Search

Geocoordinates are difficult to generate and interpret and many users rely on academic articles for such data. However, their accuracy has not been assessed, and their continued use could have negative consequences. This paper assessed the accuracy of geocoordinates used to describe study areas in academic articles. The PRISMA methodology was used to select 87 articles. The results revealed that 77 (82.8%) geocoordinates had errors. The study concluded that majority of the articles misinformed the readers about the geocoordinates of their study areas. Hence, authors, editors and reviewers should pay attention to geocoordinates during the writing and review process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold surges (CSs) often occur in the mid-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere and have enormous effects on socioeconomic development. We report that the occurrences of CSs and persistent CSs (PCSs) have rebounded since the 1990s, but the trends related to the frequencies of strong CSs (SCSs) and extreme CSs (ECSs) changed from increasing to decreasing after 2000. The highest-ranked model ensemble approach was used to project the occurrences of various CSs under the SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. The frequencies of the total CSs show overall decreasing trends. However, under the SSP1-2.6 scenario, slight increasing trends are noted for SCSs and ECSs in China. Atmospheric circulations that are characterized by an anomalous anticyclonic circulation with a significantly positive 500-hPa geopotential height (Z500) anomaly at high latitudes along with significant negative anomalies in China were favorable for cold air intrusions into China. In addition, the frequencies of all CS types under the SPP5-8.5 scenario greatly decreased in the long term (2071–2100), a finding which is thought to be related to negative SST anomalies in the central and western North Pacific, differences in sea level pressure (SLP) between high- and mid-latitude regions, and a weaker East Asian trough. In terms of ECSs, the decreasing trends observed during the historical period were maintained until 2024 under the SSP1-2.6 scenario. Compared to the SSP1-2.6 scenario, the Z500 pattern showed a trend of strengthened ridges over the Ural region and northern East Asia and weakened troughs over Siberia (60°–90°E) under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, contributing to the shift to increasing trends of ECSs after 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of alien species that can suppress resident species via biotic interactions represents a growing concern worldwide. Yet, how above‐ and below‐ground communities simultaneously respond to plant invasion, particularly across large spatial scales, remains poorly explored. We hypothesized plant invasion has a greater impact on recipient above‐ and below‐ground communities at lower than higher latitudes given that biotic interactions play a more significant role in shaping communities in more favourable, lower latitude environments. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a comprehensive field survey of 124 sites spanning a 1700‐km latitudinal gradient in China, to explore the effects of invasion of Alternanthera philoxeroides, a globally widespread invasive plant, on plant, soil fungal and above‐ground arthropod communities. Invasion of A. philoxeroides had divergent effects on beta diversity (i.e. variation in taxa composition among sites) of plants, above‐ground arthropods and soil saprotrophic fungi, with negative, neutral and positive responses, respectively. Notably, the compositional dissimilarity of plant and arthropod communities between adjacent invaded and non‐invaded sites remained constant across latitudes. In contrast, the compositional dissimilarity of the entire and pathogenic fungal communities between adjacent invaded and non‐invaded sites increased with latitude. This resulted in a decreasing difference in invasion effects on the composition of plant and fungal communities with increasing latitude. Synthesis. Our study provides novel insights into the complexities of invasion effects by revealing contrasting responses of above‐ and below‐ground communities to plant invasion across latitudes. The contrasting responses could weaken or reshape above‐ and below‐ground interactions, and, in turn, affect future species invasions and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions To estimate patterns of potential species richness (PSR) and identify shallow‐water Ophiuroidea hotspots based on their modelled distribution throughout the eastern Pacific Ocean (EP).Eastern Pacific Ocean.Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea.We compiled and analysed the occurrence of 137 shallow‐water (≤200 m) species of Ophiuroidea from the EP using Species Distribution Models (SDM; use of Maxent) and buffering for rare species to create the first maps of PSR of the class in the EP to gain insight into their patterns.The highest PSR was found in mid‐latitudes, decreasing towards high latitudes, denoting a robust latitudinal pattern. All PSR hotspots were found in mid‐latitudes and correspond to northern Mexico, the area between Corinto (Nicaragua) and the Gulf of Panama, and the Galapagos Islands. The pattern is mainly linked to topographic configuration, although the models also suggest temperature and other environmental factors as important. Additionally, the pattern correlates (R = 98) with the pattern of the family Amphiuridae, suggesting that its richness can be used as a proxy for exploring Ophiuroidea richness patterns elsewhere.The richness of Ophiuroidea from the EP follows a latitudinal pattern as do other invertebrate groups. The Gulf of California, Central America, and Galapagos Islands are confirmed as hotspots of Ophiuroidea richness. However, other significant areas include the west coast of southern Baja California, Chiapas, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. PSR patterns are influenced by diverse environmental variables and the distribution patterns of the most conspicuous families. SDMs are useful for understanding large‐scale distribution patterns. This work is the first PSR assessment of marine invertebrates from the EP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim Location Time Period Major Taxa Methods Results Main Conclusions Long‐standing theory predicts that the intensity of biotic interactions increases from high to low latitudes. Studies addressing geographic variation in predation on insect prey have often relied on prey models, which lack many characteristics of live prey. Our goals were to explore global latitudinal patterns of predator attack rates on standardised live insect prey and to compare the patterns in predation on live insects with those on plasticine prey models.Global forested areas.2021–2023.Arthropods, birds.We measured predation rates in 43 forested locations distributed across five continents from 34.1° S to 69.5° N latitude. At each location, we exposed 20 sets of three bait types, one set per tree. Each set included three live fly larvae (maggots), three live fly puparia and three plasticine models of the puparia. We used glue rings to isolate half of the sets from non‐flying predators.Arthropod attack rates on plasticine prey decreased linearly from low to high latitudes, whereas attack rates on maggots had a U shaped distribution, with the lowest predation rates at temperate latitudes and the highest rates at tropical and boreal latitudes. This difference emerged from intensive predator attacks on live maggots, but not on plasticine models, in boreal sites. Site‐specific attack rates of arthropod predators on live and plasticine prey were not correlated. In contrast, bird attack rates on live maggots and plasticine models were positively correlated, but did not show significant latitudinal changes.Latitudinal patterns in predation differ between major groups of predators and between types of prey. Poleward decreases in both arthropod and combined arthropod and bird predation on plasticine models do not mirror patterns of predation on our live prey, the latter likely reflecting real patterns of predation risk better than do patterns of attack on artificial prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statistical analysis of low latitude spread F is presented for three different longitudinal sectors from Jicamarca (12°S, 76.8°W, -2.5° declination angle) from 2001 to 2016, Ascension Island (7.9°S, 14.4°W, -15.09° declination angle) from 2000 to 2014, Kwajalein (8.71°N, 167.7°E, 7.5° declination angle) from 2004 to 2012. Digisonde data from these stations have been processed and analyzed to study statistical variations of equatorial spread F, a diagnostic of irregular plasma structure in the ionosphere. A new automated method of spread F detection using pattern recognition and edge detection for low latitude regions is used to determine solar and seasonal variation over these three sites. An algorithm has been developed to detect the foF2 and hpF2 parameters and this has been validated by comparisons with manually scaled data as well as with SAMI2 and International Reference Ionosphere models showing good correlation. While significant variation is not observed over the solar cycle, the different longitudes and declination angles contribute to the variations over the seasonal cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A prototype of a machine-learned global dB/dt model is introduced using a multivariate LSTM network. • The LSTM model catches geomagnetic disturbances dB/dt ≥ 100 nT/min relatively well. • This model can be further developed to provide an advanced warning of GICs that typically comes with a significantly large dB/dt. Geomagnetically Induced currents (GICs) pose a potentially catastrophic threat to the safety and security of large-scale power distribution systems. Using a recurrent neural network, we predict high (≥60°) magnetic latitude (MLAT) and night side (06–18) magnetic local time (MLT) geomagnetic field