53 research outputs found
Building Efficiency Adopting Ecological Materials and Bio Architecture Techniques
Objective. There are many measures that individual consumers, families, companies, contractors, real estate developers, household owners and governments can take to promote post-carbon cities. Thermal insulation is definitely one of the most important investment to make in order to achieve these future goals. Method and solutions Insulation can be carried out by using ecological cork panels. Cork is a natural and renewable material, which in itself, is the result of a CO2 sequestration, and it can also store C. Therefore it can effectively contribute to the design of the Post-Carbon City by reducing energy waste, improving the quality and the insulation of buildings.The expansion of the area occupied by the cork oak forests would permanently increase the absorption and sequestration of carbon. Forest policy guidelines must aim at the restoration of the existing cork oak forests, as well as the rehabilitation of cork oak forests destroyed by man. This will increase and strengthen the contribution made by forest resources to the construction of the Post Carbon City.Outcomes and benefits Some benefits of such policy are as follows: the sequestration of CO2 eliminated from the atmosphere (creating carbon credits), because it is used for the growth of trees and the creation of cork bark; the availability of cork planks which are the raw material for bio-building; the positive consequences of using cork panels and granules in Bio Green Buildings, such as energy saving for heating and cooling and the consequent reduction of CO2 emissions. Risparmio energetico negli edifici mediante adozione di eco materiali e tecniche di Bio EdiliziaObiettivo. L’obiettivo di ridurre i sovra consumi energetici negli edifici e promuovere le città post-carbone può essere raggiunto adottando diverse misure ad opera di individui, famiglie, imprese, costruttori, promotori immobiliari, governi. L’isolamento termico degli edifici, o “passivazione” risulta essere uno dei più importanti investimenti per raggiungere questi risultati.Metodi e soluzioni.L’isolamento termico (o “passivazione”) può essere realizzato con pannelli di sughero. Il sughero è un materiale naturale e rinnovabile. Esso stesso è il risultato della eliminazione (sequestration) della CO2 . Non solo, è un depositi di C. Può quindi efficacemente contribuire a realizzare concretamente la Post Carbon City migliorando l’ isolamento e la qualità degli edifici ed eliminando lo spreco di energia. Ampliare le aree occupate da sugherete aumenta in modo permanente l’assorbimento e la eliminazione definitivo ovvero il sequestro della CO2 . Per questa ragione la policy urbana può essere integrata con la policy ambientale e forestale, propugnando il restauro delle sugherete esistenti e il re impianto di quelle compromesse dall’azione antropica. In tal modo si rafforza il contributo natura-based alla costruzione della Post Carbon City. Risultati e beneficiSolo alcuni dei primi benefici derivanti dalla policy integrata natura-based sopra sintetizzata: la CO2 non solo si sequestra e si elimina dall’atmosfera ma addirittura viene utilizzata dalle sughere per crescere e per produrre il sughero;si rendono disponibili nuovi quantitativi di sughero grezzo, come materia prima versatile; utilizzando i lavorati per la passivazione dei Bio Edifici Verdi, non solo si risparmia significativamente energia, ma anche si abbattono le conseguenti emissioni di CO2.Objective. There are many measures that individual consumers, families, companies, contractors, real estate developers, household owners and governments can take to promote post-carbon cities. Thermal insulation is definitely one of the most important investment to make in order to achieve these future goals. Method and solutions Insulation can be carried out by using ecological cork panels. Cork is a natural and renewable material, which in itself, is the result of a CO2 sequestration, and it can also store C. Therefore it can effectively contribute to the design of the Post-Carbon City by reducing energy waste, improving the quality and the insulation of buildings.The expansion of the area occupied by the cork oak forests would permanently increase the absorption and sequestration of carbon. Forest policy guidelines must aim at the restoration of the existing cork oak forests, as well as the rehabilitation of cork oak forests destroyed by man. This will increase and strengthen the contribution made by forest resources to the construction of the Post Carbon City.Outcomes and benefits Some benefits of such policy are as follows: the sequestration of CO2 eliminated