Higher Winter Survival Research Articles

Fecal DNA metabarcoding helps characterize the Canada jay's diet and confirms its reliance on stored food for winter survival and breeding.

Accurately determining the diet of wild animals can be challenging if food items are small, visible only briefly, or rendered visually unidentifiable in the digestive system. In some food caching species, an additional challenge is determining whether consumed diet items have been previously stored or are fresh. The Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is a generalist resident of North American boreal and subalpine forests with anatomical and behavioural adaptations allowing it to make thousands of arboreal food caches in summer and fall that are presumably responsible for its high winter survival and late winter/early spring breeding. We used DNA fecal metabarcoding to obtain novel information on nestling diets and compiled a dataset of 662 published and unpublished direct observations or stomach contents identifications of natural foods consumed by Canada jays throughout the year. We then used detailed natural history information to make informed decisions on whether each item identified to species in the diets of winter adults and nestlings was best characterized as 'likely cached', 'likely fresh' (i.e., was available as a non-cached item when it appeared in a jay's feces or stomach), or 'either possible'. Of the 87 food items consumed by adults in the winter, 39% were classified as 'likely cached' and 6% were deemed to be 'likely fresh'. For nestlings, 29% of 125 food items identified to species were 'likely cached' and 38% were 'likely fresh'. Our results support both the indispensability of cached food for Canada jay winter survival and previous suggestions that cached food is important for late winter/early spring breeding. Our work highlights the value of combining metabarcoding, stomach contents analysis, and direct observations to determine the cached vs. non-cached origins of consumed food items and the identity of food caches, some of which could be especially vulnerable to degradation through climate change.

Use of foreign mixtures of lawn grasses in greening of roadside areas in central Yakutia

Currently, in Yakutia, the construction of apartment buildings is rapidly developing, new neighborhoods are being created, roads, squares, etc. are being repaired, and this requires work on landscaping (sowing lawns, planting trees, shrubs and shrubs, perennial and annual flowers). Lawns are the most common type and an integral part of landscaping in urban areas. To improve environmental quality, in recent years, when arranging lawns, attention has been paid to sanitary, hygienic, reclamation and aesthetic functions, in addition to minimizing the costs of growing and maintaining lawns - by choosing the right grass. When using grass mixtures of foreign species of lawn grasses, certain conditions are required; the types of lawn grasses must have good adaptation to permafrost conditions, high winter hardiness, drought resistance, and survival, which is one of the positive features.

Identification of cold tolerance and some agronomic traits of advanced safflower genotypes developed by hybridization

AbstractThe development of winter‐tolerant safflower genotypes is crucial for the improvement of global safflower agriculture. The aim of the present study was to determine the cold tolerance abilities and some agricultural characteristics of advanced safflower genotypes. For this purpose, 10 advanced safflower genotypes were used in four different locations. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Winter survival and agricultural characteristics were significantly affected by growing season, location and genotype. Winter survival varies between 86.43% and 93.91% among the genotypes which is promising for winter sowing. As the average of 2 years, the highest oil content (36.25%) was observed in genotype EC21 and it was followed by genotypes EC11 (35.51%) and EC20 (35.49%). As with the seed yield, the high winter survival of genotypes with high oil content is highly promising in terms of winter sowing. Safflower should be grown in winter with mild temperature regions for high seed yield and sustainable safflower production. Therefore, this study focused on winter‐tolerant genotypes that are superior one in terms of seed yield and oil content.

Temporal and Spatial Positioning of Service Crops in Cereals Affects Yield and Weed Control

Leguminous service crops (SCs) can provide multiple services to cropping systems, reducing the reliance on external resources if sufficient biomass is produced. However, rapid light and temperature reductions limit post-harvest cultivation of SCs in Northern Europe. A novel practice of intercropping SCs in two consecutive crops (spring–winter cereal) to extend the period of SCs growth, and hence improve yield and reduce weeds, was tested. Three spatial and temporal arrangements of SCs and cash crops were investigated, as well as three SC mixtures, characterized by their longevity and frost sensitivity. Compared to no SC, the best performing mixture, frost-tolerant annuals, increased grain and N yield of winter wheat by 10% and 19%, respectively, and reduced weed biomass by 15% and 26% in oats and winter wheat, respectively. These effects were attributed to high biomass production and winter survival. However, this SC reduced oat yields by 15% compared to no SC. Furthermore, SC growth and service provision varied largely between experiments, driven by the weather conditions. Extending the SC’s growth period by intercropping in two consecutive cereal crops has potential, but locally adapted species choices and establishment strategies are needed to ensure SC vitality until termination.

