Changing Climatic Conditions Research Articles

Plant nutrient stoichiometry appears out of sync from soil: Increasing influences of changing climate on the grassland in inner Mongolia, China

Extremes in weather episodes seem to be the new normal. We need to better understand how changing climatic conditions alter plant growth in grasslands, especially macro nutrient uptake and stoichiometry. However, few studies have examined how warmer/colder or wetter/drier climates influence the nutrient coupling between plants and soils at the ecosystem level. Here, we investigated the changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations and their stoichiometric ratios in plants and soils from 65 grassland sites along a geographic gradient in northern China. Results showed that soil C, N and P were negatively correlated with temperature and aridity. Plant N was positively correlated with temperature and aridity, but plant P was negatively correlated with temperature and aridity. Plant C had no significant relationship with either aridity or temperature. Both temperature and aridity were positively correlated with C:N, but negatively correlated with C:P and N:P in soils. The ratio of plant C:N was negatively correlated with aridity, while plant C:P was positively correlated with temperature. Plant N:P was positively correlated with temperature and aridity. Our findings imply that the often-found positive relationships between plant and soil nutrients at one site might not apply to a broad geographic scale with varying climatic conditions, likely because of the “dilution effect” and disparate plant nutrient utilization strategies. It is conceivable that rapid climate shifts and the resulting changes in element availability, turnover rates, absorption, and use efficiency might cause desynchrony of C, N, and P cycles between plants and soils.

An integrated time‐varying moment (ITVM) model for flood frequency re‐analysis under future climate change conditions

An integrated time‐varying moment (<scp>ITVM</scp>) model for flood frequency re‐analysis under future climate change conditions

Potential of Earth Observation to Assess the Impact of Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events in Temperate Forests—A Review

Temperate forests are particularly exposed to climate change and the associated increase in weather extremes. Droughts, storms, late frosts, floods, heavy snowfalls, or changing climatic conditions such as rising temperatures or more erratic precipitation are having an increasing impact on forests. There is an urgent need to better assess the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events (EWEs) on temperate forests. Remote sensing can be used to map forests at multiple spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions at low cost. Different approaches to forest change assessment offer promising methods for a broad analysis of the impacts of climate change and EWEs. In this review, we examine the potential of Earth observation for assessing the impacts of climate change and EWEs in temperate forests by reviewing 126 scientific papers published between 1 January 2014 and 31 January 2024. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the sensors utilized, the spatial and temporal resolution of the studies, their spatial distribution, and their thematic focus on the various abiotic drivers and the resulting forest responses. The analysis indicates that multispectral, non-high-resolution timeseries were employed most frequently. A predominant proportion of the studies examine the impact of droughts. In all instances of EWEs, dieback is the most prevailing response, whereas in studies on changing trends, phenology shifts account for the largest share of forest response categories. The detailed analysis of in-depth forest differentiation implies that area-wide studies have so far barely distinguished the effects of different abiotic drivers at the species level.

Trend Analysis of Climatic Variables in the Cross River Basin, Nigeria

There have been several incidences of flood recently, which are believed to be aggravated by increased climatic variables as a result of perceived changes in climatic conditions (due to climate change) in the Cross River Basin. The basin is the most extensively developed and used river basin in the management of the water resources of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in Nigeria. In this paper, 30 years (from 1992 to 2021) of hydro-meteorological data (annual average rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures, hu midity, duration of sunlight (sunshine hours), evaporation, wind speed, soil temperature, cloud cover, solar radiation, and atmospheric pressure) from four stations in the Cross River Basin were obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Abuja and subjected to trend detection analysis using the Mann–Kendall test to determine the trend in climatic parameters. The results indicate that there is a significant upward trend in annual rainfall in Ogoja but a downward trend in Calabar. The evaporation trend is significantly downward in Eket, whereas in Calabar, there is an upward trend in solar radiation. Generally, there is a significant rise in annual maximum temperature across the basin. Serial correlation and segmented regression analyses were performed to measure the impact of fluctuations in monthly and long-term Tahiti and Darwin’s Sea level pressures on the climatic variables at the Cross River Basin catchment. These analyses were necessary to determine the extent of the influence of the El Nino Southern Oscillation climatic cycle. The analyses show no significant association between the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and rainfall or between the ENSO and runoff in the catchment. This implies that the impact of the ENSO on rainfall and runoff in the Cross River Basin catchment is not considerable. The intercepts derived from the segmented regression in Eket and Ogoja show significant positive trends in both areas for rainfall and runoff. The trends in intercepts suggest that there are external factors influencing rainfall and runoff other than ENSO events, thus strengthening the assertion of climate change. Results from this study will facilitate the understanding of the variability in climatic parameters by stakeholders in the basin, researchers, policymakers, and water resource managers.

