Annual Increment Research Articles

Cobertura do Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional (SISVAN), estado nutricional de idosos e sua relação com desigualdades sociais no Brasil, 2008-2019: estudo ecológico de série temporal

Abstract Objective: to analyze the temporal trend of Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional - SISVAN) coverage and the nutritional status of older adults, and its correlation with indicators of social inequality in Brazil between 2008-2019. Methods: this was an ecological study using records from SISVAN, related to the population aged 60 years and older; the temporal trend of coverage and the correlation between indicators of social inequality and increment rate of nutritional status were analyzed; slope index of inequality and concentration index were used to measure absolute and relative inequalities. Results: 11,587,933 records were identified; national coverage increased from 0.1% (2008) to 2.9% (2019), with a statistically significant upward trend; a moderate inverse correlation with an annual increment rate of overweight between human development index and gross domestic product per capita, was found. Conclusion: there was an increasing trend in SISVAN coverage; the increase in overweight was associated with social inequality.

Resilience of Pinus durangensis Martínez in Extreme Drought Periods: Vertical and Horizontal Response of Tree Rings

Extreme drought events reduce the productivity of forest ecosystems. One approach for estimating the effects of drought on forests is by assessing their resilience. The objective of this study was to estimate resilience rates at different heights along the tree stem of Pinus durangensis Martínez. The radial growth of 200 cross sections extracted at four heights of tree stems (0.07–0.15, 1.3, 6.3, and 11.0–12.0 m) was analyzed and subsequently transformed into ring-width indices (RWI). These indices were correlated with the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index on a six-month time scale (accumulated drought of six months in the period February–May; SPEI06FM). Seven extreme drought events were identified (1890, 1902, 1956, 1974, 1999, 2006, 2011), and radial growth before, during, and after each event was determined. Based on ring-width index values, resistance, recovery, and resilience indices were calculated. The results indicated a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between annual radial increment and climate indices along the stem (0.56 to 0.80). Climatic sensitivity was higher in the lower part of the stem, with mean sensitivity (MS) and expressed population signal (EPS) values of 0.38 and 0.97, respectively. Resistance index values ranged from 0.44 to 0.76 and were better expressed in higher sections of the stem. Resilience indices changed over time. Regardless of the height of the tree stem, the latest extreme drought events (1999, 2006, and 2011) have led to a lower resilience of trees, indicating that their recovery capacity has decreased. Therefore, forestry practices in the study area may consider managing tree density as a strategy to regulate the stress in competition and to increase the tolerance of trees to drought.

Carbon stock and sequestration as a form of payment for environmental services in a sedimentary basin humid forest refuge in brazilian semiarid

Forests function as carbon reservoirs since they act in its sequestration and storage, playing a fundamental role in global climate change mitigation. Payments for this kind of environmental service have emerged as an important means for combating deforestation. This study evaluated the potential of a Sedimentary Basin Humid Forest refuge in a Semiarid Brazilian region (Chapada do Araripe, southern Ceará state) to receive payments for environmental services (PES) for carbon (C) assimilation and storage. The biomass quantification was performed by the non-destructive method and the determination of the C content was carried out using a LECO carbon analyzer to correlate carbon production in different litter components with climate variables. The carbon, carbon increment and stored carbon values were obtained by information collected from a continuous forest inventory. The average carbon content of each litter component and the volume of wood stored in the forest indicated that the fragment has 27.78 t ha−1 of carbon stored in its living biomass and an annual increment of 1.26 t ha−1 year. The carbon sequestered annually totaled 3.99 t ha−1 [carbon incorporated in the litter (2.73 t ha−1) + average annual increment of carbon in the commercial volume (1.26 t ha−1)] indicating that the area sequesters an average of 102.02 t ha−1 CO2e. Of the three studied compartments, only the leaves component showed a significant correlation with any climatic variable (rainfall). Based on amounts paid per ton of carbon sequestered, it is estimated that the area can earn € 2583.79.ha−1 should it participate in a program of PES for carbon sequestration and storage. This value serves as an incentive for the conservation of biodiversity, promoting environmental benefits and financial advantages compared to other forms of land use.

