Moist Climate Research Articles

Geographical distribution of Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus in Europe

The goal of this paper is to present up-to-date maps depicting the geographical distribution of Dermacentor species in Europe based on georeferenced sampling sites. Therefore, a dataset was compiled, resulting in 1286 D. marginatus (Sulzer, 1776) and 1209 D. reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) locations. Special emphasis is given to the region of the European Alps depicting a presumable climate barrier of the mountains and to overlaps in the distribution of both species as well as on the situation in eastern European countries. For the latter newly described Dermacentor findings comprise 59 locations in Romania and 62 locations in Ukraine. The geographical distributions of both species in Europe range from Portugal to Ukraine (and continue to the east of Kazakhstan). Although it is well known that D. marginatus is adapted to a warmer and drier climate at more southern latitudes and D. reticulatus to a moderately moist climate at more northern latitudes, the distribution limits of both species were not well known. Here, the northern and southern distribution limits for both species in Europe, as determined from the georeferenced database, were specified for D. marginatus by the belt of 33–51° N latitude and for D. reticulatus by the belt of 41–57° N latitude. Thus, overlapping species distributions were found between 41° N and 51° N.

One step ahead of the plow: Using cropland conversion risk to guide Sprague's Pipit conservation in the northern Great Plains

Rapid expansion of cropland threatens grassland ecosystems across western North America and broad-scale planning can be a catalyst motivating individuals and agencies to accelerate conservation. Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) is an imperiled grassland songbird whose population has been declining rapidly in recent decades. Here, we present a strategic framework for conservation of pipits and their habitat in the northern Great Plains. We modeled pipit distribution across its million-km2 breeding range in Canada and the U.S. We describe factors shaping distribution, delineate population cores and assess vulnerability to future grassland losses. Pipits selected landscapes with a high proportion of continuous grassland within a relatively cool, moist climate. Sixty percent of the global breeding population occurred in Canada and 63% of the U.S. population occurred in Montana. Populations were highly clumped, with 75% of birds within 30% of their range. Approximately 20% of the population occurred on protected lands and over half used lands that were unlikely to be cultivated given current technologies. A quarter of pipits relied on remaining arable grasslands and potential population losses varied from 2–27% across scenarios. Most of the population (70%) was dependent on private lands, emphasizing the importance of voluntary approaches that incentivize good stewardship. Our maps depicting core populations and tillage risk enable partners to target conservation in landscapes where pipits will benefit most.

A contourite drift system on the Baffin Bay–West Greenland margin linking Pliocene Arctic warming to poleward ocean circulation

Terrestrial records from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago indicate that a temperate and moist climate prevailed during the Pliocene, i.e., before the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciations, but the controlling factors causing these conditions remains elusive. Here we present marine seismic reflection evidence of contiguous kilometer-scale sedimentary drifts, or contourites, buried below the West Greenland shelf, which relates high-latitude Pliocene warmth to intense geostrophic currents along the eastern Baffin Bay margin. Seismic to borehole correlation indicates that enhanced current-induced deposition began during the middle Miocene, ca. 17–15 Ma, and terminated during the late Pliocene onset of global cooling. The transition from along-slope sediment transport to trough-mouth fan progradation designates the onset of Greenland Ice Sheet glaciers advancing across the continental shelf and coincides with increasing iceberg productivity in Baffin Bay and the Nordic Seas from 3.3 to 2.7 Ma. Our results suggest that the Baffin Bay–West Greenland margin formed a late Neogene passageway for persistent ocean boundary currents, and we infer that the Pliocene high-latitude warmth was to a significant extent caused or enhanced by advection of subtropical heat and moisture to the Arctic regions. Attenuation of the poleward heat flux conveyed by the paleo–current system may have been critical for allowing glacial buildup in the Canadian Arctic and northern Greenland during the late Pliocene. We further surmise that vertical tectonic adjustments of the continental margin played a role in this attenuation, which eventually caused the demise of meridional ocean circulation through Baffin Bay.

