Context Of Climate Change Research Articles

Responses of various organic carbon pools to elevated temperatures in soils

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and its composition may be vulnerable to the effects of microbial degradation and various environmental stresses. Hitherto, the responses of various SOC pools to warming have rarely been explored. In this study, an incubation experiment was performed with top soils (0–20 cm) from Alfisol and Ultisol at three temperatures (15, 30 and 45 °C). Warming significantly decreased the contents of SOC, particulate organic carbon (POC), mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC) and iron bound organic carbon (Fe–OC) to different degrees. However, the proportion of MAOC and Fe–OC to SOC increased by 3.6–13.3 % and 3.8–7.3 %, respectively, with rising temperature, suggesting that the temperature response of MAOC and especially Fe-OC mineralization is lower than other SOC pools. From the analysis of the Fe-OC structure by various spectroscopic techniques, it was found that elevated temperature increased the proportion of aromatic C but decreased that of aliphatic C to Fe-OC. Soil pH, identified as the most important environmental variable for controlling Fe-OC chemical structure by Mantel test, exhibited a significant negative correlation with aliphatic Fe-OC and positive correlation with aromatic Fe-OC. Synchrotron radiation–based Fourier transform infrared (SR–FTIR) spectroscopy affirmed the higher binding strength of aromatic C with Fe oxides than aliphatic C in both soils. In addition, elevated temperature induced the increase and decrease of K-strategy bacteria and r-strategy bacteria, respectively, indicating warming slowed the bacterial growth, which could produce less necromass carbon for the association of Fe oxides and caused the decrease in Fe-OC. In summary, warming-induced changes in pH and microbial community structure can lead to a decrease in Fe-OC content, whereas the increased proportions confirmed that Fe-OC remains the most stable OC pool facing with short-term soil warming. These findings are helpful for better understanding the importance of soil minerals, especially Fe oxides, in the regulation of soil C sequestration under the context of climate change.

Cardiovascular responses to heat and cold exposure are altered by preterm birth in guinea pigs.

Adversity early in life can modify the trajectory for disease risk extending decades beyond the event. Preterm birth produces persistent cardiovascular alterations that may appear maladaptive in adulthood. We have previously hypothesized that those born preterm may exhibit cardiovascular vulnerability in the climate change context. Further, this vulnerability may be present as early as childhood. We aimed to identify the early signs of cardiovascular dysfunction at childhood-equivalent age using our animal model of preterm birth. Using a whole-body thermal stress test, guinea pigs aged 35-d and 38-d (equivalent to 8-10-year-old children) and born at term or preterm gestations were exposed to progressive hyper- (TC = 41.5°C) and hypo-thermia (TC = 34°C; normothermia TC = 39°C). Comprehensive cardiovascular monitoring included ECG, blood pressure, microvascular perfusion, blood gas, and catecholamine profile, as well as skin and core body temperature. Preterm-born animals exhibited attenuated vascular responses to hyperthermic stress, and a significant elevation in systolic blood pressure in response to hypothermic stress. Such responses are similar to those observed in elderly populations and indicate the presence of cardiovascular dysfunction. This is the first study to demonstrate the impact of preterm birth on the cardiovascular response to both heat and cold stress. Further, this dysfunction has been observed at an earlier age than that achievable using traditional stress testing techniques. The present findings warrant further investigation.

Determinants of crop insurance participation of farming households in Mekong River Delta, Vietnam in climate change context

Abstract Agricultural insurance has been implemented in many countries around the world to reduce risks for farming households. In Vietnam, agriculture is the most important industry but is heavily affected by natural disasters and climate change. This study aimed at assessing farmers’ awareness of climate change and analyzing factors affecting agricultural insurance participation of farmers in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The research applied utility theory to build empirical model. We collected primary data from a survey of 400 farming households in Tra Vinh province. Households were selected stratifiedly in 4 coastal districts and then drawn randomly from household lists of communes. The research results showed that the majority of people were aware of climate change trends locally and its impacts on agricultural production. Logit regression model indicated that there were 8 main factors affecting household’s participation in crop insurance including age, gender, farming experience, education level, access to insurance information, civic organization membership, fund borrowing and household size, of which access to insurance information had strongest impact. The study proposed some specific management implications including (i) raising farmer awareness about agricultural insurance through official information channels such as television, radio, as well as informal information through social networks; (ii) strengthen the role of local civic organizations, especially extension services in disseminating information and supporting insurance purchasing activities for farmer households and; (iii) support farmers in part with insurance fees or allow access to small credit from State programs to enhance the participation of agricultural insurance.

