Einflussfaktoren auf Soziale und Gesellschaftliche Lernprozesse im Wissenssystem Biolandbau

Improved organic farming methods that enable more sustainable use of natural resources are numerous and are applied in almost every region of this planet. However, when it comes to spreading and adapting these methods to specific ecological and socio-economic contexts, we know only little about what factors influence the learning processes involved. This study aims at a thorough assessment of factors that are enabling or hindering knowledge co-production in organic farming in general and of sustainable rice farming in particular. Following a qualitative multilevel analysis, special emphasis is placed on understanding how the socio-economic, cultural and ecological context is constituted (macro-level), how key stakeholder groups collaborate and enhance societal and social learning processes (meso-level), and to what degree these processes lead to enhancement and integration of organic rice farming methods in the farmers’ livelihood systems (micro-level). Case studies in South Korea and Cambodia show that capacity building and institutionalization of key actors such as farmer promoters and farmer researchers, as well as farmer group maintenance with diverse incentives for sustained participation are vital enabling factors

Nationale Strategien für nachhaltige Biomassenutzung in Afrika

Nachhaltige Biomassenutzung ist auch in Afrika auf dem Vormarsch. Nationale Strategien sowie rechtliche und ordnungspolitische Rahmenbedingungen spielen dabei eine wichtige Rolle. Welche Bedeutung hat die Anpassung solcher Strategien auf die jeweiligen nationalen, regionalen und lokalen Begebenheiten

Carbon Labelling in Europe Final Report of the Carbon Labelling Project

The Carbon Labelling project implemented several labelling measures in Europe focused on transportation products and services with low CO2 emissions. The project promoted biodiesel, low-viscosity lubricants and ‘low carbon’ freight services. This first European carbon labelling initiative supported the discussion about measures for the greenhouse gas reduction (GHG) targets of the European Union and the role of biofuels to mitigate GHG emissions. Carbon life cycle numbers were calculated with GHG models from leading European research institutes. The identified carbon reduction numbers were used for pilot labelling initiatives via the label “CO2Star” developed by a professional advertising agency. The label and consumer information websites provided information to consumers about environmental and economic benefits of the labelled biofuels, lubricants and freight services. For instance, the German fuel distributor Q1 implemented a carbon labelling pilot programme for biodiesel (B 100) and lubricants at its fuel stations, while Dutch horticulture freight companies implemented the carbon label to promote "low carbon" freight services

High-quality draft genome sequence of pseudomonas wadenswilerensis CCOS 864T

Pseudomonas wadenswilerensis CCOS 864T was isolated in 2014 from forest soil. The organism belongs taxonomically to the Pseudomonas putida group, members of which have been well studied for their potential in biotechnological applications. We present here the draft genome sequence of P. wadenswilerensis CCOS 864T

Comparative genomic analysis of the biotechnological potential of the novel species Pseudomonas wadenswilerensis CCOS 864T and Pseudomonas reidholzensis CCOS 865T

In recent years, the use of whole-cell biocatalysts and biocatalytic enzymes in biotechnological applications originating from the genus Pseudomonas has greatly increased. In 2014, two new species within the Pseudomonas putida group were isolated from Swiss forest soil. In this study, the high quality draft genome sequences of Pseudomonas wadenswilerensis CCOS 864T and Pseudomonas reidholzensis CCOS 865T were used in a comparative genomics approach to identify genomic features that either di ered between these two new species or to selected members of the P. putida group. The genomes of P. wadenswilerensis CCOS 864T and P. reidholzensis CCOS 865T were found to share genomic features for the degradation of aromatic compounds or the synthesis of secondary metabolites. In particular, genes encoding for biocatalytic relevant enzymes belonging to the class of oxidoreductases, proteases and isomerases were found, that could yield potential applications in biotechnology. Ecologically relevant features revealed that both species are probably playing an important role in the degradation of soil organic material, the accumulation of phosphate and biocontrol against plant pathogens

High-quality draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas reidholzensis strain CCOS 865T

We have sequenced and assembled the genome of Pseudomonas reidholzensis CCOS 865T, which was isolated in 2014 from forest soil. Members of the genus Pseudomonas play important roles in environmental systems and are utilized in many biotechnological processes. The genome of this species may provide an important resource for the discovery of novel enzyme activities

Time since establishment drives bee and hoverfly diversity, abundance of crop-pollinating bees and aphidophagous hoverflies in perennial wildflower strips