Pathways of carbonate sediment accumulation in a large, shallow lake

Since carbonate formation is an important process linking inorganic and biological components of freshwater ecosystems, we characterized the formation of modern carbonate sediments in a large, shallow, calcareous lake (Lake Balaton in Hungary). We measured the amount of allochtonous mineral particles delivered to the lake by tributaries and through the atmosphere over a 2-year period, and estimated the mass of carbonate minerals that precipitated from lakewater. Chemical and structural features of mineral particles from various sources were also studied. Both the mineralogical character and the amount of particles delivered by streams and through the atmosphere were similar, and formed a minor fraction of the annual sediment increment (∼5%–6% by mass). Since the watercourses feeding the lake had high concentrations of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3− (with a Mg/Ca mol ratio ranging from 1 to 4), Mg-bearing calcite (with 2–17 mol% MgCO3) was found to continually precipitate in the lake. According to X-ray powder diffraction measurements, the Mg content of calcite increased from West to East, in parallel with changes in water chemistry. Dolomite was detected as a minor phase, and in the eastern part of the lake it typically produced a split 104 peak in X-ray diffractograms, suggesting two distinct sources: stoichiometric dolomite was allochtonous, whereas a Ca-rich protodolomite fraction formed in the lake. Mg-bearing calcite precipitating in the lake was found by far the largest contributor to sediment formation, with an estimated annual accumulation of about 0.75–0.9 mm consolidated sediment; thus, ∼89% of the currently forming sediment consists of autochtonous carbonate. In addition to providing new estimates for the rates of accumulation of distinct sediment fractions, our results also provide a baseline for further studies on the retention and release of nutrients by sediment minerals.

Precommercial thinning increased diameter growth while maintaining mixedwood stands composition, 15 years after treatment

Precommercial thinning could be a valuable tool for climate change adaptation, as it can promote stand diversity while increasing productivity. Softwood and hardwood stands are usually thinned following different methods, and we lack recommendations for application in mixedwood stands. We evaluated the effects of precommercial thinning on the growth and composition of balsam fir ( Abies balsameaL.)–birch stands dominated by paper and yellow birch ( Betula papyrifera Marsh. and Betula alleghaniensis Britt.), comparing methods and production objectives (systematic release-softwood, systematic release-mixedwood, crop-tree release-mixedwood, and crop-tree release-hardwood) in Québec (Canada). Precommercial thinning increased tree-level and stand-level growth, especially for both birches. Compared to the non-thinned control, thinning increased tree diameter at breast height annual increments by 60%–107%, with similar results among modalities. Thinning changed initial stand composition, but mixedwood production plots composition was similar to that of the control 15 years after treatment. Promoting diversity is often perceived to be made at the expense of wood production. Our results suggest that we can obtain both increased growth and maintain diversity. Precommercial thinning is currently suggested as an adaptation tool that can foster drought resistance. Based on our study, we suggest it could serve another purpose in climate-adapted forest management, that is, maintaining diversity and thus increasing resilience to disturbances.

Tree diversity effects on productivity depend on mycorrhizae and life strategies in a temperate forest experiment.

Tree species are known to predominantly interact either with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) or ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding whether these mycorrhizae differently influence biodiversity-ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships and whether a combination of both can increase community productivity. In 2015, we established a tree-diversity experiment by growing tree communities with varying species richness levels (one, two, or four species) and either with AM or EM tree species or a combination of both. We investigated basal area and annual basal area increment from 2015 to 2020 as proxies for community productivity. We found significant positive relationships between tree species richness and community productivity, which strengthened over time. Further, AM and EM tree species differently influenced productivity; however, there was no overyielding when AM and EM trees grew together. EM tree communities were characterized by low productivity in the beginning but an increase of increment over time and showed overall strong biodiversity effects. For AM tree communities the opposite was true. Although young trees did not benefit from the presence of the other mycorrhizal type, dissimilar mechanisms underlying BEF relationships in AM and EM trees indicate that maximizing tree and mycorrhizal diversity may increase ecosystem functioning in the long run.