Long-term passive restoration following fluvial deposition of sulphidic copper tailings: nature filters out the solutions

Despite the growing popularity of ecological restoration approach, data on primary succession on toxic post-mining substrates, under site environmental conditions which considerably differ from the surrounding environment, are still scarce. Here, we studied the spontaneous vegetation development on an unusual locality created by long-term and large-scale fluvial deposition of sulphidic tailings from a copper mine in a pronouncedly xerothermic, calcareous surrounding. We performed multivariate analyses of soil samples (20 physical and chemical parameters) and vegetation samples (floristic and structural parameters in three types of occurring forests), collected along the pollution gradients throughout the affected floodplain. The nature can cope with two types of imposed constraints: (a) excessive Cu concentrations and (b) very low pH, combined with nutrient deficiency. The former will still allow convergence to the original vegetation, while the latter will result in novel, depauperate assemblages of species typical for cooler and moister climate. Our results for the first time demonstrate that with the increasing severity of environmental filtering, the relative importance of the surrounding vegetation for primary succession strongly decreases.

Performance of a large-scale solar updraft power plant in a moist climate

The governing equations of the moist air of a solar updraft power plant (SUPP) are derived with the consideration of the condensation occurring in the tower based on the compressible fluid model. The expression of the pressure potential of a large-scale SUPP containing no integral is also established while the condensation of water vapor exists in the tower. Based on the developed mathematical model, the transient state simulation of the performance of the SUPP under Wuhan climate conditions is carried out. Three scenarios that incorporate different treatments of the humidity of the ambient air, i.e. dry ambient, moist ambient without condensation in the plant, moist ambient with condensation in the plant, are simulated on a typical day in the summer of Wuhan. The consideration of moisture and condensation produces more power generation than the other scenarios. However, the peak daily power output is obtained for the dry ambient. With the increase in the relative humidity of the ambient air, the total power generation decreases first and then increases while the condensation starts occurring. The power output also becomes smoother with higher relative humidity. The profile of power generated from the reference SUPP in Sishen, South Africa with abundant solar radiation and that in Wuhan with heavy moisture are compared.

The evolution of habitable climates under the brightening Sun

AbstractOn water‐dominated planets, warming from increased solar insolation is strongly amplified by the water vapor greenhouse feedback. As the Sun brightens due to stellar evolution, Earth will become uninhabitable due to rising temperatures. Here we use a modified version of the Community Earth System Model from the National Center for Atmospheric Research to study Earth under intense solar radiation. For small (≤10%) increases in the solar constant (S0), Earth warms nearly linearly with climate sensitivities of ~1 K/(W m−2) and global mean surface temperatures below 310 K. However, an abrupt shift in climate is found as the solar constant is increased to +12.5% S0. Here climate sensitivity peaks at ~6.5 K/(W m−2), while global mean surface temperatures rise above 330 K. This climatic transition is associated with a fundamental change to the radiative‐convective state of the atmosphere. Hot, moist climates feature both strong solar absorption and inefficient radiative cooling in the low atmosphere, thus yielding net radiative heating of the near‐surface layers. This heating forms an inversion that effectively shuts off convection in the boundary layer. Beyond the transition, Earth continues to warm but with climate sensitivities again near unity. Conditions conducive to significant water loss to space are not found until +19% S0. Earth remains stable against a thermal runaway up to at least +21% S0, but at that point, global mean surface temperatures exceed 360 K, and water loss to space becomes rapid. Water loss of the oceans from a moist greenhouse may preclude a thermal runaway.

Palynostratigraphy of the Nayband Formation, Tabas, Central Iran Basin: Paleogeographical and paleoecological implications

