Canopy Types Research Articles

Effect of Different Altitudinal Zones on Growth Parameters of Garcinia indica (Choisy) in Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India

This study examines the impact of altitudinal variation on the growth of Garcinia indica in Agro-climatic Zone-9 of Karnataka, specifically in the Uttara Kannada district of the Western Ghats. Eight experimental sites, categorized into four altitudinal zones (Plains, Up-ghat, Mid-ghat, and Coastal), were analyzed for tree height, girth, and crown diameter. Results show significant growth variations, with the Up-ghat zone having the highest mean tree height (10.73 m), the Coastal zone showing the largest girth (69.67 cm), and the Mid-ghat zone exhibiting the widest crown diameter (7.08 m). Four type of canopy found viz., Pyramidal, Full-crowned, Weeping and Spreading. These growth differences are influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, humidity, and light availability, which are more favourable in higher altitude regions. The findings have practical implications for commercial Garcinia indica cultivation, indicating plains and up-ghat as optimal for higher productivity. Understanding these growth patterns supports sustainable harvesting and improved yields for industries using kokum butter and extracts.

Forest floor nematode communities and associated tree canopies: Is there an ecological linkage?

We searched for patterns supporting the hypothesis of compositional and functional linkage between forest floor nematode communities and dominant tree canopies, while controlling for some relevant soil and climate variables. Twenty-one forest sampling sites scattered throughout the South-Eastern Carpathian basin were selected under spruce, beech, and hornbeam-oak canopies. The relative contribution of forest canopy type to nematode assemblage differentiation was estimated through nematode taxonomic composition and feeding guild structure. The forest canopy type had a significant effect on nematode taxon/feeding guild composition and diversity at stand level. Several (diagnostic) nematode taxa and feeding guilds were positively associated with and accurately predicted the forest canopy types considered. Apart from the herbivorous nematodes, all the other trophic guilds were significantly related, in terms of their relative abundance, to the forest canopy type. Both nematode taxonomic and trophic diversity were significantly higher under beech canopy compared with its two counterparts. The highest total nematode beta diversity, either taxonomic or trophic, was attained between hornbeam-oak and spruce canopies. Nematode taxonomic and trophic beta diversity between forest canopy types were largely determined by taxon replacement and respectively, by a nested trophic structure. Overall, four concordant and two discordant patterns were revealed between nematode taxon and feeding guild composition with respect to overlying forest canopy, all underpinning the addressed ecological linkage. The present results bring evidence regarding the important contribution of the forest canopy, along with climatic variables, in driving the taxonomic and functional composition/diversity of nematode communities from the soil organic horizon.

Uncertainty analysis for forest height inversion using L / P band PolInSAR datasets and RVoG model over kryclan forest site

Forest height, as a measure of the quantity and quality of forest resources, plays a significant role in the study of the ecological functions performed by forests. Although the polarimetric synthetic aperture radar interferometry (PolInSAR) technique has evolved as a potent method for forest height inversion, uncertainties still exist in the process of estimating forest height, and the uncertainties in predicted forest height directly lead into the uncertainty of terrestrial carbon stock calculation results. In this study, we took the Random Volume over Ground (RVoG) model as likelihood function and constructed a hierarchical Bayesian framework to calculate and reduce the uncertainty of forest height inversion using L / P band PolInSAR airborne data via RVoG model. Uncertainties resulted from five canopy types and three forest densities were analyzed, respectively. The results showed that among the five different canopy types, L band has the highest prediction accuracy in pure coniferous canopy with Acc. = 0.90. The uncertainty is extremely low for pure forest, with the ratio of uncertainty values of 0.09 for L band and 0.15 for the P band in pure coniferous canopy, and uncertainty values of 0.16 for L band and 0.11 for P band in pure broadleaf canopy, respectively. Furthermore, when the forest density is between 300 and 600 stems/ha, the ratio of uncertainties for the L band is 0.27, whereas the P band is 0.24. As forest density increases, the uncertainty in forest height estimates decreases for both bands. The changes in canopy types and forest density affect forest height estimation uncertainties obviously, the effects are different at each frequency. The forest height inversion accuracy of the L band in pure coniferous canopy surpasses that in other canopy types, with the lowest uncertainty. P band performed well in broadleaf canopy forest height inversion. The inversion uncertainties at both frequencies decrease with increase of forest densities.

