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Annual grapevine pruning produces large amounts of unused waste as woody canes. The current study is aimed at the sustainable valorization of viticultural waste by establishing phenolic compound extraction conditions, composition, and biological potential of crude and purified cane extracts of three Vitis vinifera L. cultivars growing in temperate climate conditions. Grapevine canes proved to be rich in carbohydrates and minerals; chlorophyll and carotenoids were also quantified. The highest yield of phenolic compounds was obtained when dry canes (<0.5 mm) were subjected to liquid–solid extraction (1:20 w/v) with 70% (v/v) ethanol, for 4 h at 35 °C, after a preliminary ultrasound treatment (6 min., 42 KHz); Pinot Gris canes showing the highest concentration of flavonoids and non-flavonoids. Stilbenes (resveratrol) and flavan-3-ols (catechin and epicatechin) were the main phenolic representative, resveratrol concentrations varying significantly between red-black (419.01–425.60 μg/g d.w.) and white (282.19 ± 4.14 μg/g d.w.) grape cultivars. Purified extracts (C-18 cartridge) exhibited higher antioxidant and antiradical activities compared to the crude extracts, and a higher antimicrobial effect, especially against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Oenococcus oeni showed a reduced susceptibility even at high extract concentrations (>100 mg/mL). These findings indicate that grapevine canes represent a valuable source of natural bioactive compounds, that are currently insufficiently known and not exploited to their true functional and economic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is an economically important crop in temperate climates providing nearly 30% of sugar production worldwide. The oomycete Aphanomyces cochlioides is the causative agent of seedling damping-off and root rot disease in sugar beet. The pathogen is responsible for plant degeneration and drastic yield losses in all major sugar beet producing areas. The identification of resistant germplasm is essential to reduce the use of chemical treatments as well as the costs of protective measures and to effectively limit the damage caused by the pathogen. In this study we aimed to establish a qPCR-based method to quantify the pathogen DNA in infected plants and to predict the resistance levels of different sugar beet genotypes in response to A. cochlioides. The difference in the response to A. cochlioides isolates with different geographical origins was investigated. In addition, confocal microscopy was performed in order to observe the spatial and temporal colonization pattern in infected seedlings of susceptible and partially resistant breeding lines. The research presented in this article provides a tool to understand the progress of the infection in infected tissues and to identify the genetic background of resistance to A. cochlioides that can be used to support breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reed canary grass (RCG) is a native perennial grass with a wide range of uses that naturally occurs in moist habitats. The conducted research indicates the possibilities of RCG cultivation outside natural, humid habitats in monoculture on sandy soils in temperate climates to obtain biomass and seeds. The influence of two factors was analysed: (1) fertilisation with compost from urban greenery in doses of 0, 10, and 20 Mg·ha−1 and (2) mineral nitrogen fertilisation in doses of 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg·ha−1. Compost fertilisation (10 and 20 Mg·ha−1) increased dry matter yields in all years of the study, by 12.1% and 41.0%, respectively. Also, nitrogen fertilisation in doses of 40, 80, and 120 kg·ha−1 increased dry matter yield by 26.8%, 41.6%, and 65.0%, respectively. When harvesting RCG plants for energy biomass at their stage of full maturity, a significant seed yield of 242 to 600 kg·ha−1 can also be obtained in the first three years, while in the fourth year of use, the seed yield was almost three times lower (90–158 kg·ha−1). The obtained results indicate that, in sandy soils, the use of compost fertilisation in RCG cultivation can partially or entirely replace mineral fertilisation and ensure high and stable yields. An additional benefit may be the achievement of a high seed yield in the initial years of cultivation. The use of organic fertilisers and the independence from mineral fertilisers can significantly increase the profitability of bioenergy crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cerastium includes about 200 species that are mostly found in the temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere. Here we report the complete chloroplast genomes of Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum and C. nigrescens. The length of cp genomes ranged from 147,940 to 148,722 bp. Their quadripartite circular structure had the same gene organization and content, containing 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Repeat sequences varied from 16 to 23 per species, with palindromic repeats being the most frequent. The number of identified SSRs ranged from 20 to 23 per species and they were mainly composed of mononucleotide repeats containing A/T units. Based on Ka/Ks ratio values, most genes were subjected to purifying selection. The newly sequenced chloroplast genomes were characterized by a high frequency of RNA editing, including both C to U and U to C conversion. The phylogenetic relationships within the genus Cerastium and family Caryophyllaceae were reconstructed based on the sequences of 71 protein-coding genes. The topology of the phylogenetic tree was consistent with the systematic position of the studied species. All representatives of the genus Cerastium were gathered in a single clade with C. glomeratum sharing the least similarity with the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Varroa is a parasite of honeybees and is one of the main problems that beekeeping faces worldwide: it affects honey production and is involved in colony losses reported in some parts of the world. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of honeybee genetic origin, climate type and the interactions between these two variables on the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa in a large population of 1134 colonies. The morphotype, haplotype and climate type of each colony were determined. The results indicate that the climate has an effect on the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa: both were higher in the temperate sub-humid climate than in the semi-warm climate and the warm sub-humid climate. The morphotype has no effect: there were no differences between Africanized, European and Hybrid honeybees for the prevalence and infestations levels of Varroa. The haplotype has an effect on prevalence but not on infestation levels, and the African haplotype has a higher prevalence than the European haplotype, but no differences were found between the two haplotypes for infestation levels of Varroa. Correlations between Varroa infestation levels and mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, winter precipitation and the Lang index were found. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of honeybee genetic origin, climate type and the interactions between these variables on the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa in a large population of honeybee colonies (n = 1134). For each colony, the morphotype, haplotype and climate type were determined. No differences between the Africanized, European and Hybrid morphotypes were found for the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa (p > 0.05). Differences between honeybee haplotypes were found for the prevalence of Varroa (p < 0.05), and the prevalence was higher in the African haplotype than in the European haplotype. No differences between honeybee haplotypes were found for the infestation levels of Varroa (p > 0.05). Differences were found between climate type for the prevalence and infestation levels of Varroa (p < 0.05): the temperate sub-humid climate had a higher prevalence and higher infestation levels than the semi-warm climate and the warm sub-humid climate. Correlations between the infestation levels of Varroa and mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, winter precipitation and Lang index were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new extinct species of false skin beetles (Biphyllidae) are described and illustrated based on inclusions in Baltic amber: Biphyllus lar sp. nov. and Coelodiplus uuu-impressa gen. et sp. nov. The new Eocene fossils are compared with the related extant and extinct representatives of the family. A new monotypic genus is erected for one fossil; another Eocene species is classified within the extant genus Biphyllus Dejean, 1821. The holotype of Diplocoelus probiphyllus Vitali, 2010 (Baltic amber) is re-examined and its diagnosis is emended. The present paper brings the total number of described biphyllid species from European succinite to three. A key to all documented fossil species of the family is provided. Several aspects of insect use as paleoenvironment and climate proxies are briefly discussed. On the basis of the revealed biphyllid palaeofauna and analysis of the climatic extremes of the modern distribution of the family in the Northern Hemisphere, the lowest possible annual temperature in the area of amberiferous forests of Eocene Northern Europe is hypothesised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae) are cosmopolitan, generalist flower visitors and among the most important pollinators after bees and bumblebees. The dronefly Eristalis tenax can be found in temperate and continental climates across the globe, often synanthropically. Eristalis tenax pupae of different generations and different