Artificial Meadow Research Articles

Experimental study on the use of artificial meadows that mimic wave-vegetation interactions for coastal protection

A detailed experimental study was conducted on five artificial meadows made of structures that mimic wave-vegetation interactions. The meadows were of different lengths and leaf thicknesses under regular and random waves, such that the leaf thickness changed as the meadow length increased. Different wave heights, periods, and tidal conditions were examined. The results for regular and random waves were consistent. The meadow length had a stronger influence (30%–50%) on wave transmission than leaf thickness (5%–10%). A lower wave transmission was observed at higher wave energies due to enhanced wave-vegetation interaction, higher wave reflection, and effective energy dissipation. Compared with submerged conditions or when the top of the meadow was at still-water level, a lower wave transmission and higher wave reflection and energy dissipation were noted when the leaves emerged in the air. The longest meadow in the emerged condition reduced the wave height by more than 50% at mid meadow. Furthermore, a wave transmission coefficient of 0.3 was achieved by this model, which is desirable for the design of this wave barrier type. The model with the best overall hydrodynamic performance can be used alone or combined with existing natural vegetation for coastal protection.

Crop phenology reshapes the food‐safety landscape for roe deer in an agroecosystem

Abstract Understanding the behavioural adjustments of wildlife in anthropized landscapes is key for promoting sustainable human–wildlife coexistence. Little is known, however, about how synanthropic species navigate spatio‐temporal variation in the availability of food and cover that are shaped by human practices such as agriculture. Animal habitat use is predominantly driven by spatial and temporal variations in food and cover, as individuals respond to fluctuations in the trade‐off between food acquisition and risk avoidance. In agroecosystems, the availability of high‐quality forage and cover is dependent on agricultural practices (e.g., harvesting) and crop phenology, providing an ideal opportunity to evaluate how wildlife adjust their behaviour in a heterogeneous human‐dominated landscape. We investigated the influence of crop phenology on the behaviour of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) to infer the functional roles of crop types in the food‐cover landscape. We analysed the habitat selection and activity patterns of 105 GPS‐collared adult female roe deer using a unique data set combining field‐specific land cover data, region‐specific estimates of crop phenology and weekly harvesting data for three common crops in a French agroecosystem. We found very distinct habitat selection and activity patterns according to crop type, phenological stage and time of day. Wheat and artificial meadows were strongly selected at night‐time during the early and post‐harvest stages only, when roe deer were highly active, suggestive of feeding activity. On the contrary, roe deer strongly selected maize during the day when it was high enough to provide cover, when they were less active, indicating that it was primarily used for refuge. These patterns depended on the availability of more ‘natural’ cover, suggesting that mature maize may substitute for ‘natural’ cover when the latter is scarce. Synthesis and application: Our work highlights the importance of behavioural plasticity and habitat complementation in the persistence of this synanthropic species in agroecosystems. This behavioural adjustment may buffer the consequences of the reduction in natural habitats that accompanies intensification of agricultural production and has implications for understanding how agricultural practices shape the food‐safety trade‐off of wildlife living in these highly modified landscapes.

Detecting reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) patches from UAV‐based digital surface model images—A case study in a timothy (Phleum pretense L.) meadow field

AbstractAccurate determination of the weed ratio in artificial meadows is critical for efficient pasture renovation. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L., RCG) is treated as a troublesome grass in the Hokkaido region of Japan because of its low feed quality and poor palatability in dairy farming. In the present study, we examined a method of identifying the dominant area of RCG in timothy (Phleum pretense L.) meadows by applying the Canny method to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based digital surface model (DSM) images. Comparing the actual RCG patches observed in a field survey (50 m quadrats × 4 places) with the predicted patches, the pixel‐based recall and F value were 0.90 and 0.83, respectively. These results demonstrated that the area of RCG can be detected using a simple method without supervised data or deep learning. This study is expected to be utilized in a wide variety of applications using relative height differences.

