Study Sites Research Articles

Holocene vegetation, fire, climate dynamics and human impact in the upper Orkhon Valley of the Khangai Mountains, Mongolia

The Upper Orkhon Valley, located in the Khangai Mountains of Central Mongolia, is mainly covered by a forest-steppe ecosystem. This is an interesting area to study because its vegetation dynamics might have been influenced by climatic and anthropogenic drivers. This study investigates the dynamics of vegetation (pollen), human activity (pollen and NPP) and fire activity (macro-charcoal) from a lacustrine sediment core from lake Shireet Naiman Nuur, covering the last 7400 cal yr BP. The results of the pollen analysis showed a continual and constant decline of tree species in favour of the development of grasslands. Fire activity was more intense (high peak magnitude) during the mid Holocene, while it became more frequent but less intense from 5000 cal yr BP onwards, when herbaceous taxa became more present. The NPP analysis suggest that the study site was free of human activity from 7400 to 3500 cal yr BP, whereas the traces of the development of human societies that took place in the Orkhon Valley, such as pastoralism and grazing activities, have been demonstrated by the increase in coprophilous fungi and the Poaceae Cerealia-type pollen around 3200 cal yr BP, although its impact seems to have remained low.

Patterns of Tree Regeneration and their Implications for Succession in Himalayan Pine-Oak Forests, India

Factors affecting successional processes are critical determinants of the structural and compositional changes in a plant community. The present study examines the role of plant traits, such as seed size and dispersal mode, habitat factors such as canopy closure, leaf litter, soil moisture, disturbance, fire frequency, and landscape forest cover, in arrival and establishment of tree species in the oak-pine forests of the Western Himalayas. For this, we compared the regeneration, abundance, and composition of tree species in pine forests (pioneer stage) with that in oak-dominated hardwood forests (climax stage). The microsite factors and landscape forest cover varied significantly between the two stages. While species diversity was comparable across seedling, sapling, and pole stages, density of regenerating individuals was relatively lower in oak forest sites. The extent of overlap in species composition between oak and pine forest sites was also found to be low for both regeneration and adult stages. The amount of forest cover surrounding the study sites (landscape forest cover) did not significantly impact regeneration. Instead, factors related to establishment were determined to be more important. Regeneration density decreased with an increase in canopy closure (light environment) and litter depth, implying their crucial role in driving the successional trajectories. When plant traits were considered, all three regeneration stages of large-seeded and animal-dispersed species were of comparable densities in pine and oak forests, suggesting an absence of dispersal or arrival limitation. However, anthropogenic disturbance was found to negatively impact density of zoochorous species while fire frequency negatively influenced the diversity of large-seeded species. Control of extractive pressures, reducing incidence of fire, and retention of protected oak stands may be necessary to enable regeneration of zoochorous and of large-seeded species and thereby, natural succession to oak-dominated hardwood forest in this human-dominated landscape.

Spatiotemporal climate variability and extremes in Middle Awash Afar region Ethiopia: implications to pastoralists and agro-pastoralists food security

Purpose This study aims to examine the phenomenon of climate variability and its implications for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists food security in Amibara and Awash Fentale districts of the Afar region, Ethiopia. Design/methodology/approach The study relied on meteorological records of temperature and rainfall in the study area between 1988 and 2018. Besides, literature on the topic was reviewed to make caveats on the literal picture that comes from quantitative data, and that is the contribution of this study to the existing debate on climate change and variability. The spatiotemporal trend was determined using the Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, while variability was analyzed using the coefficient of variation and standardized anomaly index, and standardized precipitation index/standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index were applied to determine the drought frequency and severity. Findings The result reveals that the mean seasonal rainfall varies from 111.34 mm to 518.74 mm. Although the maximum and minimum rainfall occurred in the summer and winter seasons, respectively, there has been a decrease in seasonal and annual at the rate of 2.51 mm per season and 4.12 mm per year, respectively. The study sites have been experiencing highly seasonal rainfall variability. The drought analysis result confirms that a total of nine agricultural droughts ranging from moderate to extreme years were observed. Overall, the seasonal and annual rainfall of the Amibara and Awash Fentale districts showed a decreasing trend with highly temporal variations of rainfall and ever-rising temperatures, and frequent drought events means the climate situation of the area could adversely affect pastoral and agro-pastoral households’ food security. However, analysis of data from secondary sources reveals that analyzing precipitation just based on the meteorological records of the study area would be misleading. That explains why flooding, rather than drought, is becoming the main source of catastrophe to pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. Practical implications The analysis of temperature and rainfall dynamics in the Afar region, hence the inception of all development interventions, must take the hydrological impact of the neighboring regions which appears to be useful direction to future researchers. Originality/value The research is originally conducted using meteorological and existing literature, and hence, it is original. In this research, we utilized a standardized and appropriate methodology, resulting in insights that augment the existing body of knowledge within the field. These insights serve to advance scholarly discourse on the subject matter.

