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Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) grown on infertile coastal plain soils typically shows a growth response to N and P applied at mid-rotation. The objectives of this study were to determine whether less soluble poultry litter ash (PLA) provides an adequate supply of P compared to triple superphosphate (TSP), and assess effects on P mineralization and runoff loss. Effects of 56 kg P ha−1 as either PLA or TSP, and no fertilization were compared using an 11-year-old stand of two loblolly pine genotypes on a loamy sand in a completely randomized design. Tree height, diameter and foliar nutrients, soil Mehlich 3 P and phosphatase activity (A and E horizons), and P in surface runoff were monitored. Through more than two years, P fertilization had no effect on tree growth. Similar foliar P with PLA or TSP, together with increasing foliar and soil P over time, suggested that PLA is an adequate source of P for loblolly pine. Neither fertilizer suppressed P mineralization as measured by phosphatase activity. The advantage of PLA compared to TSP is potentially much less runoff P loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are impacting global temperatures, ecological systems, and human societies. Natural carbon sequestration through the conservation of soil and native ecosystems may slow or reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, and thus slow or mitigate the rate of global warming. Most of the research investigating carbon sequestration in natural systems occurs in forested ecosystems, however rare ecosystems such as coastal plain marshes and wet-mesic sand prairie collectively may serve as significant carbon sinks. Our objectives were to measure and assess the importance of carbon sequestration in three rare ecosystems (oak-pine barrens, coastal plain marsh, and wet-mesic sand prairie) in western Lower Michigan. We measured carbon in standing vegetation, dead organic matter, and soils within each ecosystem and adjacent encroaching forested areas. Driven by tree carbon, total carbon stocks in encroaching areas were greater than in intact rare ecosystems. Soil organic carbon was greater in all intact ecosystems, though only significantly so in coastal plain marsh. Principal components analysis explained 72% of the variation and revealed differences between intact ecosystems and their encroaching areas. Linear models using the ratio of red to green light reflectance successfully predicted SOC in intact coastal plain marsh and wet-mesic sand prairie. Our results infer the importance of these rare ecosystems in sequestering carbon in soils and support the need to establish federal or state management practices for the conservation of these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along the western coastal plain of the Red Sea, the discovery of lithic tools proved that the occurrence of archaeological remains belonged to the Stone Age era. Unfortunately, until recently, most of the Stone Age site plans in the western Red Sea periphery have been unknown because of change in climate in addition to covering these sites with a large layer of sand. Recently, remote sensing (RS) data have proven to be effective at identifying buried archaeological sites using radar satellite imagery due to their ability to penetrate the land surface. This paper aims to identify and reconstruct several potential Stone Age sites using radar satellite images in the Tokar region, North-Eastern Sudan, on the western plain of the Red Sea. Radar (Sentinel-1 SAR GRD: C-band) data were processed utilizing the advantages of the Google Earth Engine platform and Snap software. The results of this research showed that some potential settlements belonging to the Stone Age era (expectedly dating back to the end of the Pleistocene and/or the initial phase of the Holocene) have subcircular shapes with some interior subcircles. These results shed new light on the potential construction technique, size, and function of the settlement in the Stone Age era and can provide some initial insights into the ancient lifestyle in this region. Additionally, this study can aid in future archaeological surveys and excavation missions in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working forests comprise a large proportion of forested landscapes in the southeastern United States and are important to the conservation of bats, which rely on forests for roosting and foraging. While relationships between bat ecology and forest management are well studied during summer, winter bat ecology remains understudied. Hence, we aimed to identify the diet composition of overwintering bats, compare the composition of prey consumed by bat species, and determine the potential role of forest bats as pest controllers in working forest landscapes of the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain. During January to March 2021–2022, we captured 264 bats of eight species. We used DNA metabarcoding to obtain diet composition from 126 individuals of seven bat species identifying 22 orders and 174 families of arthropod prey. Although Coleoptera, Diptera, and Lepidoptera were the most consumed orders, we found that bats had a generalist diet but with significant differences among some species. We also documented the consumption of multiple insect pests (e.g., Rhyacionia frustrana) and disease vectors (e.g., Culex spp). Our results provide important information regarding the winter diet of bats in the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain and their potential role in controlling economically relevant pest species and disease vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaza Ware, one of the hallmarks of Palestinian pottery in Late Islamic/Ottoman times, was produced in the southern Coastal Plain and is characterised by dark-coloured fabric and a large variety of vessel forms. Although most scholars agree that Gaza Ware was already in use in the 18th century and continued into the 20th century, the earliest appearance of this pottery is still under debate. This article offers new insights into Gaza Ware typology and chronology, based on published and unpublished ceramic assemblages from excavated contexts in southern and central Palestine. More specifically, it is suggested here that the advent of Gaza Ware can be traced back to the 17th, if not the 16th, century, and morphological and fabric criteria to discern between 'early' and 'late' variants of certain vessel types are presented. This fresh look at Gaza Ware will hopefully assist archaeologists and ceramic specialists dealing with Late Islamic Southern Levantine contexts to fine-tune the chronology of contemporaneous ceramics and excavated remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of pocket mice (Chaetodipus artus , C. goldmani , and C. pernix) characterize the Sinaloan subregion of the Sonoran regional desert. They occur primarily in Sinaloan thornscrub and monsoon (dry deciduous) forest biotic communities, both of which have suffered from agricultural conversion. Sinaloan thornscrub occurs along the coastal plains of southern Sonora and Sinaloa, México, and grades into monsoon forest in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental. We describe the geographical and ecological distributions of the 3 species of Chaetodipus , evaluate evolutionary relationships within each species based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data, and compare these to previously described phenetic, allozymic, and chromosomal variation. We elevate the subspecies of C. pernix to full species, delineate evolutionary units within C. goldmani and C. artus that we formally recognize as subspecies, and evaluate the conservation status of all 3 species of Chaetodipus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melaleuca polandii, commonly known as "Gold-tipped Bottlebrush", is widely grown in Indian gardens and parks as an ornamental plant. In the present study, the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of M. polandii leaf essential oil (MPLEO) have been investigated. GC-MS analysis of MPLEO isolated from plants grown along the coastal plains of Eastern India revealed the presence of 50 constituents with α-pinene (46.17%), 3Z-hexenyl acetate (10.10 %), α-terpineol (5.43%), limonene (3.63%) and ρ-cymene (2.44 %) as the major constituents. MPLEO exhibited moderate antioxidant capacity in DPPH, ABTS and Reducing ability assays with IC50 values of 7.94 ± 0.34 μg/mL, 5.71 ± 0.21 μg/mL and EC50 7.09 ± 0.35 μg/mL, respectively. Of the 5 bacterial strains tested, the EO exhibited highest sensitivity against Bacillus subtilis with the ZOI of 12.66 ± 0.57 mm and strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus with MIC value of 6.25 μg/mL. MPLEO exhibited significant cytotoxic effects against Human alveolar lung adenocarcinoma (A549), Human hepato-cellular carcinoma (HepG2), Human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and normal Human Embryonic Kidney cell (HEK-293) as evaluated through MTT assay with IC50 values of 9.5 ± 0.38 μg/mL, 22.73 ± 0.95 μg/mL, 20.41 ± 0.82 μg/mL and 237.68 ± 9.26 μg/mL, respectively. The findings of the present study demonstrated that MPLEO could be considered as a potential bioresource having applications in pharmaceutical industries as an antibacterial and antiproliferative agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sedimentary investigation was carried out into the rise and fall of mediaeval Bruges' maritime access. Because the mediaeval metropolis had no direct connection with the North Sea, its maritime connectivity during the High- and Late-Middle Ages depended on a tidal channel, known as the 'Zwin'. In order to reconstruct the mediaeval physical environmental situation correctly, the entire Holocene sedimentary record was studied through undisturbed mechanically-drilled cores and electrical cone penetration tests (CPT-e). A detailed sedimentary analysis was complemented with radiocarbon dating and datable archaeological finds to resolve a timeframe for the sedimentary evolution. Tidal channel systems