Climatic Factors Research Articles

An improved framework for quantifying the contribution of climatic and anthropogenic factors to vegetation dynamics - A case study of China

Accurately quantifying the impact of climatic and anthropogenic factors on vegetation change is critical for developing and evaluating ecological management strategies. However, most presented studies typically ignore the climate temporal effects and assume that all pixels are affected by both climate change (CC) and human activities (HA), which often introduce uncertainties. In this study, Leaf area index (LAI), temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and land cover data from 1982 to 2020 were used to detect and attribute vegetation dynamics in China. We used partial correlation analysis, generalize linear model, trend analysis, and improved RESTREND to analyze the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of vegetation LAI from 1982 to 2020 and to quantify the effects of CC and HA on vegetation dynamics since the implementation of the Grain for Green Project (GGP). The results indicate that significant vegetation greening appeared in most areas (66.2%) between 2000 and 2020. Both CC and HA have positive effects on vegetation greening. In arid and semi-arid regions, precipitation was the primary driver of vegetation change, while in high-latitude areas of southern and southwestern China, temperature was the primary determinant. After considering the temporal effects, the explanatory power of climate variables for vegetation dynamics increased by 4.0% compared to ignoring the temporal effects, accounting for 72.81%. After dividing the pixels into those affected by CC and those affected by both CC and HA, the contribution of HA was decreased from 31.19% to 25.96%. Although the contribution of HA is lower than that of CC, ecological engineering has effectively promoted vegetation greening. These research findings provide scientific data and theoretical basis for ecological environment protection and natural resource management.

Divergent responses of forest canopy height to environmental conditions across China

As major components of terrestrial ecosystems, forest ecosystems play an important role in sequestering carbon and hence mitigating climate change. Canopy height is a crucial factor characterizing the structure and function of forest ecosystems, yet the driving mechanism of forest canopy height receives less attentions in China. Here, we utilize the satellite-based forest canopy height product with several environmental and climate factors (e.g. forest age, temperature, etc.) to delineate the spatial distributions of forest canopy height and its drivers in China at 1 km spatial resolution during the period of 2014 to 2018. The random forest is employed for identifying the dominant factors at province level, while Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) analysis is further incorporated at pixel-level to dig into the specific contributions of each driver. The results show that forest age primarily dominates the spatial distributions of forest canopy height across different forest ecosystems of China, followed by mean annual precipitation, soil type, and aspect. SHAP analysis further indicates that other factors, such as soil moisture and wind speed, also play critical roles to shape the spatial patterns of forest canopy height in China, which could not be revealed from province-level random forest analyses. Such results emphasize the priority of incorporating SHAP analysis with random forest to advance our understanding of forest canopy height distributions and benefit future projections. Our study highlights the necessity to characterize the spatial heterogeneity of forest canopy height, which is critical for accurate estimations of forest and even terrestrial carbon sink in China, facilitating the achievement of the goal of “carbon peak in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2060”.

Performance analysis of a photovoltaic component integrated into a hybrid power plant in Southeast Mauritania

This study investigated the performance of photovoltaic components of the 1.3MW KIFFA hybrid power plant in Mauritania. Data from the plant's monitoring system (January-December 2021) was used to assess various performance metrics. The analysis revealed a high daily reference yield (5.60 h/d), indicating good solar resource availability. However, final and array yields (4.78 h/d and 4.86 h/d, respectively) suggested potential for improvement. System component efficiencies were within acceptable ranges, with particularly high inverter efficiency (98.31%). Array capture losses were moderate (0.74 h/d), and system losses were minimal (0.08 h/d). The annual performance ratio (86.33%) and capacity factor (19.91%) indicated good overall plant performance. These findings were then compared with data from similar installations in various climate zones to understand the impact of climatic variations on photovoltaic performance. Compared to installations in temperate zones with lower irradiation levels, the KIFFA plant's reference yield was significantly higher. However, the final and array yields were closer due to potentially higher operating temperatures in Mauritania affecting module efficiency. Interestingly, comparisons with installations in other desert regions with similarly high irradiation levels revealed lower performance, particularly in terms of final yield, (4.71 h/d) in Algéria (Adrar) and (4.10 h/d) in Oman (Muscat). This suggests that climatic factors beyond just sunlight availability, such as dust accumulation, may have played a significant role in their performance compared to the KIFFA plant.