Efficiency of Factor Productivity and Effect of Individual Input of Production on Growth, Yield and Economics of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Production

Background: In the face of limited resources and changing climatic conditions, a major challenge for agriculturists is to ensure food security while addressing the issue of an ever-growing population. In India, the average productivity of soybean is low as compared to world average due to lack of improved agronomic practices, less importance and mostly grown under rain-fed condition. To bridge this gap, factors of production determining the per-unit production plays a crucial role in crop production. Therefore, in order to identify/evaluate the partial factor productivity and their contribution for better crop growth and individual input use efficiency study was undertaken. Methods: The field experiments were conducted during Kharif 2020, 2021 and 2022 in Randomized Block Design with seven crop management practices. To know the efficiency of individual crop management practices on growth, yield parameters, yield, economics and output efficiency in terms of partial factor productivity and agronomy efficiency of applied nutrients. Result: Three-year results concluded that, soybean grown with full package recorded significantly higher seed yield (2277 kg ha-1) over full package excluding weed management (1889 kg ha-1) and full package excluding RDF (2023 kg ha-1). The yield gap was higher with omission of weed management (388 kg ha-1) and omission of RDF (254 kg ha-1). Further, net returns and crop out-put efficiency in terms of partial factor productivity and agronomic efficiency was higher with full package over the omission of the practice. Thus it can be concluded that, for achieving higher productivity, profitability and agronomic efficiency of applied nutrients under full package comprising all crop management practices can be adopted over the years in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.

Lack of management, land-use changes, poor site conditions and drought contribute to the decline of old pollarded oaks

In Europe, people have managed forests and woodlands for centuries. Old pollarded oaks reflect historical legacies, and their conservation is threatened by the abandonment of this traditional forest use. However, site conditions (topography, soil features, land cover, and historical use) and warming-triggered drought stress also contribute to their growth decline, particularly in seasonally dry regions. We investigated two stands of pollarded Mediterranean oaks (Quercus subpyrenaica), where pollarding was abandoned in the 1950s, showing contrasting land cover and tree sizes in north-eastern Spain. Changes in land cover, soil characteristics (texture, pH, and nutrient concentrations), climate conditions, and tree-ring data (basal area increment −BAI−, and ring-width indices) were analysed. The Artosilla site, showing the smallest trees, presented the lowest long-term growth rates (period 1730−2022, mean BAI = 19.7 cm2 yr−1) as compared with the Aineto site with bigger oaks (mean BAI = 32.9 cm2 yr−1). Old trees were found in both sites with ages ranging 293−311 years. The less fertile soils in Artosilla, where pine plantations diminish canopy thermal amplitude, may contribute to the long-term growth decline observed there. Moreover, more major growth suppressions were found in this site, particularly in the 1940s, which suggest a more intensive historical use. Aineto showed a stronger BAI decline since the 1950s, which could be a response to increasingly warmer and drier summer conditions. In contrast, growth in Artosilla is decoupling from soil and atmospheric drought suggesting chronic growth stagnation. Poor site conditions (steeper slope, less fertile soils, intensive historical use) contributed to the decline of pollarded oaks. Active management is required to preserve these unique old, monumental trees.

Autumn cold acclimation and freezing tolerance of three oak species in semi-Mediterranean Zagros forests