with diverse morphologic and sedimentologic characteristics prevail and cover a period from at least the Roman period till the Late-Middle Ages. The presence of a single peat layer directly on top of the Pleistocene substrate and the stratigraphic position of the tidal channel deposits relative to this peat layer, proves that no seawater entered this part of the Belgian coastal plain before the Late-Holocene. The tidal channel system that was active during the heydays of Bruges (the Zwin) was the last natural one. It silted up due to a further reduction of the accommodation space as a consequence of new embankments, possibly expedited by storms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil and gas exploration and development is expanding across the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska, USA. To examine the effects of industrial development on greater white‐fronted geese (Anser albifrons), we monitored nests and nesting behavior within a 4‐km2 study area within 4 km of gravel roads and pads during pre‐development, construction, and operation activities at a new oil development in the National Petroleum Reserve‐Alaska in 2013−2019. We examined distribution, incubation constancy, and nest survival in relation to distance to gravel roads or pads, year and status of development, presence of an ice road the previous winter, and land cover type. Nest density increased throughout the study period, which was consistent with surveys of this species in other regions of the ACP. There was no direct evidence that oil extraction infrastructure and the associated human activity adversely influenced the abundance, distribution, or daily nest survival of greater white‐fronted goose nests. Geese avoided nesting in the alignments of ice roads from the previous winter, and land cover type influenced their nest distribution. Nest age and incubation constancy were important predictors of daily nest survival. The incubation constancy of successful nesters (98.5 ± 0.1% [SE]) was significantly greater than for failed nesters (94.7 ± 0.6%) for all years combined and tended to be greater during the pre‐construction and construction years of 2014 and 2015, compared to when oilfield operations began in 2017 and 2019. Greater‐white fronted geese appear to be tolerant of some levels of industrial activities and the presence of gravel roads did not have a significant effect on nest distribution, incubation constancy, or nest survival. We recommend, however, that indirect effects from ice roads should be explicitly considered in impact assessments because white‐fronted geese avoid nesting in the footprints of the previous winter's ice roads and pads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specialty eggplants (Solanum melongena L.), cultivars with fruit shapes, sizes, and colors different from the typical teardrop-shaped, dark purple eggplant fruit, are an underproduced vegetable commodity in the southeastern United States. Seven cultivars representing seven different fruit types were grown in Charleston, SC, USA, in Spring and Fall 2018 and 2019 to assess cultivar productivity and net return. Despite yearto-year variability, Hansel (Chinese type), Millionaire (Japanese type), and Gretel (white fruit) generally had greater weights of both marketable (US Fancy and No. 1 fruit) and edible (US Fancy, No. 1 and No. 2) fruit than Fairy Tale (Sicilian type) and Patio Baby (Indian type), whereas the globe-fruited cultivars Black Beauty (heirloom) and Rosa Bianca (Italian type), had intermediate yields. Yields of plants after ratooning in the fall were lower than in the spring before ratooning. Prices per carton paid by local food hubs for US Fancy, No. 1, and No. 2 fruit were two to three times greater than wholesale terminal market prices. Nevertheless, fruit weights were a greater determinant of net returns than prices were. Growers in the southeastern coastal plain can maximize net returns from specialty eggplant crops by choosing cultivars that produce high fruit weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On grassland and savanna restoration sites, planted native C4 grasses can competitively exclude other co‐introduced plant functional groups, with negative implications for ecosystem functioning and restoration success. Previous studies have suggested that C4 grass competitive exclusion does not occur in longleaf pine savannas of the North American Coastal Plain; however these studies were primarily conducted on old growth xeric sites. We designed an experiment to test competitive interactions between C4 grasses and forbs introduced by seed to mesic savanna restoration sites. Research installations were established on three former bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures in Florida, within which six different seed treatments were applied: (1) C4 grasses and forbs together in years 1 and 2, (2) C4 grasses alone in year 1 and forbs alone in year 2, (3) forbs alone in year 1 and C4 grasses alone in year 2, (4) C4 grasses alone in both years, (5) forbs alone in both years, and (6) an unplanted control. All plots were sampled 1 year after the second seeding event. We found that C4 grasses competitively excluded forbs, reducing cover of forbs arriving on the site at the same time, as well as those arriving in the second year. The highest forb species richness and cover was found in the three treatments that did not contain C4 grasses in year 1, and different C4 grass species exhibited different community associations. These findings suggest that restoration seed mixes for longleaf pine savannas should account for the competitive interactions of C4 grasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated Q fever prevalence in blood donors and assessed the epidemiologic features of the disease in Israel in 2021. We tested serum samples for Coxeilla burnetii phase I and II IgG using immunofluorescent assay, defining a result of >200 as seropositive. We compared geographic and demographic data. We included 1,473 participants; 188 (12.7%) were seropositive. The calculated sex- and age-adjusted national seroprevalence was 13.9% (95% CI 12.2%-15.7%). Male sex and age were independently associated with seropositivity (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2; p = 0.005 for male sex; OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p<0.001 for age). Residence in the coastal plain was independently associated with seropositivity for Q fever (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.3; p<0.001); residence in rural and farming regions was not. Q fever is highly prevalent in Israel. The unexpected spatial distribution in the nonrural coastal plain suggests an unrecognized mode of transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire-adaptive traits in plants of tropical and subtropical grassy ecosystems have been the subject of considerable global research, but only recently studied in pyrogenic Florida subtropical grasslands. Plant growth forms, belowground organs, and post-fire recovery strategies were studied for 198 grassland specialists in peninsular Florida. Community types (dry-mesic, mesic, wet-mesic, and wet) were sampled with 1m2 plots along the edaphic-hydrologic gradient and the association between these variables and fire-related plant traits was tested using fourth-corner analysis. Caulescent herbs (43), cespitose graminoids (27), and rosette herbs (31) are the most common growth forms among species sampled. Plants with epigeogenous and hypogeogenous rhizomes dominate the sample plots, including matrix graminoids, shrub geoxyles, and an acaulescent rhizomatous fire-resilient palm (Serenoa repens). Most species (163; 82%) exhibit resprouting, including 30 facultative resprouters and 133 obligate resprouters. All woody rhizomatous species are obligate resprouters, and 35 ephemeral herbaceous species are obligate reseeders. Community type was a better predictor of species abundances than hydrology, however, hydrology was significantly associated with species traits measured, particularly rhizome texture, with woody rhizomes prevalent in all but the wet sites. Belowground organs (xylopodia, geoxylic suffructices) and growth form were associated with frequent fire and phylogeny, suggesting fire regime as a driver of community phylogenetic diversity. Persistence, rapid resilience and co-occurrence of geoxyles align Florida subtropical grasslands with other global geoxyle grasslands. The old-growth, pyrogenic grassy ecosystems of peninsular Florida are the center of geoxyle diversification on the southeastern US coastal plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on potential field data, anomalies derived from the EIGEN6C4 satellite model were used to interpret various structural features of the coastal plain, Southwest Cameroon volcanic line, northwestern margin of Congo Craton (CC) and southern extension of Pan-African belt. Since building a global comprehension of unknown phenomena about Earth's materials is of high relevance given the tectonic complexities of the investigated area, some edge enhancement techniques were applied to the gravimetric data. After generating the Bouguer anomalies, a cosine filter was used to provide the residual data set that should characterize the gravity effect arising from superficial density sources, and finally, some amplitude and phase-based edge detection methods were used to interpret the computed Bouguer and residual data. The results of this research work have demonstrated that the enhanced horizontal gradient amplitude and fast sigmoid edge detector (FSED) filters could detect density boundaries more successfully than the other filters tested. The structural map generated by FSED revealed that the delineated lineaments are oriented NW–SE, NE–SW, N–S and NNE–SSW. In addition, important tectonic features such as Central Cameroon, Kribi–Campo and Sanaga shear zones are indicative of the effectiveness of this methodological approach and the CC limit was better highlighted in this research work. In general, the lineament map enhances the knowledge of the structural setting of the Douala Kribi–Campo