Widespread plant species temporal variation along environmental and microclimate gradients in Norwegian mountains in a climate change context

The effect of climate change on mountain vegetation is influenced by environmental factors and site effects. To monitor the effect of climate change we therefore need to understand species' sensitivity to microclimate and environmental gradients. The objective of this study is to study widespread plant species' temporal and spatial variation along environmental and microclimate gradients in Norwegian mountains along a coast–inland gradient. Occurrence and abundance of plant species were surveyed in 110 study plots in four mountains at two points in time, seven years apart. Of the 222 plant species registered, Salix herbacea, Phyllodoce caerulea, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium myrtillus, Avenella flexuosa, and Empetrum nigrum were widespread across all mountains. These species responded differently to environmental and microclimate gradients, and abundance data were more sensitive than occurrence data. During the short time span we observed some indications of response which might support the assumption that boreal species outcompete alpine species in the forest transition zone, but our data do not indicate this effect at higher altitudes. Monitoring of climate change in mountains needs to include plots along environmental and microclimate gradients as well as an abundance of a set of widespread plant species that represent regional, local environmental, and climate gradients. However, when monitoring perennial plant species, the need for long‐term monitoring projects is high because such species develop slowly over several decades.

Overcoming the pitfalls of categorizing continuous variables in ecology, evolution and behaviour.

Many variables in biological research-from body size to life-history timing to environmental characteristics-are measured continuously (e.g. body mass in kilograms) but analysed as categories (e.g. large versus small), which can lower statistical power and change interpretation. We conducted a mini-review of 72 recent publications in six popular ecology, evolution and behaviour journals to quantify the prevalence of categorization. We then summarized commonly categorized metrics and simulated a dataset to demonstrate the drawbacks of categorization using common variables and realistic examples. We show that categorizing continuous variables is common (31% of publications reviewed). We also underscore that predictor variables can and should be collected and analysed continuously. Finally, we provide recommendations on how to keep variables continuous throughout the entire scientific process. Together, these pieces comprise an actionable guide to increasing statistical power and facilitating large synthesis studies by simply leaving continuous variables alone. Overcoming the pitfalls of categorizing continuous variables will allow ecologists, ethologists and evolutionary biologists to continue making trustworthy conclusions about natural processes, along with predictions about their responses to climate change and other environmental contexts.

Environmental and energy analysis of the renovation of social housing buildings under various climate change scenarios and user profiles

The renovation of social housing buildings, a priority for the European Union, must be assessed under a Climate Change (CC) context. This work, centred on the user and the environmental impact, analyses the climate resilience of the renovation of the social housing building stock of the Basque Country, located in Northern Spain. In this region, characterised by cold winters and mild summers, CC projections indicate a moderate warming even in the worst-case scenario. The assessment of passive renovation actions indicates that reducing heating demand is key no matter the CC scenario. The reduction achieved in heating demand with deep passive renovations is up to 82.2 % when the worst CC scenario is considered. Indeed, since low-income tenants occupy these buildings, it has been found that global warming would help users achieve indoor standard conditions in a more effective way than with passive renovation actions. Consequently, to improve indoor conditions independently of the CC scenario, active renovation measures must also be considered. Furthermore, the thermal comfort analysis proved that the risk of overheating in this region is negligible, with less than 4 % of the yearly hours above 26 °C. Finally, the Life Cycle Impact Assessment shows that the environmental impact of the renovation is short when compared to the impact of the operational stage. The use of conventional or ecological materials during renovation would save up to 6.5 % of Non-Renewable Primary Energy Consumption and 3.7 % of CO2 emissions during the life-cycle of the building.

