Abundant Rain Research Articles

Quantifying influence of rainfall events on outdoor thermal comfort in subtropical dense urban areas

Existing research on outdoor thermal comfort in urban areas focuses on meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and radiation on sunny or cloudy days. However, climate conditions before, during, and after rainfall events can cause changes in meteorological factors in subtropical regions. Rainfall is an atmospheric condition with a large influence on thermal comfort, particularly in subtropical areas with abundant rain. Big data on temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation, and total cloud cover from the Taipei Weather Station under the Central Weather Administration from June to August each year from 2011 to 2020 were analyzed, dividing the data into categories based on precipitation. Using a k-means clustering algorithm, we quantified the relationships between meteorological factors and apparent temperature as well as physiological equivalent temperature in different rainfall scenarios. The results indicate that rainfall in the summers of subtropical oceanic climates indeed influence outdoor thermal comfort in urban areas: 37.7% of the rainfall weather patterns improved thermal comfort and 62.3% of the rainfall weather patterns reduced thermal comfort. RWP 46 represent the weather conditions that most significantly improve thermal comfort, at 1:00 PM, with a rainfall of 15 mm, there is a decrease in ΔAT by 14.4 °C and ΔPET by 22.1 °C. With the hot, humid, and rainy climate conditions in Taiwan, apparent temperature is the most accurate index of thermal comfort. KEY POLICY HIGHLIGHTS Rainfall events may affect outdoor thermal comfort in subtropical cities. Different rainfall weather patterns have different impacts on urban outdoor thermal environments. 62.3% of rainfall weather patterns resulted in worsened thermal comfort, for low and concentrated rainfall resulting in a stuffier thermal environment.

FORMATION OF THE NUMBER OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC MICROMYCETE POPULATIONS IN AGROCENOSES OF OAT

The formation of the number of the phytopathogenic micromycete populations as a factor in biological pollution of oat agrocenoses is an important research field, the study of which will make it possible to create some sustainable agroecosystems. Therefore, the influence of the environmental factors (abiotic, biotic, anthropogenic, etc.) on the formation of micromycete populations on the vegetative organs of oat plants using different plant cultivation technologies was studied. This article presents the results of the ecological assessment of oat plant varieties based on the indicators of its their influence on the population number, the frequency of its occurrence, and the intensity of micromycete sporulation. Vegetative organs of oat plants of Parliamentsky and Tembre varieties were selected by BBCH scale for cereals in the phases: 5 tillers detectable (25), node 5 at least 2 cm above node 4 (35), еnd of heading: inflorescence fully emerged (39). It was determined that certain climatic conditions like an abiotic factor (namely an increase in air temperature), frequent droughts, or rare but abundant rains, significantly influenced the formation of micromycete populations in the oat leaf microbiome. Plant growing technologies, as an anthropogenic factor, influenced the spectrum of species and their frequency of the occurrence on the vegetative organs of oats of different kinds of the varieties. Using the organic technology of plant cultivation led to diversification of the spectrum of micromycete populations, but with a lower frequency of occurrence of species compared to the traditional technology of plant cultivation. Also, the varieties of oat plants, as a biotic factor, in terms of some physiological substances of plants, are able to restrain the spread of micromycete populations on the vegetative organs of plants or stimulate them. It was found out that using the traditional and organic technologies of plant cultivation on the vegetative organs of Tembre oat variety, the population density, the frequency of micromycete species occurrence, and the intensity of sporulation were significantly lower compared to the indexes of Parliamentsky oat variety plants. This points to the fact that the cultivation of oat varieties capable of resisting the formation of micromycete populations on an ecologically safe level will ensure a decrease in the level of biological pollution of agrocenoses and at the same time increase the biosafety of plant raw materials.

