Bioclimatic Characteristics Research Articles

Regional features of the bioclimate of Central and Southern Europe against the background of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification

Climate Index UTCI to studies of regional variability in human-biometeorological conditions. The variability in question was assessed by reference to selected meteorological stations representing Central and Southern Europe, i.e. Kolobrzeg, Warsaw and Świeradow (in Poland), Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana, Milan, Rome and Athens, with the bioclimatic features characterising these localities being presented against the background of the Koppen-Geiger climate classification. In line with that classification, the first five stations are found to represent the cold climate zones (Dfb, Dfc). The last four stations are in turn located in the temperate climate zones (Cfa, Cfb, Csa). Seasonal changes in UTCI values and the frequency of occurrence of UTCI categories are discussed. Significant regional differences in bioclimatic characteristics were found between the stations representing various types of climate. While the highest summer values for UTCI are very similar at all stations (39-42°C), the frequency of occurrence of days with at least strong heat stress (SHS) varied from 2% at the coastal station of Kolobrzeg in Poland to more than 50% at the Milan, Rome and Athens stations. In winter the lowest UTCI values are much differentiated regionally, from -54°C at the mountain station in Świeradow, Poland, to -22°C in Rome. In the zone of cold climate, the frequency of occurrence of days with at least strong cold stress (SCS) is >40%, while in the temperate climates, strong cold stress is characteristic of less than 2% of winter days.

Assessing Crop Yield Sustainability under the Climatic and Bioclimatic Change in the Area of Palestine

We analyzed plant production such as olive, grape and fig in several Palestinian Occupied Territories, and studied the correlation analyses between productions and climatic, bioclimatic features in the territory. This work examines the following climate factors: average temperature, precipitation, soil water reserve and water deficit; and bioclimatic parameters such as compensated thermicity index, ombrothermic index and continentally index. The data used were from nine meteorological stations of the Palestinian Meteorological Department. The study was based on the correlation analyses between olive, grape and fig production in nine plots: Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Tulkarem over fourteen years. The analysis of variance revealed a significant influence of the variables temperature and compensated thermicity index on the production of olive and fig, and a low influence on grape production. When we applied canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), the Nablus, Jenin, Jericho and Gaza plots were most affected by the climate factors as temperature, and bioclimate factors as compensated thermicity index, whereas, the Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Tulkarem and Ramallah plots showed the influence of ombrothermic index, continentally index, precipitation, water deficit and soil water reserve.

Using landscape and bioclimatic features to predict the distribution of lions, leopards and spotted hyaenas in Tanzania's Ruaha landscape.

Tanzania's Ruaha landscape is an international priority area for large carnivores, supporting over 10% of the world's lions and important populations of leopards and spotted hyaenas. However, lack of ecological data on large carnivore distribution and habitat use hinders the development of effective carnivore conservation strategies in this critical landscape. Therefore, the study aimed to (i) identify the most significant ecogeographical variables influencing the potential distribution of lions, leopards and spotted hyaenas across the Ruaha landscape; (ii) identify zones with highest suitability for harbouring those species; and (iii) use species distribution modelling algorithms (SDMs) to define important areas for conservation of large carnivores. Habitat suitability was calculated based on environmental features from georeferenced presence-only carnivore location data. Potential distribution of large carnivores appeared to be strongly influenced by water availability; highly suitable areas were situated close to rivers and experienced above average annual precipitation. Net primary productivity and tree cover also exerted some influence on habitat suitability. All three species showed relatively narrow niche breadth and low tolerance to changes in habitat characteristics. From 21,050 km2 assessed, 8.1% (1,702 km2) emerged as highly suitable for all three large carnivores collectively. Of that area, 95.4% (1,624 km2) was located within 30 km of the Park-village border, raising concerns about human-carnivore conflict. This was of particular concern for spotted hyaenas, as they were located significantly closer to the Park boundary than lions and leopards. This study provides the first map of potential carnivore distribution across the globally important Ruaha landscape, and demonstrates that SDMs can be effective for understanding large carnivore habitat requirements in poorly sampled areas. This approach could have relevance for many other important wildlife areas that only have limited, haphazard presence-only data, but which urgently require strategic conservation planning.

