Cooler Climate Research Articles

Late-season source limitation practices to cope with climate change: delaying ripening and improving colour of Cabernet-Sauvignon grapes and wine in a hot and arid climate

The current rise in temperatures is hastening grape ripening, resulting in unbalanced wines with high alcohol content but poor colour, aroma and phenolic composition. Late-season canopy manipulation practices aimed at reducing the size of the photosynthetic apparatus after veraison have been shown to delay ripening in cooler climates. However, these methods have not directly been compared in regions with high irradiance and temperature, where berry composition is negatively affected by late fruit exposure. In this two-year Cabernet-Sauvignon trial, we compared the application of pinolene (P) to late shoot topping (T) and late above-bunch zone leaf removal (LR), all performed during the late stages of ripening, with an untreated control (C). Vine water status was monitored weekly from the time of treatment application until harvest. Gas exchange was monitored only in 2021, from treatment application through to harvest. Berry samples were collected to measure berry weight, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and the anthocyanin profile. At harvest, we assessed yield components, rated sun damage on clusters, and produced experimental wines. Wine colour and chemical characteristics were evaluated. The application of P scarcely improved gas exchange and stem water potential. Conversely, LR and T increased water potential but did not affect leaf gas exchange. T was the only treatment that significantly decreased sugar accumulation, followed by P, which showed some effect although not significant. Grape yield was not altered, despite the use of P resulted in a lower berry weight in 2022. Canopy manipulation increased lighting conditions in the canopy and caused a significant presence of damaged fruits, especially in LR. Berry anthocyanins were not affected, but LR resulted in a lower concentration of total anthocyanins in the wine and altered the anthocyanin profile. P increased wine acidity, while LR and T improved wine colour. This study suggests that late-season canopy management can effectively control ripening speeds and improve the composition of grapes and wines. However, it is essential to avoid grape overexposure by employing the appropriate techniques to ensure grape quality is not compromised.

Spatial variations in urban woodland cooling between background climates

Urban woodland composition and configuration have strong associations with land surface temperatures (LST), but the evidence is contradictory due to different spatial scales, regional climate zones, woodland types and urban contexts. In this study, we analyse associations between urban woodland and LST within and between five cities in different Köppen climate zones. Our consistent methodology is framed around local climate zones and conducted at a fine spatial scale. We find that urban woodland fragmentation, connectedness, and shape complexity all influence LST, though much less than overall cover. The importance of cover holds for all climates except for hot-desert (Cairo). Otherwise, every 1% increase in woodland cover corresponds to a reduction of LST of around 0.07 °C to 0.02 °C (London-Cfb > Toronto-Dfa > Nanjing-Cfa > Shenyang-Dwa). Within cities, increasing urban woodland cover generally reduces LST more in built-up compared to vegetated zones. Nevertheless, associations between local LST and urban woodland composition and configuration are highly heterogeneous across cities, especially in cooler climates. Thus, to unravel the complexities of urban woodland cooling, systematic analysis of contemporaneous local and regional factors is required.

Time and climate roles in driving soil carbon distribution and stability in particulate and mineral-associated organic matter pools.

