1,580 research outputs found
Context-dependent plant traits drive fine-scale species persistence in old-growth forests
Questions: we studied old growth beech forest vegetation in Permanent Monitoring Plots
(PMPs) located in Italy, with the following questions: is species turnover the main
component of the observed changes or the present species assemblages is an
impoverished sub-sets of the former ones?; 2) how compositional changes are reflected
by specific plant functional traits?
Location: we selected 4 PMPs (50 x 50 m) of the CONECOFOR network, placed along a
latitudinal and climatic gradient in Italy, from south to north: CALABRIA03, CAMPANIA04,
ABRUZZO01 and VENETO20.
Methods: presence/absence of herb layer species were recorded in 100 permanent
micro-plots of 50 x 50 cm over 12 years (1999-2011). For all sampled species we chose a
set of 8 easy-to-measure functional traits. We compared the persistence, nestedness and
turnover components of compositional changes. The role of plant traits explaining species
persistence were analyzed by classification and regression tree.
Results: Analysis in species diversity reveal antithetical ecological phenomena due to the
diversity and complexity of the 4 different forest stands. ABRUZZO01 and CALABRIA03
show a clear nestedness trends over time with persistent species in ABR01 having higher
seed mass and persistent species in CALABRIA03 having scleromorphic leaves and
mesoporphic leaves, with large below-ground budbank. On the other hand, VENETO20
and CAMPANIA04 exibit a significant turnover trends over the 12 years characterized by
persistent species in VENETO20 having helomorphic leaves, while in CAMPANIA04 large
below-ground budbank and smaller SLA were the most important traits for species
survival.
Conclusion: Fine-scale approach highlight different mechanisms for the maintenance of
species diversity in different complex forest systems driven significantly by specific traits,
influenced by context-dependent factors
Ambient Air Quality in the Czech Republic
Ambient air quality in the present-day Czech Republic (CR), one of the two succession countries of Czechoslovakia post-1993, was perceived as a major problem with severe human health and environmental consequences, particularly between the 1970s and 1990s. Since that time, the ambient air quality in the CR has improved substantially, due to newly introduced stringent legislation and technical countermeasures. Nevertheless, there are still activities which represent significant emission sources, such as local heating and increased vehicle travel through communities. After a substantial decrease in emissions in both the CR and its neighbouring countries, the levels of some ambient air pollutants from the 2000s are still not satisfactory. In this respect, aerosol, ground-level ozone, and benzo[a]pyrene remain major problems, as they do elsewhere in Europe. The book provides a valuable update both on time trends and spatial changes in ambient air quality, and highlights the recent activities in both monitoring and modelling of principle ambient air pollutants in the CR
Monitoring Bark Beetle Forest Damage in Central Europe. A Remote Sensing Approach Validated with Field Data
Over the last decades, climate change has triggered an increase in the frequency of sprucebark beetle (Ips typographusL.) in Central Europe. More than 50% of forests in the Czech Republic areseriously threatened by this pest, leading to high ecological and economic losses. The exponentialincrease of bark beetle infestation hinders the implementation of costly field campaigns to prevent andmitigate its effects. Remote sensing may help to overcome such limitations as it provides frequent andspatially continuous data on vegetation condition. Using Sentinel-2 images as main input, two modelshave been developed to test the ability of this data source to map bark beetle damage and severity.All models were based on a change detection approach, and required the generation of previous forestmask and dominant species maps. The first damage mapping model was developed for 2019 and2020, and it was based on bi-temporal regressions in spruce areas to estimate forest vitality and barkbeetle damage. A second model was developed for 2020 considering all forest area, but excludingclear-cuts and completely dead areas, in order to map only changes in stands dominated by alivetrees. The three products were validated with in situ data. All the maps showed high accuracies (acc>0.80). Accuracy was higher than 0.95 and F1-score was higher than 0.88 for areas with high severity,with omission errors under 0.09 in all cases. This confirmed the ability of all the models to detectbark beetle attack at the last phases. Areas with no damage or low severity showed more complexresults. The no damage category yielded greater commission errors and relative bias (CEs=0.30-0.42,relB=0.42-0.51). The similar results obtained for 2020 leaving out clear-cuts and dead trees provedthat the proposed methods could be used to help forest managers fight bark beetle pests. These bioticdamage products based on Sentinel-2 can be set up for any location to derive regular forest vitalitymaps and inform of early damage.O
Population dynamics of the common shrew (Sorex araneus) in Central European forest clearings