Reasonably diverse and moderately preserved palynofloras of exclusively terrestrial derivation occur in surface samples of the Nayband Formation, Kamar Macheh Kuh, southeastern Tabas, east-central Iran. No marine palynomorphs encountered in the samples examined. The palynofloras comprise 62 species including radially symmetrical and monolete spores (37 species allocated to 27 genera) and pollen (25 species designated to 19 genera). Of the latter, such bisaccate taxa as Ovalipollis ovalis, Alisporites spp., Falcisporites nuthallensis, the inaperturate Araucariacites australis, and the monosulcate Chasmatosporites major dominate the assemblages. Representatives of such trilete spores as Dictyophyllidites mortonii, Kyrtomisporis laevigatus, and Gleicheiniidites senonicus are essentially abundant in the palynofloras examined. Vertical distribution of miospores allows erection within the Nayband Formation of three informal distinctive stratigraphically successive interval biozones, viz., A. australis–Annulispora folliculosa biozone, Conbaculatisporites sp.–Ricciisporites tuberculatus biozone, and R. tuberculatus–Polypodiisporites polymicroforatus biozone based on the First Observed Occurrence (FOO) and Last Observed Occurrence (LOO) of selected taxa. These are compared with palynozones from ±coeval strata in Iran and elsewhere. Additionally, two non-palyniferous intervals, one at the base (188m thick) and another (18m in thickness) at uppermost part of the section studied are identified.Based on the association of such key misopore species as Lunatisporites rhaeticus, O. ovalis (alias pseudoalatus), A. folliculosa, Polycingulatisporites mooniensis, Limbosporites lundbladii, Quadraeculina anellaeformis, R. tuberculatus, Conbaculatisporites sp., P. polymicroforatus, and Striatisaccus novimundi within the Nayband palynofloras, the host strata are assigned to Late Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian). This dating while corroborating previous attempts made with reference to mostly paleozoological evidence, slightly deviates from that previously envisioned (Early Jurassic) for upper part of the Nayband Formation at the section examined. Moreover, lack of such Early Jurassic (Hettangian) key taxa as Trachysporites fuscus, Cerebropollenites thiergartii, Heliosporites reissingeri, and Pinuspollenites minimus in the assemblages studied upholds this conclusion.Apparent taxonomical dissimilarity between the Norian and Rhaetian palynofloras examined and joint occurrence in the latter of several Rhaetian miospore species known as independently occurring in assemblages from either southern or northern hemisphere is interpreted to reflect geodynamic history of the Iran Plate during Late Triassic. Inferred natural relationships of the Nayband sporae dispersae imply derivation from such diverse parental flora as, in descending quantitative order, Pterophyta, Lycopodophyta, Arthrophyta, Coniferophyta, Ginkgophyta, Pteridospermophyta, and Bryophyta. Abundance of ferns and coniferophytes in parent flora of the palynofloras investigated implies that the host strata accumulated under a moist warm climate with progressively decreasing temperature during late Late Triassic.

Ectomycorrhizal Communities on the Roots of Two Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Populations from Contrasting Climates Differ in Nitrogen Acquisition in a Common Environment.

Beech (Fagus sylvatica), a dominant forest species in Central Europe, competes for nitrogen with soil microbes and suffers from N limitation under dry conditions. We hypothesized that ectomycorrhizal communities and the free-living rhizosphere microbes from beech trees from sites with two contrasting climatic conditions exhibit differences in N acquisition that contribute to differences in host N uptake and are related to differences in host belowground carbon allocation. To test these hypotheses, young trees from the natural regeneration of two genetically similar populations, one from dryer conditions (located in an area with a southwest exposure [SW trees]) and the other from a cooler, moist climate (located in an area with a northeast exposure [NE trees]), were transplanted into a homogeneous substrate in the same environment and labeled with (13)CO2 and (15)NH4 (+). Free-living rhizosphere microbes were characterized by marker genes for the N cycle, but no differences between the rhizospheres of SW or NE trees were found. Lower (15)N enrichment was found in the ectomycorrhizal communities of the NE tree communities than the SW tree communities, whereas no significant differences in (15)N enrichment were observed for nonmycorrhizal root tips of SW and NE trees. Neither the ectomycorrhizal communities nor the nonmycorrhizal root tips originating from NE and SW trees showed differences in (13)C signatures. Because the level of (15)N accumulation in fine roots and the amount transferred to leaves were lower in NE trees than SW trees, our data support the suggestion that the ectomycorrhizal community influences N transfer to its host and demonstrate that the fungal community from the dry condition was more efficient in N acquisition when environmental constraints were relieved. These findings highlight the importance of adapted ectomycorrhizal communities for forest nutrition in a changing climate.

Early Holocene Great Salt Lake, USA

Shorelines and surficial deposits (including buried forest-floor mats and organic-rich wetland sediments) show that Great Salt Lake did not rise higher than modern lake levels during the earliest Holocene (11.5–10.2calka BP; 10–914Cka BP). During that period, finely laminated, organic-rich muds (sapropel) containing brine-shrimp cysts and pellets and interbedded sodium-sulfate salts were deposited on the lake floor. Sapropel deposition was probably caused by stratification of the water column — a freshwater cap possibly was formed by groundwater, which had been stored in upland aquifers during the immediately preceding late-Pleistocene deep-lake cycle (Lake Bonneville), and was actively discharging on the basin floor. A climate characterized by low precipitation and runoff, combined with local areas of groundwater discharge in piedmont settings, could explain the apparent conflict between evidence for a shallow lake (a dry climate) and previously published interpretations for a moist climate in the Great Salt Lake basin of the eastern Great Basin.

