Mathematical model of seasonal growth of halophytic plant community with account of environmental factors

Field investigations of yields of halophytic meadow plant communities were performed near of Lake Kurinka in the central part of the Republic of Khakasia in 2004 - 2006. A mathematical model has been constructed to describe the growth dynamics of different plant communities of halophytic meadows as dependent upon the temperature factor and the salinity level of the soil. Results of field investigations and model studies show that there is a correlation between plant growth and the temperature of the air for plant communities growing on soils containing the lowest (0.1%) and medium (1.84%) salinity levels. It has been proven in model studies that for plant communities growing on high-salinity (3.58%) soils, not only the temperature of the air but also the salinity level of the soil should be taken into account

Estimation of predictability of agrophytocenoses productivity on the basis of mathematical modeling, field experiments and satellite measurements

Estimation of predictability of agrophytocenoses productivity was made by comparing the results of investigation of a mathematical model, field experiments and satellite measurements. The mathematical model of the seasonal dynamics of agrophytocenoses productivity was built with account of air temperature. For model investigation the coefficients were used that were calculated on the basis of the results of field experiments conducted in the Republic of Khakassia. The objects of the research were agricultural crops (wheat, oats). The results of satellite measurements (NDVI dynamics), and theoretical and experimental results of the seasonal dynamics of plant total biomass proved to be quantitatively consistent

Single gene locus changes perturb complex microbial communities as much as apex predator loss

Many bacterial species are highly social, adaptively shaping their local environment through the production of secreted molecules. This can, in turn, alter interaction strengths among species and modify community composition. However, the relative importance of such behaviours in determining the structure of complex communities is unknown. Here we show that single-locus changes affecting biofilm formation phenotypes in Bacillus subtilis modify community structure to the same extent as loss of an apex predator and even to a greater extent than loss of B. subtilis itself. These results, from experimentally manipulated multitrophic microcosm assemblages, demonstrate that bacterial social traits are key modulators of the structure of their communities. Moreover, they show that intraspecific genetic variability can be as important as strong trophic interactions in determining community dynamics. Microevolution may therefore be as important as species extinctions in shaping the response of microbial communities to environmental change

CropPol: a dynamic, open and global database on crop pollination

This is the final version. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this record The original dataset (v1.1.0) of the CropPol database can be accessed from the ECOLOGY repository. Main upgrades of these datasets will be versioned and deposited in Zenodo (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5546600)Data availability. V.C. Computer programs and data-processing algorithms: The algorithms used in deriving, processing, or transforming data can be accessed in the DataS1.zip file and the Zenodo repository (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5546600). V.D. Archiving: The data is archived for long-term storage and access in Zenodo (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5546600)Seventy five percent of the world's food crops benefit from insect pollination. Hence, there has been increased interest in how global change drivers impact this critical ecosystem service. Because standardized data on crop pollination are rarely available, we are limited in our capacity to understand the variation in pollination benefits to crop yield, as well as to anticipate changes in this service, develop predictions, and inform management actions. Here, we present CropPol, a dynamic, open and global database on crop pollination. It contains measurements recorded from 202 crop studies, covering 3,394 field observations, 2,552 yield measurements (i.e. berry weight, number of fruits and kg per hectare, among others), and 47,752 insect records from 48 commercial crops distributed around the globe. CropPol comprises 32 of the 87 leading global crops and commodities that are pollinator dependent. Malus domestica is the most represented crop (32 studies), followed by Brassica napus (22 studies), Vaccinium corymbosum (13 studies), and Citrullus lanatus (12 studies). The most abundant pollinator guilds recorded are honey bees (34.22% counts), bumblebees (19.19%), flies other than Syrphidae and Bombyliidae (13.18%), other wild bees (13.13%), beetles (10.97%), Syrphidae (4.87%), and Bombyliidae (0.05%). Locations comprise 34 countries distributed among Europe (76 studies), Northern America (60), Latin America and the Caribbean (29), Asia (20), Oceania (10), and Africa (7). Sampling spans three decades and is concentrated on 2001-05 (21 studies), 2006-10 (40), 2011-15 (88), and 2016-20 (50). This is the most comprehensive open global data set on measurements of crop flower visitors, crop pollinators and pollination to date, and we encourage researchers to add more datasets to this database in the future. This data set is released for non-commercial use only. Credits should be given to this paper (i.e., proper citation), and the products generated with this database should be shared under the same license terms (CC BY-NC-SA). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.OBServ Projec

Thrips control with predatory mites A. limonicus and A. swirskii in different strawberry cultivation systems

Western flower thrips or Frankliniella occidentalis is the most common thrips present on strawberry plants and causes damage to strawberries worldwide. F. occidentalis feeds on the cell content of developing flowers and fruits which results in aberrant fruit characteristics: grooves, cat faces, bronzing and prominent seeds. To combat thrips, a wide range of chemical products are used. However, upcoming resistance of thrips to these chemicals causes loss of efficiency. Hence, a new solution to control thrips in strawberries is becoming a high priority. Both the risk for resistance when using chemicals and the urge to lower residues on fruit, increase the interest in natural enemies to control pests. At Research Centre Hoogstraten (PCH), we screened multiple predators for their suitability to control thrips in strawberry. Unique for strawberry cultivation in Belgium and The Netherlands is that it takes place in multiple systems year-round of which the season is relatively short and therefore it is important that predators can survive and establish a sufficient population in these different conditions. At PCH we screened compatible predators for their efficiency to control thrips in the different cultivation systems. This intense search payed off and two predatory mites proved their ability to combat thrips in both individual cages and multiple cultivation systems at PCH and private cultivators. Amblydromalus limonicus is able to control thrips in mild conditions, Amblyseius swirskii prefers warmer temperatures. The predatory mite is scattered over the crop and it will establish itself on the leaves whenever food is available. When thrips levels rise, the predatory mites increase in population and are able to keep thrips at non-damaging levels. A. limonicus and A. swirskii are therefore perfectly suitable to become an important aspect of integrated pest management (IPM) in strawberry so that high quality fruit can be maintained

Energy management on mixed industrial parks in Flanders

In the race against climate change, aiming for low-carbon competitiveness, Flanders has initiated a carbon neutrality strategy on industrial parks, building towards energy efficient buildings and processes, acting as a stimulus for the production and consumption of green electricity. However, premises and internal process optimisation on industrial parks is not considered sufficient to limit greenhouse emissions in Flanders. Structural transition is called for, aiming for industrial clustering and energy autonomy based on renewables. Therefore, the concept of industrial symbiosis is analysed to determine how it could improve the energy-related carbon management on industrial parks. This article explores the literature on industrial symbiosis and eco-industrial parks searching for specific energy strategies, and is illustrated with case studies. Energy management on industrial parks can be integrated in the entire development process and park management. Maximising efficiency is a promising local optimisation issue, in which business should be engaged, stimulated and facilitated. By clustering buildings and processes, by energy exchange, collective production and joint contracting of energy services, local synergies can be intensified. Yet, uncertainty and variability in time of energy consumption can keep developers from tailoring industrial park design and utilities. Instead flexibility and solidity could be gained, and the offer of business space could be diversified, supported by a persevering issuing procedure to join similar and matching energy profiles. Energy management on industrial parks in Flanders has only recently started but is expected to gain professionalism. However further research is needed on this flexible design and thermal planning. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.status: publishe