climate zones are thus exposed to vastly different temperatures. In many insects, the ambient temperature during the pupal stage affects development, adult size, and survival; however, the effect of developmental temperature on these traits in hoverflies is comparatively poorly understood. We here reared E. tenax pupae at different temperatures, from 10°C to 25°C, and quantified the effect on adult hoverflies. We found that pupal rearing at 17°C appeared to be optimal, with high eclosion rates, longer wings, and increased adult longevity. Rearing temperatures above or below this optimum led to decreased eclosion rates, wing size, and adult survival. Similar thermal dependence has been observed in other insects. We found that rearing temperature had no significant effect on locomotor activity, coloration or weight, despite evidence of strong sexual dimorphism for each of these traits. Our findings are important as hoverflies are key pollinators, and understanding the effects of developmental temperature could potentially be useful for horticulture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry (Frageria ananasa) is the fruit of temperate climate but some cultivars are adaptable to sub-tropical climate as well. In Pakistan, strawberry runners are only produced in Swat Mingora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This research was aimed to produce runners in Punjab environments. Therefore this research was carried out at Pir Mehar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University.Rawalpindi, during the years 2017-18. Strawberry cultivar "Chandler" were treated with different concentrations (control, 150 ppm, 300 ppm and 450 ppm) of gibberellic acid in four different environments (open field, plastic tunnel, glass house and lath house) to investigate their effect on vegetative growth and runners production. Data was recorded for plant height, crown diameter, petiole length, count of leaves, count of trusses, count of runners, leaf area, weight of fresh leaves, weight of dry leaves and canopy size. Results unveiled that strawberries cultivated in a lath with 450 ppm GA3 application gave exceptional results for all the observed parameters except crown diameter and canopy spread, which were superior in open field crop and treated with 450 ppm GA3 solution. Hence it can be concluded that strawberries cultivated in a lath house with 450 ppm GA3 application produces excellent quality plants and capable to produce runners for the next season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Models of species composition in diversified cropping systems utilize mostly functional trait-based or observation-based approaches. We argue that a combination of these two approaches makes polyculture design tools more robust. We assessed quantity, quality, and complementarity of information from multiple sources for designing diversified cropping systems with vegetables and spice crops for cold temperate climate. Trait and observational data were integrated from: (i) two grower-oriented and one academic crop database, (ii) a survey of farmers practicing community-supported agriculture, and (iii) a systematic literature review on the use of spice crops in vegetable farming. Survey results reveal that the farmers were capable of achieving medium to good levels of their main goals, but failed to reach desired multifunctionality with their polycultures, which can be potentially improved with computational tools. None of the analyzed data sources provided a comprehensive dataset for all target crops and functional traits. However, source combination allowed for design from known crop companions (farmers survey and grower-oriented databases), to addressing specific pest problems (literature review), and increasing functional complementarity and facilitation by trait matching (academic and grower-oriented trait databases). Integrating information from different sources increased the number of crop combination options but also planning and management complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern Patagonia contains several Eocene fossiliferous deposits that have only been superficially explored and studied. One of these corresponds to the La Marcelina Formation with outcrops in the south-western slope of the Deseado Massif, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. No detailed palynological studies have been performed so far in this unit. Here we estimate the age, palaeoenvironment, and climatic conditions based on the analysis of terrestrially derived spores, algae cysts, and pollen grains. The recovered association supports an Eocene age and concurs with a mixed flora, including Gondwanan and Neotropical elements, dominated by Podocarpaceae, Nothofagaceae, and Proteaceae, and that probably developed under a temperate and humid climate. Overall, these results expand our understanding of the composition of Eocene floras from the highest latitudes of South America, as well as provide new evidence of past paleoclimates for the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the production results obtained in the area of Langovet were presented, over a period of four years, in the period 2019-2022, a locality located in the immediate vicinity of the border with Serbia. The data used in this work were provided by the Banat Crisana Regional Meteorological Center, data that reported the meteorological aspects of risk reported at two meteorological stations in Caras Severin county, the meteorological station from Oravita and the one from Moldova Noua, for the analyzed period. At the beginning of the work, I presented the geographical location of Campia (Langovet), a village belonging to Socol commune, and then I carried out a climatological description of certain risk factors prevalent in this area of Caras Severin county. The Danube gorge is under the influence of the air masses that circulate towards the northeast, it is distinct and contributes to the increase of the originality of the landscape. We thus emphasize the presence of more abundant precipitation if we consider the temperate continental climate of our country's territory. In addition, precipitation manifests itself with a spasmodic character, recording the highest values during autumn and spring with variables registered by the exposure of the slopes. Regarding the average annual temperature of the area, we mention that it is higher. The average annual isotherm of 110 delimits the Danube corridor. Thanks to these evaluations, we signal the presence of biocenoses specific to the area. For several decades, our family has been working in the field of agriculture in the town of Langovet, being among the first to purchase machinery in our town. In total, we cultivate 95 ha, of which 40 ha are our property, the remaining 55 ha are leased, the surfaces being cultivated with corn, sunflower and wheat. Regarding the share held by the three crops, in the last year, in 2022, we have 20 ha of sunflower, the remaining 75 ha being almost equally divided between the other two crops, corn and wheat. The paper presents the production results obtained during the four analyzed years, 2019-2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and metabolism of tomato plants are influenced by climate and genetic diversity. However, it is still infrequently investigated how these two factors affect it. As a result, this study demonstrates that the lycopene concentration of tomato plants is affected by the environment and variances in tomato plant types. The Gustavo Cultivar and the Ros Cultivar of tomato plants were used in this study. The two types came from two separate climate zones in Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia: the Napu Region and the Sigi Region. The Napu region has a temperate climate, while the Sigi region enjoys hot weather. Tomatoes from two distinct types and areas were then removed and tested for lycopene concentration with a 472 nm UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results reveal that temperature and cultivar changes have a substantial effect on the lycopene concentration of the Ros Cultivar tomatoes. This climate variation, however, did not occur in the Gustavo Cultivar. The Ros Cultivar had the highest lycopene content. The warmer temperature raised the level of lycopene in the Ros Cultivar but not in the Gustavo Cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare different methods for analyzing data from a field breeding experiment with check plots where soil variability was controlled with the use of statistical and geostatistical methods. The analyzed data were obtained from field experiments investigating the yield of camelina Camelina sativa L. Crantz and crambe Crambe hispanica ssp. abyssinica Hochst. ex R.E. Fr. Prina seeds in the temperate climate of north-eastern Poland. Analysis of variance models with a completely randomized design, a randomized block design, and analysis of covariance were compared. In the vast majority of cases, the values of statistical information criteria demonstrated that the best model was the analysis of covariance where the theoretical seed yield from the check plot, interpolated with a geostatistical method, was the covariate. The results of this study can be useful for testing new cultivars in large-scale commercial farms with variable soil conditions to identify the optimal genotype for the local environmental and climatic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen has the potential to be considered almost the cleanest fuel of the future and a key contributor toward a low-carbon economy. This latter can be achieved through the production of green hydrogen by electrolysis using renewable energy sources. This work investigates the production of green hydrogen using solar PV-electrolysis configuration. Three different photovoltaic