Last interglacial environment of the Baikal Region (Southern Siberia, Russia) based on analysis of fossil invertebrates and plants

New data on fossil insects, soil and freshwater invertebrates, plant macrofossils, pollen and spores were obtained from a problematic lower unit of the reference section Bely Yar-II (Tunka Rift, Baikal Region, Russia). The invertebrates show a natural succession from a small lake to a wetland; plant macrofossils confirm the early stages of succession. Pollen and spore data reflect a wide range of environments and vegetation from moderate climate supporting regional forests to relatively cold, dry parkland. New Uranium-Thorium data (99 ± 20 ka and 101 ± 13 ka), along with environmental reconstructions, indicate that the lower unit was probably formed during one of the cold sub-stages towards the end the last inter-glaciation (MIS5).

Behavior and Energy Losses of Cows during the Period of Low Temperatures

Over the past 20 years, dairy farms in Ukraine have been actively introducing the keeping of cows in easy-to-assemble premises. However, in a moderate climate (with four distinct year seasons), the issues of microclimate, energy losses of animals and their behavior during the cold period of the year for keeping in such premises have not been fully studied. The purpose of this work was to study the influence of the heat insulation elements use of side curtains in easy-to-assemble premises during the period of low temperatures on microclimate, energy outgoings for thermoregulation and behavior of cows. The research conducted in the central part of Ukraine (Kyiv region). The research was conducted during January-February (29-43 days of the year) 2021. This period characterized by low average daily temperatures of -12.2– -18.7°С, strong wind gusts and daily precipitation in the form of snow. Two easy-toassemble premises for 400 heads were used for research. Parameters of placements (LxWxH): 150х32х10.5 m. The first one was without the use of curtains heat insulation elements, and the second one was with these elements of heat insulation. It was found that the use of polycarbonate wall heat insulation elements had a positive effect on the microclimate in the placement during the period of low temperatures. Indicators of average daily air temperatures in the placement were 3.2 and 8.8°C higher compared to the temperature in the same premise without the use of heat insulation elements and the environment. The wind speed also differed by 0.18 and 11.04 m/s, respectively. In addition, the heat insulation of the walls affected the temperature under the lying cow (+1.8°C), energy outgoings for thermoregulation (-1.93 MJ) and the number of cows that lay in the period of the lowest temperatures (+3.23-9.83%) compared to the placement without heat insulation elements. The difference in temperature of rubber carpet in the compared premises was significant: +3.3°C in the premises with heat insulation elements compared to the premises without heat insulation

Does Climate Warming Favour Early Season Species?

Plant species that start early in spring are generally more responsive to rising temperatures, raising concerns that climate warming may favour early season species and result in altered interspecific interactions and community structure and composition. This hypothesis is based on changes in spring phenology and therefore active growing season length, which would not be indicative of possible changes in growth as would changes in cumulative forcing temperatures (growing degree days/hours) in the Northern Hemisphere. In this study we analysed the effects of a moderate climate warming (2°C warmer than the 1981–2010 baseline) on the leaf-out of hypothetical species without chilling restriction and actual plant species with different chilling and forcing requirements in different parts of the globe. In both cases, early season species had larger phenological shifts due to low leaf-out temperatures, but accumulated fewer forcing gains (changes in cumulative forcing temperatures by warming) from those shifts because of their early spring phenology. Leaf-out time was closely associated with leaf-out temperatures and therefore plant phenological responses to climate warming. All plant species would be equally affected by climate warming in terms of total forcing gains added from higher temperatures when forcing gains occurring between early and late season species are included. Our findings will improve the understanding of possible mechanisms and consequences of differential responses in plant phenology to climate warming.

PSX-B-27 Physiological changes in grazing dairy cows at increasing temperatures under moderate climate conditions