Morphometric characterization of Eryngium viviparum (Umbelliferae): description of a new subspecies from the Iberian Peninsula

Eryngium viviparum is an endemic plant of the Atlantic regions of Europe. Surveys carried out in recent years in the wetlands of northwest Spain have led to the identification of several previously undetected subpopulations of this species in inland areas with markedly Mediterranean bioclimatic characteristics that constitute the southern limit of this species. However, these populations overlap with the distribution of the Iberian endemic E. galioides, similar in size and morphology. We developed a biometric study on herbarium vouchers that has enabled us to identify a new subspecies, subspecies bariegoi, distributed in a limited geographical zone in Mediterranean areas of the northwest Iberian Peninsula.

Leaf anatomical variation in Cephalaria laevigata (dipsacaceae) under different ecological conditions

The results of a multivariate morphometric study of leaf anatomical characters in different, geographically distant populations of the taxon Cephalaria laevigata from Serbia and Romania are presented with the aim to reveal the trends of population differentiation. Analyses were performed on a cross-section of 105 leaves collected from 10 populations. In order to establish the overall morphological variation and relationships between individuals from all populations, principal component analyses and canonical discriminant analysis were performed. Clustering analyses were carried out to explore whether the observed anatomical differences are a result of adaptive responses. Regression analysis was performed to identify the level of correlation between leaf anatomical characters and basic orographic, geological and bioclimatic habitat characteristics. Unexpectedly, in most of the characters there was discrepancy between leaf anatomy and climatic conditions, and the characters did not show significant regularities in the variability of their dimension neither in the vertical profile nor in relation to geological substrate.

Modelling the potential distribution of Mesalina watsonana (Stoliczka, 1872) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) on the Iranian Plateau

The Persian Long-tailed Desert Lizard, Mesalina watsonana, is one of the most common and most widely distributed lizards on the Iranian Plateau extending from Iran to Pakistan and Afghanistan. The species is frequently encountered in various types of habitats. We collected over 600 distributional records from available literature, museum collections, and our own field work and used bioclimatic and land cover characteristics to develop a model of potential distribution for M. watsonana. According to the model, the most important factors limiting the distribution of M. watsonana are: precipitation in wettest quarter exceeding 250–300 mm, precipitation in coldest quarter lower than 40 mm and exceeding 250 mm, altitudes above 2500 m and slopes steeper than 10.5°. The model suggests that most of the Iranian Plateau is suitable for the species except for some isolated areas such as the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts in Iran, Helmand basin in Afghanistan, the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan, the western Chagai-Kharan deserts of Pakistani Balochistan, and Thar and Cholistan deserts in eastern Pakistan. The most important factor in these regions appears to be the extremely low rainfall during coldest quarter of the year. The outer boundary of the distribution of M. watsonana follows important biogeographic barriers that are also clearly delimited by climatic conditions.

Very high resolution bioclimatic zoning of Portuguese wine regions: present and future scenarios

Wine production is strongly affected by weather and climate and thus highly vulnerable to climate change. In Portugal, viticulture and wine production are an important economic activity. In the present study, current bioclimatic zoning in Portugal (1950–2000) and its projected changes under future climate conditions (2041–2070) are assessed through the analysis of an aggregated, categorized bioclimatic index (CatI) at a very high spatial resolution (near 1 km). CatI incorporates the most relevant bioclimatic characteristics of a given region, thus allowing the direct comparison between different regions. Future viticultural zoning is achieved using data from 13 climate model transient experiments following the A1B emission scenario. These data are downscaled using a two-step method of spatial pattern downscaling. This downscaling approach allows characterizing mesoclimatic influences on viticulture throughout Portugal. Results for the recent past depict the current spatial variability of Portuguese viticultural regions. Under future climate conditions, the current viticultural zoning is projected to undergo significant changes, which may represent important challenges for the Portuguese winemaking sector. The changes are quite robust across the different climate models. A lower bioclimatic diversity is also projected, resulting from a more homogeneous warm and dry climate in most of the wine regions. This will lead to changes in varietal suitability and wine characteristics of each region.