technologies including monocrystalline (m-Si), polycrystalline (p-Si) and amorphous (a-Si) have been used in this study. The aim of this paper is to identify the most suitable PV system for hydrogen production in mountain temperate climate conditions. Therefore, a performance assessment of the aforementioned PV systems has been conducted using data collected for an operation period of 6 years. In addition, the rate of degradation of each technology has been determined, and its effects on hydrogen generation and cost have been examined. The obtained results have shown that p-Si technology has the lowest degradation rate of (0.28%), followed by m-Si (0.41%), and a-Si (0.75%). In addition, key metrics including the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) as well as the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) have been calculated. The findings indicate that the lowest LCOE and LCOH are achieved by p-Si (0.021 $/kWh, 3.59 $/kg), followed by a-Si technology (0.027 $/kWh, 4 $/kg), and m-Si (0.032 $/kWh, 4.34 $/kg). Therefore, the results demonstrates that p-Si is the most cost-effective and favorable technology for hydrogen production in the considered temperate climate. • Hydrogen production of 3 PV technologies under mountain climate of Morocco. • Performance evaluation under real weather conditions over an operation period of 6 years. • PV Degradation impact on hydrogen production. • The most cost-effective PV system for hydrogen production is p-Si. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil rehabilitation involves restoring their capacity to provide goods and services; however, there is a lack of information regarding the survival and growth responses of individual species to local environmental variations. This study evaluated the adaptation capacity of three non-native multiple-use species in agroforestry design, in a degraded semiarid temperate climate zone located in the Tula watershed in Mexico, assessing their survival, growth of morphological variables, and death risk for use as soil restoration plants. According to the slope of the terrain, the species were planted in an agroforestry arrangement of lines and ridges. Plants were selected according to their multipurpose potential, including their taxonomy, form, function, and use, as well as their soil and climatic conditions. Survival rates for all three species were below acceptable levels (< 49 %) . Neither Senna multiglandulosa nor Sedum dendroideum adapted well to the soil and climate of the site, since their survival rates were below acceptable (∼ 17 < 49 %) . Aloe sp. adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the site because its survival rate was excellent (∼ 97 ≥ 90 %) . Climate conditions during the autumn and winter affected growth rates of Senna multiglandulosa and Sedum dendroideum. Aloe sp. growth rates were only affected by climatic conditions during the winter months. Senna multiglandulosa's final height reduced death risk by 1.50 % . Sedum dendroideum's final diameter, initial canopy cover and canopy growth rate reduced the risk of death by 55.1 , 5.1 and 30.7 % , respectively. The height growth rate of aloe and initial canopy cover reduced the risk of death by 93.9 and 2.4%, respectively. Plant species evaluated showed varying levels of adaptation. Aloe sp. was the species that adapted best to the site's soil and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foliar application of micronutrients can improve primary nutrient uptake. As a result, foliar treatments can reduce fertilizer application rates and help to maintain the natural health of soil. Here, we report on the tentative implementation of this approach in an apple orchard located in a temperate climate (JSC "Dubovoye" 52°36′57.1″ N 40°17′04.1″ E; planted in 2002 according to the 6 × 4 m or 417 trees ha–1 cultivar (cv.) Bogatyr grafted on B118 (Budagovskii 118). Manganese treatments augmented foliar nitrogen content and, in certain seasons, foliar phosphorus, whereas zinc treatments enhanced foliar potassium. Low-rate chemical fertilizers application (once in 5 years) on the background of initial high-rate organic fertilization (60 t ha–1 manure) allowed us to retain the optimal soil pH in the experimental orchard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall pose significant threats to human settlements and infrastructure in temperate and equatorial climate regions. This study focuses on the development of the Open Landslide Project (OLP), an open source landslide inventory aimed at facilitating geostatistical analyses and landslide risk management. Using a multidisciplinary approach and open source, multisatellite imagery data, more than 3000 landslides triggered by the extreme rainfall of autumn 2019 in northwestern Italy were systematically mapped. The inventory creation process followed well-defined criteria and underwent rigorous validation to ensure accuracy and reliability. The dataset's suitability was confirmed through multivariate correlation and Double Pareto probably density function. The OLP inventory effectiveness in assessing landslide risks was proved by the development of a landslide susceptibility model using binary logistic regression. The analysis of rainfall and lithology revealed that regions with lower rainfall levels experienced a higher occurrence of landslides compared to areas with higher peak rainfall. This was attributed to the response of the lithological composition to rainfalls. The findings of this research contribute to the understanding and management of landslide risks in anthropized climate regions. The OLP has proven to be a valuable resource for future geostatistical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study suggests a design technique by evaluating and predicting the thermal performance of the passive design technique, which can be introduced in the early design stage, by focusing on office buildings in temperate climate conditions. In the case of office buildings, the thermal environment should be significantly improved, as the energy load ratio is high due to the climatic environment and physical environmental conditions. Therefore, among the passive design techniques introduced in our previous studies, the level of energy reduction in cooling and heating loads, focusing on the south orientation, sun shading form, courtyard, atrium, horizontal louver, vertical louver, raised roof, and green roof, which control the thermal environment, were comparatively analyzed through simulation. The relative energy load of the analysis model (compared to the base model) was calculated to compare and analyze the environmental performance between the passive design techniques. From the analysis, it was found that reducing the area of solar gain in summer or applying a solar shading device are the most effective passive design techniques for office buildings in temperate climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water content (SWC) is a fundamental variable involved in several hydrological processes governing catchment functioning. Comparative analysis of hydrological processes in different catchments based on SWC data is therefore beneficial to infer driving factors of catchment response. Here, we explored the use of high‐temporal resolution SWC data in three forested catchments (2.4–60 ha) in different European climates to characterize hydrological responses during wet and dry conditions. The investigated systems include Ressi, Italy, with a humid temperate climate, Weierbach, Luxembourg, with a semi‐oceanic climate, and Can Vila, Spain, with a Mediterranean climate. We introduced a new SWC metric defined as the difference between seasonal mean SWC at a relatively shallow and a deep soil layer. The difference is classified in three distinct states: similar SWC between the two layers, higher SWC in the deeper layer, and higher SWC in the shallow layer. In the most humid site, Ressi, we frequently found similar SWC at the two soil depths which was associated with high runoff ratios. Despite similar precipitation amounts in Can Vila and Weierbach, SWC patterns were very different in both catchments. In Weierbach, SWC was similar across the entire soil profile during wet conditions, whereas evaporation of shallow water resulted in higher SWC in the deep soil layer during dry conditions. This led to high runoff ratios during wet conditions and low runoff ratios during dry conditions. In Can Vila, SWC was consistently higher in the deeper layer compared to the shallow layer, irrespective of the season, suggesting an important role of hydraulic redistribution and vertical water movement in this site. Our approach provides an easy and useful method to assess differences in hydrological behaviour solely based on SWC data. As similar datasets are increasingly collected and available, this opens the possibility for further analyses and comparisons in sites around the globe with contrasted physiographic and climate characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High river water temperature (Tw) extremes have been widely reported during drought conditions as extreme low‐flows often coincide with high atmospheric energy inputs. This has significant implications for freshwater ecosystem health and sustainable river management practices globally. However, the extent to which different meteorological and hydrological processes interact during droughts to govern Tw dynamics, and how this varies between environmental contexts, remains poorly understood. Here, we review the mechanisms controlling Tw dynamics during droughts across temperate, maritime environments, using the United Kingdom as a detailed case study. We evidence that Tw spikes have widely occurred during extreme low‐flow events observed within droughts, but such trends have been inconsistent due to varying