The continuous direct exposure to solar radiation, coupled with their own metabolic heat production, make grazing dairy cows on pasture particularly susceptible to heat stress. Heat stress can impair performance, animal welfare, and health. The objective of the present study was to identify physiological indicators of heat stress in dairy cows in a pasture-based production system under moderate climate conditions. The study was performed with 24 lactating Holstein dairy cows during summer 2018 and 2019 at the experimental farm of Agroscope (Posieux, Switzerland). Cows grazed full-time using a set stocking system. Climate conditions were recorded every min and were used to calculate the comprehensive climate index (CCI), which reflects the felt temperature in °C. The vaginal temperature (VT) of each cow was measured every 10 minutes with temperature loggers and was used as a physiological indicator of heat stress. Blood and milk were sampled once daily in the afternoon before and during milking, respectively. The concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were analyzed in blood plasma and cortisol concentration was analyzed in milk. Data from 12 periods of up to 3 consecutive days with increasing CCI was analyzed. Analysis were performed with the averaged CCI and the maximal VT recorded between 0830 and 1430 h. The VTmax was positively correlated with CCIaverage (P < 0.001). The T4 and T3 concentrations decreased with increasing CCIaverage and VTmax (P < 0.01). Cortisol concentrations were positively correlated with CCIaverage and VTmax (P < 0.05). Changes in VT and hormones showed that cows responded to increasing environmental temperature and may have perceived the rising heat load as a stressor.

Analysis on Climate Literacy Capacity of Level XI High School Students in Surabaya

The climate problem today caused damage to infrastructures and many other living elements among mankind. As the prospected future leaders, students need to understand and to respond the effects of climate change. A person with climate literacy may enhance their ability and capacity to face climate challenges in the future. Climate literacy is the understanding of the influence of self and society on the climate. This research is conducted to give a general picture of climate literacy among high school students in Surabaya and each indicator in climate competency aspects. The methodology used in this research is a descriptive qualitative method. The research instrument used in this research is a climate literacy test. The valuation of climate literacy capacity of the students being done by giving scores manually from the test answers according to the scoring guideline in the scoring rubric and achievement results with categories as very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The research samples are 107 high school students at level XI in SMAN 22 Surabaya (Public High School 22 Surabaya). According to the research, the students’ indicator in scientific identifying is low with a score percentage of 48.9%. The students’ indicator in explaining the scientific phenomenon is moderate with a score of 74.5%, while students’ indicator score in using scientific evidence is moderate with 68.6%. It could be said that high school students in SMAN 22 Surabaya as a whole have a moderate climate literacy capacity with a percentage score of 64%.

Actinidia (Mini Kiwi) Fruit Quality in Relation to Summer Cutting

Recently, there has been a trend towards healthy food. Consumers are looking for products that have health-promoting properties in addition to their taste. Actinidia fruit, apart from being tasty, contains valuable macro and micronutrients, vitamins, polyphenols and pectins. Tested cultivar Sientiabrskaja belong to Actinidia arguta and cultivars Geneva, Issai and Ken’s Red to A. kolomitka. They well tolerate conditions of moderate climate with negative temperatures in winter. To improve fruit quality, an additional summer pruning of the plants was performed at the time of ripening. After the second additional cutting of Actinidia shoots, an increase in the content of N, P and K in fruit was observed. The additional pruning also had a beneficial effect on the change in fruit color. The fruits were darker, especially in the cultivars Geneva and Ken’s Red. This is related to the ripening of fruit and an increase in anthocyanin content. Additional summer pruning caused changes in the polyphenol content-the amount of phenolic acid and flavan-3 ols decreased, while the level of anthocyanins increased. The antioxidant capacity also increased as well as fruit size, dry matter, pectin and Soluble Solid Content (SSC) content. The acidity of the fruit also decreased which positively affects the taste of the fruit. The highest content of polyphenols and L-ascorbic acid was found in ‘Sientiabrskaja’ fruit; but the highest antioxidant activity (determined Free Radical Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl-DPPH•, ABTS•+ and Ferric Antioxidant Power-FRAP) was found in fruit with red skin coloring and anthocyanins-‘Issai’ and ‘Ken’s Red’.

Actinidia (Mini Kiwi) Fruit Quality in Relation to Summer Cutting

Recently, there has been a trend towards healthy food. Consumers are looking for products that have health-promoting properties in addition to their taste. Actinidia fruit, apart from being tasty, contains valuable nutrients. They are high in vitamin C, polyphenols, and pectins and low in calories. These pro-health properties allow kiwiberry fruit to qualify in the group of so-called superfoods. All tested cultivars belong to two species of Actinidia, well tolerating conditions of moderate climate with negative temperatures in winter. The cultivars differed significantly in mineral content, color, firmness, weight and content of antioxidant substances. Summer pruning (lightening) increased the content of N, P, K, extract, and NO3 and resulted in darker fruit color. However, it slightly decreased the content of polyphenols. 'Sientiabrskaja' can be recommended for consumption as the cultivar richest in polyphenols and with the highest health-promoting values.