Environment‐Related Variations of the Composition of the Essential Oils of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in the Balkan Penninsula

Composition of the essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis of ten populations from the Balkan Peninsula were determined by GC/FID and GC/MS. The main constituents were 1,8-cineole, camphor, α-pinene, and borneol. Multivariate statistical analysis (UPGMA cluster analysis and principal-component analysis (PCA)) revealed two major types of rosemary oil, i.e., 1,8-cineole and camphor-type, and two intermediate types, i.e., camphor/1,8-cineole/borneol type and 1,8-cineole/camphor type. The regression analyses (simple linear regression and stepwise multiple regression) have shown that, with respect to basic geographic, orographic, and 19 bioclimatic characteristics of each population, bioclimatic factor temperature of habitat represented the dominant abiogenetic factor, which, in chemical sense, led to differentiation of populations in the studied region. Also, the regression analysis have shown that some constituents of essential oils are independent of any single bioclimatic factors. However, some constituents display statistically significant correlations with some abiotic factors.

Decreasing CO2Emissions and Embodied Energy during the Construction Phase Using Sustainable Building Materials

A great quantity of CO2 is emitted to the atmosphere during the different phases of a building's life cycle: in the production of materials and products, in the construction of the building itself, in the setting up of the site, in the exploitation, the renovations, the later rehabilitations, up to the final demolition. The present paper shows the possibility of reducing the embodied energy in building materials up to 55% and the CO2 emissions produced up to 43% in the construction phase, through a careful selection of sustainable building materials. The purpose of this study is to quantify the total amount of CO2 emissions and embodied energy that can be saved by the method presented in the particular phase of the material selection within the life cycle of a building. This material selection, as well as the bioclimatic characteristics, must be defined from the early design project phase. The research presented here has been carried out as a case study on an existing high-rise residential building in the...

Quantifying modern biomes based on surface pollen data in China

Large-scale surface pollen records and reconstructions of modern biomes are a necessary prerequisite for the understanding of past vegetation and climate changes, especially in large countries such as China which is subject to a variety of climatic regimes and has experienced long-term intensive anthropogenic disturbances. An updated surface pollen data set consisting of 2324 samples and 737 taxa is used to reconstruct biome distribution in China according to a newly established and well-tested global classification of plant functional types, based on the regional assessment of pollen taxa and the quantitative pollen-biome assignment method of biomization. Nineteen reconstructed types of biome present a reasonable reflection of the latitudinal and altitudinal distributions of modern vegetation in China. Incorrect assignment has previously occurred in some biomes, for example among the cold and cool temperate coniferous forests and mixed forest, among warm-temperate evergreen forest, mixed forest and tropical forests, and among temperate shrubland, grassland, desert and tundra biomes. Mega-biomes, grouped for the same bioclimatic zones, result in a better reconstruction than the nineteen separate biome types. The correct assignments increased from 68.8% to 80.6%. However, comparison of pollen-based biome reconstructions to climate-driven vegetation simulations performed using the global vegetation model BIOME4 indicates a low correlation rate (only 24.8%), suggesting that more needs to be done to combine palaeoenvironmental data with model simulations of past vegetation changes. The misassignment of surface pollen to modern biomes usually occurs in areas which have similar bioclimatic features and vegetation types and for biomes which share the same plant functional types. These mis-matches often occur in mountainous regions where transitional vegetation zones occur on hill slopes at mid-altitudes. Our new modern biome reconstruction for China is more robust and reliable; however continued analysis of pollen records is required in the remote areas of western China and the Tibetan Plateau, as well as in regions of central and eastern China which have suffered from high levels of anthropogenic activity. This type of anthropogenic biome reconstruction presents a new challenge.

