Bowen ratio determination of sensible and latent heat fluxes in a humid tropical environment at Ile- Ife, Nigeria

The Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB) method is the most widely used for estimating the fluxes of sensible heat and latent heat near the surface largely because of its conceptual simplicity and the robustness of instrumentation required. We have adopted the same technique here to study partitioning of measured available energy (difference of net radiation and soil heat flux) over bare soil at a humid tropical location in Ile-Ife, Nigeria (7° 33' N, 4° 34' E) between 7 and 10 March, 1999. Results obtained of the diurnal variations of the both fluxes in relation to the changing surface conditions (case studies) are quite satisfactory. For dry days, the sensible heat flux is comparatively of the same magnitude as the latent heat flux but it is less, about 10-60% for the wet surface conditions. It is clear from the present study that for the tropical forest zone, evaporation is the next important factor after radiation in the energy balance due to the humid conditions that usually prevail. Except for the few instances when very weak gradients exist, particularly of moisture, during transition periods (at sunrise or sunset), the technique has worked satisfactorily for day as well as night time periods regardless of prevailing weather conditions.

How to consider the effects of time of day, beam strength, and snow cover in ICESat-2 based estimation of boreal forest biomass?

Spaceborne lidar sensors have potential to improve the accuracy of forest above-ground biomass (AGB) estimates by providing direct measurements of 3D structure of forests over large spatial scales. The ICESat-2 (Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite 2), launched in 2018, provides a good coverage of the boreal forest zone and has been previously shown to provide good estimates of forest canopy height and AGB. However, spaceborne lidar data are affected by various conditions, such as presence of snow, solar noise, and in the case of ICESat-2, the power difference between the so-called strong and weak beams. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of these conditions on the performance of AGB modeling using ICESat-2 photon data in a boreal forest area. The framework of the study is multiphase modeling, where AGB field data and wall-to-wall airborne laser scanning (ALS) data are used to produce proxy ALS plots on ICESat-2 track positions. Models between the ALS-predicted AGB and the ICESat-2 photon data are then formulated and evaluated by subsets, such as only strong beam data captured in snowy conditions.Our results indicate that, if possible, strong beam night data from snowless conditions should be used in AGB estimation, because our models showed clearly smallest RMSE (27.0%) for this data subset. If more data are needed, we recommend using only strong beam data and constructing separate models for the different data subsets. In the order of increasing RMSE\%, the next best options were snow/night/strong (30.5%), snow/day/strong (33.6%), and snowless/day/strong (34.2%). Weak beam data from snowy night conditions could also be used if necessary (31.1%).

Trends of malaria infection in pregnancy in Ghana over the past two decades: a review

Background There has been a global decline in malaria transmission over the past decade. However, not much is known of the impact of this observation on the burden of malaria infection in pregnancy in endemic regions including Ghana. A narrative review was undertaken to help describe trends in malaria infection in pregnancy in Ghana. Among others, such information is important in showing any progress made in malaria in pregnancy control. Methods To describe trends in pregnancy-associated malaria infection in Ghana, a search and review of literature reporting data on the prevalence of asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infection in pregnancy was conducted. Results Thirty-six (36) studies, conducted over 1994–2019, were included in the review. In the northern savannah zone with largely seasonal malaria transmission, prevalence appeared to reduce from about 50–60% in 1994–2010 to 13–26% by 2019. In the middle transitional/forest zone, where transmission is perennial with peaks in the rainy season, prevalence apparently reduced from 60% in the late 1990 s to about 5–20% by 2018. In the coastal savannah area, there was apparent reduction from 28 to 35% in 2003–2010 to 5–11% by 2018–2019. The burden of malaria infection in pregnancy continues to be highest among teenagers and younger-aged pregnant women and paucigravidae. Conclusions There appears to be a decline in asymptomatic parasite prevalence in pregnancy in Ghana though this has not been uniform across the different transmission zones. The greatest declines were noticeably in urban settings. Submicroscopic parasitaemia remains a challenge for control efforts. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the reduced parasite prevalence on maternal anaemia and low birthweight and to assess the local burden of submicroscopic parasitaemia in relation to pregnancy outcomes.