from the atmosphere (creating carbon credits), because it is used for the growth of trees and the creation of cork bark; the availability of cork planks which are the raw material for bio-building; the positive consequences of using cork panels and granules in Bio Green Buildings, such as energy saving for heating and cooling and the consequent reduction of CO2 emissions. Risparmio energetico negli edifici mediante adozione di eco materiali e tecniche di Bio EdiliziaObiettivo. L’obiettivo di ridurre i sovra consumi energetici negli edifici e promuovere le città post-carbone può essere raggiunto adottando diverse misure ad opera di individui, famiglie, imprese, costruttori, promotori immobiliari, governi. L’isolamento termico degli edifici, o “passivazione” risulta essere uno dei più importanti investimenti per raggiungere questi risultati.Metodi e soluzioni.L’isolamento termico (o “passivazione”) può essere realizzato con pannelli di sughero. Il sughero è un materiale naturale e rinnovabile. Esso stesso è il risultato della eliminazione (sequestration) della CO2 . Non solo, è un depositi di C. Può quindi efficacemente contribuire a realizzare concretamente la Post Carbon City migliorando l’ isolamento e la qualità degli edifici ed eliminando lo spreco di energia. Ampliare le aree occupate da sugherete aumenta in modo permanente l’assorbimento e la eliminazione definitivo ovvero il sequestro della CO2 . Per questa ragione la policy urbana può essere integrata con la policy ambientale e forestale, propugnando il restauro delle sugherete esistenti e il re impianto di quelle compromesse dall’azione antropica. In tal modo si rafforza il contributo natura-based alla costruzione della Post Carbon City. Risultati e beneficiSolo alcuni dei primi benefici derivanti dalla policy integrata natura-based sopra sintetizzata: la CO2 non solo si sequestra e si elimina dall’atmosfera ma addirittura viene utilizzata dalle sughere per crescere e per produrre il sughero;si rendono disponibili nuovi quantitativi di sughero grezzo, come materia prima versatile; utilizzando i lavorati per la passivazione dei Bio Edifici Verdi, non solo si risparmia significativamente energia, ma anche si abbattono le conseguenti emissioni di CO2
Fragmented Forest Patches in the Indian Himalayas Preserve Unique Components of Biodiversity: Investigation of the Floristic Composition and Phytoclimate of the Unexplored Bani Valley
Subtropical and temperate forests are amongst the most threatened habitats of Asia, due to large-scale habitat loss and the fragmentation of landscapes. Inspite of these, the Asiatic regions preserve their endemic biodiversity, and provide a favorable environment for the abundant growth of vegetation. In the Himalayas, many interior regions are still unexplored from a biodiversity perspective, due to remote locations and high snow-clad mountains. In this study, we investigated the unexplored Bani Valley in order to reduce the gap of uninventorized areas of rich biodiversity in the Himalayas and formulate plant conservation and management strategies. Thirteen field expedition tours were undertaken during 2017 and 2020 for data collection in different growing seasons in the study area. All plant species were collected as voucher samples, identified, and deposited in the internationally recognized Janaki Ammal Herbarium (acronym RRLH). GPS points were recorded in order to study the forest types and vegetation components of the study area. A total of 196 plant species belonging to 166 genera and 68 families were identified in Bani Valley, covering a total area of 2651 km2. Approximately 70.62% of the species were native and 29.38% were non-native. In total, 46% of species were Indo-Malayan, followed by 22% Palearctic species. In angiosperms, dicotyledon species (68.37%) dominated. Poales were the most dominant order, with 38 species (19.38%). The most abundant families were Poaceae with 29 species (14.79%), Fabaceae (17, 8.67%), Rosaceae, Cyperaceae, and Asteraceae (9, 4.59% each). The life form analysis showed 50% of species as phanerophytes, followed by therophytes (25.77%). The leaf size spectra show mesophyllous species (34.69%) as the dominant group. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants categorized Ailanthus altissima as endangered (EN), Aegle marmelos and Quercus oblongata as near threatened (NT), Ulmus wallichiana and Plantago lanceolata as vulnerable (VU), Taxus baccata and 75 other species as least concern (LC), and 2 species as data deficient (DD). The remaining 113 species of plants had not been evaluated according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study will help to shape conservation and management plans for threatened species for future implementation, and will help in biodiversity conservation. This study will serve as a database for future reference materials in terms of biodiversity management