hydroclimatic conditions and river basin controls. To better understand this, we re‐conceptualize the mechanisms governing drought‐induced Tw dynamics operating across three 'process sets': (i) 'energy flux dynamics' as non‐advective controls on Tw; (ii) the role of 'reach‐scale habitat conditions' in mediating non‐advective controls on Tw, including hydraulic properties (e.g., residence time) and physical conditions (e.g., riparian vegetation coverages, wetted perimeters); (iii) 'water source contributions' (surface water and groundwater) as advective heat and water flow controls. We review natural and anthropogenic influences affecting Tw controls within each process set and discuss how such mechanisms are likely to change under drought conditions. More systematic research (spanning various river environments and drought severities) is required to test such concepts, with existing scientific knowledge on drought‐induced Tw dynamics being largely gleaned from studies examining non‐extreme low‐flow conditions or with broader focuses (e.g., annual thermal dynamics). We conclude by highlighting critical future research questions that need to be answered to better model Tw dynamics during future droughts and for unmonitored sites. Such scientific advances would more effectively inform how high Tw extremes could be better managed through evidence‐based mitigation and adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their non-negligible representation among the airborne bioparticles and known allergenicity, autotrophic microorganisms—microalgae and cyanobacteria—are not commonly reported or studied by aerobiological monitoring stations due to the challenging identification in their desiccated and fragmented state. Using a gravimetric method with open plates at the same time as Hirst-type volumetric bioparticle sampler, we were able to cultivate the autotrophic microorganisms and use it as a reference for correct retrospective identification of the microalgae and cyanobacteria captured by the volumetric trap. Only in this way, reliable data on their presence in the air of a given area can be obtained and analysed with regard to their temporal variation and environmental factors. We gained these data for an inland temperate region over 3 years (2018, 2020–2021), identifying the microalgal genera Bracteacoccus, Desmococcus, Geminella, Chlorella, Klebsormidium, and Stichococcus (Chlorophyta) and cyanobacterium Nostoc in the volumetric trap samples and three more in the cultivated samples. The mean annual concentration recorded over 3 years was 19,182 cells*day/m3, with the greatest contribution from the genus Bracteacoccus (57%). Unlike some other bioparticles like pollen grains, autotrophic microorganisms were present in the samples over the course of the whole year, with greatest abundance in February and April. The peak daily concentration reached the highest value (1011 cells/m3) in 2021, while the mean daily concentration during the three analysed years was 56 cells/m3. The analysis of intra-diurnal patterns showed their increased presence in daylight hours, with a peak between 2 and 4 p.m. for most genera, which is especially important due to their potential to trigger allergy symptoms. From the environmental factors, wind speed had a most significant positive association with their concentration, while relative air humidity had a negative influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydro-pedotransfer functions (PTFs) relate easy-to-measure and readily available soil information to soil hydraulic properties for applications in a wide range of process-based and empirical models, thereby enabling the assessment of soil hydraulic effects on hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological processes. At least more than four decades of research have been invested to derive such relationships. However, while models, methods, data storage capacity, and computational efficiency have advanced, there are fundamental concerns related to the scope and adequacy of current PTFs, particularly when applied to parameterize models used at the field scale and beyond. Most of the PTF development process has focused on refining and advancing the regression methods, while fundamental aspects have remained largely unconsidered. Most system settings are not captured by existing PTFs, which have been built mostly for agricultural soils in temperate climates. Thus. existing PTFs largely ignorie how parent material, vegetation, land use, and climate affect processes that shape soil hydraulic properties. The PTFs used to parameterise the Richards-Richardson equation are mostly limited to predicting parameters of the van Genuchten-Mualem soil hydraulic functions, despite sufficient evidence demonstrating their shortcomings. Another fundamental issue relates to the diverging scales of derivation and applicatio n, whereby PTFs are derived based on laboratory measurements while being often applied at field to regional scales. Scaling, modulation, and constraining strategies exist to alleviate some of these shortcomings in the mismatch between scales. These aspects are addressed here in a joint effort by the members of the International Soil Modelling Consortium (ISMC) Pedotransfer Functions Working Group with the aim to systematise PTF research and provide a roadmap guiding both PTF development and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple crop is the predominant temperate fruit in the high hills of Himachal Pradesh (HP), India, primarily due to the ideal temperate climate of the region characterized by high altitude and significant snowfall. This study aims to examine the marketing aspects of apple crops in the high hills of HP, taking into account the complex nature of its marketing patterns. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a cautious approach within the marketing channel, as any oversight can reduce prices and profits. Additionally, the study examines the arrival trends of apples in the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee of HP. The findings reveal that the retail channel demonstrated the highest marketing efficiency, followed by the commission agent's channel, suggesting that reducing the intermediaries in the channel contributes to enhanced marketing efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Understanding changes that occur after death, or post-mortem changes, based on decomposition, is very important to relate them to a post-mortem interval (PMI), the time elapsed between the moment of death and discovery of a body. Most studies on decomposition focus on large cadavers, leaving a knowledge gap for small cadavers, which are representative for infants and subadults. To fill this knowledge gap, a season-based subaerial outdoor decomposition study was conducted with small pig cadavers at the Forensic Anthropological Outdoor Research Facility located in Den Ham, The Netherlands, over a period of 4 years. This study revealed important findings related to a deviating decomposition rate during winter and the subsequent spring, reproducibility, the effect of body weight, post-mortem movement, the effect of heavy rainfall on insect activity, delayed bloating, the interaction of different insect species, and invertebrate activity. Studying post-mortem changes based on signs of decomposition (e.g., using scoring models) is one of the methods used in scientific studies to relate observable changes to the post-mortem interval (PMI). The majority of the studies on cadaver decomposition are based on large cadavers. There is limited literature on the decomposition pattern and rate of small cadavers, even though it is at least as important to be able to estimate the PMI for infants and subadults. Therefore, it is crucial to acquire knowledge of the decomposition process of child-sized remains. To fill this knowledge gap, a season-based subaerial outdoor decomposition study was conducted with small pig cadavers at the Forensic Anthropological Outdoor Research Facility located in Den Ham, The Netherlands, over a period of 4 years. Den Ham is located in the eastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German border, and has a temperate maritime climate, with a Cfb classification according to the Köppen–Geiger system. Salient findings were acquired during the decomposition study, specifically regarding a deviating decomposition rate during winter and the subsequent spring, reproducibility, the effect of body weight, post-mortem movement, the effect of heavy rainfall on insect activity, delayed bloating, the interaction of different insect species, and invertebrate activity. This article includes a systemic review of the results obtained during this four-year decomposition study and discusses the impact of the findings on the estimation of the PMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the annual activity patterns and variation in sex ratios across different months of the year for three Lucanidae species (Lucanus cervus, Lucanus tetraodon and Dorcus parallelipipedus) in three distinct regions of central Italy. The results reveal significant differences in the month-by-month activity patterns among the species, indicating that each species has its own unique activity pattern. Specifically, L. cervus shows activity from May to September, with the highest peak between 10 and 30 June. This species remains significantly active until the end of July. Lucanus tetraodon, on the other hand, exhibits activity from June to August, with a notable peak during the last 10 days of July. Dorcus parallelipipedus displays an extended activity phase, with peaks in the first 20 days of June and the middle of July. Interestingly, various individuals of this species were also observed in November, December and February. The prolonged activity pattern of D. parallelipipedus is