Understanding the accumulation and stability of soil organic matter (SOM) pools as a function of time (i.e., soil age) and climate (i.e., precipitation and temperature) represents a crucial challenge. This study aims at investigating the effect of both climate and time on SOM distribution into particulate and mineral-associated organic matter (POM and MAOM, respectively), using two chronosequences located along a climate gradient. The contribution of POM and MAOM to soil organic carbon (SOC) storage differs between the climo-chronosequences and with depth. The ratio between MAOM and POM pools (MAOM/POM) ranges from 0.9 to 2.0 and from 1.4 to 3.5 in the wetter and cooler and in the drier and warmer chronosequence, respectively. Regardless of the chronosequence, the MAOM/POM ratio increases with depth, highlighting a more important role of the mineral-associated fraction in carbon storage in deeper soils. The concentration of organic carbon in mineral-associated (MAOC) and particulate (POC) pools along the soil profile in the wetter and cooler chronosequence is 2× and 3× higher, respectively, than in soils from the drier and warmer one. In particular, in the wetter and cooler chronosequence, MAOC and POC concentrations decrease with soil age. In the drier and warmer chronosequence, only POC concentration decreases with soil age, whereas MAOC concentration generally increases. The thermal stability of the MAOM fraction increases with soil age and depth only in the drier and warmer climatic conditions, whereas no differences with depth occur in the wetter and cooler chronosequence. Furthermore, the MAOM energy density decreases with soil depth and age in both chronosequences. Independently of the chronosequence, POM represents the most labile pool with higher energy density. In conclusion, time and climate play a different role in SOC distribution between the pools and on their relative stability. Soil age drives MAOM stability in drier and warmer conditions, whereas a wetter and cooler climate determines a higher SOC accumulation in both pools, although these greater carbon stocks are negatively correlated with their stability.

Unlocking ABA's role in rice cold tolerance: insights from Zhonghua 11 and Kasalath.

Unraveling key ABA pathways, including OsWRKY71-OsABA8ox1 and OsbZIP73-OsNCED5, provides valuable insights for improving cold tolerance in rice breeding for cold-prone regions. Cold stress limits rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in cooler climates. This study uncovers how abscisic acid (ABA) signaling enhances cold tolerance in the rice variety Zhonghua 11 (ZH11) compared to the cold-sensitive Kasalath. Under cold stress, ZH11 rapidly accumulates ABA through efficient regulation of key genes. The transcription factor OsWRKY71ZH11 represses the ABA catabolism gene OsABA8ox1 during early stress, enabling quick ABA accumulation. Additionally, OsbZIP73 regulates the ABA synthesis gene OsNCED5 to maintain ABA balance during prolonged stress. Transgenic ZH11 plants overexpressing OsWRKY71ZH11 exhibited enhanced cold tolerance, while overexpression of OsWRKY71Ka did not confer benefits. Haplotype analysis linked allelic variations in OsWRKY71 and OsNCED5 to differences in cold tolerance. Our findings highlight critical ABA signaling pathways that enhance cold tolerance in rice. Targeting these pathways offers promising strategies for breeding cold-resistant rice varieties, improving resilience in cold-prone regions.

Dwelling Overheating in Risk in Cool Climates: Assessing the risk in the context of retrofit and climate change in Ireland

Dwelling Overheating in Risk in Cool Climates: Assessing the risk in the context of retrofit and climate change in Ireland

Climate-driven variation in the phenology of juvenile Ixodes pacificus on lizard hosts.

Ectothermic arthropods, like ticks, are sensitive indicators of environmental changes, and their seasonality plays a critical role in tick-borne disease dynamics in a warming world. Juvenile tick phenology, which influences pathogen transmission, may vary across climates, with longer tick seasons in cooler climates potentially amplifying transmission. However, assessing juvenile tick phenology is challenging in climates where desiccation pressures reduce the time ticks spend seeking blood meals. To improve our understanding of juvenile tick seasonality across a latitudinal gradient, we examine Ixodes pacificus phenology on lizards, the primary juvenile tick host in California, and explore how climate factors influence phenological patterns. Between 2013 and 2022, ticks were removed from 1,527 lizards at 45 locations during peak tick season (March-June). Tick counts were categorized by life stage (larvae and nymphs) and linked with remotely sensed climate data. Juvenile phenology metrics, including abundance, date of peak abundance, and temporal overlap between larval and nymphal populations, were analyzed along a latitudinal gradient, including tick abundances on lizards, Julian date of peak mean abundance. Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were applied to assess climate-associated variation in juvenile abundance on lizards. Mean tick abundance per lizard ranged from 0.17 to 47.21 across locations, with the highest in the San Francisco Bay Area and lowest in Los Angeles, where more lizards had zero ticks attached. In the San Francisco Bay Area, peak nymphal abundance occurred 25 days earlier than peak larval abundance. Temporal overlap between larval and nymphal stages at a given location varied regionally, with northern areas showing higher overlap. We found that locations with higher temperatures and increased drought stress were linked to lower tick abundances, though the magnitude of these effects depended on regional location. Our study, which compiled 10 years of data, reveals significant regional variation in juvenile I. pacificus phenology across California, including differences in the abundance, peak timing, and temporal overlap. These findings highlight the influence of local climate on tick seasonality, with implications for tick-borne disease dynamics in a changing climate.

