Biodiversitätsmonitoring im Südtiroler Kräuteranbau = Biodiversity surveys in medicinal and aromatic plant fields in South Tyrol

Medicinal and aromatic plants in mountain regions such as South Tyrol are cultivated on small-scale farms, which are characterized by a high diversity of cultivated crop species grown on a relatively small area. This small-scale cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants suggests that MAP fields are of high ecological value. However, research on this topic is generally lacking. In this study flower-visiting arthropods were recorded with pan traps in three herb fields during three survey events conducted in 2021. Our results indicate that medicinal and aromatic plant fields are valuable habitats for several taxa. In total 12.570 individuals were collected. Wild bees were particularly species-rich, accounting for 10 % of the regional wild bee species pool. Next to beneficial arthropods, potential pests, such as aphids were also highly abundant. However, natural enemies possibly counteracting pests were also numerous. Overall, we conclude that medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation may act as resource-rich oases for several arthropod groups, thereby promoting biodiversity also on a broader scale.Der Anbau von Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen zeichnet sich in der Regel durch vielfältige Anbaukulturen auf relativ kleinen Flächen aus. Dies gilt insbesondere für Südtirol, wo diese Kulturen hauptsächlich von kleinen Betrieben im Berggebiet angebaut werden. Dieser kleinflächige Anbau von Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen lässt vermuten, dass die Betriebe einen hohen ökologischen Wert haben. Es gibt wenige Studien zur Erfassung der Biodiversität im Anbau von Arznei- und Gewürzpflanzen. Daher wurden in dieser Arbeit Kräuteranbau-Betriebe als Lebensraum für blütenbesuchende Arthropoden untersucht. An drei Untersuchungsstandorten wurden im Jahr 2021 jeweils an drei Terminen Farbschalen zur Sammlung von Arthropoden verwendet. Kräuteranbau-Betriebe stellten sich als ein wertvoller Lebensraum für verschiedene Arthropoden heraus. Insgesamt wurden 12.570 Individuen mit den Farbschalen gesammelt. Insbesondere Wildbienen waren mit 10 % des regionalen Artenpools sehr artenreich. Auch potenzielle Schädlinge, wie zum Beispiel Blattläuse, waren sehr häufig anzutreffen, wobei natürliche Feinde, wie zum Beispiel Parasitoide, ebenfalls zahlreich vertreten waren. Insgesamt können Kräuteranbaubetriebe als strukturreiche Oasen für Arthropoden fungieren und sich somit auf einer breiteren Skala positiv auf die Biodiversität auswirken

Normobaric hypoxia overnight impairs cognitive reaction time

Background: Impaired reaction time in patients suffering from hypoxia during sleep, caused by sleep breathing disorders, is a well-described phenomenon. High altitude sleep is known to induce periodic breathing with central apneas and oxygen desaturations, even in perfectly healthy subjects. However, deficits in reaction time in mountaineers or workers after just some nights of hypoxia exposure are not sufficiently explored. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of sleep in a normobaric hypoxic environment on reaction time divided by its cognitive and motoric components. Eleven healthy non acclimatized students (5f, 6m, 21 2.1 years) slept one night at a simulated altitude of 3500 m in a normobaric hypoxic room, followed by a night with polysomnography at simulated 5500 m. Preexisting sleep disorders were excluded via BERLIN questionnaire. All subjects performed a choice reaction test (SCHUHFRIED RT, S3) at 450 m and directly after the nights at simulated 3500 and 5500 m. Results: We found a significant increase of cognitive reaction time with higher altitude (p = 0.026). No changes were detected in movement time (p = n.s.). Reaction time, the combined parameter of cognitive- and motoric reaction time, didnt change either (p = n.s.). Lower SpO2 surprisingly correlated significantly with shorter cognitive reaction time (r = 0.78, p = 0.004). Sleep stage distribution and arousals at 5500 m didnt correlate with reaction time, cognitive reaction time or movement time. Conclusion: Sleep in hypoxia does not seem to affect reaction time to simple tasks. The component of cognitive reaction time is increasingly delayed whereas motoric reaction time seems not to be affected. Low SpO2 and arousals are not related to increased cognitive reaction time therefore the causality remains unclear. The fact of increased cognitive reaction time after sleep in hypoxia, considering high altitude workers and mountaineering operations with overnight stays, should be further investigated.(VLID)3080994Version of recor

The Acute and Chronic Effects of High-Intensity Exercise in Hypoxia on Blood Pressure and Post-Exercise Hypotension: a randomized cross-over trial

Background and objectives. Acute exercise leads to an immediate drop in blood pressure (BP), also called post-exercise hypotension (PEH). Exercise in hypoxia is related to additional vasodilation, potentially contributing to more profound PEH. Therefore, we investigated the impact of hypoxia versus normoxia on the magnitude of PEH. Secondly, we examined whether these changes in PEH relate to the BP-lowering effects of 12-week exercise training under hypoxia. Methods. In this prospective study, twenty-one healthy individuals (age 22.2±3.0 years, fourteen male) performed a 45-minute high-intensity running exercise on two different days in a random order, under hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) 14.5%) and normoxia (FiO2 20.9%). BP was examined pre-exercise (t=0) and at t=15, t=30, t=45 and t=60min post-exercise. Afterwards, subjects took part in a 12-week hypoxic running exercise training program. Resting BP was measured before and after the 12-week training program. Results. Acute exercise induced a significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP, P=0.001), but not in diastolic BP (DBP, P=0.113). No significant differences were observed in post-exercise BP between hypoxic and normoxic conditions (SBP, P=0.324 and DBP, P=0.204). Post-exercise changes in SBP, DBP and MAP significantly correlated to the 12-week exercise training induced changes in SBP (r=0.557, P=0.001), DBP (r=0.615, P<0.001), and MAP (r=0.458, P=0.011). Conclusion. Our findings show that hypoxia does not alter the magnitude of PEH in healthy individuals, whilst PEH relates to the BP-lowering effects of exercise. These data highlight the strong link between acute and chronic changes in BP