Sounds of Soil: A New World of Interactions under Our Feet?

Soils are biodiversity-dense and constantly carry chemical flows of information, with our mental image of soil being dark and quiet. But what if soil biota tap sound, or more generally, vibrations as a source of information? Vibrations are produced by soil biota, and there is accumulating evidence that such vibrations, including sound, may also be perceived. We here argue for potential advantages of sound/vibration detection, which likely revolve around detection of potential danger, e.g., predators. Substantial methodological retooling will be necessary to capture this form of information, since sound-related equipment is not standard in soils labs, and in fact this topic is very much at the fringes of the classical soil research at present. Sound, if firmly established as a mode of information exchange in soil, could be useful in an ‘acoustics-based’ precision agriculture as a means of assessing aspects of soil biodiversity, and the topic of sound pollution could move into focus for soil biota and processes

Biochar beyond carbon sequestration: Life-cycle emission reductions, nutrient recycling and food security

Carbon dioxide withdrawal from the atmosphere is increasingly seen as an indispensable approach to mitigate climate change in concert with emission reductions from fossil fuel use. Conversion of biomass into biochar decreases mineralizability by one to two orders of magnitude and typically constitutes half of life-cycle emission reductions of biochar systems focusing on crop or forestry residues. In addition, emission reductions related to changes in nitrous oxide emissions or photosynthesis may contribute to climate change mitigation. While impacts of pyrolyzing carbon-rich crop or forestry residues on greenhouse gas emissions have been widely investigated, less attention has been paid to nutrient-rich materials such as animal manures or human wastes. Nutrient recycling using pyrolysis not only reduces climate impacts by several tens of percent but also enables establishing new products in the market place and reducing environmental impacts beyond climate change. In comparison to other major carbon dioxide removal approaches such as crop management or restoration of wetlands, biochar systems may generate greater emission reductions at equivalent carbon dioxide removal. The reason may lie in a systemic reduction of soil-based emissions of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases and the greater control of the conversion process in what essentially is a hybrid engineered-biological sequestration. Due to biochar being an external carbon resource, it does typically not constitute an on-site competition for organic matter as observed with crop management and increasing carbon in soil with biochar may therefore not constitute a trade-off with food production. These features make biochar systems a complementary approach to other ways of reducing greenhouse gases with potentially large contributions to a global strategy to mitigate climate change

Seasonal variation of aliphatic amines in marine sub-micrometer particles at the Cape Verde islands

Monomethylamine (MA), dimethylamine (DMA) and diethylamine (DEA) were detected at non-negligible concentrations in sub-micrometer particles at the Cap Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) located on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde during algal blooms in 2007. The concentrations of these amines in five stage impactor samples ranged from 0–30 pg m−3 for MA, 130–360 pg m−3 for DMA and 5–110 pg m−3 for DEA during the spring bloom in May 2007 and 2–520 pg m−3 for MA, 100–1400 pg m−3 for DMA and 90–760 pg m−3 for DEA during an unexpected winter algal bloom in December 2007. Anomalously high Saharan dust deposition and intensive ocean layer deepening were found at the Atmospheric Observatory and the associated Ocean Observatory during algal bloom periods. The highest amine concentrations in fine particles (impactor stage 2, 0.14–0.42 μm) indicate that amines are likely taken up from the gas phase into the acidic sub-micrometer particles. The contribution of amines to the organic carbon (OC) content ranged from 0.2–2.5% C in the winter months, indicating the importance of this class of compounds to the carbon cycle in the marine environment. Furthermore, aliphatic amines originating from marine biological sources likely contribute significantly to the nitrogen content in the marine atmosphere. The average contribution of the amines to the detected nitrogen species in sub-micrometer particles can be non-negligible, especially in the winter months (0.1% N–1.5% N in the sum of nitrate, ammonium and amines). This indicates that these smaller aliphatic amines can be important for the carbon and the nitrogen cycles in the remote marine environment

Revision der europäischen Arten (Puppen und Imagines) der Gattung Eukiefferiella Thienemann (Diptera: Chironomidae).