Aim of study: To identify and compare the early frost resistance mechanisms in three oak species (Quercus brantii, Quercus libani and Quercus infectoria). Area of study: Zagros forests of Iran. Material and methods: The physiological and biochemical variables such as chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage, and osmotic metabolite content, such as proline, glucose, and potassium of three oak species seedlings with varying altitudinal and latitudinal ranges were measured under various treatments, including cold treatments (4°C: control, -20°C (1 hour) and -20°C (2 hours)) and four levels of hardening steps with decreasing temperature and photoperiod. Main results: Results showed that decreasing photoperiod and temperature during cold hardening was associated with decreasing Fv/Fm, ΦPSII and electron transport rate, increasing (NPQ) measured from chlorophyll fluorescence, as well as increasing osmotic metabolite content and decline of RWC, except the glucose content decreased in Q. brantii from lower altitudes and south aspect. On the other hand, Q. libanii, which originates from higher altitudes and north aspect showed the strongest cold-resistance and faster developing cold-acclimation capacity using earlier accumulation of osmotic metabolites, diminishing RWC and subsequently lowest EL compared to the other oak species. Research highlights: The physiological and biochemical responses of oak species differed based on origin and there was a positive relation between osmotic metabolite content, NPQ, altitude, and cold stress resistance. These physiological responses, especially NPQ (as a fast and non-invasive tool) provide a quantitative assessment of the risks associated with autumn freezing in different oak species and ecotypes relevant to conservation and reforestation projects of the Zagros forests under changing climatic conditions.

Genetic mapping of regions associated with root system architecture in rice using MutMap QTL-seq

The root system architecture is an important complex trait in rice. With changing climatic conditions and soil nutrient deficiencies, there is an immediate need to breed nutrient-use-efficient rice varieties with robust root system architectural (RSA) traits. To map the genomic regions associated with crucial component traits of RSA viz. root length and root volume, a biparental F2 mapping population was developed using TI-128, an Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS) mutant of a mega variety BPT-5204 having high root length (RL) and root volume (RV) with wild type BPT-5204. Extreme bulks having high RL and RV and low RL and RV were the whole genome re-sequenced along with parents. Genetic mapping using the MutMap QTL-Seq approach elucidated two genomic intervals on Chr.12 (3.14–3.74 Mb, 18.11–20.85 Mb), and on Chr.2 (23.18–23.68 Mb) as potential regions associated with both RL and RV. The Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) assays for SNPs with delta SNP index near 1 were associated with higher RL and RV in the panel of sixty-two genotypes varying in root length and volume. The KASP_SNPs viz. Chr12_S4 (C→T; Chr12:3243938), located in the 3’ UTR region of LOC_Os12g06670 encoding a protein kinase domain-containing protein and Chr2_S6 (C→T; Chr2:23181622) present upstream in the regulator of chromosomal condensation protein LOC_Os2g38350. Validation of these genes using qRT-PCR and in-silico studies using various online tools and databases revealed higher expression in TI-128 as compared to BPT- 5204 at the seedling and panicle initiation stages implying the functional role in enhancing RL and RV.

SCOPE AND NATURE OF CHANGES IN THE CRISIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE POMERANIAN VOIVODESHIP

With the increasing impacts of climate change, especially in the context of rising temperatures,frequency and severity of extreme events, research into the preparedness of emergencymanagement systems is becoming a priority for governments and the international community.The purpose of the research was to identify the current state of the emergency managementsystem in the context of climate change and to assess its preparedness to operate under threatsgenerated by those changes, and to formulate proposals for improvement. The conducted researchwas based on an analysis of strategic documents, legal acts and an assessment of climate changeadaptation plans. An analysis of the preparedness of civil protection system structures for actionunder conditions of climate change at the local, regional and national levels was also carried out.The results of the research showed that the emergency management system of the PomeranianVoivodeship is insufficiently prepared for effective action under existing climate change risks.The discussion of the research results clearly indicates the need for systemic measures, coveringlegislative, organizational, educational and economic areas. Further research should focus ondeveloping tools for assessing the preparedness of civil protection system structures for actionunder conditions of climate change, and on developing more comprehensive adaptation plansat a local level. In addition, it is important to continue research on improving the warning andalert system, as well as increasing public awareness of climate risks. This research is a step towardeffectively preparing the emergency management system for operations under a changing climate,thus providing a more secure environment for local communities.

IMPACT OF WATER STRESS CONDITIONS ON ASSOCIATION OF AGRO-MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIO-CHEMICAL AND KERNEL QUALITY-RELATED TRAITS IN MAIZE HYBRIDS

