High Food Availability Research Articles

Avaliação do ambiente alimentar do consumidor e suas associações com fatores socioeconômicos em uma cidade brasileira de médio porte

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the consumer food environment and its associations with socioeconomic factors in a midsize Brazilian city. Methods An ecological study that assessed the consumer food environment through audits in a stratified and proportional sample of food stores. The ESAO-S and the ESAO-R instruments were used. Access to healthy food was assessed using the Healthy Food Store Index and the Healthy Meal Restaurant Index. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and the Health Vulnerability Index were obtained from the 2010 Demographic Census. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM®SPSSNo-Break®No-Break software. Result A total of 280 food stores were assessed. Only 47.1% of food stores for home consumption had fruits, vegetables, or legumes. High availability of ultra-processed food was identified, such as sugar-sweetened beverages (85.0%) and chocolate sandwich cookies (77.8%). The prices of some unprocessed foods and the availability of snacks were different according to socioeconomic characteristics. In food stores for immediate consumption, low availability of healthy options was identified, and, in most of them, natural juices had higher prices than sugar-sweetened beverages (87.1%). The mean Healthy Food Store Index score was 5.1 (SD=3.6), and the Healthy Meal Restaurant Index was 2.4 (SD=1.2). Conclusion These findings allow us to expand the knowledge about the consumer food environment, helping to implement public policies related to food supply.

Bioenergetics model for the nonnative Redside Shiner

AbstractObjectiveRedside Shiner Richardsonius balteatus has expanded from its native range in the Pacific Northwest region of North America to establish populations in six other western states. This expansion has fueled concerns regarding competition between Redside Shiner and native species, including salmonids. We developed a bioenergetic model for Redside Shiner, providing a powerful tool to quantify its trophic role in invaded ecosystems and evaluate potential impacts on native species.MethodsMass‐ and temperature‐dependent functions for consumption and respiration were fit based on controlled laboratory experiments of maximum consumption rates and routine metabolic rates using intermittent‐flow respirometry, across a range of fish sizes (0.6–27.3 g) and temperatures (5–31°C). Laboratory growth experiments were conducted to corroborate model performance across different temperatures and feeding rates.ResultInitial bioenergetic simulations of long‐term growth experiments indicated large model error for predicted consumption and growth, and deviations from observed responses varied systematically as a function of daily consumption rate (J·g−1·d−1) and water temperature. A growth rate error correction function was developed and included in the bioenergetics model framework on a daily time step, resulting in decreased absolute model error in all experimental groups. Predicted values from the corrected model were highly correlated with observed values (; consumption = 0.97, final weight = 0.99) and unbiased. These results show that the optimal temperature for Redside Shiner growth (18°C) exceeds that of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. by 2–6°C under a scenario of high food availability and moderate food quality.ConclusionConsequently, increases in water temperature associated with climate change may favor growth and expansion of Redside Shiner populations, while negatively affecting some salmonids. The bioenergetics model presented here provides the necessary first step in quantifying trophic impacts in sensitive ecosystems where Redside Shiner have invaded or in ecosystems where anadromous salmonid reintroductions are being considered.

Effect of brown manuring practices on yield, nutrient dynamics and soil micro-flora in wet seeded rice in the coastal deltaic ecosystem

A field experiment was conducted at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute, Karaikal during October 2020 - January 2021 to investigate the effects of brown manuring on yield, yield attributes, nutrient availability, nutrient uptake and soil micro-flora in wet seeded rice. The experiment was carried out with ten treatments (T1 - rice with dhaincha 15 kg ha-1 + 2,4-D 0.5 kg ha-1, T2-rice with dhaincha 20 kg ha-1 + 2,4-D 0.5 kg ha-1, T3 - rice with dhaincha 25 kg ha-1 + 2,4 - D 0.5 kg ha-1, T4 - rice with dhaincha 15 kg ha-1 + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1, T5-rice with dhaincha 20 kg ha-1 + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1, T6-rice with dhaincha 25 kg ha-1 + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1,T7 - rice alone + 2,4 - D 0.5 kg ha-1, T8 - rice alone + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1, T9 - rice alone with hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS, T10- unweeded control) replicated thrice in a randomized block design. The result from the study showed that the yield (4.82 t ha-1) and yield attributes of rice were significantly enhanced when co-cultured with dhaincha 25 kg ha-1 + 2,4-D or bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1application was comparable with other brown manured treatments but superior than rice alone. Co-culturing with dhaincha 25 kg ha-1 with rice resulted in higher nutrient availability (208.9, 32.8, 231.6 kg N, P, K per hectare respectively), nutrient uptake (65.6, 16.4, 69.7 kg N, P, K per hectare respectively) by rice and soil microbial population at harvest (brown manuring either with 2,4-D or bispyribac sodium). Therefore, co-culture of brown manure involving a post-emergence herbicide was more competitive against weeds and the dead residue proved to be simulative to wet sown rice crop for boosting growth and yield.