Coupling mechanism between vegetation and multi-depth soil moisture in arid–semiarid area: Shift of dominant role from vegetation to soil moisture

Soil moisture (SM) is an essential water source for vegetation, while vegetation also exerts importance on SM during succession. It is crucial to investigate the coupling mechanism between SM and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which can drive terrestrial carbon sinks while maintaining water sustainability. The Granger causality was used to analyze the unidirectional and bidirectional coupling relationship of SM and NDVI in the 0–289 cm soil layers. The windowed cross correlation was utilized to quantify the bidirectional time lag effect. The findings indicate that the vegetation improved significantly (92.47%) in 2001–2021 in the arid–semiarid area, while the SM in all four layers showed a decreasing trend (>50%). In most areas, NDVI was bidirectional dependent on SM. Vegetation dominated the loss of shallow SM (<100 cm) through root uptake and transpiration, whereas deep SM (>100 cm) in turn dominated the vegetation growth, structure and spatial pattern. At the spatial scale, the top layer of SM in the arid area demonstrated less sensitivity to NDVI due to coupling with the atmosphere. Instead, the influence of NDVI on SM in the semiarid area was dominant, so more attentiveness to the consumption of SM by vegetation is needed. The bidirectional legacy effect could be up to 6 months, attributed to water transport distance, vegetation root systems and physiological mechanisms. The correlation reversed when the lag time was extended or the soil layer was deepened, which means that the greening of vegetation will intensify deep soil drying. Differences in functional traits among plants lead to varying responses. The changes of deep SM need to focus on when implementing artificial meadow construction. This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing ecological engineering projects, which is essential for restoring global drylands ecosystems.

Aarey conservation: A multifaceted opportunity for climate mitigation in an urban setting

Abstract Citizens of the world are bracing themselves to combat and mitigate cataclysmic climate crisis. Recurrent climate accidents are leaving behind millions of climate refugees, who flock to urban centers in search of safety and security. Overcrowded metropolitan cities are highly vulnerable due to their high human densities and absolute numbers of residents and migrants. A well-connected network of urban green zones (UGZs) provides multiple values that enable sustainable climate mitigation and adaptation. The metropolis of Mumbai, with over 24 million humans (Mumbaikars), is fortunate to also have a network of large UGZs and protected areas (PAs), viz. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Aarey Milk Colony (AMC), Tungareshwar, Thane, Tansa, and Karnala Wildlife Sanctuaries, along with mangrove forests and public parks. However, most PAs restrict entry and climate mitigation actions. AMC, spread over 12.5 km2 provides a unique “mosaic” landscape, inhabited by indigenous communities (Warli and Mahadev Koli), locals, and migrants. The hills, farms, artificial meadows, and built-up complexes, with a good road network and proximity to Mumbai’s suburbs, provide numerous opportunities to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals set out by members of the United Nations Conference of the Parties. The path to achieve climate and resource stability, in the economic capital of the nation, is a precarious one and needs planning and engagement of all stakeholders. Long-term protection of AMC will provide socioeconomic equity as well as ecological and health security to current and future generations of Mumbaikars.

Cattle production

In agriculture, livestock is a priority for several reasons. Significant arable land for the production of field crops, feedstuff plants and artificial meadows are in the function of animal feed production. The value of field production is enriched through transfer to high-value animal products. In addition to basic products, farmed animals also provide a number of by-products that increase the overall economic value of livestock. The population engaged in agriculture earns over 60% of the total income through livestock and livestock products. The tradition of keeping and raising animals in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and RS is long, and over the centuries it has ensured the existence of the population, especially in the hills and mountainous areas. Significant parts of BiH are rich in vast pastures, which were the main source of animal feedstuffs, and observed through modern projections, could become experimental and profitable areas for organic livestock, especially ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats). The primary importance of cattle production is reflected in the production of meat and milk, as top and irreplaceable sources of protein food for humans. In addition, the "cattle industry" provides raw materials for the food industry, but also through by-products that are indispensable in other industrial branches. Of special importance is the biological connection with field crop production, and vegetable and fruit production, as animal manure returns important elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil. According to the latest census, there were close to 1.3 billion cattle in the world. In certain areas of the planet, due to exceptional vegetation benefits, there is an overpopulation of cattle, which according to environmental parameters is considered to exert a negative impact on climate change and leads to the emergence of the greenhouse effect (methane and carbon monoxide emissions). Until the 1990s, the number of cattle in BiH was close to 870,000, and today, according to estimates, it is nearly 455,000. Given the importance of this production, the „Cattle Breeding Program” in the Republic of Srpska for the period 2016-2021 was adopted with the goal of significantly increase the population of cattle and to improve its genetic potential. For successful cattle production, it is necessary to develop and support the animal health care system, especially against dangerous infectious diseases and emerging and re-emerging diseases whose appearance and presence endangers animal health, often human health, but also brings great economic losses and prevents international trade opportunities. It is necessary to permanently educate the farmers on issues related to animal husbandry, hygiene and biosecurity measures on the farm, the importance of animal health and safety of animal products for human use, but also on all other elements of good farm practice. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage the establishment of organized forms of associations of producers according to the types of production, with the aim of more efficiently resolving common issues.

