Forest recovery in set-aside windthrow is facilitated by fast growth of advance regeneration

Funding This study was conducted as a part of research project 2012/07/ B/NZ8/01908 “Patterns and drivers of the regeneration processes following catastrophic wind disturbances in forests” funded by the Polish National Science Foundation (NCN) and research project Poland N N304 048934 “Comparison of the dynamics of woody species and vascular plants in active and passive protected areas of the Roztoczański National Park” funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland. This work was also partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland (DS 3421/ZBL).The disturbance of a research plot by a windstorm allowed us to study the role of the seedling bank in the regeneration processes. The released advance regeneration dominated among the saplings; taller individuals retained their position until the end of the study. Pioneer species occurred sporadically. Seven years after the disturbance, the windthrow was covered by a dense thicket of young trees. Context: The dominant role played by advance regeneration in natural regeneration processes after intense wind disturbances is still a matter of dispute. Aims: We took advantage of a windstorm in one of our research plots to study the role of the seedling bank released by the disturbance in the regeneration processes. Methods: We collected data in 70 plots, recording the survivorship of seedlings, annual height growth, and signs of browsing. The height ranking was analyzed with Kendall’s concordance coefficient, and the height growth rates were compared using Dunn’s test. Results: The density of seedlings increased from 6.7/m2 in 2008 to 8.1/m2 in 2010 and then decreased to 1.2/m2 in 2015. The density of saplings increased continuously from 0.14 to 1.9/m2. The highest size differentiation occurred in sycamore maple; the individuals which were taller before the windstorm retained their position until the year 2015. The only species that was recruited mainly from germinants was European hornbeam. Conclusion: The advance regeneration released by the windstorm played a major role in the regeneration process, while pioneer species occurred only sporadically. Seven years after the disturbance, the windthrow was already covered by a dense thicket of young trees.NC

Drainage ditches enhance forest succession in a raised bog but do not affect the spatial pattern of tree encroachment

The study was conducted in the raised bog Kusowo (Baltic region, West Pomerania, Poland). Along a transect line crossing two open mires affected by forest succession we analysed tree age distribution. One of those mires had been drained in the past years and still retained some open ditches, while the other one was located far from the ditches. Every 10 meters along the transect line one tree was drilled at the root collar in order to determine its age. We also conducted phytosociological analyses and short-term water level measurements in the sample plots. We expected faster tree encroachment in the undisturbed part of the open mire. The results showed, that there were no significant differences in water table level and in soil moisture indicator values between the formerly drained and undisturbed open mire. There were also no statistically significant differences in tree encroachment between the disturbed and undisturbed mires. Location and the age distribution of the trees suggest that changes in the tree growth conditions cannot be directly explained by the general decreasing of water level in the bog, although periods following drainage works were associated with more numerous establishment of young trees, in the drained part of the bog as well as in the part not directly affected by drainage ditches

Abnormalities in lung volumes and airflow in children with newly diagnosed connective tissue disease

Introduction: Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) of childhood are rare inflammatory disorders, involving various organs and tissues including respiratory system. Pulmonary involvement in patients with CTDs is uncommon but may cause functional impairment. Data on prevalence and type of lung function abnormalities in children with CTDs are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to asses pulmonary functional status in children with newly diagnosed CTD and follow the results after two years of the disease course. Material and methods: There were 98 children (mean age: 13 ± 3; 76 girls), treated in Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Institute of Rheumatology, Warsaw and 80 aged-matched, healthy controls (mean age 12.7 ± 2.4; 50 girls) included into the study. Study procedures included medical history, physical examination, chest radiograph and PFT (spirometry and whole body-plethysmography). Then, the assessment of PFT was performed after 24 months. Results: FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MEF50 were significantly lower in CTD as compared to control group, there was no difference in FVC and TLC. The proportion of patients with abnormal lung function was significantly higher in the study group, 41 (42%) vs 9 (11%). 24-months observation didn’t reveal progression in lung function impairment. Conclusions: Lung function impairment is relatively common in children with CTDs. Although restrictive ventilatory pattern is considered typical feature of lung involvement in CTDs, airflow limitation could also be an initial abnormality.    