Deciphering the driving factors and probabilistic health risks of potentially toxic elements in arid surface water: Insights from the Tarim River Basin

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in surface water in arid areas pose a serious threat to environmental safety and human health within a basin. It is important to determine the factors controlling PTEs and to assess the likelihood that they will pose a risk to human health in order to support the development of environmental protection and risk management strategies. In this study, a structural equation model and Bayesian method were combined to discuss the distribution and probabilistic health risks of PTEs in surface water in arid area, and the Tarim River Basin was taken as a case study. The results show that the average concentrations of As, Co, Cu, and Ni in the surface water in the Tarim River Basin ranged from 0.04 to 2.92 μg/L, which do not exceed the international standard values. However, the maximum value of As (19.20 μg/L) exceeded both the recommended drinking water standards and the Chinese irrigation water standards. Spatially, the high As concentrations were distributed in the upper reaches of the Kashgar River, and the high Co, Cu and Ni concentrations were distributed in reservoirs and lakes on the main stream of the Tarim River. The concentrations of the PTEs in the surface water in the basin were not only affected by random anthropogenic factors such as traffic discharge, agricultural activities and mining industry, but were also directly and indirectly influenced by climatic factors. The results of the probabilistic health risk assessment showed that the 95th percentile the total hazard index for infants exceeded the allowable value of 1, and the total carcinogenic risk of PTEs exposure in four age groups was at the notable level. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the controlling factors and health risks associated with PTEs in surface water in the Tarim River Basin, and the findings are expected to provide a scientific basis for regional water environment management and safety control.

Global spatial and temporal dynamics of the green water coefficient and analysis of factor from 1992 to 2020

In recent years, the impacts of climate change have variably affected the global ecological environment, exacerbating water scarcity and related issues. Meantime, as part of soil evapotranspiration and plant transpiration in water resources, green water is of great significance in stabilizing the global water cycle and promoting the sustainable development of agriculture. Therefore, the green water coefficient in this study calculates the conversion rate of precipitation to green water, which is important for the balance between blue and green water and the stability of the ecological environment. Based on trend analysis methods and Geodetector, this study analyses the spatial and temporal characteristics and driving mechanisms of the green water coefficient on the globe and on each land-use type from 1992 to 2020. The findings revealed that: (1) The global green water coefficient is clearly spatially differentiated, showing certain latitudinal distribution differences, with the lowest near the equator. The areas with higher green water coefficients are mainly in northern and southern Africa, central Asia, Oceania and northern and western North America, while the areas with lower green water coefficients are concentrated in northern South America and Southeast Asia. (2) The global average value of green water coefficient decreases before increasing. Except for water, the green water coefficient of other land use types (crop land, forest land, grassland, urban land, unused land) changes significantly and there are fewer abrupt change points. Areas where the green water coefficient is too low and changes drastically are not suitable for rainfed agriculture. (3) Different influential factors act on the green water coefficients of different land use types, and there is a two-factor enhancement and non-linear enhancement relationship between them, with a combination of factors affecting the green water coefficient. By studying the characteristics of the green water coefficient globally and across different land use types, we quantified the influence of climate factors such as precipitation, temperature, wind speed, evapotranspiration, radiation, etc., on the green water coefficient, thereby providing some information for future global rain-fed agriculture and water resources management.

Gastrointestinal helminths of Cattle slaughtered at Gwagwalada abattoir, federal capital territory, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasites are widespread in cattle worldwide, causing both clinical and sub-clinical infections that can lead to significant financial losses. This study investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths infection in cattle slaughtered in the abattoir at Gwagwalada area council, federal capital territory, Nigeria. A total of 120 faecal samples were collected and analysed by flotation and sedimentation methods. The results revealed an overall prevalence of 26.67%. The helminths identified were Toxocara sp (5.00%), Schistosoma sp (10.83%), and Fasciola sp (10.83%). These findings were compared to existing studies, with variations attributed to differences in climatic conditions, management practices, and seasonal factors. Age, breed, and sex-specific analyses revealed significant differences in infection rates. While no helminth infection was found in young adult cattle (1≤3 years), a 31.37% prevalence was recorded in older adult cattle (≥3 years). Among the breeds examined, Sokoto Gudali showed the highest prevalence (100%), followed by White Fulani (26.42%) and Red Fulani (16.67%). A significant breed-related difference (p = 0.0001) was recorded. Additionally, male cattle exhibited a higher prevalence (31.37%) compared to (0.00%) in females. The study highlighted the impact of geographical, ecological, and environmental factors on helminths infection, as well as the need for strategic anthelmintic treatment, improved livestock management, and educational programs to control these infections. Regular monitoring and selective breeding may further contribute to long-term infection control in cattle populations.