Soil properties and root traits are important factors driving rhizosphere soil bacterial and fungal community variations in alpine Rhododendron nitidulum shrub ecosystems along an altitudinal gradient

Both soil properties and plant root traits are pivotal factors affecting microbial communities. However, there is still limited information about their importance in shaping rhizosphere soil microbial communities, particularly in less-studied alpine shrub ecosystems. To investigate the effects of altitude (3300, 3600, 3900, and 4200 m) on the diversity and composition of rhizosphere soil bacterial and fungal communities, as well as the factors shaping rhizosphere soil microbial communities, we conducted this study in alpine Rhododendron nitidulum shrub ecosystems from the Zheduo mountain of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Results demonstrated that bacterial community diversity and richness decreased to the lowest value at 3600 m and then increased at higher altitudes compared with 3300 m; whereas fungal richness at 3300 m was much lower than at other altitudes, and was closely related to soil properties and root traits. The composition of rhizosphere soil bacterial and fungal communities at the low altitude (3300 m) was different from that at high altitudes. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance and redundancy analysis indicated that soil properties (soil water content, pH, NO3−-N, and available phosphorus) and root traits (surface area, and maximum depth) were the major factors explaining the variations of rhizosphere soil bacterial and fungal communities. Specific bacterial and fungal taxa along altitudes were identified. The bacterial taxa Planctomycetota was dominant at 3300 and 3600 m with low soil nutrient availability and high root surface area, whereas the fungal taxa Mortierellomycota was abundant at 3900 and 4200 m with high soil nutrient availability and low root surface area. These results suggested that different soil microbes can respond differently to altitude. This study provides a novel insight into factors driving rhizosphere soil bacterial and fungal community variations, which could improve our understanding of microbial ecology in alpine R. nitidulum shrub ecosystems along altitude.

Вплив органічних добрив різного походження на мікробіологічну характеристику ґрунту за вирощування фундука

Goal. To evaluate the influence of organic fertilizers of different origins on the number of microorganisms of the main ecological and trophic groups in the soil for the cultivation of hazelnuts in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. Generalization and analysis of materials of scientific research, microbiological, field, statistical. The results. In the soil of hazelnut plantations, the dynamics of the development of microorganisms of various eco-trophic groups were studied: ammonifiers, nitrifiers, streptomycetes, spore microorganisms, microorganisms that dissolve organic phosphates, microorganisms that dissolve mineral phosphates, nitrogen fixers, oligotrophs. Conclusions. An increase in the number of microorganisms of the main ecological and trophic groups (ammonifiers, nitrifiers, streptomycetes, spore microorganisms, microorganisms that dissolve organic phosphates, microorganisms that dissolve mineral phosphates, nitrogen fixers, oligotrophs) was established due to the introduction of cattle manure and biofertilizers No. 1 and No 2. The parameters of the mineralization – immobilization coefficient (0.02–0.07) indicate the predominance of the processes of synthesis over the destruction of organic matter in all variants of the experiment. The oligotrophic index (indicator of soil availability with easily digestible nutrients) indicates a high availability of nutrients (0.003–0.03). This shows that the use of organic fertilizers of various origins will not disrupt the functional structure of the soil microbial coenosis.

Stranding of Mesopelagic Fishes in the Canary Islands.