primarily due to overwintering adults and overlapping generations. Both Lucanus species demonstrate clear protandry, where males dominate in the initial phase, followed by a more balanced sex ratio and even female dominance in the subsequent phase. In D. parallelipipedus, the trend in sex ratio is less apparent, likely because of overlapping generations and the survival of adults for 2–3 years. The different activity patterns observed between Lucanus species can be attributed to (1) their distinct geographical distributions, with one species better adapted to temperate climates and initiating activity earlier than the strictly Mediterranean species, and (2) a possible division of temporal niches to minimise reproductive interference, reducing the chances of interspecies encounters and cross-mating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field observations of soil respiration (SR) in different types of terrestrial ecosystems are very relevant because of high temporal and spatial variations of SR rate. The intra-annual dynamics of SR is mainly determined by the changes in hydrothermal conditions during the year and is often described with temperature sensitivity coefficient (Q10), which usually has a fixed value in many of the used models. This study is focused on the assessment of seasonal and interannual dynamics of SR temperature sensitivity in two grasslands in the southern Moscow oblast (temperate continental climate) based on continuous 25-year-long all-year-round measurements of CO2 emission from soils. The grasslands have been formed on two different soil types: sandy soddy-podbur (Entic Podzol (Arenic)) and gray loamy soil (Haplic Luvisol (Loamic)). The SR rate has been continuously measured from December 1997 to November 2022 with an interval of 7–10 days using the technique of closed static chambers. The temperature sensitivity of SR, estimated from the entire set of data, is higher in Haplic Luvisol as compared with Entic Podzol (3.47 vs. 2.59). The Q10 values for SR in both soils are 1.2–1.4-fold lower in dry years as compared with wet years. The interannual variation of Q10 values in grassland ecosystems amounts to 21–36% depending on the considered temperature range. A statistically significant positive correlation between the Q10 values in the temperature range ≥1°С and wetness indices is observable in both grasslands. A differentiated approach integrating different values of temperature coefficients for SR into the used models is necessary to improve the predictions of C budget in ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases. The incidence of this disease continues to increase and is often associated with severe complications. Plants and natural plant products with a healing effect have been successfully used in the treatment of many disease entities since the beginning of the history of herbalism and medicine. At present, great emphasis is placed on the biodiversity of crops and the replacement of the monoculture production system of popular temperate climate plants, such as apple, pear, plum, and vine, with alternative fruit species. Very promising fruit plants are Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas); mulberry (Morus alba); bird cherry (Prunus padus); sour cherry (Prunus cerasus); plants of the genus Amelanchier, Sorbus, and Crategus; medlar (Mespilus germanica); quince (Cydonia oblonga); plants of the genus Vaccinium; and wild roses. When promoting the cultivation of alternative fruit-bearing plants, it is worth emphasizing their beneficial effects on health. This systematic review indicates that the antidiabetic effect of various parts of fruit plants is attributed to the presence of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, which have different mechanisms of antidiabetic action and can be used in the treatment of diabetes and various complications associated with this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritage buildings clad with natural rock endure over time destruction caused by weathering mechanisms, pollution from urban areas, biodeterioration due to organisms, microorganisms, and also the anthropic factor. On the surface of the limestone samples taken from the ornamental natural rock with which the outside of Markovits-Mathéser house, Oradea, Romania, is clad, two species of fungi were inoculated in the laboratory: Aspergillus spp. and Cladosporium spp. Wollastonite was then applied, and from the imaging analysis (SEM), the inhibition of fungi by it is clearly observed (48 h after its application), which was also confirmed using the image segmentation method. It was also noted that the hydrophilicity of the aqueous suspension of wollastonite resulted in the absorption of water in the substrate, which in turn resulted in the drying out and surface breakage of the specimens. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the presence of the two phases (calcite and quartz) as in the starting sample, and also an additional phase assigned to wollastonite in the later phase of the experiment. An amorphous component, due to the applied gel composition, was also reported. This research highlights the fact that there are good premises for aqueous suspension of wollastonite to have a biocidal character for Aspegillus spp. and Cladosporium spp., when applied on natural stone used in the construction of heritage buildings located in temperate climates; due to its easy application, green and ecofriendly properties, and also low cost of acquisition and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Powdery mildew (PM) is a widespread plant disease that causes significant economic losses in thousands crops of temperate climates, including Lamiaceae species. Multiple scientific studies describe a peculiar form of PM-resistance associated at the inactivation of specific members of the Mildew Locus O (MLO) gene family, referred to as mlo-resistance. The characterization of Lamiaceae MLO genes, at the genomic level, would be a first step toward their potential use in breeding programs. We carried out a genome-wide characterization of the MLO gene family in 11 Lamiaceae species, providing a manual curated catalog of 324 MLO proteins. Evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships were studied through maximum likelihood analysis and motif patter reconstruction. Our approach highlighted seven different clades diversified starting from an ancestral MLO domain pattern organized in 18 highly conserved motifs. In addition, 74 Lamiaceae putative PM susceptibility genes, clustering in clade V, were identified. Finally, we performed a codon-based evolutionary analysis, revealing a general high level of purifying selection in the eleven Lamiaceae MLO gene families, and the occurrence of few regions under diversifying selection in candidate susceptibility factors. The results of this work may help to address further biological questions concerning MLOs involved in PM susceptibility. In follow-up studies, it could be investigated whether the silencing or loss-of-function mutations in one or more of these candidate genes may lead to PM resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creeping thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop, is one of the most common weeds in temperate climates. Frequently classified as an invasive species, it is the cause of massive herbicide and tillage use. Especially in organic systems, the plant is hard to manage. Little is known about creeping thistle being entirely edible and having diverse medicinal properties. Additionally, it has potential to be used as food preservative and provides essential ecosystem services. This systematic literature review provides evidence of creeping thistle uses from 56 peer-reviewed journals and 37 popular media references. It discusses potential uses and phytochemical properties of specific plant parts. Findings identify the stem as the most promising part for food use. Creeping thistle has elevated flavonoid (flower) and inulin (root) contents, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic properties respectively. The discussion contrasts the potential of creeping thistle of becoming a multi-purpose crop with its classification as a noxious weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under climate change, many parts of the world are warming with increasing frequencies and intensities of heatwaves, bringing heat-health risks to places including those that have a historically temperate or cool climate. These places may have extensive experience in managing cold-health risks, while experience is lacking in dealing with heat-health risks due to their lack of historical exposure to high temperatures. This paper explores this overlooked area of the challenges and opportunities of heat-health governance in cool places using Scotland as a case study. Various important themes of heat-health governance in cool places were identified by the study, including socio-cultural barriers to intervention, vulnerable population overlaps, temporal and geographical scales, and governance arrangements. The study found challenges in managing heat-health risks including a perceived lack of heat-health risks and policy priority as well as unsuitable building stock. Meanwhile, it also identified opportunities for governing cold and heat risks holistically within existing institutional systems and creating co-benefits of improving communication and information dissemination, reducing inequality and improving indoor thermal comfort of both cold and heat as well as providing good quality greenspace. Our findings contribute to the development or improvement of national/regional strategies to manage heat-health risks not only in Scotland but also in other places with a historically cool or temperate climate. • Temperature increase under climate change poses health