Temporal asynchrony due to climate change and its impact on host–herbivore–predator interactions

Emission of greenhouse gases is causing a shift in the global climate. As a consequence, organisms have altered their spatial and temporal distribution. For species temporally synchronized by biotic interactions, a shift in temporal distribution might lead to reduced synchrony. This is especially pertinent in terms of phenological events, as for example a herbivore needs to match its activity with the flowering of its host plant. In this paper, I specifically focus on temporally synchronized biotic interactions in insect host-herbivore-predator communities. The main objective is to investigate four questions: i) How temperature and precipitation affect the development of species; ii) How temporal asynchrony affects single biotic interactions between plants – herbivores and herbivores – predators iii) How temporal asynchrony affects more extensive, multitrophic-level communities; and iv) How biotic interactions will change in the future. A majority of the studies covered in this paper suggests that individual species will increase their development rate if temperature is increased. Moreover, temperature seems to have a more pronounced impact on development rate than humidity condition does. The rate of development increase could vary among species, indicating that temporal asynchrony among currently interacting species could become more common in the future. A major related issue is then to determine if species will be able to locally adapt to the new prevailing conditions, whether they will go extinct or whether they will start interacting more with other species. If selective pressure is hard and genetic variation sufficient, then species may stay synchronized. Furthermore, it is important to assess how temperature will increase in the future. More fluctuating and extreme temperatures might alter species responses. To address these questions we need more studies examining: i) synchrony in herbivore–predator interactions and across several trophic levels; ii) the capacity of synchronized species to adapt to new conditions; and iii) species responses to fluctuating and extreme temperatures

Short-term effects of continuous cover forestry on forest biomass production and biodiversity: Applying single-tree selection in forests dominated by Picea abies

The rotation forestry system provides high biomass production, but could also have a negative impact on species sensitive to disturbance. Continuous cover forestry (CCF) could contribute to solving these conflicting goals, but its feasibility in nutrient limited boreal forests is yet unresolved. In a unique experiment, we simultaneously assessed the short-term effect of single-tree selection on both biomass production and biodiversity (vascular plants, bryophytes, wood-inhabiting fungi), and tested fertilization as a way to mediate growth-biodiversity trade-offs. We found that unharvested stands and stands subjected to single-tree selection had a similar species assemblage of vascular plants, bryophytes, and wood-inhabiting fungi. Fertilization increased growth by 37% and induced shifts in two understory species (favoring the grass Avenella flexuosa and disfavoring the bryophyte Hylocomium splendens). We conclude that single-tree selection may become a useful tool to enhance biodiversity in managed forests

Herbivory in a changing climate-Effects of plant genotype and experimentally induced variation in plant phenology on two summer-active lepidopteran herbivores and one fungal pathogen

With climate change, spring warming tends to advance plant leaf-out. While the timing of leaf-out has been shown to affect the quality of leaves for herbivores in spring, it is unclear whether such effects extend to herbivores active in summer. In this study, we first examined how spring and autumn phenology of seven Quercus robur genotypes responded to elevated temperatures in spring. We then tested whether the performance of two summer-active insect herbivores (Orthosia gothica and Polia nebulosa) and infection by a pathogen (Erysiphe alphitoides) were influenced by plant phenology, traits associated with genotype or the interaction between these two. Warm spring temperatures advanced both bud development and leaf senescence in Q. robur. Plants of different genotype differed in terms of both spring and autumn phenology. Plant phenology did not influence the performance of two insect herbivores and a pathogen, while traits associated with oak genotype had an effect on herbivore performance. Weight gain for O. gothica and ingestion for P. nebulosa differed by a factor of 4.38 and 2.23 among genotypes, respectively. Herbivore species active in summer were influenced by traits associated with plant genotype but not by phenology. This suggest that plant attackers active in summer may prove tolerant to shifts in host plant phenology-a pattern contrasting with previously documented effects on plant attackers active in spring and autumn

Long-term yield and biodiversity in stands managed with the selection system and the rotation forestry system: A qualitative review