Results of the Pacific Branch of VNIRO (TINRO) activities in the information support of the 2021 salmon fishing season in Russian Far East

The article analyzes the sea trawl surveys on pink salmon and their interrelation with the values of pink salmon returns to the main spawning water bodies of the Bering and Okhotsk Seas. According to the fall trawl surveys in the Bering and Okhotsk Seas, the number of juvenile pink salmon was 1.05 and 2.10 billion, respectively. These estimates supposed return of 200 mln pink salmon in 2021 in the Bering Sea (catch — 160–180 thousand tons, 50 mln — pass to spawning groungs), 200–270 mln in the Sea of Okhotsk (catch in the western Kamchatka — 200– 250 thousand tons, 50 mln — pass), Mainland coast of the Sea of Okhotsk — 20–30 thousand tons, 13 mln — pass, eastern Sakhalin and Kurils — 20–25 thousand tons, 5–10 mln — pass). Results of summer trawl surveys of prenadromous pink salmon showed high level winter survival and confirmed earlier returns estimations. The actual pink salmon catch in the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea basins of the Far East was 424.000 tons, which was close to the overall average forecasted catch of 418.000 tons. The Pacific salmon catch in the TINRO area of responsibility (Primorsky Krai and Chukotka AD) was 5.711 thousand tons (5.496 thousand tons — Chukotka AD, 0.215 thousand tons — Primorsky Krai).

Cold-Triggered Induction of ROS- and Raffinose Metabolism in Freezing-Sensitive Taproot Tissue of Sugar Beet.

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is the exclusive source of sugar in the form of sucrose in temperate climate zones. Sugar beet is grown there as an annual crop from spring to autumn because of the damaging effect of freezing temperatures to taproot tissue. A collection of hybrid and non-hybrid sugar beet cultivars was tested for winter survival rates and freezing tolerance. Three genotypes with either low or high winter survival rates were selected for detailed study of their response to frost. These genotypes differed in the severity of frost injury in a defined inner region in the upper part of the taproot, the so-called pith. We aimed to elucidate genotype- and tissue-dependent molecular processes during freezing and combined analyses of sugar beet anatomy and physiology with transcriptomic and metabolite profiles of leaf and taproot tissues at low temperatures. Freezing temperatures induced strong downregulation of photosynthesis in leaves, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ROS-related gene expression in taproots. Simultaneously, expression of genes involved in raffinose metabolism, as well as concentrations of raffinose and its intermediates, increased markedly in both leaf and taproot tissue at low temperatures. The accumulation of raffinose in the pith tissue correlated with freezing tolerance of the three genotypes. We discuss a protective role for raffinose and its precursors against freezing damage of sugar beet taproot tissue.

Winter survival response of canola to meteorological variables and adaptative areas for current canola germplasm in the United States

The introduction of winter canola (Brassica napus L.) into rotations with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the United States (US) revealed economic and agronomic benefits as well as improved weed and pest control. Canola stand establishment during the fall and plant survival over the winter are critical to the success of this crop. The environment plays a key role influencing survival, but in-depth evaluation of meteorological factors has not been conducted. This research study aimed to: i) identify meteorological factors underpinning winter canola survival, ii) build probabilistic response models based on historical meteorological data for different severities of winter kill across the US, and iii) define areas of adaptation of current germplasm. A winter survival dataset was compiled from the National Winter Canola Variety Trials from 2003 until 2018 (190 site-years) and auxiliary meteorological data over the last 40 years. A regression tree analysis indicated that meteorological variables related to minimum temperature, fluctuating temperatures above and below 0°C, and windchill during the cold period were the main factors accounting for winter kill. Cold periods across all site-years were classified into three clusters: cold periods with high (96%), medium (70%), and low (28%) average plant winter survival. For 94 US sites, the probabilities of these conditions were calculated and summarized in a map that defined areas of adaptation: a large area south of 35° N latitude for the US was identified with greater potential for overwintering success. Based on the response under multiple meteorological conditions, four distinct genotype survival groups were identified (tolerant, semi-tolerant, semi-susceptible, and susceptible). Groups with a greater number of genotypes differ in the impact of meteorological conditions on survival for the medium cluster. In regions with more favorable conditions for overwintering success, farmers may be open to introducing this crop to diversify their farming system.