Forest fringe communities of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula
Introduction: Forest and pre-forest fringe communities in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula are semi-shaded perennial herbs of external fringe and open areas of evergreen or semideciduous woodlands and their pre-forestry mantles, linked to the Stachyo lusitanicae-Cheirolophenion sempervirentis suballiance. Objective: To evaluate the chorology, ecological features and floristic circumscription of the forest fringe communities of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Materials and methods: Forest fringe communities adscribed to the Stachyo lusitanicae-Cheirolophenion sempervirentis suballiance were analysed, using phytosociological approach (Braun-Blanquet methodology) and numerical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis). Results and discussion: The statistical and phytosociological analysis of six formerly described associations and the samples of this study lead us to propose a new forest fringe association: Picrido spiniferae-Cynarietum algarbiensis, dominated by Cynara algarbiensis Coss. ex Mariz. This forest fringe community is characteristic of the thermomediterranean to mesomediterranean, lower sub-humid bioclimate and occurs in the potential areas of the Quercus suber L. forests (Lavandulo viridis-Quercetum suberis), mainly in the Monchique Sierran District. Conclusion: The statistical and phytosociological analysis were useful in the evaluation of forest fringe communities in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Regarding the proposal of the new association Picrido spiniferae-Cynarietum algarbiensis, it is important to develop management strategies for the preservation of the endemic C. algarbiensis
Distribution patterns of endemic flora to define hotspots on Hispaniola
Nineteen areas on the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) were studied with the aim of determining
the distribution pattern of the endemic flora in these areas, and their variability with altitude. The main concentration of
endemic species occurs in mountains with a medium altitude and in certain mountain sites (palaeo-islands), which coincide
with hotspots; a lower number of endemics are found in low-lying areas (coldspots), due to the degradation of their habitats.
A total of 1,582 endemic species were studied and were distributed in 19 areas. The whole island is of outstanding interest
for its richness in endemics; it has 2,050 endemic species, representing 34.16% of its total flora. The territory in the study is
home to 1,284 genera of which 31 are endemic to the island, including monotypical genera such as Tortuella abietifolia
Urb. & Ekman, and endemic genera such as Hottea, containing seven endemic species. The sites with the highest rate of
endemics are area A16 in the central range with a total of 440 endemic species, of which 278 are exclusive to the territory;
and the Sierra de Bahoruco, la Selle, La Hotte and Tibur on in area A12, where we found 699 plants of which 482 are
endemic and exclusive to the area; and A13 with 173 and 129 respectively. This work highlights the exceptional floristic
diversity in endemic species and genera and analyses their distribution patterns as a tool for conservation in this area of the
world, whose high endemicity rate makes it one of the most significant hotspots in the Caribbean
Forests and Landscapes of Dominican Republic
Aims: This, in conjunction with the diversity of the substrates and the fact that the island is home to
the highest mountains in the Caribbean and with a high rate of endemic species, allows them to be
differentiated into three major groups –dry forest, cloud forest and the transition between dry and
cloud forests. The forests in the Dominican Republic grow in a tropical climate with ombrotypes
ranging from arid to humid-hyperhumid due to the moisture-laden Atlantic winds; and infra-,
thermo-, meso- and supratropical thermotypes. Establish the diversity, ecology and forest types in
Dominican Republic.
Methods: We identified all species through field surveys and comparative analyzes of how forest
types, structure, diversity and ecology.Results: We consided these forests to be endemic to the island of Hispaniola, as the dry forest
presents 81 endemic species, of which 10 are trees, 65 shrubs, 5 creepers, and 1 herbaceous
species; while the cloud forest has 19 trees, 20 shrubs, 8 creepers, 4 epiphytes and 6 herbaceous
species.