Monitoring of black oak (xánthiip) to center indigenous ecocultural revitalization

AbstractIndigenous Knowledge, Practice, and Belief Systems (IKPBS) are an ecological and cultural framework with which Indigenous communities have (and continue to) adaptively manage their land since time immemorial. In the current context of climate change and colonial forest and fire management in the western US, Indigenously‐led ecological research and cultural revitalization offers a path forward where tribal sovereignty of land stewardship is maintained and the resiliency of natural systems are reestablished. We describe our process of developing an Indigenous‐Directed Research (IDR) partnership to study xánthiip (Karuk for black oak, Quercus kelloggii), a Karuk cultural focal species, in the context of Karuk‐led forest restoration. We first outline our process of IDR by describing how this partnership was established, research questions and methodologies were co‐developed, IKPBS were centered, and utility to tribal forest restoration processes were prioritized. The primary product of this partnership was a culturally responsive black oak monitoring protocol to assess black oak tree quality over time. We describe how this protocol was developed including conducting semi‐structured qualitative interviews with Karuk cultural practitioners, translating qualitative interviews to field protocol metrics, consulting with research partners, testing for field feasibility, and sharing back to the local community through field training and youth curriculum development. Second, we analyzed plot data collected from the implementation of the black oak protocol using a two‐eyed seeing approach that ensured our ecological findings had cultural relevance for future Karuk‐led forest stewardship. Through this analysis we described the dominant black oak tree typologies based on their traits of importance as identified by Karuk cultural practitioners and research collaborators. All natural resources research takes place on Indigenous land. By outlining the steps of this transdisciplinary IDR partnership, we provide a framework for centering IKPBS, respecting Indigenous land sovereignty, and centering Indigenous leadership in ecological research and knowledge co‐development.

Exploring Climate Change’s Psychological Association, Between Eco-Anxiety, Eco-Grief and Attitude Towards Environment

This study investigates the psychological correlations among eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and attitudes toward the environment within the context of climate change. Data were collected using convenience sampling from a sample size 200 in the Malakand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The sample included 124 males and 76 females. Data collection involved the Eco-Anxiety Questionnaire comprising 22 items, the Eco Grief Questionnaire consisting of 6 items, and the Environmental Attitude Scale containing 20 items. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was utilized to conduct correlation and t-tests, assessing the frequencies and percentages of demographics, as well as calculating the mean, standard deviation, reliability, and skewness of variables. The correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship among eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and environmental attitudes. A significant positive correlation was observed between eco-anxiety and environmental attitude (r=0.82, p<0.01), and between eco-grief and environmental attitude (r=0.80, p<0.01). The T-test was utilized to examine gender differences in the experiences of eco-anxiety and eco-grief. The findings demonstrated that females achieved significantly higher scores on the eco-grief scale compared to males. The findings indicate that eco-anxiety and eco-grief play a crucial role in fostering a proactive environmental attitude among adults, revealing notable differences between genders. The research highlights that eco-anxiety and eco-grief can strengthen an individual's emotional connection to nature. This increased connection often leads to a stronger commitment to preservation, thereby fostering a positive environmental attitude.

Plasticity response of desert shrubs to intense drought events at different phenophases under the context of climate change

Global climate change has led to the frequent occurrence of intense drought events in mid-latitude desert ecosystems, coupled with uneven rainfall distribution across phenophases within the year. However, the impact of intense drought events at different phenophases on plant growth and drought resistance strategies still lacks clear conclusions. We selected the typical desert semi-shrubs Artemisia ordosica as our research object, and constructed a rain shelter to simulate intense drought events (without rainfall for 30 consecutive days) during the sprouting, vegetative growth, flowering and fruiting stages. Based on this, we analyzed the differential impacts of intense drought events at different phenophases on the phenotypic characteristics (e.g. shrub height, cover, volume, specific leaf area) and functional traits (ANPP accumulation and allocation) of A. ordosica. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates for each treatment. The results indicate that: (1) Under intense drought events at different phenophases, all phenotypic characteristic indicators of A. ordosica significantly decreased. (2) Contrary to the significant negative correlation between twig number and twig size in response to rainfall variations, under intense drought conditions, there is a significant positive correlation between the two, indicating a synergistic effect. (3) The impact of intense drought events at different phenophases on the ANPP (aboveground net primary production) accumulation of A. ordosica varied significantly. The degree of impact is as follows: the flowering and fruiting stage > the sprouting stage > the vegetative growth stage. (4) A. ordosica adapted to intense drought by increasing the proportion of reproductive growth and decreasing the proportion of vegetative growth. Our results reveal the phenotypic and functional trait plasticity response mechanisms of A. ordosica to intense droughts at different phenophases, laying a foundation for predicting the impacts of climate change on desert ecosystems.