Climate Change Affects Choice and Management of Training Systems in the Grapevine

Although vertical shoot positioned (VSP) training systems, either cane- or spur-pruned, are adopted in the great majority of the vineyards worldwide, the lianas nature of the grapevine and the presence of long and flexible canes confer high plasticity and render structural and pruning changes quite easy. The focus of this review is if, in light of the most consistent features triggered by global warming (e.g., longer growing season, earlier phenology, faster ripening, higher incidence of overheating stress and sunburn, higher frequency of extreme weather events), the type and management of training systems should also be reconsidered. We surveyed the main methods to assess training system efficiency and the current attempts and outlook toward exploiting the training system as an adaptation tool to climate change. For the latter, we considered 12 main trellis types and scored them based on climate-related features and general traits such as vigor, yield control, susceptibility to fungal diseases, and suitability according to wine types (still or sparkling). The resulting balance of positive and negative recommendations leads to a re-evaluation of either old, nonmechanizable trellis types (e.g., Raggi-Bellussi and pergola types), divided canopy systems (e.g., GDC and Scott Henry) or, among the single canopy types, of the single high wire (SHW) trellis. However, historical systems traditionally used by best regions and producers (e.g., goblet and VSP either cane- or spur-pruned) overall show less adherence to the chosen evaluation criteria. To direct future evolution of training systems, regardless of the broadly shared need for suitability to partial or full mechanization, the scenario looks different depending on cool and temperate (warm) areas. The former experiences an outburst of interest as warming is broadening growing areas and affordable genotypes. Under such circumstances, training systems should help accelerate or favor the ripening process through vigor control and lower yield, better cluster exposure, and nonlimiting leaf area-to-fruit ratio. Whereas, in warm areas that are now becoming sub-tropical areas in the worst cases, the SHW gains credit as compared to goblet and traditional VSP. The latter requires an increasing number of canopy manipulations and a rethinking of some planting choices to accommodate the needs of slower and more delayed ripening, more cluster shading, and higher cordons, the latter reducing the probability of incurring significant frost damage.

Effects of canopy structure on the diversity and structure of tree species in omo biosphere reserve, Ogun state, Nigeria

This study assessed the effects of canopy structure on tree species diversity and forest structure in OmoBiosphere Reserve. Landsat imagery was used; supervised maximum likelihood classification was used to classify the reserve into two canopy structures (closed and open canopies). Random sampling technique was used to delineate 10 sample plots of 30m x 30m in each canopy type. Tree species with a diameter at breast height (Dbh) ≥10cm were enumerated in each sample plot. Shannon Weiner and Simpson’s indices were used to assess the tree diversity, while diameter and height stratification were used to evaluate the forest structure. Shannon Weiner and Simpson’s indices were 3.507 and 0.953, respectively, in open canopy structure (OCS) and 3.396 and 0.951, respectively, in closed canopy structure (CCS). Species richness and population were higher in OCS (64 and 575, respectively) than in CCS (56 and 531, respectively). Milletia thonningii andStrombosia pustulata were the dominant tree species in OCS and CCS, respectively. The mean Dbhand height in OCS were 40.09cm and 22.86 cm; and 50.21cm and 23.05cm in CCS, respectively. The basal area was 110.01m2/ha in OCS and 207.97m2/ha in CCS. The volume yield per hectare in OCS was 343.35m3/ha and 842.49m3/ha in CCS. The OCS was dominated by younger trees than the CCS. Canopy structure affects tree species richness, population, and diversity, as well as tree attributes.