In vorliegender Arbeit wird eine Revision der europäischen Arten (Puppen-Männchen und Imagines-Männchen) der Gattung Eukiefferiella Thienemann vorgenommen. 26 gültige Spezies wurden für Europa festgestellt. Für die Puppen und Imagines wird jeweils eine Gattungsdiagnose und eine Bestimmungstabelle gegeben. Danach werden die Arten in taxonomischer und ökologischer Hinsicht kurz abgehandelt. Die interspezifischen Verwandschaftsverhältnisse der Gattung werden diskutiert. Die Arbeit enthält Figuren zu sämtlichen Arten. Nomenklatorische Handlungenalpium Goetghebuer, 1941 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck, 1898)dittmari Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), spec. n.fittkaui Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), spec. n.flavipes Goetghebuer, Humphreys & Fitzgerald, 1949 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella minor Edwards, 1929fuldensis Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), spec. n.graciliella Goetghebuer, 1936 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella brevicalcar (Kieffer, 1911)hospita Edwards, 1929 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck, 1898)lobulifera Goetghebuer, 1935 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella calvescens Edwards, 1929luthethorax Goetghebuer, Humphreys & Fitzgerald, 1949 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella ilkleyensis Edwards, 1929oestbyei Saether, 1968 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella rectangularis Goetghebuer, 1940potthasti Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), nom. n. pro Eukiefferiella longicalcar Potthast, 1914, nec Kieffer, 1911ruttneri Gowin, 1943 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella pseudomontana Goetghebuer, 1935suecica Goetghebuer, 1940 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella brevicalcar (Kieffer, 1911)In the preceding paper, a revision of theEuropean species (pupae male and adults male) of the genus Eukiefferiella Thienemann is presented. 26 species have been determined as valid for Europe. For the pupae and adults, a generic diagnosis and a taxonomic key are given. Each species is briefly characterized; ecological notes of a species are also given. The interspecific hereditary relationships are discussed. This work gives figures to all species.Nomenclatural Actsalpium Goetghebuer, 1941 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck, 1898)dittmari Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), spec. n.fittkaui Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), spec. n.flavipes Goetghebuer, Humphreys & Fitzgerald, 1949 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella minor Edwards, 1929fuldensis Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), spec. n.graciliella Goetghebuer, 1936 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella brevicalcar (Kieffer, 1911)hospita Edwards, 1929 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck, 1898)lobulifera Goetghebuer, 1935 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella calvescens Edwards, 1929luthethorax Goetghebuer, Humphreys & Fitzgerald, 1949 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella ilkleyensis Edwards, 1929oestbyei Saether, 1968 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella rectangularis Goetghebuer, 1940potthasti Lehmann, 1972 (Eukiefferiella), nom. n. pro Eukiefferiella longicalcar Potthast, 1914, nec Kieffer, 1911ruttneri Gowin, 1943 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella pseudomontana Goetghebuer, 1935suecica Goetghebuer, 1940 (Eukiefferiella), syn. n. of Eukiefferiella brevicalcar (Kieffer, 1911

Vitamin D und die Alzheimer-Krankheit – Der Einfluss von Vitamin D auf die Prozessierung des Amyloid-Vorläufer-Proteins und die Aβ-Degradation