The formation of a phytopathogenic microbiome as a factor of biological pollution of agrocoenoses of vivas

The formation of the phytopathogenic microbiome as a factor in the biological contamination of oat agrocenoses is an important research task, the solution of which will make it possible to create ecologically balanced agroecosystems. This will increase their ability to self-regulate the population of micromycetes in order to obtain high-quality and safe oat raw materials. Therefore, the influence of environmental factors (abiotic, biotic, anthropogenic) on the formation of micromycete populations in the oat leaf microbiome under different plant growing technologies was studied. The article presents the results of ecological assessment of oat plant varieties based on indicators of influence on population density, frequency of occurrence, and intensity of sporulation of micromycetes. Vegetative organs of oat plants of Parlamentskyi and Tembr varieties were selected in the following phases: tillering, emergence into tubes and earing. It was determined that climatic conditions, as an abiotic factor, namely an increase in air temperature, frequent droughts, rare but abundant rains, which changed depending on the year of the study, significantly influenced the formation of micromycete populations in the oat leaf microbiome. Plant growing technologies, as an anthropogenic factor, significantly influenced the spectrum of species and their frequency of occurrence in the leaf microbiome of oats of various varieties. Under the organic technology of growing plants, the spectrum of micromycete populations was more diverse, but with a lower frequency of occurrence of species compared to the traditional technology of growing plants. Also, varieties of oat plants, as a biotic factor, thanks to the physiological substances of plants, are able to restrain the spread of micromycete populations in the leaf microbiome of plants or stimulate them. It was found out that with the traditional and organic technology of growing plants in the leaf microbiome of Tembr oat variety, the population density, the frequency of occurrence of micromycete species, and the intensity of sporulation were significantly lower compared to Parlamentskyi oat variety plants. This indicates that the cultivation of oat varieties capable of restraining the formation of micromycete populations at an ecologically safe level will ensure a decrease in the level of biological pollution of agrocenoses and increase the biosafety of plant raw materials

Feasibility Studies of Rainwater Harvesting System for Ablution Purposes

For countries with an abundance of rain, there is definite potential to implement a rainwater harvesting system for different applications. This paper describes feasibility studies of an open-pond rainwater harvesting system for ablution purposes, analysing the quality of harvested rainwater and formulating a rainwater harvesting model with suitable performance measures. The formulated model can be used to analyse the feasibility of the system in any locality by inputting local meteorological data. Quality analysis has shown that the harvested rainwater can be used safely for ablution purposes, albeit with a slightly acidic pH below 6.5. At a depth of 1.0 m and using the current pond configuration of a local mosque, the reliability of the system is 62.5% (228 days per year), and the amount of water saved is 345 m3, which is 60.7% of the water demand. It has been shown that a pond surface area of 60–70 m2 provides optimum reliability and water saving, and more water savings can be expected with a more economical usage of water during ablution. These results indicate the feasibility of implementing a rainwater harvesting system for ablution purposes in religious institutions to help curb the water shortage crisis.

Atmospheric Deposition around the Industrial Areas of Milazzo and Priolo Gargallo (Sicily-Italy)-Part A: Major Ions.

The chemical composition of rainwater was studied in two highly-industrialised areas in Sicily (southern Italy), between June 2018 and July 2019. The study areas were characterised by large oil refining plants and other industrial hubs whose processes contribute to the release of large amounts of gaseous species that can affect the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition As in most of the Mediterranean area, rainwater acidity (ranging in the study area between 3.9 and 8.3) was buffered by the dissolution of abundant geogenic carbonate aerosol. In particular, calcium and magnesium cations showed the highest pH-neutralizing factor, with ~92% of the acidity brought by SO42- and NO3- neutralized by alkaline dust. The lowest pH values were observed in samples collected after abundant rain periods, characterised by a less significant dry deposition of alkaline materials. Electrical Conductivity (ranging between 7 µS cm-1 and 396 µS cm-1) was inversely correlated with the amount of rainfall measured in the two areas. Concentrations of major ionic species followed the sequence Cl- > Na+ > SO42- ≃ HCO3- > ≃ Ca2+ > NO3- > Mg2+ > K+ > F-. High loads of Na+ and Cl- (with a calculated R2 = 0.99) reflected proximity to the sea. Calcium, potassium, and non-sea-salt magnesium had a prevalent crustal origin. Non-sea salt sulphate, nitrate, and fluoride can be attributed mainly to anthropogenic sources. Mt. Etna, during eruptive periods, may be also considered, on a regional scale, a significant source for fluoride, non-sea salt sulphate, and even chloride.

