Possible impacts of climate change on debris-flow activity in the Swiss Alps

This study uses a long dataset of past debris flows from eight high-elevation catchments in the Swiss Alps for which triggering conditions since AD 1864 have been reconstructed. The torrents under investigation have unlimited sediment supply and the triggering of debris flows is thus mainly controlled by climatic factors. Based on point-based downscaled climate scenarios for meteorological stations located next to the catchments and for the periods 2001-2050 and 2051-2100, we study the evolution of temperature and rainfall above specific thresholds (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50mm) and durations (1, 2 or 3days). We conclude that the drier conditions in future summers and the wetting of springs, falls and early winters are likely to have significant impacts on the behavior of debris flows. Based on the current understanding of debris-flow systems and their reaction to rainfall inputs, one might expect only slight changes in the overall frequency of events by the mid-21st century, but possibly an increase in the overall magnitude of debris flows due to larger volumes of sediment delivered to the channels and an increase in extreme precipitation events. In the second half of the 21st century, the number of days with conditions favorable for the release of debris flows will likely decrease, especially in summer. The anticipated increase of rainfall during the shoulder seasons (March, April, November, December) is not expected to compensate for the decrease in future heavy summer rainfall over 2 or 3days

Similarities within a multi-model ensemble: functional data analysis framework

Despite the abundance of available global climate model (GCM) and regional climate model (RCM) outputs, their use for evaluation of past and future climate change is often complicated by substantial differences between individual simulations and the resulting uncertainties. In this study, we present a methodological framework for the analysis of multi-model ensembles based on a functional data analysis approach. A set of two metrics that generalize the concept of similarity based on the behavior of entire simulated climatic time series, encompassing both past and future periods, is introduced. To our knowledge, our method is the first to quantitatively assess similarities between model simulations based on the temporal evolution of simulated values. To evaluate mutual distances of the time series, we used two semimetrics based on Euclidean distances between the simulated trajectories and based on differences in their first derivatives. Further, we introduce an innovative way of visualizing climate model similarities based on a network spatialization algorithm. Using the layout graphs, the data are ordered on a two-dimensional plane which enables an unambiguous interpretation of the results. The method is demonstrated using two illustrative cases of air temperature over the British Isles (BI) and precipitation in central Europe, simulated by an ensemble of EURO-CORDEX RCMs and their driving GCMs over the 1971–2098 period. In addition to the sample results, interpretational aspects of the applied methodology and its possible extensions are also discussed.</p

A climate projection dataset tailored for the European energy sector

Climate information is necessary for the energy sector. However, the use of climate projections has remained limited so far for a number of reasons such us the lack of consistency among climate projections, the inadequate temporal and spatial resolution, the climate model biases, the lack of guidance for users, and the size of data sets. In this work, we develop and assess a consistent ensemble of high time and space resolution climate projections that address these problems. First, a methodology for sub-ensemble selection is developed and proposed. Our ensemble dataset includes eleven 12 km-resolution EURO-CORDEX simulations of temperature, precipitation, wind speed and surface solar radiation on 3-hourly and daily time scales. These variables are bias-corrected for a more effective use into impact studies. The assessment of bias-corrected model simulations against observational data indicates reduced biases and increased coherence in projected changes among models compared to the raw climate projections. We provide a well-documented dataset for energy practitioners and decision-makers to facilitate the access and use of energy-relevant high-quality climate information in operation and planning. The new dataset is freely available via the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF) platform

Modelling impacts of climate change on arable crop diseases: progress, challenges and applications

Combining climate change, crop growth and crop disease models to predict impacts of climate change on crop diseases can guide planning of climate change adaptation strategies to ensure future food security. This review summarises recent developments in modelling climate change impacts on crop diseases, emphasises some major challenges and highlights recent trends. The use of multi-model ensembles in climate change modelling and crop modelling is contributing towards measures of uncertainty in climate change impact projections but other aspects of uncertainty remain largely unexplored. Impact assessments are still concentrated on few crops and few diseases but are beginning to investigate arable crop disease dynamics at the landscape level

Magyar Tanítóképző 7 (1892) 03-04

Magyar Tanítóképző A Tanítóképző-intézeti Tanárok Országos Egyesületének közlönye 7. évfolyam, 3-4. füzet Budapest, 1892. márczius-április h

The Monetary Effects of Deer Damage on the Environment

The focus of my study was deer damage that occurred to crops and trees in Northeast Nebraska, around Wisner in Cuming County. I collected data from corn fields and harvest yields to determine the monetary losses landowners receive to deer damage. The damage can be anywhere from minimal to significant and affects each person differently. I study used test plots to collect data for an average damage per acre, and variable-sized plots to accurately estimate the level of damage occurred. I also incorporated data from tree nurseries to estimate the damage tree farmers and landowners would have when planting new trees. The results were varied in the corn fields, but the closer to the rivers and wooded habitat, the greater amount of damage occurred to the fields. The fields closest to the river and wooded habitat had the most damage with nearly 8% loss and 100% loss in total yield. The fields further away from the river and wooded habitat received far less damage, 0% loss and 3.5% loss in the total yield

Vapenate soli mastnych kyselin ve vyzive neprezvykavych zvirat.

In this study, which is orientated to verification of possibilities of using calcium salts of fatty acids for compound feed for nonruminant animals, were executed three experiments. The goal of the first experiment was to compare effects of calcium salts of fatty acids (Ca-sFA) in compound feed for broilers at three levels with the effect of an energy aliquot share of rapeseed oil and of various contents of Ca in the source of CaCO3. The effect of Ca-FA on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance in piglets was studied in the second experiment. The effect of Ca-sFA in diet for piglets on their efficiency was studied in the third experiment. The results of trials suggest that Ca-sFA can be used in nutrition of nonruminants. The level of Ca-sFA higher than 4% decreases the uptake of mixtures for piglets.Available from STL Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi

Costumes

WPA print by Cleveland, Ohio artis