Changing climatic conditions, especially high temperatures and droughts are one of the major factors hindering sustainable maize production in major maize-growing areas of the world. The current study was designed to determine the association between different morphological, physiological, biochemical, and kernel quality-related traits in maize hybrids under water-deficient conditions. The experiment material was comprised of seven indigenously developed maize hybrids from Maize and Millets Research Institute, Yusafwala-Sahiwal (YH-5482, YH-5427, YH-5404, YH-1899, FH-949, YH-5577, and YH-5395), one maize hybrid developed by local seed company i.e., Kissan Seed Corporation (SB-9663) and two maize hybrids developed by multinational seed companies i.e., Corteva Seeds Pvt Ltd. (P-1543) and Syngenta Seed Pvt Ltd. (NK-8441). The experiment was executed under a randomized complete block design with four replications. The results revealed that highly significant genetic variations were present among maize hybrids for morphological, physiological, biochemical, and kernel quality traits under water-deficient conditions except for ear length for which variations were found to be non-significant. Moreover, correlation coefficient analysis depicts a strong positive correlation of kernel yield with days to 50% silking, days to 50% tasseling, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, total chlorophyll contents, 1000-kernel weight, ear length, and plant height. However, kernel yield was found to be negatively correlated with hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase, and proline contents. Similarly, path coefficient analysis showed that days to 50% silking had the highest direct positive effect on kernel yield followed by 1000-grain weight, starch contents percentage, and ear height. Therefore, parental material selection must be done using these yield-associated trades under water-deficient conditions.

Stabilization of soil organic matter following the impact of selected tree species in temperate climate

The species composition of a forest stand has a significant impact on the biophysicochemical properties of soil. The aim of our research was to determine the relationship between the fractional composition of soil organic matter (SOM) and the composition of leachates from soil influenced by various tree species. In our research, we assumed that the fractions of SOM are strongly positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrogen and the ionic composition of leachates. Our study was conducted in a common garden experiment with eight different tree species. The research included the analysis of vertical variability in the composition of SOM fraction in relation to the leachates composition. The research covered the organic horizon (O), humus mineral horizon (A) and enrichment horizon (B). Our findings confirmed the differentiated impact of the studied tree species on the amount of light and the heavy fraction − mineral associated fraction of SOM. The species composition of the forest stand significantly influenced the amount of released DOC, as well as pH values and the content of selected cations and anions in the leachates from various genetic soil horizons. The amounts of C and N in the SOM fraction and the ionic composition of the leachates change with the depth. C and N of the labile and stable fractions were strongly positively correlated with the amount of DOC and N in the leachates. In order to initiate the stabilization of organic matter, it is worth using deciduous species such as Norway maple, sycamore maple and small-leaved lime. The results of our research may find practical application in planning the species composition of a tree stand, especially under changing climate conditions.

Distance-dependent mating but considerable pollen immigration in an isolated Quercus rubra planting in Germany

AbstractGene flow affects the genetic diversity and structure of tree species and can be influenced by stress related to changing climatic conditions. The study of tree species planted in locations outside their natural range, such as arboreta or botanical gardens, allows us to analyse the effect of severe fragmentation on patterns and distances of gene flow. Paternity analysis based on microsatellite marker genotyping was used to analyse how fragmentation affects gene flow among individuals of Quercus rubra L. distributed in a small isolated group of trees (15 trees) planted in the arboretum on the North Campus of the University of Göttingen. For paternity analysis, 365 seedlings from four seed parents were selected and genotyped using 16 microsatellites. The analysis revealed the majority of pollen (84.89%) originated from trees within the site and identified three large full-sib families consisting of 145, 63 and 51 full-sibs. The average pollen dispersal distance for the four seed parents ranged from 17.3 to 103.6 meters. We observed substantial genetic differentiation among effective pollen clouds of the four seed parents (G’’ST = 0.407) as a result of cross pollination between neighboring trees. No self-fertilization was observed. Gene dispersal via pollen followed the expected distance-dependent pattern, and we observed a significant influx of external pollen (15.11%, ranging from 8.64 to 26.26% for individual seed parents) from a diverse set of donors (30). Long-distance pollen dispersal could explain the presence of significant genetic variation even in isolated natural Q. rubra populations.