Camelina seeds yield depending on the use of different preparations and sowing dates in the north of Kazakhstan

The results of a field experiment on the effect of microbiological and chemical plant protection agents on the productivity of camelina seeds are presented. The preparations (seed treatment before sowing was made with Extrasol, during vegetation - with insecticide Proteus and fungicide Pictor) were studied against the background of different sowing dates (15-20 May; 25-30 May). As a control, the version without the use of drugs was investigated. The field experiment was laid in quadruple repetition, the plot area was 63 m2. The seeding method is row seeding with a seeding rate of 6.0 million germinating seeds/ha. The forecrop is the 1st wheat after fallow. The work was carried out in 2018-2020 in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan. The object of the study are the seeds and plantings of camelina Isilkulets variety. The soil of the site is chernozem, humus content - 2.50-3.89 %, nitrogen - 30.80-81.20 mg/kg, phosphorus - 11-30 mg/kg, potassium 620-770 mg/kg. The seeds were treated with Extrasol solution at the rate of 2 l (10 l of working solution)/t of seeds on the day of seeding. The optimal seeding date for camelina (May 25-30) and the optimal combination of preparations with seed treatment and spraying of crops with fungicide are recommended. The duration of the growing season of camelina in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan was revealed, which averaged 72-81 days. High productivity was noted with the microbiological preparation Extrasol (seed treatment) and spraying of crops with fungicide Pictor (11.5-16.0 c/ha). A significant (LSD05 = 0.52) increase in seed yield was 0.77 t/ha. It was found that abundant rains during the growing season contribute to increased development and spread of diseases (fusariosis: R = 14.3-21.5 % and P = 27.5-86.4 %; alternariosis: R = 14.3-20.6 % and P = 25.2-84.3 %).

The role of asymmetries in coronal rain formation during thermal non-equilibrium cycles

Context. Thermal non-equilibrium (TNE) produces several observables that can be used to constrain the spatial and temporal distribution of solar coronal heating. Its manifestations include prominence formation, coronal rain, and long-period intensity pulsations in coronal loops. The recent observation of abundant periodic coronal rain associated with intensity pulsations allowed for these two phenomena to be unified as the result of TNE condensation and evaporation cycles. On the other hand, many observed intensity pulsation events show little to no coronal rain formation. Aims. Our goal is to understand why some TNE cycles produce such abundant coronal rain, while others produce little to no rain. Methods. We reconstructed the geometry of the periodic coronal rain event, using images from the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) onboard the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO), and magnetograms from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI). We then performed 1D hydrodynamic simulations of this event for different heating parameters and variations of the loop geometry (9000 simulations in total). We compared the resulting behaviour to simulations of TNE cycles that do not produce coronal rain. Results. Our simulations show that both prominences and TNE cycles (with and without coronal rain) can form within the same magnetic structure. We show that the formation of coronal rain during TNE cycles depends on the asymmetry of the loop and of the heating. Asymmetric loops are overall less likely to produce coronal rain, regardless of the heating. In symmetric loops, coronal rain forms when the heating is also symmetric. In asymmetric loops, rain forms only when the heating compensates for the asymmetry.

Materials on the issue of ergot poisoning

Everyone knows the black horns that often appear on the ears of rye, instead of grains, which represent the sclerotia of the parasitic fungus Claviceps purpurea. Abundant rains during the period of grain ripening, as well as hailstorms, contribute to a more abundant infection of rye and, to a lesser extent, other grain crops with the aforementioned ergot horns. All these conditions were extremely bright and intense in the Novo-Georgievsk region, where we traced the epidemic of ergotism that arose there. By the beginning of the harvesting campaign, there were no instructions from agronomists about the contamination of grain with ergot horns. On July 21 (32), the harvesting of a new crop began, and on July 25, we already faced the fact of a massive ergotism disease. The symptomatology of the disease was as follows: severe weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, slight flatulence and slight coldness of the arms and legs. But all these poisonings were relatively mild, outpatient.

Deep Shotgun metagenomic and 16S rRNA analysis revealed the microbial diversity of lactic acid bacteria in traditional fermented foods of eastern Hainan, China.

