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Deceleration of economic growth is a characteristic feature of developed countries. Percentage gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in the old Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries has decreased approximately 2–3 times over the last 50 years, and countries have managed successfully to adopt this trend. The largest reduction of GDP growth rate was observed in countries such as Japan where the biocapacity exceedance was the largest. In addition, the analysis of long-term changes of GDP and self-reported life satisfaction in developed countries supports Easterlin's paradox indicating that richer people do not feel more satisfied with their lives; however, people from countries with higher per capita GDP feel more satisfied. At the same time, a statistically insignificant correlation was detected between GDP growth rate and life satisfaction, supporting a conclusion that in the developed countries further economic growth does not increase people's well-being. This suggests that decelerating the rate of economic growth gradually approaching the zero growth (steady state) phase is the natural way towards sustainability and it does not contradict the well-being objective in developed countries, especially ones with high biocapacity exceedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming and a shift in the timing of phenological phases, which lead to changes in the duration of the vegetation period may have an essential impact on the productivity of winter crops. The main purpose of this study is to examine climate change-related long-term (1961-2015) changes in the duration of both initial (pre-winter) and main (post-winter) winter wheat vegetation seasons and to present the projection of future phenological changes until the end of this century. Delay and shortening of pre-winter vegetation period, as well as the advancement and slight extension of the post-winter vegetation period, resulted in the reduction of whole winter wheat vegetation period by more than 1 week over the investigated 55 years. Projected changes in the timing of phenological phases which define limits of a main vegetation period differ essentially from the observed period. According to pessimistic (Representative Concentration Pathways 8.5) scenario, the advancement of winter wheat maturity phase by almost 30 days and the shortening of post-winter vegetation season by 15 days are foreseen for a far (2071-2100) projection. An increase in the available chilling amount is specific not only to the investigated historical period (1960-2015) but also to the projected period according to the climate change scenarios of climate warming for all three projection periods. Consequently, the projected climate warming does not pose a threat of plant vernalization shortage in the investigated geographical latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the possibilities and the mechanisms of spring barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) cross-adaptation to different heavy metals after hardening with ozone (O3), drought and UV-B radiation. Dry shoot biomass, accumulation of superoxide (O2˙−) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) were measured after hardening and heavy metal treatments. Seedlings, exposed to ozone and drought prior to copper (Cu) treatment, showed significantly increased tolerance to this heavy metal. The most possible causes of cross-adaptation to this redox-active heavy metal, which triggered very strong oxidative stress in nonhardened barley seedlings, were increased CAT activity, mitigation of O2˙−accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Cross-adaptation to cadmium (Cd) was induced only by drought hardening. In this case, however, adaptation had lower effect on antioxidative enzymes, did not altered O2˙−accumulation and even slightly increased the intensity of lipid peroxidation. The study reveals that stimulation of CAT activity and mitigation of oxidative stress are the main reasons for plant adaptation to Cu; whereas cross-adaptation to Cd, heavy metal with much lower oxidative capacity, is determined by the mechanisms that are not related to oxidative stress directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of long-term time series of spring phenology for different deciduous trees species has shown that leaf unfolding for all the investigated species is the most sensitive to temperatures in March and April and illustrates that forcing temperature is the main driver of the advancement of leaf unfolding. Available chilling amount has increased by 22.5 % over the last 90 years, indicating that in the investigated geographical region there is no threat of chilling shortage. The projection of climatic parameters for Central Lithuania on the basis of three global circulation models has shown that under the optimistic climate change scenario (RCP 2.6) the mean temperature tends to increase by 1.28 °C and under the pessimistic scenario (RCP 8.5) by 5.03 °C until the end of the current century. Recently, different statistical models are used not only to analyze but also to project the changes in spring phenology. Our study has shown that when the data of long-term phenological observations are available, multiple regression models are suitable for the projection of the advancement of leaf unfolding under the changing climate. According to the RCP 8.5 scenario, the projected advancement in leaf unfolding for early-season species birch consists of almost 15 days as an average of all three used GSMs. Markedly less response to the projected far future (2071-2100), climate change is foreseen for other investigated climax species: −9 days for lime, 10 days for oak, and 11 days for maple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the value-belief-norm theory was applied. Analysing the impact of values on environmentally-friendly behaviour, goal framing theory was taken into consideration. According to the Lithuanian representative survey conducted in 2011 and using factor analysis, two different value orientations were identified: self-transcendence and self-enhancement. The results showed that people with stronger self-transcendence value orientation, which are guided by normative goals, are more perceptive of environmental problems and are more inclined to assume responsibility and behave in a more environmentally-friendly way. After applying the regression analysis to the data, it was found that the