Mapping wetlands in Northeast China by using knowledge-based algorithms and microwave (PALSAR-2, Sentinel-1), optical (Sentinel-2, Landsat), and thermal (MODIS) images

Wetlands are rich in biodiversity, provide habitats for many wildlife species, and play a vital role in the transmission of bird-borne infectious diseases (e.g., highly pathogenic avian influenza). However, wetlands worldwide have been degraded or even disappeared due to natural and anthropogenic activities over the past two centuries. At present, major data products of wetlands have large uncertainties, low to moderate accuracies, and lack regular updates. Therefore, accurate and updated wetlands maps are needed for the sustainable management and conservation of wetlands. Here, we consider the remote sensing capability and define wetland types in terms of plant growth form (tree, shrub, grass), life cycle (perennial, annual), leaf seasonality (evergreen, deciduous), and canopy type (open, closed). We identify unique and stable features of individual wetland types and develop knowledge-based algorithms to map them in Northeast China at 10 m spatial resolution by using microwave (PALSAR-2, Sentinel-1), optical (Landsat (ETM+/OLI), Sentinel-2), and thermal (MODIS land surface temperature, LST) imagery in 2020. The resultant wetland map has a high overall accuracy of >95%. There were a total 154,254 km2 of wetlands in Northeast China in 2020, which included 27,219 km2 of seasonal open-canopy marsh, 69,158 km2 of yearlong closed-canopy marsh, and 57,878 km2 of deciduous forest swamp. Our results demonstrate the potential of knowledge-based algorithms and integrated multi-source image data for wetlands mapping and monitoring, which could provide improved data for the planning of wetland conservation and restoration.

How does understory vegetation diversity and composition differ between monocultures and mixed plantations of hybrid poplar and spruce?

Although monocultures are important for timber production, they are often associated with lower biological diversity than mixtures. Thus, mixed plantations have been suggested as a way to enhance biodiversity because of their inherent compositional diversity. However, the effects of monocultures versus mixtures on understory diversity and composition can vary in different ecosystems. The objective of this study was to assess how monocultures and mixed plantations influence understory vegetation diversity and composition in the boreal forest region of southern Quebec. We sampled plantations established with deciduous Populus trichocarpa Torrey & A. Gray × balsamifera L. and P. maximowiczii Henry × balsamifera L. and coniferous Picea abies (L.) Karst. and Picea glauca (Moench) species planted in monocultures and in mixed plantations on abandoned farmlands and a forest site. We assessed understory vegetation diversity and composition in each canopy type (coniferous, deciduous, mixed) and in each plantation type. We evaluated bryophyte and lichen diversity and composition specifically in tree microhabitats: soil, tree bases, and tree trunks. We found that vascular plant and lichen species richness was similar in all plantation types, while bryophyte species richness was higher in spruce monocultures and in mixed plantations compared to poplar monocultures. Our results also highlight how land-use history influenced vascular plant composition as abandoned farmland sites were composed of more ruderal vascular plants, while the previously forested site was composed of species found in natural forests. In the context of reforestation and plantations, our study suggests mixing spruce with poplars to maximize understory vegetation diversity as the addition of spruce in mixed plantations promoted the establishment of terrestrial bryophytes, while poplars favored the establishment of epiphytic lichens.

Microenvironment has little effect on the litter decomposition rate of temperate trees

Individual tree species might affect underground soil properties to favor the decomposition of their own litter. However, in some studies, monospecific litter decomposed faster underneath multispecific canopies than under canopies of the same species as the litter, suggesting that plant diversity in the overstorey creates a more favorable decomposition microenvironment. We compared the decomposition rate of monospecific litter from eight temperate tree species under the crown of the same species as the litter (conspecific canopy), and a multispecific canopy formed by eight species. Using model selection, we determined the influence of the microenvironments, species, and litter chemistry on decomposition rates. The most robust model included the species and canopy type, but it differed only slightly from the model including only the species. Decomposition rates were significantly different among species and higher in conspecific canopy than multispecific canopy in all species. Models including specific leaf area and different combinations of chemical traits of the litter were less robust than the null model. These results show that the species origin of the litter was significantly more important than the microenvironment to explain litter decomposition rates.