Analysis of natural and man-made factors of landslide development in the Carpathian region using GIS

Purpose. Determination of the dependencies of spatial relationships between landslides in the Carpathian region of Ukraine and the factors causing them, taking into account the differences in geomorphological, geological, climatic conditions and natural and geographical zoning according to the landscape principle. Methodology. The morphometric analysis of the territory was carried out using QGIS tools to determine the slope angles and exposure; linear characteristics were calculated: distances to the river, road, and houses. Based on the image interpretation data, we calculated the total annual rainfall and average annual air temperature. The impact of the factors considered on landslide formation was assessed using multivariate statistical analysis: factor analysis and linear multiple regression. Findings. Studies on the impact of natural and topographical conditions and anthropogenic activity on the development of landslide processes have been conducted. Orographic and climatic factors play the most important role. Construction of business facilities results in a decrease in the slope stability in 14–19 % of cases. The analysed independed factors showed good consistency between the distribution of existing landslides and the parameters under consideration: the share of the total variance of the factors under consideration is 71–76 %, the coefficient of determination of the regression model is 0.7. Based on the results of geoinformation and statistical analyses, it is proved that differences in geomorphological conditions and human activity (construction of roads, economic facilities) are dominant in the formation of landslides in different landscape zones. Originality. It is established that there is a dynamic coherence between the spatial change in natural conditions and human settlement and activity, which interact with each other to create prerequisites for the development of landslides. Practical value. This study is important from the point of view of understanding and mitigating the cause-and-effect relationship of landslide development for certain territories, and the results obtained can be useful in developing land use planning strategies, infrastructure development, and planning new construction works.

Influence of vegetation phenological carryover effects on plant autumn phenology under climate change

Vegetation phenological carryover effects refer to the influence of previous phenological events on the current or subsequent ones. These effects can modulate the responses of autumn phenology to climate change, but the magnitude and duration of this effect remain poorly understood. Therefore, we employed multiple remote sensing datasets from 1982 to 2018 in the Northern Hemisphere (> 30°N) and partial correlation to investigate the influence of the carryover effect and environmental factors on the end of the growing season (EOS) over time. The importance of the variables in the projection score was used to quantify their relative importance. Our results showed that the previous year's EOS had a robust positive impact on the EOS for 40.02 % of the study area during 1982–2015, which was mainly located in the northern 50°N region. In contrast, the start of the growing season (SOS) was the main contributor to the EOS during 2001–2018, mainly at 40°N-50°N and in northern Russia. The carryover effect persisted into the subsequent year, but its strength and positive impacts varied dramatically in the next year. Concurrently, the mean correlation coefficient between climate factors and EOS rose from 0.20 to 0.22. Notably, the correlation coefficient for frost day frequency increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.15 to 0.36, with its influence area expanding from 10.29 % to 11.85 % of the study area. Compared with climate factors, the phenological carryover effect was the dominant driver of the EOS for each vegetation type, accounting for 72.8 % and 44.23 % of the total pixels during 1982–2015 and 2001–2018, respectively. Our study reveals a cascade of ecological consequences that extend beyond the initial occurrence and emphasizes the interconnectedness of growth stages in the plant life cycle, providing valuable insights into the adaptability and vulnerability of plant communities.

Strengthening Global Health Security: The Role of the International Health Regulations in Monitoring and Controlling Vector-Borne Diseases

Abstract Vector-borne diseases pose a significant global threat, with approximately 500 million reported cases annually, affecting previously unaffected regions due to climate change and increased international travel. This presentation brings insights from two scoping reviews examining the implementation and operationalization of the International Health Regulations (IHR) in preventing the spread of vector-borne diseases. The first review analysed strategies and policies adopted at continental and national levels and identified four major categories of measures: surveillance and epidemic intelligence, Declaration of Public Health Emergency of International Concern, measures in Points of Entry, and vaccination status. Surveillance systems vary widely across countries, with severe asymmetries in their implementation. The COVID-19 pandemic facilitated the adoption of screening measures and collaboration with airlines and travel agencies, highlighting the importance of early detection and response. An additional review focused on the contribution of IHR to public health action in monitoring and controlling vector-borne diseases. It emphasised the prioritisation of preventive measures related to travel and borders, including vector surveillance. Environmental changes, particularly socio-ecological and climate factors, influence the recurrence of outbreaks, creating the need for enhanced epidemic intelligence. Both reviews underscored the importance of cooperation between institutions and countries in effectively monitoring and controlling vector-borne diseases. Assessing core capacities under the IHR enables readiness levels in outbreak response to be measured, promoting concerted action tailored to each epidemiological context. As the world faces ongoing health challenges, it is imperative for State Parties to refine their core capacities in alignment with the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a robust global response to future infectious disease outbreaks.