Distribution, Dominance Structure, Species Richness, and Diversity of Bats in Disturbed and Undisturbed Temperate Mountain Forests

The increase in mean annual temperature and reduction in summer rainfall from climate change seem to increase the frequency of natural and human-made disturbances to forest vegetation. This type of rapid vegetation change also significantly affects bat diversity. The aim of our study was to document differences in the ecological parameters of bat assemblages in different types of temperate mountain forests, particularly between disturbed and undisturbed coniferous and deciduous forests. Additionally, these issues were considered along an elevation gradient. We mist netted bats on 73 sites, between 931 and 1453 m elevation, in the forests of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. During 2016–2020, 745 bats, representing 15 species, were caught. The most abundant were Myotis mystacinus (Kuhl, 1817) (53.0%) and M. brandtii (Eversmann, 1845) (21.5%). We observed differences in species diversity, elevational distribution, and dominance between different types of forests and forest zones. Species richness peaked at around 1000–1100 m elevation. The highest species richness and other indices were observed in undisturbed beech stands, although they constituted only about 2.7% of the forest area. The lowest species diversity was observed in disturbed coniferous forests, in both the lower and upper forest zone. The species richness and dominance structure of bat assemblages were also found to depend on the location above sea level. In some bat species, the sex ratio was higher at higher elevations, and differences in the sex ratio in a few bat species, between different types of forests, were observed. Our findings suggest that disturbed, beetle-killed spruce forests are an unsuitable environment for some bat species.

Natural and climatic conditions in the south-east of Western Siberia and development of ethnocultures of the Ket’ River region (5th c. BC — 17th c. AD)

The paper presents the analysis of the natural and climatic conditions of the Early Iron and Middle Ages in the archaeological region of Priketye (Ket’ River region; Verkhneketsky district of the Tomsk Oblast, middle taiga) based on the available archaeological data and spore-and-pollen diagram of Maksimkin Yar, 58°30'N, 86°48'E, 100–150 m.a.s.l. (Blyakharchuk, 2012). The chronology of the archaeological sites and monuments covers a large time span — from the Neolithic to the late Middle Ages, including the time of the arrival of Russian farmers into the area. The aim of the study is to reconstruct the dynamics of the natural environment during the existence of the archaeological cultures of the indicated time interval using paleopalynological data from a nearby spore-and-pollen section, as well as to demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of complex paleoecological-archaeological research in the taiga zone of Western Siberia (middle course of the Ket’ River near the Maksimkin Yar village) previously not covered by such studies. The material and source of the archaeological data com-prised collections and archives of exploratory and stationary excavations of the archaeological sites from the area in the vicinity of the Maksimkin Yar village. Paleopalynological (spore-and-pollen diagram) and paleoecological (botanical composition of peat) data were obtained and published by one of the authors earlier (Blyakharchuk, 2012). In this work, comparative historical and statistical methods of the analysis of archaeological data were employed, along with two paleoecological methods (spore-and-pollen analysis and analysis of the botanical com-position of peat) with respective statistical processing of the numerical data from these analyses. The pa-leoecological block of information is presented graphically in the form of a spore-and-pollen diagram built on the basis of the paleopalynological data and two radiocarbon dates covering the studied time interval. The Bacon software was used to calibrate the radiocarbon dates and to date each sample. The studies have shown that the climate change in the boreal forest zone of Western Siberia influenced the lifestyle and economic activities of the population of the Priketye area. Correlation of the climatic and cultural events of the studied area with neighboring southwestern, southern, and southeastern regions showed their synchroneity with the dynamics of the hydrocli-mate on these territories. During the Iron Age and after the end of the late Middle Ages, there was a synchronous increase in humidity, both in the steppe zone and in the forest zone. In the Bronze Age and during the high Middle Ages, the steppe zone was humid, but less atmospheric precipitation fell out in the forest zone. These fluctuations in the moisture content are well correlated with the 500–600-year hydrological cycles in the steppe zone, identi-fied by geochemical indicators of the steppe Shira Lake in Khakassia (Kalugin et al., 2013, p. 251). Changes in the hydroclimatic conditions in the forest and steppe zones had different effects on the local cultures and could stimulate either their rise or decline, as well as migrations.