Fertilisation and irrigation have no effects on growth of oak (Quercus robur, Q. petraea) stands on abandoned farmland in southwest Sweden

Low nutrient availability often limits productivity in northern forests. In a nutrient optimisation trial, we investigated the effects of fertilisation and irrigation on soil moisture, leaf area index (LAI) as well as height and radial growth in 25-year-old stands of pedunculate and sessile oak (Quercus robur L., Q. petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) growing on abandoned farmland in southwestern Sweden. Control (C), fertilisation (F), irrigation (I), and irrigation + fertilisation (IF) treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design. End of growing season analysis of foliar nutrients guided the quantitative composition of next year’s fertiliser mix. Volumetric soil moisture (VWC) was significantly higher in the I and IF treatments compared to the C and F treated stands of both oak species. We did not observe a fertiliser-related reduction in VWC (except for 2015, when VWC in F-treated Q. robur stands was significantly lower than the control by about 18 %). This is in line with the unaffected LAI estimates (5.3–5.9) suggesting no stimulation of leaf production that could drive increases in transpiration with subsequent soil moisture depletion. There was no treatment × year interaction for any of the growth-related variables. Treatments had no significant effects on basal area growth, which increased annually by 1.72 and 1.54 m2 ha−1 on average for Q. petraea and Q. robur, respectively. Pre-treatment height differences in Q. petraea stands (7–12 % taller trees in the C and IF plots) persisted throughout the study resulting in significant effects, while no significant differences in height occurred in Q. robur. Periodic annual volume increment varied more strongly following drier periods but there were no significant differences among treatments.Our findings indicate that fertilisation causes no or only minor increases in oak water use, suggesting that nutrient addition in oak stands within this precipitation regime does not require simultaneous irrigation. Most importantly, our data implies that the soil nutrient legacies of past agricultural use suffice to maximise the productivity of oak stands on abandoned farmland typical of the main oak growing region in southwestern Sweden.

Systemic lupus erythematosus incidence and prevalence in a large population-based study in northeastern Italy.

We aimed at estimating the incidence and prevalence of SLE in northeastern Italy over the period 2012-20. A retrospective population-based study was conducted in Veneto Region (4.9 million people) using the population registry, an administrative health database where all residents are recorded. Between 2012 and 2020, SLE prevalence was defined by a healthcare co-payment exemption for SLE (national registry code 028) or any hospital diagnosis of SLE (International Classification of Disease , Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification 710.0), whichever came first. Incident SLE was defined from 2013 to 2020 to exclude prevalent cases. Standardized incidence and prevalence rates were reported by age and sex. During the study period, we identified 4283 SLE patients (85% female), with 1092 incident cases. Across the study period, SLE standardized point prevalence increased from 63.5 (95% CI 61.2, 65.8) to 70.6 (95% CI 68.3, 73.0) per 100 000 residents, corresponding to an annual increment of 1.14% (P < 0.0001). The highest prevalence was observed in females aged 60-69 years. SLE incidence corresponded to 2.8 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI 2.6, 2.9), with an annual decline of 7.3% (P < 0.0001). Incidence was 5-fold higher in females (female-to-male incidence rate ratio: 5.00, 95% CI 4.25, 5.87; P < 0.0001), with a peak among women aged 30-39 years. At diagnosis, women were significantly younger (45 years, IQR 33-58) than men (52 years, IQR 38-64). Over the last decade, SLE prevalence has increased, while incidence has stably declined. In view of the introduction of new high-cost drugs, a clear definition of the epidemiology of SLE is crucial for all healthcare stakeholders.

Modelling the stand dynamics after a thinning induced partial mortality: A compensatory growth perspective.