The eastern part of Hainan, China, has a flat terrain and a suitable climate with abundant sunshine and rain. This unique environment makes the tropical microbial resources of natural fermented food unique and rich. Therefore, we combined Shotgun metagenomic sequencing, 16S rRNA sequencing and pure culture technology to analyze the microbial diversity, microbiota composition, species differences and correlation of 30 traditional fermented food samples collected from Wenchang, Qionghai, Wanning and Lingshui in the eastern part of Hainan province, and isolated, identified and preserved the microorganisms in them. The results showed that the microbial community structure differs significantly between samples from different regions and between different substrates. The alpha diversity of microorganisms in traditional fermented foods in the Wanning area was higher than those of the other three areas. The beta diversity indicated that the microbiota structural difference between Wanning and Qionghai was smaller. This is consistent with the fact that the precipitation in the Wanning area is the highest and similar to that of Qionghai. The alpha diversity of microorganisms was the highest in fermented vegetables, followed by fermented grains, and the lowest in fermented seafood. Beta diversity showed that the microbiota composition of fermented grains and fermented vegetables is very similar, but that of fermented seafood is significantly different. The results of microbiota structural analysis showed that firmicutes and proteobacteria are the dominant bacterial phyla, and Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum are the dominant species in traditional fermented foods in eastern Hainan. Lactic acid bacteria are the dominant species in traditional fermented foods from the eastern Hainan region of China, regardless of the substrate used in fermentation. According to the microbial functional characteristics, the microbial metabolism and biosynthesis pathways in traditional fermented foods in Hainan tend to be active. In addition, combined with pure culture technology, we isolated, identified and preserved 342 lactic acid bacteria strains from traditional fermented food in eastern Hainan province. This study helped us understand the different characteristics of microbial communities in tropical southern China and supplement the Lactobacillus species resource pool in tropical southern China. Moreover, it provided new insights and directions for the development and utilization of fermented foods.

Рост и продуктивность инорайонных древесных видов в условиях Среднего Урала

Climate warming has been recorded over the last decades. The air temperature in Yekaterinburg has been rising since the 1930s. Temperatures dropped sharply in 1940–1949, then rose sharply and fell again, especially in 1967–1968, when many large introduced species considered to be adapted died: Phellodendron amurense Rupr. and Pseudotsuga taxifolia (Lindl.) Britt. Due to the cyclical nature of weather conditions, it was necessary to assess the features of adaptation and state of the introduced plants in recent years. Snowless autumn and winter, temperatures above zero in early spring are unfavourable for many species, especially or conifers. Thus, in 2014 much snow fell on October 16 and melted in 2 weeks, temperatures below zero did not afford plants to prepare for the winter; in March 2015 the temperature rose up to +10 °C while the ground temperature was below zero for a long time. As a result of physiological dryness 100 % of specimens of variegated forms of northern white cedar Thuja occidentalis L. `Ellwangeriana Aurea`, `Ericoides` died. In other forms the leafage died to the snow cover level and recovered after abundant rains: `Aurea spicata`, `Gold Pearl`, `Golden Globe`, `Lutescens`, `Semperaurea` and `Wareana Lutescens`. Due to a steady increase in the sum of positive temperatures and reaching a certain age, many conifer species entered the fruiting stage and gave self-seeding: Pinus peuce Grieseb, Pinus strobus L., Picea canadensis (Mill.) Britt. et al., Picea pungens Engelm., Pseudotsuga taxifolia (Lindl.) Britt., and Abies sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Mast. In the warmest year of 2016, the latter gave an abundant yield – red-brown cones with protruding seed scales; a strong wind dropped them all. They remained under the snow for the winter and did not crumble (probably, the fruits were unripe), so Abies sachalinensis was mistaken for Keteleeria fortunei (A. Murray bis) Carrière), which has cones that do not crumble. Unusual flowering was observed in Crataegus oxyacantha L. `Rosea Plena`, Mespilus germanica L., Syringa reflexa C.K.Schneid, Hamamelis virginiana L. With the rise in average annual temperatures, the number of years with abnormal weather conditions increased and the condition of some plants deteriorated. For citation: Semkina L.A., Tishkina E.A. Growth and Productivity of Non-Indigenous Woody Species in the Middle Urals. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 6, pp. 100–109. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-6-100-109

The Green Years: The Role of Abundant Water in Shaping Postwar Constructions of Rural Femininity

Abstract This article offers one of the first studies to pay attention to the influence of abundant rain in advancing postwar agendas and shaping new constructions of rural femininity. Enriching an understanding of modernity, I use oral history testimony and private archives to illuminate women's emotional, social and sensory responses to plentiful water and the possibilities it fostered. While previous tropes had warned that close engagement with the elements would leave women 'unsexed' and drained of feminine vitality, the verdure that characterised the postwar era made the environment appear pliable, acquiescent and drought-proof, no longer threatening but actively inviting women's involvement. Informed by scientific agriculture, the modern rural woman, was constructed as 'feminine' and 'attractive' but also well-equipped to contribute her labour to the forward momentum of Australian farming.