Distribution of the Culex pipiens mosquito in mainland Portugal: a geospatial modelling study

Abstract Background The mosquito Culex pipiens is a vector for several pathogens, such as the West Nile virus. As the most abundant mosquito in Portugal, understanding its spatial distribution can support vector-borne diseases control and robust public health planning, given the mainland’s favourable climate for this vector. Information on its spatial distribution at a national level is limited, especially its association with climate variables. Thus we aimed to predict the suitability of Culex pipiens distribution in mainland Portugal, considering climate factors. Methods We used presence records for adult and larvae of Culex pipiens mosquitoes sampled across mainland Portugal from January 2017 to October 2023, as part of the Portuguese Vector Surveillance Network program (REVIVE). Between May-October, in random locations and throughout the year in point-of-entry sites, adult mosquito collection used CDC light traps and BG-Sentinel traps, and larvae collection used dippers in breeding sites. Sampling bias was corrected by filtering presence sites, retaining one record per each cell grid of 1 km2. Climatic data (including temperature, precipitation and elevation) were used as predictors in a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model of the Culex pipiens geographical distribution. Results From the dataset of 6859 records, 1416 unique sites were obtained after filtering. Suitable habitats seem to be mainly distributed on the coast, particularly in Minho, Porto and Lisbon metropolitan areas, and Tagus Valley, with precipitation as the most important predictor. Conclusions Most West Nile Virus case reports come from the south of Portugal, but the potential distribution of Culex pipiens covers the whole mainland territory, with seemingly higher distribution on the north coast. However, bias due to convenience sampling could be present. West Nile vector surveillance should be a priority across all regions to accurately assess transmission risk and implement effective control measures. Key messages • The suitability of Culex pipiens distribution covers the entire mainland of Portugal, with higher presence in the north. • The distribution of Culex pipiens in the country points towards a need for developing region-specific strategies regarding West Nile Virus prevention and control.

RECOGNITION OF DURICRUST GEOMORPHIC SURFACES USING A RELIEF DISSECTION MATRIX

Landforms can orientate the hydrodynamics and distribution of materials on the ground, producing flattened and/or lowered geomorphic surfaces given the evolutionary characteristics from climatic, morphogenetic and pedogenetic factors. This work aims to demonstrate the compartmentalization and association of geomorphic surfaces covered by ferruginous duricrusts in Savannah areas in Brazil according to a relief dissection matrix. This matrix indicates the vertical cutting of the valleys and the interfluvial horizontal dimension of the hills through landform measurements in radar images, classification in alphanumeric codes and statistical correlations. The results indicated details in the compartmentalization of the surface according to the landform roughness, making it possible to link, through data from the dissection matrix and the statistical correlation, the association between the compartments according to summit positions and remaining depressed areas. Despite the fact that more robust measurements obtained from high-precision mappings can point out further landform evolutionary stages, it is understood that a dissection matrix and its statistical correlations can not only compartmentalize the landscape and provide an initial overview of the landscape’s evolution, but also indicate geomorphic surfaces that could have been worked at the same time. In this sense, the recognition of geomorphic surfaces, occurrence of duricrusts and landforms in this work allowed a certain morphogenetic correspondence that can contribute to geomorphological studies, although the results must be observed with caution when verified from the tropical perspective of relief evolution. Keywords: Valley Cutting; Interfluvial Dimension; Dissection Matrix; Geomorphic Surfaces; Duricrusts

Effect of climate change on West Nile virus transmission in Italy: a systematic review