With increasing forest areas under management, dynamics of managed stands have gained more attention by forest managers and practitioners. Improved understanding on how trees and forest stands would respond to different disturbances is required to predict the dynamics of managed stand.s. Partial mortality commonly occurs in stand development, and different response patterns of trees and stands to partial mortality would govern stand dynamics. To investigate the possible response patterns using existing knowledge of growth and yield relationships, we developed TreeCG model, standing for Tree's Compensatory Growth, a state-dependent individual tree-based forest growth model that simulates the compensatory growth of trees after experiencing a partial mortality. The mechanism behind the simulation is the redistribution of resources, including nutrients and space, freed from died trees to surviving trees. The developed new algorithm simplified the simulations of annual growth increments of individual trees over a long period of stand development. The model was able to reproduce the forest growth patterns displayed in long-term precommercial thinning experiments. The simulated forest growth displayed the process of compensatory growth from under compensation, to compensation-induced-equality, and to overcompensation over time. Our model can simulate stand growth trajectories after different partial harvest regimes at different times and intensities, thus support decisions in best partial harvest strategies. This generic model can be refined with given tree species and specific site conditions to predict stand dynamics after given partial mortality for any jurisdictions under management. The simulation reassembles growth trajectories of natural stands when no thinning is conducted.

Can We Predict Male Strobili Production in Araucaria angustifolia Trees with Dendrometric and Morphometric Attributes?

Knowledge of the formation and correlation of reproductive structures with dendro/morphometric variables of the Araucaria angustifolia tree species is a tool for its conservation and viability for sustainable forest management. We counted visually in araucaria trees the number of male strobili in RGB images acquired by Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAs) over forest remnants. The diameter at the breast height (d), total height (h), crown radii (cr), crown base height (cbh), periodic annual increment in d based on increment rolls were measured, and the morphometric indices and crown efficiency were calculated with these variables. The relationships of these variables with male strobili production were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation and multivariate analysis techniques (cluster, factorial analysis, and main components). The morphometric variables correlated with the production of male strobili were d (r = 0.58, p-0.0002), crown diameter (r = 0.62, p &lt; 0.0001), crown area (r = 0.62, p &lt; 0.0001), coverage index (r = 0.51, p-0.001) and slenderness (r = −0.39, p-0.01). We argue that the production of male strobili is related to the vitality, dimension, density, growth space, and position in the stratum of the tree inside the forest, inferring a relationship between reproductive structures with the shape, size, growth space, and tree density. Such aspects shall be considered in future forest management initiatives in Southern Brazil.

How does urbanization affect energy carbon emissions under the background of carbon neutrality?

Global climate change caused by increasing carbon emissions has raised great concern. Urbanization is regarded as one of the main sources of carbon emissions. Studying the effect of urbanization process on carbon emissions is of great significance to realize sustainable development under the background of carbon neutrality. Based on the provincial panel data of China from 1997 to 2019, this study investigates the dynamic relationship, driving mechanism, and trend prediction between urbanization and energy carbon emissions (ECEs) using the sliding T-test, kernel density estimation (KDE), quantile regression (QR) model, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. This study found that there is a continuous increase in time series and three transitions occurred in 2003, 2006, and 2009, which are in line with the transition stage of China's social and economic development. The overall urbanization rates in 1997–2019 exhibited an increasing trend temporally, and a spatial trend of “high in the north and low in the south” and “high in the east and low in the west”. ECEs showed an obvious spatial distribution pattern of “high in the southeast and low in the northwest”. Areas with high annual increments were mainly concentrated in the northern areas of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Shandong, with annual increments of 39.35 × 104 t, 66.78 × 104 t, 44.54 × 104 t, respectively. Overall, urbanization (U) has an obvious positive influence on ECEs at a 1% significance level, and the influence is more significant in high quantile provincial units relative to low and middle quantile provincial units. Energy Intensity (EI), Energy Structure (ES), and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), all exert a positive influence on ECEs at a 1% significance level. In the next 20 years, ECEs would present an inverted “U” shaped trend and can be expected to peak in 2036 in natural situation, it is necessary to implement low carbon emission reduction measures. The findings can provide a new reference for urban sustainable development in China.