disturbances (surface dB s /dt and vertical dB z /dt), the trigger of GICs, during a geomagnetic storms occurred on March 09, 2012. We use the high latitude geomagnetic field data from SuperMAG and the solar wind particle and magnetic field data from NASA-OMNIWeb. We divide the high latitude night side of Earth's globe into multiple sectors and obtain a time series of maximum geomagnetic disturbances observed in each sector. We use the Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network technique sector by sector on both, the solar wind data and the sectored geomagnetic field disturbance (10° geomagnetic latitude, 1-hour MLT) time series obtained from SuperMAG. Each sector prediction is plotted on a polar map to reveal high latitude night side geomagnetic disturbance patterns. This high latitude nigh side model has great potential. With solar wind input at a Lagrangian-1 point, and geomagnetic field data from SuperMAG, it can predict the peak magnetic disturbance at any given sector for couple of hours in advance. Our machine learning techniques provide the best set of solar wind input that gives the best disturbance prediction. This paper presents a prototype of the global geomagnetic disturbance model with low-resolution spatial grids and a subset of potential solar wind input parameters. Once matured, the global magnetic disturbance model will be provided to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• For the first time, the ionospheric response to a solar eclipse was observed on a global scale. • Changes in all TEC disturbance parameters depended in a complex manner on relative obscuration area. • Delay time of maximum ionospheric response with respect to maximum eclipse magnitude was 15–25 min. • Duration of ionospheric response to the eclipse exceeded the duration of disturbing source influence. Solar eclipses (SEs) pertain to high-energy sources. They are capable of causing significant disturbances in all geoshells and geophysical fields. Despite the almost century-long history of studying the influence of eclipses on geoshells, the task of observing and analyzing disturbances in them remains relevant. This is explained by the fact that the response of the media significantly depends on the state of atmospheric and space weather, the location and time of observation, the SE magnitude, etc. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a statistical analysis of the features of the total electron content (TEC) variations during the October 25, 2022 SE from high to low latitudes in the Euro-Asian region. Data from Global Navigation Satellite System were used for the analysis. The error in estimating TEC in the vertical column did not exceed 0.1 TECU. For the first time, the response of the ionosphere to an SE has been studied on a global scale (from the Reykjavik station to the Novosibirsk station) using methods of statistical analysis, including the time moments after sunset. The decrease in TEC reached 1.0–19.0 TECU, and the relative decrease was approximately –0.32. Changes in all TEC disturbance parameters depended in a complex manner on the relative obscuration area of the solar disk. This can be explained by non-monotonic changes in electron density during the daytime, by the intensification of the ionosphere–plasmasphere coupling, the disturbance of the ionospheric current system, vertical plasma drift in crossed electric and magnetic fields, as well as the generation of wave disturbances during the SE period. The delay time of the maximum ionospheric response (maximum |δ V | value) with respect to the maximum magnitude of the eclipse was 15–25 min. The duration of the ionospheric response to the SE slightly exceeded the duration of the perturbing source influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatological monthly mean tropical cyclone (TC) genesis location in the western North Pacific exhibits a marked meridional shift from June to November and the physical cause of such a shift was investigated through the diagnosis of observational and reanalysis datasets. Two genesis potential indices were used to examine key environmental parameters affecting the meridional shift. The diagnosis results indicate that dynamic parameters such as vertical and meridional wind shears play a dominant role in promoting both the northward advance and southward retreat of the mean genesis latitude, while the effect of vertical velocity is negligible. The thermodynamic parameters such as relative humidity and potential intensity in general play a minor role, except that the latter helps promote northward advance during the early TC season. The change of the environmental parameters is closely linked to the sub‐seasonal evolution of the monsoon trough and subtropical high in the western North Pacific. Maximum synoptic‐scale variability also experiences a similar meridional shift, contributing to the TC genesis location shift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme global warming can produce hydroclimate changes that remain poorly understood for sub-tropical latitudes. Late Palaeocene-early Eocene (LPEE; ~58-52 Ma) proto-Mediterranean zones of the western Tethys offer opportunities to assess hydroclimate responses to massive carbon cycle perturbations. Here, we reconstruct LPEE hydroclimate conditions of these regions and find that carbon cycle perturbations exerted controls on orbitally forced hydroclimate variability. Long-term (~6 Myr) carbon cycle changes induced a gradual precipitation/moisture reduction, which was exacerbated by some short-lived (<200 kyr) carbon cycle perturbations that caused rapid warming and exceptionally dry conditions in western Tethyan continental areas. Hydroclimate recovery following the greatest short-lived global warming events took ~24-27 kyr. These observations support the notion that anthropogenically driven warming can cause widespread aridification with impacts that may last tens of thousands of years. Hydroclimate reconstructions reveal that geological global warming disrupted periodical precipitation patterns and induced dry conditions in sub-tropical areas. Anthropogenic global warming may cause similar aridification in Mediterranean zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are a serious global issue, with substantial evidence indicating that hydroclimate processes significantly contribute to these emissions. Forests, covering one-third of global land, are key in the water cycle and influence hydroclimate processes, which vary with climate, latitude, and forest types. The role of hydroclimate in regulating global forest N2O emission remains largely unknown. Our global analysis shows that hydroclimate factors dominate the latitudinal gradient of forest N2O fluxes, which decrease with latitude. N2O fluxes are highest in tropical forests, followed by temperate and boreal forests. Hydroclimate factors contribute 78.2% to N2O fluxes, while soil factors contribute 21.8%. Our results urgently call for future studies to investigate the relationship between N2O flux and hydroclimate factors like radiation, evapotranspiration, and vapor pressure deficits. Collectively, these findings highlight hydroclimate significant impact on N2O emissions and suggest incorporating these factors into predictive models for greater accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary patterns of the mitochondrial genome are influenced by both adaptive and nonadaptive forces, with their contributions varying among taxa. There appears to be a correlation linking mutagenesis and latitude, which could be due to differences in metabolic rates. These discrepancies in metabolic rates exhibit a positive connection with mutation pressure. On this basis, we hypothesise that nonadaptive forces play a role in the differences in mutation rates observed along latitudinal gradients. In this study, we selected widely distributed carnivores as representatives of mammals to test our hypothesis. We examined the correlations between the dN/dS ratio (ω), as well as the substitution rates (dS and dN), of 13 PCGs in the mtDNA of 122 carnivores, and the latitude and climatic factors. We found that taxa distributed in higher latitudes tend to have higher substitution rates, but not ω values indicating selective pressure. Notably, dN shows a strong positive correlation with dS, although dS is primarily influenced by mutation pressure, while dN is also influenced by effective population size (Ne). Phylogenetic generalised least squares (PGLS) regression analyses showed that both substitution rates were correlated with climatic factors representing the temperature, precipitation and variability of climate. Based on our findings, we propose that the mutations are primarily influenced by nonadaptive forces (mutation pressure). This forms the fundamental premise for natural selection and speciation. Moreover, the correlation between substitution rates and latitudinal distribution and climate, which are outcomes of nonadaptive factors, can aid in comprehending the global distribution of species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the data of 17 mid-latitude ionospheric stations for 1958–1988, the study analyzes seasonal features of the F2 layer peak concentration (NmF2) at different longitudes with enhanced (48 > ap(τ) > 27) geomagnetic activity, where ap(τ) is the weighted average (with a characteristic time of 14 h) ap-index of this activity. As the characteristics of the NmF2 variability, the standard deviation σ of NmF2 fluctuations relative to quiet level and the average shift of these fluctuations xave during daytime (1100–1300 LT) and nighttime (2300–0100 LT) were used. It was found that at all analyzed stations, the dispersion σ2 for enhanced geomagnetic activity is greater than for quiet conditions, and, other things being equal, it is maximum in winter at night. For enhanced geomagnetic activity in all seasons, the difference in xave values between the analyzed stations is quite large. One of the reasons for this difference is associated with the dependence of xave on geomagnetic