Climate, soil, and viticultural factors differentially affect the sub-regional variations in biochemical compositions of grape berries

Terroir leaves its influence on the flavor build-up in grape berries by triggering biochemical reactions that ultimately shape the typicality of the produced wines. However, the complex relationship between terroir, carbon stable isotopic composition, and the biochemical composition of grapes remains poorly understood. To fill these gaps, grape berries were harvested at maturity from two grape cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.), across 32 sites within the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains region over two vintages. The climate and soil data for these sites were collected, and cultivation practices were surveyed. In parallel, the grape quality indicators were measured at maturity to explore their variations among sub-regions and the correlations between terroir factors and grape quality. Moreover, the carbon stable isotopes (δ¹³C) were measured to evaluate the water status of vines at different sites. Results indicated that organic acids and anthocyanins exhibited a strong vintage effect, with the cooler vintage exhibiting higher levels of these compounds relative to the warmer vintage. Specifically, the Hongsipu sub-region, with a cooler climate, consistently demonstrated higher anthocyanin concentrations than other sub-regions in both vintages of the study. Further analysis revealed that the cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon displayed a higher ratio of di-hydroxylated to tri-hydroxylated anthocyanins in the cooler year, whereas Merlot exhibited the opposite trend. The Mantel test identified several critical factors influencing anthocyanin concentration, including total soil phosphorus (Tp), total soil potassium (Tk), soil thickness (Thickness), precipitation (April-September precipitation, Pre4–9), April-September average temperature (4–9 Tave), April-September active accumulated temperature (4–9 Aa), April-June active accumulated temperature (4–6 Aa), July-September active accumulated temperature (7–9 Aa), temperature diurnal range (May, July, August, September, DR-5 and DR 7–9), trellis system, vine density, and δ13C. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze and summarize the relationships between terroir factors, anthocyanin concentration, and δ¹³C. The results indicated that June and September precipitation had a positive impact on anthocyanin concentrations, while soil total potassium content had a negative impact. On the other hand, the July to September temperature diurnal range, trellis system, vine perimeter, and canopy height were the main drivers of δ¹³C, which further influenced grape anthocyanin concentrations. This research contributes to a scientific foundation for grape cultivation in the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains and provides valuable insights for practices in other regions.

Chilling Out: Cooler Climates Triggered Divergence of Sabal (Arecaceae: Coryphoideae: Sabaleae) at the End of the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum

Abstract— In this study we explore the biogeographic patterns and processes underlying the diversification of Sabal, a genus of palm with a range that expands from the tropical rainforests of northern South America into the deciduous subtropical forests of the southeastern United States. We estimate divergence times among species of Sabal using two dated fossils as calibration points to inform ancestral reconstructions of the historical distribution of Sabal, and then use floral volatile composition data in select species of Sabal to integrate plant ecological interactions into our discussion of species distributions. Our results suggest extant Sabal originated within the last 21 million years with a divergence event ∼14 million years ago that effectively split the most recent common ancestor of all southeastern United States and West Indian species from the ancestor of a clade of species with their current distribution in Mexico. This divergence event corresponds with the end of the mid-Miocene climatic optimum, which resulted in cooler climates across southeastern North America where extant cold-tolerant taxa S. minor and S. palmetto are currently distributed. Floral volatile data indicate a generalist pollination strategy involving day foraging insects. Among sampled species, floral scent profiles can mostly be characterized by quantitative differences in five main compounds: benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, (E)-β-ocimene, and hexanal. These profiles align with major clades recovered in our phylogenetic analysis of Sabal and are indicative of evolutionary trends in pollination ecology and reproductive isolation within the genus.