The population dynamics of shrews (Soricidae) are not well known even though they form an important part of forest ecosystems and represent suitable bioindicators of ecosystem quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population dynamics of shrews in mountain and upland forest clearings in four study areas within the Czech Republic and to reveal how climatic factors influenced fluctuations in their abundance for a decade (2007-2017). In total, we trapped 7,538 individuals of 18 small mammal species. From 760 individuals of seven shrew species, the common shrew (Sorex araneus) was significantly dominated in all study areas. We did not observe any significant, regular multi-annual cycles of the common shrew. However, a cross-correlation in density fluctuation of this species was detected in all mountain areas indicating the influence of environmental factors acting on a larger geographical scale. The autumn abundance of shrews was dependent on the subset of climatic variables, together explaining 56% of the variance in the linear regression model. Except for the length of the snow cover of GREATER-THAN OR EQUAL TO 5 cm, all other significant variables were associated with North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Longer duration of snow cover during the winter before trapping, higher average NAO value during months before trapping, and NAO value in September influenced negatively the autumn abundance of shrews, contrary, higher value of NAO in May and October increased the abundance. Our results demonstrate the sensitivity of shrews to winters with a longer period of snow cover and to climatic oscillations associated with the NAO, whose effect is monthly dependent and probably indirectly influencing shrews through their prey.OA-hybri
Rekreativni potencijal urbanih šuma – primjena inovativne metode ocjene
This paper is devoted to the method of recreational potential assessment of urban forests regarding the functional abilities – a set of indicators measuring of forest stands to recreation as a practical tool for urban forests management, landscape planning and administration authorities. One of the main research tasks presented in this paper was to use indicators which are understandable for ordinary users. This aspect is important, because it enables the method to be utilised for a wide range of participants, administrative collaborators that can assess urban forests in terms of their suitability for recreation. A test of the created methodology (a case study in “Horský park” forest in Bratislava) shows the suitability of evaluation on the recreational purposes of urban forests. The characteristics of each individual indicator designate the ways to enhance the recreational value of urban forests, and they may be used for sustainability of urban forests management.U radu je prikazana metoda procjene rekreacijskog potencijala urbanih šuma u odnosu na funkcionalne sposobnosti šumskih sastojina za rekreaciju kao praktičnog alata za upravljanje urbanim šumama i uređenju krajobraza. Jedan od glavnih zadataka ovog istraživanja bio je primijeniti razumljive pokazatelje običnim korisnicima. Ovaj aspekt je važan, jer omogućava primjenu metode širokom krugu korisnika. Na primjer, upravitelji mogu procijeniti urbanu šumu u smislu njezine pogodnosti za rekreaciju. Test izrađene metodologije (studija slučaja u šumi „Horský park“, Bratislava, Slovačka) pokazuje pogodnost vrednovanja rekreacijskih namjena urbanih šuma. Obilježja svakog pojedinog indikatora određuju načine za povećanje rekreacijske vrijednosti urbanih šuma, a mogu se koristiti i u svrhu njihovog održivog upravljanja
COST Action E 4: Forest reserves research network in Europe. Mission, Goals, Outputs, Linkages, Recommendations and Partners. Final Report
Across disciplinary boundaries towards a sustainable life: psychodynamic reflection on human behaviour ; dedicated with eternal gratitude and in high esteem to Prof. Dr. Rainer Fuchs
Contents: Introduction: Inga Krättli: Long-term Responsibility for a Sustainable Life: Introductory Panel Session and Roundtable Discussion (15-22); Part 1: On Organisations and Philosophies of Development: Isolde M. Schönstein: Die Verantwortung der Kirchen für nachhaltige Entwicklung (25-33); Emil Brix: Zivilgesellschaft als Chance für die Demokratie (35-42); Michal Sicinski: Ecology and Sustainable Development within a General Social Theory: Old and New Approaches (43-52); Part 2: On Higher Education and Cases of Institution Building: Norbert Derner: Mutual Relationships of Personal Interests and the Evolution of Complex Social Systems (55-59); R. Garleja, I. Kerpe: Innovative Changes in the Social Demand for Lifelong Education (61-66); Richard J. Bartak: Bioakademie - Bildungsprojekt zum ökologischen Landbau in der Tschechischen Republik (67-74); Vijaya Sherry Chand, Elmar A. Stuhler and Sasi Misra: The Fachhochschule System of Higher Education: University of Applied Sciences, Landshut and University of Applied Sciences, Freising-Weihenstephan (75-86); Part 3: Interdisciplinary Studies on National Parks, Ecotourism and Investment: Jan W. Dobrowolski: An Interdisciplinary Study of, and Education for, the Sustainable Development of National Park Regions in Poland and a New Concept of Sound Tourism Management applied to the Cinque Terre National Park in Italy (89-100); Aleksandra Wagner, Jan W. Dobrowolski, Maria Zielinska: Ecotourism as a Factor of Sustainable Development of Specially Protected Regions (101-108); Philippos