Genetic control of seed formation

Aim. To explain the rice seeds longevity from the point of view of genetic control of their formation under climate change. Methods. Analysis of the current state of scientific research on genetic control of seed formation, laboratory studies of rice seed germination, monitoring of meteorological conditions of seed formation in different years of reproduction, results statistical processing. Results. Rice seed longevity of different reproduction years under conditions of formation in climate change context was analysed. Lower longevityity of experimental seeds under formation conditions with higher precipitation was found. Influence of genetic control, transcription factors on seed embryo formation and reserve nutrients in different climatic conditions is discussed. Conclusions. Rice seed formation conditions during higher precipitation had a negative impact on seed longevity even under optimal medium-term storage conditions. Additional research is needed to prove the change in transcriptional regulation of certain synthesis of necessary for seed formation and development under these conditions substances.

Prediction of Landslide Susceptibility in the Karakorum under the Context of Climate Change

Climate change has recently increased the frequency of landslides in alpine areas. Susceptibility mapping is crucial for anticipating and assessing landslide risk. However, traditional methods focus on static environmental variables to emphasize the spatial distribution of landslides, ignoring temporal dynamics in landslide development in the context of climate change. In this work, we focused on static and dynamic environment factors and utilized the certainty factor-logistic regression (CF-LR) model to assess and predict landslide susceptibility in Taxkorgan County, located in the Karakorum. The assessment and prediction were based on a catalog of climate change-related landslides over the past 20 years, the causative factors, and predicted climatic variables for the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6) scenario. The results indicated that elevation, slope, groundwater, slope length gradient (LS) factor, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), valley depth, and maximum precipitation were the key causes of slides below the snow line. The key factors causing debris flow above the snow line were elevation, slope, topographic relief, aspect, LS factor, distance to the river, and maximum temperature. The accuracy of slide and debris flow susceptibility was 0.92 and 0.89, respectively. The area of slides with medium, high, and very high susceptibility is 25.5% of the Taxkorgan. In addition, 82.6% of the slides happened in this region, and 49.5% of the entire area is covered by debris flows with medium, high, and very high susceptibility. Moreover, this area accounts for 91.8% of all debris flows. Until 2060, the region’s climate is anticipated to become warmer and wetter. Slides below the snow line will gradually decrease and shift eastward, and debris flows above the snow line will expand. Our findings will contribute to the management of landslide risks at the regional scale.

Effects of climate change and species distribution modeling of Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae) from Central Mexico

With 40 of the 149 described species, Mexico harbors the highest diversity of the spider genus Loxosceles. However,knowledge about these spiders’ distribution patterns in a climate change (CC) context is poorly known. In this study,the distributions of 4 species from Central Mexico, Loxosceles malintzi, L. misteca, L. tenochtitlan and L. zapoteca, were estimated and evaluated based on species distribution modeling (SDM) and the possible effects of CC. Two future scenarios were simulated (years 2050 and 2080) to show possible increases or reductions in species distributions. The most important variables that influence the distribution of the species were: isothermality, seasonality of temperature, and precipitation. In the CC scenarios, some species showed a possible increase, specifically, Loxosceles malintzi with an increase in its distribution of 79% by 2050 and 66% by 2080, whereas L. misteca was projected to increase its distribution by 28% for 2050 and 38% for 2080. However, a decrease in the distribution of L. tenochtitlan by 51% for 2050 and 38% for 2080 was projected, as well as a 45% decrease by 2050 and a 40% decrease by 2080 for L. zapoteca.

