Diurnal and seasonal variation of planetary boundary layer height over East Asia and its climatic change as seen in the ERA-5 reanalysis data

The diurnal/seasonal structure of the boundary layer height (BLH) is investigated over East Asia by using the hourly synoptic monthly ERA5 reanalysis variables from 1979 to 2019. Sensible heat flux (SHF) is the major factor in the temporal and spatial variation of the BLH. Although BLH, in general, is positively correlated with SHF throughout the year, BLH-SHF relationship varies significantly based on the surface type, latitude and time of the year. Analysis also reveals that stability is an important parameter controlling the diurnal maximum BLH. The growth of BLH is strongly limited by the presence of a stable layer. On the other hand, BLH increases abruptly in the presence of a weakly stratified residual layer. In addition, regional warming tends to increase the BLH in the mid- to high-latitude continental area. In the low-latitude continental area, the sign of anomalous SHF varies seasonally and regionally. Stability plays only a minor role in the BLH change except over the Tibetan Plateau, where the increased stability at the top of boundary layer due to warming reduces BLH rather significantly.

Comparison of temperature and humidity during MIS 11 and MIS 5e interglacials with the Holocene using stable isotopes in tufa deposits from northern France

Many recent palaeoclimatic studies have focused on Pleistocene interglacials, especially Marine Isotopic Stages (MIS) 5e and 11, as analogs to our modern interglacial (MIS 1). In continental area, archives allowing comparison between interglacials remain scarce. Calcareous tufa deposits, as they are characteristic of these periods and can provide long, almost continuous, palaeoclimatic records through their isotopic content, appear highly suitable for such investigation. In this paper, δ18O and δ13C values from the three well-dated tufas of Saint-Germain-le-Vasson, Caours, and La Celle are combined to compare temperature and moisture conditions prevailing during MIS 1, 5e, and 11, in the Paris Basin. Both Pleistocene interglacials, and especially their optima, appear stronger than the Holocene: MIS 11 was wetter and warmer than both the Holocene and MIS 5e, which itself experienced wetter conditions than the Holocene. These observations are consistent with palaeontological data from the studied sites, especially malacological assemblages, which record, as at other European tufa sites, a relative depletion of molluscan diversity during the Holocene compared with the Pleistocene (MIS 5 and 11) interglacials.

Diurnal and Seasonal Variation of Planetary Boundary Layer Height over East Asia and Its Climatic Change as Seen in the ERA-5 Reanalysis Data

The diurnal/seasonal structure of the boundary layer height (BLH) is investigated over East Asia by using the hourly synoptic monthly ERA5 reanalysis variables from 1979–2019. Sensible heat flux (SHF) is the major factor in the temporal and spatial variation of the BLH. Although BLH, in general, is positively correlated with SHF throughout the year, BLH-SHF relationship varies significantly based on the surface type, latitude and time of the year. Analysis also reveals that stability is an important parameter controlling the diurnal maximum BLH. The growth of BLH is strongly limited by the presence of a stable layer. On the other hand, BLH increases abruptly in the presence of a weakly stratified residual layer. In addition, regional warming tends to increase the BLH in the mid- to high-latitude continental area. In the low-latitude continental area, the sign of SHF differs seasonally and regionally. Stability plays only a minor role in the BLH change except over the Tibetan Plateau, where the increased stability at the top of boundary layer due to warming reduces BLH rather significantly.

Fungi Sensitization in Spain: Importance of the Alternaria alternata Species and Its Major Allergen Alt a 1 in the Allergenicity