A Whole-Plant Screening Test to Select Freezing-Tolerant and Low-Dormant Genotypes.

Winter survival is a determinant factor for the persistence of perennials grown in northern climates. High winter survival cultivars, however, have lower yield due to their early transition into a dormant state in the fall. Here we describe a whole plant assay entirely performed indoor in growth chambers and walk-in freezers to identify low-dormant genotypes with superior freezing tolerance within populations of open pollinated species. Three successive freezing stresses are applied to a broad base of 3000 genotypes to progressively eliminate 97% of the population and to retain only the 3% best performing genotypes. This approach can be used to generate recurrently selected populations in different species.

Agronomic potential of winter grain legumes for Central Europe: Development, soil coverage and yields

Shifting from spring-sowing to autumn-sowing of crops might be a way to address expected changes in agro-climatic conditions in Central European cropping systems. Therefore, a two-year field experiment was conducted under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria for assessing development, soil coverage and yields of winter faba bean and winter pea in comparison to spring faba bean and spring pea and winter wheat and winter oat. Both winters were mild and both winter grain legumes showed a high winter survival. Winter grain legumes had lower soil coverage in autumn than winter wheat but higher soil coverage than spring-sown grain legumes up to mid-May. Autumn-sowing resulted in earlier flowering, a longer duration of developmental stages and higher grain and residue yields than spring-sown grain legumes. Winter pea had higher grain yield than winter faba bean. Autumn-sowing of both faba bean and pea can be recommended in Central European growing conditions.

Overwintering of reproductively mature females of a pro‐ovigenic parasitic wasp, Leptopilina heterotoma (Hymenoptera: Figitidae)

AbstractLeptopilina heterotoma is a Drosophila parasitoid mainly occurring in temperate regions, and females of this species are pro‐ovigenic (i.e. all or nearly all of their lifetime eggs are already mature at emergence). Here I investigated how L. heterotoma overwinters in Sapporo, Japan, a cool temperate region, by outdoor and laboratory experiments. Females of this species had mature eggs at emergence as expected, and they did not resorb eggs even if they were exposed to cold or starvation. Nevertheless, females were able to overwinter, and post‐overwintering females retained parasitization capacity. In this species, thus, adult overwintering is not associated with reproductive diapause. However, females grown in late autumn or at low temperatures (e.g. 5°C) had a fewer number of mature eggs and higher winter survival. At low temperatures, female larvae could save energy by reducing egg production and allocate the saved energy to expenditure for overwintering. In contrast to females, males and pre‐adult individuals were not able to overwinter.

Evaluating Winter Barley Cultivar Using Data Envelopment Analysis Models

Unlike feed barley, malting barley must meet a specific set of quality standards for acceptability by maltsters. Multiple quality criteria in addition to the grain yield makes ranking of genotypes challenging. The objective of this study was to apply data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to rank the efficiencies of 27 winter barley entries based on grain yield and quality indices. Four methods of DEA including Charnes, Cooper and Rhodes (CCR), Färe and Grosskopf (FG), Banker, Charnes and Cooper (BCC), and Seiford and Thrall (ST) used for the ranking. Testing trial included 14 two-rows and 13 six-rows winter barley. All entries except two, demonstrated high winter survival ratings. Overall, the six-row cultivars out-yielded the two-row cultivars by 18%. However, in terms of brewing quality, the two-row entries performed better than six-row entries and had 40% lower thinness, 12% higher plump, and lower grain protein content. The six-row entries had 32% higher germinative energy than two-row entries. The ranking by four models were not similar, however, SU-Mateo and Calypso had the highest efficiency (1.0) by all four models followed by Wintmalt and Vincenta.