Flow field and wake structure characteristics imposed by single seagrass blade surrogates

Seagrass surrogates are commonly used to mimic the behaviour of seagrasses exposed to currents and their effects on flow fields. The interaction is highly dependent on the chosen mechanic and geometric properties of the surrogates and needs to be understood in order to design artificial meadows. The interaction of single surrogates in unidirectional flow fields is studied by means of physical modelling. Surrogates made of plastic materials with different flexural rigidities, buoyancies and geometries are exposed to varying flow velocities. The instantaneous velocity fields in the vicinity and wake of the surrogates are measured by stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). All employed surrogates disrupt and interact with the flow field by changing their posture. An empirical relation is derived between the flexural rigidity, buoyancy and characteristic diameter of the surrogates and the imposed differences in the attenuation ratio of flow velocities. Further, the approaching flow velocity and distance behind the surrogate influence the estimated attenuation. The vortex shedding frequency imposed by artificial seagrass is lower than frequencies determined for infinite, rigid cylindrical structures. Three main characterizing properties: the modulus of elasticity, buoyancy and cross-sectional dimensions need to be taken into account for design of artificial seagrass meadows. Our findings advance knowledge of fluid-structure interactions of flexible materials and help to progress proper design of artificial seagrass meadows.

The role of soil as a carbon sink in coastal salt-marsh and agropastoral systems at La Pletera, NE Spain

To evaluate the potential of natural and modified salt-marsh soils to store organic carbon and their soil properties, we investigated six soil environments located at La Pletera salt-marsh area, NE Spain. Namely, Ruderal (RU), rubbles over marsh for construction purpose, ELY covered by Elymus elymoides (Raf.) meadows, ART under Arthrocnemum fruticosum L., SAL under Salicornia patula Duval Jouve, AGR under Zea mays L., and AME under Medicago sativa L. as artificial meadow. Soils were sampled at three depths (0–5, 5–20 and 20–40 cm). At 0–5 cm depth, soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher in ART soil (40.08 g kg−1) with respect to ELY, AME, AGR, SAL and RU (23.63, 11.45, 5.77, 4.40 and 3.18 g kg−1 respectively). Glomalin (TGRSP) in ART had the same trend, with 8.88 g kg−1 decreased by 51%, 77%, 89%, 92% and 94% in ELY, AME, AGR, SAL and RU soil respectively, indicating that in ART recalcitrant organic carbon may prevail. ART and ELY soils had higher SOC and GRSP than AGR and AME soils at 0–5 and 5–20 cm (on average + 70% and 57%) but SOC values were similar at 20–40 cm depth and glomalin was even higher in AGR and AME soils at this depth suggesting migration of stable organic compounds in cultivated soils. The water stable aggregates (WSA) analysed in the 0.25–2 mm and 2–5.6 mm fractions was also higher in ART and ELY soils (≈90%) at 0–5 and 5–20 cm with respect to the other investigated soils. Higher WSA (fraction 0.25–5 mm) was found in AGR and AME soils at 20–40 cm corroborating that at higher GRSP corresponds higher aggregation. Potential carbon loss as C-CO2 (Mg ha−1) was evaluated at 0–5 cm depth and was much lower in ART soil. Accordingly, C-CO2/SOC ratio assigned to ART soil 1.85% of SOC loss against 8.26%, 11.64%, 18.90%, 20.37% and 22.72% of ELY, AME, RU, SAL and AGR soils respectively, indicating that only ART and ELY soils may exert clear carbon sequestration ability. The soil under annual Salicornia patula Duval Jouve (SAL) showed very low SOC (4.40 g kg−1) and the highest carbon loss potential (22.72%) due to shortage of organic decaying debris at surface. Also, C-TGRSP resulted higher in ELY and ART soils (2.51 and 1.31 Mg ha-1respectively) and C-TGRSP/SOC ratio demonstrated glomalin carbon enrichment in this order: ART > AME > ELY > AGR > SAL > RU, suggesting that carbon sequestration capacity may be assigned to ART and ELY soils, major carbon sinks in the Pletera salt-marsh area. Conversely, RU, AGR and AME soils, identified as ancient salt-marsh converted into agropastoral systems or altered for tourism purposes showed worse soil properties and higher sensitivity to carbon destabilization. Statistical treatment of data by factor analysis corroborated the obtained results outlining the importance of ART and ELY soils in maintaining best soil properties and the highest carbon storage capacity.