Experimental analysis on the prototype of decentralised air handling unit with ball-packed regenerator

Decentralised, wall mounted ventilation is one of alternative to typical – cross flow or “heat wheel” recovery air handling units (AHU) system when it is not possible to install it. It solves problems such as the need for more space, power consumption of fans, and investment costs. This experimental study aims to analyse the performance of the unique constructed decentralised air handling unit (DAHU) prototype that has a special balls-packed regenerative heat exchanger. The development of the DAHU also aimed to simplify the operation and production of the unit to make it more affordable and easier to manufacture. As the DAHU is constructed from individually sized components, the pressure losses of the diffuser, the regenerator, the screens to hold the balls, the filter and the fan were measured and the actual DAHU airflow was determined. The general operation of the DAHU was tested in a climatic chamber to determine the appropriate cycle times for this type of device, as well as the heat recovery efficiency at different outdoor air temperatures. Five different DAHU operating cycles were analysed. It was found that the duration of supply air must be longer than the duration of extract air to achieve higher efficiency. Therefore, DAHU's subsequent heat exchanger studies were performed for four airflows. The highest DAHU heat recovery efficiency was achieved (above 70 %) with a supply and extract duration of 150 s. It has been found that the efficiency of this DAHU increases with decreasing outdoor air temperature because of the storage properties of the balls. The analysis showed that this type of DAHU could be suitable for use in cooler and colder climates.

Public health effectiveness of cooling centres in adverse hot weather events: a systematic review

Abstract Background The 2022 heatwave in England highlighted the need for effective public health interventions like cooling centres in temperate climates where built-in air conditioning is uncommon. Aim To determine the impacts of cooling centres on heat-related health outcomes for users in temperate climates, assessing their effectiveness and identifying barriers to usage. Methods This systematic review analysed literature sourced from MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Google Scholar from January 2010 to February 2023. Criteria for inclusion focused on studies evaluating health outcomes related to cooling centre use. Screening and quality assessments were independently conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results The review included six studies: three quantitative, three qualitative. Two were evidence synthesis of prior studies. No studies conclusively measured health and wellbeing outcomes directly after cooling centre use; instead, research emphasised user demographics, barriers, and facilitators. Common barriers included accessibility, operational hours, and public perceptions, which often misalign with user needs. Successful implementations were noted in centres integrated within community facilities like libraries or community centres. One modelling study suggested a number needed to treat to avoid one heat-related death of 1 million. The relevance of this is unclear as it was in a hotter climate with greater prevalence of air conditioning than in England. Conclusions While direct health benefits in cooler climates like England are poorly documented, cooling centres play an essential role in comprehensive heat response strategies. They offer potential social benefits and provide a cost-effective alternative to urban redesign. Future studies should aim to directly measure health outcomes and refine operational strategies to maximise benefits. Key messages • Cooling centres are crucial in comprehensive heat response strategies, yet direct evidence in cooler climates like England remains limited. • Integration with existing community services may significantly enhance cooling centre utilisation and effectiveness.

Two Decades of Insights: Comprehensive Histopathological and Epidemiological Analysis of Conjunctival Tumors.

This study analyzed 2102 conjunctival lesions excised between 1981 and 2003 at a single tertiary center in Serbia, with the aim of evaluating their histopathological characteristics, anatomical localization, and demographic distribution. Of the total cases recorded, 55.1% were male, indicating a slight male predominance. The bulbar conjunctiva was the most commonly affected site (34.5%), with 39.3% of tumors extended to multiple regions of the conjunctiva, including areas such as the plica and caruncula. The most common benign lesion was compound conjunctival nevus (16.7%), while squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (11.4%) and melanoma (11.3%) were the most prevalent malignant tumors. Tumor incidence peaked in the 61-70 and 51-60 year age groups, with malignant tumors such as SCC being more frequent in males. Comparisons with similar global studies reveal that our findings align with worldwide trends, such as the predominance of SCC, which has been linked to UV exposure, and the frequency of melanoma in fair-skinned populations. However, the lower prevalence of fibrodegenerative lesions like pterygia and pinguecula in our cohort likely reflects Serbia's cooler climate compared to regions with higher UV exposure. These findings underscore the diverse nature of conjunctival tumors, the critical role of histopathological examination for diagnosis, and the influence of environmental factors. This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of conjunctival tumors, contributing to global understanding and guiding future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