Most mesopelagic fishes perform large diel vertical migrations from the deep-sea zone to the surface. Although there is a trade-off between a higher food availability at the upper layers and an energy cost and predation risk, incursion towards the surface also implies a transport by currents, where the fish are exposed to a stranding risk on the coast. Here, we reported the first documented stranding of mesopelagic fishes along the southeast shore of Gran Canaria Island. Our study hypothesized that (1) the influence of the Canary Current, (2) the dominant incidence of the Trade Winds during summer, and (3) the presence of an upwelling filament coupled with an anticyclonic eddy south of Gran Canaria Island were the causative mechanisms of the strandings. Diaphus dumerilii (Myctophidae family) was the main species found as observed from an external morphological analysis using traditional taxonomy. The otolith contour analysis suggested the presence of other Diaphus spp. and Lobianchia dofleini. Nevertheless, the otolith morphological features described in the literature suggested that all the specimens were actually D. dumerelii. Errors in the identification were mainly due to the high intraspecific variability found in the otolith morphology. Even so, two patterns of oval and elliptic shapes were described with significant differences in its morphometry.

Hawk owl irruptions: spatial and temporal variation in rodent abundance drive push and pull dynamics

Bird irruptions are thought to be triggered by low food availability in breeding areas, thereby causing emigration (push factor). However, few studies have tested whether emigrating individuals are drawn towards areas of high food availability (pull factor). The Northern hawk owl (Surnia ulula), a rodent specialist, occurs irruptively to southern parts of Fennoscandia. We analysed whether irruption size during 1980–2020 in southeastern Norway was related to rodent abundance at four sites 450–990 km to the north-northeast (potential source areas) and at two sites in southeastern Norway to test push and pull dynamics of irruptions. Irruptions occurred when rodent abundance in potential source areas were low, supporting the push hypothesis. High rodent abundance in potential source areas 1–2 years before irruptions suggested that irruptions were preceded by high reproduction. Upon arrival to southeastern Norway, hawk owls did not encounter high rodent abundance in their main habitat (boreal forest). However, hawk owls stayed in boreal forest in hills in years with higher microtine rodent abundance, but occurred in farmland areas in the lowlands when microtine rodents were less abundant. Use of lowlands coincided with higher than median numbers of wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) for 87% of the hawk owls settling in the lowlands, thus suggesting support for the pull hypothesis. In conclusion, hawk owl irruptions to southern Fennoscandia were triggered by low food availability in northern areas (push factor), and appeared to be drawn by high food availability in southeastern Norway to some degree (pull factor).

Weather and nest cavity characteristics influence fecundity in mountain chickadees.

Examining direct and indirect effects on reproduction at multiple scales allows for a broad understanding of species' resilience to environmental change. We examine how the fecundity of the mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli), a secondary cavity-nesting, insectivorous bird, varied in relation to factors at three scales: regional weather conditions, regional- and site-level food availability, site-level community dynamics, and nest-level cavity characteristics. We hypothesized that earlier laying dates and higher fecundity (clutch size, nest survival, brood size) would be associated with milder climatic conditions, increased food from insect outbreaks, lower densities of conspecifics and nest predators (red squirrel; Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and safer (smaller, higher) cavities. We collected data on laying date, clutch size, brood size, nest fate (success/failure), and cavity characteristics from 513 mountain chickadee nests in tree cavities in temperate mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest in interior British Columbia, Canada, from 2000 to 2011. We surveyed annual abundances of mountain chickadees and squirrels using repeated point counts, and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) and lepidopteran defoliators by monitoring host trees and by using regional-scale aerial overview forest insect survey data. We used weather data (temperature, rain, snow) from a local Environment and Climate Change Canada weather station. We modeled laying date, clutch size, daily nest survival, and brood size as a function of predictors at regional-, site-, and nest-scales. Measures of fecundity varied dramatically across years and spatial scales. At the regional (study-wide) scale, chickadees laid earlier and larger first clutches in warmer springs with minimal storms, and daily nest survival (DSR) increased with a 2-year lag in growing season temperature. Despite a doubling of mountain chickadee density that roughly accompanied the outbreaks of mountain pine beetle and lepidopteran defoliators, we found little evidence at the site scale that fecundity was influenced by insect availability, conspecific density, or predator density. At the nest scale, DSR and brood size increased with clutch size but DSR declined with nest cavity size indicating a positive reproductive effect of small-bodied cavity excavators. Double-brooding, rare in chickadees, occurred frequently in 2005 and 2007, coinciding with early breeding, high food availability from insect outbreaks, and warm spring temperatures with 0-1 spring storms. Our results support the idea that fecundity in secondary cavity-nesting species is impacted directly and indirectly by weather, and indirectly through changes in community dynamics (via cavity resource supply). We stress the importance of adopting holistic, community-level study frameworks to refine our understanding of fecundity in opportunistic and climate-sensitive species in future.