Influence of Motivation on Workers' Performance at the University of Abuja

This study investigated the relationship between motivation and workers' performance at the University of Abuja. It utilized a descriptive research design. Both primary and secondary data were utilized in the study. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression methodology were employed on a sample of 337 workers’ obtained from 2145 workers through the stratified sampling method. The findings revealed that salary increase, promotions, allowances, regular timely salary and involvement in decision-making had a positive and significant effect on workers' performance at the University of Abuja. However, bonuses and fringe benefits had a negative and significant influence on workers’ performance. Furthermore, workers of the University of Abuja were not motivated by annual increments, recognition and supervision. The study recommends that the management of the University of Abuja should sustain their policies on salary increases, promotions, allowances, regular timely salary and involvement in decision making since they were yielding the desired outcomes. In addition, the policies of the University regarding annual increment, recognition and supervision should be strengthened and made to be effective. Furthermore, the policy on bonuses and fringe benefits should be reviewed as a result of their counterproductive nature.

Wall-to-Wall Mapping of Forest Biomass and Wood Volume Increment in Italy

Several political initiatives aim to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of the twenty-first century. In this context, forests are crucial as a carbon sink to store unavoidable emissions. Assessing the carbon sequestration potential of forest ecosystems is pivotal to the availability of accurate forest variable estimates for supporting international reporting and appropriate forest management strategies. Spatially explicit estimates are even more important for Mediterranean countries such as Italy, where the capacity of forests to act as sinks is decreasing due to climate change. This study aimed to develop a spatial approach to obtain high-resolution maps of Italian forest above-ground biomass (ITA-BIO) and current annual volume increment (ITA-CAI), based on remotely sensed and meteorological data. The ITA-BIO estimates were compared with those obtained with two available biomass maps developed in the framework of two international projects (i.e., the Joint Research Center and the European Space Agency biomass maps, namely, JRC-BIO and ESA-BIO). The estimates from ITA-BIO, JRC-BIO, ESA-BIO, and ITA-CAI were compared with the 2nd Italian NFI (INFC) official estimates at regional level (NUT2). The estimates from ITA-BIO are in good agreement with the INFC estimates (R2 = 0.95, mean difference = 3.8 t ha−1), while for JRC-BIO and ESA-BIO, the estimates show R2 of 0.90 and 0.70, respectively, and mean differences of 13.5 and of 21.8 t ha−1 with respect to the INFC estimates. ITA-CAI estimates are also in good agreement with the INFC estimates (R2 = 0.93), even if they tend to be slightly biased. The produced maps are hosted on a web-based forest resources management Decision Support System developed under the project AGRIDIGIT (ForestView) and represent a key element in supporting the new Green Deal in Italy, the European Forest Strategy 2030 and the Italian Forest Strategy.

Relationships between soils and productivity of NSW blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis Sm.) forests

Relationships between site factors, soil and foliage nutrients and growth using growth plots established in pure regrowth blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) on the North Coast of NSW were analysed. The plots were located on five different soil parent materials and were part of research into Eucalyptus stand growth dynamics. When all the plots were combined growth (basal area and volume) were related to rainfall, and elevation. Growth was related to soil texture with lower growth on soils high in sand. Growth rate (periodic annual increment) was related to soil nutrients with the highest correlations with soil total phosphorus. The relationships between growth and growth rates and soil parameters differed with soil parent material with texture, soil rooting depth, total phosphorus concentration and exchangeable calcium important factors. The relationships between soil nutrient quantities (kg ha−1) to 40 cm soil depth and volume mean annual increment were analysed, this providing a method to quantitatively related nutrients in biomass or harvesting removals. There was a positive correlation between volume increment and soil nitrogen on soils derived from sands but not on other parent materials where phosphorus and calcium were positively correlated. It was estimated that if the quantity of P and Ca accumulated in stem biomass at age 50 years were removed it would only potentially affect growth by 0.48% on soils derived from sedimentary rocks but by 12% on granitic soils. The information may used to develop an estimate of sensitively to change in site as a result of management practices. Growth was analysed in relation to foliage nutrients and foliage phosphorus was the nutrient most significantly (positively) related to growth with nitrogen and cations positively related but to a lower level of significance. Manganese concentrations were negatively correlated with growth. There is no clear answer to what limits the spatial extent of blackbutt especially at the fertile end of the spectrum, that is, why is it not found on very fertile soils? The question also arises as to whether populations on different soil types, although in close proximity, are different provenances.

