Earthworm communities in alluvial forests: Influence of altitude, vegetation stages and soil parameters

In many terrestrial ecosystems, soil parameters usually regulate the distribution of earthworm communities.In alluvial ecosystems, few studies have investigated the impact of periodic floods and alluvium deposition on soil fauna. In this context, we assumed that earthworm communities may vary depending on altitude (alpine, subalpine, mountain and hill levels), forest successional stage (post-pioneer to mature forests) and some soil parameters. Our results demonstrated that the composition of earthworm communities differed depending on altitudinal gradients. No earthworm was found at the alpine level while maximum density and biomass were observed at the hill level mainly due to the contribution of anecic species. A total of 27 species and subspecies were found over the three sampling sites, and Lumbricus moliboeus was discovered for the first time in carbonated soils. Soil texture had a major effect on epigeics that were often associated with coarse sandy texture in contrast to anecics which preferred deep soils and mature forest stages, which in combination provided the highest carbon content and the finest soil texture. In our study, carbonated fluviosols (Fluvisols according to the World Reference Base) were recorded; fluviosols typiques with well-structured A layers were generally found in mature or intermediate forest stages while most of fluviosols juveniles with heterogeneous texture were observed principally in post-pioneer forests. We conclude that in alluvial ecosystems, earthworm communities were highly dependent first on soil parameters, then altitude and to a lesser extent forest successional stages. Changes in earthworm communities tend to reflect a gradient of alluvial dynamics thus reinforcing the potential role of earthworms as bioindicators in natural and/or semi natural alluvial ecosystems

Impact of flood deposits on earthworm communities in alder forests from a subalpine floodplain (Kandersteg, Switzerland)

In many ecosystems, bioindication is a tool to estimate biodiversity and quality of environment. In soils,invertebrates are generally suitable bioindicators, especially earthworms. In floodplains, young alluvial soils are exposed to sedimentation and erosion, and little is known about soil bioindication. Moreover,a reference state is now needed to evaluate river restoration projects. The aim of our study was thus tom establish an “undisturbed” floodplain reference at the subalpine level based on earthworm communities and to test if they are indicators of fluvial dynamics. Seven plots were chosen along a stretch of the Kander River (BE, Switzerland). At each plot, a soil profile was described (carbonated Fluvisols) and topsoil was analysed. Earthworms were extracted in each plot using standard mustard extraction(3 x 1 m2) and “hand sorting” method (20 x 20 x 20 cm). Eight species were identified, and Lumbricus meliboeus was found for the first time in a carbonated environment. The absence of anecics was considered, at the subalpine level, as a bioindication of the fluvial dynamics (erosion and sedimentation processes). Biomass of epigeics was positively correlated to topsoil texture and organic matter quality,and thus epigeics, sensitive to variations of topsoil composition, are bioindicators of the latest flood event at the subalpine level

Breeding for improved soybean-Bradyrhizobia symbiosis for cool growing conditions in Central Europe

Background In recent years soybean (Glycine max L.) has gained significant attention in Europe due to its ability to produce high quality protein for human and animal consumption. Under the climatic conditions prevalent in Central Europe, low temperature is the major factor limiting soybean growth and symbiotic nitrogen fixation

The CIP2A-TOPBP1 complex safeguards chromosomal stability during mitosis

The accurate repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), highly toxic DNA lesions, is crucial for genome integrity and is tightly regulated during the cell cycle. In mitosis, cells inactivate DSB repair in favor of a tethering mechanism that stabilizes broken chromosomes until they are repaired in the subsequent cell cycle phases. How this is achieved mechanistically is not yet understood, but the adaptor protein TOPBP1 is critically implicated in this process. Here, we identify CIP2A as a TOPBP1-interacting protein that regulates TOPBP1 localization specifically in mitosis. Cells lacking CIP2A display increased radio-sensitivity, micronuclei formation and chromosomal instability. CIP2A is actively exported from the cell nucleus in interphase but, upon nuclear envelope breakdown at the onset of mitosis, gains access to chromatin where it forms a complex with MDC1 and TOPBP1 to promote TOPBP1 recruitment to sites of mitotic DSBs. Collectively, our data uncover CIP2A-TOPBP1 as a mitosis-specific genome maintenance complex

