Impact Of Climatic Conditions Research Articles

Gas exchange at whole plant level shows that a less conservative water use is linked to a higher performance in three ecologically distinct pine species

Increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation in large areas of the planet as a consequence of global warming will affect plant growth and survival. However, the impact of climatic conditions will differ across species depending on their stomatal response to increasing aridity, as this will ultimately affect the balance between carbon assimilation and water loss. In this study, we monitored gas exchange, growth and survival in saplings of three widely distributed European pine species (Pinus halepensis, P. nigra and P. sylvestris) with contrasting distribution and ecological requirements in order to ascertain the relationship between stomatal control and plant performance. The experiment was conducted in a common garden environment resembling rainfall and temperature conditions that two of the three species are expected to encounter in the near future. In addition, gas exchange was monitored both at the leaf and at the whole-plant level using a transient-state closed chamber, which allowed us to model the response of the whole plant to increased air evaporative demand (AED). P. sylvestris was the species with lowest survival and performance. By contrast, P. halepensis showed no mortality, much higher growth (two orders of magnitude), carbon assimilation (ca. 14 fold higher) and stomatal conductance and water transpiration (ca. 4 fold higher) than the other two species. As a consequence, P. halepensis exhibited higher values of water-use efficiency than the rest of the species even at the highest values of AED. Overall, the results strongly support that the weaker stomatal control of P. halepensis, which is linked to lower stem water potential, enabled this species to maximize carbon uptake under drought stress and ultimately outperform the more water conservative P. nigra and P. sylvestris. These results suggest that under a hotter drought scenario P. nigra and P. sylvestris would very likely suffer increased mortality, whereas P. halepensis could maintain gas exchange and avoid water-induced growth limitation. This might ultimately foster an expansion of P. halepensis to higher latitudes and elevations.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Conditions on Harnessing Coastal (Offshore) Wind Energy

This study analyses the relationship among various climate factors and their effect on the wind power density available in a coastal region. Climate data from several offshore wind farms in the East Asian region is extracted to perform the calculations and analysis. Reasons for variations of climate parameters such as average wind speed, average temperature, air density, average pressure, average precipitation, average humidity and their influences on wind power generation are explored. It is expected that this study will help the investors to perform a feasibility study on the availability of wind energy at a certain nearshore area before setting up wind farms.

How ants acclimate: Impact of climatic conditions on the cuticular hydrocarbon profile

Abstract Organisms from temperate zones are exposed to seasonal changes and must be able to cope with a wide range of climatic conditions. Especially ectotherms, including insects, are at risk to desiccate under dry and warm conditions, the more so given the changing climate. To adjust to current conditions, organisms acclimate through changes in physiology, morphology and/or behaviour. Insects protect themselves against desiccation through a layer of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) on their body surface. Hence, acclimation may also affect the CHC profile, changing their waterproofing capacity under different climatic conditions. Here, we investigated the acclimation response of two Temnothorax ant species to different climatic conditions. We analysed CHC profiles of queens, nurses and foragers that were acclimated to different humidity × temperature regimes, and tested the beneficial acclimation hypothesis by measuring survival of workers under desiccation‐heat stress. Both ants possessed a species‐specific CHC profile. Nevertheless, they showed similar acclimation responses concerning changes of certain CHC classes, and finally similar survival rates under desiccation‐heat stress. Warm‐acclimated individuals generally showed longer n‐alkanes, fewer dimethyl alkanes, and more (workers) or less (queens) monomethyl alkanes. In contrast, dry conditions resulted in more n‐alkanes and fewer mono‐ and dimethyl alkanes, but these acclimatory changes were only observed in workers and not in queens. Warm‐ and dry‐acclimated workers survived desiccation‐heat stress better, but we found no species differences. Our results indicate that both ant species can plastically adjust their cuticular hydrocarbon profile, allowing them to acclimate to different climatic conditions. Although their CHC composition differs in a species‐specific manner, they showed similar chemical adjustments and concomitant changes in survival rate. Hence, chemical plasticity may be critical to determine a species’ climatic range and its survival under changing climatic conditions. A plain language summary is available for this article.

Seasonal variations of Saanen goat milk composition and the impact of climatic conditions.