latitudes. To select these latitudes, approximations of the geomagnetic field with tilted dipole (TD), eccentric dipole (ED), or with corrected geomagnetic (CGM) coordinates were used. It was found that the xave dependence on the ED latitude is more accurate in comparison to the xave dependence on the TD latitude or CGM latitude during all seasons at night, and during equinoxes and winter, in the daytime. In summer, in the daytime hours, the xave dependences on ED latitude and CGM latitude are comparable in accuracy, and they are more accurate compared to the xave dependence on TD latitude. Consequently, ED latitudes are optimal for taking into account the effects of storms in the F2 layer peak concentration at mid-latitudes during all seasons. This conclusion has apparently been made for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, historical simulations of CMIP6 GCMs are evaluated with respect to the ERA5 reanalysis dataset, in order to examine their ability to assess human thermal load in Europe in the winter season. The period of 1981–2010 is chosen for the analysis, and thermal load is expressed via the clothing resistance index (rcl index; expressed in clo). It is found that the GCMs are able to reproduce the areal differences of thermal load satisfactorily, the spatial correlation with the reanalysis is greater than 0.95 in all cases. The effects of the main geographical constraints (latitude, continentality and elevation) are shown by all GCM simulations, as rcl index values are greater at higher latitudes, away from the ocean and in mountainous areas, although GCMs only capture major mountains (the Caucasus, the Armenian Highlands, the Scandinavian Mountains, the Alps). The root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) is around 0.2 clo in all cases, GCMs generally perform better in homogenous lowland areas, while results are less accurate in highlands and mountains owing to the coarse horizontal resolution of GCMs (~1°). The smallest errors occur over central and western Europe and the Mediterranean region, while results tend to be less accurate over the northeastern part of Europe. Biases in the estimation of heat deficit can mainly be attributed to biases in temperature, but biases in wind speed and atmospheric downward radiation seem to be important factors as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survival of the immobile embryo in response to rising temperature is important to determine a species' vulnerability to climate change. However, the collective effects of 2 key thermal characteristics associated with climate change (i.e., rising average temperature and acute heat events) on embryonic survival remain largely unexplored. We used empirical measurements and niche modeling to investigate how chronic and acute heat stress independently and collectively influence the embryonic survival of lizards across latitudes. We collected and bred lizards from 5 latitudes and incubated their eggs across a range of temperatures to quantify population‐specific responses to chronic and acute heat stress. Using an embryonic development model parameterized with measured embryonic heat tolerances, we further identified a collective impact of embryonic chronic and acute heat tolerances on embryonic survival. We also incorporated embryonic chronic and acute heat tolerance in hybrid species distribution models to determine species' range shifts under climate change. Embryos' tolerance of chronic heat (T‐chronic) remained consistent across latitudes, whereas their tolerance of acute heat (T‐acute) was higher at high latitudes than at low latitudes. Tolerance of acute heat exerted a more pronounced influence than tolerance of chronic heat. In species distribution models, climate change led to the most significant habitat loss for each population and species in its low‐latitude distribution. Consequently, habitat for populations across all latitudes will shift toward high latitudes. Our study also highlights the importance of considering embryonic survival under chronic and acute heat stresses to predict species' vulnerability to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species with widespread distributions play a crucial role in our understanding of climate change impacts on population structure. In marine species, population structure is often governed by both high connectivity potential and selection across strong environmental gradients. Despite the complexity of factors influencing marine populations, studying species with broad distribution can provide valuable insights into the relative importance of these factors and the consequences of climate‐induced alterations across environmental gradients. We used the northern shrimp Pandalus borealis and its wide latitudinal distribution to identify current drivers of population structure and predict the species' vulnerability to climate change. A total of 1514 individuals sampled across 24° latitude were genotyped at high geographic (54 stations) and genetic (14,331 SNPs) resolutions to assess genetic variation and environmental correlations. Four populations were identified in addition to finer substructure associated with local adaptation. Geographic patterns of neutral population structure reflected predominant oceanographic currents, while a significant proportion of the genetic variation was associated with gradients in salinity and temperature. Adaptive landscapes generated using climate projections suggest a larger genomic offset in the southern extent of the P. borealis range, where shrimp had the largest adaptive standing genetic variation. Our genomic results combined with recent observations point to further deterioration in southern regions and an impending vulnerable status in the regions at higher latitudes for P. borealis. They also provide rare insights into the drivers of population structure and climatic vulnerability of a widespread meroplanktonic species, which is crucial to understanding future challenges associated with invertebrates essential to ecosystem functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus often inhabits warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from 40°N (Cape Cod, USA) to 22°S (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). We recorded the first catches of the species in southern Brazil (34°S) and described its new distribution and fishing grounds. Since 2007, annual catches per trip and frequency of blackfin tuna landings increased for three oceanic fishing fleets in Southern Brazil. The spatial distribution of higher catches and the center of gravity of spatial fishing records moved poleward. Sea surface temperature anomalies for the region warmed from 1960 to 2019, and anomalies were primarily positive after 2000. Evidence suggests that the distribution of blackfin tuna moved poleward by six degrees of latitude (~660 km). The causes of this distribution extension were unclear, but ocean warming was the most likely driver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of creating a map of the circumpolar regions of the Moon are described. The maps are limited to latitudes +/–55° to show the location of the Luna-25 landing. The article also provides a brief overview of space missions to the Moon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, diagnostic challenges, management and prognosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid (ecSCC) in southern Finland, northern Europe, latitude 62° N. Methods: Patients were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry and the Helsinki University Hospital databases during a 25‐year period (1998–2022). Age, sex, location, clinical and histopathological diagnosis, treatment and outcome were retrieved. Results: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid (ecSCC) was diagnosed in 58 patients. The mean age‐standardized incidence was 1.03 per 100 000. Median age at the time of histopathological diagnosis was 79 (range 55–93) years; sex ratio was 0.52. Clinical diagnosis in the referral was ecSCC in only three patients. The most frequent misdiagnosis (38%) was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). One or more of the known risk factors (smoking, history of extensive sun exposure, systemic immunosuppression and previous in situ cSCC/cSCC) were documented in 71% of the patients. More than one third (38%) of the patients developed in situ SCC elsewhere on the skin; one third (31%) of the patients had invasive cSCC elsewhere. During the median follow‐up time of 24 months, three patients experienced local recurrence, four patients developed metastatic disease (median 19 months) and two patients died of metastatic ecSCC. Conclusion: The estimated incidence of ecSCC in Finland (predominantly white Caucasian) was higher than in a previous study from Europe. Clinical diagnosis of ecSCC is difficult and often misdiagnosed as BCC. Immunosuppression as a risk factor should noticed. Recurrences of ecSCC, which may be lethal, were infrequent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sunspot number (SN) is linearly relating with sunspot-group area (WSGA). • A decreasing trend exists in the slope of this relation during Solar Cycles 12–24. • In the cases of Solar Cycles 14, 17, and 24 a nonlinear fit is better than linear fit. • A 77-year cycle is found in the ratio SN/WSGA at the maximum epoch of Solar cycle. • We predicted that Solar Cycle 25 will be larger than both Cycles 24 and 26. • Using an our earlier methods we predicted 141 and 127 for the amplitude of Solar Cycle 25. • We predicted Solar Cycle 25 will have similar shape as Solar Cycle 13. • Hence, we predicted 135 for the amplitude of Solar Cycle 25. • We predicted March/2024 for the maximum epoch of Solar Cycle 25. • We predicted March/2032 will be the end of Solar Cycle 25 with SN 4. Prediction of the amplitude of solar cycle is important for understanding the mechanism of solar cycle and solar activity influence on space-weather. We analysed the combined data of sunspot groups from Greenwich Photoheliographic Results (GPR) during