Abstract Background West Nile Virus (WNV) is a pathogen transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culex genus, affecting both humans and animals such as horses and birds. The prevalence of WNV infection has increased dramatically in recent years in Europe, especially in Italy, and has been related to climate and environmental changes linked to global warming. Our review aims to assess the relation between the spread of WNV in Italy and the different climate change-related factors. Methods We conducted a literature search in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Scopus databases, actualised as of 20 February 2024, using as search terms WNV, its vectors and climate change, and limiting our analysis to studies conducted in to avoid an overly heterogeneous setting. We registered the review in PROSPERO (CRD42023430636). Results Of the 252 unique records retrieved, we eventually included 25 articles after full-text screening. These studies were published between 2011 and 2023 and evaluated the distribution of WNV or its vectors according to various climatic and environmental factors. Despite rather heterogeneous results, we found a consistently positive association with temperature, especially spring temperature, agricultural land use, demography, and soil moisture, and a negative one with evapotranspiration and wind, while the relationship with other environmental variables and water cycle-related factors was weak, null or conflicting. Conclusions Despite some inconsistencies in the results, likely related to differences in study methodologies as well as complex environmental interactions, we found unequivocal evidence that climate change-related factors, such as the lengthening of the warm season, extensive farming, and invasive human activities towards natural environments, favour WNV spread in Italy. Consequently, actions against global warming and preservation of natural environments may counteract the WNV epidemic. Key messages • WNV epidemic seems to be linked to specific climate change-related factors, such as the lengthening of the warm season, extensive farming, and invasive human activities towards natural environments. • Actions against global warming and preservation of natural environments may counteract WNV spread.

Macro- and micro-geographic genetic variation in early fitness traits in populations of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.).

Assessing adaptive genetic variation and its spatial distribution is crucial to conserve forest genetic resources and manage species' adaptive potential. Macro-environmental gradients commonly exert divergent selective pressures that enhance adaptive genetic divergence among populations. Steep micro-environmental variation might also result in adaptive divergence at finer spatial scales, even under high gene flow, but it is unclear how often this is the case. Here, we assess genetic variation in early fitness traits among distant and nearby maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) populations, to investigate climatic factors associated with trait divergence, and to examine trait integration during seedling establishment. Open pollinated seeds were collected from seven population pairs across the European species distribution, with paired populations spatially close (between <1 km up to 21 km) but environmentally divergent. Seeds were sown in semi-natural conditions at three environmentally contrasting sites, where we monitored seedling emergence, growth and survival. At large spatial scales, we found significant genetic divergence among populations in all studied traits, with certain traits exhibiting association with temperature and precipitation gradients. Significant trait divergence was also detected between pairs of nearby populations. Besides, we found consistent trait correlations across experimental sites, notably heavier seeds and earlier seedling emergence were both associated with higher seedling survival and fitness over two years in all experimental conditions. We identified mean annual temperature and precipitation seasonality as potential drivers of P. pinaster population divergence in the studied early-life traits. Populations genetically diverge also at local spatial scales, potentially suggesting that divergent natural selection can override gene flow along local-scale ecological gradients. These results suggest the species exhibits substantial adaptive potential that has allowed it to survive and evolve under contrasting environmental conditions.

Food insecurity, associated climate factors and intervention mechanisms: a theoretical and empirical analysis of Ethiopia’s case

Purpose In our world, nearly nine million people die every year from hunger, losing one person to hunger every few seconds. Ethiopia is among the leading countries in the total number of people facing hunger. Several actions have been taken to achieve food security globally and at the household level. However, the problem of food insecurity is still high in many parts of the world. Why are we failing to achieve food security? And where should we start? This study aims to answer these main questions. Design/methodology/approach Relevant quantitative and qualitative data were duly used to describe food insecurity and associated climate factors globally and nationally. For this, PRISMA review methodology was used to help the systematic review. More than 90 relevant empirical and theoretical literature in the field were reviewed in an integrated way with practical evidence from Ethiopia. Governmental technical reports, NGOs reviews and other relevant empirical data referring to Ethiopia are thematically analyzed. Findings The subjectivity, dynamism and complexity of the concept of food security are found to be some of the issues challenging the practice of achieving food security. The unresolved issues in the combination and interaction of the four pillars of food security (food availability, access to food, food utilization and stability) are affecting its measurement. In this study, it is emphasized that food insecurity in rural and urban areas should be treated differently, as food insecurity in rural areas is directly related to food production which depends on rainfall patterns. In rural Ethiopia, rainfall variability was among the main causes of food insecurity. More importantly, it is indicated that rainfall variability does not affect all pillars of food security equally; its effect is more pronounced on food availability and stability aspects. Deconstructing the concept of food security to make it more pragmatic, and understanding the factors behind the rainfall variability should be the starting tasks in achieving food security. Further, even though food aid is preferred to react to transitory food insecurity, focusing on long-lasting preventive measures that address the root causes of the recurring food insecurity in rural areas of Ethiopia would be an effective way of addressing the problem. Practical implications Policy makers and other governmental and humanitarian agencies working on food security can make an evidence-based decision, shape policies and programs if they have clear information about the features of food insecurity, the nature of rainfall variability and critiques of the reacting mechanisms to food insecurity. Shortages of food in some place and food price crises in the other places have been both referring to food insecurity. This makes the understanding of food security situations more difficult to explain and communicate. Originality/value This study primarily clarifies the conceptual complexity surrounding food security as it currently exists. Further, it provides a comprehensive and quantitative description of the state of global to national food security, along with the associated variability of rainfall patterns that are related to it. It also provides a brief overview of the intervention mechanisms for addressing food security, with a specific focus on Ethiopia. This study has set a clear demarcation to assess food security in rural and urban areas.