A mammalian herbivore selects local and cooler provenance trees in a restoration common garden experiment: implications for community‐assisted migration efforts

Rapid changes in climate have the potential to alter habitats faster than evolution may respond, leading to maladapted tree populations. Assisted migration may help foundation tree species persist in future climates by identifying populations and genotypes that are robust to expected climate change‐induced alterations. Importantly, community‐assisted migration accounts for impacts of those populations and genotypes on the broader community, including herbivores, often adapted to local plants. These impacts have been examined in arthropod communities, but few studies have assessed mammals, and fewer still have leveraged an experimental design to disentangle genetic contributions to herbivore selection among genotypes and populations. We tested whether North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) browsing on Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) is under genetic control in a common garden to uncouple genetic and environmental contributions on browse selection. Porcupines selected trees from climatically similar and cooler areas, where trees from cooler climates suffered greater than 2× more herbivory than trees from warmer areas. Plant genotype was a significant factor for selection, with the most heavily browsed genotype having greater than 10× more herbivory than the least browsed. Broad‐sense heritability of porcupine tree selection was H2B = 0.27 among genotypes, indicating a genetic component to tree defenses against porcupine herbivory that can be predicted by source population climate. Our results have important implications for future mammalian herbivore populations, should climate change render local tree genotypes maladaptive. We recommend assisted migration efforts plant stock from areas up to 3°C warmer and climatically similar areas to maintain productivity and mammalian herbivore browsing.

Intensive leaf cooling promotes tree survival during a record heatwave

Increasing heatwaves are threatening forest ecosystems globally. Leaf thermal regulation and tolerance are important for plant survival during heatwaves, though the interaction between these processes and water availability is unclear. Genotypes of the widely distributed foundation tree species Populus fremontii were studied in a controlled common garden during a record summer heatwave-where air temperature exceeded 48 °C. When water was not limiting, all genotypes cooled leaves 2 to 5 °C below air temperatures. Homeothermic cooling was disrupted for weeks following a 72-h reduction in soil water, resulting in leaf temperatures rising 3 °C above air temperature and 1.3 °C above leaf thresholds for physiological damage, despite the water stress having little effect on leaf water potentials. Tradeoffs between leaf thermal safety and hydraulic safety emerged but, regardless of water use strategy, all genotypes experienced significant leaf mortality following water stress. Genotypes from warmer climates showed greater leaf cooling and less leaf mortality after water stress in comparison with genotypes from cooler climates. These results illustrate how brief soil water limitation disrupts leaf thermal regulation and potentially compromises plant survival during extreme heatwaves, thus providing insight into future scenarios in which ecosystems will be challenged with extreme heat and unreliable soil water access.

Innovative grape and wine industry research in a cool climate region

Innovative grape and wine industry research in a cool climate region Jim Willwerth, Assistant Professor and Researcher at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI), discusses how the Institute is supporting the transformation of Canada’s agricultural ecosystem, and a self-reliant, sustainable model for the rest of the world. Canada’s grape and wine industry contributes $11bn to the national economy each year and sustains a workforce of about 45,000 full-time equivalent employees.(1) The Canadian grape and wine industry recognized the need for research, education and outreach. All world-class wine- producing regions have research institutes to support their industry, and visionaries of the Canadian grape and wine industry wanted the same. The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) was established in 1996 at Brock University, located in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. It is a partnership between Brock University and key industry stakeholder groups. CCOVI is an internationally recognized research institute dedicated to the advancement of the Ontario and Canadian grape and wine industry.