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE PALEOCLIMATE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF AN ANCIENT SETTLEMENT NEAR THE KOROBCHYNE VILLAGE IN THE KIROVOHRAD REGION (PALEOPEDOLOGICAL ASPECT)

Climate is the main factor determining the change of paleolandscapes and their components. When studying the climates of the historical past beyond the period of instrumental observations, secondary climate indicators, chronicles, other literary sources and testimonies, monuments of material culture, etc. can be used. The methodological techniques of paleogeography are based on the studied monuments of ancient nature, which can be indicators of the paleoclimate and give certain indicators of it. Geomorphological, lithological, paleopedological, archaeological and other data are important for climate analysis. An important and fundamental problem in paleogeography today is the study of modern and ancient soils with the help of soil-archaeological approaches (macro- and micromorphological, geoarchaeological or chrono-series methods), which are now increasingly used to reconstruct the natural conditions of ancient human habitation in key areas within geological or archaeological objects. Research of ancient and modern soils within the ancient settlement near the village Korobchyne in Kirovohrad Region using paleopedological and micromorphological methods combined with a geoarchaeological approach to establish trends in soil development and climatic changes over time is extremely relevant for the evolution of soils in their relationship with the geographic environment. In the process of researching an ancient settlement near the Korobchynе village, we found out that the conditions of human existence in Vytachev's time were more acceptable, which is evident from the nature of the sediments and soils. This section corresponds to the situation when man developed watersheds and high terraces under warmer climatic conditions. In conditions of cooling of the climate (we studied earlier in this area the sections and layers of flints within the settlements near the villages of Troyanovе and Shmidovе), people settled in depressions, closer to water bodies, where vegetation was richer than on watersheds. So, the change in climatic conditions affected the change in the niches occupied by ancient man. Key words: paleoclimate; soil; paleopedological method; geoarchaeological approach.

European vineyards and their cultural landscapes exposed to record drought and heat

CONTEXTEuropean vineyards, producing over 50% of the world's wine and hosting significant cultural landscapes, face threats from climate change and related severe weather events. The summer of 2022, especially July, posed significant challenges due to extreme drought and high temperatures. However, this period also provided an opportunity to study how such events might involve viticulture in Europe and to explore mitigation solutions. OBJECTIVEThe objectives are (1) to characterize the severity of the extreme event of July 2022 in European wine regions regarding primary climatic parameters, (2) map vineyards at risk due to agricultural drought and high land surface temperature, and (3) discuss the role of various water-related interventions for mitigating similar events. METHODSAfter identifying the locations of European vineyards using the Corine Land Cover 2018 (CLC2018), open-access satellite data were employed to: (1) assess anomalies in Maximum Air Temperature (NATm), Land Surface Temperature (LST), Precipitation (P), and Soil Moisture (SM) in July 2022 compared to long-term averages; (2) identify regions at higher risk that experienced extreme agricultural drought (Vegetation Health Index, VHI = Extreme) and LST > 35 °C. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSIn July 2022, European vineyards experienced an average increase of 11% in NATm, a 9% rise in LST, and a reduction of 47% in P and 30% in SM compared to historical averages. 18% of European vineyards were at risk of drought and excessive heat, particularly in Portugal (31%), France (27%), and Italy (21%), including 10 viticultural cultural landscapes. Findings highlight the urgent need for long-term sustainable water management practices over emergency interventions. This research supports informed decision-making, emphasizing that climate resilience is necessary for preserving the cultural heritage of European wine-growing areas. SIGNIFICANCEThis research provides an overview of the dynamics of extreme events on viticulture at a continental scale, promoting climate-aware viticultural systems and offering insight scalable to global viticulture under changing climatic conditions.

Simulating the climate change effects on the Karaj Dam basin: hydrological behavior and runoff

ABSTRACT This study has used Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). Hence, the runoff simulation was done in near-future period (2030–2050) scenarios by applying climate change conditions for HadGEM2-ES model under three representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios and for HadGEM3-GC31-LL model under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios. Examining the climatic precipitation variables and minimum and maximum temperature under climate change conditions showed a temperature increase of 1.51–2.91 °C for all models and scenarios and a precipitation decrease of 0.05–11.15% for most of them, and the SWAT model simulation showed a runoff decrease in all four stations under SSP scenarios and a runoff increase in three stations under RCP scenarios. Since the climate data for SSP scenarios have become available only recently, results of this study predict that the overall future flow will vary in the −5 to 28% range, resulting in a 5–35% decrease in the flow and, hence, a decrease in the inflow to the dam reservoir. Based on the results, there is a possibility of a 5–30% reduction of the runoff entering the dam reservoir.

