P R O C E E D I N G S O F T H E R O Y A L I R I S H A C A D E M Y Editorial Bruce Osborne In this issue Bruce Osborne The impact of terrestrial ecosystems on carbon assimilation and oxygen production in the Guanzhong-Tianshui economic region of China Z.X Zhou and J. Li The origins of the County Kildare dormouse Deborah G. Glass, Dawn M. Scott, Daniel Donoher and Andrew D.J. Overall The mite (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) assemblages associated with Lasius flavus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nests and surrounding soil in an Irish grassland Julio Arroyo,Audrey O’Grady, Heather Vance and Thomas Bolger Phenotypic and symbiotic characterisation of rhizobia isolated from Medicago ciliaris L. from Algeria D. Cheriet,A. Ouartsi, D. Chekireb and S. Baba Arbi Mike Jones Special Issue: History of the development of Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop: from small beginnings to potential realisation John Clifton-Brown, Kai Schwarz and Astley Hastings Short Communication: Mysis salemaai in Ireland: new occurrences and existing population declines David Griffiths, Katrina A. Macintosh, Elena Forasacco, Brian Rippey, LouiseVaughan, Yvonne R. McElarney and Kevin Gallagher Change and causes of change in the vascular plant flora of Ireland: 1970–1999 Duncan McCollin and Eva Geraghty www.ria.ie ISSN 0791-7945 i iii 1 11 17 29 45 57 65 CONTENTS BIOLOGY ENVIRONMENT and VOLUME 115B Issue 1 (2015) V OL . 115B Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)© Can Stock Photo Inc. B I O L O G Y A N D E N V I RO N M E N T VOLUME 115B Issue 1 (2015) BIOLOGY ENVIRONMENT and RA I N O . 1 (2015) P RO C E E D I N G S O F T H E R OYA L I R I S H A C A D E M Y to print_Layout 1 28/05/2015 12:12 Page 1 EDITORIAL Bruce Osborne There has been much discussion recently about funding for basic or curiosity-driven research with the EU, as well as with national governments, focusing on a more strategic-based approach to research funding. This is not new and is an issue that has come in and out of focus several times throughout my own research career, with successive governments clearly concerned about the ‘value’ that they get from research funding, which has been heightened lately by the recent economic problems. In truth these two approaches are often inextricably linked, with curiosity/knowledgedriven research often providing the essential evidence-base on which strategic initiatives are identified and implemented. How this often works can be illustrated by a couple of papers from the current issue of Biology and Environment. Assessment of changes in the vascular plant flora (McCollin and Geraghty), as well as information on relict aquatic species (Griffiths et al.), driven largely by curiosity, will likely provide the type of information required for future strategic investment and policy development on the protection and conservation of our natural biota, although these kinds of links are not always recognised. In truth this probably works both ways; for instance strategic research on the development of Miscanthus as a bioenergy crop (Clifton-Brown et al.) has revealed new insights into the fundamental ways in which plants, in general, respond to environmental factors and how photosynthesis is controlled and regulated. However, an approach based solely on perceived strategic or practical needs is seriously flawed if it does not recognise the importance of curiosity or knowledge-driven research that underpins the development of a sound evidence-based strategic research programme. I would also like to report that the journal continues to make good progress. The number of submissions increased slightly in 2014 (58) compared to the last three years, with more papers published (21). Contributions continue to come mostly from Ireland, with all major third level institutions and other relevant research organisations represented. More papers are, however, appearing from outside of Ireland with increasing UK representation on the published papers. Our impact factor now stands at 0.764 (5-year), with a journal H-index of 18. The journal was advertised at the local ENVIRON meeting last year as well as...