Habitability of waterworlds: runaway greenhouses, atmospheric expansion, and multiple climate states of pure water atmospheres.

There are four different stable climate states for pure water atmospheres, as might exist on so-called "waterworlds." I map these as a function of solar constant for planets ranging in size from Mars-sized to 10 Earth-mass. The states are as follows: globally ice covered (Ts ⪅ 245 K), cold and damp (270 ⪅ Ts ⪅ 290 K), hot and moist (350 ⪅ Ts ⪅ 550 K), and very hot and dry (Tsx2A86;900 K). No stable climate exists for 290 ⪅ T s ⪅ 350 K or 550 ⪅ Ts ⪅ 900 K. The union of hot moist and cold damp climates describes the liquid water habitable zone, the width and location of which depends on planet mass. At each solar constant, two or three different climate states are stable. This is a consequence of strong nonlinearities in both thermal emission and the net absorption of sunlight. Across the range of planet sizes, I account for the atmospheres expanding to high altitudes as they warm. The emitting and absorbing surfaces (optical depth of unity) move to high altitude, making their area larger than the planet surface, so more thermal radiation is emitted and more sunlight absorbed (the former dominates). The atmospheres of small planets expand more due to weaker gravity; the effective runaway greenhouse threshold is about 35 W m(-2) higher for Mars, 10 W m(-2) higher for Earth or Venus, but only a few W m(-2) higher for a 10 Earth-mass planet. There is an underlying (expansion-neglected) trend of increasing runaway greenhouse threshold with planetary size (40 W m(-2) higher for a 10 Earth-mass planet than for Mars). Summing these opposing trends means that Venus-sized (or slightly smaller) planets are most susceptible to a runaway greenhouse. The habitable zone for pure water atmospheres is very narrow, with an insolation range of 0.07 times the solar constant. A wider habitable zone requires background gas and greenhouse gas: N2 and CO2 on Earth, which are biologically controlled. Thus, habitability depends on inhabitance.

The cingulates (Mammalia: Xenarthra) from the late Quaternary of northern Brazil: Fossil records, paleoclimates and displacements in America

This paper presents the Quaternary cingulates collected from two limestone caves in Aurora do Tocantins, northern Brazil. Osteoderms of Euphractus sexcinctus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Propraopus sulcatus, and Pachyarmaterium brasiliense were retrieved, representing an expansion on the known distribution of the taxa. The specimens are described herein, and their geographic and chronologic distributions in Brazil are reviewed. Numerical dates allied to the presence of biostratigraphically relevant taxa indicate a Late Pleistocene–middle Holocene age. Considering that E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus occupy the area nowadays, why did part of the past cingulate community survive and the other part became extinct? We believe that their distribution was affected by paleoclimatic shifts, especially during glacial/interglacial cycles. The colder and arid climate of the Pleistocene glacial periods favored the development of open forests and savannas in Brazil, whereas grasslands and steppes were predominant in higher latitudes. Probably, Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium (from south and north, respectively) took refuge in lower latitudes, including in Brazil. Later, during the interglacial cycle, warm and moist climates favored the development of an evergreen forest in central Brazil, leading Propraopus and Pachyarmatherium to extinction and positively selecting E. sexcinctus and D. novemcinctus.

Late Pleistocene–Holocene vegetation and Indian summer monsoon record from the Lahaul, Northwest Himalaya, India