Wildflower strips (WFS) are amongst the most commonly applied measures to promote pollinators and natural enemies of crop pests in agroecosystems. Their potential to enhance these functionally important insect groups may vary substantially with time since establishment of WFS. However, knowledge on their temporal dynamics remains scarce, hampering recommendations for optimized design and management. We therefore examined temporal dynamics of taxonomic and functional groups of bees and hoverflies in perennial WFS ranging from one to ≥6 years since sowing with a standardized species-rich seed mixture of flowering plants in 18 agricultural landscapes in Switzerland. The abundance of wild bees, honeybees and hoverflies declined after the second year by 89%, 62% and 72%, respectively. Declines in bee abundance and hoverfly species richness were linear and those of aphidophagous hoverflies exponential, while wild bee species richness peaked in the third year. Declines over time generally paralleled decreases in flower abundance (-83%) and flowering species richness (-61%) and an increase in grass cover (+70%) in WFS. Flowering plant species richness showed strong positive relationships with dominant crop-visiting wild bees and aphidophagous hoverflies. Furthermore, dominant crop-visiting wild bees, but not aphidophagous hoverflies, were positively related to the proportion of (semi-)open semi-natural habitat in the surrounding landscape (500 m radius), but negatively with forest. We conclude that the effectiveness of perennial WFS to promote pollinator diversity, crop-pollinating bees and aphidophagous hoverflies through foraging resources decreases after the first two to three years, probably due to a decline of diverse and abundant floral resources. Although older perennial WFS may still provide valuable nesting and overwintering opportunities for pollinators and natural enemies, our findings indicate that regular re-sowing of perennial WFS may be necessary to maintain adequate floral resource provisioning for effective pollinator conservation and promotion of crop pollination and natural pest control services in agricultural landscapes

Carbon labelling of biofuels in Europe

In the framework of the Carbon Labelling project within the EU Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) programme, pilot carbon labelling initiatives were implemented in order to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions in the European transport sector. Firstly, a supportable methodology for the quantification of carbon lifecycle reductions was identified in co-operation with recent and on-going activities and methodologies. In a second step, the “CO2Star” label was developed and three “CO2Star” labelling initiatives were implemented, namely a biodiesel (B100) and an improved lubricants labelling initiative at Q1 fuel stations in Germany, as well as a labelling initiative of low carbon freight services in The Netherlands. The present paper presents main results of the Carbon Labelling project which was implemented from 2006 to 2008 and give recommendations on the applications of labels in the transport sector.peer-reviewe

Smart strategies for the transition in coal intensive regions

The TRACER project supports a number of coal-intensive regions around Europe to design (or re-design) their Research and Innovation (R&I) strategies in order to facilitate their transition towards a sustainable energy system. The TRACER consortium consists of different target regions: South East Bulgaria, North West Bohemia - Czech Republic, Lusatian Lignite District - Germany, Western Macedonia - Greece, Upper Silesian Coalfield - Poland, West Region, Jiu Valley - Romania, Wales – UK, Kolubara - Serbia, Donetsk - Ukraine. Core activities of TRACER include the implementation of an EDP (Entrepreneurial Discovery Process) to mobilise a wide range of stakeholders in each target region to develop an appropriate governance structure and to bring regional stakeholders together to discuss and agree on a shared vision and priorities for coal transition. R&I strategies, industrial roadmaps and decision support tools will be developed jointly with key stakeholders of the TRACER target regions. Further TRACER activities include the identification and analysis of best practice examples of successful and ambitious transition processes in coal intensive regions, a detailed assessment of social, environmental and technological challenges, the elaboration of guidelines on how to mobilise investment as well as dedicated activities to stimulate R&I cooperation among coal intensive regions in Europe and beyond

Results from the European carbon labelling initiative CO2 Star

Today, passenger cars alone are responsible for around 12% of European CO 2 emissions. An opportunity to reduce CO 2 emissions in transport is provided by the use of biofuels with beneficial life cycle CO 2 emissions. The Carbon Labelling project (Project No. EIE/06/015) promotes the use of biofuels by implementing different labelling initiatives in Europe and applying the developed carbon label "CO 2Star" to biodiesel, efficient lubricants and biofuel based freight services. In a first step a supportable methodology for the quantification of carbon life cycle reductions was identified in co-operation with recent and on-going activities and methodologies by European and worldwide expert groups such as SenterNovem (NL), ifeu Institute (DE) and Imperial College (UK). In a second step the Carbon Labelling initiative actively promoted this carbon reduction to consumers. Finally, a consumer survey was conducted in order to assess the success of this initiative and the acceptance of GHG labels. This paper gives an overview about the current discussion on carbon reductions in the transport sector, different GHG calculation methodologies, and about the results of the 'Carbon Labelling' project which is supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.peer-reviewe