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of climatic conditions and their impact on seasonal variations of physico-chemical characteristics of Saanen goat milk produced over a period of 4years. Lactation period (early, mid and late) and year were considered as factors that influence physico-chemical composition of milk. Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated between the physico-chemical characteristics of milk (fat, proteins, lactose, non-fat dry matter, density, freezing point, pH, titrable acidity) and climatic condition parameters (air temperature, temperature humidity index-THI, solar radiation duration, relative humidity). Results showed that all physico-chemical characteristics of Saanen goat milk varied significantly throughout the lactation period and years. The decrease of fat, protein, non-fat dry matter and lactose content in goat milk during the mid-lactation period was more pronounced than was previously reported in the literature. The highest values for these characteristics were recorded in the late lactation period. Observed variations were explained by negative correlation between THI and the physico-chemical characteristics of Saanen goat milk. This indicated that Saanen goats were very prone to heat stress, which implied the decrease of physico-chemical characteristics during hot summers.

Impact of climate conditions on hospital admissions for subcategories of cardiovascular diseases.

The aim of this study has been to examine the association between climate conditions (CC) and hospital admissions for the subcategories of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), according to patients' age. From January 2010 through December 2011, the daily number of hospital admissions for angina pectoris (AP), essential hypertension (EH), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and ischemic heart diseases (IHD) for adults (19-64 years old) and the elderly (≥ 65 years old), as well as for the CC (N = 728 days) was collected for multivariate Poisson regression analysis, confounding with season and weekends. The results were expressed by using the relative risk with the corresponding 95% confidence interval. The risk for the AMI among the adults and the elderly is significantly higher for 41.8% and 38.9%, respectively on the days with lower ambient temperature and lesser for 32.7% and 29.8%, respectively on the days with lower air pressure values. The risk for the IHD among the elderly is significantly higher on the days with lower ambient temperature and lower relative humidity for 50.6% and 37.4%, respectively. Our findings explain how the CC and subcategories of CVD are associated, which could be used for adequate public awareness of the risk for hospitalization due to climate conditions. Med Pr 2017;68(2):189-197.

The Impact of Climatic Conditions on Unexpected Expenditures on Repairs

The paper is concerned with the impact of climatic conditions, temperature and relative air humidity on the occurrence of material corrosion with consequent influence on the military unit economics. It clarifies how corrosion affects the life cycle of a military vehicle, and how the maintenance system established in the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic is impacted. By means of Saaty’s method and Metfessel’s allocation of 100 points, a comparison of the existing corrosion protection within the maintenance system in place and a new system of corrosion protection using a newly designed short-term military vehicle storage kit was made.

Impact of Climatic Conditions on Physical Activity: A 2-Year Cohort Study in the Arabian Gulf Region.

Little is known about the effects that climatic conditions, especially extreme heat, have on physical activity (PA) levels. The aim of this 2-year cohort analysis undertaken in the Arabian Gulf region was to assess changes in objectively-assessed PA as a result of changes in climatic conditions. A total of 2088 adults (1390 men and 698 women) from many regions of the world were enrolled in a community health program in Qatar, were included in this study. For 2 years participants recorded daily step count using an Omron HJ-720 ITC pedometer. Daily climate parameters included temperature, relative humidity and other conditions. From linear mixed model analysis it was evident that higher average temperature and humidity, and the Wet bulb Globe Temperature (WbGT), resulted in a reduction of the number of steps taken per day. Analysis of interaction effects also revealed that the effects of heat stress were equivalent across gender, age, and the region participants came from according to a World Health Organization classification scheme. Increased temperature and humidity are associated with a reduction in the number of steps taken per day. Community-based PA programs in hot hot/humid climates should consider novel approaches to increase PA levels.

Relationships among hygiene indicators in take-away foodservice establishments and the impact of climatic conditions.