Zaburzenia czynnościowe układu oddechowego w zakresie parametrów objętościowych i przepływów u dzieci z nowo wykrytą chorobą tkanki łącznej

Wstęp: Choroby tkanki łącznej (ChTŁ) należą do grupy rzadkich chorób zapalnych, w przebiegu których dochodzi do zajęcia różnych narządów, w tym układu oddechowego. Mimo że zajęcie układu oddechowego nie jest częste, może być przyczyną niewydolności czynnościowej tego narządu. Istnieje niewiele danych na temat częstości występowania oraz rodzaju zaburzeń czynnościowych układu oddechowego u dzieci z ChTŁ. Celem pracy była ocena czynności układu oddechowego u dzieci z nowo rozpoznaną chorobą tkanki łącznej oraz po 2 latach od rozpoznania. Materiał i metody: Do badania włączono 98 dzieci (średni wiek 13 ± 3; 76 dziewcząt) leczonych w Klinice Reumatologii Wieku Rozwojowego, Instytutu Reumatologii w Warszawie. Grupę kontrolną stanowiło 80 zdrowych dzieci (średni wiek 12,7 ± 2,4; 50 dziewcząt). Procedury badania obejmowały badania podmiotowe i przedmiotowe, zdjęcie przeglądowe klatki piersiowej oraz badania czynnościowe układu oddechowego — spirometrię i body-pletyzmografię. Badania czynnościowe układu oddechowego powtórzono po 24 miesiącach leczenia. Wyniki: Stwierdzono, że FEV1, FEV1/FVC oraz MEF50 są istotnie niższe u dzieci z ChTŁ w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną, nie stwierdzono różnicy dla FVC oraz TLC. Odsetek nieprawidłowych wyników badania czynnościowego układu oddechowego był istotnie wyższy w grupie dzieci chorych: 41 (42%) v. 9 (11%). Po 24 miesiącach obserwacji nie stwierdzono progresji upośledzenia czynności układu oddechowego wśród chorych dzieci. Wnioski: Zaburzenia czynnościowe układu oddechowego u dzieci z ChTŁ występują stosunkowo często. Mimo że za typowe dla ChTŁ uważa się zaburzenia o charakterze restrykcji, we wstępnej fazie choroby może wystąpić upośledzenie przepływu w drogach oddechowych.Wstęp: Choroby tkanki łącznej (ChTŁ) należą do grupy rzadkich chorób zapalnych, w przebiegu których dochodzi do zajęcia różnych narządów, w tym układu oddechowego. Mimo że zajęcie układu oddechowego nie jest częste, może być przyczyną niewydolności czynnościowej tego narządu. Istnieje niewiele danych na temat częstości występowania oraz rodzaju zaburzeń czynnościowych układu oddechowego u dzieci z ChTŁ. Celem pracy była ocena czynności układu oddechowego u dzieci z nowo rozpoznaną chorobą tkanki łącznej oraz po 2 latach od rozpoznania. Materiał i metody: Do badania włączono 98 dzieci (średni wiek 13 ± 3; 76 dziewcząt) leczonych w Klinice Reumatologii Wieku Rozwojowego, Instytutu Reumatologii w Warszawie. Grupę kontrolną stanowiło 80 zdrowych dzieci (średni wiek 12,7 ± 2,4; 50 dziewcząt). Procedury badania obejmowały badania podmiotowe i przedmiotowe, zdjęcie przeglądowe klatki piersiowej oraz badania czynnościowe układu oddechowego — spirometrię i body-pletyzmografię. Badania czynnościowe układu oddechowego powtórzono po 24 miesiącach leczenia. Wyniki: Stwierdzono, że FEV1, FEV1/FVC oraz MEF50 są istotnie niższe u dzieci z ChTŁ w porównaniu z grupą kontrolną, nie stwierdzono różnicy dla FVC oraz TLC. Odsetek nieprawidłowych wyników badania czynnościowego układu oddechowego był istotnie wyższy w grupie dzieci chorych: 41 (42%) v. 9 (11%). Po 24 miesiącach obserwacji nie stwierdzono progresji upośledzenia czynności układu oddechowego wśród chorych dzieci. Wnioski: Zaburzenia czynnościowe układu oddechowego u dzieci z ChTŁ występują stosunkowo często. Mimo że za typowe dla ChTŁ uważa się zaburzenia o charakterze restrykcji, we wstępnej fazie choroby może wystąpić upośledzenie przepływu w drogach oddechowych

Dissecting the transcriptional phenotype of ribosomal protein deficiency: implications for Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

Defects in genes encoding ribosomal proteins cause Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), a red cell aplasia often associated with physical abnormalities. Other bone marrow failure syndromes have been attributed to defects in ribosomal components but the link between erythropoiesis and the ribosome remains to be fully defined. Several lines of evidence suggest that defects in ribosome synthesis lead to "ribosomal stress" with p53 activation and either cell cycle arrest or induction of apoptosis. Pathways independent of p53 have also been proposed to play a role in DBA pathogenesis. We took an unbiased approach to identify p53-independent pathways activated by defects in ribosome synthesis by analyzing global gene expression in various cellular models of DBA. Ranking-Principal Component Analysis (Ranking-PCA) was applied to the identified datasets to determine whether there are common sets of genes whose expression is altered in these different cellular models. We observed consistent changes in the expression of genes involved in cellular amino acid metabolic process, negative regulation of cell proliferation and cell redox homeostasis. These data indicate that cells respond to defects in ribosome synthesis by changing the level of expression of a limited subset of genes involved in critical cellular processes. Moreover, our data support a role for p53-independent pathways in the pathophysiology of DBA