Ontological Analysis to understand the Interplay between Ecosystem Services, Human Well-being, and Climate Change

This study employs an ontological analysis to critically examine the integration of ecosystem services and human well-being within the context of climate change. The principal objective is to identify research gaps within the existing literature and to propose potential avenues for future research. Our findings reveal significant deficiencies in policy, legal, and procedural frameworks, with a predominant focus on local-level case studies and objective measures of well-being. Notably, cultural and supporting services remain underexplored. These gaps highlight the need for comprehensive research incorporating diverse stakeholder perspectives, adaptive capabilities, and robust policy frameworks to enhance resilience against climate change. The study underscores the urgent need for broader and more inclusive investigations to effectively inform policy-making and sustainable management practices.

A Holistic Approach to the Selection of Soybean (Glycine max) Cultivars for Shade Environments Based on Morphological, Yield and Genetic Traits

ABSTRACTThe reduction of photosynthetically active radiation impacts the growth and productivity of soybean in agroforestry and intercropping systems. Thus, this report explored the responses of 16 soybean cultivars submitted to shade levels in field conditions. Multi‐faceted and relative importance analyses revealed that the steam diameter and plant height are fundamental morphological markers for selecting shade‐resilient cultivars, both were high and positively correlated to yield components. Moreover, the responses to shade varied among soybean cultivars, with certain genotypes demonstrating distinct tolerance levels, which allowed also the estimative of genetic variance that revealed strong participation of genetic components in responses to shade. Multivariate and clustering analysis using steam diameter and plant height in combination with two yield components resulted in the identification of four soybean cultivars more tolerant to shade environments and two sensible. Therefore, this report provides insights into soybean cultivation under varying light conditions, provides a robust foundation for the integration of morphological and yield markers in breeding programmes focused on shade tolerance and guides future endeavours in crop improvement for optimal and sustainable yield and resilience in the climate change context.

Interplay of UV-filter pollution and temperature rise scenarios on Mytilus galloprovincialis health: Unveiling sperm quality and adult physiology, biochemistry, and histology insights

Addressing the impacts of emerging contaminants within the context of climate change is crucial for understanding ecosystem health decline. Among these, the organic UV-filters 4-methylbenzylidenecamphor (4-MBC) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products. Their unique physico-chemical properties, along with their growing commercialization and consumption, have made them ubiquitous in aquatic environments through both direct and indirect releases, raising significant concerns about their potential threats to inhabiting biota. Additionally, increasing surface water temperatures exacerbate ecological risks, making it imperative to understand the implications for non-target species at different biological levels. This study investigated the short- and long-term effects of UV-filters 4-MBC or BP-3, at ecologically relevant concentrations, combined with current and predicted warming scenarios, on the performance and male reproductive health of Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel populations. Using biomarkers across sub-cellular, cellular, tissue, and individual levels, the study revealed significant physiological and biochemical impairments in both sperm cells and adults exposed to UV-filters. Temperature emerged as the primary driver influencing mussel responses and modulating the impacts of 4-MBC/BP-3, emphasizing their sensitivity to temperatures outside the optimal range and interactive effects between stressors. Specifically, sperm motility declined with increasing UV-filter concentrations, while temperature alone influenced ROS production, leading to compromised mitochondrial activity and DNA damage in the presence of combined stressors, indicative of potential reproductive impairments. Adults exhibited high UV-filter bioconcentration potential in whole tissues, compromised physiological status, morphophysiological changes in digestive glands, oxidative stress, and alterations in metabolic capacity, antioxidant defences, and biotransformation mechanisms, correlating with UV-filter exposure and temperature increase. Among the UV-filters tested, 4-MBC was the most detrimental, especially when combined with warming. Overall, this study underscores the vulnerability of M. galloprovincialis to cumulative stressors and highlights the importance of employing a multi-biomarker approach to assess and mitigate the impacts of stressors on coastal ecosystems.

