Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most recognized global patterns of species richness exhibited across a wide range of taxa. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past two centuries to explain LDG, but rigorous tests of the drivers of LDGs have been limited by a lack of high-quality global species richness data. Here we produce a high-resolution (0.025° × 0.025°) map of local tree species richness using a global forest inventory database with individual tree information and local biophysical characteristics from ~1.3 million sample plots. We then quantify drivers of local tree species richness patterns across latitudes. Generally, annual mean temperature was a dominant predictor of tree species richness, which is most consistent with the metabolic theory of biodiversity (MTB). However, MTB underestimated LDG in the tropics, where high species richness was also moderated by topographic, soil and anthropogenic factors operating at local scales. Given that local landscape variables operate synergistically with bioclimatic factors in shaping the global LDG pattern, we suggest that MTB be extended to account for co-limitation by subordinate drivers

Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most recognized global patterns of species richness exhibited across a wide range of taxa. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past two centuries to explain LDG, but rigorous tests of the drivers of LDGs have been limited by a lack of high-quality global species richness data. Here we produce a high-resolution (0.025° × 0.025°) map of local tree species richness using a global forest inventory database with individual tree information and local biophysical characteristics from ~1.3 million sample plots. We then quantify drivers of local tree species richness patterns across latitudes. Generally, annual mean temperature was a dominant predictor of tree species richness, which is most consistent with the metabolic theory of biodiversity (MTB). However, MTB underestimated LDG in the tropics, where high species richness was also moderated by topographic, soil and anthropogenic factors operating at local scales. Given that local landscape variables operate synergistically with bioclimatic factors in shaping the global LDG pattern, we suggest that MTB be extended to account for co-limitation by subordinate drivers

A dataset of acoustic measurements from soundscapes collected worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic

Political responses to the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in city soundscapes around the globe. From March to October 2020, a consortium of 261 contributors from 35 countries brought together by the Silent Cities project built a unique soundscape recordings collection to report on local acoustic changes in urban areas. We present this collection here, along with metadata including observational descriptions of the local areas from the contributors, open-source environmental data, open-source confinement levels and calculation of acoustic descriptors. We performed a technical validation of the dataset using statistical models run on a subset of manually annotated soundscapes. Results confirmed the large-scale usability of ecoacoustic indices and automatic sound event recognition in the Silent Cities soundscape collection. We expect this dataset to be useful for research in the multidisciplinary field of environmental sciences

Co-limitation towards lower latitudes shapes global forest diversity gradients

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most recognized global patterns of species richness exhibited across a wide range of taxa. Numerous hypotheses have been proposed in the past two centuries to explain LDG, but rigorous tests of the drivers of LDGs have been limited by a lack of high-quality global species richness data. Here we produce a high-resolution (0.025° × 0.025°) map of local tree species richness using a global forest inventory database with individual tree information and local biophysical characteristics from ~1.3 million sample plots. We then quantify drivers of local tree species richness patterns across latitudes. Generally, annual mean temperature was a dominant predictor of tree species richness, which is most consistent with the metabolic theory of biodiversity (MTB). However, MTB underestimated LDG in the tropics, where high species richness was also moderated by topographic, soil and anthropogenic factors operating at local scales. Given that local landscape variables operate synergistically with bioclimatic factors in shaping the global LDG pattern, we suggest that MTB be extended to account for co-limitation by subordinate drivers

Funkcje terenow wiejskich a inzynieria srodowiska

System transformation taking place in Poland since the end of the 1980's supplies a considerable impulse for the search for new solutions to the issues of development and management of raral areas heretofore perceived as areas related exclusively to the farming. The paper presents actual developmental possibilities for Poland's rural areas, and importance of environmental engineering in achieving these efforts, against the background of current and future functions of rural areas and corresponding capital construction policy.W pracy na tle dotychczasowych i przyszłych funkcji terenów wiejskich oraz prowadzonej polityki inwestycyjnej przedstawiono aktualne możliwości rozwoju terenów wiejskich w Polsce południowej, oraz znaczenie inżynierii środowiska w realizacji tych przedsięwzięć

Mountain and hilly areas development in Poland - aspects of agricultural policy

This study is an attempt to assess the development of agricultural, rural and mountain areas in Poland from 1918 to 2012 with regard to structural policy conceived as a part of the agricultural policy. The paper describes the methodology and organizational requirements for modernizing or creating new investment process that would shape and develop rural areas. Under Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) implemented in Poland mountain and hilly areas were designated for development. However, financial support for these regions is minimal. Rural and especially mountain areas of Małopolska have very disadvantageous agrarian structure. The economical size of about 86% of farms does not exceed 2 on the ESU scale. The agricultural and forest production areas have marginal significance in spatial development plans of the communes. This is the reason why these areas require new land management programs, which should be preceded by a thorough analysis of the status quo. Engagement of citizens, village councils and community authorities united under the banner of "Family + Tradition + Education + Innovation" is required in the elaboration process of these programs. These engineering projects should be financed through the CAP and cohesion policy funds