Наукові та технологічні основи органічного луківництва

The purpose. To justify scientific and technological bases of development of organic meadow culture. Methods. General scientific — hypotheses, induction and deduction, analogy, generalization; special — field, laboratory, mathematical-statistical, calculation-comparative. Results. Scientific and technological fundamentals are generated of organic meadow culture which provide implementation of complex of measures not only on production of ecologically safety feedstuff for animals with maximal use of biological factors of intensification, but also save environment, in particular soils, water sources, biodiversity. The basic practical methods of heightening productive longevity of pod-bearing plants in artificial meadow legume-cereal agro-ecosystems is correct selection of ingredients in view of ecological-biological and cenosis factors, implementation of the method of disposition of grass family and leguminous ingredients. It provides serial disposition of grass family and leguminous ingredients in separate lines with rather narrow row widths or narrow strips, substitution of leguminous ingredients on years of use in legume-cereal grass stands, etc. Conclusions. Creation of perennial artificial grass stands with increased content of pod-bearing plants is one of the most perspective directions of support of organic meadow culture. Their productivity without fertilization on grey loess soils variates within the limits of 7–10 t/hectare of dry solid matter, that in 1,7–2,5 times is more in comparison with cereal grass stand. Among legume-cereal grass stands the most productive with the greatest accumulation of symbiotic nitrogen within the limits of 150–170 kg / hectare are Lucerne-cereal coenosises. As nature protection measure on natural forage grasslands it is desirable to apply phytomelioration, when instead of importation of chemical improvers (lime, dolomite powder, gypsum, etc.), which pollute environment, it is recommended to sow perennial grasses, resistant against the heightened acidity or soil salinity.

A 15,400-year long record of vegetation, fire-regime, and climate changes from the northern Patagonian Andes

Paleoecological studies from the northern Patagonian Andes (40–44°S) have identified past changes in vegetation, fire regimes and paleoclimate since the last glaciation, including variations in strength and position of the Southern Westerly Winds (SWW). The extent to which records west and east of the Andes provide a congruent paleoclimatic history, however, has not been explored in detail in the literature. Physical and biological contrasts are evident between these regions today and are to be expected in paleoclimate reconstructions. In this context, we present pollen and charcoal records from sediment cores collected in Lago Espejo, a small closed-basin lake located in the core sector of the northern Patagonian Andes that spans uninterrupted the last ∼15,400 years. Following glacier withdrawal, the vegetation surrounding Lago Espejo features scattered Nothofagus woodlands, including relatively thermophilous rainforest trees between ∼15,400 and 14,400 cal yr BP. The disappearance of these trees and an abrupt rise in Nothofagus at ∼14,400 cal yr BP mark the establishment of closed-canopy forests during the Antarctic Cold Reversal, followed by increases in the cold-tolerant hygrophilous conifer Podocarpus nubigena during the Younger Dryas (∼12,700–11,500 cal yr BP). The Holocene vegetation consists of Nothofagus-dominated forests with modest variation in composition and structure until the present, attesting to the resilience of these forest communities to climate change and natural disturbance regimes. Rapid deforestation, anthropogenic fires and the establishment of artificial meadows with exotic herbs introduced by Europeans at ∼150 cal yr BP, triggered a rapid, large-magnitude landscape transformation unprecedented in the last 14,000 years. The timing and structure of vegetation changes revealed by the Lago Espejo record suggest that changes in the SWW were the main driver of vegetation and fire regimes in the Andes of northern Patagonia over the last 15,400 years. Comparison between multiple reconstructions from northern Patagonia reveals overall coherent vegetation and fire regime changes in the western and Andean sectors, and a spatially variable and more divergent behaviour in sites located further east. This spatial patter is akin to the present-day correlation between precipitation and SWW in this region.