The high resolution Holocene paleomonsoon records from Northwest (NW) Himalaya are limited. The carbon isotope (δ13C), Total organic carbon (TOC) and pollen analysis were therefore carried out from a peat-lake sediment sequence developed in alpine meadows of the Chandra valley, Lahaul, NW Himalaya, in order to reconstruct centennial to millennial scale vegetational changes and Indian summer monsoon (ISM) variability during the Holocene. The chronology of peat-lake sediments is constrained with 9 AMS 14C dates. The recovered non-arboreal pollen (NAP) suggested that during Holocene alpine desert-steppe, meadows and shrubs growing along the stream had developed in the Lahaul valley whereas arboreal pollens (AP) e.g. Pinus, Quercus, Cedrus and Ulmus presently growing in the southern hill slopes of Pir Panjal range indicated moisture carrying monsoonal air flow from the South. The increased δ13C and low TOC values between ∼12,880 and 11,640 calibrated years before present (cal yr BP) suggested weakening of ISM and low organic carbon production corresponding to the Younger Dryas (YD) cold event. The gradual depletion in carbon isotope ratio from ∼11,640 to 8810 cal yr BP indicated enhanced precipitation in the Chandra valley in response of increased ISM strength in early Holocene. The short spell of cold and dry climate with gradual decrease in ISM intensity between ca 10,398 and 9778 cal yr BP is closely linked with Bond event-7. The other prominent cold-dry events recorded in present study are (i) ∼8810 to 8117 cal yr BP roughly corresponding to global 8.2 ka cold event, (ii) ∼4808 to 4327 cal yr BP closely preceding the global 4.2 ka cold-arid period, and (iii) ∼1303 to 1609 cal AD corresponding to Little Ice Age (LIA) event. The expansion of thermophillous broad leaved taxa viz. Betula utilis, Alnus nepalensis, Quercus semicarpifolia and Juglans regia and effective growth of meadow vegetation such as grasses, Caryophyllaceae and Artemisia along with marshy elements i.e. Polygonum and Liliaceae between ∼6732 and 3337 cal yr BP marked warm and wet Holocene climate optimum (HCO) period. The warm and moist climate from ∼1158–647 cal yr BP corresponded with global Medieval Warm Period (MWP).

Quaternary chronostratigraphy and stable isotope paleoecology of Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, USA

Big Bone Lick (BBL) in northern Kentucky, USA has been a critical geologic site in the historical development of North American Quaternary vertebrate paleontology since the 1700s. Sedimentology, geoarcheology, paleontology, accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were undertaken to develop a chronostratigraphy and history of erosion and deposition for the site to provide a foundation for understanding taphonomy, and species extinction and adaptation to periods of climatic and environmental change. Three geomorphic surfaces are recognized at BBL representing significant periods of floodplain aggradation since the last glacial maximum (26.5–19ka) dating to the Oldest Dryas (Tazewell, 25–19ka), the Older Dryas (Cary, 14–12ka), and late Holocene (5ka to the present). Unconformities suggest significant periods of degradation during the transitions from cold and dry to warm and moist climates from the Oldest Dryas (Tazewell) to Bølling Oscillation, from the Older Dryas (Cary) to the Allerød, and from the Younger Dryas (Valders) to the Holocene Climatic Optimum. Increased anthropogenic activities since ~5ka may have increased soil upland erosion and floodplain aggradation. Stable isotopes demonstrate that the landscape has been dominated by C3 vegetation since the last glacial maximum.

Groundcover Management System and Nutrient Source Impacts on Soil Quality Indicators in an Organically Managed Apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) Orchard in the Ozark Highlands

The highly weathered, mineral, and often eroded and acidic soils of the Ozark Highlands region of northwest Arkansas generally have low soil organic matter (SOM) concentrations as a result of rapid organic matter turnover rates in the warm, moist climate. Orchard management practices that can improve SOM may also improve other soil quality-related variables for sustained production, which is an explicit goal for the National Organic Program (NOP). Therefore, beginning in Mar. 2006 and continuing for seven seasons, annual applications of municipal green compost, shredded office paper, wood chips, and mow-blow grass mulch groundcover management systems (GMS) in combination with composted poultry litter, commercial organic fertilizer, or a non-fertilized control as a nutrient source were implemented to evaluate their ability to alter near-surface soil quality in a newly established, organically managed apple orchard in the Ozark Highlands region of northwest Arkansas. The SOM concentration in the top 10 cm averaged 1.5% across all treatments at orchard establishment in 2006, but by 2012, SOM concentration had increased in all GMS and more than doubled to 5.6% under green compost. Similarly, soil bulk density in the top 6 cm, which averaged 1.34 g·cm−3 among treatment combinations in 2006, decreased in all GMS by 2012. Either green compost or shredded paper had the largest concentration of total water-stable aggregates across all aggregate size classes in the top 7.5 cm, whereas no differences among GMS were observed in the 7.5- to 15-cm soil depth. Green compost applied alone or in combination with commercial fertilizer had the largest estimated plant-available water (17.9% v/v) among all treatment combinations. Many soil quality-related variables measured in the various organic GMS had numerically greater values compared with an adjacent conventionally managed orchard on the same soils. Implementation of these GMS appears to provide apple producers in the Ozark Highlands and similar regions a tangible means of meeting NOP requirements for improving soil quality concurrent with production of certified organic crops. The findings also have implications for conventionally managed orchards, which have maintaining or improving soil quality as a management goal.