Hydrological response to future climate change in a mountainous watershed in the Northeast of Tibetan Plateau

Study regionUpper reach of the Heihe River basin (UHRB) Study focusWe quantified the potential changes in future climate and streamflow, as well as their corresponding contribution to the annual variations. And the dominant factors of streamflow change were explored in further. Robust multivariate bias correction was applied to correct the outputs of the general circulation method (GCMs) before applying the climate projection. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was applied to explore streamflow characteristics under the climate projection of bias-corrected GCMs under four representative emission scenarios (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, SSP3–7.0, and SSP5–8.5). New hydrological insights for the regionBy the end of the 21st century, climate will follow a warming and wetting trend within the basin; the annual streamflow is projected to increase by > 18 % in the 2030 s, and > 36 % in the 2050 s and 2090 s. Overall, the minimum temperature had a positive impact on streamflow in the cold seasons, especially in spring, contributing the most to the annual streamflow increment. When the temperature increase is greater than 5.42 °C, the peak streamflow will shift forward from May to April. Moreover, evapotranspiration will increase with temperature, leading to a decrease in summer streamflow. The results enable us to better understand the climate and streamflow changes at different time scales and provide guidance for the development of climate change response strategies and water resource management planning.

Transition patterns of weight status: A cohort study of Chinese school-age children.

Childhood overweight and obesity are increasing public concerns. However, little is known about the transition patterns of childhood weight status, especially in developing countries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate patterns of change in weight status and the risk factors among Chinese school-age children. This retrospective cohort study included 2,334 children aged 6 years with complete 5-year (2012-2017) physical examination data in Minhang District, Shanghai. A time-homogeneous three-state Markov model was fit to the longitudinal data with dynamic outcomes (normal weight, overweight, and obesity). According to the Markov model, 42.3% of school-age children who were initially overweight transitioned to another weight status within 1 year, with 24.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23.1, 27.0) transitioning to normal weight and 17.5% (95% CI: 15.9, 19.3) becoming obese. In contrast, children who were initially normal weight (92.9% [95% CI: 92.3, 93.5]) or obese (83.1% [95% CI: 81.1, 84.8]) tended to maintain their initial weight status. Male sex, semi-urban area, absence of late adiposity rebound, lower annual height increments, higher annual weight increments, and higher initial body mass index were significantly associated with a higher risk of developing or maintaining overweight and obesity (p < 0.05). The weight status of Chinese school-age children is more likely to change among those who are initially overweight than in those who are initially obese. Interventions to promote healthy weight status may be more effective if key groups are targeted, such as overweight and pre-school-age children.

Furnace-kiln system: How does the use of new technologies in charcoal production affect the carbon balance?

Most of the Brazilian charcoal is produced in rudimentary kilns without greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) control. The furnace-kiln system, which allows the burning of methane, stands out in this context. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the carbon balance in the charcoal production with and without the use of the furnace-kiln system. The study was conducted in a farm in Lamim, State of Minas Gerais - Brazil. The average annual carbon increment (AACI) was calculated based on two forest inventories. The GHG emissions related to the eucalyptus forest were calculated based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The collection and quantification of gases emitted during the wood carbonization were carried out using a gas analyser. The annual carbon balance was calculated using the AACI of the eucalyptus forest, the farm annual emissions, and the charcoal production emissions with and without methane burning. The farm carbon balance without methane burning was 13.9465 MgCO2e ha−1 and with methane burning was 15.9616 MgCO2e ha−1. Thus, the replacement of traditional kilns by the furnace-kiln system was shown to be effective to reduce the emissions established in the Paris Agreement in the Brazilian steel sector.

