long term, large scale changes to their budgets. Here, we take an alternative approach by examining long-term atmospheric trends of alkyl nitrates, the formation of which is dependent on the atmospheric NO / HO2 ratio. We derive long term trends in the alkyl nitrates from measurements in firn air from the NEEM site, Greenland. Their mixing ratios increased by a factor of 4–5 between the 1970s and 1990s. This was followed by a steep decline to the sampling date of 2008. Moreover, we examine how the trends in the alkyl nitrates compare to similarly derived trends in their parent alkanes (i.e. the alkanes which, when oxidised in the presence of NOX, lead to the formation of the alkyl nitrates). The ratios of the alkyl nitrates to their parent alkanes increase from around 1970 to the late 1990's consistent with large changes to the [NO] / [HO2] ratio in the northern hemisphere atmosphere during this period. These could represent historic changes to NOX sources and sinks. Alternatively, they could represent changes to concentrations of the hydroxyl radical, OH, or to the transport time of the air masses from source regions to the Arctic.

scholarly journals FRATs: Searching for fast radio transient in real-time with LOFAR

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S291) ◽  
pp. 233-233
Author(s):  
Heino Falcke ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Large Field ◽  
New Radio ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Imaging Observation ◽  
Previous Decade ◽  
First Results ◽  
Single Radio ◽  
Radio Transients

AbstractLOFAR is an innovative new radio interferometer operating at low radio frequencies from 10 to 270 MHz. It combines a large field-of-view, high fractional bandwidth, rapid response, and a wide range of baselines from tens of meters to thousand kilometers. Its use of phased-array technology and its digital nature make LOFAR an extremely versatile instrument to search for transient radio phenomena on all time scales. Here we discuss in particular the search for fast radio transients (FRATs) at sub-second time scales. In fact, at these time scales the radio sky is rather dynamic due to coherent emission processes. Objects like pulsars, flaring stars, or planets like Jupiter are able to produce bright short flares. For pulsars, most previous detection strategies made use of the rotation of pulsars to detect them, using Fourier techniques, but it is also possible to detect pulsars and other objects through their single pulses. Such surveys have, e.g., led in the previous decade to the detection of Rapid Radio Transients (RRATS), but the unprobed search space is still rather large. LOFAR is now conducting a rather unique survey over the entire northern sky, searching for bright dispersed single radio pulses. This FRATs survey makes use of the LOFAR transient buffer boards (TBBs), which had initially been used to detect nanosecond radio pulses from cosmic rays. The TBBs store the radio data from each single receiver element of LOFAR and allow one to look back in time. A trigger system that runs parallel to normal imaging observation allows one to detect single pulses in an incoherent beam of all LOFAR stations, covering several tens to hundred square degrees at once. Once triggered, the data can be used to localize the pulse and to discriminate cosmic sources from terrestrial interference through 3D localization. The system has been successfully tested with known pulsars and first results of the ongoing survey will be presented.

Comparative physiology of insect renal function

1981 ◽  
Vol 241 (5) ◽  
pp. R241-R257 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Total Surface Area ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Thick Ascending Limb ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
Multiplier System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Glomerular Filtrate ◽  
Unit Body Weight ◽  
Anion Transfer

Transport mechanisms and their control in various segments of insect excretory systems are reviewed and compared to those of vertebrate nephrons, exocrine glands, and hindguts. Formation of the primary urine in most insect Malpighian tubules (MT) is by isosmotic secretion, which is driven by an apical cation (K+) pump rather than by Na+-K+-ATPase. Unlike the glomerular filtrate of vertebrates, insect MT fluid is very different from the blood in composition, often having very high K+-to-Na+ ratios, and urine-to-plasma values much less than unity for most other solutes. The total surface area of insect MT is some 20 times that of vertebrate glomeruli per unit body weight. Secretion of MT fluid is regulated by neuropeptides over a wide range of rats, similar to glomerular filtration rate values for many vertebrate kidneys. Several secretory mechanisms for selected solutes are probably common to insect and vertebrate tubules. Unlike vertebrates, insects usually reabsorb most of the filtered water, ions, and metabolites in the rectum, which has a small surface area relative to the MT. The rectum is also where ionic and osmotic composition of the excreta is finally adjusted, under the control of neuropeptide hormones. In the rectum, insect excreta can become as hyperosmotic as mammalian urine, even though a countercurrent multiplier system is not present. Active transport of Cl- predominates in both locust rectum and the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, but the characteristics of the anion transfer process are quite different in these two epithelia.xs