Aspects biogéographiques de la distribution des micromammifères dans le Limousin

SUMMARY - Investigations were carried out in the granite part of the Limousin to study almost twenty thousand pellets of Tyto alba and analyse the distribution of small Mammals found in these pellets. Their study showed the existence of twenty-two small Mammals and emphasized the diversity of the country. Several ecological factors such as the wet and closed or drier and open landscape, the number of days with frost, artificial meadows mainly acted on the distribution of species. Only Microtus subterraneus and Muscardinus avellanarius were in the southwestern limit of their areas of distribution. The gaps in the distribution of Apodemus flavicollis, Arvicola terrestris, Microtus arvalis, Myoxus glis and Neomys anomalus are discussed. The central European group and the southwestern European group of small Mammals contributed to the population of the Limousin.

Climate change and resilience of deciduous Nothofagus forests in central–east Chilean Patagonia over the last 3200 years

ABSTRACTWe examine the response of Nothofagus forests to climate change and disturbance regimes over the last 3200 years near Coyhaique (45°S), central–east Chilean Patagonia, using fine‐resolution pollen and charcoal records from lake sediment cores. Closed‐canopy deciduous Nothofagus forests have dominated the region with little variation until the arrival of Chilean–European settlers, suggesting a predominance of cool‐temperate and wet conditions. Within this state we identify centennial‐scale episodes of forest fragmentation, increase in littoral macrophytes and volcanic/paleofire disturbance between 2700 and 3000 cal a BP, 2200 and 2500 cal a BP and over the last ∼250 years, which we interpret as intervals with negative hydrologic balance. Natural variability caused little impact on the physiognomy and composition of the vegetation in pre‐European time, in contrast to the accelerated shift that started during the late 19th century associated with deforestation, homogenization and synchronization of ecosystem changes at the landscape level, and spread of exotic plant species brought by Chilean and European settlers during a warm/dry interval. The resilience of deciduous Nothofagus forests to natural disturbance regimes and climate change was exceeded by large‐scale human disturbance since the late 19th century by fire, timber exploitation and livestock grazing. These disturbances caused an ecosystem shift towards artificial meadows and scrublands with frequent high‐magnitude fires. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

COMPARISON OF ALLUVIAL SOILS OF DIFFERENT LAND USE IN THE AREA OF THE NATIONAL PARK "UNA" WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF CADMIUM, NICKEL AND ARSENIC

UDK 631.41:631.482(1-751.2 Una)(497.6)&#x0D; The paper presented results of a comparison of alluvial soils of different land use at two sites within the National Park "Una". The sites were related to a natural meadow (BUK) and artificial meadow (KLISA). The main objective of the research, in addition to the physical and chemical parameters of soil quality, was to determine the distribution of the total content of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As). The total content of these elements were observed in composite samples at two depths of 0-10 cm and 0-20 cm and horizons profile. Their total content was measured by atomic AAS. The results were analyzed using Kruskal – Wallis test (p≤0.05) using coefficient χ2. The results showed a single legality of the distribution of Cd, Ni and As in samples of soil profile, while the average soil samples showed unique legality of the distribution of observed elements.