There is an increasing interest in implementing Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) as a tool to mitigate negative effects of the traditional rotation forestry system on biodiversity. However, the effects of CCF on forest growth and yield and on biodiversity is still poorly known. In this qualitative review, we compare biodiversity and longterm yield between the selection system, which is a type of CCF practiced in full-storied forests, and the traditional rotation forestry system. We specifically focus on forests dominated by Picea abies, which is a tree species of high economic relevance. Our literature search resulted in 17 publications on stand growth and yield and 21 publications on biodiversity. A majority of simulation studies found a higher long-term yield in the rotation forestry system, but it is challenging to conclude which system is the most productive. The magnitude of the difference in yield between systems, and how it varies across different environmental conditions, remains to be determined. For biodiversity, comparisons of species assemblage and individual species were only made to certain phases of the rotation cycle (recent clearcuts and middle-aged stands). Nevertheless, two aspects can be highlighted: i) the species assemblage in clearcuts differ substantially from stands managed with the selection system. Some of these effects may however be short lasting as examplified by studies on beetle assamblages showing that middle-aged rotation forestry stands become more similar to stands managed with the selection system, ii) the selection system maintains a similar species assemblage as the uncut control during the first years after cutting. In conclusion, management with the selection system may come with a loss in long-term stand yield, but much of the species assemblage is maintained after logging. We recommend future studies to specifically focus on long-term effects on biodiversity - in particular on species of conservation concern. There is also a need to establish a long-term research infrastructure to further develop the field

Community phenology of insects on oak:Local differentiation along a climatic gradient

Climate change is advancing the onset of phenological events, with the rate of advance varying among species and trophic levels. In addition, local populations of the same species may show genetic differences in their response to seasonal cues. If populations of interacting species differ in their response, then climate change may result in geographically varying shifts in the community-level distribution of interaction strength. We explored the magnitude of trophic- and species-level responses to temperature in a tritrophic system comprising pedunculate oak, insect herbivores, and their associated parasitoids. We sampled local realizations of this community at five sites along a transect spanning fifteen degrees of latitude. Samples from each trophic level at each site were exposed to the same set of five climatic regimes during overwintering in climate chambers. We then recorded the number of days and degree-days required for oak acorns to develop and insects to emerge. In terms of dates of events, phenology differed among populations. In terms of degree-days, we found that for two species pairs, the heat sum required to develop in spring differed by an additional similar to 500 degree-days between trophic levels when overwintering at the highest temperature. For three species, within-population variation in the number of degree-days required for emergence was higher at warmer temperatures. Our findings suggest that changing temperatures can modify interactions within a community by altering the relative phenology of interacting species and that some interactions are more vulnerable than others to a shift in temperature. The geographic variation in the phenological response of a species suggests that there is a genetic component in determining the phenology of local populations. Such local variation blended with interspecific differences in responses makes it complex to understand how communities will respond to warmer temperatures

Can field botany be effectively taught as a distance course? Experiences and reflections from the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic that started in 2020 forced a rapid change in university teaching, with large numbers of courses switching to distance learning with very little time for preparation. Courses involving many practical elements and field excursions required particular care if students were to fulfil planned learning outcomes. Here, we present our experiences in teaching field botany in 2020 and 2021. Using a range of methods and tools to introduce students to the subject, promote self-learning and reflection and give rapid and regular feedback, we were able to produce a course that allowed students to achieve the intended learning outcomes and that obtained similarly positive student evaluations to previous years. The course and its outcomes were further improved in 2021. We describe how we structured field botany as a distance course in order that we could give the best possible learning experience for the students. Finally, we reflect on how digital tools can aid teaching such subjects in the future, in a world where public knowledge of natural history is declining

Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Seasonal interactions between oaks and insects : evolutionary adaptations and predictions for climate change