Timing and magnitude of net methylmercury effects on waterbird reproductive output are dependent on food availability

Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed pollutant. Its sub-lethal effects on reproduction of birds have been used as indicators of contamination and of potential demographic effects. However, studies typically used single endpoints that might not be representative of entire reproductive cycle. To estimate timing and net cumulative effects of Hg exposure under field conditions, we used observational data over 11 years from >1200 nests of great egrets breeding under temporally and spatially varying food availability and Hg exposures in the Florida Everglades. We collected measures of fish biomass and availability (>100 locations annually) and used four avian reproductive endpoints that represented the entire breeding cycle. We calculated net reproductive loss by adding estimated Hg effects on failures prior to egg laying, clutch size, hatching success and nestling survival in response to food availability and Hg exposure. To validate and assess results of the observational egret study, we ran the same analyses with data of captive breeding white ibises experimentally exposed to Hg with ad libitum food over 3 years. We found large (>50 %) reductions in great egret offspring with high Hg exposure (18 μg/g dw THg nestling feather, ~0.7 μg/g ww whole egg THg) and high food availability, and even larger reductions (up to 100 %) with high Hg exposure and low food. Timing and the relative contribution of different endpoints to overall reproductive failure varied with food availability. Failures prior to egg laying were relevant at all food availabilities and proportionally most important during high food availability (~70 % of total losses). Under high food, post-hatching failures increased moderately with increasing exposure (~10 % of total losses), and under low food, hatching failures became dominant (~50 % of total losses). Patterns of failure of captive white ibis fed ad libitum resembled those of great egrets under high food availability but differed in total magnitude. We suggest that, a) net reproductive effects of Hg in free-ranging animals are probably much higher than generally reported in studies using single endpoints, b) Hg effect sizes vary considerably among different endpoints and c) food availability is a strong driver of timing and net effects of Hg exposure.

A Non-Stressful Temperature Rise and Greater Food Availability Could Increase Tolerance to Calcium Limitation of Daphnia cf. pulex (Sensu Hebert, 1995) Populations in Cold Soft-Water Lakes.

Simple SummaryClimate warming is evident at many cold sites, including high-altitude and high-latitude lakes. The cladoceran Daphnia pulex, with high calcium (Ca) demands for its heavily calcified exoskeleton, is an ecologically important zooplankton species inhabiting these lakes, many of which are Ca-limited. Other stressors, such as warming and food limitation, may interact with Ca limitation and affect Daphnia populations adapted to these cold environments. In a study of factorial design, a clone of North American Daphnia cf. pulex was exposed to a low-Ca gradient, to temperature rises within its preferred range and expected in these lakes, and to conditions of low and high food quantity. Results suggest that climate warming and higher food availability will make D. pulex populations more tolerant to Ca limitation. Changes in the abundance of Daphnia may be relevant to ecological processes and the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.Calcium (Ca) is an important driver of community structure in freshwaters. We examined the combined effects of increased temperatures and variations in food quantity on the tolerance to low Ca of Daphnia pulex. The aim was to predict the impact of climate warming on this keystone zooplanktonic species in cold-climate lakes. We conducted a factorial life-history experiment in a clone of North American Daphnia cf. pulex to analyse the interaction effects of a temperature increase (17.5 °C–21 °C) within their physiological preferred range and expected by climate warming over the next few decades and a narrow Ca gradient (0.25–1.74 mg Ca L−1) under stressful vs. abundant food conditions. We found a striking positive synergistic effect of Ca and temperature on D. pulex reproduction at high food conditions. Although the increase in temperature to 21 °C greatly reduced survival, high energy allocation to reproduction at high food levels allowed the population to succeed in poor Ca (<0.25 mg Ca L−1). Results suggest that climate warming and higher food availability will make the populations of many cold and Ca-limited lakes more tolerant to low Ca levels with higher growth population rates, thereby altering zooplanktonic community structures and inducing potential cascading effects on the food web.