Nanosilane in medium-density fibreboard: effects of vapour chamber on fluid flow.

Effects were studied of vapour chamber on specific gas permeability of nanosilane (NS)-treated medium-density fibreboards (MDFs). Size range of nanoparticles was 20-80 nm. NS was used at four consumption levels of 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg dry wood fibres. Density of all treatments was kept constant at 0.67 g/cm(3). Specimens were kept for 18 weeks in vapourised chamber; their specific gas permeability was measured every two weeks. Results showed that extreme moisture uptake because of the biological structure of wood fibres, as well as mold and fungi growth on the specimens from the tenth week, resulted in the breaking down of the urea-formaldehyde resin; they also weakened the water-repellant effect of NS; consequently, the permeability increased significantly. It can be concluded that NS makes MDF susceptible to molds and therefore NS-treated MDF panels are not recommended for moist climates in which boards are exposed to water vapours in the air for a long time, although NS-panels primarily showed higher impermeability to water.

Relating adaptive genetic traits to climate for Sandberg bluegrass from the intermountain western United States.

Genetic variation for potentially adaptive traits of the key restoration species Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda J. Presl) was assessed over the intermountain western United States in relation to source population climate. Common gardens were established at two intermountain west sites with progeny from two maternal parents from each of 130 wild populations. Data were collected over 2 years at each site on fifteen plant traits associated with production, phenology, and morphology. Analyses of variance revealed strong population differences for all plant traits (P < 0.0001), indicating genetic variation. Both the canonical correlation and linear correlation established associations between source populations and climate variability. Populations from warmer, more arid climates had generally lower dry weight, earlier phenology, and smaller, narrower leaves than those from cooler, moister climates. The first three canonical variates were regressed with climate variables resulting in significant models (P < 0.0001) used to map 12 seed zones. Of the 700 981 km2 mapped, four seed zones represented 92% of the area in typically semi-arid and arid regions. The association of genetic variation with source climates in the intermountain west suggested climate driven natural selection and evolution. We recommend seed transfer zones and population movement guidelines to enhance adaptation and diversity for large-scale restoration projects.

Local and expert knowledge improve conservation assessment of rare and iconic Fijian tree species

In many developing countries, threatened species lists are unavailable and IUCN Red Lists are very incomplete. Because limited resources are available for conservation in developing countries, detailed field assessments and scientific study of threatened species are often not feasible. However, considerable knowledge about biodiversity exists among experts and local land users. We used questionnaires as part of field surveys to compile information about the abundance, conservation threats, distribution, and ecology of populations of four threatened and iconic target species in Fiji (Acmopyle sahniana, Dacrydium nausoriense, Podocarpus affinis [all Podocarpaceae], and Cynometra falcata [Leguminosae]). These questionnaires were completed in the field for all known populations by an assessor, compiling field observations and measurements with information from local land users and local and outside experts. For the four species in this study, the questionnaires improved estimates of population size, identified previously unknown populations, provided estimates of regeneration, and identified key conservation threats. Species of highly fragmented remnants in drier climates were less protected than those in more contiguous forests of moist climates. The methods employed provided rapid, cost-effective information that can be used to revise IUCN Red List and conservation status assessments and are applicable to other Pacific Island and developing countries.