The Southern Ocean carbon sink 1985-2018: first results of the RECCAP2 project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Hauck ◽  
Luke Gregor ◽  
Cara Nissen ◽  
Eric Mortenson ◽  
Seth Bushinsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Carbon Sink ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Biogeochemical Models ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Products ◽  
First Results ◽  
Ocean Carbon ◽  
Indian Sector

<p>The Southern Ocean is the main gateway for anthropogenic CO<sub>2</sub> into the ocean owing to the upwelling of old water masses with low anthropogenic CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, and the transport of the newly equilibrated surface waters into the ocean interior through intermediate, deep and bottom water formation. Here we present first results of the Southern Ocean chapter of RECCAP2, which is the Global Carbon Project’s second systematic study on Regional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes. In the Southern Ocean chapter, we aim to assess the Southern Ocean carbon sink 1985-2018 from a wide range of available models and data sets, and to identify patterns of regional and temporal variability, model limitations and future challenges.</p><p>We gathered global and regional estimates of the air-sea CO<sub>2</sub> flux over the period 1985-2018 from global ocean biogeochemical models, surface pCO<sub>2</sub>-based data products, and data-assimilated models. The analysis on the Southern Ocean quantified geographical patterns in the annual mean and seasonal amplitude of air-sea CO<sub>2</sub> flux, with results presented here aggregated to the level of large-scale ocean biomes.</p><p>Considering the suite of observed and modelled estimates, we found that the subtropical seasonally stratified (STSS) biome stands out with the largest air-sea CO<sub>2</sub> flux per area and a seasonal cycle with largest ocean uptake of CO<sub>2</sub> in winter, whereas the ice (ICE) biome is characterized by a large ensemble spread and a pronounced seasonal cycle with the largest ocean uptake of CO<sub>2</sub> in summer. Connecting these two, the subpolar seasonally stratified (SPSS) biome has intermediate flux densities (flux per area), and most models have difficulties simulating the seasonal cycle with strongest uptake during the summer months.</p><p>Our analysis also reveals distinct differences between the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian sectors of the aforementioned biomes. In the STSS, the Indian sector contributes most to the ocean carbon sink, followed by the Atlantic and then Pacific sectors. This hierarchy is less pronounced in the models than in the data-products. In the SPSS, only the Atlantic sector exhibits net CO<sub>2</sub> uptake in all years, likely linked to strong biological production. In the ICE biome, the Atlantic and Pacific sectors take up more CO<sub>2</sub> than the Indian sector, suggesting a potential role of the Weddell and Ross Gyres.</p><p>These first results confirm the global relevance of the Southern Ocean carbon sink and highlight the strong regional and interannual variability of the Southern Ocean carbon uptake in connection to physical and biogeochemical processes.</p>

scholarly journals Network Analysis Provides Insight into Tomato Lipid Metabolism

Metabolites ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasiya Kuhalskaya ◽  
Micha Wijesingha Ahchige ◽  
Leonardo Perez de Souza ◽  
José Vallarino ◽  
Yariv Brotman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Solanum Pennellii ◽  
Metabolic Network Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Insight Into

Metabolic correlation networks have been used in several instances to obtain a deeper insight into the complexity of plant metabolism as a whole. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), metabolites have a major influence on taste and overall fruit quality traits. Previously a broad spectrum of metabolic and phenotypic traits has been described using a Solanum pennellii introgression-lines (ILs) population. To obtain insights into tomato fruit metabolism, we performed metabolic network analysis from existing data, covering a wide range of metabolic traits, including lipophilic and volatile compounds, for the first time. We provide a comprehensive fruit correlation network and show how primary, secondary, lipophilic, and volatile compounds connect to each other and how the individual metabolic classes are linked to yield-related phenotypic traits. Results revealed a high connectivity within and between different classes of lipophilic compounds, as well as between lipophilic and secondary metabolites. We focused on lipid metabolism and generated a gene-expression network with lipophilic metabolites to identify new putative lipid-related genes. Metabolite–transcript correlation analysis revealed key putative genes involved in lipid biosynthesis pathways. The overall results will help to deepen our understanding of tomato metabolism and provide candidate genes for transgenic approaches toward improving nutritional qualities in tomato.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Usability of Brain-Computer Interface Systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Jae Baek ◽  
Min Hye Chang ◽  
Jeong Heo ◽  
Kwang Suk Park
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Signal Acquisition ◽  
Information Transfer Rate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Results ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Improving Accuracy ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Interface Designs