Response of Convectively Coupled Kelvin Waves to Surface Temperature Forcing in Aquaplanet Simulations

AbstractThis study investigates changes in the propagation and maintenance of convectively coupled Kelvin waves (KWs) in response to surface warming. We use a set of three aquaplanet simulations made with the Community Atmospheric Model version 6 by varying the sea surface temperature boundary conditions to represent the current climate as well as warmer (+4 K) and cooler (−4 K) climates. Results show that KWs accelerate at the rate of about 7.1%/K and their amplitudes decrease by 4.7%/K. The dampening of KWs with warming is found to be associated with a weakening of the internal thermodynamic feedback between diabatic heating and temperature anomalies that generates KW eddy available potential energy (EAPE). The phase speed of KWs closely matches that of the second baroclinic mode KW in −4 K, while the phase speed of KWs is approximately that of the first baroclinic mode KW in +4 K. Meanwhile, the coupling between the two baroclinic modes weakens with warming. We hypothesize that in −4 K, as the first and second baroclinic modes are strongly coupled, KWs destabilize by positive EAPE generation within the second baroclinic mode and propagate more slowly, following the second baroclinic mode KW phase speed. In +4 K, as the first and second baroclinic modes decouple, KWs are damped by negative EAPE generation within the first baroclinic mode and propagate faster, following the first baroclinic mode KW phase speed.

Global analysis of forest tipping points leading to changing water cycle dynamics

Forest cover loss is increasing at unprecedented rates, affecting the hydrologic systems of major freshwater-producing regions of the world. However, quantification of the tipping points of forest cover loss before hydrologic changes manifest and their impact in water yield and climatic conditions has remained elusive. In this study, we aim to systematically document the critical thresholds of tree cover loss leading to changing hydrologic functioning within regions that experienced extensive drought, fire, or clear-cutting events spanning different climates during the period from 2001 to 2016. Using the Hydrologic Sensitivity Index based on Budyko’s curve, we analyzed the changes in hydrologic responses to climate variability as landcover changes across the affected forests. Critical thresholds were derived by fitting Richard’s Curve function to the observed relationship between growing sensitive area and tree cover loss. Our analysis reveals decrease in water yields and warming trends during the early stages of tree cover loss in tropical forests (c = 16 %), with negative anomalies observed in rainforests of Central Africa and Maritime Southeast Asia. Boreal forests also show low thresholds (c = 18 %) with a strong tendency toward a warmer climate state and no clear tendency in water yields. Mixed forests show moderate thresholds (c = 25 %) with unclear water yield and climate trends. Conversely, Temperate forests exhibit the most resilience to hydrologic regime shifts with high critical thresholds of tree cover loss (c = 46––54 %), but a rapid alteration once their threshold is surpassed resulting primarily in increased water yields and a shift toward cooler climate conditions. As the potential for additional tree cover loss heightens, due to expected increases in the frequency and intensity of droughts and wildfires, the analyses presented provide a quantitative framework to monitor and assess the impacts of changing forest cover conditions on the water cycle behavior of some of the largest freshwater producing regions of the world.

Late-Holocene ecosystem dynamics on Weizhou Island, China: A pollen and historical record of climate change and anthropogenic disturbances

Understanding the mechanisms behind landscape diversity changes on islands, particularly due to historical human interventions, remains a critical challenge in paleoecology. This study addresses this gap by utilizing over 160 pollen samples combined with multi-proxy data and historical records to reconstruct the late-Holocene ecological and environmental dynamics of Weizhou Island, China, over the last 1400 years. Our analyses reveal the evolution of ecosystem diversity and vegetation succession amid climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic pressures, identifying four distinct phases of transformation: (1) A warm and dry climate from 1400 to 850 cal yr BP fostering a savanna ecosystem; (2) A shift to a North subtropical seasonal rainforest under a more humid climate between 850 and 210 cal yr BP, with increased vegetation diversity; (3) The initiation of agriculture and aquaculture, along with a cooler climate from 210 cal yr BP to 1970 CE, marked by human-induced landscape alterations; and (4) A significant transformation from a once-diverse ecosystem to artificial protective forests from 1970 CE to the present. By correlating environmental indicators with historical accounts across eight Chinese dynasties, our study provides detailed insights into the climatic and human factors shaping the island's history. The findings demonstrate that while climatic shifts are primary drivers of biodiversity changes, anthropogenic disturbances also play a significant role. This research underscores the resilience of ecosystems to both climatic and human pressures and emphasizes the importance of integrating historical context into environmental studies.