the period 1874–1976 and Debrecen Photoheliographic Data (DPD) during 1977–2017 and determined the monthly mean, annual mean, and 13-month smoothed monthly mean whole sphere sunspot-group area (WSGA). We also analysed the monthly mean, annual mean, and 13-month smoothed monthly mean version 2 of international sunspot number ( SN T ) during the period 1874–2017. We fitted the annual mean WSGA and SN T data during each of Solar Cycles 12–24 separately to the linear and nonlinear (parabola) forms. In the cases of Solar Cycles 14, 17, and 24 the nonlinear fits are found better than the linear fits. We find that there exists a secular decreasing trend in the slope of the WSGA– SN T linear relation during Solar Cycles 12–24. A secular decreasing trend is also seen in the coefficient of the first order term of the nonlinear relation. The existence of ≈ 77-year variation is clearly seen in the ratio of the amplitude to WSGA at the maximum epoch of solar cycle. From the pattern of this long-term variation of the ratio we inferred that Solar Cycle 25 will be larger than both Solar Cycles 24 and 26. Using an our earlier method (now slightly revised), i.e. using high correlations of the amplitude of a solar cycle with the sums of the areas of sunspot groups in 0– 10 ° latitude intervals of the northern hemisphere during 3.75-year interval around the minimum–and the southern hemisphere during 0.4-year interval near the maximum–of the corresponding preceding solar cycle, we predicted 127 ± 26 and 141 ± 19 for the amplitude of Solar Cycle 25, respectively. Based on ≈ 130-year periodicity found in the cycle-to-cycle variation of the amplitudes of Solar Cycles 12–24 we find the shape of Solar Cycle 25 would be similar to that of Solar Cycle 13 and predicted for Solar Cycle 25 the amplitude 135 ± 8 , maximum epoch 2024.21 (March 2024) ± 6-month, and the following minimum epoch 2032.21 (March 2032) ± 6-month with SN T ≈ 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some of the extreme space weather events like the geomagnetic storm of 17–18 March 2015 have produced dramatic effects on low-latitude ionosphere as reported in various studies. Similarly, some of the extreme storms are studied to emphasize the anomalous deviations in ionospheric delay; however, the effects of excess ionospheric delay on GPS-based positioning are rarely reported from India. This paper presents a robust analysis including estimation of GPS receiver position during 6 major geomagnetic storms using dual frequency GPS signals in L1 and L2 bands. Epoch-wise solution estimates are computed using precise orbit SP3 files for satellite orbit and clock corrections and receiver specific differential code biases are obtained from IGS-CODE center. A range domain Kalman filter has also been developed to smooth the 30 s sampled code pseudorange using carrier phase data and resolve the initial ambiguity. Then, the precise positioning residuals are estimated in two different cases of ionospheric corrected and ionospheric uncorrected error models. We then compare the results with ionospheric corrected position estimates to finally obtain the effect of excess daytime ionospheric variations during main phase of some extreme geomagnetic storms. Results from 5 GPS receivers located within 77°–80° E longitude sector are obtained for two 2-hour windows covering local noon during 6 storms including the St. Patrick's Day storm. The effect of severity of the storms and their impact on static precise positioning are brought out by comparing the results with performance on a quiet day. It is found that the magnitude of error in estimated altitude exhibits maximum deviations due to ionospheric variations during storms, and the dip latitude of station is important in terms of magnitude of ionospheric error in positioning over the equatorial ionization anomaly region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of nucleus-shaped anomalous regions in the power spectrum image of the electric field VLF frequency band has been discovered in previous studies. To detect and analyze these nucleus-shaped abnormal areas and improve the recognition rate of nucleus-shaped abnormal areas, this paper proposes a new nucleus-shaped abnormal area detection model ODM_Unet (Omni-dimensional Dynamic Mobile U-net) based on U-net network. Firstly, the power spectrum image data used for training is created and labeled to form a dataset of nucleus-shaped anomalous regions; Secondly, the ODConv (Omni-dimensional Dynamic Convolution) module with embedded attention mechanism was introduced to improve the encoder, extracting nucleus-shaped anomaly region information from four dimensions and focusing on the features of different input data; An SDI (Semantics and Detail Infusion) module is introduced between the encoder and decoder to solve the problem of detail semantic loss in high-level images caused by the reduction of downsampling image size; In the decoder stage, the SCSE (Spatial and Channel Squeeze-and-Excitation) attention module is introduced to more finely adjust the feature maps output through the SDI module. The experimental results show that compared with the current popular semantic segmentation algorithms, the ODM_Unet model has the best detection performance in nucleus-shaped anomaly areas. Using this model to detect data from November 2021 to October 2022, it was found that the frequency of nucleus-shaped anomaly areas is mostly between 0 and 12.5KHz, with geographic spatial distribution ranging from 40° to 70° south and north latitudes, and magnetic latitude spatial distribution ranging from 58° to 80° south and north latitudes. This method has reference significance for detecting other types of spatial electromagnetic field disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winds in the nighttime upper thermosphere are often observed to mimic the ionospheric plasma convection at polar latitudes, and whether the same is true for the daytime winds remains unclear. The dayside sector is subject to large temperature gradient set up by solar irradiance and it also contains the cusp, which is a hotspot of Poynting flux and a region with the strongest soft particle precipitation. We examine daytime winds using a Scanning Doppler Imager (SDI) located at the South Pole, and investigate their distribution under steadily positive and negative IMF By conditions. The results show that daytime winds exhibit significant differences from the plasma convection. Under negative IMF By conditions, winds flow in the same direction as the plasma zonally, but have a meridional component that is strongest in the auroral zone. As a result, winds are more poleward-directed than the plasma convection within the auroral zone, and more westward-directed in the polar cap. Under positive IMF By conditions, winds can flow zonally against the plasma in certain regions. For instance, they flow westward in the polar cap despite the eastward plasma convection there, forming a large angle relative to the plasma convection. The results indicate that ion drag may not be the most dominant force for daytime winds. Although the importance of various forcing terms cannot be resolved with the utilized dataset, we speculate that the pressure gradient force in the presence of cusp heating serves as one important contributor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and increased atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can adversely impact Sphagnum moss populations and ecological functions in peatlands. Based on the anticipated increases in temperature and N levels at global scale, we investigated the effects of simultaneous warming and N treatment on growth and ecophysiological activity of Sphagnum papillosum, a predominant moss at mid-latitudes, utilizing a growth chamber experiment. Warming treatments increased the maximum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) of S. papillosum while decreasing the stable carbon isotope ratio. However, warming treatment alone did not cause significant changes in the biomass increase from that of the control. Regarding N treatment, the low N treatment decreased Fv/Fm under the current temperature but did not affect the biomass increase. In contrast to these results, a simultaneous warming and high N treatment significantly enhanced the biomass production compared to that of the control, exhibiting additive effect of warming and high N treatment on Sphagnum biomass production. These responses were attributed to the improved photosynthetic performances by warming and N treatment. The results of this study contribute to the prediction of Sphagnum responses to warming and changes in N deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many environmental features are cyclic, with predictable changes across the day, seasons and latitudes. Additionally, anthropogenic, artificial-light-induced changes in photoperiod or shiftwork-driven novel light/dark cycles also occur. Endogenous timekeepers or circadian clocks help organisms cope with such changes. The remarkable plasticity of clocks is evident in the waveforms of behavioural and molecular rhythms they govern. Despite detailed mechanistic insights into the functioning of the circadian clock, practical means to manipulate activity waveform are lacking. Previous studies using a nocturnal rodent model showed that novel light regimes caused locomotor activity to bifurcate such that mice showed two bouts of activity restricted to the dimly lit phases. Here, we explore the generalizability of these findings and leverage the genetic toolkit of Drosophila melanogaster to obtain mechanistic insights into this unique phenomenon. We find that dim scotopic illumination of specific durations induces circadian photoreceptor CRYPTOCHROME-dependent activity bifurcation in male flies. We show circadian reorganization of the pacemaker circuit, wherein the 'evening' neurons regulate the timing of both bouts of activity under novel light regimes. Our findings indicate that such environmental regimes can be exploited to design light cycles, which can