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) aim to enable people to interact with the external world through an alternative, nonmuscular communication channel that uses brain signal responses to complete specific cognitive tasks. BCIs have been growing rapidly during the past few years, with most of the BCI research focusing on system performance, such as improving accuracy or information transfer rate. Despite these advances, BCI research and development is still in its infancy and requires further consideration to significantly affect human experience in most real-world environments. This paper reviews the most recent studies and findings about ergonomic issues in BCIs. We review dry electrodes that can be used to detect brain signals with high enough quality to apply in BCIs and discuss their advantages, disadvantages, and performance. Also, an overview is provided of the wide range of recent efforts to create new interface designs that do not induce fatigue or discomfort during everyday, long-term use. The basic principles of each technique are described, along with examples of current applications in BCI research. Finally, we demonstrate a user-friendly interface paradigm that uses dry capacitive electrodes that do not require any preparation procedure for EEG signal acquisition. We explore the capacitively measured steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) response to an amplitude-modulated visual stimulus and the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) to an auditory stimulus modulated by familiar natural sounds to verify their availability for BCI. We report the first results of an online demonstration that adopted this ergonomic approach to evaluating BCI applications. We expect BCI to become a routine clinical, assistive, and commercial tool through advanced EEG monitoring techniques and innovative interface designs.

scholarly journals Flea Communities on Small Rodents in Eastern Poland

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 894
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Zając ◽  
Joanna Kulisz ◽  
Aneta Woźniak
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Flea Species ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Small Rodent ◽  
Grassland Vegetation ◽  
Rodent Host ◽  
Host Preferences ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
A Site ◽  
Ecological Habitats

Fleas are hematophagous insects infesting mainly small mammals and, less frequently, birds. With their wide range of potential hosts, fleas play a significant role in the circulation of pathogens in nature. Depending on the species, they can be vectors for viruses, bacteria, rickettsiae, and protozoa and a host for some larval forms of tapeworm species. The aim of this study was to determine the species composition of fleas and their small rodent host preferences in eastern Poland. Animals were captured in traps in various types of ecological habitats (a site covered by grassland vegetation within city limits, an unused agricultural meadow, and a fallow land near a mixed forest). The following rodent species were caught: Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Microtus arvalis, and Myodesglareolus. Additionally, Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Ctenophthalmus assimilis, Hystrichopsylla talpae, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus flea species were identified. The peak of the flea activity was noted in summer months. C. agyrtes was found to be the most abundant flea species in eastern Poland, while the greatest numbers of fleas were collected from the rodent species A. agrarius.

Microsatellite high-resolution melting (SSR-HRM) analysis for identification of sweet cherry rootstocks in Greece

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganopoulos Ioannis ◽  
Xanthopoulou Aliki ◽  
Aravanopoulos Filippos ◽  
Kazantzis Konstantinos ◽  
Tsaftaris Athanasios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Sweet Cherry ◽  
High Resolution Melting ◽  
Melting Curve ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Hrm Analysis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cherry Rootstocks ◽  
Sweet Cherry Rootstocks

Sweet cherries can be grafted onto a wide range of rootstocks belonging to the genus Prunus. The identification of sweet cherry rootstocks using morphological traits is almost impossible particularly during the dormant season, yet it is very important for the grower to know exactly the rootstock as this has a major influence on cultivar performance and agricultural practices. However, DNA-based molecular analysis carried out on actively growing shoot tips, leaves or dormant buds provides a good opportunity to reliably distinguish the rootstocks. Herein, we have integrated high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, coupled with five simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, in order to facilitate the identification of the most popular sweet cherry rootstocks in Greece. The five SSR loci used were highly informative and generated a unique melting curve profile of microsatellites for each of the six sweet cherry rootstocks tested. In particular, one marker, BPPCT002, with six HRM profiles was sufficient to discriminate all the sweet cherry rootstocks studied, highlighting its potential use for rootstock identification. Hence, this assay provided a flexible, cost-effective and closed-tube microsatellite genotyping method well suited to sweet cherry rootstock identification.

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