This paper examined the relationships among hygiene indicators in take-away foodservice establishments and the impact of climatic conditions. A total of 7545 samples were collected encompassing 2050 from food handlers' (HF) hands, 3991 from stainless steel food contact surfaces (FCS) and 1504 samples from plastic FCS. The study covered a period of 43months. Hygiene-indicator bacteria (total plate count, Enterobacteriaceae Staphylococcus) were determined from the samples collected from 559 different take-away establishments. Climatic conditions were evaluated in respect to the outside temperature, pressure, humidity and precipitation. Logistic regression confirmed that the presence of precipitation was associated with an increased likelihood of exhibiting both Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus on HF' hands as well as exhibiting Enterobacteriaceae on both types of FCS. Numerable Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus levels on HF' hands were detected when higher outside temperatures and higher precipitations occurred. Higher outside temperatures were observed when Enterobacteriaceae were detected on both plastics (P<0·05) and stainless steel (P>0·05). Higher precipitation was observed when Enterobacteriaceae was detected on stainless steel while in contrast, this indicator was detected on plastics in periods with lower precipitation. This research confirms relationships between hygiene indicators in take-aways and climatic conditions, mostly temperature and precipitation. This study provides another perspective into the possible nature of cross-contamination and foodborne outbreaks originating in foodservice establishments and brings to attention the necessity of analysing various climatic conditions.

What are the effects of climate on the offshore and onshore movements of adult grooved tiger prawns Penaeus semisulcatus in tropical northern Australia?

AbstractHistorical catch per unit effort (CPUE) from the period in the development of commercial fisheries prior to the implementation of any temporal or spatial closures can provide insight into how environmental factors affect life history events. These insights can then inform contemporary fishery management practices to improve sustainability. We examined the timing of the offshore dispersal and onshore movement to aggregate on the spawning grounds of the grooved tiger prawn Penaeus semisulcatus in the north‐west Gulf of Carpentaria using all available historical CPUE data between 1970 and 1987. The impact of climate conditions on the timing of the winter minimum CPUE (dispersal) was quantified by fitting univariate relationships with non‐parametric weighted local regression (Loess). The timing of the winter minimum CPUE was delayed by 5 weeks in years with at least 1 week of rainfall &gt; 250 mm, and was delayed by 5 weeks in years when the wet season continued through April, rather than ending in March. Under current climate predictions, rainfall is projected to increase in variability in this region. Our results indicate that the sustainability of the prawn trawl fishery may be enhanced if seasonal fishing effort restrictions and closure dates are not fixed, but are managed to reflect variation in the timing of the end of the previous wet season.

Optimization of Photovoltaic Electrolyzer Hybrid systems; taking into account the effect of climate conditions

Solar energy will make a valuable contribution for power generation in the future. However the intermittency of solar energy has become an important issue in the utilization of PV system, especially small scale distributed solar energy conversion systems. The issue can be addressed through the management of production and storage of the energy in the form of hydrogen. The hydrogen can be produced by solar photovoltaic (PV) powered electrolysis of water. The amount of transferred energy to an electrolyzer from a PV module is a function of the distance between maximum power points (MPP) of PV module and the electrolyzer operating points. The distance can be minimized by optimizing the number of series and parallel units of the electrolyzer. However the maximum power points are subject to PV module characteristics, solar irradiation and ambient temperature. This means the climate condition can substantially influence the MPP and therefore the optimal size of the PV–Electrolyzer (PV/EL) system. On the other hand, system size can affect the levelized cost of hydrogen production as well.In this paper, the impact of climate conditions on the optimal size and operating conditions of a direct coupled photovoltaic–electrolyzer system has been studied. For this purpose, the optimal size of electrolyzer for six cities which have different climate condition is obtained by considering two solution scenarios, regarding two objectives which are annual energy transfer loss and levelized costs of hydrogen production and then the optimal results for these cities are compared. The results show that the climate condition can strongly affect the size of the electrolyzer, the annual hydrogen production and consequently, both the levelized costs of hydrogen production and annual energy transfer loss. Moreover, it is found out that the solar to hydrogen efficiency of the optimal systems regarding these cities are different based on the solution scenarios, the characteristics of PV output power and the configuration of optimal electrolyzer configuration and placement.

Impact of climatic conditions on the reproductive phenological phases of European hazel (Corylus avellana L.) in Slovakia

The work presents the results of phenological observations of flowering and fruit ripeness of the European hazel (Corylus avellana L.) in Slovakia in two time periods: 1964–1983, and 1994–2013. The phenological stations at elevations from 100 to 875 m a.s.l. were grouped to 7 elevation zones, each 100 m wide. In the first studied period, flowering started on 19 March on average, while in the second period it started 5 days earlier. The average duration of flowering equal to 7–9 days did not depend on the elevation, but on the air temperature and weather patterns in the different elevation zones. During the first period, the average elevation gradient of flowering was 5.6 days per 100 elevation meters, while in the second period it was reduced to 3.5 days in the entire elevation profile. In the elevation zones between 300 and 500 m, a high correlation (P < 0.01) between the onset of flowering and elevation was reduced to a moderate level of correlation due to changing environmental conditions. In 1994–2013, the ripeness of hazel nuts started on average on 30 August in Slovakia, showed low variability and moderate correlation with elevation. The phenological elevation gradient was 2.9 days per 100 m of elevation.