ease the circadian waveform into synchronizing with challenging conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian marine biogeographical province (SW Atlantic) hosts coral and rocky reefs that cover ~27 degrees of latitude and are distributed along a relatively narrow continental shelf and four oceanic islands and archipelagos. The broad gradients in temperature, productivity and salinity shape patterns of biodiversity and lead to distinct local communities within the province. Although existing research has helped to unveil spatiotemporal patterns of marine diversity in this province, data availability and scale have limited broader inferences on the main processes shaping biodiversity. Here, we bring together 16 datasets (n = 11 for reef fish, n = 5 for benthic reef organisms) comprising 22 years of research conducted across most of the Brazilian province. These datasets are unprecedented in terms of temporal, spatial, and taxonomic coverage. For example, eight datasets (six for reef fish, two for benthos) span seven (fish monitoring in Rio Grande do Norte) to 18 years (fish monitoring in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro) of survey data. Also, these datasets contain data collected in priority areas for conservation in the Brazilian province, such as the Abrolhos Bank and the Trindade island. The data comprise detection and fish count/benthic cover data for 24,498 sampling events deployed at 55 locations, formatted according to the Darwin Core Standard, being therefore interoperable with other existing datasets. The 11 fish datasets comprise the detection and counting of 361 fish taxa (312 identified at species level, 49 identified at genus, subfamily and family) from 178 genera, 71 families and 2 classes (Teleostei and Elasmobranchii). The five benthic datasets comprise the description of the detection and cover of 81 taxa, 82 genera, 68 families, 15 classes, and 4 kingdoms (Animalia, Bacteria, Plantae, Chromista). By making this an open-access resource, we share with the public the result of two decades of federal and state funding for scientific research on Brazilian reefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blaming others for things that are not our business can attract charges of meddling and corresponding dismissals of blame. Such charges are contentious because the content and applicability conditions of anti‐meddling norms can be difficult to specify. An unappreciated reason they can be contentious is that it is often not settled in advance whether some wrongdoing is or is not the business of a would‐be blamer. Rather than pointing out violation of a pre‐established anti‐meddling norm, charges of meddling may sometimes be aiming to put such a norm in place. Grounds of anti‐meddling norms, including privacy, intimacy, and respect for victims, support giving those involved significant latitude to set their own boundaries on appropriate blame. This brings out the more general point that norms of blame, including standing norms, are often up for negotiation, and dismissals of blame can be moves in such a negotiation of trying to establish boundaries on blame, rather than merely pointing out violations of pre‐established boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Location Taxon Methods Results Main Conclusions Mountains are often used to study how environmental factors influence biodiversity. However, we have limited understanding of the processes causing biodiversity variation in mountains and whether such processes vary across trophic levels and spatial scales. The aim of this study was to evaluate (i) whether community assembly processes varied along elevational gradients, (ii) whether there were differences in such variation between primary producers (vascular plants) and secondary consumers (spiders) and (iii) whether there were scale dependencies in any elevational variation in community assembly.Fennoscandia, Northern Sweden.Vascular plants, spiders.We used phenotypic and phylogenetic dispersion to quantify how elevation influenced community assembly of vascular plants and spiders and whether there were any scale dependencies in such influences. Our original data of plant and spider communities came from our own field surveys, phenotypic dispersion was calculated based on matrices of ecological traits, and phylogenetic dispersion was calculated from phylogenetic trees for each organism group. Trait matrices were based on a combination of literature values and our own measurements. The phylogeny for vascular plants was based on a published plant super‐tree, whereas the phylogeny for spiders was created by ourselves based on the DNA sequences at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI).Plants were environmentally filtered throughout all elevations and scales, but the importance of convergent evolution increased with elevation. For spiders, the importance of environmental filtering as well as niche conservatism increased with elevation. For both groups, communities at smaller scales were more influenced by biotic regulation and niche conservatism than at larger scales.Our study highlights both taxonomic differences and scale dependencies in how elevation influences community assembly. We argue that these results can have broad ramifications for our understanding of how spatial variation in biodiversity is generated and maintained. This may have particular relevance for our ability to predict the ecological consequences of climate change. Our results further highlight that high elevation specialists may suffer increased risks of climate driven extinctions due to a combination of increased competition and increased fragmentation of suitable habitats. Particularly for spiders, which had high elevation specialists clustered along specific lineages, such extinctions could lead to significant loss of phylogenetic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coregonus ussuriensis Berg, distributed widely in cold waters above 45° N latitude, is a savored freshwater whitefish that has been included in the list of endangered animals as a consequence of overfishing. Lack of genomic information seriously hampers evolutionary and genetic research on C. ussuriensis warranting the need to assemble a high-quality reference genome to promote its genetic breeding. We assembled and constructed a reference chromosome-level C. ussuriensis genome (sequence length, 2.51 Gb; contig N50 length, 4.27 Mb) using PacBio sequencing and Hi-C assembly technology, 3,109 contigs were assembled into scaffolds, resulting in a genome assembly with 40 chromosomes and a scaffold N50 length of 62.20 Mb. In addition, 43,320 protein-coding genes were annotated. The peak Ks position in the species comparison reflects the whole-genome replication event of C. ussuriensis. This chromosome-level genome provides reference data for further studies on the molecular breeding of C. ussuriensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We analyze the results of photometric monitoring of comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) from December 2015 until January 2016 obtained within B, V, and R Johnson–Cousins filters. Aims. The main objective is to investigate the dust coma and to obtain the physical characteristics of its dust particles. Methods. We analyzed our observations using model-agglomerated debris particles, and we constrained the microphysical properties of the dust in comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) on the pre-outburst and post-outburst epochs. Moreover, we applied a geometrical model to the images processed by digital filters to estimate the rotational period of the nucleus. Results. Our campaign revealed a sharp increase in the comet brightness on January 1, 2016. The B − V and V − R colors calculated within an aperture size of 17 000 km appear to be mostly red, except for the outburst date. The dust production (A f ρ proxy) and normalized spectral gradient S′ (B − R) dramatically changed on January 2 as compared to what was seen in December 2015. According to this model, the C/2013 X1 coma was populated by 70% organic-matter particles by volume and by two types of silicate particles together, constituting the other 30%. One type of silicate particles was composed of Mg-rich silicates, whereas the other type was composed of both Mg-rich and Fe-poor silicates. Using the geometrical model, we estimate the nucleus rotational period to be (24.02 ± 0.02) h. We interpret the observed coma morphology by two jet structures, one structure that formed by the near-pole active area at a latitude of (85+5−3)°, and the other structure formed by an active area at a latitude of (+40 ± 5)°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-based ionospheric, CHAMP/STAR, and GOCE satellite neutral density ρ observations under deep solar minimum conditions were used to find whether there is a dependence of longitudinal variations on polar vortex strength. Ionospheric stations at fixed-dipole geomagnetic Φ ≈ 38° and geographic φ ≈ 40°N latitudes located in 'near-pole' and 'far-from-pole' longitudinal sectors were used in the analysis. No significant longitudinal NmF2 (electron concentration in the F2-layer maximum) dependence on the polar vortex strength was revealed. Geomagnetic control was shown to be responsible for the observed longitudinal NmF2 variations. Satellite-observed longitudinal variations in neutral density did not show any visible reaction to the polar vortex strength. However, the impact of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on the upper atmosphere is strong enough to change the neutral density longitudinal distribution. The impact of SSW shows a global occurrence and 'works' within 3–5 days in geographic coordinates in the vicinity of the SSW peak. Atomic oxygen values retrieved under 'strong' and 'weak' polar vortex strengths confirm the results obtained on longitudinal variations in NmF2 and ρ. In conclusion, no visible effects related to 'strong' or 'weak' polar vortex strengths have been revealed in either NmF2 or satellite neutral