20 research outputs found
Global maps of soil temperature.
Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km <sup>2</sup> resolution for 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km <sup>2</sup> pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world's major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications
Vegetation Structure and Temperature Regimes of Tropical Alpine Treelines
Alpine treeline ecotones can be gradual transitions, abrupt boundaries, or patchy
mosaics, and these different patterns may indicate important processes and dynamic
properties. We present observed spatial patterns of a wide range of tropical treelines
and try to explain these patterns. Treelines were studied at seven sites in the tropical
and subtropical Andes (Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) and on
a Hawaiian volcano (Haleakala, Maui). Treeline vegetation structure was described
using transects perpendicular to the treeline, and air and soil temperatures were
measured above and below the forest boundary. Temperature fluctuations were
much larger and the average temperature was higher in alpine vegetation than in
forest. Most treelines were abrupt, with surprisingly similar patterns across a wide
geographical range. This abruptness could result from positive feedback processes
mediated by the differences in microclimate between forest and pa´ramo. Our data is
not conclusive about the relative importance of microclimate as opposed to fire in
mediating such feedbacks. However, our extensive set of comparable data from
different sites in a large geographical region is an important step toward a better
understanding of the nature and dynamics of tropical alpine treelines
Vegetation Structure and Temperature Regimes of Tropical Alpine Treelines
Alpine treeline ecotones can be gradual transitions, abrupt boundaries, or patchy
mosaics, and these different patterns may indicate important processes and dynamic
properties. We present observed spatial patterns of a wide range of tropical treelines
and try to explain these patterns. Treelines were studied at seven sites in the tropical
and subtropical Andes (Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) and on
a Hawaiian volcano (Haleakala, Maui). Treeline vegetation structure was described
using transects perpendicular to the treeline, and air and soil temperatures were
measured above and below the forest boundary. Temperature fluctuations were
much larger and the average temperature was higher in alpine vegetation than in
forest. Most treelines were abrupt, with surprisingly similar patterns across a wide
geographical range. This abruptness could result from positive feedback processes
mediated by the differences in microclimate between forest and pa´ramo. Our data is
not conclusive about the relative importance of microclimate as opposed to fire in
mediating such feedbacks. However, our extensive set of comparable data from
different sites in a large geographical region is an important step toward a better
understanding of the nature and dynamics of tropical alpine treelines
High solar radiation hinders tree regeneration above the alpine treeline in northern Ecuador
Many tropical alpine treelines lie below
their climatic potential, because of natural or
anthropogenic causes. Forest extension above the
treeline depends on the ability of trees to establish
in the alpine environment. This ability may be
limited by different factors, such as low temperatures,
excess solar radiation, competition, soil
properties, dispersal ability, and fires. In this paper
we address the following two questions: Do
trees regenerate above the present treeline, and
what are the inhibiting factors for tree establishment?
To answer these questions we described
the spatial pattern of recent tree establishment
below and above the present treeline in northern
Ecuador. Also, we experimentally transplanted
seedlings into the alpine vegetation (pa´ramo) and
the forest, and investigated the effect of shade,
neighboring plants, and substrate on their survival.
The number of naturally occurring tree
sprouts (seedlings, saplings and ramets) was
highest just outside the forest, and decreased with
distance to the forest edge. However, only two
species that were radiation-tolerant made up
these high numbers, while other species were rare
or absent in the pa´ramo. In the forest, the species
diversity of sprouts was high and the abundance
per species was relatively low. The transplanted
seedlings survived least in experimental plots
without artificial shade where neighboring plants
were removed. Seedling survival was highest in
artificially shaded plots and in the forest. This
shade-dependence of most tree species can
strongly slow down forest expansion toward the
potential climatic treeline. Due to the presence of
radiation-tolerant species, the complete lack of
forest expansion probably needs to be ascribed to
fire. However, our results show that natural processes
can also explain both the low position and
the abruptness of tropical treelines
Validity of Random Triglyceride Levels in Infants Receiving Parenteral Nutrition
Background: Intravenous lipid emulsions (IL) are an important part of parenteral nutrition (PN) to meet essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements and metabolic demands of neonates and preterm infants. Some critically-ill neonates may not metabolize IL effectively which can lead to hypertriglyceridemia. Risks associated with this include increased pulmonary vascular resistance, displaced bilirubins, and platelet or macrophage dysfunction. Serum triglyceride (TG) concentration is used as a marker for lipid tolerance and predictor of potential complications involved with IL administration, but the clinical significance of this is still debated. Management of TG levels with regard to timing of laboratory tests, the ideal goal range, and duration of infusion of IL varies across institutions and is not standardized. Methods: Single-center, retrospective study of newborn infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Fasting and non-fasting TG levels were drawn during the same lipid infusion of 2–3g/kg/day. The primary outcome was the difference between fasting and non-fasting TG levels. Statistical assessment of continuous data was done with student t-test and nominal data was evaluated using X2-test and logistic regression. Results: Forty infants were included with mean gestational age at birth of 29.5 ± 3.4 weeks and mean birth weight of 1.3 ± 0.5 kg. Mean time between lab draws while on same IL dose was 11.6 ± 0.2 h with resulting mean fasting and non-fasting (random) TG levels 82 ± 40 mg/dL (95% CI 68.4, 97.6) and 101 ± 40 mg/dL (95% CI 88.5, 115.8), respectively. Mean difference between TG levels during lipid-free interval and during infusion was −18.6 ± 51.2 mg/dL (95% CI −35.0, −2.3; p = 0.03). Conclusion: We concluded there is no difference in the management of IL, when TG level was drawn randomly or as fasting sample. Obtaining TG level during routine lab draws is appropriate. We extrapolated that the administration of IL over 24 h will not interfere with TG level. © Copyright © 2021 Bader, Lam, Munoz, Thompson and Kylat.Open access journalThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]