Middle Neolithic agricultural and land-use models in southern Poland: A case-study of the long-term settlement in Mozgawa

Palaeoecological and archaeological studies conducted in Mozgawa (southern Poland) demonstrated a long-term sustainable land-use by inhabitants of a large settlement occupied during the second half of the fourth millennium BC. The Middle Neolithic society established a settlement that covered an area of about 30–35 ha and functioned during at least three centuries, as validated by the absolute chronology. A thorough analysis based on the fuzzy-logic principle combined with archaeobotanical and archaeozoological data showed that the subsistence model was based on agricultural practices, related with both crop cultivation and animal husbandry, together with an important component of hunting, fishing and gathering. Ecological requirements of plants and animals represented by fossil remains suggested that the exploited area included a variety of habitats. In the open landscape, wet and dry grasslands, used partly as pastures, cultivated fields and marshes were present. Wooded areas included deciduous lime-oak-elm forests, also of open canopy type, and riparian forests. This was due to the transitional location of the Mozgawa site on a loess-mantled hill, covered with fertile soils, but right on the border with a vast alluvial plain of the Nida River. Such ecologically diversified micro-region became a managed landscape, which provided rich resources for seasonal diets of the settlement’s inhabitants. The case study of the Mozgawa site offers a unique insight into the palaeoeconomy of the Funnel Beaker culture in central Europe.

Bi-directional Monte-Carlo modelling of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence images for 3D vegetation canopies in the DART model

Remote sensing (RS) of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has a great potential for monitoring plant photosynthetic activity. Radiative transfer models (RTM) are essential to better interpret and extract information from SIF signals. DART is one of the most comprehensive and accurate 3D RTMs. Its standard mode DART-FT simulates SIF using a discrete ordinates method but is not adapted to large landscapes due to computational constraints. DART-Lux, the new mode based on a bi-directional path tracing algorithm, greatly improves DART computational efficiency for simulating images. This paper presents the theory of a novel SIF modelling algorithm in DART-Lux. We verified its accuracy with DART-FT and the SCOPE model for three types of canopies: turbid medium, maize field and forest. DART-Lux closely matches DART-FT (relative difference < 2%) with much better computational efficiency depending on the scene complexity, number of spectral bands and needed accuracy. For example, simulation time is reduced by a factor of ≈48, and memory usage by ≈50 for a maize field at 1 cm resolution. It allowed to simulate SIF images of large scenes as the 3×3km2 Ripperdan agricultural site that DART-FT could not simulate. The new SIF modelling algorithm opens new horizons for RS studies of large and complex landscapes. It is available as part of released DART versions (v1152 onwards) (https://dart.omp.eu/).

Experimental analysis of spray droplet deposition behaviour for centrifugal assisted spinning disc sprayer

The biological effectiveness of insecticides is influenced both by the amount of sprayed material that is left behind on the canopies and by the physicochemical characteristics of the spray solutions. The type of sprayer and its settings, the type of canopy and its density, the stage of tree development, and the variables in the surrounding environment all have an impact on where and how much spray is deposited within canopies. PIV is used in this study to investigate the behaviour of droplet deposition on a three-dimensional prototype of a centrifugally assisted spinning disc sprayer. A variety of rotational velocities are represented here by the aerosol distribution from the exit of the nozzle to −1.5 m and 4 m, respectively. If the mass flow rate is slowed down, the droplet diameter can be increased while maintaining the same rotational speed. This is accomplished by reducing the amount of friction that exists between the spinning disc and the liquid that is being sprayed. This impact is caused by not only an increase in the droplet deposition rate in the direction of downward movement, but also an increase in the mass flow rate. Some droplet particles actually travel upward for certain mass flow rates because they are unable to overcome resistance and have a low density.