density longitudinal variations. Alternatively, such effects may be very small and therefore cannot be confirmed experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine the role of gravity waves (GWs) generated from tropospheric convection in initiating multiple nighttime ionospheric anomalies over Srinagar, located at 34.1°N, 74.8°E, and 25.91°N MLAT. Optical airglow observations during a geomagnetic quiet night (Ap = 4) of 29–30 June 2021, show the presence of plasma depletion tilted by an angle of ∼14.9° from the geographic North, quasi-periodic south eastward moving wave (QPSEMW), onset of two electrified MSTIDs and generation of plasma depletion channel between two MSTID phase fronts at ∼250 km altitude. GWs originating from deep convection in troposphere are detected at ∼85 and ∼97 km altitudes in OH and 557 nm filters respectively. The GWs in both the filters are propagating northward with almost similar characteristics. The intrinsic time period and vertical wavelength of GWs is estimated to be ∼11 min and ∼53 km respectively. We also present the observational indications of localised upliftment of F-layer ionosphere by ∼38 km, possibly initiated by polarization electric field generated through secondary GWs. The penetration of secondary GWs, generated by the dissipation of convective GWs, beyond the altitude of 500 km is also seen. FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 RO data and SAMI3 model electron density suggest the occurrence of Sporadic-E (Es) layer at around 100 km altitude, caused by the negative gradient in eastward wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the diversity, composition and distribution patterns of polychaete macrofauna inhabiting unconsolidated sediments on the continental shelf of southern Namibia. During the austral summer of 2021, 910 Van Veen grab samples were collected from 91 sites in water depths ranging between 43 and 146 m. All benthic macrofauna (> 1 mm) were extracted, identified, enumerated and weighed. Polychaetes were the most abundant taxon, equating to 66% of total abundance and 37% of total biomass. A total of 83 712 polychaete specimens comprising 112 species, 80 genera and 33 families were collected. Several taxa identified were listed as putative cosmopolitans (19 taxa) or have known wide local distributions (10 taxa). Voucher specimens were collected for DNA barcoding to improve reference sequence libraries for the region. Hierarchical cluster analyses using both abundance and biomass data were undertaken to determine spatial distribution patterns in polychaete communities. Both datasets yielded similar results with polychaete assemblages divided into inshore and offshore communities, that were further subdivided at a local scale. Investigation of physical and chemical drivers suggested that polychaete communities in southern Namibia are structured to varying degrees by water depth, latitude, sediment composition, redox potential and organic content. Deeper stations comprised the highest diversity of polychaeta fauna. Species adapted to hypoxic conditions (e.g. Sigambra parva, Pararionospio pinnata, Diopatra cf. monroi and Nepthys cf. hombergii) dominated an area known as the mudbelt, where organically enriched silts and clays originating from the Orange River are deposited on the mid-shelf between the 40 and 120 m isobaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic adaptation of soybean phenological stages to high‐latitude long‐day environments is the major pre‐requisite for enhancing regional plant‐based protein production. Both E‐genes controlling flowering and growing environment determine timing of flowering and maturity, and E‐gene composition might differ between Chinese and European soybeans bearing the potential for improving adaptability. Therefore, 140 early maturity elite soybean cultivars of either Chinese or European origin were genotyped for the E1 to E4 flowering loci, and genotypes were tested across 17 European environments spanning a latitude range from 45 to 52°N in order to determine effects of various E‐allele combinations. Differences in E‐allele composition between Chinese and European cultivars were largest for the loci E1 and E3. Wild‐type alleles significantly delayed flowering, and effects of particular E‐alleles were depending on geographic latitude. Consequently, photoperiod‐insensitive E‐haplotypes carrying several non‐functional alleles proved to be suitable for cultivation in higher latitudes, whereas photoperiod‐sensitive late‐maturity E‐haplotypes are adapted to lower latitudes only. Thus, breeding for new E‐haplotypes through combining Chinese and European alleles could enhance the potential for further soybean adaptation to northern growing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: Following a significant disturbance, vegetation development may, or may not reach the desired target. Here, we examine which relevant global environmental factors have a substantial impact on the course of spontaneous vegetation succession, and what their relative relevance is in achieving the desired outcome. Location: Worldwide. Methods: The outcome of vegetation changes in 528 studies describing spontaneous succession worldwide was classified at a simple, semi‐quantitative scale: fully‐successful, partly‐successful, and unsuccessful, considering 10 different types of disturbances. Latitude, climatic factors (mean annual temperature, annual temperature range, mean annual precipitation, seasonality of precipitation), and biological factors (number of vascular plant species, and number of invasive alien species) were considered as explanatory variables. The ordination method (principal coordinate analysis) was used to visualize relationships among variables and their relationships to succession outcomes. For a detailed insight into the importance of the particular variables, we applied machine learning techniques, specifically one called "conditional random forest". In addition, the effect of different types of initial disturbance was assessed using Generalized Linear Models. Results: Globally, disturbance type emerged as the most influential factor in determining succession outcomes. The most successful were results from recovering vegetation after fire, whereas the most unsuccessful were those after volcano eruptions. For climatic factors, the success of succession decreased with a low annual temperature range and high temperature mean. Biological factors such as the number of invasive alien species and species richness had the least but significant influence on the succession success. Conclusions: The most relevant factor determining the outcome of spontaneous succession was disturbance type, followed by temperature variables. Notably, latitude emerged as a practical proxy for many ecologically relevant factors. Therefore, we conclude that latitude may be a valuable predictor of the success of succession and, consequently, of the success of ecological restoration projects that are based on spontaneous succession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Predictable and consistent differences between island and mainland organisms arising from biased colonization/establishment are known as insular assembly rules. Baker's rule is a long‐standing assembly rule predicting that the incidence of dioecy among early island colonizers should be lower than that of the mainland source pool. While Baker's rule is an established pattern of island floras, whether it results from trait correlation or factors other than insularity remains poorly understood. Here, I investigated the relative roles of insularity, climate, and dioecy‐correlated traits in regulating the incidence of dioecy across islands. Location: Southwest Pacific. Methods: I amassed a data set of 485 plant species distributed across eight archipelagos surrounding New Zealand. Trait correlation was estimated using an association rule algorithm. I then used a null model and undirected network models to test for Baker's rule and to disentangle the relative roles of insularity, climate, and dioecy‐correlated traits in filtering dioecy among undifferentiated island colonizers. Results: Some archipelagos conformed to Baker's rule, but the incidence of dioecy was not directly linked to insularity. Instead, it was directly regulated by dioecy‐related traits, that is, fleshy‐fruitedness and woody habit, which in turn were primarily driven by climate. Conclusions: Island assembly rules can result from trait correlation. While results were partially consistent with predictions by Baker's rules, this resulted from dioecy‐related traits being largely excluded from island colonization/establishment because of climatic factors, not insularity. Geographic variation in this plant breeding system can be determined endogenously, rather than by being filtered directly by the characteristics of islands per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the theoretical tenets of Batesian mimicry is that the distributions of mimics and models should overlap, yet many species of purported mimics occur in allopatry with their models, and this remains a poorly understood area of mimicry theory. We quantified the geographic variation in mimetic accuracy of 2 species of mountain kingsnake--one that is mostly allopatric (Lampropeltis pyromelana) and one that is half sympatric (Lampropeltis knoblochi) with their purported model species (Micruroides euryxanthus). Only L. pyromelana showed significant mimetic breakdown in allopatry. Both species showed a significant positive correlation between latitude and the proportion of black on the dorsal surface, indicating that coloration for these species is likely influenced by climate and thermoregulatory needs. We explore potential differences between these 2 sister species and several non-mutually exclusive explanations for why mimicry persists in allopatry at all, including gene flow, predator migration, and predator vision. considering the limited color vision of some predators, the migration of others, the influences of thermoregulatory