How to make the Lunar and Martian soils suitable for food production - Assessing the changes after manure addition and implications for plant growth

The in-situ resource utilisation (ISRU), in terms of native rocky materials and astronaut wastes, is crucial in contests of soil-based space-farming. Nevertheless, extra-terrestrial soils are very different from Earth soils, lacking any form of organic carbon and associated macro and micronutrients. In this research, we aimed to study and modify two commercially available Lunar and Martian regolith simulants (LHS-1 from Exolith Lab and MMS-1 from Martian Garden) to make them an adequate medium for plant growth. Lettuce was chosen as reference crop to guide the discussion on the results obtained. To reach this main objective, we added to simulants a commercially available monogastric-based organic manure chosen as a substitute of a possible organic amendment produced onboard. The simulant/manure mixture rates were 100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50; w:w. As expected, an approximately linear increase of total and bioavailable contents of macro (N, S, P, Ca, K, Mg) and micro (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) nutrients with increasing manure addition to simulants was observed. On the other hand, the very high pH of manure (pH, 9.02) along with its salinity (EC, 6.7 dS m−1) and sodicity (Na, 5.3 g kg−1), did not correct the already high pH of simulants (very high for LHS-1), but rather raised their soluble salt content and sodium amount on the exchange complex. In addition, an increase of toxic soluble aluminium and heavy elements (Pb, Ni, Cr, V) was observed, mainly in the strongly alkaline lunar simulant/manure mixtures. The addition of an organic source also produced a generalised improvement of water retention and hydraulic conductivity of both regolith simulants, in proportion to the percentage of manure addiction. For both situations, the best mixture ratio was 70:30. In terms of water retained, the LHS-1 mixtures benefited more than the MMS-1 ones by manure addition since water was held more in the “dry” (between −100 and −600 cm of matric potential head) than in the “humid” (between −25 and −100 cm of matric potential head) region of water retention. This would make LHS-1 mixtures more useful for cultivation of lettuce, at least in terms of physico-hydraulic properties. Nevertheless, the overall characterisation of the mixtures unveiled that MMS-1-based substrates can ensure better agronomic performances than LHS-1 ones, mainly due to lower pHs and higher nutrient availability; this divergent fertility was particularly evident at 90:10 simulant/manure rate and tend to be mitigated by increasing the levels of manure.

High nutrient loads hinder successful restoration of natural habitats in freshwater wetlands

Restoration of natural processes in ecosystems is key to mitigate the biodiversity crisis. Here, we evaluate 20 Danish stream‐valley restoration projects—mainly by rewetting—in terms of successful restoration of natural wetland habitats. We used quadratic discriminant analysis and generalized linear models to compare 80 vegetation plots from the restoration projects with &gt;60,000 natural or semi‐natural wetland reference plots. We modeled the influence of time since restoration, grazing, rewetting, and nutrient availability on (1) the probability that study plots belong to natural habitats and (2) their richness of high‐quality‐habitat indicator species. The probability of a restored wetland having developed into a natural wetland habitat—such as an alkaline fen—was generally below 10%. Also, we found only half as many indicator species in restored wetlands than in reference wetlands and we demonstrated that the number of characteristic alkaline fen species did not deviate from what could be expected under the prevailing nutrient conditions. We found a negative effect of soil nutrient availability on the number of high‐quality‐habitat indicator species and the lowest probability of plots being natural wetlands in the most nutrient rich plots. The effect of grazing was only positive in the first years after restoration and only in the most nutrient rich plots, while the effect of rewetting sites to historical hydrological conditions was generally negative. Our findings suggest that unnaturally high nutrient availability is probably the core limiting factor for successful restoration of natural wetlands and their associated plant diversity.

Tracking vegetation phenology of pristine northern boreal peatlands by combining digital photography with CO2 flux and remote sensing data