Amino acid and carbohydrate tradeoffs by honey bee nectar foragers and their implications for plant–pollinator interactions

Honey bees are important pollinators, requiring floral pollen and nectar for nutrition. Nectar is rich in sugars, but contains additional nutrients, including amino acids (AAs). We tested the preferences of free-flying foragers between 20 AAs at 0.1% w/w in sucrose solutions in an artificial meadow. We found consistent preferences amongst AAs, with essential AAs preferred over nonessential AAs. The preference of foragers correlated negatively with AA induced deviations in pH values, as compared to the control. Next, we quantified tradeoffs between attractive and deterrent AAs at the expense of carbohydrates in nectar. Bees were attracted by phenylalanine, willing to give up 84units sucrose for 1unit AA. They were deterred by glycine, and adding 100 or more units of sucrose could resolve to offset 1unit AA. In addition, we tested physiological effects of AA nutrition on forager homing performance. In a no-choice context, caged bees showed indifference to 0.1% proline, leucine, glycine or phenylalanine in sucrose solutions. Furthermore, flight tests gave no indication that AA nutrition affected flight capacity directly. In contrast, low carbohydrate nutrition reduced the performance of bees, with important methodological implications for homing studies that evaluate the effect of substances that may affect imbibition of sugar solution. In conclusion, low AA concentrations in nectar relative to pollen suggest a limited role in bee nutrition. Most of the 20 AAs evoked a neutral to a mild deterrent response in bees, thus it seems unlikely that bees respond to AAs in nectar as a cue to assess nutritional quality. Nonetheless, free choice behavior of foraging bees is influenced, for instance by phenylalanine and glycine. Thus, AAs in nectar may affect plant–pollinator interactions and thereby exhibit a selective pressure on the flora in the honey bee habitat.

Effectiveness of the GAEC cross compliance standard Rational management of set aside (weed control through mowing) in assuring a minimum level of habitats maintenance

The cross compliance standard Rational management of set aside (weeds control through mowing) regards sowable lands subject to the withdrawal from production (set-aside) or voluntarily withdrawn from the production. The aim of this standard is: i) to ensure a minimum level of maintenance of habitats; ii) to allow the maintenance of the productive potential and fertility of the soil; iii) to prevent the uncontrolled spread of weeds. Experimental data demonstrated that rational management of set aside according to GAEC standard 4.2 is very effective in increasing soil quality and stabilizing the edaphic animal community in terms of biodiversity. On the contrary minor improvement are made by the standard in the inland areas and high hills and mountain areas, where long crop rotations are adopted and soils are mainly used for long lasting natural or artificial meadow. The rule appears to be ineffective and even not suitable to prevent the spread of weeds, as the only one mowing or mulching of the natural vegetation, made mandatory by the standard, does not prevent the spreading of unwanted seeds to neighbouring cultivated fields. According to many authors, to leave a land uncultivated for a long period of time is not a good agricultural practice. Natural vegetation cover which persists for a long period during the year is detrimental to the subsequent crop, because of the abundant seed production and consequent spread of weeds. At least two or three cuttings per year are needed to effectively reduce the spread of weeds, particularly in the presence of perennial species. Moreover, in order to avoid the spread of a single biological group of weeds, it is necessary to use different types of mechanical work in the course the year. Furthermore, the cutting period should be carefully chosen. Another suggested weed control practice is the use of doses of systemic foliar-absorption herbicides lower than the minimum quantity recommended and approved. In fact, in set aside land it is not necessary to completely dry out weeds, but it is sufficient to control the plant development in order to prevent the production of seeds. Cover crops and green mulching (mowing without residue removal) are other techniques that have been proposed in order to reduce the input of herbicides in no-tillage cultivation, without compromising weed control. Crop rotation is also a factor considered crucial to control weed populations. Studies on floristic evolution under Minimum Tillage or No-Tillage demonstrated that, to observe macroscopic changes, tillage should be reduced for 2-3 years at least. In an experiment conducted in Fagna (Florence) regarding the micro arthropods in the soil it was observed that significant differences exist between the abundance of animal groups. In particular, mulched set aside has a greater abundance of life forms than not mulched set aside, while the lowest abundance was observed in the ploughed soil. The increased abundance and richness of life forms observed in the mulched set aside plots, also evidenced by some diversity indices, can be explained by the increased amount of organic matter fragments left on the soil surface that ameliorate the edaphic microcosm.