Mesoscale Patterns in the Floristic Composition of Forests in the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

ABSTRACTWe describe the mesoscale floristic patterns in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India, through combined analysis of woody species abundance and stand structure data from a network of ninety‐six 1‐ha sampling plots spread across 22,000 km2. A total of 61,906 individuals (≥10 cm gbh) comprising 400 plant species from 254 genera and 75 families were recorded. Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Lauraceae and Moraceae families constituted 23.5 percent of the total number of species encountered. The relative dominance of species was skewed with Poecilonueron indicum, Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia tomentosa and Anogeissus latifolia being dominant in some plots. Correspondence analysis (CA) and a nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of plots by species abundances data showed similar arching patterns, with significant correlation between the first axis of CA and NMDS (r=0.77). Hierarchical clustering of plot scores along the three first CA axes resulted in splitting the plots into five different categories that broadly reflect the major bioclimatic features of the region. A multiscale bootstrapping test indicated that categorization of the wettest (wet evergreen group 1 and 2) and driest (dry deciduous) groups were robust (P<0.05 with 1000 bootstraps), while the remaining two transitional groups were uncertain (P=0.12 and 0.26 for moist deciduous and semi‐evergreen group, respectively). Principal component analysis revealed that plots with similar floristic composition can encompass contrastingly different physiognomic structures (canopy cover, canopy height and mean tree diameter) probably in relation to their levels of disturbance. Observed patterns in the floristic composition have been discussed in the light of the complex interaction between the bioclimatic and disturbance regimes that characterize the region.

Assessment of the effects of environmental factors on humification processes by derivative infrared spectroscopy and discriminant analysis

The potential of infrared spectroscopy to establish differences in terms of the environmental factors on the humification processes has been assessed on Mediterranean forest soils from Central Spain developed under sclerophyllic and gymnosperm vegetation. Humic acids were isolated from 21 soil samples differing in terms of vegetation (pine, holm oak, oak), geological substrate (granite, limestone), soil type (Humic Dystrudepts, Humic Dystroxerepts, Humic Haploxerepts, Calcic Argixerolls), soil horizon (O, A1, A2), humus type (calcic mull, mesotrophic-acid mull, moder), physiographic unit (hillside, moorland, ramp), altitudinal step, epipedon (mollic or umbric) and moisture regimen (udic or xeric), which were used as environmental classification factors. Quantitative peak intensity data were obtained from the second derivative infrared spectra of the humic acids. Discriminant analysis with automatic variable backward selection was used to identify the infrared bands showing more systematic changes in their intensities depending on the above classification factors. The diagnostic infrared bands chosen were at 1720, 1260 and 1330 cm − 1 , corresponding mainly to carboxyl and lignin-derived O-containing functional groups. The bands at 2920 and 1510 cm − 1 , corresponding to aliphatic and aromatic structures of the carbon backbone, respectively, were not significantly responsive to the environmental variability in the studied samples. The results showed how, in the scenario under study, taking advantage of the relative intensities of specific peaks from the second derivative infrared spectra, it is possible to discriminate different soil Suborders and humus types, as well as between several physiographic and bioclimatic features.

Prospects for the development of health resort and recreational resources in southern Siberia

Long-term monitoring natural health remedial factors of southern Siberia provided materials for the comparative evaluation of bioclimatic characteristics of sanatorium-and-spa facilities in major health and recreational areas of this region. The most promising localities for climatic balneotherapy, tourist and recreational activities have been identified at the territory of the Altai-Sayan mountain system. The database of sanatorium-and-spa facilities, health and recreational sites located in this region is presented. The rational exploitation of mountainous landscapes including strict constraints on nature use activities is recommended as a basis for the further development of recreational industry.