Die Alzheimer-Krankheit ist eine neurodegenerative Erkrankung, bei der sich histopathologisch u.a. extrazelluläre amyloide Plaques zeigen. Diese bestehen aus aggregiertem Amyloid β (Aβ), das aus der sequentiellen Spaltung des Amyloid-Vorläufer-Proteins (APP) durch die β- und γ-Sekretase entsteht. Alternativ kann APP durch die α-Sekretase innerhalb der Aβ-Domäne geschnitten werden, wodurch die Entstehung des Aβ-Peptids verhindert wird. Die Aβ-Menge wird neben der Aktivität dieser Enzyme durch verschiedene Aβ-Degradationsenzyme, wie Neprilysin und IDE, bestimmt. Vitamin D ist ein Secosteroid, welches in der menschlichen Haut UVB-abhängig aus Cholesterin gebildet werden kann. Neben seiner klassischen Funktion im Calciumhaushalt und beim Knochenaufbau, zeigen neuere Studien, dass Vitamin D eine wichtige Rolle im zentralen Nervensystem zukommt. Hier wirkt es u.a. neuroprotektiv und antiinflammatorisch. Ein Vitamin D-Mangel wurde in diesem Zusammenhang mit einem erhöhten Risiko an der Alzheimer-Demenz zu erkranken assoziiert. Da die molekularen Grundlagen dieses Sachverhalts weitestgehend unbekannt sind, wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit der Einfluss von Vitamin D auf den Aβ-Anabolismus und -Katabolismus systematisch mittels Expressionsanalysen, Bestimmung von Proteinspiegeln, sowie Enzymaktivitätsmessungen untersucht. Im in vivo Mausmodell führte eine leichte bis moderate Vitamin D-Mangelsituation (23%ige Reduktion im Vergleich zu den Kontrolltieren), wie sie typischerweise in der Bevölkerung beobachtet wird, zu einem signifikanten Anstieg von Aβ40 und Aβ42. Dies war auf eine gesteigerte β-Sekretaseaktivität, bedingt durch erhöhte BACE1-Proteinspiegel, zurückzuführen. Des Weiteren konnten tendenzielle Expressionssteigerungen einzelner γ-Sekretase-Untereinheiten (Nicastrin, Presenilin 2, Presenilin Enhancer 2) nachgewiesen werden. Die Aβ-Gesamtdegradation war signifikant reduziert. Passend kam es zu einer Expressions- und Aktivitätsreduktion von Neprilysin. Weitere Aβ-Degradationsenzyme, wie ECE-1 und -2 sowie ACE waren ebenfalls tendenziell in ihrer Expression reduziert. In vitro führte eine (supra-)physiologische Calcidiol-Supplementierung in SH-SY5Y- sowie N2a-Neuroblastomzellen zu einer signifikanten Aβ-Reduktion. In Übereinstimmung mit den in vivo Daten war dies auf eine reduzierte β-Sekretase- sowie γ-Sekretaseaktivität zurückzuführen. Die BACE1- und NCSTN-Expression waren signifikant reduziert. Gleichzeitig zeigte sich eine Steigerung der α-Sekretase-Gesamtaktivität. Die Aβ-Gesamtdegradation war zeitabhängig gesteigert. Dies war auch hier auf eine Erhöhung der Neprilysin-Expression und –Aktivität zurückzuführen. Des Weiteren kam es zu einer Erhöhung der IDE-Proteinspiegel sowie der Expression weiterer Aβ-degradierender Enzyme (ACE, CtsB, MMP-2 und -9). Zusammenfassend bedingt bereits ein leichter bis moderater Vitamin D-Mangel eine Zunahme der Aβ-Gesamtmenge durch negative Beeinflussung des Gleichgewichts zwischen Aβ-Produktion und –Degradation. Zudem könnte eine Supplementierung bei bereits ausreichender Vitamin D-Versorgung mit dem Ziel einer hochnormalen Calcidiol-Serumkonzentration einen zusätzlichen positiven Effekt auf die Aβ-Homöostase haben.Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which is histopathologically characterized by amyloid plaques. Those plaques are mainly composed of aggregated Amyloid-β (Aβ) which itself originates from the sequential proteolysis of the Amyloid-Precursor-Protein (APP) by shedding of the β- and γ-secretase. Alternatively APP can be cleaved within the Aβ domain by the α-secretase which prevents the formation of the Aβ-peptid. Beside the activity of these secretases, total Aβ is determined by various Aβ-degrading enzymes, like Neprilysin and IDE. Vitamin D is a secosteroid which arises from cholesterol in the human skin in dependency of UVB radiation. Its classic function is the regulation of the calcium balance and bone augmentation. However, recent studies show that Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the central nervous system by exhibiting neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. In this context Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia. Since the molecular background of this data is mostly unknown, we systematically investigated the impact of Vitamin D on Aβ anabolism and catabolism by determining the gene expressions, protein levels and enzyme activities. In the in vivo mouse model a mild to moderate hypovitaminosis D lead to a significant increase of Aβ40 and Aβ42. This was attributed to an increase of the β-secretase activity caused by an increased BACE1 protein level. In addition the gene expression of single subunits of the γ-secretase (Nicastrin, Presenilin 2, Presenilin Enhancer 2) showed an increasing trend. Total Aβ degradation was significantly reduced. Appropriately, the expression and enzyme activity of Neprilysin was decreased. Further Aβ-degrading enzymes, like ECE-1 and -2, as well as ACE showed a reduction by trend. In vitro a (supra-) physiological Calcidiol supplementation of SH-SY5Y and N2a neuroblastoma cells lead to a significant Aβ reduction. In line with the in vivo data this was attributed to a reduction of the β- and γ-secretase activity. BACE1 and Nicastrin gene expressions were significantly decreased. Simultaneously, there was an increase of total α-secretase activity. Aβ-degradation was increased in a time dependent manner, which again was caused by a raised Neprilysin gene expression and enzyme activity. Furthermore, the IDE protein levels were increased as well as the gene expression of other Aβ-degrading enzymes ((ACE, CtsB, MMP-2 und -9). Taken together a mild to moderate hypovitaminosis D already seems to increase the total Aβ amount by negatively influencing the balance between Aβ production and degradation. In addition a supplementation under already sufficient Vitamin D conditions with the aim of high normal Calcidiol serum concentrations could affect the Aβ homeostasis in a positive way