needs, and the potential for banded patterns to provide some protective function via flicker fusion, we propose a more nuanced view of the coloration of allopatric coral snake mimics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on the thermal bioclimate is increasingly valuable in the context of climate change. Human well-being is threatened not only from direct exposure to extreme thermal conditions and complications from underlying health issues but also from disruptions of health and social services. This study aims at examining the thermal bioclimate in Greece. Data of ERA5-Land reanalysis dataset were used to estimate the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI, in °C). The analysis covered a 30-year period (1991–2020) examining UTCI climatology and trends. Additionally, the intensity of two recent heatwaves which occurred in summers 2021 and 2023 was assessed. During the period 1991–2020, the UTCI equivalent temperature ranges between -49.8 °C and 51.9 °C [mean ± standard deviation (sd) = 13.3 ± 12.2 °C] classifying thermal stress from 'extreme cold stress' to 'extreme heat stress'. Across the country, the mean UTCI ranges from 7.5 °C to 17.8 °C (mean ± sd = 13.3 ± 2.1 °C), with a decrease of 0.5 °C per latitude degree. Mountainous regions exhibit the lowest UTCI equivalent temperatures, while inland plains display higher UTCI equivalent temperatures, especially in the eastern regions of the country. An increasing trend in mean annual UTCI (mean = 0.05 °C/year) is identified, more pronounced in higher latitude regions. Both the 2021 and 2023 heatwaves were exceptionally severe, with about 99% of the population to experience mean UTCI equivalent temperatures falling within stress categories of 'moderate heat stress' and above. The 2023 heatwave set a new record with the highest absolute maximum UTCI (52.1 °C) and number of heat stress hours compared to the period 1991–2020. The bioclimatic maps developed in this study analyze the spatial variability in the thermal conditions across Greece identifying high-risk areas. These findings can contribute to impact studies for tourism, energy efficiency, urban design and public health purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climatic variation re‐shapes global biodiversity, understanding eco‐evolutionary feedbacks during species range shifts is of increasing importance. Theory on range expansions distinguishes between two different forms: "pulled" and "pushed" waves. Pulled waves occur when the source of the expansion comes from low‐density peripheral populations, while pushed waves occur when recruitment to the expanding edge is supplied by high‐density populations closer to the species' core. How extreme events shape pushed/pulled wave expansion events, as well as trailing‐edge declines/contractions, remains largely unexplored. We examined eco‐evolutionary responses of a marine invertebrate (the owl limpet, Lottia gigantea) that increased in abundance during the 2014–2016 marine heatwaves near the poleward edge of its geographic range in the northeastern Pacific. We used whole‐genome sequencing from 19 populations across >11 degrees of latitude to characterize genomic variation, gene flow, and demographic histories across the species' range. We estimated present‐day dispersal potential and past climatic stability to identify how contemporary and historical seascape features shape genomic characteristics. Consistent with expectations of a pushed wave, we found little genomic differentiation between core and leading‐edge populations, and higher genomic diversity at range edges. A large and well‐mixed population in the northern edge of the species' range is likely a result of ocean current anomalies increasing larval settlement and high‐dispersal potential across biogeographic boundaries. Trailing‐edge populations have higher differentiation from core populations, possibly driven by local selection and limited gene flow, as well as high genomic diversity likely as a result of climatic stability during the Last Glacial Maximum. Our findings suggest that extreme events can drive poleward range expansions that carry the adaptive potential of core populations, while also cautioning that trailing‐edge extirpations may threaten unique evolutionary variation. This work highlights the importance of understanding how both trailing and leading edges respond to global change and extreme events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss‐of‐function (LoF) mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) constitute the strongest genetic risk for atopic dermatitis (AD). A latitude‐dependent difference in the prevalence of LoF FLG mutations was systematically evaluated. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were performed to estimate the prevalence of LoF FLG mutations in AD patients and the general population by geography and ethnicity. Risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale and Jadad score. StatsDirect, version 3 software was used to calculate all outcomes. PubMed and EMBASE were searched until 9th December 2021. Studies were included if they contained data on the prevalence of LoF FLG mutations in AD patients or from the general population or associations between AD and LoF FLG mutations and were authored in English. Overall, 248 studies and 229 310 AD patients and individuals of the general population were included in the quantitative analysis. The prevalence of LoF FLG mutations was 19.1% (95% CI, 17.3–21.0) in AD patients and 5.8% (95% CI, 5.3–6.2) in the general population. There was a significant positive association between AD and LoF FLG mutations in all latitudes in the Northern hemisphere, but not in all ethnicities. The prevalence of LoF FLG mutations became gradually more prevalent in populations residing farther north of the Equator but was negligible in Middle Easterners and absent in most African populations. FLG LoF mutations are common and tend to increase with northern latitude, suggesting potential clinical implications for future AD management. The existence of possible genetic fitness from FLG LoF mutations remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, local time variations of the response of the ionospheric F layer radial current (IRC) to southward and northward IMF turning events at low and high solar activity are investigated for the first time using Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) observations from 2001 to 2010. The response strength of disturbed IRC to the southward and northward IMF turnings does not show any preference for low or high solar activity. At low and high solar activity, the IRC increases in the upward (downward) direction in the daytime (nighttime) within 1.5 h after a sudden southward IMF turning. Conversely, the IRC increases in the downward (upward) direction in the daytime (nighttime) within 1.5 h after a sudden northward IMF turning. The response of zonal wind is insignificant or opposite to that of the IRC. F region electron density may only contribute to the response of the IRC in certain local time sectors. This work indicates that the enhanced convection electric field induced by southward IMF turnings and the reduced convection electric field combined with the overshielding electric field during northward IMF turnings impact the prompt penetration electric field from high latitudes to low latitudes and cause local time differences in the responses of the IRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are a necessity for modelling many large-scale environmental processes. In this study, we investigate the potential of data from two spaceborne lidar altimetry missions, ICESat-2 and GEDI—with respect to their vertical accuracies and planimetric data collection patterns—as sources for rasterisation towards creating global DEMs. We validate the terrain measurements of both missions against airborne lidar datasets over three areas in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and New Zealand and differentiate them using land-cover classes. For our experiments, we use five years of ICESat-2 ATL03 data and four years of GEDI L2A data for a total of 252 million measurements. The datasets are filtered using parameter flags provided by the higher-level products ICESat-2 ATL08 and GEDI L3A. For all areas and land-cover classes combined, ICESat-2 achieves a bias of −0.11 m, an MAE of 0.43 m, and an RMSE of 0.93 m. From our experiments, we find that GEDI is less accurate, with a bias of 0.09 m, an MAE of 0.98 m, and an RMSE of 2.96 m. Measurements in open land-cover classes, such as "Cropland" and "Grassland", result in the best accuracy for both missions. We also find that the slope of the terrain has a major influence on vertical accuracy, more so for GEDI than ICESat-2 because of its larger horizontal geolocation error. In contrast, we find little effect of either beam power or background solar radiation, nor do we find noticeable seasonal effects on accuracy. Furthermore, we investigate the spatial coverage of ICESat-2 and GEDI by deriving a DEM at different horizontal resolutions and latitudes. GEDI has higher spatial coverage than ICESat-2 at lower latitudes due to its beam pattern and lower inclination angle, and a derived DEM can achieve a resolution of 500 m. ICESat-2 only reaches a DEM resolution of 700 m at the equator, but it increases to almost 200 m at higher latitudes. When combined, a 500 m resolution lidar-based DEM can be achieved globally. Our results indicate that both ICESat-2 and GEDI enable accurate terrain measurements anywhere in the world. Especially in data-poor areas—such as the tropics—this has potential for new applications and insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian clock times physiological and behavioural processes and resets on a daily basis to synchronize with the environment. The involvement of the circadian clock in photoperiodic time measurement synchronising annual rhythms is still under debate and different models have been proposed explaining their integration. Insects overcome