Wind turbines aren't quite 'apex predators', but the truth is far more interesting

First paragraph: Wind turbines are, it appears, everywhere. Even if you can't see some on the horizon on your way into work every day, it is hard to miss the continual news coverage of new developments. Clearly, efforts to move away from fossil fuels are – at least in part – working, and from the perspective of combating climate change, this must surely be a good thing. However, much of the news coverage of turbines highlights negatives such as a perceived degradation of the landscape, or their impacts on wildlife. There is good cause for concern in this regard, particularly with respect to wildlife.https://theconversation.com/wind-turbines-arent-quite-apex-predators-but-the-truth-is-far-more-interesting-10648

A tentative approach to the molecular structure of humic acids: the spectral evidence for a derivation of humic acids from plant-borne esters. 3. Pyrolysis-mass spectrometry.

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry of humic acids collected from oak forest litter and humus horizons, of esters extracted from oak leaves and of bark extracts indicated a close relationship between plant esters and humic acids. The data support the hypothesis that humic acids can be derived from simple mixed esters formed in the plants. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission

A tentative approach to the molecular structure of humic acids: the spectral evidence for a derivation of humic acids from plant-borne esters. 1. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra.

It is suggested, from the evidence of EPR spectra, that humic acids are heterogeneous polymers of mixed esters derived from tannins. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission

A tentative approach to the molecular structure of humic acids: The spectral evidence for a derivation of humic acids from plant-borne esters. 2. Infrared and chemical analyses.

It is suggested that: humic acids are polyesters, originate as monomers in the secondary metabolism of both higher and lower plants, and are formed in an acid environment (including high-moor peat); the formation of humic acids is promoted by desiccation, particularly under alkaline conditions; humic acids exhibit keto-enol tautomerism, can form semi-quinones and therefore stable radicals also, and derive their colour from these radicals. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission

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City life makes females fussy : sex differences in habitat use of temperate bats in urban areas

Urbanization is a major driver of the global loss of biodiversity; to mitigate its adverse effects, it is essential to understand what drives species' patterns of habitat use within the urban matrix. While many animal species are known to exhibit sex differences in habitat use, adaptability to the urban landscape is commonly examined at the species level, without consideration of intraspecific differences. The high energetic demands of pregnancy and lactation in female mammals can lead to sexual differences in habitat use, but little is known of how this might affect their response to urbanization. We predicted that female Pipistrellus pygmaeus would show greater selectivity of forging locations within urban woodland in comparison to males at both a local and landscape scale. In line with these predictions, we found there was a lower probability of finding females within woodlands which were poorly connected, highly cluttered, with a higher edge : interior ratio and fewer mature trees. By contrast, habitat quality and the composition of the surrounding landscape were less of a limiting factor in determining male distributions. These results indicate strong sexual differences in the habitat use of fragmented urban woodland, and this has important implications for our understanding of the adaptability of bats and mammals more generally to urbanization.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Experimental evidence of the benefit of wild flower strips to crop pollination

Wild bees provide a free and potentially diverse ecosystem service to farmers growing pollinator dependent crops. Whilst many crops benefit from insect pollination, soft fruit crops, including strawberries are commonly dependent on this ecosystem service to produce viable fruit. However, as a result of intensive farming practices and declining pollinator populations, farmers are increasingly turning to commercially reared bees to ensure that crops are adequately pollinated throughout the season. Wildflower strips are a commonly used measure aimed at the conservation of wild pollinators. It has been suggested that commercial crops may also benefit from the presence of sown wild flowers however, the efficacy and economic benefits of sowing flower strips for crops has been little investigated. Here we test whether wildflower strips increase the number of visits to adjacent commercial strawberry crops by wild pollinators. This was quantified by experimentally sowing wildflower strips approximately 20 meters away from the crop and recording the number of pollinator visits to crops with, and without, flower strips. Between June and August 2013 we walked 292 crop transects at six farms in Scotland, recording a total of 3,102 pollinators. On average, the frequency of pollinator visits was 25% higher for crops with adjacent flower strips compared to those without, with bumblebees (Bombus spp.) accounting for 62% of all pollinators observed. This effect was independent of other (potentially important) confounding effects, such as the number of flowers on the crop, date and temperature. Whilst commercial bees may still be required early in the season, this study provides evidence that soft fruit farmers can increase the number of pollinators that visit their crops by sowing inexpensive flower seed mixes nearby. The cost of planting these strips was substantially lower than the annual cost of purchasing commercial bumblebees, with the added advantage that this management option has the potential to increase and sustain pollinator populations over time