Der Einfluss von Plankton Nahrungsnetzstrukturen auf die Effizienz der biologischen Kohlenstoffpumpe

The biological carbon pump (BCP) is a complex suite of processes responsible for transporting organic matter produced in the surface ocean to depth. As such, it is an important mechanism in controlling the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and its storage on time scales of decades to centuries. This receives special attention in light of the rising anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which are unprecedented in the recent geological history of this planet. Despite its importance, we are still lacking a mechanistic understanding of the processes controlling the efficiency of the BCP. Over the past decade, the focus has increasingly shifted towards illuminating the effect of differences in ecosystem structure on organic matter export. This doctoral dissertation thus aimed and succeeded to reveal patterns in the relation between food-web structure changes and the efficiency of the BCP and circumstantiated recent concepts in this field of research. Furthermore, this work exemplifies that the methodological approach of utilizing in situ mesocosms can make a significant contribution to BCP research, for it allows answering questions that conventional methods have not been able to address

The influence of plankton food-web structure on the efficiency of the biological carbon pump

The biological carbon pump (BCP) is a complex suite of processes responsible for transporting organic matter produced in the surface ocean to depth. As such, it is an important mechanism in controlling the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and its storage on time scales of decades to centuries. This receives special attention in light of the rising anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which are unprecedented in the recent geological history of this planet. Despite its importance, we are still lacking a mechanistic understanding of the processes controlling the efficiency of the BCP. Over the past decade, the focus has increasingly shifted towards illuminating the effect of differences in ecosystem structure on organic matter export. This doctoral dissertation thus aimed and succeeded to reveal patterns in the relation between food-web structure changes and the efficiency of the BCP and circumstantiated recent concepts in this field of research. Furthermore, this work exemplifies that the methodological approach of utilizing in situ mesocosms can make a significant contribution to BCP research, for it allows answering questions that conventional methods have not been able to address

New antlion records (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from Paraguay

New records of Myrmeleontidae from Paraguay are presented: Dimares elegans (Perty, 1833), Glenurus croesus Banks, 1922, Glenurus penningtoni (Navás, 1918a) and Vella fallax (Rambur, 1842). The total number of species now recorded from the country is fourteen among 11 genera. Specimens of Dimares elegans from east (Cerrado) and west (Chaco) of the Paraguay River are phenotypically distinct; those west of the Paraguay River are assigned to the form “lepida” Navás, 1912. More research is required to understand the taxonomic limits in this genus

New antlion records (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from Paraguay

New records of Myrmeleontidae from Paraguay are presented: Dimares elegans (Perty, 1833), Glenurus croesus Banks, 1922, Glenurus penningtoni (Navás, 1918a) and Vella fallax (Rambur, 1842). The total number of species now recorded from the country is fourteen among 11 genera. Specimens of Dimares elegans from east (Cerrado) and west (Chaco) of the Paraguay River are phenotypically distinct; those west of the Paraguay River are assigned to the form “lepida” Navás, 1912. More research is required to understand the taxonomic limits in this genus

New antlion records (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from Paraguay

New records of Myrmeleontidae from Paraguay are presented: Dimares elegans (Perty, 1833), Glenurus croesus Banks, 1922, Glenurus penningtoni (Navás, 1918a) and Vella fallax (Rambur, 1842). The total number of species now recorded from the country is fourteen among 11 genera. Specimens of Dimares elegans from east (Cerrado) and west (Chaco) of the Paraguay River are phenotypically distinct; those west of the Paraguay River are assigned to the form “lepida” Navás, 1912. More research is required to understand the taxonomic limits in this genus

Response of pelagic calcifiers (Foraminifera, Thecosomata) to ocean acidification during oligotrophic and simulated up-welling conditions in the subtropical North Atlantic off Gran Canaria

Planktonic Foraminifera and thecosome pteropods are major producers of calcite and aragonite in the ocean and play an important role for pelagic carbonate flux. The responses of planktonic foraminifers to ocean acidification (OA) are variable among the species tested and so far do not allow for reliable conclusion. Thecosome pteropods respond with reduced calcification and shell dissolution to OA and are considered at high risk especially at high latitudes. The present investigation was part of a large-scale in situ mesocosm experiment in the oligotrophic waters of the eastern subtropical North Atlantic. Over 62 days, we measured the abundance and vertical flux of pelagic foraminifers and thecosome pteropods as part of a natural plankton community over a range of OA scenarios. A bloom phase was initiated by the introduction of deep-water collected from approx. 650 m depth simulating a natural up-welling event. Foraminifers occurred throughout the entire experiment in both the water column and the sediment traps. Pteropods were present only in small numbers and disappeared after the first two weeks of the experiment. No significant CO2 related effects were observed for foraminifers, but cumulative sedimentary flux was reduced at the highest CO2 concentrations. This flux reduction was most likely accompanying an observed flux reduction of particulate organic matter (POM) so that less foraminifers were intercepted and transported downward

Combined horizontal and vertical integration of care: a goal of practice-based commissioning

Practice-based commissioning (PBC) in the UK is intended to improve both the vertical and horizontal integration of health care, in order to avoid escalating costs and enhance population health. Vertical integration involves patient pathways to treat named medical conditions that transcend organisational boundaries and connect communitybased generalists with largely hospital-sited specialists, whereas horizontal integration involves peerbased and cross-sectoral collaboration to improve overall health. Effective mechanisms are now needed to permit ongoing dialogue between the vertical and horizontal dimensions to ensure that medical and nonmedical care are both used to their best advantage. This paper proposes three different models for combining vertical and horizontal integration – each is a hybrid of internationally recognised ideal types of primary care organisation. Leaders of PBC should consider a range of models and apply them in ways that are relevant to the local context. General practitioners, policy makers and others whose job it is to facilitate horizontal and vertical integration must learn to lead such combined approaches to integration if the UK is to avoid the mistakes of the USA in over-medicalising health issues

Defining and Measuring the Patient-Centered Medical Home

The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is four things: 1) the fundamental tenets of primary care: first contact access, comprehensiveness, integration/coordination, and relationships involving sustained partnership; 2) new ways of organizing practice; 3) development of practices’ internal capabilities, and 4) related health care system and reimbursement changes. All of these are focused on improving the health of whole people, families, communities and populations, and on increasing the value of healthcare