most important direct determinants of environmental behaviour were self-transcendence value orientation, environmental problem perception, and the assumption of responsibility. However, a gap between awareness of behavioural consequences and real behaviour was observed. These findings could be important for policy implications when seeking to promote behaviour that is more environmentally-friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term investigations of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) growth were carried out in the vicinity of one of the biggest air pollution sources in Lithuania-mineral fertilizers plant 'Achema.' It is detected that initial stages of the dynamic tree response to the external stress factors in the polluted environment with an increased quantity of nitrogen compounds have started with a stimulation stage, followed by a gradual transition to a depression of growth. The recovery of the damaged stands took place along with the reduced environmental pollution, and the overdraft of the 'normal' annual increment was a characteristic feature of all the investigated stands. This phase is still continuing for the most damaged stands. A very high individual variability of the tree growth response to the environmental impact is a characteristic feature of the damaged Scots pine stands. The homeostatic mechanisms of the survived trees stipulated reaching approximately the same or even higher growth rate as prior to the depression period, and the tree growth rate before the depression period can serve as the most powerful predictor of tree growth recovery capacity under the reduced environmental pollution. Crown defoliation is the next most important predictor of individual tree recovery capacity. Lower stand density and lower competition cause higher recovery capacity of damaged trees. The conclusion is made that a reduction in the environmental pollution on the local and regional scale and especially a decrease in emissions and deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds caused the recovery of damaged forests. These trends should be taken into account while analyzing and modeling forest dynamics. Interaction of environmental pollution and climatic factors is very important for the response of tree growth to the environmental stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public acceptance is a crucial factor for the development of renewable energy. Therefore, the enhancement of intention to use renewable energy is required in seeking promotion of renewable energy. Thus, the aim of this study is implementing the theory of planned behaviour in order to analyse the main determinants of intention behind using the renewable energy in Lithuania, as one of the Central and Eastern European countries (CEE). The results show that respondents mostly prefer to use solar energy. Meanwhile the fewest citizens intended to use biomass and hydro energy. Referring to the results of regression analysis, the level of development of renewable energy and financial abilities influenced the intention to use renewable energy the most. Subjective norms also significantly and positively determined the intention to use renewable energy. Meanwhile attitudes to renewable energy had no effect on intention to use renewable energy. Only interaction of environmental concern and attitude to renewable energy significantly contributes to intention to use renewable energy. Therefore, this study contributes to the overall discussion on renewable energy usage and its proliferation in the European Union, specifically in the CEE region. • Applying the theory of planned behaviour evaluation of determinants of intention to use RES. • Respondents mostly prefer to use solar energy and the least intended to use biomass. • The level of development of RES and financial abilities influenced the most the intention to use RES. • Subjective norms positively determined the intention to use renewable energy. • Interaction of environmental concern and attitude contributes to intention to use RES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change leads to increasing frequency of droughts, threatening the productivity and quality of forage plants. Therefore, this glasshouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of reoccurring droughts on productivity and nutritive value of alfalfa and hybrid fescue plants. Starting from 63 days after sowing, seedlings of plants were exposed to double drought‐recovery treatments, each separate period lasting for 1 week. At the end of each treatment, growth of above‐ and below‐ground dry weight, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidative capacity, content of polyphenols, soluble and insoluble carbohydrates and proteins, as well as elemental composition of shoots were investigated. The findings confirmed our hypothesis, as growth of both plant species were mostly insignificantly affected by subsequent drought events. Whereas effect on leave redox homeostasis and plant nutritive value was much stronger, highly depending on both plant species and the order of stress event. We found significant drought‐induced increase in the content of water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSCs), starch, soluble and insoluble proteins, and polyphenols. Water shortage tended to decrease and increase the content of most macro‐ and microelements in alfalfa and fescue, respectively. These effects were reversed by re‐watering with several exceptions, such as constant reduction of Ca content in alfalfa. To conclude, alfalfa was found to be more sensitive than fescue to the first drought, but able to recover after both stress events. The second drought‐initiated prolonged accumulation of WSC implies a shift in plants metabolism towards increased resistance and herewith nutritive value with respect to soluble sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the investigation of forage crops hybrid fescue and legume alfalfa response to drought at different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Plants were grown in pots filled with a mixture of field soil, perlite and fine sand with three (N0, N60 and N90 kg/ha) levels of nitrogen fertilization in a greenhouse. Drought stress was applied by withholding watering for 1 week, after which plants were left for a recovery period of 1 week. In most cases, the morphological indices of alfalfa did not differ significantly between the treatments. In contrast, the above-ground biomass of fescue grown under