Prevalence of allergy to fungi is around 3–10%. The most prevalent species involved in sensitizations are Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cladosporium herbarum, and Penicillium notatum. Our main objective was to estimate the prevalence of fungal sensitization and its variation across Spain. Following the ICH-GCP, we recruited 1156 patients from 15 allergy departments in Spain. Hospitals were selected by bioclimatic areas. Patients underwent a skin prick test (SPT) with fungi, pollens, house dust mites, and animal dander. Specific IgE to Alternaria alternata and Alt a 1 was assessed in patients with positive SPT to fungi. Of the 233 patients (20.2%) sensitized to at least one of the five fungi tested, 162 (69.5%) were sensitized to Alternaria alternata and Alt a 1, of whom 113 (69.8%) were children; 181 (77.7%) were also polysensitized to other allergens. Alternaria alternata and Alt a 1 sensitization was present in 25.4% of patients in the Continental area, 12.0% in the Mediterranean area, 7.0% in the Semidesertic area, and 2.3% in the Oceanic area. Prevalence of sensitization to the other tested sources was 63.8% to pollens, 60.5% to house dust mite, and 38.1% to animal dander. We concluded that the prevalence of fungal allergy is increasing. Fungi are still the fourth source of allergen sensitization. Alternaria alternata sensitization is the most prevalent in allergic patients to fungi. Alt a 1 is present in almost 90% of the patients sensitized to Alternaria alternata.

Studies on Neotropical crickets: The continental Otteiini taxa (Orthoptera: Phalangopsidae), those cave crickets are not confined to the West Indies

The tribe Otteiini is a group of cave crickets, that were believed only to inhabit the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Cayman Islands, and Hispaniola). However, when reviewing and studying similar cave crickets in Mexico, their relationship was proven with island taxa, expanding their distribution to the continental area, from the Yucatan Peninsula to the Gulf and Northeast of Mexico. Herein, the genus Paracophus is divided, and three additional genera are described: Hubbellcophus n. gen., Venegascophus n. gen. and Hortacophus n. gen. Also, two additional species for Paracophus are described (P. victoriensis n. sp. and P. velazquezi n. sp.). Diagnoses for all genera and dichotomous keys for genera and species are provided. Finally, the taxonomic relationships between the insular and continental taxa of the tribe are discussed, and the different taxonomic placements they had over time, with some genera located in Phalangopsinae and Luzarinae (Phalangopsidae) and Pentacentrinae (Gryllidae).

Distribution and conservation of the species of Marmosini (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) from Colombia

Marmosini species were taxonomically revised recently, however, little is known about their distribution and conservation. The aim of this research was to delimit the distribution of all species of Marmosini that inhabit Colombia, and analyze their conservation using potential distributions, protected areas, and human pressure data of the country. We used the widely known ecological niche modeling algorithm maxent to model the distribution of each species using two approaches to estimate the modeling area: a buffer-derived and an ecoregion-derived. After selecting a final model, we used data on protected areas and human pressure specific to Colombia, and analyze their conservation and pressure scenarios. Finally, we generated a species richness map for Marmosini in Colombia. We found that most species of Marmosini from Colombia co-occur at mid-elevations of the Andes with an upper elevation limit of maximum richness at ~ 2000 m. Marmosini species’ distribution covers 91% of the country's continental area, and the maximum area protected for any species of this group is between 29–5.4% of their modeled distribution. Most of the protected areas under strict and national conservation types presented small areas of high human pressure, while other categories (conservation units under managed resources and other conservation types) presented large areas of high human pressure. These species are poorly protected by the Natural Protected Areas of Colombia. Future reserves that cover Andean regions below 2000 m could help optimize their conservation.

Thermal Effects at Continent-Ocean Transform Margins: A 3D Perspective

Continental breakup along transform margins produces a sequence of (1) continent-continent, (2) continent-oceanic, (3) continent-ridge, and (4) continent-oceanic juxtapositions. Spreading ridges are the main sources of heat, which is then distributed by diffusion and advection. Previous work focused on the thermal evolution of transform margins built on 2D numerical models. Here we use a 3D FEM model to obtain the first order evolution of temperature, uplift/subsidence, and thermal maturity of potential source rocks. Snapshots for all four transform phases are provided by 2D sections across the margin. Our 3D approach yields thermal values that lie in between the previously established 2D end-member models. Additionally, the 3D model shows heat transfer into the continental lithosphere across the transform margin during the continental-continental transform stage ignored in previous studies. The largest values for all investigated quantities in the continental area are found along the transform segment between the two ridges, with the maximum values occurring near the transform-ridge corner of the trailing continental edge. This boundary segment records the maximum thermal effect up to 100 km distance from the transform. We also compare the impact of spreading rates on the thermal distribution within the lithosphere. The extent of the perturbation into the continental areas is reduced in the faster models due to the reduced exposure times. The overall pattern is similar and the maximum values next to the transform margin is essentially unchanged. Varying material properties in the upper crust of the continental areas has only a minor influence.