REGIONAL MANIFESTATIONS OF THE DETERIORATION OF THE NATURAL CONDITIONS OF HEAT AND MOISTURE SUPPLY OF THE TERRITORY IN THE CONDITIONS OF MAINTAINING THE SUSTAINABLE FUNCTIONING OF ECONOMY SYSTEMS IN THE TERRITORY OF TERNOPIL REGION

The publication examines the influence of regional manifestations of the deterioration of natural conditions (moisture supply and unfavorable thermal parameters) on agricultural management. Global climate changes are superimposed by regional manifestations of adverse processes, such as the emission of greenhouse gases generated by an unbalanced land structure, in which we observe an excessive share of arable land. Excessive plowing of the territory leads to increased production of greenhouse gases by arable land, which complicates the manifestation of the greenhouse effect at the local level. Data on the structure of land plots of Ternopil region and Borsukiv territorial community are given. Attention is drawn to the map scheme of changes in the moisture supply of the territory of Ukraine, according to which a very wet climatic annual balance will be preserved only in the mountainous part of the Carpathians, Ternopil region will go from wet to insufficiently wet in its southeastern part, and over time, according to the forecast of 2100, to an insufficiently wet balance in the greater its territory At the same time, about 55% of the southeastern regions are threatened by dry and very dry climatic annual balance. According to the authors, the search for ways to solve the problem can be found in the optimization of land use. The algorithm of the optimization model is prescribed in the methodology of Professor Mykhailo Grodzynskii and consists in determining and ranking the development priorities of the research area and achieving a scientifically justified ratio between natural and anthropogenic land areas. Based on the materials of the Borsukiv territorial community, an optimization model of land use was created, according to which it is proposed to reduce the share of arable land from 65% to 45% due to the removal of heavily eroded and poorly productive lands from the arable wedge and their transfer to liming and afforestation, the share of which in the land use structure of the territorial community increased respectively 21% and 23%. Such optimization measures will ensure the transition from the emission of greenhouse gases by land to their assimilation by forest and meadow vegetation. Increasing the share of forests by 14% will contribute to a 5% increase in precipitation of local origin, which is especially important for stabilizing the water balance of the territory. An increase in the share of natural vegetation will contribute to the maintenance of ecological balance, restoration of biotic and landscape diversity, improved water balance, and natural living conditions of the population.Increasing or stabilizing the degree of humidification of territories under the conditions of global and regional climate changes is becoming an important scientific and applied problem, the solution of which requires the development and implementation of strategic tasks of sustainable development at the levels of regional, administrative and district territorial entities, the level of territorial communities, Starosty districts. Taking into account the priority criteria for the development of territorial entities is the first stage of optimizing the use of nature in these administrative-territorial entities. The second stage of the landscape and ecological optimization of territories is the substantiation of the ratio of natural and anthropogenic lands. Land optimization will contribute to tireless use of nature and the balancing of basic natural processes with anthropogenic ones. In the future, we envisage the creation of optimization models of land use for all territorial communities of the region, which will optimize the development of natural and economic systems. Keywords: regional manifestations of climatic conditions, land use structure, optimization, territorial community.

DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTION CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF HOT PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUM L) GENOTYPE RESILIENT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

The hot pepper chilli, scientifically referred to as Capsicum spp., is globally recognized for its extensive use in cooking and industry. However, rising temperatures due to changing climate conditions are impacting crop yields by affecting pollen viability, as well as the setting and size of the fruit. To combat this, fifteen hot pepper genotypes were assessed to determine which one is most resilient to these climatic challenges. The results indicated that the VRIHP006 genotype exhibited the highest fruit setting and pollen viability percentage among the hot pepper genotypes, with an impressive 86% at optimal temperature and 36.4% under elevated temperatures followed by VRIHP001 and VRIHP004. The data of seed No. fruit-1, fruit length (cm), and fruit width (mm) manifested that genotypes that had less impact of temperature on fruit setting and pollen viability also maintained seed No. fruit-1, fruit length (cm) and fruit width. The Heat susceptibility indices also supported the above selection criteria.