risks to cool places as well. • Cool places have distinctive challenges and opportunities in heat-health governance. • Perceived lack of heat risks poses socio-cultural barriers to heat-health governance. • A holistic governance approach of cold and heat-health risks was preferred. • Building design and occupant behaviour are crucial for thermal comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Complete skeletonization with no soft tissue was seen as early as 23 days. • Bodies exposed to monsoon rainfall showed the lowest rates of skeletonization. • PMI estimation using TBS and ADD have poor applicability in tropical regions. • The influence of monsoons on skeletonization is an area for further research. Estimating the post mortem interval (PMI) in skeletonized cases is an extremely challenging exercise. Sri Lanka lacks adequate taphonomic research which is a serious limitation when assessing PMI in forensic death investigations. Methods that have been proposed to estimate PMI using the total body score (TBS) and accumulated degree days (ADD) are mainly based on data from continental and temperate climates and have shown less reliability in tropical climates. With the intention of developing a region-specific, evidence-based guide which would be applicable to tropical climates like Sri Lanka, we selected thirteen skeletonized remains with known PMIs from forensic case records and analysed their taphonomy in relation to selected weather data. We also compared the ADD values within our dataset with reference ranges calculated using published formula. All except one were found from outdoor locations. The TBS ranged from 24 to 32 and had a weak positive correlation with the PMI. The earliest appearance of skeletonization was 15 days in a body found indoors. The highest rate of skeletonization was seen in a body with a TBS of 32 and a PMI of 23 days. The average daily temperature and relative humidity were similar across all the cases however, the amount of rainfall varied. Bodies exposed to monsoon rains (n = 6) had a lower mean rate of skeletonization compared to those that were not exposed (n = 4) suggesting lower rates of decomposition during periods of heavy rainfall. No correlation was found between ADD and TBS. In 9 (69.2%) cases, the actual ADD was much lower than reference ADD ranges for TBS values, indicating poor applicability of TBS and ADD based formulae in estimating PMI within the Sri Lankan climate. Our study shows a strong need for taphonomic and entomological research in tropical climates to further explore the impact of monsoons on biotic and abiotic factors affecting skeletonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroplastic pollution in mountain rivers can threaten water resources, biodiversity, and the recreational values provided by them. The first step towards evaluating and then mitigating these risks is the systematic collection of reliable and spatially uniform data on the amount and type of macroplastics deposited in different land covers occurring in a mountain river channel. To maximise the opportunity for the large-scale collection of such data using the citizen science approach, we propose in this study an illustrated step-by-step guide to sample the macroplastic deposited along mountain rivers and to record the collected information using a photo taken by smartphone and a simple online form. Our guide includes three steps: (i) the location of sampling plots across 3–4 predefined surface covers occurring in mountain rivers of temperate climate, (ii) the hand collection of macroplastic deposited in them, and (iii) the photorecording and archiving of information on macroplastics collected using a smartphone and an online form. The proposed guide can allow for the low-cost collection of data on macroplastic deposition in mountain rivers on regional and global scales. The collected data can be further analysed by environmental scientists to quantify the amount and types of macroplastic deposited and to evaluate the resulting risks. They can be also used as illustrative materials to increase the awareness of local communities about the plastic pollution problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate sleep is crucial to human health and well-being and elevated night-time temperatures can degrade sleep quality. European countries with temperate climates use temperature thresholds between 25°C and 28°C to identify homes that are overheated. The current UK bedroom threshold of 26°C, is based on one small study, which is now over 45 years old. An extensive literature review indicated that with modern summertime bedding and bedwear, which enables body coverage to be easily adjusted, thermal comfort can be achieved for night-time bedroom temperatures up to approximately 29°C. Temperatures measured in 591 bedrooms during England's hottest ever summer, 2018, are re-analysed. The prevalences of night-time overheating generated by alternative criteria are compared with the prevalences generated by the established adaptive overheating criterion. Comparisons are made for homes with different dwelling and household characteristics. Finally, a new overheating criterion is proposed based on the mean night-time bedroom temperature, with thresholds between 26°C and 29°C depending on the application of the criterion. The allowable exceedance of the chosen threshold is limited to seven nights between May and September. Adopting thresholds of 27°C for vulnerable households and 28°C for others, 23% (5.5 million) of the main bedrooms in English homes were deemed to be overheated in the hot summer of 2018, far fewer than the 69% obtained using the current UK bedroom criterion. Irrespective of the threshold chosen, there were clear, consistent and significant differences in overheating prevalence depending on dwelling and household characteristics. The proposed new overheating criterion is applicable to unconditioned bedrooms in temperate regions. It seeks to strike a balance between the risk that hot bedrooms will be air-conditioned and the risk of temperatures detrimental to a "good nights' sleep". Practical Application: A new overheating criterion is proposed to identify overheated bedrooms. It adopts the familiar format of a temperature threshold and an allowable exceedance. It is applicable in temperate climates when people are asleep in unconditioned bedrooms. The criterion is intended to aid the interpretation of night-time temperatures predicted by dynamic thermal models and temperature measurements in existing bedrooms. It is applicable to individuals of different heat sensitivity, the design of new homes or the refurbishment of existing homes. With further testing and refinement, it offers a credible replacement to the existing UK bedroom criterion given in CIBSE Guide A, TM59 and in other guides. It can thus underpin the new overheating regulations, Part O, for the design of new dwellings in England. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Świętokrzyski National Park protects a low forested mountain range in SE Poland. Its bat fauna is understudied, with ten species listed from the area so far but with no knowledge of their reproductive status and distribution. We recorded 15 species, eight of them reproducing in the park. For seven species, the present study is the first record in the park. Among the netted bats, Myotis brandtii and Barbastella barbastellus were the most numerous. The ultrasound recordings were dominated by the small Myotis spp., with only a little share of Pipistrellus spp. We found predominance of Myotis mystacinus/brandtii/alcathoe complex and significantly male-skewed sex ratio, both features typical for the bat assemblages of the higher mountain ranges (e.g., Carpathians). Comparison of individual rarefaction curves with the two other Polish montane national parks revealed, however, much faster species accumulation due to the lower altitude and milder climate. Capture data suggest elevational gradient of bat species composition, with a shift in the structure of the bat assemblages around 330 m a.s.l., resulting in formation of two zones. These zones roughly correspond to the belt of lowland oak-hornbeam forests and montane beech and fir forests. However, no such pattern was revealed by the acoustic survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a key disease of common beans in temperate and subtropical climates. For the climatic conditions of Bulgaria, the infection occurs mainly as a result of mycelogenic development of the sclerotia, which is why the disease is observed mostly in varieties with a prostrate type of the habitus. Due to the wide range of hosts of the pathogen and long-term preservation of sclerotia in the soil, agrotechnical measures have little effect in controlling the fungus. Therefore, breeding resistant varieties are the most effective measure to prevent the disease. The selection of appropriate and verified methods for testing the source and breeding materials is of primary importance for the success of breeding programs to increase resistance to the pathogen. The present study aimed to compare the response of bean accessions to S. sclerotiorum, by applying a direct and indirect evaluation method with a view to their parallel use in the breeding process. The studies were conducted under greenhouse conditions, and 29 bean accessions were included in them. The accessions were grown in pots (45x30x10 cm) with a soil-sand mixture. In the first trifoliate leaf, the stem was cut at 3 cm from the node of the primary leaves (STAW test). A single-sided closed plastic straw containing an agar disc from the periphery of 3-day-old cultures of four isolates cultivated on PDA medium (five plants per isolate), was placed on the cut. The reaction of the accessions was recorded 7 days after inoculation on a 9-point scale. The cut plant