Realization of agricultural policy and development of rural areas in Poland

W pracy dokonano analizy i oceny stanu rozwoju obszarów wiejskich w Polsce na tle Unii Europejskiej (UE) w aspekcie polityki strukturalnej, jako części polityki rolnej w okresie od 1919 do 2008 r. Do 1939 r. w Europie i Polsce, w ramach polityki strukturalnej, przeprowadzono takie przedsięwzięcia, jak: melioracje rolne, scalenia gruntów, budownictwo wiejskie, inwentarskie i inne. Inwestycje te miały na celu rozwój rolnictwa (produkcji roślinnej i zwierzęcej) oraz pośrednio rozwój wsi. Na przykładzie wsi Łapsze Niżne przedstawiono koncepcję scalenia obszarów zabudowanych w ramach scalenia wsi, gdzie zbudowano obwodnicę wsi, wydzielono kilkadziesiąt nowych działek budowlanych, oraz obszary do realizacji celów publicznych. W okresie realnego socjalizmu w Polsce w latach 1944-1989 polityka strukturalna obejmowała wyłącznie rozwój rolnictwa za pomocą melioracji wodnych oraz wykonywanie scaleń gruntów, które wykorzystywano do tworzenia na wsi sektora państwowego i spółdzielczego. Zaniechano tworzenia i wspierania towarowych gospodarstw rodzinnych. Wprowadzanie w latach 1990-2004 zasad gospodarki rynkowej bez wsparcia pomocy dla sektora rolnego spowodowało drastyczne obniżenie parytetu dochodów w rolnictwie. Nastąpiła praktycznie likwidacja polityki strukturalnej, bez której niemożliwy był rozwój obszarów wiejskich. Integracja z UE wyraźnie ochroniła polską wieś i rolnictwo przed głębokim kryzysem. Obecnie przyjęte i realizowane działania w ramach WPR dotyczą głównie polityki cenowo-dochodowej [dopłaty powierzchniowe i inne]. Przywracane są działania inwestycyjne w ramach polityki strukturalnej, są to jednak, podobnie jak w latach 1960-1990, przedsięwzięcia ograniczone, nieskoordynowane, uniemożliwiające w pełni zrównoważony rozwój wsi i rolnictwa. Wykonana analiza pozwoliła określić najpilniejsze potrzeby i działania w celu kształtowania i zrównoważonego rozwoju obszarów wsi i rolnictwa w Polsce.The paper presents analyses and assessment of rural policy in Poland and in the European Union, particularly its structural aspect, in the period 1919-2008. Up to 1939, land reclamations, land property integration, rural and farm building were performed within structural policy in Europe and Poland. These investments were aimed at developing agriculture (plant and animal production) and indirectly - rural areas. Based on an example of the Łapsze Niżne village, a concept of integration of built-up land properties within the village integration was presented. A ring road was built and several dozen new building plots and public areas were marked off in the village. In the time of real socialism in Poland (1944-1989) the structural policy involved exclusively the development of agriculture through land reclamation and ground integrations which were adopted to create state and community agricultural sector. Formation of and support for productive family farms were abandoned. The rules of market economy introduced in the years 1990-2004 without supporting agricultural sector caused a drastic decline of incomes in agriculture. Structural policy, indispensable for further development of rural areas, was practically eliminated. The access to the EU clearly protected Polish agriculture from a deep crisis. Now accepted and implemented activities within the CAP pertain mainly to fiscal policy (areal subsidies etc.). Investments in the structural policy are being restored but they are, as in the years 1960-1990, limited and not coordinated undertakings that prevent from fully sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. Performed analysis enabled to estimate the most urgent needs and activities required for sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas in Poland

Methodology for rural areas development related to the highway construction

Celem pracy jest zaproponowanie metodyki ukazującej przyśpieszenie i uproszczenie procedur dotyczących procesu przygotowawczego związanego, z realizacją inwestycji drogowych w połączeniu z procesem scaleniowo-wymiennym, która zmniejszyłaby koszty związane z procesem przygotownia inwestycji, przy wzroście akceptacji społecznej realizowanych inwestycji.Badaniami objęto obszar dwóch wsi, które przecina budowana autostrada A-4 Kraków-Tarnów: Brzezie (gmina Kłaj) i Zakrzów (gmina Niepołomice) położonych w powiecie wielickim. Badania wykonano w oparciu o wówczas obowiązujące przepisy prawne, analizę operatów szacunkowych wyceny nieruchomości, projektu podziału geodezyjnego, raportu o oddziaływaniu planowego przedsięwzięcia drogowego na środowisko. Częścią badań była ankieta przeprowadzona wśród mieszkańców badanych wsi, która dotyczyła oceny prac scaleniowych wokół autostrady oraz oceny sposobu nabywania działek pod autostradę.W pracy zaproponowano metodykę równoczesnego postępowania przy pozyskaniu nieruchomości rolnych dla budowy autostrady oraz kształtowania obszarów około autostradowych. Jest ona możliwa przy jednoczesnym prowadzeniu prac scaleniowych i postępowaniu organizacyjno-prawnym dla pozyskiwania nieruchomości pod pas autostrady. Istnieje wówczas możliwość nabycia nieruchomości po niższych cenach rynkowych, a zaoszczędzone w ten sposób środki finansowe pokryłyby koszty scalenia wraz z zagospodarowaniem poscaleniowym analizowanych wsi.The aim of this study is to propose methods for accelerating and simplifying procedures of the preparatory process in highway construction, coupled with the process of land consolidation and exchange. The methods should reduce the cost of preparing the project, and increase the social acceptance of its implementation. The investigations cover two villages crossed by the A4 highway Kraków- Tarnów: Brzezie (Kłaj community) and Zakrzów (Niepołomice community), located in wielicki district. The study was performed in accordance with applicable laws, based on the results of property valuations, project of geodetic plot division, and the report on impact of project on the natural environment. The part of the project was a questionnaire survey of the two investigated villages inhabitants. It concerned the evaluation of work and the way of acquisition the land for the highway. The study proposes the method of parallel proceedings in obtaining land and near-highway areas arrangement. It is possible to perform while conducting the land consolidation work, and organizational and legal proceedings to acquire land for the highway. It creates the opportunity to acquire the land at lower price. The savings could be allocated to cover the costs of land consolidation and subsequent arrangement works