sedimentary basin as well as unexposed fracture zones that may have caused seismic events in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance of shark and actinopterygian fossils in the Cretaceous and Paleogene strata of the Atlantic Coastal Plain is well documented; but much remains unknown about the survivorship patterns of these major components of shallow marine faunas in the western Atlantic through the K/Pg mass extinction. To shed light on this subject, we describe an assemblage of new actinopterygian, chondrichthyan, and reptilian microfossils recently recovered from the Maastrichtian Navesink and Maastrichtian-Danian Hornerstown formations at the Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park at Rowan University in Mantua Township, New Jersey. The new microfossils clarify extinction patterns across the K/Pg, create temporal and geographic range extensions for several taxa, and expand the known fauna of this regionally-rare and important K/Pg-boundary locality. We report 11 new additions to the vertebrate fauna of Edelman Fossil Park, the first Paleocene record of Saurocephalus lanciformis, the first Cretaceous records ofParalbula marylandica and Palaeogaleus vincenti, and the first recovery of gar and dercetid fish remains from the Paleocene in New Jersey (the last indicating that these fish survived the K/Pg extinction in the western Atlantic). Geographic range extensions include: Notidanodon brotzeni into the Western Hemisphere, Saurocephalus into northeastern North America and Phyllodus paulkatoi to the eastern coast of North America. A dentary of a juvenile alligatorid, Bottosaurus harlani, indicate that the mandible exhibited isometric growth through ontogeny. Our findings generally agree with other studies that these groups were significantly impacted by the extinction event, that extinctions were selective, and recovery was slow. This wealth of novel insights garnered from microfossils in this study highlights their critical importance for elaborating past faunas and illuminating the character of ancient ecosystems. We therefore recommend microsieving as a fruitful method for future faunal studies of shallow-marine strata and predict that such efforts will frequently yield similar important insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private groundwater wells can be unmonitored sources of contaminated water that can harm human health. Developing models that predict exposure could allow residents to take action to reduce risk. Machine learning models have been successful in predicting nitrate contamination using geospatial information such as proximity to nitrate sources, but previous models have not considered meteorological factors that change temporally. In this study, we test random forest (regression and classification) and linear regression models to predict nitrate contamination using rainfall, temperature, and readily available soil parameters. We trained and tested models for (1) all of North Carolina, (2) each geographic region in North Carolina, (3) a three‐county region with a high density of animal agriculture, and (4) a three‐county region with a low density of animal agriculture. All regression models had poor predictive performance (R2 < 0.09). The random forest classification model for the coastal plain showed fair agreement (Cohen's κ = 0.23) when trying to predict whether contamination occurred. All other classification models had slight or poor predictive performance. Our results show that temporal changes in rainfall and temperature, or in combination with soil data, are not enough to predict nitrate contamination in most areas of North Carolina. The low level of contamination (<25%) measured during the study could have contributed to the poor performance of the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcome of species delimitation depends on many factors, including conceptual framework, study design, data availability, methodology employed and subjective decision making. Obtaining sufficient taxon sampling in endangered or rare taxa might be difficult, particularly when non‐lethal tissue collection cannot be utilized. The need to avoid overexploitation of the natural populations may thus limit methodological framework available for downstream data analyses and bias the results. We test species boundaries in rare North American trapdoor spider genus Cyclocosmia Ausserer (1871) inhabiting the Southern Coastal Plain biodiversity hotspot with the use of genomic data and two multispecies coalescent model methods. We evaluate the performance of each methodology within a limited sampling framework. To mitigate the risk of species over splitting, common in taxa with highly structured populations, we subsequently implement a species validation step via genealogical diversification index (gdi), which accounts for both genetic isolation and gene flow. We delimited eight geographically restricted lineages within sampled North American Cyclocosmia, suggesting that major river drainages in the region are likely barriers to dispersal. Our results suggest that utilizing BPP in the species discovery step might be a good option for datasets comprising hundreds of loci, but fewer individuals, which may be a common scenario for rare taxa. However, we also show that such results should be validated via gdi, in order to avoid over splitting. see also the Perspective by Kristen M. Martinet and Luke J. Harmon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While previous work on the climatology of Northern China has focused on mean wind speed, wind gusts have received comparatively less attention but are equally important to various users. In this paper, an observed hourly maximum gust wind speeds (HMGS) dataset across North China has been created by using time series from 174 meteorological stations. The dataset offers superior quality, high spatiotemporal near-surface HMGS series for North China spanning from 2015 to 2022. The objective of this study is first to improve our understanding of the spatiotemporal gusts climatology in North China by analyzing the observed gust data. Second, we aim to supplement the observational data by using gust analysis and forecast data with a high spatial–temporal resolution from model simulations. The spatial characteristics of the seasonal cycle of the simulated analysis of mean HMGS and the performance in predicting gusts based on the geographical locations and elevations of the validation stations were investigated by comparing it with the observations. Results indicate the following: 1) Wind direction and intensity are affected by the terrain and climate conditions of different weather stations. Stations situated along the Bohai Bay coastal region and at higher-elevation areas of North China exhibit a higher mean HMGS than those located in the coastal and inland plains. 2) The probability density function curves for wind speed and wind direction exhibit notable variations across different elevation intervals. The contribution of moderate and strong gust wind speeds increases gradually with increasing altitude, while the gust directions in mountainous areas exhibit relatively consistent patterns due to the increased exposure to synoptic-scale forcing at higher elevations. 3) The nowcasting prediction system analysis of mean HMGS provides a higher horizontal resolution that is capable of capturing the contrasts between land and sea, as well as the influence of high HMGS associated with large-scale circulations in high-elevation regions. Significance Statement: The purpose of this study is to better understand the spatiotemporal gust climatology in North China and the performance of the model-simulated gust analysis and forecast data. This is important because gusts conditions differ due to varying topographic and climatic conditions of different weather stations. Our results provide a valuable insight into the climatological variations of HMGS, their drivers, and identify the deficiencies in the model-simulation gusts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of over 4500 Gt (gigatonnes) of carbon at the Paleocene–Eocene boundary provides the closest geological analog to modern anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. The cause(s) of and responses to the resulting Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and attendant carbon isotopic excursion (CIE) remain enigmatic and intriguing despite over 30 years of intense study. CIE records from the deep sea are generally thin due to its short duration and slow sedimentation rates, and they are truncated due to corrosive bottom waters dissolving carbonate sediments. In contrast, PETM coastal plain sections along the US mid-Atlantic margin are thick, generally having an expanded record of the CIE. Drilling here presents an opportunity to study the PETM onset to a level of detail that could transform our understanding of this important event. Previous drilling in this region provided important insights, but existing cores are either depleted or contain stratigraphic gaps. New core material is needed for well-resolved marine climate records. To plan new drilling, members of the international scientific community attended a multi-staged, hybrid scientific drilling workshop in 2022 designed to maximize not only scientifically and demographically diverse participation but also to protect participants' health and safety during the global pandemic and to reduce our carbon footprint. The resulting plan identified 10 sites for drill holes that would penetrate the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary, targeting the pre-onset excursion (POE), the CIE onset, the rapidly deposited Marlboro Clay that records a very thick CIE body, and other Eocene hyperthermals. The workshop participants developed several primary scientific objectives related to investigating the nature and the cause(s) of the CIE onset as well as the biotic effects of the PETM on the paleoshelf. Additional objectives focus on the evidence for widespread wildfires and changes in the hydrological cycle, shelf morphology, and sea level during the PETM as well as the desire to study both underlying K–Pg sediments and overlying post-Eocene records of extreme hyperthermal climate events. All objectives address our overarching research question: what was the Earth system response to a rapid carbon cycle perturbation? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of information for wild plant hosts of Bactericera cockerelli limits understanding of ecology and phenology of the insect and actual role of wild host plants in disease dynamics. Because of vectoring the plant pathogenic bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), B. cockerelli is one of the most important pests of solanaceus crops. Herein, B. cockerelli is reported to be associated with a previously unrecognized wild plant host, Margaranthus solanaceus Schltdl. (netted globe-cherry) on lowland plains of northeastern Mexico. In total, 37 Margaranthus plant samples were collected at Cadereyta, State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. From these, 761 eggs and 129 nymphs were obtained (mean of 20.56 ± 1.04 eggs and 3.48 ± 0.4 nymphs per plant). The insect completed its lifecycle on the plant. PCR indicated that three of 35 Margaranthus plants examined (8.6%) were positive for Lso infection; because of methodological difficulties, the percentage was probably underestimated. All adult psyllids (100%) in a sample (n = 21) that emerged from nymphs on Margaranthus and were analyzed by PCR were infected by Lso. This is the first report of M. solanaceous as host of B. cockerelli, Lso and Lso-infected B. cockerelli. With other wild hosts, the plant might contribute to population dynamics of B. cockerelli and Lso in North America. La falta de información sobre plantas hospedantes silvestres de Bactericera cockerelli ha limitado la comprensión de la ecología y fenología del insecto y el papel real de estas plantas en la dinámica de la enfermedad. Debido a la vectorización de la bacteria fitopatógena Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Lso), B. cockerelli es una de las plagas más importantes de cultivos de solanáceas. En este documento, se reporta que B. cockerelli está asociada con una planta huésped silvestre no enlistada, Margaranthus solanaceus Schltdl., en las llanuras bajas del noreste de México. Se recolectaron un total de 37 muestras de plantas Margaranthus en Cadereyta, estado de Nuevo León, México. De éstas se obtuvieron 761 huevos y 129 ninfas (medias de 20.6 ± 1.04 huevos y 3.48 ± 0.4 ninfas por planta). El insecto completó su desarrollo hasta adulto en esta planta. La PCR indicó que tres de 35 plantas examinadas (8,6%) fueron positivas a la infección por Lso; debido a dificultades metodológicas, este porcentaje probablemente esté subestimado. Todos los psílidos adultos (100%) en una muestra (n = 21) que emergieron de Margaranthus y fueron analizados por PCR también fueron positivos a Lso. Este es el primer informe de M. solanaceous como huésped de B. cockerelli, de Lso y de B. cockerelli infectado con Lso. Junto con otros huéspedes silvestres, esta planta puede contribuir a la dinámica poblacional de B. cockerelli y Lso en América del Norte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the first Americans inhabited the area now known as Isla Espiritu Santo, around 12.5 and 6 ka, the sea level continuously rose. This resulted in the loss of the coastal territory and the retreat of the human population further inland. Part of the archaeological evidence of this period currently lies over the seafloor and under the seabed. Therefore, reconstructing paleoshorelines is a necessary first step toward submerged precontact archaeology and a broad understanding of the spatial context in which those human populations interacted and how the landscapes changed. Isla Espiritu Santo is of prehistoric importance as it contains numerous Paleocoastal tradition sites as early as ~12,400 Cal B.P. This research aims to reconstruct the changing shoreline positions as sea levels rose around Isla Espiritu Santo between 12.5 and 6.5 ka. We apply numerical modeling to map digital elevation models at 1 ka intervals by estimating the changes in the morphology of the seafloor according to the deposition rates and global sea‐level curve. The results show the evolution of coastal morphology and paleoshoreline's position. Three primary geoforms are proposed: (1) coastal plains, (2) tombolo, and (3) a coastal lagoon–island barrier system. This also offers insights into the physical aspect of submerged prehistoric landscapes and the possible resource exploitation options of early societies. In this research, the reconstruction of submerged landscapes seeks to contribute to the long‐term goal of locating submerged precontact sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement of groundwater exchange between neighboring regions is a critical topic in water resource management and can usually be achieved through a combination of field investigations and the use of groundwater flow models. In this study, we employed the water balance and Darcy's law methods, utilizing downscaled Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE-Follow On (GRACE-FO) data to assess groundwater exchange patterns in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region of China. Additionally, we determined the contributions of human activities and climate factors to the observed variations via residual analysis. The results revealed a consistent decrease in groundwater storage in the study area since 2008, especially in the spring and summer months. The groundwater exchange rates calculated by 1° and 0.05° groundwater storage anomalies (GWSAs) were basically consistent, and the downscaled GWSAs could better reflect the small-scale groundwater exchange characteristics. The groundwater exchange rate showed a decreasing trend from the Piedmont plain to the coastal areas. A notable trend of declining groundwater exchange between the Taihang Mountains and Piedmont plains was observed, and the downward trend gradually intensified from north to south between 2003 and 2007. After 2008, there was an increasing trend, and coastal areas exhibited the smallest amount of groundwater exchange. Human activities emerged as the predominant factor accounting for more than 90.9% of the overall reduction in groundwater storage, while climate change imposed a minimal influence on groundwater storage variations. The insights obtained in this study hold significant implications for groundwater resource planning and management in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Punta del Este Terrane, located in southeastern Brazil and eastern Uruguay, is a tectonostratigraphic terrane recognized in the Dom Feliciano Belt, the southern segment of Mantiqueira Province (Brasiliano Orogen). The northern sector of the terrane, called here by the Jaguarão Domain, is constituted by Arroio Telho, Arroio Grande, Matarazzo metamorphic complexes, and the Arroio Pedrado Gneisses. The first is composed of low to medium-grade metasedimentary rocks. Metasiliciclastic schists and marbles constitute the second, with serpentinites, magnesian schists, amphibolites, and metagabbros. The Matarazzo Complex comprises pure and siliceous dolomitic marble, metadolerite, and metagabbro. Arroio Pedrado unit comprises granodioritic to monzogranitic augen-gneisses. The rocks of the complexes were poly-deformed and intruded by high-K calc-alkaline peraluminous and metaluminous granitoids. The Pedro Osório, Arroio Grande, and Cerro Amaro dextral shear zones delimited the domain to the north. To the south and east, the units of the Jaguarão Domain were covered by coastal plain sediments. In gravimetric maps, the domain shows a high-density relief in contrast with the rocks of the granite belt (Pelotas Batholith). U-Pb zircon data from garnet-muscovite granites present crystallization ages of 587–568 Ma, which point to a widespread Ediacaran magmatism in the northern Punta del Este Terrane. U-Pb zircon provenance data of the metasedimentary sequences indicate main Meso- to Paleoproterozoic contribution, with subordinate Tonian to Cryogenian age populations. The geochronological results of the supracrustal rocks indicate a sedimentary deposition in an extensional setting, in which posterior deformation and metamorphism/magmatism compatible with a syn-orogenic setting in the context of the Dom Feliciano Belt framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed description of the Middle Miocene (Chokrakian and Karaganian) depositional environments of the Eastern Paratethys Sea in the southern Caspian Basin. The Chokrakian comprises a 500-m-thick succession of marls and sandstones, termed herein Javarem Formation, which formed in coastal marine environments. The lower Javarem Fm. Developed in calm lagoonal settings, indicating frequent exposure under a predominantly dry climate and occasional formation of evaporites. The upper part of the Javarem Fm. Is characterized by mixed siliciclastic-carbonatic sediments with ooids of agitated, warm, hypersaline tidal shoals. Above follows the about 500-m-thick Vashi Formation, which is correlated with the Karaganian regional stage. The formation is characterized by an alternation of reddish marls with thick sandstones and gravel beds with terrestrial gastropods, ubiquitous pedogenetic features and occasional root horizons. The depositional environment is interpreted as a floodplain with gravelly channels of an arid to semiarid climate. The successions of the Javarem and Vashi formations capture the transition from the shallow marine Iranian shelf into the northern Iranian coastal plain around 13.8 Ma, following the onset of the Miocene Climate Transition and the coinciding global sea level drop around the Langhian/Serravallian boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core breeding range of Swainson's warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) overlaps a zone of exceptionally high tornado frequency in southeastern North America. The importance of tornadoes in creating breeding habitat for this globally rare warbler and other disturbance‐dependent species has been largely overlooked. This