Abstract. Vegetation phenology, which refers to the seasonal changes in plant physiology, biomass and plant cover, is affected by many abiotic factors, such as precipitation, temperature and water availability. Phenology is also associated with the carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange between ecosystems and the atmosphere. We employed digital cameras to monitor the vegetation phenology of three northern boreal peatlands during five growing seasons. We derived a greenness index (green chromatic coordinate, GCC) from the images and combined the results with measurements of CO2 flux, air temperature and high-resolution satellite data (Sentinel-2). From the digital camera images it was possible to extract greenness dynamics on the vegetation community and even species level. The highest GCC and daily maximum gross photosynthetic production (GPPmax) were observed at the site with the highest nutrient availability and richest vegetation. The short-term temperature response of GCC depended on temperature and varied among the sites and months. Although the seasonal development and year-to-year variation in GCC and GPPmax showed consistent patterns, the short-term variation in GPPmax was explained by GCC only during limited periods. GCC clearly indicated the main phases of the growing season, and peatland vegetation showed capability to fully compensate for the impaired growth resulting from a late growing season start. The GCC data derived from Sentinel-2 and digital cameras showed similar seasonal courses, but a reliable timing of different phenological phases depended upon the temporal coverage of satellite data.

Yield and quality properties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and their influencing factors in China

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most valuable perennial forage crop, and assessing its yield and quality properties is essential to evaluate forage value of livestock production. However, regional patterns and controlling factors of the yield and quality of alfalfa have not been well documented. In this study, using a dataset of 7166 observations from 301 sites across the country collected from 334 publications, we explored the relationships between the yield and quality properties of alfalfa in China and the effects of environmental factors and management practices on them. The average dry matter yield of alfalfa was 11.18 ± 6.69 Mg ha-1, with average crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, crude ash, nitrogen-free extract, calcium, phosphorus and relative feed values of 19.05 ± 2.87%, 2.62 ± 0.97%, 27.16 ± 5.21%, 31.29 ± 5.58%, 40.48 ± 6.34%, 9.49 ± 1.59%, 38.67 ± 7.49%, 1.68 ± 0.55%, 0.25 ± 0.12%, and 151 ± 31.94, respectively. Alfalfa quality decreased with increasing yield. Geographically, alfalfa had higher yield and crude protein content in South China than in other regions. Quality was positively correlated with both precipitation and temperature, while yield showed a positive relationship with temperature but no significant relationship with precipitation. High soil nutrient availability (e. g., soil available nitrogen, SAN; soil available phosphorus, SAP; soil available potassium, SAK) improved the yield, while high SAN and SAP contents increased the crude protein content. The alfalfa yield increased and the quality decreased with advancing maturity and age, whereas increasing the number of harvests may benefit the quality. This study documents comprehensive information on the yield and quality of alfalfa and provides insights for policy makers for the effective management and sustainable development of alfalfa production.

Macrobenthic diversity response to the atlantification of the Arctic Ocean (Fram Strait, 79°N) – A taxonomic and functional trait approach

This is the first study presenting temporal changes of the macrofauna biodiversity along the bathymetric gradient from the shelf to abyssal depths in the eastern Fram Striat. In this region, between 2004 and 2008, a significant increase in surface water temperature was observed due to the transport of Atlantic water from lower latitudes and was defined as a Warm Water Anomaly (WWA). Effects of the WWA in the eastern Fram Strait were observed across the entire food web, from the pelagic to the deep seafloor. The material for our study was collected before (in 2000) and after the WWA (in 2010 and 2017) at station depths ranging from 203 m to 5561 m. Samples of macrofauna and surface sediments were collected with use of a box corer to analyze species composition and functional traits, and environmental characteristics in sediments. We explore the influence of environmental changes on the structure (species composition and diversity) and functioning (functional trait composition and diversity) of macrofauna communities. An increase of primary production in surface waters during and after the WWA was reflected in a higher food availability at the seafloor from shelf to abyssal depths. Warming induced environmental changes led to an increase of macrofauna density and taxonomic diversity at all water depths. Macrofauna species composition significantly changed after the WWA. At all study sites, macrofauna functional diversity increased after the warm period. Functional trait composition changed significantly along the bathymetric transect. Despite changes in the taxonomic composition, macrofauna communities at the shallowest stations showed high functional redundancy, i.e., trait composition remained unchanged after the WWA. At water depths below 1500 m, where functional redundancy was significantly lower, functional trait composition changed significantly after the WWA. Our results suggest that macrofauna communities on the shelves are more resistant to environmental changes compared to deep-sea assemblages in the eastern Fram Strait.

Plant traits and environment: floating leaf blade production and turnover of Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmel.) O. Kuntze (Menyanthaceae).