well-watered conditions was largely enhanced by N addition. The main trend of JIP test parameters was that nitrogen fertilizer did not have a significant effect on alfalfa. Contrarily, additional nitrogen content increased energy fluxes (such as absorption, trapping, electron transport, reduction of end acceptors) and density of reaction centres not only in well-watered but also in drought-affected fescue plants. An increase in nitrogen fertilizers increased content of pigments and flavonoids in fescue leaves. In conclusion, the stress tolerance index of hybrid fescue increased along with the increase in N content due to more efficient use of light energy and increased antioxidative capacity, all of which led to significantly higher production of above-ground biomass at higher N levels and drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensity and frequency of heat waves (HW) accompanied by drought are increasing, however, still little is known about its effect on forage plants. A pot experiment was carried out in growth chambers in order to elucidate the multiple response of forage rape to combined HW and drought (HD) under current and elevated CO2 (HD + CO2). Forage rape was proved to be relatively HD‐resistant plant, with no significant and long‐term effects on shoot growth and photosynthetic performance, and effective stimulation of antioxidative system, especially in the case of HD + CO2 exposure. Activities of enzymes of ascorbate–glutathione cycle were further stimulated by elevated CO2 even after the termination of HD treatment. Nutritive value of forage rape was also positively affected, as was shown by elevated content of water‐soluble carbohydrates after exposure and starch after the period of recovery (up to 80% and 92%, respectively). Concentrations of most macro‐ and microelements were increased, and stabilized higher or equalized to control level after the period of recovery in a similar pattern for HD and HD + CO2 exposure. However, content of Ca was reduced and remained significantly lower (~20%). One of the most important negative and lagged HD effects was reduction of dry root biomass (~30%), most possibly induced by accumulation of non‐structural carbohydrates in shoot and was not mitigated by elevated CO2. To conclude, forage rape was proved to be a promising forage crop for the future climate with increased frequency of HWs; however, a special attention should be paid to the lagged effects, such as inhibition of root growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies of associations between solar inputs and climate are mostly designed for winter or cold period; whereas the knowledge about these associations during spring on a day‐to‐day time scale are very scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study is to detect the response of spring air temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and atmospheric pressure (ATP) to variation in teleconnection indices and space weather variables on the day‐to‐day timescale during the period of 1998–2017 in six cities of Eastern part of the Baltic region. We created a multivariate linear regression model for weather variables including month, the linear and seasonal trend, different teleconnection patterns, El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Quasi‐biennial Oscillation phase, the presence of Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) and space weather variables. The multivariate models for the mean daily weather variables showed a positive association between T and the daily Arctic oscillation, monthly Scandinavian pattern (SCA) indices, solar proton events (SPEs) with a lag of 1–9 days, and solar wind dynamic pressure (P) with a lag of 1–2 days and negative association between T and East Atlantic/West Russia (EA/WR) index. The mean RH positively correlated with a long‐term and short‐term variation in galactic cosmic rays (GCR) and solar wind speed (SWS) with a lag of 0–6 days and negatively correlated with EAWR and NINO3.4 indices. The mean ATP was negatively associated with both long‐term and short‐term changes in GCR and positively associated with the North Atlantic oscillation, EA/WR and SCA indices, By component of interplanetary magnetic field with a lag of 2 days, P, days of Stream Interaction Regions (SIRs) and SWS with a lag of 4–6 days. These results show the significant short‐term effects of SSW, SPEs, SIRs and solar wind variables on spring weather pattern in the Eastern part of the Baltic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different species have different sensitivity to heat waves; therefore, interspecific competition may affect the crop response to heat waves. We investigated the effects of heat waves on spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown with and without wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) as well as the recovery of barleys from stress. The plants were exposed to a 7‐day 35/28ºC (day/night) heat wave at ambient CO2 (400 μmol/mol) and elevated CO2 (800 μmol/mol). All seedlings were rehydrated and returned to control conditions (21/14ºC, CO2 400 μmol/mol) after the cease of heat wave and grown for a 7‐day period of recovery. Heat wave had more pronounced negative effect on the barley's aboveground biomass under competition with mustard, whereas the response of root biomass was not influenced by the presence of weeds. The heat wave induced reductions in barley's photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency under interspecific competition were higher compared to monocultured conditions. Interspecific competition impaired and delayed the recovery of barley's biomass production and leaf gas exchange parameters after heat wave. Elevated CO2 slightly mitigated negative heat wave impact on the growth and leaf gas exchange parameters but had no effect during the recovery period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The initial aim of this study was to evaluate an effect of elevated CO 2 concentration and air temperature (future climate) and O 3 pollution on mono- and mixed-culture grown summer rape (Brassica napus L.) and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). The second task was to reveal the mechanisms of the shift in plants' competitiveness in response to single and combined environmental changes. Plants were grown in mono- and mixed-cultures under current climate (CC) (400 μmol mol−1 of CO 2 , 21/14 °C day/night temperature) or future climate (FC) conditions (800 μmol mol−1 of CO 2 , 25/18 °C day/night temperature) with and without O 3 treatment (180 μg m−3). Competition had relatively little effect on growth of both species at current climate, independent of O 3 treatment. In contrast, competitive effect of both plant species considerably increased under FC, and especially FC + O 3 conditions, when growth of mixed-culture rape reduced up to 48% and that of wild mustard up to 80%. The mechanisms of elevated competitiveness of rape under the future climate consisted of better antioxidative protection, particularly elevated total antioxidative capacity and activities of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase. Whereas stronger oxidative damage, disproportionally high activities of H 2 O 2 scavenging enzymes and lower pool of soluble sugars in mixed-culture wild mustard reduced its competitiveness under FC + O 3 conditions. In conclusion it must be pointed out, that regardless improved competitive abilities of rape under FC and FC + O 3 conditions, competition with wild mustard reduced growth, indicating increased weed-induced yield losses in the future climate, especially with concomitant intensification of O 3 pollution. Highlights • Competition had little effect on summer rape and wild mustard at current climate. • Competitive effect of both plant species increased under the future climate (FC). • FC increased rape's competitiveness via better antioxidative protection. • Redox imbalance and lowered TSS reduced weed competitiveness at FC + O3 conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The factors of global climate change specifically affect crop and weed performance. Peas (Pisum sativum L.), spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) were exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]) (1400 or 700 vs. 400 mmol mol-1) and air temperature (25/18 vs. 21/14°C, day/ night) to study the single and combined effects on plant growth, photosynthetic performance, and carbohydrate metabolism. Significantly greater stimulation of the photosynthetic rate was determined at the corresponding growth CO2 concentration (Agrowth), and water use efficiency (WUE) and biomass production were detected for crops than for weed exposed to elevated [CO2]. The possibilities to translocate total soluble sugars (TSS) and starch into roots are considerably higher for crop species, especially N2-fixing pea plants compared with wild mustard, while the accumulation of photosynthates in leaves of wild mustard led to higher photosynthetic downregulation and considerably lower stimulation of Agrowth. Moreover, an increase in WUE was completely eliminated at 4°C above ambient air temperature ([25/400]) in wild mustard grown under elevated [CO2], while crops still maintained slightly higher WUE. These findings suggest that investigated crop species, especially pea plants, have higher advantage than weed under rising [CO2], and this benefit is detected to be even higher under elevated [CO2] and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothesis that trees have grown more rapidly in recent years as a consequence of climate warming and the reduced pollution was tested in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests in Lithuania. A hundred of the largest, dominant pine trees, with a diameter at breast height exceeding 50 cm, were selected in three experimental, over-mature stands located in different parts of the country (north-eastern, western and sea coast). Results confirmed that the annual increment of the trees analyzed has increased since 1980. The causes of such faster growth were higher air temperatures during the winter and, to a lesser extent, higher temperatures from May through August. The effect of precipitation was negligible. Using data on acidifying pollutants collected in last 30 years, a significant effect of the reduced SO2 concentration and sulphur deposition, as well as of the increased ammonia deposition, on the enhanced annual increment in the tree basal area was detected. Multiple regression analysis revealed that meteorological parameters can explain up to 50% of the observed variation in the increase of growth rate for Scots pine in Lithuania, while the variation in the concentration of acidifying pollutants accounted for an additional 30%. However, the pollution data set did not cover a timespan long enough (20-30 years) to clearly distinguish between the effect of the reduced pollution in recent years and the increased temperatures due to global warming as the driving factor of the enhanced growth observed for dominant pine trees in Lithanian forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materialism is becoming a global phenomenon and is increasing exponentially. Lithuania, which has survived a long period of occupation, experienced privatization and goods' famine is attributed to the transition countries. In terms of materialistic values, Lithuania is not an exception, as material wealth and image are also very important. Thus, the main question of this paper was whether materialistic values could be reconciled with the pro-environmental behavior, which can be considered as one of the main aspects seeking sustainability. According to the Lithuanian representative survey and by applying the approach of structural equation modeling, the results showed that materialistic values had an insignificant impact on the environmental concern, belief, and responsibility. Meanwhile, analyzing the impact of materialistic values on conservation and princely behavior, it was found that because of gain goals, materialists were more linked to perform conservation behavior, and because of hedonistic goals – princely behavior. Moreover, the environmental concern significantly and positively influenced princely behavior, but negatively – conservation behavior. Environmental beliefs had a positive impact only on conservation behavior. These findings could be important seeking the promotion of pro-environmental behavior, particularly in materialistic societies. Image 10414 • Materialistic values are not compatible with environmental concern, belief, and responsibility. • Materialistic values positively influence conservation and princely behavior. • Environmental concern and responsibility directly, and belief indirectly influence princely behavior. • Environmental belief has a positive and direct impact on conservation behavior. • Environmental concern negatively, responsibility insignificantly influence conservation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]