RESPONSE OF POSIDONIA OCEANICA TO WAVE MOTION IN SHALLOW-WATERS - PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Aim of the present work is to contribute to the knowledge about the interaction between the flow induced by wave and the aquatic vegetation. More in details the results of preliminary tests of an experimental laboratory investigation about the response of a Posidonia Oceanica meadow to wave motion in shallow waters is reported. A wide attention was posed to the behavior of a synthetic plants with plastic material. To this aim an image acquisition technique was used to analyze and compare the movement of both the artificial plant and the real one. The experiments carried out about the interaction between the artificial meadow and the waves showed a significant wave dumping, in particular in the case of plants having the same length of the water depth.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Pedofauna in Šumadija (Central Part of Serbia)

ABSTRACTIntensive investigations of some groups of soil fauna in Šumadija were permanent more than 20 years. This central part of Serbia, has an interesting geological history. It's interesting flora and fauna partially is result of continuous anthropogenic influences in the last centuries. In these investigations were included: (Insecta, Coleoptera), Lumbricidae (Oligochaeta), and Protura and Diplura (Insecta, Apterygota). The studieed ecosystems were natural (forests and meadows) and anthropogenous (orchards, gardens, fiels and artificial meadows). Earthworms from family Lumbricidae, were established 14 genera with 30 taxa and 6 new species for Šumadija: Dendrobaena alpina, Helodrilus cernosvitovianus, Octolasion cyaneum, Octodrilus complanatus, Serbiona serbica and Serbiona paratuleskovi. From the subfamily Cryptorhynchinae (Curculionidae) founded 5 genera, 12 species and three dominant species: Ruteria hypocrita, Echinodera behnei and Acallocrates colonnellii. New records of five weevils: Acalles (Acalles) aubei, Acalles papei, Acelles petryszaki, Echinodera behnei, Echinodera valida are given for Serbia. From Protura founded 3 families, 7 genera with 16 species, from Diplura founded 2 families which belong to 7 genera with 16 species.

Prevalence of sarcoidosis in Switzerland is associated with environmental factors

The current study aimed to investigate incidence, prevalence and regional distribution of sarcoidosis in Switzerland with respect to environmental exposures. All sarcoidosis patients hospitalised between 2002 and 2005 were identified from the Swiss hospital statistics from the Swiss Federal Office for Statistics (Neuchâtel, Switzerland). Regional exposure characteristics included the regional distribution of different industrial sectors, agriculture and air quality. Co-inertia analysis, as well as a generalised linear model, was applied. The prevalence of "ever-in-life" diagnosed sarcoidosis, currently active sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis requiring hospitalisation was 121 (95% CI 93-149), 44 (95% CI 34-54) and 16 (95% CI 10-22) per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. The mean annual incidence of sarcoidosis was 7 (95% CI 5-11) per 100,000 inhabitants. The regional workforce in the metal industry, water supply, air transport factories and the area of potato production, artificial meadows (grassland) and bread grains were positively associated with the frequency of sarcoidosis. The prevalence of sarcoidosis was higher than assumed based on former international estimates. Higher frequency was found in regions with metal industry and intense agriculture, especially production of potatoes, bread grains and artificial meadows.

Floristic compositions of Inner Mongolian grasslands under different land‐use conditions

AbstractThe severe degradation of grasslands caused by overgrazing and other diverse human operations has become widespread in Inner Mongolia, China. In this study, the vegetations of several grasslands under different land‐use conditions were compared to examine the relationships between the vegetation and the disturbance of the grassland. Floristic and life‐form compositions of the stands representing the six different sites were researched by the quadrat method: a non‐grazed grassland (G1), a lightly grazed grassland (G2), a path (P), an abandoned field (AF) and two artificial meadows (M1 and M2). P, AF, M1 and M2 were located in a part of the grazed grassland. AF, M1 and M2 had been tilled when planted. The dominant species found in G1 and G2 were Potentilla fragarioides, Poa annua, and Cleistogenes squarrosa. Artemisia annua, Chenopodium album, Cannabis sativa f. ruderalis and Calystegia hederacea were found in P and AF, being scarce in the grassland areas. Amaranthus retroflexus, Kochia scoparia and Setaria viridis, which are cosmopolitan weeds, were dominant only in AF. Leymus chinensis, Agropyron cristatum, Potentilla bifurca, and Potentilla tanacetifolia were widely observed across all the surveyed sites. The land‐use change from grassland to path caused a decrease of perennial species and an invasion of annual species by heavy trampling. A similar vegetational change occurred with the land‐use change from grassland to abandoned field due to the destruction of original vegetation by tillage. Human disturbance such as tillage and trampling also resulted in a decrease in the species with the tufted‐ and branched‐form and an increase in the species with the erect‐form. Tillage could produce a more serious impact on the grassland vegetation as compared to grazing.