BackgroundNymphaeid macrophytes, rooting in the sediment of water bodies and characterized by floating leaves, play an important role in wetland ecosystems. The present research deals with the effects of limited space, limited nutrient availability, water temperature and an unexpected inundation on the production, turnover and plasticity of floating leaves of the globally widespread species Nymphoides peltata (Fringed waterlily).MethodsThe effects of these environmental conditions were studied in two plots in outdoor concrete tanks (CT1, CT2, mesocosms simulating occurrence in small ponds) and in two plots in the floodplain oxbow lake Bemmelse Strang (BS1, BS2). Plot CT1 was situated in a stand coexisting with helophytes, plot CT2 in a monospecific stand, plot BS1 in the center and plot BS2 at the open water border of a monospecific stand. All floating leaf blades within the plots were marked at appearance at the water surface and subsequently length, width and damage of each leaf and maximum and minimum water temperatures were measured bi-weekly. Area and biomass of leaf blades were calculated based on leaf length and width and were used to calculate turnover rates and production.ResultsThe growth period started in May and ended mid-October with continuous production of floating leaves during nearly the whole vegetation period. In the tanks the water level was very stable, but the lake underwent an inundation by river water, causing a sudden loss of existing leaves. Considering environmental conditions and based on the assumed ranking from low to high nutrient availability, the ranking of the plots was CT1, CT2, BS1, BS2. This order was found for maximum leaf life span and maximum leaf length, and the reverse order was found for number of leaves, new leaves per day and duration of the vegetation period. Turnover rates appeared to be relatively similar for plots CT1, CT2 and BS1, but for the deeper border plot BS2 lower ratios were found. These results indicate that increased enclosure with expected nutrient limitation causes (1) the production of high numbers of small leaves with larger totals for leaf area and biomass, (2) a shift towards increased sexual reproduction by the production of more flowering stem leaves.

Evaluasi Kemampuan dan Kesesuaian Lahan untuk Budidaya Kopi Arabika di Desa Jayagiri, Lembang, Bandung Barat, Jawa Barat

&lt;strong&gt;Arabica Coffee Cultivation in Jayagiri Village as a Result of Land Suitability Evaluation Assessment.&lt;/strong&gt; Jayagiri Village, Lembang District, West Bandung Regency, West Java has the agricultural sector as its economic main sector. This village is located at an altitude of 1,312-2,084 m above sea level and has a plantation area of 23 ha. Plant commodities other than vegetables need to be developed at that location, therefore information on land suitability is needed. One commodity that has a high potential to be developed is Arabica coffee, while information relating to the characteristics and suitability of land for this commodity needs to be known. This activity aims to determine the land suitability class for Arabica coffee and how to improve the limiting factors at the research site. Evaluation of land suitability is carried out based on procedures from BPPS for Agricultural Land, Ministry of Agriculture. The research stages include pre-survey activities, making SPT, taking soil samples, making representative pedons, and analyzing samples. Data analysis was carried out using the matching method to determine the land suitability class and its limiting factors. The results of the activity show that the land suitability class in Jayagiri Village is included in the marginal suitability class (S3). The limiting factor of land suitability in the area is the high slope and low availability of nutrients. Efforts that can be made to improve the land suitability class, as well as the limiting factor, are by conserving terraces and fertilizing both organically and inorganically.

Assessment of Causal Relationship between Agricultural Productivity and Food Availability at Circle Level (Cluster of Villages) in Junnar Tahsil of Pune, Maharashtra

The most important indicator of the spatial pattern of agricultural development is agricultural productivity. It aids in identifying regions that are performing less or more efficiently than neighbouring regions and identifies the true cause of a region's agricultural backwardness. According to the physio-socio-economic condition of each region, it will be of great assistance in planning the sustainable development of each area. Population pressure on cultivable land is rapidly increasing, resulting in a rising demand for agricultural products. To solve the foodgrains problem, it is always a challenge to increase production per unit area and per unit of time. This paper attempts to assess the relationship between agricultural productivity and food availability at micro scale that is at cluster village (circle) as case study in Junnar. The Junnar Tahsil of the Pune District relies heavily on agriculture and is home to a variety of crops, necessitating agricultural planning for local food availability due to diversity in physical and socio-economic conditions of area. For 2019-20, the Shafis Calories Per Capita Index was utilised to evaluate productivity. In this study, the following ten crops were considered: rice, wheat, jowar, bajara, groundnut, soybean, gramme, sugarcane, onion, and tomato. Consideration was given to rice, wheat, jowar, and bajara for the production of cereal grains. Using geospatial techniques, a choropleth map has now been created. Analysis of the research revealed the spatial dimension of productivity in terms of regions with low, moderate, and high productivity. The trend in the medium and high productivity regions is toward a higher proportion of cash crops and a lower in foodgrains. Changes in cropping patterns are a result of the command area's irrigation facilities. On the basis of the findings, it has been concluded that area with high agriculture productivity of non-food crops are deficit in local food-grain availability and area of low agriculture productivity have high local food availability and this allows for more food diversity required for local food security.