unfavourable conditions in diapause, a form of dormancy. A latitudinal cline in diapause induction in the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis as well as a difference in circadian light sensitivity between north and south provide us with additional evidence that the circadian system of Nasonia is involved in photoperiodic time measurement and that latitude-specific seasonality drives adaptive evolution in photoperiodism partly through adaptation responses in the circadian system. We tested diapause induction in a range of T-cycles and photoperiods and found diapause induction in short photoperiods in all T-cycles in the northern line but in the southern line, diapause only occurred in T-cycles close to 24 h. Due to a lower light sensitivity in the southern line, a wider distribution of phase angles of entrainment can be expected at a specific T-cycle duration, while the range of entrainment will decrease. Taking these oscillator properties into account, our data can be explained by an external coincidence model involving a single oscillator with a light-sensitive phase that drives annual timing of diapause in Nasonia vitripennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broad‐scale assessments of plant–frugivore interactions indicate the existence of a latitudinal gradient in interaction specialization. The specificity (i.e. the similarity of the interacting partners) of plant–frugivore interactions could also change latitudinally given that differences in resource availability could favour species to become more or less specific in their interactions across latitudes.Species occurring in the tropics could be more taxonomically, phylogenetically and functionally specific in their interactions because of a wide range of resources that are constantly available in these regions that would allow these species to become more specialized in their resource usage.We used a data set on plant–avian frugivore interactions spanning a wide latitudinal range to examine these predictions, and we evaluated the relationship between latitude and taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional specificity of plant and frugivore interactions. These relationships were assessed using data on population interactions (population level), species means (species level) and community means (community level).We found that the specificity of plant–frugivore interactions is generally not different from null models. Although statistically significant relationships were often observed between latitude and the specificity of plant–frugivore interactions, the direction of these relationships was variable and they also were generally weak and had low explanatory power. These results were consistent across the three specificity measures and levels of organization, suggesting that there might be an interplay between different mechanisms driving the interactions between plants and frugivores across latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of thermal limits and variation across geographic regions is central to predicting how any population may respond to global change. Latitudinal clines, in particular, have been used to demonstrate that populations can be locally adapted to their own thermal environment and, as a result, not all populations will be equally impacted by an increase in temperature. But how robust are these signals of thermal adaptation to the other ecological challenges that animals commonly face in the wild? Seasonal changes in population density, food availability, or photoperiod are common ecological challenges that could disrupt patterns of thermal tolerance along a cline if each population differentially used these signals to anticipate future temperatures and adjust their thermal tolerances accordingly. In this study, we aimed to test the robustness of a cline in thermal tolerance to simulated signals of seasonal heterogeneity. Experimental animals were derived from clones of the Australian water flea, Daphnia carinata, sampled from nine distinct populations along a latitudinal transect in Eastern Australia. We then factorially combined summer (18 h light, 6 h dark) and winter (6 h light, 18 h dark) photoperiods with high (5 million algal cells individual−1 day−1) and low (1 million algal cells individual−1 day−1) food availabilities, before performing static heat shock assays to measure thermal tolerance. We found that the thermal tolerances of the clonal populations were sensitive to both measures of seasonal change. In general, higher food availability led to an increase in thermal tolerances, with the magnitude of the increase varying by clone. In contrast, a switch in photoperiod led to rank‐order changes in thermal tolerances, with heat resistance increasing for some clones, and decreasing for others. Heat resistance, however, still declined with increasing latitude, irrespective of the manipulation of seasonal signals, with clones from northern populations always showing greater thermal resistance, most likely driven by adaptation to winter thermal conditions. While photoperiod and food availability can clearly shape thermal tolerances for specific populations, they are unlikely to overwhelm overarching signals of thermal adaptation, and thus, observed clines in heat resistance will likely have remained robust to these forms of seasonal heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated observation methods for monitoring river ice in high-latitude urban areas are crucial for resource utilization, risk assessment, and navigation. However, current research lacks actual-scale river ice classification, such as low-altitude surveys. This study established a dataset of river ice in the Songhua River near Harbin, Northeast China, using UAV aerial photography and applied the RININet semantic segmentation algorithm for precise classification of different ice types in low-altitude aerial remote sensing images. To address environmental challenges, a feature extraction method integrating channel and spatial attention mechanisms was adopted, along with an improved pyramid pool structure to enhance feature recognition. Additionally, a two-stage transfer learning method established an ice recognition database, overcoming issues like small data volume and high annotation costs. Comparative evaluation metrics demonstrated the high accuracy of the semantic segmentation framework. Furthermore, a method for estimating ice blockage risk was proposed, applicable to various urban river ice management tasks, with practical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we describe the first pterosaur material from the Lower Cretaceous of Victoria and the geologically oldest pterosaur material from Australia. The isolated material comprises a partial synsacrum and a left metacarpal IV from the lower Albian portion of the Eumeralla Formation at Dinosaur Cove, Cape Otway, Victoria. The vestiges of a supraneural plate in the synsacrum precludes assignment to the Azhdarchidae. Moreover, presence of a supraneural plate indicates that the synsacrum likely belongs to individual late in ontogeny, perhaps attaining osteological maturity. The synsacrum does not preserve any diagnostic features, and is regarded here as an indeterminate member of either the Archaeopterodactyloidea or Pteranodontia. Similarly, the metacarpal IV cannot be identified more precisely than Pterosauria indet. Positive identification of the fourth metacarpal is supported by the presence of a ginglymoid distal articular surface and proximodistal length. The metacarpal IV is distinct from others previously reported from Australia, in that it is substantially smaller; it is therefore interpreted to derive from a juvenile specimen. Despite the isolated nature of these remains, they extend the temporal and geographic range of pterosaurs in Australia, and in tandem with remains described elsewhere, indicate that the Pterosauria prevailed and potentially reproduced at high latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the spatiotemporal variations of the summer frequency of daytime–nighttime compound extreme high-temperature events (FCEHEs) in the mid–high latitudes of Asia (MHA) from 1979 to 2014. Results show that FCEHE has shown an upward trend with fluctuations, especially in Mongolia–Baikal. The descending anomaly caused by the anomalous high pressure over Mongolia–Baikal results in reduced cloud cover, which increases solar radiation reaching the ground, favoring the higher FCEHE. This process is consistent during the daytime and nighttime periods, with relatively limited nighttime solar radiation, potentially compensated by the increased downward longwave radiation to sustain the extreme high temperatures. This benefit process is closely connected with two main factors: the increased sea ice in the Barents Sea during spring and the anomalously warm sea surface temperature (SST) in the Northwest Pacific during summer. The increased sea ice can affect the Eurasia (EU) teleconnection, while the warm SST affects the Pacific-Japan/East Asia–Pacific pattern (PJ/EAP). Subsequently, these factors further modulate the circulation anomalies and then FCEHE. Significance Statement: This study provides valuable insights into the spatiotemporal variations and the possible underlying mechanisms for change in the frequency of daytime–nighttime compound extreme high-temperature events (FCEHEs) in the mid–high latitudes of Asia. The spring sea ice anomalies over the Barents Sea and summer sea surface temperature anomalies in the Northwest Pacific affect the local anticyclonic circulation in Mongolia–Baikal through Eurasia (EU) and Pacific-Japan/East Asia–Pacific (PJ/EAP) patterns, respectively. The resulting descending anomaly and reduced cloud cover contribute to interannual variations of FCEHE, which is highly similar during the daytime and nighttime periods. During the nighttime, when the solar radiation is relatively limited, the increased downward longwave radiation may compensate to sustain extreme high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]