Fairness und Zufriedenheit im Schweizer Bio-Markt: Neue empirische Ergebnisse und aktuelle Entwicklungen

Fairness im Miteinander ist eines der Bio-Grundprinzipien des Ökologischen Landbaus (IFOAM 2005). In den letzten Jahren wurden zahlreiche Initiativen mit dem Ziel ins Leben gerufen, Fairness stärker in den Geschäftsbeziehungen eines wachsenden Bio-Marktes zu verankern (u.a. Bio-Fair-Verein; Naturland Fair; Bio Fair Regio). Bio Suisse verabschiedete im Jahr 2012 einen verbindlichen Verhaltenskodex zu fairen Handelsbeziehungen, initiierte auf die Geschäftsbeziehungen fokussierte Branchegesprächsrunden und richtete in diesem Jahr eine Ombudsstelle zur Schlichtung von ggf. unter Marktpartnern auftretenden Konflikten ein. In diesem Zusammenhang wurde 2012 in einer ersten umfassenden empirischen Erhebung (Mühlrath et al. 2013) ein Stimmungsbild unter Schweizer Bio-Landwirten und deren Abnehmern erhoben. Hier wurde außerdem in Anlehnung an den von Colquitt (2001) maßgeblich geprägten Organizational Justice Ansatz ein Messinstrument zur Analyse von Fairness in landwirtschaftlichen Abnehmer-Lieferantenbeziehungen entwickelt. Daraus wurde anschließend ein auf die konkrete Initiative der Bio Suisse zugeschnittener Erhebungsanasatz abgeleitet, der als begleitende empirische Untersuchung in regelmäßigen Abständen durchgeführt werden soll. In diesem Beitrag wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwieweit sich standardisierte Befragungen zur Begleitung eines kontinuierlichen Weiterentwicklungsprozesses von Fairnessinitiativen eignen, die auf einem vertrauensbasierten Verhaltenskodex basieren. Außerdem wird im Zeitablauf vergleichend beleuchtet, inwieweit die Handelspartner im Schweizer Bio-Markt mit ihren Geschäftsbeziehungen zufrieden sind und wie sie die Umsetzung der Aspekte des Verhaltenskodex durch die Marktpartner wahrnehmen

The soil quality concept as a framework to assess management practices in vulnerable agroecosystems: A case study in Mediterranean vineyards

Land management aiming to sustain ecosystem services is an important issue, especially in biodiversity hot spots such as found in Mediterranean areas. In Mediterranean areas, viticulture is an important land use. Vineyards are frequently found on inherently poor soils and are submitted to intensive management practices, which threaten soil functioning and associated ecosystem services. To encourage winegrowers and stakeholders to be reflective and adapt their vineyard practices, we evaluated the effects of three soil management practices (inter row plant cover duration, weeding and fertilization strategies) on soil functioning in 146 commercial plots distributed in Southern France, by a complementary set of biological and physico-chemical indicators. We used the concept of soil dynamic quality to evaluate some soil management practices on soil functioning. The influence of inherent soil properties derived from pedogenesis on soil dynamic indicator response was accounted for by considering the response of soil indicators for three soil groups differing in their stoniness and Ca carbonate content. The three soil management practices systematically influenced some nematode-based indicators, whereas other indicators were ascribable to a specific soil type or practice. We demonstrated that the potential of soil management practices to enhance soil functioning is restricted by soil type. In particular for calcareous soils, the soil functioning is very stable limiting effects of soil management practices. The presence of a cover crop, even temporary, in the inter row, is the only practice which benefits soil functioning whatever the soil type whereas organic fertilization and chemical weeding exhibit contrasting results on soil functioning