parts (stem and trifoliate leaf) were immersed in oxalic acid solution (20 mM brought to pH=4.0 with 1N NaOH), five plants per sample. The cut plant parts immersed in sterile water adjusted to pH=4.0 with 1N HCl were used for the control. The reaction of the accessions was recorded after 19h on a 9-point scale. The data were processed with the SPSS stat. ver. 19 software. Significant differences were observed in the response of the accessions concerning the isolates used. Weak positive or negative correlations were found between the oxalate test and the STRAW test, and the direction was related to the aggressiveness of the isolates. It was established that for accessions A195, ‘GTB Scythia’, ‘Izabel’, ‘Rhodopeia’ and ‘Pirina’ the results of the oxalic test are comparable to those of the STRW-test. The obtained results give us reason to recommend the application of the oxalate test in the initial generations of the breeding materials, after a preliminary comparative analysis of the parental forms by both methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea L.) is a perennial broadleaf weed in the mint family (Lamiaceae) that is commonly found in turf in the temperate climates of the United States. Cultural practices that maintain dense turf are the best way to reduce weeds; however, cultural control methods alone cannot provide complete weed control. Herbicides are commonly used to control weeds in the turfgrass industry, but interest in alternative control methods is increasing. Applications of iron‐based products are an alternative chemical weed control option in turfgrass systems, but other micronutrients, such as boron, may also be a viable option. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a chelated iron product as well as different boron‐based products for ground ivy control and also determine if these products injure Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). The products evaluated included borax, boric acid, Solubor (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate), and Fiesta (FeHEDTA) with a low and high rate tested for each. Ground ivy cover was reduced 77% or more from a single October application of all boron sources at the high rates and the high rate of Fiesta when evaluated 9 months later. The high rate of all boron‐containing products caused unacceptable turfgrass injury (<7) and reduced turf quality below acceptable levels (<6). No turfgrass injury or reduction in turf quality was observed in the Fiesta‐treated plots. These results indicate that applications of the micronutrient boron can be used to control ground ivy, but not without causing injury to Kentucky bluegrass. Core Ideas: Single applications of boron and an iron‐based products provided ground ivy control.Boron‐based herbicides, regardless of formulation, caused injury to Kentucky bluegrass.Chelated iron‐based (FeHEDTA) herbicides did not injure Kentucky bluegrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highlands serve as water towers for the blue water in the surrounding area, with often insufficient rainfall for rainfed crops. The population is growing in the highlands, changing the hydrology and blue and green water availability. One of the changes that affect the highlands of Ethiopia is the rapidly expanding areas of small patches of eucalyptus on farmers fields. This manuscript aims to sort through the limited available literature and develop a water balance model as a starting point to discuss how hydrology is affected by increased acreage of eucalyptus in the highlands. We find some evidence in the literature that patches of eucalyptus during the dry phase may withdraw water from the subsoil up to twice the rate of evapotranspiration when the soil water is not limited. Since saturation excess generates surface runoff in the subhumid and humid highlands, water withdrawn during the dry phase should be made up before the area with eucalyptus becomes hydraulically active. The amount of water that can be removed from storage by eucalyptus is greater in areas with a long dry monsoon phase than in temperate climates for the same increase in trees. We also found, as expected, that the eucalyptus water balance model, as developed in this paper, was not valid for areas in semi-arid and arid regions. Soil crusting and water repellency might induce infiltration excess runoff. A tentative implication is that since most blue water is produced in the areas with the highest rainfall, eucalyptus in subhumid and humid monsoon regions will affect the blue water supply downstream but not the plant available green water although shading will decrease yield in the immediate surroundings of the eucalyptus trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a worldwide taxon inhabiting a diverse range of habitats and environmental conditions, bats also demonstrate some of the greatest variation in reproductive strategies of any mammalian order. Whilst monoestry is the predominant mating pattern of bats within the temperate zone, polyoestry and variants of this mode are more prevalent at tropical latitudes. As a tropical species occurring in a temperate climate in the southern extent of its range, the reproductive phenology of the golden-tipped bat (Phoniscus papuensis) is poorly understood. Here we present the first evidence of polyoestry in this species, an uncommon reproductive trait in Australian bats. The influence of weather and increase in prey density (orb-weaving spiders) are suggested as potential drivers for what appears to be a positive facultative breeding response to a pulse of resources. This observation demonstrates that there is still much to learn about the basic natural history and reproductive strategies of Australian bats. The reproductive traits in many Australian species of bat remain poorly known. We present the first evidence for multiple litters (polyoestry) in the golden-tipped bat. We discuss the tropical origins of golden-tipped bats and conditions which may have facilitated multiple births in the first breeding season following the 2019/2020 Black Summer fires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Heilongjiang-Amur River Basin is one of the largest and most complex aquatic systems in Asia, comprising diverse wetland resources. The wetland vegetation in mid-high latitude areas has high natural value and is sensitive to climate changes. In this study, we investigated the wetland vegetation cover changes and associated responses to climate change in the Heilongjiang-Amur River Basin from 2000 to 2018 based on the growing season (May to September) climate and LAI data. Our results indicated that the wetland LAI increased at 0.014 m²·m-2/yr across Heilongjiang-Amur River Basin with the regional climate showed wetting and warming trends. On a regional scale, wetland vegetation in China and Russia had positive partial correlation with solar radiation and minimum air temperature, with precipitation showing a slight lag effect. In contrast, wetland vegetation in Mongolia had positive partial correlation with precipitation. These correlations were further investigated at different climate intervals. We found the precipitation is positively correlated with LAI in the warm regions while is negatively correlated with LAI in the wet regions, indicating an increase in precipitation is beneficial for the growth of wetland vegetation in heat sufficient areas, and when precipitation exceeds a certain threshold, it will hinder the growth of wetland vegetation. In the cold regions, we found solar radiation and minimum air temperature are positively correlated with LAI, suggesting SR and minimum air temperature instead of mean air temperature and maximum air temperature play more important roles in affecting the wetland vegetation growth in the heat limited areas. The LAI was found to be negatively correlated with maximum air temperature in the arid areas, indicating excessive temperature would inhibit the wetland vegetation growth when the water is limited. Our investigation can provide a scientific foundation for the trilateral region in wetland ecosystem protection and is beneficial for a more comprehensive understanding of the responses of wetlands in the middle and high latitudes to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As in many European countries, Turkey's foreign energy dependency is quite high. Reducing foreign dependency on energy on a national basis is possible by developing efficient systems and increasing the use of renewable energy systems. This study is created with the idea of combining these two principles. Ground source heat pump systems are widely used for cooling and heating residences due to their higher energy efficiency than ordinary air conditioners. On the other hand, it is possible to support these systems with other renewable energy sources. However, the cost is the most crucial factor for the end user. In this study, a techno-economic analysis of the support of the ground source heat pump system with off-grid hybrid (photovoltaic–wind–diesel) systems, in which renewable energy is included, was carried out. The energy consumption values of the ground source heat pump were simulated annually with the help of the eQUEST program. They were determined as 1988.1 kWh and 1715.9 kWh for heating and cooling, respectively. Seven different power systems were created and optimized using the hybrid optimization model for electric renewable software to meet the electrical energy consumption values obtained. The study results show that the optimum power system to meet the electricity consumption of the designed ground source heat pump is a hybrid system consisting of a 6.9 kW of PV, 4.5 kW of diesel generator, and 10 kWh of battery. In this configuration, the renewable fraction is 84%, and there is no unmet load. For the optimum power system, the levelized cost