Seven recommendations to make your invasive alien species data more useful

Science-based strategies to tackle biological invasions depend on recent, accurate, well-documented, standardized and openly accessible information on alien species. Currently and historically, biodiversity data are scattered in numerous disconnected data silos that lack interoperability. The situation is no different for alien species data, and this obstructs efficient retrieval, combination, and use of these kinds of information for research and policy-making. Standardization and interoperability are particularly important as many alien species related research and policy activities require pooling data. We describe seven ways that data on alien species can be made more accessible and useful, based on the results of a European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) workshop: (1) Create data management plans; (2) Increase interoperability of information sources; (3) Document data through metadata; (4) Format data using existing standards; (5) Adopt controlled vocabularies; (6) Increase data availability; and (7) Ensure long-term data preservation. We identify four properties specific and integral to alien species data (species status, introduction pathway, degree of establishment, and impact mechanism) that are either missing from existing data standards or lack a recommended controlled vocabulary. Improved access to accurate, real-time and historical data will repay the long-term investment in data management infrastructure, by providing more accurate, timely and realistic assessments and analyses. If we improve core biodiversity data standards by developing their relevance to alien species, it will allow the automation of common activities regarding data processing in support of environmental policy. Furthermore, we call for considerable effort to maintain, update, standardize, archive, and aggregate datasets, to ensure proper valorization of alien species data and information before they become obsolete or lost

INVASIVESNET towards an International Association for Open Knowledge on Invasive Alien Species

In a world where invasive alien species (IAS) are recognised as one of the major threats to biodiversity, leading scientists from five continents have come together to propose the concept of developing an international association for open knowledge and open data on IAS—termed “INVASIVESNET”. This new association will facilitate greater understanding and improved management of invasive alien species (IAS) and biological invasions globally, by developing a sustainable network of networks for effective knowledge exchange. In addition to their inclusion in the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, the increasing ecological, social, cultural and economic impacts associated with IAS have driven the development of multiple legal instruments and policies. This increases the need for greater co-ordination, co-operation, and information exchange among scientists, management, the community of practice and the public. INVASIVESNET will be formed by linking new and existing networks of interested stakeholders including international and national expert working groups and initiatives, individual scientists, database managers, thematic open access journals, environmental agencies, practitioners, managers, industry, non-government organisations, citizens and educational bodies. The association will develop technical tools and cyberinfrastructure for the collection, management and dissemination of data and information on IAS; create an effective communication platform for global stakeholders; and promote coordination and collaboration through international meetings, workshops, education, training and outreach. To date, the sustainability of many strategic national and international initiatives on IAS have unfortunately been hampered by time-limited grants or funding cycles. Recognising that IAS initiatives need to be globally coordinated and ongoing, we aim to develop a sustainable knowledge sharing association to connect the outputs of IAS research and to inform the consequential management and societal challenges arising from IAS introductions. INVASIVESNET will provide a dynamic and enduring network of networks to ensure the continuity of connections among the IAS community of practice, science and management

Impacts of soil conditions and light availability on natural regeneration of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in low-elevation mountain forests

& Key message Natural regeneration of P. abies (L.) H. Karst. may reach high densities in lower mountain elevations. The highest densities were found in sites with moderate light availability, with low pH, and not near the riverbank. However, age-height classes differed in the predicted magnitude of response, but were consistent in response directions. Mosses and understory species typical of coniferous forests were positively correlated with regeneration density. & Context Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. in Central Europe is at risk under climate change scenarios, particularly in mountain regions. Little is known about the impact of environmental factors on the natural regeneration of P. abies in lowelevation mountain forests. & Aims We aimed to assess impacts of distance from the riverbank, soil pH, and light availability on natural P. abies regeneration. We hypothesized that (1) natural P. abiesregeneration would depend on light availability and soil pH and (2) there are understory plant species which may indicate the microsites suitable for natural regeneration of P. abies. & Methods The study was conducted in the Stołowe Mountains National Park (SW Poland, 600–800 m a.s.l.). We established 160 study plots (25 m2 ) for natural regeneration, light availability, soil pH, and understory vegetation assessment