Isotopic spiking and food dye experiments provide evidence that nestling Canada Jays (Perisoreus canadensis) receive cached food from their parents

While many animals rely on stored food to survive periods of no or few resources, some of these species may also use cached food to feed young. The Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis (Linnaeus, 1766)) is a territorial, food-caching resident of North American boreal forests. Canada Jays have high winter survival when fresh food is rarely available and achieve high fledging rates before the return and breeding of most sympatric migratory passerines. Stored food must account for the Canada Jay’s winter survival, but it is less certain that stores are also used to feed nestlings. We conducted two experiments seeking evidence of such use, one using food marked with dye and a second using 15N-enriched glycine. Breeding pairs were supplemented with marked food in the pre-incubation period, followed by our attempts to find the marker in nestling feces (dye experiment) or feathers (15N-enrichment experiment). Both experiments provided evidence that at least some nestlings had ingested the marker, although the importance of this behaviour within the population remains unknown. Our study demonstrates how food markers can be used to infer feeding behaviour that has not been directly recorded in the wild, even after over 50 years of close observation.

Evidence for Cogradient Growth and Survival Between Two Geographically Distinct Stocks of Muskellunge

AbstractIntraspecific genetic variation across the distribution of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy suggests the existence of divergent stocks among major river drainages. Often, stocks differentiate in response to latitudinal variation in thermal regime. Genetic variation and thermal adaptation may drive fish to either maximize growth during brief growing seasons at higher latitudes (counter‐gradient growth) or experience longer periods of slower growth at lower latitudes (cogradient growth). The strength and direction of these genetic effects matter for fish stocked outside of their native drainage and for populations experiencing changes to regional thermal regimes. We used a replicated pond experiment with uniform initial fish size and environmental conditions to compare the survival and growth of stocked age‐0 Ohio River drainage (OH) Muskellunge with those of the more northerly upper Mississippi River drainage (MISS) stock following their first winter and a year after introduction into a common environment. Both stocks had similarly high winter survival, though the MISS stock had a slower growth rate overwinter than the OH stock. Survival during the latter spring‐to‐fall period was greatly reduced for the MISS stock, however, with the differences in growth rate persisting. These findings suggest that cogradient adaptation to temperatures experienced during early life stages in native environments results in a disadvantage for high‐latitude stocks of Muskellunge in thermal regimes warmer than those they have historically experienced in their native drainages.

Assessment of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) germplasm for agro‐morphological traits and nutritive value

AbstractSainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is a bloat‐free, perennial forage legume adapted to the northern temperate regions of the world. This study was carried out to evaluate phenotypic variation and nutritive value of 38 sainfoin accessions from 21 different countries. A field trial was established in 2014 using a randomized complete block design with four replications near Saskatoon, Canada, with data collected in 2015 and 2016. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences among sainfoin accessions for winter survival, dry‐matter (DM) yield, regrowth per seed yield plant, 1,000‐seed weight, plant height, growth rate, spring vigour, days to flower, stem number, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). Dry‐matter yield of sainfoin accessions ranged from 74 to 239 g/plant, plant height ranged from 37 to 70 cm, winter survival ranged from 20% to 94%, and seed yield ranged from 5 to 64 g/plant. Sainfoin accessions from North America produced the highest DM yield. Dry‐matter yield was positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.82), stem number (r = 0.75), growth rate (r = 0.72), spring vigour (r = 0.43), regrowth (r = 0.30), 1,000‐seed weight (r = 0.29), NDF (r = 0.71) and ADF (r = 0.74). Dry‐matter yield was negatively correlated with days to flower (r = −0.57) and CP concentration (r = −0.62). Sainfoin accessions were grouped into three main groups according to their agro‐morphological traits and nutritive value. Several promising sainfoin accessions have been identified to select for high forage yield and high winter survival in the cold climatic zone of temperate grassland.