Modelling temporal change in inventory attributes from a LiDAR-derived inventory for the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, Ontario: A comparison of random forest and linear regression methods

This study assessed the feasibility of updating a forest inventory derived from 2014 Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data using ground plot data collected in 2021 to model change in basal area, volume, and average stand height. These attributes were determined for a subset (n=32) of stands from the original 2014 inventory. Both 2nd order polynomial regression and random forest learning methods were used to model annual growth increments for these attributes and results were compared. Except for height, the variance explained using random forest regression was greater than that explained using linear regression. As well, root mean square error was lower using random forest as opposed to linear regression for all three attributes, suggesting random forest produced more accurate results overall. Although the random forest results could not be extrapolated to the landscape with confidence due to limitations associated with that approach. Rather, the quadratic equations from the linear regression models were used to predict 2021 landscape values. The results at the landscape scale were deemed to be reasonable in terms of ecological expectations despite recognized model weaknesses. Increasing sample size to capture a greater diversity of stand types and allow for species-specific modeling would no doubt result in much better predictions.

Declining temperature and increasing moisture sensitivity of shrub growth in the Low-Arctic erect dwarf-shrub tundra of western Greenland.

Evergreen dwarf shrubs respond swiftly to warming in the cool and dry High Arctic, but their response in the warmer Low Arctic, where they are expected to be outcompeted by taller species under future warming, remains to be clarified. Here, 12,528 annual growth increments, covering 122 years (1893-2014), were measured of 764 branches from 25 individuals of the evergreen dwarf shrub Cassiope tetragona from a Low-Arctic erect dwarf-shrub tundra site in western Greenland. In addition, branch initiation and mortality frequency time series were developed. The influence of seasonal climate and correspondence with fluctuations in regional normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a satellite-proxy for vegetation productivity, were studied. Summer temperatures were the main driver of growth, while winter temperatures were the main non-summer-climate driver. During past and recent warm episodes, shrub growth diverged from summer temperatures. In recent decades, early summer precipitation has become the main growth-limiting factor for some individuals, likely through micro-topography-determined soil moisture availability, and more than half of the shrubs studied became irresponsive to summer temperatures. There was correspondence between climatic drivers, C. tetragona growth and branch initiation frequency, and satellite-observed vegetation productivity, suggesting the area's shrub-dominated tundra vegetation is limited by similar climatic factors. Winter warming events were likely the predominant cause of branch mortality, while branching increased after years with poor growth and cooler-than-average summers. These findings show that the erect dwarf-shrub tundra in the Low Arctic has already and will likely become decreasingly temperature- and increasingly moisture-limited and that winter warming supports shrub growth, but increased extreme winter warming event frequency may increase branch mortality and vegetation damage. Such counter-acting mechanisms could offer an explanation for the vegetation stability observed over large parts of the Arctic.

Yield and yield components of common bean as influenced by wheat residue and nitrogen rates under water deficit conditions

Incorporation of crop residues into agricultural system has become a worldwide efficient practice for enhancing crop production. The main objectives of this experiment was to investigate the major role of incorporating wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) residues and nitrogen (N) fertilizers rates under different water requirements (WR) on growth, seed yield and yield components of common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The results showed that seed yield under 80% WR in retained crop residue plots was ∼ 11% higher than WR treatment with no residue incorporation. Seed yield was not significantly different between residue retention and removal treatments in 2016, whereas it was higher (12% and 17%) under residue retained plots compared to removed ones in subsequent years. Seed yields responded to N up to 170 and 225 kg ha −1 in removed and retained residue treatments, respectively in 2017 and 2018. Annual increment of seed yield in residue retained plots (36%) was 2.11 times higher than the residue removed ones (17%). There was higher soil N content in 50% residue retention with 225 kg N ha −1 under both water deficit treatments in all years. The highest soil organic carbon (SOC) was achieved with normal irrigation in retained residue plots with 225 kg N ha −1 in all years. Overall, wheat residue incorporation into the soil and N-supply substantially contributed to counteracting yield declines of common bean under water deficit conditions. • Wheat residue incorporation into soil improved soil characteristics. • Wheat residues incorporation stored higher SOC and N than removed ones. • Application of wheat residue in combination with N fertilization enhancing bean growth. • Wheat residues application with sufficient N rates ameliorating water stress condition.