Assessing the impacts of climate change on the vulnerability of coastal aquifers to the seawater intrusion

In most coastal areas, groundwater is affected by saltwater intrusion. Climate change effects, such as the sea-level rise and rainfall change are the climatic factors affecting the saltwater intrusion into groundwater. This study examines the vulnerability of the Abdan-Lamidan coastal aquifer to the intrusion of Persian Gulf saline waters under different hydrological conditions. First, the SIMCLIM model was used to calculate the regional sea-level rise of the Gulf under 24 future AOGCMs projections. The results showed that the increase in water level under the ensemble of AOGCM models and two RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios is 6.7 and 7.8 cm in 2050 compared to 2013. Then, the GALDIT vulnerability index was used to assess the vulnerability of the aquifer under the current condition and future scenarios. The results showed that parts of the aquifer that are currently at lower levels would be more vulnerable to sea-level rise in the future periods.

Intraspecific Variability of Xylem Hydraulic Traits of Calligonum mongolicum Growing in the Desert of Northern Xinjiang, China

Plant hydraulic traits are essential for understanding and predicting plant drought resistance. Investigations into the mechanisms of the xylem anatomical traits of desert shrubs in response to climate can help us to understand plant survival strategies in extreme environments. This study examined the xylem anatomical traits and related functional traits of the branches of seven Calligonum mongolicum populations along a precipitation gradient, to explore their adaptive responses to climatic factors. We found that (1) the vessel diameter (D), vessel diameter contributing to 95% of hydraulic conductivity (D95), hydraulic weighted vessel diameter (Dh), vessel density (VD), percentage of conductive area (CA), thickness-to-span ratio of vessels ((t/b)2), and theoretical hydraulic conductivity (Kth) varied significantly across sites, while the vessel group index (Vg), wood density (WD), and vulnerability index (VI) showed no significant differences. (2) Principal component analysis revealed that efficiency-related traits (Kth, Dh, D95) and safety-related traits (VI, VD, inter-wall thickness of the vessel (t)) were the primary factors driving trait variation. (3) Precipitation during the wettest month (PWM) had the strongest influence, positively correlating with (t/b)2 and negatively with D, D95, Dh, CA, and Kth. (4) Structural equation modeling confirmed PWM as the main driver of Kth, with indirect effects through CA. These findings indicate that C. mongolicum displays high plasticity in xylem traits, enabling adaptation to changing environments, and providing insight into the hydraulic strategies of desert shrubs under climate change.

Seasonal Changes in Salicylic and Jasmonic Acid Levels in Poplar with Differing Stress Responses

Poplars are essential tree species with critical roles in wood production, ecological conservation, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation. Plants of different poplar populations exhibit varying responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, largely driven by phytohormones—key regulators of plant growth and stress responses. Phytohormones control fundamental processes such as cell division, growth, tissue differentiation, organ development, and resistance to environmental challenges such as temperature extremes and drought. In this study, we conducted a quantitative analysis of phytohormone levels in the leaves of two populations of poplar species from the same geographical region over a one-year period, covering the early, mid, and late growth stages. Our results revealed that salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations in the stress-resistant poplar (RP) increased significantly during the late growth stage (September), particularly in response to elevated pathogen pressure and fluctuating climatic conditions. In contrast, the susceptible poplar (SP) consistently exhibited lower levels of SA and JA across all growth stages, particularly during the mid-growth stage (characterized by high temperatures and low precipitation) and the late growth stage, when pathogen stress typically intensifies. The limited increase in phytohormone levels in the SP suggests a weaker defense response compared with the RP. These findings demonstrate that climatic factors significantly influence the phytohormonal dynamics in poplars, with the RP exhibiting more robust regulation of SA and JA to mitigate both biotic and abiotic stresses. This study provides a theoretical framework for better understanding the resistance mechanisms in Populus and offers insights for improving stress tolerance in future breeding programs.