A record of Botrychium lanceolatum (S. G. Gmel.) Ångstr., a new species for the flora of the middle zone of European Russia from Kostroma Region

The article reports on a find of a new plant native to the flora of central European Russia – Botrychium lanceolatum (S. G. Gmel.) Ångstr., which was discovered during a survey of a 60-year-old clearcut in the course of floristic work on the territory of M. G. Sinitsyn “Kologrivskiy Les” State Nature Reserve (the Kostroma Region). Collection and determination were carried out by the author of the article I. G. Krinitsyn. For the Kostroma Region, the species was not indicated in any floristic checklist. Herbarium specimens of the aboveground part of the sporophyte are kept in the Herbarium of the Kostroma State University and the “Kologrivskiy Les” State Nature Reserve Herbarium, as well as transferred to the Herbarium of the Altai State University (ALTB). B. lanceolatum is a relict species of the forest zone of the Holarctic with a fragmented range mainly in the subarctic, northern temperate zone and in the mountains of the warm temperate zone of Eurasia and North America. In Russia, it is sporadically found in the forest zone from the Murmansk and Leningrad Regions to Kamchatka and Sakhalin, inclusively; it enters the Arctic on the Chukchi Peninsula. The species is rare throughout its range; the populations are represented by single individuals. It is included in many regional Red Data Books of the Russian Federation. B. lanceolatum became the fifth species of the Botrychiaceae Nakai family in the pteridoflora of the Kostroma Region (and the middle zone of European Russia as a whole). In the Kostroma Region, the species is located on the extreme southern border of the range in the middle zone of the European part of Russia. The population of B. lanceolatum at the time of the discovery was represented by 4 individuals in different ontogenetic states. The data on the new location and phytocenotic conditions of growth of the species are given; a brief morphological description and information on the dynamics of the population are presented.

Testing of domestic white cabbage hybrids at different planting densities

Четыре перспективных гибрида капусты белокочанной среднепозднего срока созревания селекции агрофирмы «Поиск» – F1Универс, F1 Застольный, F1 Поиск 2018 – и позднеспелый гибрид для хранения F1 Континент проходили испытание при разной густоте посадки: 19, 23, 27, 30, 33 тыс. растений/га в условиях Раменского района Московской области. Цель исследования: определить отзывчивость гибридов капусты белокочанной на густоту высадки для их выращивания в Нечерноземной зоне. Место исследований относится к лесной зоне в центральной части Русской равнины. Почвы – аллювиально-луговые среднесуглинистого механического состава. Погодные условия в годы проведения исследований были не совсем благоприятными для выращивания капусты белокочанной: в 2020 году отмечались осадки выше среднемноголетних значений, в 2021 году – жаркая засушливая погода, недостаток влаги, благоприятные условия для развития капустной моли и табачного трипса во время вегетации. Максимальной и стабильной урожайностью за два года исследований отличался среднепоздний гибрид F1 Застольный 144,54 т/га. Для получения наибольших сборов урожая продукции капусты белокочанной рекомендована высадка F1 Застольный при густоте 33 тыс. раст/га, для получения крупных кочанов на разреженных посадках 27 тыс. раст/га. F1 Поиск 2018 – при густоте 33 тыс. раст/га средняя урожайность составила 130,35 т/га, на разреженных посадках 141,4 т/га при густоте 23 тыс. раст/га. Гибрид F1 Универс реализовал свой биологический потенциал продуктивности 125,07 и 126,90 при 33 и 27 тыс. раст/га соответственно. Гибрид F1 Континент менее всех реагировал на изменение густоты посадки, имел наибольшую урожайность при 30 тыс. раст/га 120 т/га. Four promising F1 hybrids of white cabbage bred at Poisk company were tested at different planting density: 19, 23, 27, 30, 33 thousand plants/ha. in the Ramensky district of the Moscow region. F1 Univers, F1Zastolniy, F1 Poisk 2018 – mid-late ripening and F1Continent – late hybrid for storage. Objective of the study: to determine the responsiveness of white cabbage hybrids at different planting densities for their growing in the Non-Black Earth Zone. The research site belongs to the forest zone in the central part of the Russian Plain. Soils are alluvial meadows of medium loamy texture. The weather conditions during the years of the research were not entirely favorable for the cultivation of white cabbage. Precipitation above average annual values was observed in 2020. Hot dry weather, lack of moisture, favorable conditions for the development of cabbage moth and tobacco thrips during the growing season were in 2021. The mid-late hybrid F1 Zastolniy was distinguished by the maximum and stable yield over 2 years of research. Its yield was 144.54 t/ha. Planting F1Zastolniy was recommended at a density of 33 thousand plants/ha to maximize the yield of white cabbage production; large heads of cabbage should be obtained on sparse plantings at 27 thousand plants/ha. The average yield of F1Poisk 2018 was 130.35 t/ha with a density of 33 thousand plants/ha, 141.4 t/ha on sparse plantings with a density of 23 thousand plants/ha. The F1 Univers hybrid has realized its biological productivity potential of 125.07 and 126.90 at 33 and 27 thousand plants/ha, respectively. Hybrid F1 Continent reacted least of all to changes in planting density, had the highest yield at 30 thousand plants/ha 120 t/ha.

