Was Germany ever united? Evidence from intra- and international trade 1885–1933

When did Germany become economically integrated? Within the framework of a gravity model, based on a new data set of about 40,000 observations on trade flows within and across the borders of Germany over the period 1885 – 1933, I explore the geography of trade costs across Central Europe. There are three key results. First, the German Empire before 1914 was a poorly integrated economy, both relative to integration across the borders of the German state and in absolute terms. Second, this internal fragmentation resulted from cultural heterogeneity, from administrative borders within Germany, and from geographical barriers that divided Germany along natural trade routes into eastern and western parts. Third, internal integration improved, while external integration worsened after World War I and again with the Great Depression, in part because of border changes along the lines of ethno-linguistic heterogeneity. By the end of the Weimar Republic in 1933, Germany was reasonably well integrated

Species distribution models with field validation, a key approach for successful selection of receptor sites in conservation translocations

Original research articleConservation translocations of threatened species are being widely used to mitigate human impacts. However, their effects are surrounded by some controversy since these actions have often failed to meet planned objectives. Despite the limited number of published studies, existing evidence indicates that a main constraint for the long-term success of translocation actions is the selection of suitable receptor sites. In this study, we present a methodological approach to identify suitable receptor sites that combines the use of species distribution models (SDMs) and in situ field validation trials. This method was successfully applied to translocate a population of Critically Endangered Narcissus cavanillesii, which was going to be destroyed by the construction of the Alqueva dam (Portugal), the largest dam in Europe. The results of the SDM developed for the target species were biologically validated through in situ germination trials in sites with contrasting species suitability values. The population translocated to the site selected with this approach has experienced a stable demographic trend for more than ten years and established new mature plants outside the translocated patches. This methodology, which has proven to be a fast and reliable approach for the selection of appropriate receptor sites for conservation translocations, could be useful in other studiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioclimatic analysis in a region of southern Italy (Calabria)

In this study, an analysis of precipitation and temperature data has been performed over 67 series observed in a region of southern Italy (Calabria). At first, to detect possible trends in the time series, an analysis was performed with the Mann–Kendall non-parametric test applied at monthly and seasonal scale. An additional investigation, useful for checking the climate change effects on vegetation, has also been included analysing bioclimatic indicators. In particular, Emberger, Rivas-Martinez and De Martonne indices were calculated by using monthly temperature and precipitation data in the period 1916–2010. The spatial pattern of the indices has been evaluated and, in order to link the vegetation and the indices,different indices maps have been intersected with the land cover data, given by the Corine Land Cover map. Moreover, the temporal evolution of the indices and of the vegetation has been analysed. Results suggest that climate change may be responsible for the forest cover change, but, given also the good relationship between the various types of bioclimate and forest formations, human activities must be considered

Amérique du Sud : Brésil : État de São Paulo : Botucatu : Ancienne plantation de café et cuesta, vue depuis la fazenda de la Compagnie Agricole Botucatu : Prise de vue 2/2

Légende manuscrite sur le document original : "Amériques : Amérique du sud : Brésil : São Paulo, Santos : Chaînes, Plateaux et serra da Mantiqueira : Côte de Botucatu, vue de ferme de compagnie agricole Botucatu. Ancien cafezal"Emmanuel de Martonne se rend à deux reprises au Brésil : 1933 et 1937. Proposition de datation : 1933-1937.Géolocalisation : approximative centrée sur la fazenda Morrinhos, anciennement détenue par la Compagnie Agricole Botucatu (commune de Botucatu)

France : Normandie : Cotentin : Basse-Normandie : Manche : Plage et terrasse littorale près de Jobourg

Légende manuscrite sur le document original : "France : Régions de l’ouest : Normandie, Bretagne : Normandie : Cotentin : Cotentin. Plage de cailloux actuelle et terrasse littorale avec ravins près de Jobourg". Les plaques de verre déposées à Prodig datent de 1891 à 1954. Géolocalisation approximative centrée sur la baie d’Ecalgrain