Temporal and spatial dynamics of carbon and water use efficiency on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau and their ecosystem responses

Research on the carbon and water use efficiency (CUE, WUE) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) holds significant importance due to its implications in understanding and addressing global environmental challenges, particularly climate change. This study comprehensively explored the spatiotemporal distribution patterns and trends of WUE and CUE on the plateau from 2001 to 2018 using linear regression analysis and geostatistical methods. The results revealed a gradual decrease in WUE from southeast to northwest, showing a non-linear variation trend during the study period. CUE exhibited relatively minor spatial variations but demonstrated a significant decrease trend in the eastern regions. The results from the Random Forest algorithm and path analysis indicated that ecosystem respiration (Re) was the predominant controlling factor for WUE and CUE in the cold alpine (PA) region. In the temperate, warm temperate (Te&WT) region, temperature emerged as the primary determinant for WUE, while Leaf Area Index (LAI) served as the absolute dominant factor for CUE. Additionally, LAI also played a crucial role in determining WUE and CUE in the tropical and subtropical (Tr&S) region. Partial correlation analysis highlighted the heterogeneity in the responses of WUE and CUE to environmental changes across different regional climates and vegetation types. The findings emphasized the significant impact of biological factors on terrestrial carbon and water cycling processes (WUE and CUE) within the context of global climate change. Furthermore, the study identified a potential linkage between WUE and CUE, with their relationship to vegetation dynamics showing significant variations across various ecosystems. WUE and CUE showed a positive correlation in the western regions, particularly in high-altitude areas, while a negative correlation was observed in eastern regions with high SOC. In the Te&WT and the Tr&S region, the increase of NDVI (Normalized difference vegetation index) suppressed the rise of both WUE and CUE, establishing a negative correlation between them. Conversely, in the PA region, a significant positive correlation trend between WUE and CUE was observed, indicating a positive response to the decrease in NDVI. These findings are of significant importance for advancing the understanding of and effectively addressing climate change, maintaining ecosystem stability, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

Present and future distribution of the European pond turtle versus seven exotic freshwater turtles, with a focus on Eastern Europe

Freshwater turtles are often used as terrarium pets, especially juveniles of exotic species. At the adult stage they are often released by their owners into the wild despite their high invasion potential. In Europe these thermophilic potentially invasive alien species occupy the habitats of the native European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), with new records from the wild being made specifically in Eastern Europe (Latvia and Ukraine) during recent decades. Assessing the potential of alien freshwater turtles to establish in new territories is of great concern for preventing invasion risks while preserving native biodiversity in the present context of climate change. We explored this issue by identifying the present and future (by 2050) suitable habitats of the European pond turtle and several potentially invasive alien species of freshwater turtle already settled in Europe, using a geographic information system (GIS) modelling approach based on datasets from CliMond for climate, Near-global environmental information (NGEI) for freshwater ecosystems (EarthEnv) and Maxent modelling using open-access databases, data from the literature and original field data. Modelling was performed for seven species of alien freshwater turtles occurring from the extreme northern to southern borders of the European range of E. orbicularis: the pond slider Trachemys scripta (Thunberg and Schoepff, 1792), the river cooter Pseudemys concinna (Le Conte, 1830), the Florida red-bellied cooter Pseudemys nelsoni (Carr, 1938), the false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica (Gray, 1831), the Chinese softshell turtle Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, 1835), the Caspian turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) and the Balkan terrapin Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833). In Ukraine, the most Eastern limit of E. orbicularis distribution, were previously reported northern American originated T. scripta, M. rivulata, M. caspica, whereas in Latvia, Emys’ most northern limit, were additionally reported P. concinna, P. nelsoni, G. pseudogeographica and Asia originated P. sinensis. The resulting Species Distribution Models (SDM) were of excellent performance (AUC > 0.8). Of these alien species, the most potentially successful in terms of range expansion throughout Europe were T. scripta (34.3% of potential range expansion), G. pseudogeographica (24.1%), and M. caspica (8.9%) and M. rivulata (4.3%) mainly in Eastern Europe, especially in the south of Ukraine (Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions, and Crimean Peninsula). Correlation between the built SDMs for the native E. orbicularis and the invasive alien T. scripta was reliably high, confirming the highly likely competition between these two species in places they cooccur. Moreover, a Multiple Regression Analysis revealed that by 2050, in most of Europe (from the western countries to Ukraine), the territory overlap between E. orbicularis and potentially invasive alien species of freshwater turtles will increase by 1.2 times, confirming higher competition in the future. Importantly, by 2050, Eastern Europe and Ukraine are predicted to be the areas with most suitable habitats for the European pond turtle yet with most limited overlap with the invasive alien species. We conclude that Eastern Europe and Ukraine are the most relevant priority conservation areas for the European pond turtle where it is now necessary to take protective measures to ensure safe habitat for this native species on the long-term.