Impact of Climatic Conditions on Physical Activity: A Two-Year Cohort Study in the Arabian Gulf Region

Impact of Climatic Conditions on Physical Activity: A Two-Year Cohort Study in the Arabian Gulf Region

Waviness of beech sliced veneer

In wood industry, decorative veneer is a product of high added value. Although the technological process of sliced veneer is well known, its quality and price depend on many technological parameters of production, particularly on the quality of logs. The research, which was focused on the influence of visual defects of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) logs and the impact of climatic conditions in the drying phase of sliced veneer on the surface veneer waviness, was conducted in an industrial environment. The results indicate that the largest share of waved veneer was cut from cracked logs (71%) and less from curved logs (20%). The veneer was sorted manually by experienced controllers from this branch of industry. Their subjective criteria can affect the accuracy of classification of veneer and, consequently, the research results. Therefore, the possibility of using 3D camera for measuring veneer waviness and grading the veneer into quality classes was examined.

Air flow models for sub-slab depressurization systems design

The entry of soil gas pollutants (Radon, VOCs, …) into buildings can cause serious health risks to inhabitants. Various systems have been developed to limit this risk. Soil Depressurization System (SDS) is one of the most efficient mitigation systems to prevent buildings against these pollutants. Two operating modes of SDS are currently used: active and passive systems. Active systems use a fan which enables to extract air from the sub-slab. Passive systems use the stack effect and the wind to extract air from the sub-slab. Until now, no airflow model has been developed that leads to the effective design of these systems. In this paper, an analytical method has been used to develop airflow models to design these systems. The developed models take into account different type of substructures. These models are integrated in a multizone airflow and heat transfer building code. This integration permits to take into account climate conditions (stack effect, wind), building envelope characteristics and ventilation systems. Preliminary field verification results for the extracted flow by the SDS in an experimental building are presented and discussed. The results show that the airflow models are accurate to design SDS. A first application of the models is illustrated by the impact of climate conditions on the operation of the passive SDS. A second application is illustrated by the study of the impact of the ventilation strategies (natural ventilation, exhaust ventilation, supply ventilation and balanced ventilation systems) on the passive SDS operation.

Impact of Climate Conditions on Occupational Health and Related Economic Losses: A New Feature of Global and Urban Health in the Context of Climate Change.

One feature of climate change is the increasing heat exposure in many workplaces where efficient cooling systems cannot be applied. Excessive heat exposure is a particular problem for working people because of the internal heat production when muscle work is carried out. The physiological basis for severe heat stroke, other clinical effects, and heat exhaustion is well known. One feature of this health effect of excessive workplace heat exposure is reduced work capacity, and new research has started to quantify this effect in the context of climate change. Current climate conditions in tropical and subtropical parts of the world are already so hot during the hot seasons that occupational health effects occur and work capacity for many working people is affected. The Hothaps-Soft database and software andClimateCHIP.orgwebsite make it possible to rapidly produce estimates of local heat conditions and trends. The results can be mapped to depict the spatial distribution of workplace heat stress. In South-East Asia as much as 15% to 20% of annual work hours may already be lost in heat-exposed jobs, and this may double by 2050 as global climate change progresses. By combining heat exposure data and estimates of the economic consequences, the vulnerability of many low- and middle-income countries is evident. The annual cost of reduced labor productivity at country level already in 2030 can be several percent of GDP, which means billions of US dollars even for medium-size countries. The results provide new arguments for effective climate change adaptation and mitigation policies and preventive actions in all countries.