Assessment of land use impacts on the natural environment

Land use is an economic activity that generates large benefits for human society. One side effect, however, is that it has caused many environmental problems throughout history and still does today. Biodiversity, in particular, has been negatively influenced by intensive agriculture, forestry and the increase in urban areas and infrastructure. Integrated assessment such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), thus, incorporate impacts on biodiversity. The main objective of this paper is to develop generic characterization factors for land use types using empirical information on species diversity from Central Europe, which can be used in the assessment method developed in the first part of this series of paper. Based on an extensive meta-analysis, with information about species diversity on 5581 sample plots, we calculated characterization factors for 53 land use types and six intensity classes. The typology is based on the CORINE Plus classification. We took information on the standardized α-diversity of plants, moss and mollusks into account. In addition, threatened plants were considered. Linear and nonlinear models were used for the calculation of damage potentials (EDP S). In our approach, we use the current mean species number in the region as a reference, because this determines whether specific land use types hold more or less species diversity per area. The damage potential calculated here is endpoint oriented. The corresponding characterization factors EDP S can be used in the Life Cycle Impact Assessment as weighting factors for different types of land occupation and land use change as described in Part 1 of this paper series. The result from ranking the intensity classes based on the mean plant species number is as expected. High intensive forestry and agriculture exhibit the lowest species richness (5.7–5.8 plant species/m2), artificial surfaces, low intensity forestry and non-use have medium species richness (9.4–11.1 plant species/m2) and low-intensity agriculture has the highest species richness (16.6 plant species/m2). The mean and median are very close, indicating that the skewedness of the distribution is low. Standard error is low and is similar for all intensity classes. Linear transformations of the relative species numbers are linearly transformed into ecosystem damage potentials (EDP ). The integration of threatened plant species diversity into a more differentiated damage function $$EDP_{linear}^{S_{total} } $$ makes it possible to differentiate between land use types that have similar total species numbers, but intensities of land use that are clearly different (e.g., artificial meadow and broad-leafed forest). Negative impact values indicate that land use types hold more species per m2 than the reference does. In terms of species diversity, these land use types are superior (e.g. near-to-nature meadow, hedgerows, agricultural fallow). Land use has severe impacts on the environment. The ecosystem damage potential EDP S is based on assessment of impacts of land use on species diversity. We clearly base EDP S factors on α-diversity, which correlates with the local aspect of species diversity of land use types. Based on an extensive meta-analysis of biologists’ field research, we were able to include data on the diversity of plant species, threatened plant species, moss and mollusks in the EDP S. The integration of other animal species groups (e.g. insects, birds, mammals, amphibians) with their specific habitat preferences could change the characterization factors values specific for each land use type. Those mobile species groups support ecosystem functions, because they provide functional links between habitats in the landscape. The use of generic characterization factors in Life Cycle Impact Assessment of land use, which we have developed, can improve the basis for decision-making in industry and other organizations. It can best be applied for marginal land use decisions. However, if the goal and scope of an LCA requires it this generic assessment can be complemented with a site-dependent assessment. We recommend utilizing the developed characterization factors for land use in Central Europe and as a reference methodology for other regions. In order to assess the impacts of land use in other regions it would be necessary to sample empirical data on species diversity and to develop region specific characterization factors on a worldwide basis in LCA. This is because species diversity and the impact of land use on it can very much differ from region to region.