paper estimates tornado frequency (1950–2021) and forest disturbance in the 240 counties and parishes in which breeding was documented from 1988 to 2014. The frequency of destructive tornadoes (EF1‐EF5) varied 6‐fold across the breeding range with a peak in the Gulf Coast states. Counties from east Texas to Alabama experienced the lowest median return interval of 5.4 years per 1000 km2, resulting in approximately 2477 ha of forest damage per 1000 km2 per century, based on current forestland cover. Tornadoes were significantly less frequent north and east of the core breeding range, with return intervals increasing to 9.1 years per 1000 km2 for breeding counties on the Atlantic coastal plain, 10.2 years per 1000 km2 in the Ozark Mountains, and 32.3 years per 1000 km2 in the Appalachian Mountains. Breeding counties within 150 km of the coastline from east Texas to North Carolina are also subjected to the highest frequency of hurricanes in the Western Hemisphere. Hurricanes often cause massive forest damage but archived meteorological and forestry data are insufficient to estimate the aggregate extent of forest disturbance in breeding counties. Nevertheless, the combined impact of tornadoes and hurricanes in the pre‐Anthropogenic era was likely sufficient to produce a dynamic mosaic of early‐successional forest crucial for the breeding ecology of Swainson's warbler. To ensure the long‐term survival of this rare warbler, it is advisable to develop habitat management plans that incorporate remote sensing data on early‐successional forest generated by catastrophic storms as well as anthropogenic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is mainly concerned with the effect of anthropogenic activities and natural radioactivity due to the presence of highly radioactive black sand spots, factory construction, and shipping, in addition to other activities like agriculture on human beings. Forty samples were collected along Baltim–El Burullus coastal plain to detect the effect of these problems and determine the suggested solutions. The black sand of the Baltim–El Burullus coastal plain exhibits a considerable amount of economically heavy minerals, their ratio relative to the bulk composition in the investigated samples ranges from 3.18 to 10.5% with an average of 5.45%. The most important of them are magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, leucoxene, garnet, zircon and monazite. The existence of some radioactive-bearing accessory mineral deposits like zircon and monazite led to measuring the naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K to evaluate the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). The results showed that these concentrations are 19.1 ± 9.73, 14.7 ± 9.53 and 211 ± 71.34 Bq kg−1 were lower than the corresponding reported worldwide average of 35, 45, and 412 Bq kg−1 for each radionuclide (226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K). The gamma hazard indices such as absorbed dose rate (Dair), the annual effective dose (AED), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) factor were computed in the investigated sediments and all the results were found (Dair = 26.4 nGy h−1, AED = 0.03 mSv year−1, ELCR = 0.0001) to be lower than the values suggested by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the effect of Atomic Research (59 nGy h−1, 0.07 mSv year−1 and 0.0029 for Dair, AED and ELCR, respectively). The study suggests that the black sand is safe to use in various infrastructure applications at Baltim–El Burullus coastal plain. The levels of radioactivity are not high enough to pose a risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-amplitude internal solitary waves were recently observed in a coastal plain estuary and were hypothesized to evolve from an internal lee wave generated at the channel–shoal interface. To test this mechanism, a 3D nonhydrostatic model with nested domains and adaptive grids was used to investigate the generation of the internal solitary waves and their subsequent nonlinear evolution. A complex sequence of wave propagation and transformation was documented and interpreted using the nonlinear wave theory based on the Korteweg–de Vries equation. During the ebb tide a mode-2 internal lee wave is generated by the interaction between lateral flows and channel–shoal topography. This mode-2 lee wave subsequently propagates onto the shallow shoal and transforms into a mode-1 wave of elevation as strong mixing on the flood tide erases stratification in the bottom boundary layer and the lower branch of the mode-2 wave. The mode-1 wave of elevation evolves into an internal solitary wave due to nonlinear steepening and spatial changes in the wave phase speed. As the solitary wave of elevation continues to propagate over the shoaling bottom, the leading edge moves ahead as a rarefaction wave while the trailing edge steepens and disintegrates into a train of rank-ordered internal solitary waves, due to the combined effects of shoaling and dispersion. Strong turbulence in the bottom boundary layer dissipates wave energy and causes the eventual destruction of the solitary waves. In the meantime, the internal solitary waves can generate elevated shear and dissipation rate in local regions. Significance Statement: In the coastal ocean nonlinear internal solitary waves are widely recognized to play an important role in generating turbulent mixing, modulating short-term variability of nearshore ecosystem, and transporting sediment and biochemical materials. However, their effects on shallow and stratified estuaries are poorly known and have been rarely studied. The nonhydrostatic model simulations presented in this paper shed new light into the generation, propagation, and transformation of the internal solitary waves in a coastal plain estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large temperature variations in a temperate climate, particularly in late winter and early spring, can be disruptive for native ecosystems and agricultural crops. As warmer temperatures occur earlier in the year in midlatitude regions as a result of anthropogenic climate change, springtime temperatures may become less consistent, leading to potential damage to species and crops that are vulnerable to the return of historically cooler temperatures, including late-spring frosts, after an initial warm-up. In this work, we quantify shifting patterns in late-winter and springtime temperature variations at eight sites across New Jersey from 1950 to 2019. Many sites located along the coast or in the coastal plain experience increases in the number of times the temperature climbs above 15.5°C (60°F) and then falls below freezing (i.e.,0°C, or 32°F). Sites in southern New Jersey (where much of the state's agriculture is located) experience the most significant (P < 0.05) increases in large springtime temperature variations. Across all sites, there is a general increase in both the percentage and magnitude of temperature variations that occur as early as February. At 75% of sites, day-to-day variation in daily maximum temperature has increased from the 1950s through 2019; day-to-day variation in daily minimum temperatures has increased over the same time at more than half of sites considered. These amplifications in extreme temperature variations indicate the need for both mitigation and adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable crops and ecosystems in the region during this critical time of the year. Significance Statement: Human-caused climate change has made it more likely for warmer temperatures to occur earlier in the year, causing many locations to experience late-winter and early-springtime temperatures that are less consistent than they may have been in the past. These variations can be highly problematic for both vital agricultural crops and critical ecosystems. Here, we evaluate how late-winter and early-springtime temperatures have changed throughout New Jersey (home to a variety of agriculture and unique ecosystems) from the mid-twentieth century until 2019. We find critical changes to temperature patterns during late winter and early spring, including larger and more frequent temperature swings (particularly in February) and increased day-to-day variation in high and low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liolaemus lutzae is a small liolaemid lizard critically endangered and restricted to coastal restinga (salty sand dune habitats covered by herbaceous and shrubby vegetation by seaside) habitats of the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. This lizard has been predicted to be extinct by 2080. We studied some of the environmental factors that influence occupancy by the species and detectability by the observer, in addition to investigating which populations remain occupying the areas along its original geographical distribution. We sampled 25 different beach habitats of restinga areas in the state, by 100‐meter replicates of linear transects. The estimated probability of occupancy was 69% (0.69 ± 0.05), and the estimated detectability was 50% (0.50 ± 0.03). The detection model with the best fit contained only the air temperature variable. Occupancy was best described by four variables: number of disturbance sources on the transect, vegetation cover in a 50‐meter buffer, exposed sand cover substrate in a 20‐meter buffer, and built‐up area cover in a 50‐meter buffer. No observations of L. lutzae were made in eight of the 25 restinga areas sampled along the original distribution of the lizard. In seven of these areas, the species had its populations extirpated many years ago, based on the 2007/2008 monitoring data. Conversely, in one area where the species was frequently observed during field surveys and different ecological studies on the species made in last decade, it was not recorded in the present study, indicating a possible recent population extirpation. We recommend that conservation measures be urgently implemented to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on the areas of the remaining populations of this lizard throughout its range, especially preserving the