Studying how dry extract can affect the aroma release and perception in different red wine styles.

Four red wine matrices representing different red wine styles with the same VOCs (volatile organic compounds), were obtained by enriching a bleed wine with increasing amounts of deodorized dry extract obtained from the pressed wine of the same vinification. The release of VOCs was determined by solid phase micro-extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS), in conditions mimicking those applied during sensory assessments. Results show that even though the perception of the overall odor intensity was not significantly influenced by the matrix, this latter modulated the odor profiles: at rising wine dry extract, fruity, floral odors decreased, while dehydrated fruit, woody-toasty, vegetal-earthy notes increased. These changes cannot be fully explained by the observed significant influence of the matrix on the release of VOCs or by their correlations with the considered matrix components (ethanol, residual sugars, phenolics, pH), but findings suggest that perceptual interactions are involved. This study could be useful in pressing and blending management for wine aroma quality also considering wine compositional trends under the current climate change context. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Millets and sorghum as promising alternatives to maize for enhancing climate change adaptation strategies in the Mediterranean Basin

ContextClimate change is increasingly requiring the adoption of both climate-resilient alternative crops and sustainable management practices. Millets and sorghum are increasingly recommended as alternatives to maize in addressing these issues, yet there are no studies comparing the environmental impacts of food-crop millets and sorghum with maize, under sustainable management in Mediterranean area. ObjectiveThe present study examined for the first time the environmental and economic impacts, as well as agronomic performances, of rainfed cultivated proso millet, sorghum and maize over a three-year period under challenging climatic conditions in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. MethodsDifferent kinds of trials were realized during three years of experimentation in one location in Ravenna province. The first trial aimed to compare proso millet, sorghum and maize agronomical performances and water use efficiency in a low-input system. The second trial aimed to compare soil fertility and biodiversity impacts of two different agronomical management systems (low-input and high input) for the summer crops previously described. Soil basic fertility parameters were monitored and ground dwelling arthropods were collected and analyzed using pitfall traps. The last trial of this study intended to evaluate the environmental and economic performances of the previous cereal crops cultivated in the low-input and high-input systems, applying the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodologies. ResultsBoth organic sorghum and millet showed high potential as viable summer-crop alternatives, not only to organic maize, based on yield, water use efficiency, disease tolerance and weed competition, but also to conventional maize, based on reduced environmental and economic impacts. Positive land impacts including improved beneficial arthropod abundances and preserved soil fertility were evident under organic management. In fact, the comparative LCA and LCC, carried out with primary data from conventionally cultivated maize and sorghum within central-north Italy and the organic experimental field under investigation, showed that the Global Warming and Eutrophication Potential, were comparable between the organically cultivated crops and significantly lower than conventional maize and sorghum. ConclusionsThe results highlighted the potential of sorghum and millet cultivation as rainfed summer-crop alternative to maize in climate-change context, especially in low-input agronomical systems. In particular, under rainfed, organic management over three years, proso millet yielded consistently. ImplicationsUnder the sustainable practices of the present study, proso millet outperformed maize for yield and WUE stability, as well as potential costs saved, related to the production amount per unit area and potential revenue.

Beyond environmental sustainability: Low‐carbon land use policies can contribute to the realization of comprehensive sustainable development

AbstractIn the context of climate change and sustainable development, there has been numerous researches studying the influence of land use policies on carbon sequestration. However, most of them focus on specific experimental area to explore the impact of land use policies on carbon fixation, or their impacts on a certain aspect, lacking the comprehensive explanation of both the internal influence mechanism and external effects. Therefore, this article presents a comprehensive review and the results show that scientific land use policies have the capacity of increasing net carbon sinks and soil organic carbon to realize environmental sustainability. In addition, these low‐carbon land use policies can not only bring out this climate change mitigation influence, but also have external effects on cities sustainable development, food security, ecological protection, and economic disparities to promote comprehensive sustainable development. However, if these policies fail to adapt to local natural and socio‐economic conditions, or overlook the potential negative impacts they could pose, these policies cannot facilitate the achievement of comprehensive sustainable development and could even impede this progress.