Auxins differentially affect growth in Scots pine and Norway spruce in spring and autumn

Trees adapt to changing environmental conditions largely by regulating growth processes, and ongoing climate aridization puts pressure on growth processes during spring and summer. However, trees can be limited in their ability to utilize favourable early-season and late-season conditions for growth, and many of these limitations can be due to shortages in auxin transport and/or signalling. We studied whether leaf spraying with auxins in spring and autumn can aid in the growth of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies saplings. In spring, spruce demonstrated prominent positive effects of auxin supplementation on the growth of current-year shoot and xylem growth, with increased xylem cell formation, whereas a limited effect was observed in pine. Autumnal auxin treatment had prominent positive effects on the growth of the root system and xylem area in pine, activating xylem cell enlargement and increasing carbon deposition in cell walls. In spruce, the effects of auxin spraying on xylem growth were less prominent, and the effects on root growth were absent compared to those in pine. The metabolome analysis of pine organs demonstrated that the activation of growth processes in the xylem and roots was accompanied by a decrease in nonstructural carbohydrates in the cambial zone but an increase in roots, indicating that auxin influenced the link between growth and carbon balance in an organ-specific manner. The major amino acid content was not influenced by auxin treatment. The observed results indicate that changes in the auxin balance during the autumnal period can activate growth processes to increase plant adaptation to changing climate conditions.

Ring- and diffuse-porous tree species coexisting in cold and humid temperate forest diverge in stem and leaf phenology

Leaf and stem phenology are critical drivers of tree growth patterns in seasonal climates, but the implications for species differences in radial stem growth dynamics are still poorly studied. In our study, we compared the leaf phenology and stem phenology with the underlying cell development as well as annual stem growth between five diffuse-porous (DP) and five ring-porous (RP) coexisting angiosperm species in cold and humid temperate forests. Our results show that RP species unfolded leaves later but initiated wood growth earlier compared to DP species. Yet, xylem vessel maturation in the stem started in June and was remarkably synchronized between DP and RP, which implies that species from both functional groups can effectively avoid vessel cavitation potentially triggered by late spring frost. DP species exhibited one peak in stem growth across the growing season reflecting a uniform vessel formation pattern. Instead, RP species exhibited two peaks in stem growth, with the first peak reflecting expansion of early-wood vessels and the second peak related to subsequent fiber and vessel proliferation in the late-wood. In general, species with a greater number of growth days from the start of cambium activity until full lignification of cells exhibited higher annual stem growth, regardless of species group. The observed differences in leaf and stem phenology between DP and RP species are discussed with respect to the adaptation potential of the two functional groups to changing climate conditions in cold and humid temperate forests.

Multiple Ba Phases in Marine Sediments elucidate environmental processes and conditions for the Holocene Mediterranean

Mediterranean sediments are known for their major shifts in sedimentary composition associated with dramatic changes in environmental and climate conditions. A typical expression for this in Holocene sediments is the occurrence of a distinctly organic-rich unit, sapropel S1, thought to be related with humid climate conditions. The S1 is accompanied by major changes in Ba content and in other elemental composition, respectively related to biological upper water column productivity and shifts in detrital sediment provenance. Here, we focus on changes in Ba and in its various phases to unravel shifts in environmental conditions around S1.Using selective extractions for sediments in cores MP37PC, MP39PC and MP50PC, respectively at 1908, 1359 and 775m water depth, we distinguish different Ba-phases: detrital Ba (Ba-det), barite Ba (Ba-bar), Mn-oxide-related Ba (Ba-ox), carbonate- and pyrite-associated Ba (Ba-carb and Ba-pyr). The predominant Ba-phase during S1 is Ba-bar (∼70%), whereas before and after S1 it is Ba-det (>90%). All other phases are mostly relatively small but have diagnostic value for environmental conditions and processes.The detrital (Ba/Al) is distinctly lower during S1 than before and after. The (Ba/Al). det variability, and enhanced values for Ba-carb and Ba-ox may have substantial influence on the traditional way to derive barite-Ba or excess-Ba content.The steep gradients in Ba-bar at onset and ending of S1and its high level during S1, clearly identify this period. In addition, and due to the exclusive nature of extraction results, we unequivocally demonstrate for the first time that there is a small gradual ‘early onset’ Ba-bar preceding the major increase in sapropel S1 formation sensu stricto.The ending of S1 formation is relatively abrupt with a well-defined reventilation event (’6 ka reventilation event’). This reventilation is associated with a rapid change in environmental conditions such as oxygenation and related remineralization of organic matter and recrystallization of carbonate. This rapid change and associated diagenetic processes are authentically recorded in Ba-carb and Ba-ox. For the period during sapropel S1 formation, the Ba-carb and Ba-ox results point to different levels of ventilation in the Eastern Mediterranean, i.e. a relatively mixed water mass down to ∼800m, a moderately mixed water mass from ∼800-to ∼1500 m, and a more stagnant water mass below 1500 m.