An Ecolinguistic Insight into ‘Dark Green’ Rainwater in the Glorious Qur’an

The main aim of this paper is to reveal the fact that the language of the Glorious Qur’an is ecofriendly. To fulfill this task, the researcher has chosen to trace the lexical items /ma:?/ and/or /ma:? mina-ssama:?/ (rainwater), (i.e. fresh water falling from the sky, or from Heaven), all its derivatives and synonyms, as well as words/phrases that indicate the falling of ‘rainwater’ in the Qur’an. The paper, first, gives a theoretical background on ecology, the ecology of language, the relation between ecology and linguistics, the eco-philosophy of ecolinguistics, as well as the relation between ecolinguistics and religion. This part also sheds light on the efforts of heavenly religions in protecting the environment, and the eco-system as whole. Second, the paper scrutinizes all Qur’anic verses in which the lexical item “green rainwater”, all its synonyms, and words/phrases that indicate ‘rainwater’, from an ecolinguistic perspective. The investigation, first, reveals that in all occurrences of the various synonyms/lexical combinations of the word ‘rain’ in Arabic, what descends from heaven or from the clouds is “fresh water” proper for all usages and beneficial not only to human beings but also to the whole eco-system. The significance of the scrutinized Qur’anic verses, is that they reveal and emphasize that all types of rain, i.e. light, heavy, excessive, abundant rain, and even dew, are ‘Green’. All types of rain are useful, helpful, beneficial, prosperous and provisional. This helps prove that Islam is basically a ‘green’ religion, and that the language of the Qur’an is eco-friendly.

Study of Some Patterns for Severe Rainfalls Over Iraq

Study of rain received particularly great importance in the areas described as semi-arid, which is on the other hand are not well prepared for the drainage of rain that may turned into flash floods. The pressure systems, especially those passing through the country in the winter rainy season and spring also autumn have a role in determining the amount of rainfall falling in the region In addition to climate change and its effects in terms of climate cycles and climate extremes and thus required determine the size of rainfall Whether it is beneficial or harmful. In this study to determine of heavy rainfalls, two important cases of heavy rainfalls were studied in 24, Dec, 2016 and 24, Nov, 2018, which exceeded 50 mm on the Iraq, from one country to another in this account , rainfalls rate, divider from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in which the rain intensity is determined according to the schedule and limits (light precipitation I≤2 mm / hour), (moderate precipitation 2<I≤10 mm / Hour), (heavy precipitation 10 <I≤50 mm / hour), (torrential precipitation I> 50 mm / hour). Each case was Analyzed and visualized by using the data analysis and display system (GrADS) The data were obtained from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Show maps results of the first case in (24 December, 2016) in the northeastern region, the central region and the western region of the country the abundant rain condition through maps of rainfall rates on these areas as well as by maps of mean sea level pressure and dense cloud cover, maps showed a decrease the temperature accompanying the low pressure also streamlines, geopotential height, relative vorticity show this. And show the vertical velocity (omega), relative humidity, geopotential height, relative vorticity, and show support of air decline in terms of streamlines, relative humidity, geopotential height and relative vorticity over the country. Maps 700 hPa the vertical velocity (omega), relative humidity, geopotential height and relative vorticity, maps 500 hPa, results of second case, (24 November, 2018) that occurred in the northeastern and eastern part and southeastern part of the country, also appear clear through maps of falling rainfall rates, as well as maps of sea level pressure and the dense cloud cover accompanying the heavy rain situation. maps 850 hPa it shows the low temperature accompanying the atmospheric decline, also streamlines, geopotential height and relative vorticity also maps 700 hPa and 500 hPa lik first case, in differential patterns all of this shows clear support for the atmospheric decline in terms of streamlines, relative humidity, geopotential height, and relative vorticity, and explain the causes of heavy rain situation over Iraq.

