Large-Scale Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Mediterranean Cephalopod Diversity

Species diversity is widely recognized as an important trait of ecosystems’ functioning and resilience. Understanding the causes of diversity patterns and their interaction with the environmental conditions is essential in order to effectively assess and preserve existing diversity. While diversity patterns of most recurrent groups such as fish are commonly studied, other important taxa such as cephalopods have received less attention. In this work we present spatio-temporal trends of cephalopod diversity across the entire Mediterranean Sea during the last 19 years, analysing data from the annual bottom trawl survey MEDITS conducted by 5 different Mediterranean countries using standardized gears and sampling protocols. The influence of local and regional environmental variability in different Mediterranean regions is analysed applying generalized additive models, using species richness and the Shannon Wiener index as diversity descriptors. While the western basin showed a high diversity, our analyses do not support a steady eastward decrease of diversity as proposed in some previous studies. Instead, high Shannon diversity was also found in the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, and high species richness in the eastern Ionian Sea. Overall diversity did not show any consistent trend over the last two decades. Except in the Adriatic Sea, diversity showed a hump-shaped trend with depth in all regions, being highest between 200–400 m depth. Our results indicate that high Chlorophyll a concentrations and warmer temperatures seem to enhance species diversity, and the influence of these parameters is stronger for richness than for Shannon diversityVersión del editor4,411

Integrating the L (learning) into PAR (participatory action research)

Declining soil organic matter, soil health and loss of natural fertility are major constraints to sustainability on Australian grain farms. Improved knowledge of soil health is required by those managing Australian soils - farmers. An extension program was delivered to Queensland grain growers in 2022/23 to develop participants' knowledge and their capacity to improve soil management. This program utilised Participatory Learning and Action Research, which combined a structured action learning approach that established on-farm participatory action research to start improving soil health. During the program over 70 properties self- assessed their soil health utilising their own soil data. Growers then identified their top priorities and new management practices they wanted to test in their paddocks. Deep placement of phosphorus was the highest rated priority and the management practice growers most wanted to test in their paddocks (49%). On-farm research sites were implemented to test and refine these practices on participants' properties

Technologies That Support Marketing and Market Development in SMEs-Evidence from Social Networks

This study builds on previous research on information technology implementation and usage in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and applies a special focus on social networks. Specifically, this research investigates antecedents of social network usage in SMEs and respective performance outcomes. The results show that entrepreneurial orientation is positively related to social network usage in SMEs, whereas responsive market orientation shows no effect. Social network usage is not directly related to SME growth; yet it mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and SME growth. Interestingly, large firms show the opposite effects regarding antecedents and performance-related consequences of social network usage