The lleuque forests of South Central Chile: a phytosociological study and syntaxonomical classification within South American temperate forests

This paper is a phytosociological study of a forest community dominated by the lleuque (the Araucanian name for the podocarpaceae Prumnopitys andina). This is a mixed forest community with gymnosperm and broad-leaved trees growing in a temperate sub-Mediterranean climate, with a somewhat continental character within the very oceanic territory of Chile. The paper describes the new Nothofago obliquae-Prumnopitydetum andinae association, mostly located between the Bío-Bío and La Araucanía regions (parallels 36º to 40º south). We deal with the bioclimatic characteristics of the community, its biogeographical restrictions and its continuing presence in special topographical sites. The paper not only analyzes the floristic composition of the community in order to ascribe it syntaxonomically to the Wintero-Nothofagetea class, but also considers a number of floristic arrangements which support a reinterpretation of some syntaxa which are phytosociologically ranked as orders or classes.

Combining genetic and ecological data to assess the conservation status of the endangered Ethiopian walia ibex

AbstractKnowledge about the phylogenetic history, genetic variation and ecological requirements of a species is important for its conservation and management. Unfortunately, for many species this information is lacking. Here we use multiple approaches (phylogenetics, population genetics and ecological modelling) to evaluate the evolutionary history and conservation status of Capra walie, an endangered flagship species of wild goat endemic to Ethiopia. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b and Y‐chromosome DNA sequences suggests that C. walie forms a monophyletic clade with Capra nubiana, but potentially has been isolated for up to 0.8 million years from this closely related species. Microsatellite DNA analyses show that C. walie has very low genetic variation (mean heterozygosity=0.35) compared with other endangered mammals. This reduced variation likely derives from a prolonged demographic decline and small effective population size. Ecological niche modelling using the bioclimatic features of habitats occupied by C. walie, suggests ecological differences between C. walie and C. nubiana, and identifies the areas most suitable for future reintroductions of C. walie. The genetic and bioclimatic data suggest that C. walie is distinct and requires immediate conservation actions including genetic monitoring and reintroductions to establish independent populations. This study illustrates how combining noninvasive sampling along with genetic and ecological (bioclimatic) approaches can help assess conservation status of poorly known species.

The hydrogeologic potential conditioning factors of hydrographic catchments of Upper Velhas River Basin, Southeastern Brazil

The hydrogeologic potential of a drainage catchment represents its capacity of sustainable water production, with good maintenance of the baseflows. In basins of similar shapes and bio-climatic characteristics, the potential will depend on several physical and anthropogenic conditioning factors. The determination of the hydrogeologic potential is a complex procedure, but alternative methods exist, in which hydrologic series are used to determine certain indexes, such as the recession coefficient (α), the specific baseflow (SBF), the baseflow index (BFI), transmissivity and storativity. Aiming at the evaluation of the hydrogeologic potential and its conditioning factors in the Maracuja River Basin (southeastern Brazil), ten catchments were selected and monitored. The catchments have distinct geologic and geomorphologic characteristics but are submitted to similar climatic conditions. The hydrogeologic potential is higher in crystalline basement areas, especially where the relief is flat and the regolith is thick; however, it is lower in the areas affected by gullies. The advantages of the hydrologic method, in particular to regions where information is scarce, are that it is easily applied and of low cost, enabling the characterization of the hydrogeologic potential and contributing to the management of water resources.

From introduction to the establishment of alien species: bioclimatic differences between presence and reproduction localities in the slider turtle

ABSTRACTAim Understanding the factors determining the transition from introduction of aliens to the establishment of invasive populations is a critical issue of the study of biological invasions, and has key implications for management. Differences in fitness among areas of introduction can define the zones where aliens become invasive. The American slider turtleTrachemys scriptahas been introduced worldwide, and has negative effects on freshwater communities, but only a subset of introduced populations breed successfully. We used species distribution models to assess the factors influencing the slider distribution in Italy, by analysing bioclimatic features that can cause the transition from presence of feral adults to breeding populations. We also evaluated whether climate change might increase the future suitability for reproduction.Location Central and Northern Italy.Methods The distribution of slider turtle was obtained from the literature, unpublished reports and field surveys. We used Maxent to build bioclimatic models.Results Reproductive populations are associated to a clear bioclimatic envelope with warmer climate, more solar radiation and higher precipitations than populations where reproduction is not observed. Several Mediterranean areas currently have climatic features suitable for sliders. Scenarios of climate change predict the expansion of these areas. In the near future (2020), the proportion of populations in areas suitable for reproduction will dramatically increase.Main conclusion Our study shows that bioclimatic differences can determine the areas where aliens become invaders. Management should be focused to these source areas. However, climate change can increase fitness in the future, and therefore the interactions between climate change and fitness can boost the invasiveness of this alien species.