Peridotite Weathering and Ni Redistribution in New Caledonian Laterite Profiles: Influence of Climate, Hydrology, and Structure

The peridotite massifs of New Caledonia are characterised by complex hydrodynamics influenced by intense inherited fracturing, uplift, and erosion. Following the formation of the erosion surfaces and alteration processes, these processes drive chemical redistribution during weathering; particularly lateritisation and saprolitisation. Magnesium, silica, and trace elements such as nickel and cobalt—released as the dissolution front advances—are redistributed through the system. New observations and interpretations reveal how lateritic paleo-land surfaces evolved, and their temporal relationship with alteration processes since the Oligocene. Considering the geometry of discontinuity networks ranging from micro-fractures to faults, the transfers occur in dual-permeability environments. Olivine dissolution rates are heterogeneously due to differential solution renewal caused by erosion and valley deepening. Differential mass transfer occurs between mobile regions of highly transmissive faults, while immobile areas correspond to the rock matrix and the secondary fracture network. The progression of alteration fronts controls the formation of boulders and the distribution of nickel across multiple scales. In the saprolite, nickel reprecipitates mostly in talc-like phases, as well as minor nontronite and goethite with partial diffusion in inherited serpentine. The current nickel distribution results from a complex interplay of climatic, hydrological and structural factors integrated into a model across different scales and times.

EFFECT OF THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE DESIGN OF GREEN URBAN SPACES FOR THE SALHIA COMPLEX

This study was aimed to identify the basic principles and design considerations (cultural and natural) that can be relied upon in the urban landscape design for vertical residential complexes in Baghdad city. The descriptive and analytical approach was followed to collect and extract the data for urban green spaces of Al-Salhia residential complex within Baghdad city that based on six tools for data collection and analysis which were: field survey, climatic factors analysis, urban fabric analysis, personal interviews, cultural factors analysis, and questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of the people and specialists from Al-Salhia complex residents. After collecting the forms, the data was gathered by the "Excel Office Microsoft" software, and the " System Analysis Statistical" program was used to download the data and the differences between the means were compared with the least significant difference "LSD" test. The results revealed that the decrement in the green space’s percent of the complex and their efficien. And the shades created by the residential buildings were not taken into consideration by designing the green spaces and their impact.

Climatic sensitivity and the growth prospects of Silver fir and European larch in the Carpathians in the light of observed climate changes

One consequence of climate change is the rapid extinction of spruce monocultures in the Carpathians. Therefore, the need has arisen to replace spruce with other highly productive species that ensure the stability and biodiversity of mountain forests, such as the Abies alba and Larix decidua. These co-occurring conifers show different successional and phenological characteristics: L. decidua is a light-demanding species that dominates in the early successional stages, while A. alba is a shade-tolerant tree. This study attempts to identify climatic factors that determine the tree-ring width of fir and larch in order to assess the growth prospects of these species in the context of the ongoing climate change. As a measure of the vitality of trees, tree-ring widths of 42 sub-populations of fir and 36 of larch from the area of the Western Carpathians were used. Regional growth patterns for each species were used to estimate the relationship between temperature/precipitation and radial growth. Linear correlation analyses and nonlinear Random Forest models were used. Fir growth was significantly positively influenced by the high temperature of January–March and July and the high precipitation of February and July of the year of tree-ring formation. Larch growth was positively affected by the high temperature of May and the low precipitation of April and September of the year of tracheid formation. Unlike larch, fir growth increased if May and June of the preceding year were warm. The dominant climatic factor influencing fir growth was February temperature, whereas for larch growth, it was the May temperature of the year of tree-ring formation. Most of the recently observed changes in climatic factors that are important for the growth of both species are favorable. Thus, increasing their share in the Carpathian forests seems fully justified, as this will contribute to the stability, productivity, and biodiversity of the region’s forests.