Artificial intelligence can regulate light and climate systems to reduce energy use in plant factories and support sustainable food production.

Plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) can boost food production per unit area but require resources such as carbon dioxide and energy to maintain optimal plant growth conditions. Here we use computational modelling and artificial intelligence (AI) to examine plant-environment interactions across ten diverse global locations with distinct climates. AI reduces energy use by optimizing lighting and climate regulation systems, with energy use in PFALs ranging from 6.42 kWh kg-1 in cooler climates to 7.26 kWh kg-1 in warmer climates, compared to 9.5-10.5 kWh kg-1 in PFALs using existing, non-AI-based technology. Outdoor temperatures between 0 °C and 25 °C favour ventilation-related energy use reduction, with outdoor humidity showing no clear pattern or effect on energy use. Ventilation-related energy savings negatively impact other resource utilization such as carbon dioxide use. AI can substantially enhance energy savings in PFALs and support sustainable food production.

A comparative study on aquatic environment of two mega reservoirs in the mainstream of Yangtze River

With the mega dams being built in large rivers around the world for water resources utilization and flood prevention, their environmental impacts such as algae bloom are increasingly concerned by the professionals and the publics, but the mechanism controlling the occurrence of algae are still unclear. Along the mainstream of the Yangtze River, world-class reservoirs have been put into operation successively. Among these reservoirs, the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) and the cascade reservoirs (CRs) are adjacent but the conditions of algae bloom in the tributary bays of them are totally different. To explore the reasons of the distinguished situations and factors relating to the high frequent algae bloom in the tributary bays of the TGR, a comparative study was carried out between the TGR and its neighbored reservoir out of the CRs based on field survey investigation, water quality records and literature review. The result reveals the considerable influences of geological and climatic factors on the hydrodynamic processes and environmental problems happening in the tributary bays of mega reservoirs. The two reservoirs exhibit significant differences in physical properties such as the hydrodynamic condition, terrain characteristics and climate. The field-investigation suggests that the water columns in the tributary bays of the CRs tend to experience weak vertical stratification. The analysis shows that this is the result of the combining result of the local terrain characteristics and the cooler, rainier and cloudier climate in the CRs region which significantly affect the hydro-thermal dynamic processes in the tributary bays. With the low level of nutrient and strong vertical mixing, the growth of the algae is constrained and these should be the significant reasons of the low frequency of algae bloom in the tributary bays of the CRs.

Expanding European protected areas through rewilding

Rewilding seeks to address biodiversity loss by restoring trophic interactions and fostering self-regulating ecosystems. Although gaining traction in Europe and North America, the extent to which rewilding can meet post-2020 protected-area targets remains uncertain. We formulated criteria to map suitable areas for rewilding by identifying large tracts of land with minimal human disturbances and the presence of key mammal species. We find that one-quarter of Europe, approximately 117 million hectares (ha), is compatible with our rewilding criteria. Of these, 70% are in cooler climates. Passive rewilding opportunities, focused on managing existing wilderness, are predominant in Scandinavia, Scotland, the Iberian Peninsula, and notably in the Baltic states, Ireland, and southeastern Europe. Active rewilding opportunities, marked by reintroduction of absent trophic guilds, are identified in Corsica, Sardinia, southern France, and parts of the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Our mapping supports European nations in leveraging land abandonment to expand areas for nature conservation, aligning with the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Nevertheless, countries with limited potential for rewilding should consider alternative conservation strategies.