structure and functions of the remaining vegetation of beach habitat along restinga areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From numerous modern gently inclined coastal areas and deltas around the world carbonate‐cemented sandstone slabs and pebbles have been reported. Such sandstones collected at the coast of the German North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea (Rhône Delta) are cemented by calcite derived from the anaerobic oxidation of methane, as evidenced by biomarkers and δ13C isotope values <−35‰ typical of anaerobic oxidation of methane. The methane originated from peat, which formed in coastal lowlands, deltas and channels during the Pleisto–Holocene transgression due to the concomitant rise of the groundwater level. During ongoing transgression, the peat became overlain by marginal‐marine mud, acting as a seal, and finally by marine sand. In shallow‐marine settings, wave‐pumping effects during storms led to seal failure and methane could migrate upward. This scenario matches recent observations in the German North Sea where a pockmark field formed during the winter storm season. The emanating methane was eventually oxidized aerobically or anaerobically by anaerobic oxidation of methane in the sand cover. The CH4 generated in the peat underneath contains 'old' carbon that becomes, in the case of anaerobic oxidation of methane, incorporated into bicarbonate, which in turn facilitates cementation of sand and, thus, causes the peculiar situation that the C‐14 age of the cement is older than the bioclasts embedded in the sandstone. Such authigenically cemented sandstones have environmental significance for flooding of gently inclined coastal plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution flood monitoring can be achieved relying on multi-temporal analysis of remote sensing SAR data, through the implementation of semi-automated systems. Exploiting a Bayesian inference framework, conditioned probabilities can be estimated for the presence of floodwater at each image location and each acquisition date. We developed a procedure for efficient monitoring of floodwaters from SAR data cubes, which adopts a statistical modelling framework for SAR backscatter time series over normally unflooded areas based on Gaussian processes (GPs), in order to highlight flood events as outliers, causing abrupt variations in the trends. We found that non-parametric time series modelling improves the performances of Bayesian probabilistic inference with respect to state-of-the-art methodologies using, e.g., parametric fits based on periodic functions, by both reducing false detections and increasing true positives. Our approach also exploits ancillary data derived from a digital elevation model, including slopes, normalized heights above nearest drainage (HAND), and SAR imaging parameters such as shadow and layover conditions. It is here tested over an area that includes the so-called Metaponto Coastal Plain (MCP), in the Basilicata region (southern Italy), which is recurrently subject to floods. We illustrate the ability of our system to detect known (although not ground-truthed) and smaller, undocumented inundation events over large areas, and propose some consideration about its prospective use for contexts affected by similar events, over various land cover scenarios and climatic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial plant nutrient with the potential to make plants tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses; however, it's effect on improve yield and Si uptake in maize at Ganges delta coastal zone soils has not been investigated. The purpose of the study was to find out the contribution of Si to improve maize yield and Si uptake especially under nutrient deficit conditions. A field experiment was conducted in dry season of 2021 and 2022 using a popular maize variety Don-111. The experiment was laid out in two factors randomized complete block design having two levels of Si (0 and 20 kg Si ha-1 rate as sodium metasilicate), and four levels of NPK fertilizers (40%, 60%, 80% and 100%). The 100% NPK indicates 225:60:80 kg ha-1 N:P:K, respectively. In 2021 the 20 kg Si ha-1 rate with 40%, 60%, 80, and 100% NPK rate recorded grain yield of 7.52, 8.73, 9.95 and 11.16 t ha-1, respectively which was 17.9%, 15.0%, 8.6%, and 7.8% higher, and in 2022 the grain yield of 6.31, 7.82, 8.83 and 9.62 t ha-1, which was 28.0%, 16.4%, 16.3%, and 6.3%, respectively, higher than the respective control treatment. All other growth, yield and yield contributing characters, and Si content in plant was improved by Si application, however, the maximum cases rate of increment was higher in lower rates of NPK fertilizers. Silicon application is therefore recommended for the improvement of maize growth and yield at the eastern Ganges delta coastal plains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cretaceous lower Nanaimo Group in the Georgia Basin, Canada comprises multiple depositional phases with distinct depocentres that accumulated in a tectonically active forearc basin setting. Basal coarse-clastic strata are preserved in paleotopographic depressions and grade upwards into coal-bearing coastal plains and shallow-marine deposits. Coal-bearing and shallow-marine strata grade laterally into and are overlain by, regionally extensive mudstones and turbidites deposited in deep water. A glauconitic sandstone bed within the deep-water strata is interpreted as a condensed section and underlies a major disconformity that developed during a pause in the deposition of the lower Nanaimo Group. A second major coarse-clastic succession occurs hundreds of metres above the glauconite bed in the central Georgia Basin and comprises conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone and coal deposited in continental depositional environments. The shift in sedimentation from the northern Georgia Basin to the central Georgia Basin is interpreted to record the emergence of an island (Nanoose Uplift) in the central Georgia Basin that acted as a major sediment source to the adjacent depocentres. The stratigraphic break between the coal-bearing coarse-clastic strata in the northern Georgia Basin and the significantly younger coal-bearing coarse-clastic strata in the central Georgia Basin indicates that the lower Nanaimo Group was deposited in distinct depocentres. Between the older, coarse-clastic strata in the north and younger, coarse-clastic strata in the central Georgia Basin, we hypothesize that a major deepwater canyon system (Qualicum Canyon) existed and transferred sediment from the semi-restricted Georgia Basin to the Pacific Ocean to the west. Development of the Qualicum Canyon and exposure of the Nanoose Uplift during deposition of the younger, central coarse-clastic strata suggests that syntectonic activity drove basin uplift and erosion and this occurred throughout the deposition of the lower Nanaimo Group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I documented the number of active nests of Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Cliff Swallow) at 20 colony sites along or near the Great Pee Dee River (GPDR) corridor in the lower Piedmont of North Carolina and Coastal Plain of South Carolina in 2012. I again monitored active colonies in this area from 2016 to 2018 and in 2022. Cliff Swallows continued to breed primarily at bridges and other water-based anthropogenic sites (23 of 29; 79%) and some land-based sites, but abandoned a highway overpass site. Numbers of active nests at the same 20 colony sites over the 5 years during early to mid-May fluctuated from 1862 in 2016, the only year when the number of active nests exceeded those in 2012, to 1050 in 2018. Number of active nests at colony sites decreased by 18% between 2012 and 2022. Nesting populations at colony sites have decreased within the GPDR corridor in North Carolina, where 6 radial colony sites near the GPDR were abandoned by 2022. In contrast, nesting populations within the GPDR corridor in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina have remained stable, but 8 new colony sites were detected, including 1 site near the coast. In the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain of southeastern North Carolina, rapid expansion of colony sites has occurred in tidewater regions or near the coast, but the size of 3 colony sites closest to South Carolina (85 km) were small. The main source of Cliff Swallow colony dispersal and expansion of colony sites into coastal regions of South Carolina will likely be from within the GPDR corridor and other areas in the interior of the northeastern Coastal Plain of South Carolina, despite the increasing number of colony sites in the Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain of North Carolina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meteorology of ridging highs on the coast of KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN) South Africa was studied using Principal Component (pc) analysis of daily ERA5 sea level air pressure (SLP) fields 1980–2021. The second pc mode time score representing ridging highs, was associated with rain‐showers moving northeast‐ward along the KZN coast. Temporal analysis revealed an Oct‐Dec peak occurrence and 12‐day pulse intervals induced by the eastward migration of atmospheric Rossby waves in early summer. From a ranking of SLP pc2 and associated daily time series, a case study emerged: 14–18 Nov. 2009. This ridging high weather scenario had cold southerly winds subsiding over the warm Agulhas Current. Surface moisture fluxes >350 W/m2 create a buoyant airmass that slows and lifts over the coastal plains, inducing shallow clouds that reduce net solar radiation and potential evaporation. Interannual variability of ridging highs was studied by filtering the daily SLP pc2 time score to retain seasonal fluctuations and correlating with regional fields of SST. This revealed warming in the SW Indian Ocean associated with positive phase Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The atmospheric circulation forms a NW trough over Madagascar which deforms eastward moving mid‐latitude anticyclones. Thus, ridging highs that bring beneficial Oct‐Dec rains to the coast of KZN depend on downstream climate coupling with the IOD. Long‐term trends from a coupled model simulation 1980–2100 suggest a poleward retreat of the anticyclonic ridge, consistent with declining Durban‐area river flow in early summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a corrigendum for a published manuscript that examines the structure and functional composition of macroinvertebrate communities in coastal plain streams across a precipitation gradient. The corrigendum addresses issues in the original manuscript, clarifying that only a portion of the collected data was analyzed due to a hurricane disturbance. The updated methods and results show the impact of the hurricane on the abundance and diversity of the macroinvertebrate communities. The study found that environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, hydrological variables, and land cover variables were the main drivers of community composition. The authors acknowledge the potential influence of Hurricane Harvey on the results but conclude that the analyzed period represents typical dynamics in the study streams. The data from the study are available upon request. [Extracted from the article]