Frost tolerance, regeneration capacity after frost exposure and high photosystem II efficiency during winter and early spring support high winter survival in Juncus spp.

SummaryDuring the past two decades, significant spread of the perennial weeds Juncus effusus (soft rush) and Juncus conglomeratus (compact rush) in coastal parts of Norway seems to have coincided with an observed rise in winter temperatures. This study investigated the frost tolerance (LT50) and effects of moderate frost exposure on rush plant regrowth over time during the period late November to late winter/spring, and photosynthetic activity in late winter/spring. Juncus effusus and J. conglomeratus of physiologically young age (seedlings) displayed similar high frost tolerance (LT50) and did not differ significantly in regenerative ability following prolonged frost exposure. Regrowth capacity generally increased during winter and when stress conditions increased, shoot formation was prioritised over total biomass production. Maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and performance index of photosystem II (PI) were high in late winter/spring, with J. effusus showing higher values than J. conglomeratus. Green, photosynthetically active shoots, which facilitate accumulation of carbohydrates during autumn and even in winter, may provide Juncus spp. with substantial competitiveness in late winter and spring. The results revealed that the dominance of J. effusus over J. conglomeratus in pastures and leys is not due to major differences in winter survival parameters, but probably the higher photosynthetic efficiency observed in J. effusus. Generally higher temperatures during winter and lower frost kill may be contributing to the current increase in rush infestation.

Survival analysis and computer simulations of lethal and contraceptive management strategies for urban deer

I monitored survival of 34 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Bloomington, Minnesota, from October 1996 to December 1999. Twenty deer died: nineteen were killed by vehicles, and one was killed in a deer-removal program conducted by an adjacent suburb. Summer survival was high and varied little over the 3 years of study (range = 0.93 to 0.95). Fall survival ranged from 0.84 to 1.00, and winter survival was generally high during the 3 years of study, except during a severe winter (range = 0.72 to 0.95). I calculated population growth rates (λ) from Leslie matrix projections, using these survival estimates and productivity data collected from road-killed female deer in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, USA) metropolitan area. When winter survival was high (0.94), my model simulations indicated the Bloomington deer population increased by 21% when no deer management program was in place. When a low winter survival rate (0.72) was modeled, the population decreased by 7%, even when no deer management program was implemented. I modeled what impact contraception may have on population growth and concluded that treating >50% of adult female deer was necessary to stabilize population growth, and treating all females was necessary to decrease population growth under high winter survival conditions. I concluded that removal programs are more effective than immunocontraception programs because survival contributes more to population growth rates in deer populations than fecundity. I recommend removing 20% and 40% of adult female deer in the population to cause the population to stabilize or to reduce deer numbers, respectively. I recommend managers collect deer-vehicle collision data because these data potentially represent the most accurate and easily-obtainable life history component of an urban deer herd.

Evaluation of Agronomic Characteristics and Forage Production of Domestic and Foreign Italian Ryegrass Cultivar in Korea

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and forage production of Italian ryegrass cultivars at three locations (Gurae, Sungju and Cheonan) from 2013 to 2014. The experiment employed a randomized complete block design with three replications. The seven cultivars used in this experiment were 'Korwinearly', 'Florida80', 'YounbongI', 'YounbongII', 'YounbongIII', 'KeimyungI' and 'KeimyungII' varieties. Italian ryegrass varieties were seeded on October 4 at Gurae, October 8 at Seongju and October 3 at Cheonan in 2013. The Italian ryegrass varieties were harvested on April 26 at Gurae and Seongju, and on April 24 at Cheonan in 2014. Although the seven cultivars had resistance to foliar diseases and insects and high winter survival, they has little lodging resistance. The heading dates for 'Younbong I', 'Younbong II' and 'Keimyung I' were earlier than for other varieties at the three locations. Dry matter (DM) content and plant height in the early maturing cultivars were higher than in other cultivars at the three locations. The fresh and DM yields of the early maturing cultivars were also higher than others at the three locations. The results of this experiment indicate that the heading date for early maturing cultivars is earlier, and the plant height is higher than for other cultivars. Early maturing cultivars had higher DM content as well as fresh and DM yields of Italian ryegrass. Therefore, early maturing cultivars should be recommended as high-yield forage in double-cropping systems because of their superior production of forage and early heading date.