Bioclimatic analysis of the Quercus pyrenaica forests in Spain

A bioclimatic analysis of the Spanish Quercus pyrenaica forests in the Iberian Peninsula was performed in this study. The purpose of this work was to find out the most suitable bioclimatic variables controlling the distribution patterns of Quercus pyrenaica forests in Spain. The study evaluated climatic data from 78 meteorological stations located in territories that could be potentially occupied by Quercus pyrenaica. The climatic information collected was processed with the BIOCLI computer program to diagnose their bioclimatic characteristics. Ten parameters and bioclimatic indices were afterwards analysed using an ordination statistical method (PCA). With this statistical approach, stations with similar bioclimatic features were grouped and subsequently these bioclimatic groups were associated to 14 different vegetation series of Quercus pyrenaica developing in Spain. The statistical analysis revealed the importance of the ombrothermic indices (mainly Summer Ombrothermic Indices) as well as the Compensated Thermicity Index as useful variables for the discrimination among the Spanish Quercus pyrenaica forests. Therefore, Summer Ombrothermic Indices are essential for the establishment of the boundaries between the temperate and mediterranean forests. The temperate forests require values of these indices higher than forests developing in mediterranean bioclimate. On the other hand, it turned out to be a thermic bioclimatic index of remarkable interest to distinguish either mesotemperate from supratemperate forests or mesomediterranean from supramediterranean ones. Finally, the combination of both type of indices allowed us to separate the Lusitan-Extremadurean, Betic and Gaditan-Alagavian forests that displayed summer ombrothermic indices values lower and generally Compensated Thermicity Index values higher than those of the Carpetan-Leonese forests.

Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar—The persistence of a Neanderthal population

The stratigraphy of the late Neanderthal occupation of Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar, between 33 and 24 ka BP, the latest known site of Neanderthal occupation, is discussed. Level IV at Gorham's Cave exclusively records Neanderthal occupation and is characterised by Mousterian technology and a sequence of 22 AMS dates. The overlying Level III is Upper Palaeolithic, and the earliest diagnostic culture is the Solutrean at around 18.5 ka BP. A dating interval of over four thousand years separates these two horizons. The ecological and bioclimatic characteristics of the site are considered as an explanation for the late survival of the Neanderthals in the region.

Insular morphological divergence in the lizard Liolaemus pictus (Liolaemidae)

AbstractLiolaemus pictus is a widely distributed arboreal lizard species in southern Chile. Within this species, mainland and island subspecies have been described mainly based on external morphological characters, however, their diagnostic characters have not been accurately demarcated. We used both traditional and geometric morphometrics to study the morphological divergence in L. pictus subspecies. Since geographic isolation can be related to environmental variation (e.g., variation in abundance and richness of insects or fruits), we predict that the L. pictus morphology could vary in head shape between mainland and island localities.Our results show morphological divergence in all variables analyzed among the island and mainland localities. The traditional morphometric approach reveals differences between populations from the mainland and island localities, where the mainland populations show a larger head size. Geometric morphometric data indicate that the eye orbits of the island specimens are more extended than in the mainland specimens in the dorsal view; this is probably related to a different capacity of substrate used. Also, in the lateral view, the eye orbits are extended and the head shape is less dorso-ventrally compressed in the island locality than in mainland populations and the terminal mouth position is more posterior in island specimens. We suggest that the morphological variation between mainland and island localities could be related to the fact that these populations were isolated during the last maximum glacial period in southern Chile, a period in which geomorphologic and bioclimatic features of this area were modified forming the present archipelago.