Functional trade-off of hydration strategies in old forest epiphytic cephalolichens

Although water is essential for photosynthetic activation in lichens, rates of vapor uptake and activation in humid air, which likely influence their niche preferences and distribution ranges, are insufficiently known. This study simultaneously quantifies rehydration kinetics and PSII reactivation in sympatric, yet morphologically and functionally distinct cephalolichens (Lobaria amplissima, Lobaria pulmonaria, Lobaria virens). High-temporal resolution monitoring of rehydrating thalli by automatic weighing combined with chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of maximal PSII efficiency (FV/FM) was applied to determine species-specific rates of vapor uptake and photosynthetic activation. The thin and loosely attached growth form of L. pulmonaria rehydrates and reactivates faster in humid air than the thick L. amplissima, with L. virens in between. This flexible hydration strategy is consistent with L. pulmonaria’s wide geographical distribution stretching from rainforests to continental forests. By contrast, the thick and resupinate L. amplissima reactivates slowly in humid air but stores much water when provided in abundance. This prolongs active periods after rain, which could represent an advantage where abundant rain and stem flow alternates with long-lasting drying. Understanding links between morphological traits and functional responses, and their ecological implications for species at risk, is crucial to conservation planning and for modelling populations under various climate scenarios.

Surface Water Chemistry in the Kucherla River Basin, the Altai Mountains

The concentrations of the soluble forms of 41 elements were determined by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) along with pH, Eh, and total dissolved solids in water of lakes and streams in the Kucherla River basin. The abundant rains, which enhance water exchange, along with meltwater from glaciers and snowfields are the governing factors in the dynamics of physicochemical characteristics. The rivers and lakes examined in the Kucherla basin show concentrations of Al, Fe, and Zn in excess of MACs of hazardous substances for water bodies used for fishery and the MACs for Al and Sb introduced for drinking water.

Sieving Extremely Wet Earth Mass by Means of Oscillatory Transporting Platform

The experience acquired from the exploitation has shown that problems in the work of oscillatory platforms appear after heavy rains, i.e. when the soil moisture (w) is greatly increased. Then the effect of transportation and sieving is the weakest, due to sticking moist earth for grille of the platform. Therefore, the main aim of this article was to create a complex theoretical and practical mathematical model of the processes mentioned above, in order to test how the platform works in extreme working conditions after abundant and prolonged rains. Therefore, complete research is divided into two characteristic phases: theoretical phase and experimental phase. In the theoretical research phase, dynamic modeling of the process of sieving of extremely wet earth mass was performed using the transmissional function analysis method and the method of Laplace transforms [1]. The Novelty in the theoretical model given by Equation 3 is that the existing model for sieving dry earth mass [2] has been improved by introducing delay coefficient Kt =[0...1]. In the experimental research phase, the original mathematical model was created using the multi-factor experiment plan method which will be shown, while the analysis of the experimental parameters was performed in three characteristic steps: regression analysis- dispersion analysis- decoding mathematical model [3].

Impact of subtropical island climate on the appearance and aesthetics of white marble buildings

Apart from architectural design, the application of suitable materials for the building façade is an indispensable element in architectural aesthetics. Here, we focus on the issue of changes in the appearance of white marble architecture with geographical environment and climate changes around the world by considering the durability of the façade material with time. In terms of architectural aesthetics, using natural marble for finishing a building façade appears beautiful and elegant, but it is worth studying whether it is suitable for an island country that constantly has abundant rain and even acid rain. To address this, we present a design using white marble as a building façade to observe whether it is affected by a subtropical climate. In addition to compositional analysis of the material, we build a building façade with a height of 5.68 m and a width of 8.8 m to test changes in strength and surface cleanliness of natural marbles after exposure to sunlight and rain over the course of two years. Based on the study results for marbles in environments with abundant rain and acid rain, the results of compressive tests show that there is no reduction in mechanical properties, which indicates that the compressive strength of the stone is unaffected. However, after exposure to sunlight and rain for merely six months, there are already stains and pores in the exteriors of the marbles. Therefore, although the applicability of marble as a building façade on islands with abundant rain and acid rain is good, future applications should take the surface cleanliness of similar natural stone materials into careful consideration.