of electricity and levelized cost of heat values are 0.20 $ kWh−1 and 0.12 $ kWh−1, respectively. The results show that hybrid renewable energy-supported power generation systems are cost-effective for ground source heat pumps in remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum chinense Linn., belonging to the Polygonaceae family, is distributed mostly in northern temperate climates. This species is a high-risk invasive plant and is thought to possess allelopathic potential. This study aimed to isolate and identify the allelopathic substances from P. chinense. Aqueous methanol extracts of P. chinense significantly inhibited the growth of alfalfa and Italian ryegrass seedlings in a species- and concentration-dependent manner. Activity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two active compounds: dehydrovomifoliol and loliolide. A cress bioassay was used to determine the biological activity of dehydrovomifoliol, and cress, alfalfa, and Italian ryegrass were used to determine loliolide. Dehydrovomifoliol significantly suppressed the seedling growth of cress at the concentration of 1 mM, and the concentrations necessary for 50% growth inhibition (I50 values) of the roots and shoots were 1.2 and 2 mM, respectively. Loliolide significantly suppressed the shoot growth of cress, alfalfa, and Italian ryegrass at the concentration of 1 mM, and the concentrations necessary for I50 values of the shoots and roots were 0.15 to 2.33 and 0.33 to 2.23 mM, respectively. The findings of our study suggest the extracts of P. chinense might have growth-inhibitory potential and that dehydrovomifoliol and loliolide might contribute as allelopathic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The resistance of Pinus pinaster Aiton to pinewood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer) varied among populations from the Iberian Peninsula, with survival rates for inoculated seedlings ranging from 5 to 100%. These differences in resistance were paralleled by differences in some constitutive chemical defenses. Populations from the southeastern Iberian Peninsula displayed higher resistance than northern populations. Context: The presence of the pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer), in Portugal threatens Mediterranean pine species such as Pinus pinaster Aiton. Aims: We have focused on assessing the resistance of P. pinaster populations to B. xylophilus, looking for any relationship between the PWN resistance and some constitutive chemical defenses and geoclimatic parameters. Methods: Two-year-old seedlings from 32 provenances and two seed orchards were evaluated in an experiment of artificial inoculation following a randomized complete block design under greenhouse conditions. We measured growth-related traits, response to B. xylophilus inoculations, and constitutive chemical compounds in needles of the evaluated seedlings and compiled geoclimatic data for each population. Mixed models, nonparametric tests, correlations, and PCA were used to analyze the data. Results: Survival, wilting symptoms, morphological traits, and nematode density varied significantly among populations. Lower concentrations of constitutive polyphenols, lipid-soluble substances, and tannins were related to higher PWN resistance. Populations from the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula showed higher survival rates than those from further north. Additionally, we observed that populations to warm, dry climates showed higher resistance to B. xylophilus than populations originating from humid, temperate climates. Conclusion: Higher susceptibility to PWN is related to lower growth traits, to lower levels of certain constitutive chemical compounds, and to adaptations to harsher climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thomisid spider Synema globosum (Fabricius, 1775) is widely distributed in the Palaearctic realm and is particularly common in southern parts of zones with a temperate climate. Seven subspecies have been described; the widely distributed nominotypical subspecies, S. g. globosum and six with much more restricted ranges. As of now, just two subspecies are still recognised as valid while the others have been synonymized with the nominate subspecies. This study now revalidates S. g. canariense Dahl, 1907 (subsp. reval.) based on findings from molecular and comparative morphological analysis. We also argue that the synonymization of the subspecies S. g. daghestanicum Utochkin, 1960 and the species S. japonicum Karsch, 1879 with S. globosum in Ono (1988) is formally correct, but needs further investigation with modern methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays), a cold‐sensitive crop, requires cold tolerance for extending the length of the growing season in temperate climates. However, response curves to different cold temperatures and exposure durations are lacking. We used a meta‐analysis approach using data from literature to investigate the effect of cold stress in the maize leaf. We constructed response curves to temperature and exposure durations for 18 key parameters related to leaf growth, photosynthesis, oxidative stress, antioxidants, and the phytohormone ABA. To determine their relevance for cold tolerance, we compared cold tolerant Flint and cold sensitive Dent lines. Treatment temperatures ranged from −20°C to 20°C for cold and from 12°C to 30°C for control and exposure duration from 3 min to 60 days. We found interacting effects of temperature and exposure durations on different response parameters. The strongest difference between Flint and Dent was observed for electrolyte leakage (EL). Our results show that the commonly used 4°C for cold and 25°C for control with medium cold exposure (1−7 days) induces a 50% decrease in shoot dry weight and leaf area and that EL is an easy and reliable indicator for cold tolerance studies. Summary Statement: Meta‐analysis of cold stress responses in the Zea mays leaf reveals differences in response curves of physiological parameters and shows that electrolyte leakage is a reliable indicator for cold tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a major threat to species worldwide, yet it remains uncertain whether tropical or temperate species are more vulnerable to changing temperatures. To further our understanding of this, we used a standardised field protocol to (1) study the buffering ability (ability to regulate body temperature relative to surrounding air temperature) of neotropical (Panama) and temperate (the United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Austria) butterflies at the assemblage and family level, (2) determine if any differences in buffering ability were driven by morphological characteristics and (3) used ecologically relevant temperature measurements to investigate how butterflies use microclimates and behaviour to thermoregulate. We hypothesised that temperate butterflies would be better at buffering than neotropical butterflies as temperate species naturally experience a wider range of temperatures than their tropical counterparts. Contrary to our hypothesis, at the assemblage level, neotropical species (especially Nymphalidae) were better at buffering than temperate species, driven primarily by neotropical individuals cooling themselves more at higher air temperatures. Morphology was the main driver of differences in buffering ability between neotropical and temperate species as opposed to the thermal environment butterflies experienced. Temperate butterflies used postural thermoregulation to raise their body temperature more than neotropical butterflies, probably as an adaptation to temperate climates, but the selection of microclimates did not differ between regions. Our findings demonstrate that butterfly species have unique thermoregulatory strategies driven by behaviour and morphology, and that neotropical species are not likely to be more inherently vulnerable to warming than temperate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban greenspaces are vital refugia for insect biodiversity, but seasonal fluctuation responses of insect taxa to urbanisation and local attributes of urban greenspaces are not well known. Regions with mild temperate climates and winter-flowering plants have active winter pollinators that are often neglected. A thorough knowledge of the seasonally fluctuating ecological needs of insects is essential for adequate insect-friendly greenspace management. Hover flies are cosmopolitan inhabitants of urban greenspaces where they provide multiple critical ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control. Our study uses a multi-scale approach to determine the seasonal effects of urbanisation on hover fly richness, abundance, and assemblages in urban greenspaces. We selected 30 sites along an urbanisation gradient (as measured by human population density) in Sydney, Australia, and sampled each site over a year across seasons. We found that hover fly species richness was higher in winter and spring than in summer, while abundance was highest in winter and lowest in summer. Our results also show that a combination urbanisation and local attributes of urban greenspaces (flower richness, flower abundance, human population density, and proportion of native flowers) combined to affect hover fly species richness and abundance in seasonally dependant ways. Hover flies are especially abundant and diverse during winter- a time of the year when other native floral visitors are less active. Thus, hover flies may be important pollinators of the large community of winter-flowering plants in Australia. Urban greenspaces can be made more hospitable to hover flies by implementing simple management initiatives, such as complementing native floral resources with non-native flowers in periods of scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]