Nadstrešnice na stajalištima javnog gradskog prevoza u Beogradu - primer otvorenih javnih mikro-prostora u gradu

Micro-spaces - small-scale public city spaces - represent an important element in the structure of the city, both functionally and aesthetically. Due to their small scale, their importance is often overlooked by experts and investors. The paper describes the concept of canopies at public transport stops in Belgrade, which were created in the period from 2007 to the present day. By multiplying the basic type of canopy and its variations, a recognizable element of the city image is built. By upgrading the basic project and introducing additional elements from the repertoire of modern design, such as "green" constructions, "smart" technologies, energy efficiency, etc., this form of urban space would be additionally affirmed and contribute not only to the comfort of users, the creation of the identity of the city and public city transport, but also to general interests such as safety, health and environmental protection

Screening of Lentil (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris) Germplasm for Resistance to Stemphylium Blight Disease Using Qualitative Characters

In terms of both acreage and productivity, lentil is India's second most important pulse crop. Stemphylium blight, caused by Stemphylium botrysum Wallr., is a serious economic problem in eastern parts of India including West Bengal. As most of the cultivated lentil are susceptible to Stemphylium blight disease, the main alternatives for the control of the disease is to use highly toxic fungicides. The objective of this work is to evaluate the responses of 210 numbers of genotype collected from International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in order to support the alternative disease management strategy. The qualitative attributes like days to flowering, height of the plant and leaf area were taken into consideration which were converted to qualitative attributes by using cluster analysis. Along with that branching pattern and canopy types was also recorded as qualitative parameters. The result clearly indicated that days to flowering, leaf area, branching habit and canopy temperature significantly influence the disease development.

Ontogeny influences tree growth response to soil fertility and neighbourhood crowding in an old-growth temperate forest.

Abiotic and biotic factors simultaneously affect tree growth and thus shape community structure and dynamics. In particular, trees of different size classes show different growth responses to soil nutrients and neighbourhood crowding, but our understanding of how species' joint responses to these factors vary between size classes remains limited in multi-storied temperate forests. Here, we investigated size class differences in tree growth response to soil gradients and neighbourhood crowding in an old-growth temperate forest. We combined growth data over 15 years from 38 902 individuals of 42 tree species with trait data in a 25-ha temperate forest plot in northeast China. We built hierarchical Bayesian models of tree growth to examine the effects of soil gradients and neighbourhood crowding between size classes and canopy types. We found that soil and neighbours mainly acted separately in shaping tree growth in small and large trees. Soil total nitrogen and phosphorus increased tree growth in small trees, in particular of understorey species, but not in large trees. Neighbours reduced tree growth in both tree size classes, with stronger effects on large than small trees, and on canopy than understorey species. Furthermore, small trees with higher specific leaf area grew faster in fertile soils, and small trees with less seed mass grew faster in crowded environments. Large trees with higher specific leaf area, specific root length and less seed mass grew faster in crowded environments, while these traits had limited influence on tree growth response to soil gradients. Our study highlights the importance of size class in modulating the response of tree growth to soil and neighbours, and the differential role of species canopy types and functional traits in capturing these effects in large vs. small trees.

Transcriptome and metabolome reveal the effects of three canopy types on the flavonoids and phenolic acids in ‘Merlot’ (Vitis vinifera L.) berry pericarp

The flavonoids and phenolic acids in grape berries greatly influence the quality of wine. Various methods are used to shape and prune grapevines, but their effects on the flavonoids and phenolic acids remain unclear. The flavonoids and phenolic acids in the berry pericarps from grapevines pruned using three types of leaf canopy, namely, V-shaped, T-shaped, and vertical shoot-positioned (VSP) canopies, were compared in this study. Results showed that the V-shaped canopy was more favorable for the accumulation of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially regulated metabolites (DRMs) were significantly enriched in the flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. A total of 96 flavonoids and 32 phenolic acids were detected among the DRMs. Their contents were higher in the V-shaped canopy than in the T-shaped and VSP canopies. Conjoint analysis of transcriptome and metabolome showed that nine DEGs (e.g., cytochrome P450 98A9 and 98A2) were significantly correlated to nine phenolic acids (e.g., gentisic acid and neochlorogenic acid) and three genes (i.e., chalcone isomerase, UDP-glycosyltransferase 88A1, and caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase) significantly correlated to 15 flavonoids (e.g., baimaside and tricin-7-O-rutinoside). These genes may be involved in the regulation of various flavonoids and phenolic acids in grape berries, but their functions need validation. This study provides novel insights into the effects of leaf canopy on flavonoids and phenolic acids in the skin of grape berries and reveals the potential regulatory networks involved in this phenomenon.