The Impact of Climatic Conditions on Tourism Development with an Emphasis on TCI Bioclimatic Models (A Case Study: Nir city, Iran)

Abstract. Studying and identifying potentials and attractions hidden in natural features for consideration in national and provincial planning is of a considerable importance. Nir city has the capacity and a variety of environmental resources including adequate water, fertile soil, suitable climatic conditions, vegetation, communication factors, and tourist attracting natural and human phenomena that, in case of proper planning and use, can help solve many economic and social problems in the region and direct it on the path toward sustainable development. This study seeks to answer the question whether Nir city has the potential for the development of tourist destinations. To this end and in order to collect the necessary data based on scientific documents, the researchers refer to relevant scientific and research centers and make use of databases and computer networks related to the topic. In the field study section, the researchers use regular observation and make interviews. After the categorized collection of documents, the researchers attempt to analyze the data. The present study analyzes climate indices that are effective in tourism in Nir city. The results of the research indicate that, considering the climatic conditions in Nir city, investing on these potentials and creating and equipping proper accommodation facilities can prepare the way for the growth and development of the tourism industry.

Development of an integrated modeling approach for identifying multilevel non-point-source priority management areas at the watershed scale

The identification of priority management areas (PMAs) at the large-basin scale is notably complex because of the random nature of watershed processes, which complicates the application of traditional deterministic PMAs. In this study, a multilevel PMA (ML-PMA) framework is designed as a new tool to pinpoint these sensitive areas, within a basin, that contribute the most to water quality deterioration. The main advantage of the ML-PMA framework is the wide availability of its supplementary tools and its complete framework, which integrates both watershed and river processes in addressing PMAs at the watershed scale. The watershed model, stream model, and a Markov chain approach are integrated to depict the dynamics of watershed processes and various water quality statutes. Based on the results of this study, the river migration process is vital for water quality degradation in the river network and significantly influenced the final PMA map. In addition, the proposed ML-PMA framework considers the impact of climatic conditions and hydrological properties and allows for a more cost-effective allocation of PMAs among different years. In the authors' view, the connectivity of PMAs in terms of flux distribution and propagation downstream on which the ML-PMA is based makes the ML-PMA framework particularly interesting for watershed non-point-source pollution control.

Relationships among hygiene indicators and enteric pathogens in irrigation water, soil and lettuce and the impact of climatic conditions on contamination in the lettuce primary production

Eight Belgian lettuce farms located in the West Flanders were sampled to establish the relationships between levels of indicator bacteria, detection of enteric zoonotic pathogens and the temperature and precipitation during primary production. Pathogenic bacteria (PCR EHEC positives, Salmonella spp. or Campylobacter spp.) and indicator bacteria (total psychrotrophic aerobic plate count (TPAC), total coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci) were determined over a period of one and a half year from seedling leaves, peat-soil of the seedling, lettuce crops, field soil and irrigation water. Neither Salmonella isolates nor PCR EHEC signals were detected from lettuce although one out of 92 field soil samples contained Salmonella spp. and five soil samples provided PCR positives for EHEC virulence factors (vt1 or vt2 and eae gene). A low prevalence of Campylobacter (8/88) was noted in lettuce. It was shown that irrigation water is a major risk factor with regard to the bacterial contamination of the fresh produce as the water samples showed on a regular basis E. coli presence (59.2% of samples≥1CFU/100ml) and occasionally detection of pathogens (25%, n=30/120), in particular Campylobacter spp. The highest correlations between indicator bacteria, pathogens, temperature and the amount of precipitation were observed for the water samples in contrast to the soil or lettuce samples where no correlations were observed. The high correlations between E. coli, total coliforms and enterococci in the water implicated redundancy between analyses. Presence of elevated levels of E. coli increased the probability for the presence of pathogens (Campylobacter spp., EHEC and Salmonella spp.), but had a low to moderate predictive value on the actual presence of pathogens. The presence of pathogens and indicator bacteria in the water samples showed a seasonal effect as they tend to be more present during the months with higher temperature.

Object-Relational Model of Experimental Studies of Impact of Climatic Conditions on the Work of a Bi-Fuel Engine

The article presents the scope of works which were performed while constructing a testbed for examining a multi-fuel Diesel engine with a Common-Rail injection system. The testbed has been designed in a way which allows to carry out tests in a climatic chamber. The paper also proposes a method of using a relational database to store the information on the completed experiments and the conclusions drawn from them.

The impact of climate conditions on the width of annual increments at the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba L.) in urban conditions of Szczecin (NW Poland)

The impact of climate conditions on the width of annual increments at the maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba L.) in urban conditions of Szczecin (NW Poland)