The coastal plain aquifer down gradient of Wad Essaquia Elhamra (WEE), is the main source of groundwater in the arid region of Laayoune Essaquia El Hamra located in south of Morocco. The over-exploitation of this aquifer over the last decade for water supply, agriculture and industry led to deterioration of groundwater quality, including seawater intrusion. The objective of this study is to investigate the spatial variation of groundwater quality, and to assess the influence of sea water intrusion on the groundwater quality using hydro-chemical tools. Several measurement campaigns of physico-chemical parameters of the groundwater were performed, which shows a very high mineralization ratios versus chloride, confirming the double influence of mixing mechanisms of fresh and saline waters and the water-rock interactions. Computed seawater fraction for sampled water shows that the average mixing rate of seawater intrusion reached 10.5%, confirming the marine intrusion in the aquifer. The highest values were registered in coastal wells. In the upstream around Laayoune and the spreading area, nitrate concentrations exceed 50 mg/L which is the threshold set by the World Health Organization, revealing a high level of contamination by domestic sewage. The combination of ionic ratios and seawater fraction is a useful tool to assess marine intrusion. This study reveals that the phenomenon of marine intrusion is not the only process that dominates hydrochemistry of ground water. The high groundwater mineralization is also due to rockwater interaction associated with reverse ion exchange with clay material and anthropogenic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the distribution pattern in India, of the agamid lizard Calotes calotes based on localities of the many voucher specimens that we examined, direct field observations by us and literature records. Our preliminary MaxEnt analysis run based on 48 localities revealed that hilly terrain of the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats are the most ideal regions (>70% prediction) within its range. We also elaborate on the morphology of examined specimens, especially from the eastern parts of its Indian range, viz. the Coromandel Coastal Plains and the Eastern Ghats, so as to categorically confirm its occurrence in eastern parts of Southern India, where its presence had remained equivocal and contentious at best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lower Paleocene (Danian) Brightseat Formation consists of fine-grained, dark-gray, micaceous sand and silty clay, with glauconite and abundant, but generally poorly preserved, fossils. The Brightseat Formation represents deposition of lower, but not lowermost, Paleocene sediments that were deposited on the middle to outer shelf of what is now the Atlantic Coastal Plain. A basal disconformity separates the Brightseat from the underlying Upper Cretaceous Severn Formation, and it is disconformably overlain by the middle to upper Paleocene Aquia Formation. The type locality of the Brightseat Formation, previously exposed approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) west-southwest of the former village of Brightseat in Prince George’s County, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., has been destroyed by urban development, prompting the establishment of a composite-stratotype section from nearby outcrops approximately a half mile to the south-southwest of the original location. The outcrop at Cabin Branch is hereby designated as the principal reference section for the Brightseat Formation and the “Cabin Creek” outcrop (an informally designated tributary of Cabin Branch) is designated as a supplementary reference section that illustrates the boundary of the Brightseat with the overlying Aquia Formation. Paleontological analyses, grain-size analyses, and petrographic techniques are used to document this new stratotype section and to correlate and contrast it with underlying and overlying sediments. This composite-stratotype section is designated using the guidelines outlined in Article 8, remarks (d) and (e) of the North American Code of Stratigraphic Nomenclature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the population exposure to an increasing number of hydroclimatic extreme events owing to the warming climate. It is well agreed that the extreme events are increasing in terms of frequency as well as intensity due to climate change and that the exposure to compound extreme events (concurrent occurrence of two or more extreme phenomena) affects population, ecosystems, and a variety of socioeconomic aspects more adversely. Specifically, the compound precipitation–temperature extremes (hot-dry and hot-wet) are considered, and the entire Indian mainland is regarded as the study region that spans over a wide variety of climatic regimes and wide variation of population density. The developed copula-based statistical method evaluates the change in population exposure to the compound extremes across the past (1981–2020) and future (near future: 2021–60 and far future: 2061–2100) due to climate change. The results indicate an increase of more than 10 million person-year exposure from the compound extremes across many regions of the country, considering both near and far future periods. Densely populated regions have experienced more significant changes in hot-wet extremes as compared with the hot-dry extremes in the past, and the same is projected to continue in the future. The increase is as much as sixfold in many parts of the country, including the Indo-Gangetic Plain and southernmost coastal regions, identified as the future hotspots with the maximum increase in exposure under all the projected warming and population scenarios. The study helps to identify the regions that may need greater attention based on the risks of population exposure to compound extremes in a warmer future. Significance Statement: How is the growing population being affected now, and in the future, how will it be affected due to climate change induced compound extreme events? This study explores this societal consequence in terms of population exposure for the most populous country, India. An increase of more than 10 million person-year exposure from the precipitation–temperature compound extremes across many regions is indicated. Densely populated regions are expected to experience enhanced population exposure to hot-wet extremes as compared with the hot-dry extremes. Furthermore, the maximum increase in population exposure to compound extremes is expected across the Indo-Gangetic Plain and southern coastal regions of India. The outcome of the study will be helpful for adopting socioeconomic decisions toward the welfare of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was undertaken during December 2020 to February 2021 to evaluate the suitability of oyster mushrooms in different agro-ecological zones of Kerala viz., coastal plains, midland laterites, foothills, high hills and Palakkad plains. The oyster mushroom species selected were Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus djamor, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Pleurotus citrinopileatus. The sporocarps of five species of oyster mushrooms were studied based on the size, texture and colour of sporocarp, gill arrangement, stipe length and colour of pinhead. Performance of all the species were evaluated based on yield and growth characteristics. H. ulmarius was found to be best suited oyster mushroom species for cultivation in coastal plains with biological efficiency (BE) of 102.99 per cent, foot hills (92.73 per cent BE) and high hills (123.30 per cent BE). In midland laterites and Palakkad plains, highest BE of 82.70 per cent and 103.80 per cent respectively were obtained from P. djamor. Earliness in primordial initiation and less crop duration was observed in P. djamor from all the five agro-ecological zones of Kerala. From the present study it was evident that H. ulmarius was adapted to the climatic conditions prevailing throughout Kerala. P. djamor performed well in areas having higher temperature (more than 280C), lesser rainfall and lesser humidity (80 per cent). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huatabampo tradition was first defined by Gordon Ekholm, in 1938, and refers to those sites in the coastal plain in northern Sinaloa and southern Sonora lacking architecture but containing well-manufactured plain ceramics with complex shapes. Recent investigations in the region are helping to refine the chronology, geographical extension, cultural attributes, and ethnicity. With 20 radiocarbon dates, we can place this tradition as spanning from 200 BC to AD 1450. The maximum geographical extension ranges from the Middle Rio Yaqui in the north to the Rio San Lorenzo in Sinaloa. The associated sites of this complex are represented by dispersed houses, indicative of ranchería-type settlements, funerary mounds, shell middens, and petroglyph sites. At about AD 1150, Aztatlán pottery and other commodities from southern Sinaloa were incorporated mostly as mortuary offerings. We also provide evidence that the Huatabampo archaeological tradition is a local culture representing the occupation of the Cahitan-speaking groups, Yoremem/Mayos and Yoemem/Yaquis, of the coastal plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim to assess how environmental heterogeneity affect fish assembly patterns, we evaluated species co-occurrence and nestedness in 16 lentic environments in a drying coastal plain of Southeast Brazil. We calculated the frequency of co-occurrence and nestedness for 13 quarterly campaigns exclusively for fish species tolerant to a narrow range of low water salinity (stenohaline) and to wider range of water salinity (euryhaline) and for all species together, and assessed its significance with null models. We employed a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to explore temporal trends in physical and chemical parameters of water and to detect those that most influenced environmental heterogeneity. Linear regressions assessed the potential effect of each parameter that most influenced the PCA on co-occurrence. Few campaigns presented nonrandom patterns of community composition, and only for euryhaline or for all species considered together. Communities shifted to anti-nested and negative species co-occurrence with the increase of environmental heterogeneity. Parameters related to desiccation (salinity and depth) affected euryhaline species co-occurrence. Together, these results revealed group-dependent responses to drought according to physiological tolerances. This study improves our understanding of how the predicted increase in precipitation anomalies may disassembled aquatic communities of coastal plains in the face of climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithofacies and biostratigraphical analysis has enabled the establishment of a stratigraphic event framework for Ludfordian and Pridoli strata in south Wales and the Welsh Borderland. In SW Wales, the Golden Grove Axis acted as a structural hinge separating the shallow marine storm-influenced Cae'r mynach Seaway from a pediment surface above which Ludfordian colluvium (Abercyfor Formation) was deposited. The Axis seeded four NW-derived river-influenced delta progrades of Leintwardinian to early Pridoli age (Tilestones Formation). A NE-sourced early Pridoli wave-influenced delta deposited the Downton Castle Sandstone Formation (DCSF), coeval to the youngest Tilestones prograde, with a lateral interface existing between Mynydd Epynt and the Clun Forest area. Except for the Malverns area, the DCSF is no longer recognized south of the Neath Disturbance. Early Pridoli forced regression promoted widespread subaerial exposure north of the Neath Disturbance, with incision into tracts close to the Welsh Borderland Fault System. The basinward-shift in facies belts resulted in marine erosion and deposition of a phosphatic ravinement pebble lag. The wave-influenced Clifford's Mesne Sandstone Formation delta subsequently seeded on the Gorsley Axis with tidally influenced Rushall Formation accumulating in a back-barrier setting. The Pwll-Mawr Formation records the easterly advance of coeval coastal deposits on the western side of the remnant Cae'r mynach Seaway. Behind migrating delta coastlines, green muds accumulated on coastal plains (Temeside Mudstone Formation) with better drained red dryland alluvium (Moor Cliffs Formation) charting expansion of Old Red Sandstone lithofacies. Mid-Pridoli incision preserves the Pont ar Llechau Formation estuarine valley fill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Castanea, divided into seven extant species of trees worldwide, includes the American chestnut, C. dentata. This once common North American tree has been nearly eliminated from the landscape due to the appearance of chestnut blight early in the Twentieth Century. Castanea has a long history as a component of palynological assemblages, though megafossil paleobotanical remains are quite rare. The distributions of what are believed to be Castanea pollen as they have been derived from coastal plain and near-shore sediments dating back to the Neogene of the coastal plain of the southeastern US are discussed. The abundances of Castanea pollen in microfossil preparations are carefully considered relative to the concept of 'pollen sum' and while it appears that the trees were quite abundant as components of coastal woodlands during the Neogene, the actual number of pollen we found in samples is quite low. American chestnut trees continued to be important into the late Pleistocene and through the time when humans first occupied both coastal and inland areas of the southeastern US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japan's Hokuriku region, near the Sea of Japan, typically experiences heavy snowfall; however, Niigata City, the largest city on the Sea of Japan side, experiences lower levels of snowfall than neighbouring cities. This study investigates the snow‐shadow effect of Sado Island on snowfall in Niigata City, located 45 km away leeward. Statistical analysis of long‐term radar data for 10 winters showed that snow‐shadow effects in the Niigata plain occurred in 151 (80%) of the 188 cases, during which a strong approaching wind reached the island. The location of this snow‐shadow effect was always downwind of Sado Island and depended on the wind direction. Numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting model predicted that snowfall over the Niigata Plain would be lighter with the island than without it. Additionally, the snow‐shadow effect occurs in areas more than 150 km downwind. The experiments showed that Sado Island reduces heat fluxes from the sea surface by weakening leeward winds. At the same time, the horizontal wind convergence downwind is weakened. Meanwhile, the orographic snowfall over Sado Island reduces the amount of water vapour, cloud water and cloud ice over the leeward sea. Therefore, Sado Island prevents cloud lines from redeveloping over the leeward sea and can further reduce snowfall over the leeward plain, including in Niigata City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat waves (HW) in the tropical and subtropical region are the deadliest throughout the world. This study represents the HW characteristics over the tropical country India mainly divided in three different landmasses, i.e. hilly, plains and coastal. This work presents the HW characteristic quantification based on the physiography of the regions in India assessed over a period of 70 years (1951–2020) using the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) observed data. Mostly, the earlier studies are more focused on HW in the plains and coastal regions. HW in hilly region has been excluded by using single threshold for the whole Indian region, so based on the topographical features, three thresholds of daily maximum temperature (DMT), i.e. DMT > 40 °C (plains), DMT > 37 °C (coastal) and DMT > 30 °C (hilly), are being applied. The spatio-temporal analysis of HW shows its occurrence in hilly regions (J&K, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura) since 1972 and maximum 10-day HW in the northern region. The coupled model intercomparison project phase (CMIP6) model output for 7 models has been assessed to quantify the performance in capturing the HW parameters compared to IMD observations. The ensemble mean of 2 CMIP6 models, i.e. EC Earth3 and MPI LR, has been used to project future changes in HW properties over India under the different emission scenarios, i.e. SSP126 and SSP 585. The key finding of this study shows that for year 2050 onwards, a sharp increase in HW days, HW events and HW duration (average and maximum) will increase in hilly, coastal and plain region. Under SSP 585, the southern part will likely get more new hotspots of HW in India, and there will be significantly more longer, intense and frequent HW occurrence as compared to SSP 126. The results show the need of improvement in understanding of HW at regional scale and especially in hilly region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora L.) is a vigorous native shrub or small tree found in poorly drained areas of the southeastern U.S. Coastal Plain. In the absence of fire, it creates dense thickets that prevent herbaceous groundcover in ephemeral wetlands, degrading habitat for uncommon and endangered amphibians and other genera. In our study, aquatic herbicides and methods of application were examined at two forests in north Florida for restoration of ephemeral wetland habitat to benefit wetland‐breeding amphibians. Glyphosate, imazapyr, and combinations of glyphosate and imazapyr were tested in four study protocols that included an operational standard (triclopyr), treatment method control, and untreated control where appropriate. Results of foliar protocols (targeting rootstocks less than 1.5 m tall) demonstrated that glyphosate provided better titi control than imazapyr (average of 79% vs. 12% mortality), there was no strong improvement with the addition of imazapyr to glyphosate (84% mortality), glyphosate treatments had titi mortality as high or higher than the triclopyr operational treatment (57% mortality), and that methylated seed oil surfactant improved glyphosate efficacy but might have been antagonistic for combination treatments. Glyphosate and imazapyr cut stump treatments did not provide higher efficacy than the triclopyr standard treatment (60% mortality). Cut stem treatments (targeting rootstocks greater than 1.5 m tall) provided the highest level of control averaging 97, 90, 97, and 80% mortality for glyphosate, imazapyr, combination treatments, and triclopyr standard, respectively. Only directed foliar sprays reduced total groundcover and graminoid cover, with triclopyr treatment giving the least reduction of desired herbaceous groundcover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]