Nicolopoulos: The Large Scale Investments in Alternative Tourism and Sustainable Development: The Case of Crete and Arcadia (109-121); Part 4: Living Space Resources, Evaluation of Raw Materials, Agricultural and Food Policy: Drago Muvrin: Sustainable Development through Research and Learning. Sustainable Development and Habitation. An Approach to the Use of Living Space Resources (125-136); Ingeborg Bauer: Basic Principles of the Bavarian Agricultural Policy and its Contribution to Sustainable Development (137-142); Aija Melngaile: Global Aspects of Food Chain Development (143-149); Richard J. Bartak: Evaluating the Use of Raw Materials for Food Production from Economic, Ecological, Ethical and Social Points of View (151-162); Part 5: International Agricultural Research for Development: Sabine Homann, Andre van Rooyen, Thinah Moyo and Zivayi Nengomasha: Strengthening Livestock Market Flows and Feeding Practices for Improved Livelihoods in Southern Zimbabwe (165-173); Sabine Homann, Barbara Rischkowsky, Jörg Steinbach, Michael Kirk: Towards Endogenous Development: Borana Pastoralists' Response to Environmental and Institutional Changes (175-182); Sabine Homann, Barbara Rischkowsky, Jörg Steinbach: Herd Mobility Leads the Way for Sustainable Pastoral Development: The Case of Borana Rangelands, Southern Ethiopia (183-194); Part 6: Aspects of Eco-Design and Development, Innovation as well as Renewable Energy Sources: Marion Hersh: Ecodesign for All: Principles and Practice (197-216); Jozica Knez-Riedl: Developing a Sustainable/Holistic Firm (217-225); Majda Bastic: Analysis of Slovenian New Products from Environmental Viewpoint (227-234); Jan Fiedler: The Economics of Renewable Energy Sources in the Czech Republic (235-240); Part 7: Technological Issues and Opportunities: Zinaida Klestova, Alexander Makarenko, Eugene Samorodov: Geoinformational Systems in society Transformation. System Analysis and Transregional Infrastructure (243-250); T. Abadjieva: Effect of Solar Radiation on Materials and Design of Buildings in Botswana (251-258); Vera Vokolkova: Road Transport and its Contribution to Global Warming with Special Regards to Developing Countries (259-269); Dana Wenscheova: Transportation and Environment in the City of Brno (271-275); Antonin Kremr: The Modrice Project - Reconstruction and Intensification of the City Waste Water Treatment Plant in Brno (277-280); Part 8: Latvian Processes and Methodologies: I. Skards, J. Raipulis, I. Karlsone, V. Strazdina: Why Have Suicide Rates in Baltic States Increased after Restoration of Independence after 1990 (283-296); Ilmars Skards, Jekabs Raipulis, Ilga Karlsone: Demographic Situation in Latvia and the Conditions which Limit it (297-310); A. Goldsteins: State Forest Certification Activities in Latvia (311-315); Part 9: Our New Enemy: Timi Ecimovic: The Climate Change System (319-334); Melanie Thun: "Shishmaref Must Yield" (335-336); Werner Zeppenfeld: Tuvalu: An Island Nation Cables SOS (337); Part 10: Possible Follow up Studies: Rainer Fuchs, Shalini Misra: Need and Possibility for Analysing Human Motivation Potential - Related to Sustainability (341-363); Rainer Fuchs: Goal-oriented Action: The Interaction of Process Components in Terms of Cybernetic Theory (365-380); Elmar A. Stuhler: The Usefulness of Action Psychology for Multipurpose Agribusiness (381-393); Elmar A. Stuhler: Retrospect and Prospect (395-400)
Human disturbance is the most limiting factor driving habitat selection of a large carnivore throughout Continental Europe
Habitat selection is a multi-scale process driven by trade-offs between benefits, such as resource abundance, and disadvantages, such as the avoidance of risk. The latter includes human disturbances, to which large carnivores, with their large spatial requirements, are especially sensitive. We investigated the ecological processes underlying multi-scale habitat selection of a large carnivore, namely Eurasian lynx, across European landscapes characterized by different levels of human modification. Using a unique dataset of 125 lynx from 9 study sites across Europe, we compared used and available locations within landscape and home-range scales using a novel Mixed Effect randomForest approach, while considering environmental predictors as proxies for human disturbances and environmental resources. At the landscape scale, lynx avoided roads and human settlements, while at the home-range scale natural landscape features associated with shelter and prey abundance were more important. The results showed sex was of relatively low variable importance for lynx's general habitat selection behaviour. We found increasingly homogeneous responses across study sites with finer selection scales, suggesting that study site differences determined coarse selection, while utilization of resources at the finer selection scale was broadly universal. Thereby describing lynx's requirement, if not preference, for heterogeneous forests and shelter from human disturbances and implying that regional differences in coarse-scale selection are driven by availability rather than preference. These results provide crucial information for conserving this species in human-dominated landscapes, as well as for the first time, to our knowledge, generalising habitat selection behaviour of a large carnivore species at a continental scale.acceptedVersio
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