Bioactive Compounds in Wild Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Leaves and Stalks: Polyphenols and Pigments upon Seasonal and Habitat Variations

This study evaluated the presence of bioactives in wild nettle leaves and stalks during the phenological stage and in the context of natural habitat diversity. Thus, wild nettle samples collected before flowering, during flowering and after flowering from 14 habitats situated in three different regions (continental, mountain and seaside) were analyzed for low molecular weight polyphenols, carotenoids and chlorophylls using UPLC-MS/MS and HPLC analysis, while the ORAC method was performed for the antioxidant capacity measurement. Statistical analysis showed that, when compared to the stalks, nettle leaves contained significantly higher amounts of analyzed compounds which accumulated in the highest yields before flowering (polyphenols) and at the flowering stage (pigments). Moreover, nettle habitat variations greatly influenced the amounts of analyzed bioactives, where samples from the continental area contained higher levels of polyphenols, while seaside region samples were more abundant with pigments. The levels of ORAC followed the same pattern, being higher in leaves samples collected before and during flowering from the continental habitats. Hence, in order to provide the product’s maximum value for consumers’ benefit, a multidisciplinary approach is important for the selection of a plant part as well as its phenological stage with the highest accumulation of bioactive compounds.

Drier North American Monsoon in Contrast to Asian–African Monsoon under Global Warming

Summer monsoon rainfall supplies over 55% of annual precipitation to global monsoon regions. As shown by more than 70% of models, including 30 models from CMIP5 and 30 models from CMIP6 under high-emission scenarios, North American (NAM) monsoon rainfall decreases in a warmer climate, in sharp contrast to the robust increase in Asian–African monsoon rainfall. A hierarchy of model experiments is analyzed to understand the mechanism for the reduced NAM monsoon rainfall in this study. Modeling evidence shows that the reduction of NAM monsoon rainfall is related to both direct radiative forcing of increased CO2 concentration and SST warming, manifested as fast and slow responses to abrupt CO2 quadrupling in coupled GCMs. A cyclone anomaly forms over the Eurasian–African continental area due to enhanced land–sea thermal contrast under increased CO2 concentration, and this leads to a subsidence anomaly on its western flank, suppressing the NAM monsoon rainfall. The SST warming acts to further reduce the rainfall over the NAM monsoon region, and the El Niño–like SST warming pattern with enhanced SST warming over the equatorial Pacific plays a key role in suppressing NAM rainfall, whereas relative cooling over the subtropical North Atlantic has no contribution. A positive feedback between monsoon precipitation and atmospheric circulation helps to amplify the responses of monsoon rainfall.

Tracking a voyager: mitochondrial DNA analyses reveal mainland-to-island dispersal of an American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) across the Caribbean

Conservation efforts have allowed American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) populations to recover to the point that dispersal movements are beginning to be documented. The environmental authority of San Andres Island in Colombia reported, for the first time, the arrival of two C. acutus from unknown localities in 2012 and 2018. The former was sacrificed, and the latter was captured and kept in captivity to determining its potential origin. We used wildlife forensics to establish the origin of the animal that arrived in 2018 based on two mitochondrial genes (COI and Cytb). Additionally, five other samples from Tayrona National Natural Park (TNNP), and Salamanca Island Road Park (SIRP) were sequenced for molecular attribution of these populations to the currently described lineages. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses showed that the American crocodile found in San Andrés belongs to a continental evolutionary lineage endemic to Colombia, showing also a strong genetic similarity with animals from SIRP. Thus, the most likely origin for this individual was not the nearest continental area but somewhere around the central Colombian Caribbean, located ~700 km from the island. We discuss the implication of our findings in the systematics and conservation of the species and the potential of mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify such migrants.