RCompetence Between Endangered Wild Animals: an Example of Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor Bedfordi) and Panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)

The study was conducted in tow locations are: (1) Taibai Mountain natural reserve (107°22’-107°51’E and 33°49’-34°05’N) and (2) Zhouzhi natural reserve (108° 14′-108° 18′ E, 33° 45′-33° 50′ N). To examine and analyze the impact of Golden takin behavior on the Giant panda activity in winter habitat and analyze their interactions at Taibai Mountain and Zhouzhi natural reserve. For habitat survey, randomly walked within the study areas with different vegetation types to search for signs of each species. The presence of Golden takin and Giant panda was identified based on their fresh droppings. Once fresh droppings were found and a sampling plot of 20 m x 20 m was established and centered on the droppings location. Two (2 m × 10 m) were set at different locations within the 20 m × 20 m plot, and observations were made according to the type of habitats including type of trees, bamboo type, bamboo cover, bamboo density, canopy, shrub cover and herb cover. At Taibai Mountain, a total of 12 infrared cameras were placed on tree stems at 1 m height, the laying density of cameras is 4 sets / km2 and other 20 infrared cameras were mounted at Guangtoushan in Zhouzhi natural reserve,to monitor Golden takin and Giant panda movement. Camera traps data were collected every three months depending on the status of battery and the weather conditions. Takin displayed the highest peak activity at periods of 16:00-18:00 pm (48.03%) and 16:00-18:00 pm (39.29%) in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, respectively, while for Panda the highest peaks of activity were recorded at periods of 14:00-16:00 pm (24.58%) and 12:00-14:00 pm (26.13%) in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, respectively. At Zhouzhi natural reserve, Takin showed also highest peak of activity at periods of 16:00-18:00 pm (23.48%) and 16:00-18:00 pm (38.48%) in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, respectively, whereas the highest peak activity for Panda were recorded at periods of 12:00-14:00 pm (19.15%) and 12:00-14:00 pm (18.22%) in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, respectively.

Evaluating the restoration potential of soil seed banks in degraded semi-arid oak forests: Influence of canopy cover types and fire-related cues on seed germination

Soil seed bank is an important driver of vegetation dynamics, particularly in fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems. In this study, we disentangle the effects of fire-related cues on the dynamics of the soil seed bank in semiarid oak forests of western Iran. Soil samples were collected in two types of forests: below closed canopy or below the open canopy of more intensively used forests. In a greenhouse experiment, the effects of five treatments were tested application of: ash (Ash), smoke (Smoke), 50 °C temperature (Heat50), 100 °C temperature (Heat100) and control. Soil samples were regularly monitored and the number of germinated seeds (seedlings) by species were recorded in each treatment. Diversity indices were also computed. Knowing the effects of fire and its cues on fied 18 species from 16 genera and 9 families. 56 % of the seedlings emerged from the closed canopy forest soils and 44 % from the open canopy forests. Seedling density and diversity values were the lowest in the Heat100 treatment. No annual grasses and tree species were recorded in this treatment. In contrast, the influence of the other fire-related cues was mediated by the forest type cover: the number of emerged seedlings was the highest in Smoke and Heat50 in the open canopy and closed canopy, respectively. This mediation effect was also reflected in the composition of the control as tree species were only present in the closed canopy and annual forbs were less abundant there compared to the open canopy type. Considering all fire treatments together, the seedling density was significantly higher in the closed canopy type than in the open canopy (309.6 ± 28.03 vs 240.8 ± 20.78 seeds/m2). Our results showed that intense fires leading to high soil temperatures are largely detrimental to soil seed bank germination and species diversity, whereas less intense fires can be favourable depending on species life form and the type of forest. Our findings highlight that post-fire regeneration from the soil seed bank is more promising in closed forests than in forests with an open canopy in the studied ecosystem.