Many species are expected to advance their phenology in response to global warming. As some interactions are dependent on the interacting species being synchronized in time, it is important to assess whether species shift their phenology in synchrony or not. Whether or not they do will dictate how communities and ecosystem functioning respond to climate change. Species-specific phenological responses could shift interaction strengths, with possible consequences for species fitness. In the context of a community of interacting species, phenological shifts can modify the interaction network and allow new interactions to occur and cause old interactions to disappear. In addition, if populations are locally adapted to temperature, then local communities might differ in their phenological response. In this thesis, I aim to explore how temperature influence the phenology of different species and populations and how this is reflected in the structure of a community. To this aim, I focus on a tri-trophic community consisting of Quercus robur, its insect herbivores and associated parasitoids. I assess i) how temperature influence spring phenology of acorns and insects associated with Q. robur ii) how temperature influence the spring and autumn phenology of Q. robur, and whether oak genotypes differ in their response, and iii) how variation in Q. robur phenology is reflected in the structure of the insect community. I detected that both species and populations differed in their response to temperature. I also found that overwintering temperatures influenced the timing of bud burst in Q. robur. In autumn, warm temperatures in spring advanced phenology, while leaf coloration was delayed for Q. robur growing at warmer locations. Interestingly, both the timing of spring and autumn phenology influenced the structure of the herbivore community, while Q. robur phenology had no detectable impact on the performance of herbivores in summer. Overall, my findings suggest that temperature-induced changes in phenology can alter the temporal overlap between species, and that such changes affect the community structure. If the population-specific responses to temperature observed here extend widely across species, then local communities will differ in their response to temperature. With a changing climate, these patterns may result in changes in community structure for species active in spring and autumn, with different responses among local communities. This complicates current predictions regarding the biotic responses to ongoing climate change

Gymnasielärarens betygsättning i musik. En studie om hur musiklärare arbetar med och påverkas av betyg

Som blivande gymnasielärare i ämnet musik har intresset för betyg, dess påverkan och betydelse för yrket, skapat denna uppsats. Därför är syftet med studien att undersöka hur betyg på gymnasiet påverkar musiklärarens undervisning. Hur arbetar musikläraren med bedömning för betygsättning i undervisningen? Hur påverkas musiklärarens undervisning av betygssättning? Studien utgår från en kvalitativ inriktning. Genom intervjuer med aktiva och legitimerade musiklärare visar resultaten att många gymnasielärare i musik påverkas av betygsättning före, under och efter undervisningen. Många lärare planerar utifrån kunskapskraven istället för det centrala innehållet. Resultatet visar också hur lärare arbetar med kunskapskraven. I min diskussion problematiseras det faktum att lärarna planerar lektioner utifrån kunskapskrav istället för centralt innehåll. Vidare diskuteras att betyg och behov inte alltid faller samman samt hur betyg påverkar dialogen och återkoppling lärare till elev.As a future high school teacher in the subject of music, interest in grades, its impact and importance for the profession, created this essay. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to investigate how the grades of high school affects the teaching of music teachers. How does the music teacher work with assessments in the classroom? How is music teacher's teaching affected by assessments? The study is based on a qualitative approach. Through interviews with certified music teachers active in the new grade system, the results show that many high school teachers in music are influenced by grades before, during and after their lessons. Many teachers plan on the basis of knowledge requirements instead of the core content. The result also shows how teachers work with the knowledge requirements. In my discussion, the fact that teachers plan lessons based on knowledge requirements instead of central content is problematized. Furthermore, it is discussed that grades and needs do not always coincide and also how grades affect the dialogue and feedback, teacher to student

En flygresa genom karismans samtid : En fallstudie av SAS externa kommunikation och legitimitetsskapande

The airline sector is facing a new reality post-covid, where leisure travel is increasing around the world. Furthermore, there is a change which permeates the entire western world, where the postmodern society increasingly advocates emotional qualities over rational qualities in organizations. Furthermore, external communication in the form of ad campaigns plays an important role in not only establishing grounds for legitimacy, but also establishing a projected image for organizations. Regarding the shift to an emotional and charismatic based reality, as well as the new trend in air travel, the aim of this study is to investigate how Scandinavia's flag carrier SAS expresses its image in ad campaigns, and to seek how they attempt to obtain charismatic legitimacy. We analyze five multimodal texts from two different ad campaigns to conduct a social semiotic multimodal comparative study. The multimodal texts are retrieved from SAS 2014-campaign “We Are Travelers”, and their latest campaign “Journeys That Matter”, launched fall of 2022. The analysis is backed by Michael Halliday’s theory on social semiotics, and it also operationalizes a postmodern take on attribution theory, which seeks implementations of charismatic legitimation in both ad campaigns. Based on attribution theory, as well as the multimodal analysis, we identify themes within “We Are Travelers” of business travelers being collectivized, and themes in “Journeys That Matter” of human diversity and warmth. Furthermore, none of the ad campaigns portray the qualities needed to consider SAS as being charismatically legitimate, although “Journeys That Matter” reaches closer in that regard