Guide to Developing Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land-Use (AFOLU) Carbon Market Projects under Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP)

This report outlines the general steps required for development of a carbon project intended for sale of carbon credits via a carbon offset program, whether compliance or voluntary. While there are differences among the numerous offset programs, the major components are generally the same and any carbon project originating in the agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) sector will follow these steps. This report was written as a guide to development of carbon projects for Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), but the same process outlined here is equally applicable to any AFOLU carbon project.This work was supported by the PSNP Climate Smart Initiative. The PSNP is implemented by the Government of Ethiopia with support from the following development partners: Canadian International Development Agency, Irish Aid, European Commission, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, UK Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development, World Food Program and World Bank

Reverse engineering of biochar

This study underpins quantitative relationships that account for the combined effects that starting biomass and peak pyrolysis temperature have on physico-chemical properties of biochar. Meta-data was assembled from published data of diverse biochar samples (n = 102) to (i) obtain networks of intercorrelated properties and (ii) derive models that predict biochar properties. Assembled correlation networks provide a qualitative overview of the combinations of biochar properties likely to occur in a sample. Generalized Linear Models are constructed to account for situations of varying complexity, including: dependence of biochar properties on single or multiple predictor variables, where dependence on multiple variables can have additive and/or interactive effects; non-linear relation between the response and predictors; and non-Gaussian data distributions. The web-tool Biochar Engineering implements the derived models to maximize their utility and distribution. Provided examples illustrate the practical use of the networks, models and web-tool to engineer biochars with prescribed properties desirable for hypothetical scenarios

Short-term mesofauna responses to soil additions of corn stover biochar and the role of microbial biomass

Biochar additions have been suggested to influence soil microbial communities that, through a cascade effect, may also impact soil fauna. In turn, any direct biochar effects on fauna can influence microbial communities through grazing, physical fragmentation of organic debris (and biochar) and modifying soil structure. If biochar creates a favorable environment for soil microorganisms, it is also plausible for fauna to be attracted to such microbially enriched habitats. However, how soil fauna respond to biochar addition to soil and what are the main factors that drive their behavior has rarely been experimentally addressed. Therefore, the behavior of two mesofauna species was assessed as a result of corn stover biochar (slow pyrolysis at 600 °C) additions to a loamy temperate soil, after preincubation for 2, 17, 31 and 61 d, and related to variations in microbial biomass and activity. Microbial biomass increased by 5-56% and activity by 6-156% with increasing biochar rates for the different preincubation times. Over the incubation time, microbial biomass did not change or increased at most 15% with the different biochar rates, while in turn microbial activity decreased steadily (around 70-80% at day 61). Enchytraeids generally did not show avoidance or preference to biochar when provided with an alternative unamended soil, while collembolans often showed avoidance responses. However, collembolan avoidance to biochar decreased or disappeared in biochar mixtures with higher microbial biomass and water extractable NH4-N content, agreeing with the plausible role of microorganisms to potentially attract soil fauna after biochar applications. Avoidance response was mainly explained by environmental preferences of the test species and not by any toxic effect of the biochar in this study. However, avoidance after the application of biochar may still need to be considered due to the potential negative impacts of individuals' migration on soil ecosystem functioning