Warmer winters modulate life history and energy storage but do not affect sensitivity to a widespread pesticide in an aquatic insect

Despite the increased attention for the effects of pesticides under global warming no studies tested how winter warming affects subsequent sensitivity to pesticides. Winter warming is expected to cause delayed negative effects when it increases metabolic rates and thereby depletes energy reserves. Using a common-garden experiment, we investigated the combined effect of a 4°C increase in winter temperature and subsequent exposure to chlorpyrifos in the aquatic larvae of replicated low- and high-latitude European populations of the damselfly Ischnura elegans. The warmer winter (8°C) resulted in a higher winter survival and higher growth rates compared to the cold winter (4°C) commonly experienced by European high-latitude populations. Low-latitude populations were better at coping with the warmer winter, indicating thermal adaptation to the local winter temperatures. Subsequent chlorpyrifos exposure at 20°C induced strong negative effects on survival, growth rate, lipid content and acetylcholinesterase activity while phenoloxidase activity increased. These pesticide effects were not affected by winter warming. Our results suggest that for species where winter warming has positive effects on life history, no delayed effects on the sensitivity to subsequent pesticide exposure should be expected.

Analyses of the Northern Distributional Limit of <I>Aedes albopictus</I> (Diptera: Culicidae) With a Simple Thermal Index

Worldwide invasion of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) has become a serious concern in vector control. In temperate regions, an important goal has been to predict northern range limits after new introductions or global climate change. We propose a simple thermal suitability index (TSI) that can be calculated from monthly mean temperatures and may predict the northern distributional limits of Ae. albopictus. Analyses of known distributions revealed that TSI yields a common criterion (TSI = 1) below which establishment is thermally prohibited throughout the northern hemisphere. However, temperature conditions around northern limits differ among regions, depending on thermal continentality (the degree of seasonal temperature variation). Thermal continentality is high on the Asian Continent, intermediate in North America and Japan, and low (i.e., oceanic) in Europe. On the Asian Continent, there may be maximal winter coldness above which establishment is prohibited irrespective of summer reproduction. In Europe, establishment is possible under summer warmth lower than in other regions but there may be minimal summer warmth below which establishment is difficult despite high winter survival during mild winters. Among the thermal indices that have been commonly used as establishment criteria, the annual mean temperature of 10 degrees C proved to be a common criterion irrespective of thermal continentality, whereas coldest month means and warmth during the reproductive season (often expressed as accumulated degree-days above 11 degrees C) are strongly influenced by thermal continentality. Although annual mean temperatures can be a practical criterion, TSI was more informative in evaluating thermal suitability for this species.

High survival during hibernation affects onset and timing of reproduction

The timing of reproduction is one of the most crucial life history traits, with enormous consequences for the fitness of an individual. We investigated the effects of season and timing of birth on local survival probability in a small mammalian hibernator, the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Local monthly survival probability was lowest in the early active season (May-August, ϕ(adult) = 0.75-0.88, ϕ(juvenile) = 0.61-0.68), increased during the late active season (August-October), and highest during hibernation (October-May, ϕ(adult) = 0.96-0.98, ϕ(juvenile) = 0.81-0.94). Consequently, dormice had an extremely high winter survival probability. We observed two peaks in the timing of reproduction (June and August/September, respectively), with the majority of juveniles born late in the active season. Although early investment in reproduction seems the better life history tactic [survival probability until onset of reproduction: ϕ(born early) = 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.64; ϕ(born late) = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.09-0.28], only females with a good body condition (significantly higher body mass) invest in reproduction early in the year. We suggest the high over-winter survival in dormice allows for a unique life history pattern (i.e., combining slow and fast life history tactics), which leads to a bimodal seasonal birth pattern: (1) give birth as early as possible to allow even the young to breed before hibernating, and/or (2) give birth as late as possible (leaving just enough time for these young to fatten) and enter directly into a period associated with the highest survival rates (hibernation) until maturity.