Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland

Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 ° C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas. © 2019 Ross et al. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Philip Barton” is provided in this record*

The Impact of Brexit on the UK and Devolved Energy System

This briefing paper uses the example of a changing UK/Scottish government relationship after Brexit to demonstrate how to analyse the role of politics and policymaking in the transformation of energy systems. Brexit will create a new division of policymaking responsibilities between EU, UK, and devolved governments. In this paper we divide energy policy competences according to levels of government. Initially, it suggests that we can generate a clear picture of multi-level policymaking. However, the formal allocation of competences only tells a partial story, because actual powers may operate differently from the strict legal picture. These blurry boundaries between responsibilities may be further complicated by Brexit, even if it looks like the removal of a layer of government will simplify matters. Instead of imagining clear lines of accountability, think of energy policy as part of a complex policymaking system – in which the link between powers, practices, and outcomes is unclear – and an energy system, in which government is only one of many influences on outcomes

The Potential Impacts of Brexit on Energy Efficient Scotland Funding

Brexit, regardless of its final form, will affect the access that Scotland, and the UK as a whole, will have to EU funding sources for a number of actions, including the promotion of residential energy efficiency. In this work we explore how funding restrictions may affect the potential outcomes of the Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) programme. We focus on impacts on the amounts available to be offered as government grants and the availability of private loans. Our findings indicate that in order to achieve the goals of the programme it is key to try and maintain the originally planned level of funding. However, the options used to bridge any funding gaps need to be carefully considered, otherwise the benefits from EES could be significantly eroded. We also find that it is crucial for the overall success of EES to use any options available to ensure the continued availability of private loans

Priorities in policy and management when existing biodiversity stressors interact with climate-change

There are three key drivers of the biodiversity crisis: (1) the well known existing threats to biodiversity such as habitat loss, invasive pest species and resource exploitation; (2) direct effects of climate-change, such as on coastal and high elevatio

Experiences of support garments following bowel stoma formation:analysis of free-text responses in a cross-sectional survey

Aim To explore the experiences of support garments when adjusting to bodily change following bowel stoma formation. Design Thematic analyses of free-text responses in a cross-sectional survey of the stoma population in 2018. Methods Free-text responses were invited so that respondents could describe their experiences in more detail. A process of induction was chosen to allow for themes to emerge directly from the data. The concept a €a embodiment' was used as a theoretical framework during interpretation. Results 1425 people with a bowel stoma responded to the survey, of whom 598 provided free-text responses. Four themes about experiences of support garments in the context of changed bodily experiences following stoma formation were identified: body complications, which is about experiences of using support garments to prevent or self-manage parastomal hernia; body appearance, which is about hiding the stoma and stoma appliance; body function, which is about managing stoma appliance complications; and body sensation, which is mainly about negative experiences of ill-fitting garments. Conclusion Support garments can be understood as items that are used by people during an ongoing process of adjusting to bodily changes following stoma formation and as part of an ongoing process of reconstructing new embodied selves. Impact This is the first study to explore people's experiences of support garments following bowel stoma formation. Support garments are used in the self-management of body complications, appearance, function and sensations. Stoma nurses may draw on the findings of this study to advise patients about the benefits of garments for adjusting to bodily change, and garment suppliers should address people's negative experiences by improving garments.</p

A cross-sectional survey of the perspectives of older people in the Scottish Highlands on the management of their chronic pain.

Background: Although there is evidence of suboptimal outcomes in older people with chronic pain, little emphasis has been placed on those in remote and rural settings. Objective: To describe the perspectives of older people in the Scottish Highlands on their chronic pain management. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: NHS Highland, the most remote and rural geographical health board in Scotland. Subjects: Home-dwelling members of the public aged ≥70 years. Methods: Anonymised questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 1800 older people. Questionnaire items were demographics, nature of any chronic pain, management regimens and perceived effectiveness. Validated scales were the Pain Disability Questionnaire and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Results: Adjusted response rate was 39.3% (709/1755). One-quarter (25.0%, n = 177) were experiencing chronic pain, being more likely to live in deprived areas (P < 0.05). Median pain intensity was 6 (IQR 4–7, 10 high), causing distress (median 5, IQR 3–7). Respondents largely consulted GPs (66.1%, n = 117) with a minority (16.4%, n = 29) referred to a specialist pain clinic and few consulting other health professionals. Over three quarters (78.0%, n = 138) were receiving prescribed medicines, most commonly paracetamol, alone (35.6%, n = 63) or in combination with opioids (16.4%, n = 29). One-third (31.6%, n = 56) expressed a desire for more effective medicines; few reported using any non-pharmacological therapies. The median scores for the Pain Disability Questionnaire and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia were 74 (IQR 34–104.5, 150 high) and 40 (IQR 35–45, 68 high). Conclusions: Evidence of provision of appropriate integrated and person-centred chronic pain care is lacking