Landscape-Scale Implications of the Edge Effect on Soil Fauna Activity in a Temperate Forest

Although studies on edge effects on species richness and abundance are numerous, the responses of ecosystem processes to these effects have received considerably less attention. How ecosystem processes respond to edge effects is particularly important in temperate forests, where small fragments and edge habitats form a considerable proportion of the total forest area. Soil fauna are key contributors to decomposition and soil biogeochemical cycling processes. Using the bait lamina technique, we quantified soil fauna feeding activity, and its dependence on soil moisture and distance to the edge in a broad-leaved forest in Southern England. Feeding activity was 40% lower at the forest edge than in the interior, and the depth of edge influence was approximately 75 m. A watering treatment showed that moisture limitation was the main driver of the reduced feeding activity at the edge. In England, only 33% of the forest area is greater than 75 m from the edge. Therefore, assuming that the results from this single-site study are representative for the landscape, it implies that only one- third of the forest area in England supports activity levels typical for the forest core, and that edge effects reduce the mean feeding activity across the landscape by 17% (with lower and upper 90% confidence intervals of 1.3 and 23%, respectively). Changing climatic conditions, such as summer droughts may exacerbate such effects as edges lose water faster than the forest interior. The results highlight the importance of taking edge effects into account in ecological studies and forest management planning in highly fragmented landscapes.Peer reviewe

Relationships between tree growth and weather extremes: spatial and interspecific comparisons in a temperate broadleaf forest

Three years of monthly growth increment data identified large interannual differences in growth rate across six contrasting species in a broadleaved, temperate forest with minimum management intervention (Wytham Woods, UK). Growth rates varied by species and canopy position, and were higher in canopy species. Growth rate in 2010 was up to 40% lower than in 2011 and 2012. This can best be explained as an effect of low temperature, which delayed the start of spring and the growing season. This had a greater impact on the growth of sub-canopy trees than that of canopy species. In temperate systems, late spring and summer is an important component of the whole growing season carbon balance because of long day length. In 2010 there were also periods of lower-than-average rainfall, which may additionally have constrained growth during the growing season. Fluctuations and seasonal changes in both temperature and rainfall are projected to continue, so we may expect to see increasing differences in growth and growth rates. A small effect of location relative to the nearest edge was also detected, with higher growth rates only found >50. m from the forest edge. The findings have implications for forest structure and productivity under climate change, and may thus inform current and future forest management

Creating positive environmental impact through citizen science

Interest in citizen science is growing, including from governments and research funders. This interest is often driven by a desire for positive environmental impact, and the expectation that citizen science can deliver it by engaging the public and simultaneously collecting environmental data. Yet, in practice, there is often a gap between expected and realised impact. To close this gap, we need to better understand pathways to impact and what it takes to realise them. We articulate six key pathways through which citizen science can create positive environmental change: (1) environmental management; (2) evidence for policy; (3) behaviour change; (4) social network championing; (5) political advocacy; and (6) community action. We explore the project attributes likely to create impact through each of these pathways and show that there is an interplay between these project attributes and the needs and motivations of target participant groups. Exploring this interplay, we create a framework that articulates four citizen science approaches that create environmental impact in different ways: place-based community action; interest group investigation; captive learning research; and mass participation census

Electrochemical method for producing valeric acid

The invention is directed to a method of electrochemically producing valeric acid. The method of the invention comprises - contacting a solution of levulinic acid with an anode and a cathode in an electrochemical cell; and - electrochemically reducing levulinic acid at the cathode to form valeric acid, wherein the cathode comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of cadmium, zinc, and indium

Electrochemical method for producing valeric acid

The invention is directed to a method of electrochemically producing valeric acid. The method of the invention comprises - contacting a solution of levulinic acid with an anode and a cathode in an electrochemical cell; and - electrochemically reducing levulinic acid at the cathode to form valeric acid, wherein the cathode comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of cadmium, zinc, and indium

Commentaries on 'the symbolism of the story of Lot and his wife'

In this article, four child and adolescent psychotherapists discuss their responses, within a psychoanalytic framework, to the theoretical and technical questions raised by Monica Lanyado in her paper 'The symbolism of Lot and his wife'

Identification of more benign cathode materials for the electrochemical reduction of levulinic acid to valeric acid

The electrochemical production of valeric acid from the renewable bio‐based feedstock levulinic acid has the potential to replace the oxo‐process which uses fossil‐based feedstock 1‐butylene. The electrochemical reduction of the ketone functionality in levulinic acid using lead or mercury cathodes is already known for over 100 years. However, large scale electrochemical production of valeric acid might be limited due to the toxicity of these materials. In this study, we identified three additional cathode materials, cadmium, indium and zinc, which selectively and efficiently produce valeric acid. Of these materials, indium and zinc are considered more benign. More specifically, at indium there is no formation of the side product γ‐valerolactone, thus resulting in the highest selectivity towards valeric acid. For the electrochemical reduction a reaction mechanism involving formation of an organometallic compound is proposed. Furthermore, a possible processing strategy is outlined to enable continuous electrochemical production of valeric acid on large scale

Outcomes of press-fit uncemented versus cemented hip arthroplasty in the oncologic patient

© 2020 Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundation Background and objectives: Cemented hip arthroplasty is considered the standard of care for treating both osteoporotic femoral neck fractures and pathologic disease of the proximal femur due to the ability to achieve strong fixation in poor quality bone. There is minimal literature evaluating uncemented arthroplasty for pathologic disease of the proximal femur. This objective of this study is to compare outcomes of patients undergoing cemented and uncemented arthroplasty of the proximal femur for an oncologic indication. Methods: Patients who underwent hip arthroplasty procedures in one health system for an oncologic indication were identified. Demographics, cancer history, operative history, and complications were collected retrospectively. Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scores (MSTS) were prospectively collected via telephone. Results: 41 patients met criteria for review. 18 underwent cemented and 23 underwent uncemented arthroplasty. There were no significant differences in age, demographics, complications, 30-day mortality, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements, average HHS, or average MSTS. Conclusion: No significant differences were found for patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for an oncologic indication regardless of whether or not the femoral component was cemented. Our results suggest that cemented and uncemented techniques are both safe and effective methods to be used at the oncologic surgeon\u27s discretion