A new perspective to assess the urban heat island through remotely sensed atmospheric profiles

The detection of urban heat island (UHI) is generally conducted from ground observations of air temperature and remote sensing of land surface temperature (LST). Satellite remotely sensed LST has many merits, such as global coverage and consistent periodicity, which overcomes the weaknesses of ground observations related to the footprint, site distributions, and costs. For human related studies and urban climatology, air temperatures are equally important. This study explores the potential to estimate the near-surface air and dew-point temperatures from the MODIS 07 atmospheric profile product (MOD07_L2) to capture the UHI dynamics at 5km resolution. Four mega-cities in North America: Phoenix, Houston, Chicago, and Toronto, are evaluated during 2003–2013 summers. The comparison between the MODIS near-surface temperature and the ground observations suggests an accuracy of 3–7K RMSE for different cities and times of day. For air temperature, the Aqua overpass has better agreements, and nighttime has higher accuracy than daytime in most cases. In general, very dry (Phoenix) and very moist (Houston) climate conditions increase the variability of the MODIS temperature accuracy. This study also develops an urban heat island curve (UHIC) to represent UHI intensity by integrating the urban surface heterogeneity in a curve, showing the relationship between air temperature and urban fraction. UHIC provides a new way to quantify UHI city by city, which emphasizes the temperature gradients, consequently decreasing the impact of data biases.

A micromorphological evaluation of pedogenesis on Isla Santa Cruz (Galápagos) .

Thin sections of about 200 horizons or layers, representing 60 soil profiles in the coastal area and on the windward slopes of Isla Santa Cruz (Galápagos Islands) were analysed. Based on the fabric and the composition of the groundmass and the presence of pedofeatures in individual layers or horizons, clusters of similar material are made and 7 units and 3 subunits distinguished. Plotting these units on a survey map gives a good insight in the spatial distribution of soil materials, expressing different combinations of parent material and precipitation. In the coastal area and the lowest slopes, with a summer dry climate, respectively reddish and greyish and brown materials with a porphyric c/f related distribution pattern and striated b-fabrics, and often with fragmented illuvial clay coatings are observed. The coarse material contains mainly holocrystalline basalt fragments, unweathered in the coastal area, or basalt derived individual minerals. The micromass has a halloysitic-smectitic composition. On the higher slopes, with a permanent moist climate, materials have also a porphyric or fine monic c/f related distribution pattern, but the b-fabric is undifferentiated and no illuvial features are present, gibbsitic features sometimes occur and the micromass consists mainly of halloysite and gibbsite. Subunits are distinguished here according to the microstructure, and the quantity and type of coarse material. Mesocrystalline basalt, often vesicular, dominates over holocrystalline, pointing to the influence of scoria. Soils on the higher slopes are more strongly weathered than those on the drier lower slopes and the coastal area. In depressions in the higher areas, materials with a yellowish or brownish grey micromass with a striated b-fabric, and well developed limpid illuvial clay coatings and impregnative iron oxide nodules occur. The micromass has a halloysite-smectite composition. Contrary to existing hypotheses the reddish soils in the coastal area are not considered as palaeosoils (roots of tropical soils), but as modern soils developed in colluvium on the lower slopes, which was deposited on totally eroded surfaces (marine terraces?). On the slopes the distribution of units is not only determined by hypsometric zones, as suggested in literature, but is rather clustered according to types of parent material. The soils on Santa Cruz are supposed to be formed after the last interglacial period, different from the red soils of San Cristóbal which are older.

Soil micromorphogenesis and Early Holocene paleoclimate at the desert margin of Southern Arabia .

The Ramlat as-Sab’atayn desert margin near Ma’rib, Yemen, displays well-preserved Early Holocene paleosols that are documented by micromorphological and pedological data. The buried soils, which are represented by Ahb horizons, indicate soil formation mostly before 8.3 cal ka BP. In contrast, sandy cover sediments without signs of pedogenesis appeared between 8.3 and 6.6 cal ka BP due to increasing aridity. Characteristic micromorphological features of the cover sediments are a single grain microstructure, crystallitic b-fabric, predominant occurrence of fresh sideromelane, and remnants of microlayers. Micromorphological pedogenic features in the buried Ah horizons include a subangular blocky microstructure, undifferentiated b-fabric as a result of enrichment of organic matter and decalcification, and the predominant occurrence of completely altered sideromelane. Most of these horizons appeared to be nearly completely decalcified so that in parts a stipple speckled b-fabric and neoformed clay coatings could be detected as a result of stronger weathering and soil formation. Pedogenic data provide important information about Holocene climate fluctuations, including the amount of precipitation, which was calculated on the basis of geochemical data from buried A, AB and B horizons. The buried paleosols represent moist climate conditions with precipitation ranging from 400 to 600 mm a&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;.