The effect of Crataegus and Berberis canopy types on bioindicators of soil quality in a semi-arid climate

Crataegus and Berberis shrublands are natively distributed in Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. Despite the widespread distribution of these two species, the effect of pure and mixed canopy composition of these species on bioindicators of soil quality has received little attention. In the current research, the effect of pure [Crataegus (PC) and Berberis (PB)] and mixed [Crataegus and Berberis with almost equal canopy cover (50C:50B), Crataegus-dominated stand (70C:30B) and Berberis-dominated stand (30C:70B)] canopy types on litter properties, soil fauna and flora communities in different depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) was studied in the Mazandaran province, Iran. A total of 75 litter and 225 soil samples were collected and analysed. The results of this research showed that soil micro-climate and fertility are the main drivers of the population, composition and diversity of soil biota under the studied canopy covers. Increased soil temperature commonly had adverse effects on the populations of soil biota in the study area. Accordingly, the 50C:50B canopy type with a more appropriate micro-climate (i.e., higher soil moisture and lower soil temperature) and fertile soils showed higher populations of soil organisms, especially in the topsoil (0–10 cm). It is expected that results can improve scientific approaches to better comprehend of soil functions mechanism in the different canopy covers and also help to optimize land cover structures and enhancing of ecosystem services in semi-arid regions.

Breeding has selected for architectural and photosynthetic traits in lentils.

Genetic progress in seed yield in lentils (Lens culinaris Medik) has increased by 1.1% per year in Australia over the past 27 years. Knowing which plant traits have changed through breeding during this time can give important insights as to how lentil yield has increased. This study aims to identify morphological and physiological traits that were directly or indirectly selected between 1993 and 2020 in the Australian lentil breeding program using 2 years of experimental data. Major changes occurred in plant architecture during this period. Divergent selection has seen the release of varieties that have sprawling to very upright types of canopies. Despite this genetic diversity in recently released varieties, there is an overall tendency of recently released varieties having increased plant height and leaf size with reduced number of branches. Increased light interception was positively correlated with year of release (YOR) and yield, and likely results from indirect selection of yield and taller plant types. There is an indication that recently released varieties have lower CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and canopy temperature depression (CTD) at high ambient temperatures (~30°C). Understanding lentil physiology will assist in identifying traits to increase yield in a changing climate with extreme weather events.

Safe at Home?

Problem, research strategy, and findings Indoor residential environments will be an increasing source of dangerous heat exposure as summer temperatures rise. Although air conditioning is a recognized preventative measure, many vulnerable residents either lack air conditioning or cannot always afford the electricity. Understanding the relative influence of different building characteristics and percentages of tree canopy coverage on indoor air temperatures during extreme heat events can help prioritize intervention strategies. We measured indoor and outdoor temperatures at 140 homes in Detroit (MI), Atlanta (GA), and Phoenix (AZ) and surveyed residents to determine the presence of a working central air-conditioning system and their ability to afford utilities. For each home, we collected information on construction year, interior size, single versus multifamily structure, façade type, and percentage of tree canopy. After air conditioning, the importance of building characteristics versus tree canopy measures varied by city. In Detroit, masonry façades worsened the influence of outdoor temperatures, whereas increased tree canopy coverage moderated the influence. In Atlanta, building characteristics were not significant, but tree canopy moderated indoor temperatures in late afternoon. In Phoenix, some building characteristics moderated the influence of outdoor temperatures in late afternoon. Takeaway for practice In Detroit, only 35% of respondents had and used central air conditioning as needed compared with 57% in Atlanta and 95% in Phoenix. The influence of tree canopy and building characteristics on indoor temperatures varied by city depending on its background climate. We recommend adding questions about air conditioning and utility poverty to the U.S. Census. For rental properties, municipalities should establish and enforce maximum indoor temperature thresholds. States should include cooling in their Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) programs. Public cooling centers need to anticipate electricity outages. Urban planners must ensure efforts to increase mechanical cooling are powered by renewable energy sources.