Conclusions: We highlight the absence of endemic epiphytes in the dry forests, which are in a
poor state of conservation and subject to greater human pressure than the cloud forest
Alien flora in Calabria (Southern Italy): an updated checklist
An updated checklist of the Calabrian alien vascular flora is presented. By way of field, bibliographic, and herbarium research, we recorded 382 alien taxa (representing almost 14% of all regional flora), of which 371 are angiosperms, nine gymnosperms, and two ferns. In relation to the state of spread, the majority of alien species are casual (207 taxa; 54%), followed by naturalized (127; 33%) and invasive (48; 13%), these last include four on the list of Union Concern, sensu Regulation (EU) no. 1143/2014. The most represented families are Asteraceae (39 taxa) and Poaceae (39). Among genera, Amaranthus (nine taxa), Prunus, Euphorbia, and Oxalis (seven taxa) make up those with the greatest number of taxa. A total of 21 taxa were reported for the first time, three of them are new to the European flora (Camptosema rubicundum, Musa xparadisiaca and, only for continental Europe, Ipomoea hederacea), two to the Italian peninsula (Pelargonium graveolens, Schinus terebinthifolia) and 16 to the Calabrian flora (Aeonium arboreum, Asparagus asparagoides, Aspidistra elatior, Bidens sulphurea, Catalpa bignonioides, Citrus xaurantium, Crassula ovata, Cucurbita ficifolia, Dimorphotheca ecklonis, Graptopetalum paraguayense subsp. paraguayense, Kalanchoe laxiflora, Nicotiana tabacum, Phytolacca dioica, Portulaca umbraticola, Talinum paniculatum, Tecomaria capensis). In terms of residence status, there are 291 neophytes (76%), 73 archaeophytes (19%), and 18 regional aliens (5%); neophytes are the most represented group (45 out of 48) among invasive taxa. Concerning life forms, the two most abundant groups are therophytes (30.1%, 115 taxa) and phanerophytes (29.6%, 113 taxa). Regarding habitats, 72% of alien taxa occur in artificial (199 taxa, 52%) and agricultural habitats (75 taxa, 20%). The majority of alien taxa are native to the Americas (159; 41.6%), numerous aliens also originated in Asia (76; 19.9%) and Africa (56; 14.7%). The majority of taxa were introduced for ornamental purposes (55%). Over the past decade, alien taxa in the flora in Calabria have increased from 190 to the current 382 taxa. While this trend could be linked to some extent to increasing awareness of the problem of alien species and the increasing intensity of research over recent decades, it is also most probably due to new introductions resulting from the globalization that relentlessly affects the whole planet.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Morphometric analysis and bioclimatic distribution of Glebionis coronaria s.l. (Asteraceae) in the Mediterranean area
We present a revision of Glebionis coronaria in the Mediterranean area based on: a) micro-morphology
of the disc floret cypselas observed with a high-resolution confocal microscopy; b) measurements of the
disc cypsela with a stereoscopic microscope – duly scaled; c) its distribution in several bioclimatic belts; d)
field observations; e) comparisons of herbarium samples. Because of this study, we propose the elevation
of Glebionis coronaria var. discolor to the rank of species, as Glebionis discolor comb. & stat. nov., based
on morphological and ecological characteristics such as the disposition of the intercostal glands, the size
of the disc cypsela wings and its distribution according to the bioclimatic belts. Glebionis coronaria, with
totally yellow ray florets and intercostal glands aligned, is exclusive to the thermo-Mediterranean bioclimatic
belt, while Glebionis discolor, with white ray florets on a yellow base and intercostal glands arranged
randomly, is found in the thermo- and meso-Mediterranean belt.
Illustrations of micromorphological characteristics of the cypselas, an identification key, a taxonomic
synopsis including information on nomenclatural types, synonyms, descriptions of the taxa, and, as supplementary
information, a list of the specimens examined and bioclimatic classification of samples localities
are also presented
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