The Roads, Tracks, Paths, and Ropeways of the First World War: An Opportunity to Preserve, Maintain, and Valorize Alpine Landscape

This research aims at understanding how to reuse infrastructure built in the Alps during the First World War to facilitate access to upland areas, increasingly used for tourism, sports, and hiking, but neglected in terms of maintenance. In other words, the main goal here is to improve and preserve the state of the mountain environment (including forests, meadows, pastures, etc.) through the reuse of historical infrastructures such as ropeways and mule tracks. Any form of reactivation of the now abandoned military logistics system, consisting of roads, mule-tracks, paths, and ropeways would enable the currently depopulated places to initiate a new and virtuous cycle. In this way, controlled planning would allow adequate maintenance to be provided for those natural and anthropic landscapes which have been progressively deprived of a productive role. The condition of abandonment and the lack of maintenance of the Alpine landscape have allowed the abundant rains of recent years, which are the result of climate change, to damage the forests of northern Italy and cause a series of hydrogeological landslides. That said, it could be assumed that the conversion of abandoned mule tracks, paths, and ropeways would not only help preserve a healthy Alpine environment but would also contribute to control these phenomena. Furthermore, it would be a way of giving new use to the historical infrastructures that played such an important role in the early 1900s, recognizing in this way their historical value. The transformation of the Alpine landscape and the building of the infrastructures involved all the lines of the front which were located on the mountains. Therefore, the choice of the Asiago Plateau, a portion of the Venetian Prealps comprised between the provinces of Vicenza and Trento, is just paradigmatic, namely, it reflects the features of a more widespread situation. However, the laws promoted by the Italian state have, as their objective, the recovery and maintenance of forts, trenches and buildings of historical value, but do not include the mountain territory that surrounds them. Therefore, reusing the infrastructures from the First World War would allow the whole landscape to be kept active.

Nesting behaviour and ecology of the White-browed Fantail Flycatcher (Rhipidura aureola) in Sri Lanka

The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher (Rhipidura aureola) is a widely distributed species in tropical regions of the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. We determined the breeding biology and nest site characteristics of R. aureola in Sri Lanka during 2012 to 2017. All the nests observed were small cup-shaped and without a ‘tail’ extending below the nest base. Both male and female R. aureola built their nests within 9–13 days with an average mean external diameter, mean internal diameter, and mean depth of, respectively, 6.4 ± 0.32, 5.6 ± 0.22, and 2.9 ± 0.21 cm. The R. aureola we found used various habitats such as home gardens, forest boundaries, sanctuaries, man-made tanks/water bodies, stream banks, tea plantations and road edges to build their nests. We did not find any change in clutch size (2–3 eggs) with different elevation gradients. The eggs were oval-shaped with the ground colour of pale warm yellow-brown to pink and lots of spots or blotches in dark gray-brown. More than 60% of nests were built in a high to medium range of visibility to predators, without a specific location or tree preference, which resulted in nest failure due to predation by domestic cats or birds of prey. Also, we found nest failure due to washing away by abundant rains. Detailed studies on ecological and environmental parameters with respect to nesting or breeding success will help to better understand the species.

Effects of Water Immersion and Soil Moisture Content on Larval and Pupal Survival of Bactrocera minax (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Bactrocera minax, one of the most devastating citrus pests in Asia, has two developmental stages (mature larva and pupa) that complete their life cycle in the soil. Currently, southern China has a climate with abundant autumn rains, and soil moisture can be a major factor affecting the survival of larvae and pupae of B. minax. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of water immersion and high soil moisture content on the development of mature larvae and pupae of B. minax. When immersed in water for 1 d, 100% of mature larvae of B. minax were knocked out. When larvae were immersed for less than 6 d, however, more than 92% of knocked-out larvae recovered within 24 h. The days of water immersion with 50% and 90% recovery ratios (indicated as RD50 and RD90) were 10.3 d and 6.4 d, respectively. When larvae were immersed less than 6 d, the mortality ratios of larvae were not significantly different from those that were not immersed at all. The days of immersion causing 50% and 90% mortality of larvae (MD50 and MD90, respectively) were 7.6 d and 11.1 d, respectively. The pupation ratios of larvae were also observed to be not significantly different compared to non-immersion, and the days of immersion causing 50% and 90% pupation (PD50 and PD90, respectively) were 6.6 d and 0.8 d, respectively. Larval respiration rates were reduced after water immersion as a strategy for larval survival. High water content was not detrimental to pupae of B. minax. Adult emergence did not significantly decrease in soil with high water content, even though pupae were under those conditions for 161–175 d. The respiration rates of pupae were lower in soil with different moisture levels and were not significantly different, which ensured the survival of pupae in high water content. Reduced respiration rate is a strategy for survival of larvae and pupae, and remarkable tolerance to high moisture conditions could explain the high rate of spread and geographical distribution of B. minax. The results of this study provide a reference for the occurrence and control of B. minax.