To the hoverflies fauna (Diptera: Syrphidae) of the high mountains of Eastern Sayan in Siberia

A list of 101 species of hoverflies recorded from three high altitudinal belts in the Eastern Sayan mountain region is given. Most species belong to the subfamilies Syrphinae (60 species) and Eristalinae (38 species), while Pipizinae and Microdontinae are presented by two and one species, respectively. Totally, 96 species were found in the forest zone, 37 species were found in the mountain tundra and only Platycheirus chilosia has been caught in the golsty belt. New synonymy is established: Melangyna arctica (Zetterstedt, 1838) = Melangyna soszynskii Mielczarek, 2013 syn. n., = Melangyna tsherepanovi (Violovitsh, 1965) syn. n.

Caracteristiques Du Système D'exploitation Des Poulets Locaux Dans Deux Zones Agro-Ecologiques (Sud Forestier Et Centre Savanicole) De La Côte D’Ivoire

Les poulets locaux, malgré leur rôle important dans l’aviculture ivoirienne, souffrent de leur faible productivité. Pour contribuer à l’amélioration de leur productivité, une étude descriptive a été réalisée sur son élevage auprès 206 paysans natifs de deux zones agro-écologiques à l’aide d’un questionnaire. Les résultats indiquent les paysans exploitent les poulets locaux dans un système exclusivement extensif. L’aviculture villageoise est une activité dominée par les hommes (79,60 %) et la considérant comme secondaire (97 %). La plupart de ces aviculteurs sont analphabètes (52,5 %). La rusticité et la qualité organoleptique des produits constituent les principales motivations en faveur de cet élevage dans 82 % cas en moyenne. Ils ont débuté l’élevage par achat (59 %) d’un petit noyau initial, par don ou par héritage (41 %) en zone de forêt et par confiage (60 %) en zone de savane. La 1ère ponte d’une poulette intervient en moyenne à 6 mois d’âge (52,5 %). Un faible effectif (23 poulets) composé en majorité de jeunes sujets (55,21 %), de poules (33,19 %) et de coqs (11,40%) a été observé dans les cheptels. Le plein air intégral (73,30 %) a été le mode privilégié d’élevage en zone de savane. Les épizooties (54,35 %) et les prédateurs (38 %) ont été les premières causes de mortalité. Les produits d'élevage issus de ce système ont été utilisés en autoconsommation (62 %) en zone de forêt et vendus (65 %) en zone de savane. La levée des contraintes caractérisant le système le système extensif pourrait aider à l’amélioration de la productivité des poules locales. Local chickens play an important role in Ivorian poultry farming, but this animal resource suffers from its low productivity. In order to contribute to the improvement of this productivity, a descriptive study was carried out on its breeding among two hundred and six (206) farmers who were native to two agro-ecological zones using a structured questionnaire. The results indicate that these farmers are exploiting local chickens in an extensive system exclusively. Village poultry farming is an activity dominated by men (79.60%) and considered secondary (97%). Most of these poultry farmers are illiterate (52.5%) and the rusticity and organoleptic quality of the products are the main motivations for this breeding in an average of 82% cases. They began breeding by purchasing a small nucleus (59%), by gifts or inheritance (41%) in the Forest zone and by entrusting (60%) in the Savannah zone. The first laying of a pullet occurs on average at 6 months of age (52.5%) and the early pullet lays its first eggs between 4 and 6 months (13%). A few chickens (23), the majority of which were youngsters (55.21%), hens (33.19%) and roosters (11.40%), were observed in the flocks. In Savannah areas, free-range rearing (73.30%) was the preferred method of rearing. Epizootics (54.35%) and predators (38%) were the main causes of mortality. The livestock products from this system were used for self-consumption (62%) in the forest zone and sold (65%) in the Savannah zone. Removing the constraints that characterize the extensive system could help to improve the productivity of local chickens.