Can Sphagnum removal reverse the undesired succession of rich fens under different alkalinity and fertility levels?

An undesired succession of rich fens leads to the formation of dense Sphagnum carpets that outcompete brown mosses and some vascular plants, resulting in biodiversity loss in fen habitats of high conservation importance. Small-scale Sphagnum removal is a rarely implemented conservational measure, whose success may depend on soil alkalinity and fertility (i.e., nutrient availability). Therefore, characterizing the effects of pH and fertility levels would potentially allow for the development of better Sphagnum removal strategies. Two experiments were conducted across 24 rich fens of different alkalinity and fertility located in an area of ~32,000 km2 spanning from the Bohemian Massif to the Western Carpathians (Europe). We hypothesized that high alkalinity and low fertility support the restoration of rich fen vegetation after Sphagnum removal. Our study focused on four different Sphagnum groups. In Experiment 1, the treatment plots remained unfenced. In Experiment 2, the treatment plots were fenced off and target brown mosses were transplanted from the surroundings to overcome dispersal limitations. A repeated-measures design was used, with vegetation composition recorded over a 5-year period. High alkalinity rather than fertility facilitated species richness and the appearance of target brown mosses. High alkalinity generally hindered Sphagnum recovery, whereas high fertility supported the recurrence of S. teres and S. recurvum agg. Under high pH conditions, enhanced fertility further correlated with the spread of nonsphagnaceous generalist bryophytes of low conservation value. Despite sustaining a significant overall reduction, all Sphagnum taxa began to recover throughout the experiment, albeit less obviously in fens with S. warnstorfii. Sphagnum removal may reverse biodiversity loss and allow for the restoration of brown mosses in rich fens where Sphagnum cover had increased due to slight eutrophication, acidification, or a decrease in the water table. In alkaline and nutrient-poor conditions (e.g., S. warnstorfii fens), the effect is evident and long lasting and the intervention may not be extensive. In fens dominated by S. teres or S. recurvum agg., repeated or large-scale removal may be needed if high nutrient availability (potassium, phosphorus) or low alkalinity supports Sphagnum recolonization. Treatment plots with S. subgenus Sphagnum exhibited the least promising brown-moss restoration prospects.

Bacterial Communities Along Environmental Gradients in Tropical Soda Lakes.

Soda lake environments are known to be variable and can have distinct differences according to geographical location. In this study, we investigated the effects of different environmental conditions of six adjacent soda lakes in the Pantanal biome (Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil) on bacterial communities and their functioning using a metagenomic approach combined with flow cytometry and chemical analyses. Ordination analysis using flow cytometry and water chemistry data from two sampling periods (wet and dry) clustered soda lakes into three different profiles: eutrophic turbid (ET), oligotrophic turbid (OT), and clear vegetated oligotrophic (CVO). Analysis of bacterial community composition and functioning corroborated this ordination; the exception was one ET lake, which was similar to one OT lake during the wet season, indicating drastic shifts between seasons. Microbial abundance and diversity increased during the dry period, along with a considerable number of limnological variables, all indicative of a strong effect of the precipitation-evaporation balance in these systems. Cyanobacteria were associated with high electric conductivity, pH, and nutrient availability, whereas Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria were correlated with landscape morphology variability (surface water, surface perimeter, and lake volume) and with lower salinity and pH levels. Stress response metabolism was enhanced in OT and ET lakes and underrepresented in CVO lakes. The microbiome dataset of this study can serve as a baseline for restoring impacted soda lakes. Altogether, the results of this study demonstrate the sensitivity of tropical soda lakes to climate change, as slight changes in hydrological regimes might produce drastic shifts in community diversity.