Distribution and trophodynamics of substituted diphenylamine antioxidants and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in a freshwater ecosystem and the adjacent riparian environment.

Substituted diphenylamine antioxidants (SDPAs) and benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs) are industrial additives of emerging environmental concern. However, little is known about their environmental fate and bioaccumulation. This study investigated the concentrations of SDPAs and BZT-UVs in the water, sediment and biota samples in the freshwater ecosystem and adjacent riparian environment using Hamilton Harbour in the Great Lakes of North America as a study site. The bioaccumulation factors and trophodynamics of these contaminants were studied using field-collected samples. Eight target SDPAs and two BZT-UVs (2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenol (UV234) and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenol (UV328)) were frequently detected in the sediment, water and biota samples. UV328 showed significantly greater concentrations in water (0.28-2.8 ng L-1) and sediment (8.3-48 ng g-1, dry weight) than other target contaminants, implying greater contamination of UV328 in Hamilton Harbour. SDPAs exhibited trophic dilution in species living in the water, whereas UV234 was biomagnified in the same samples. No clear trophodynamic trend was found for UV328 for water-respiring species. Air-breathing invertebrates had higher concentrations of both SDPAs and BZT-UVs than water-respiring invertebrates, and biomagnification was observed particularly for adult dragonflies. These results suggest that the trophodynamics of SDPAs and BZT-UVs vary depending on whether the food web is terrestrial or aquatic. Future research should investigate the occurrence and partitioning of SDPAs and BZT-UVs in the air-water interface and evaluate the toxicities of these contaminants in air-breathing species.

Late Triassic to Early Jurassic carbon isotope chemostratigraphy and organo-facies evolution in a distal to proximal transect of the North German Basin

AbstractThroughout the Latest Triassic and the Early Jurassic, major changes in paleogeography, climate and eustatic sea-level impacted on the development of shelf depositional environments. Secular trends in environmental conditions were punctuated by transient perturbations that occurred in relation to large-scale volcanic events, such as the emplacement of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province at the Triassic/Jurassic boundary and the Karoo–Ferrar Large Igneous Province in the early Toarcian. We here present bulk organic (HAWK programmed pyrolysis) and organic carbon isotope (δ13Corg) data for three drill cores recovering Latest Triassic and Early Jurassic strata (Rhaetian to Toarcian). Study sites are located in the northeastern part of the Central European Epicontinental Sea and were positioned along a distal–proximal transect of the North German Basin. This allows discussing the differential response of depositional settings and organo-facies toward secular and transient environmental change. Biostratigraphically anchored trends in δ13Corg values allow the precise correlation along the transect, as well as with distant sites. At all North German locations, diagnostic secular trends in δ13Corg are punctuated by transient negative carbon isotope excursions, reflecting perturbations of the global carbon cycle at the Triassic/Jurassic boundary and in the early Toarcian. Stratigraphic gaps occurred during sea-level lowstands and are most pronounced at shallow proximal sites. Programmed pyrolysis data indicate spatiotemporal organo-facies trends that on a temporal scale occurred in response to sea-level and climate trends, while spatial patterns were governed by basin morphology and paleobathymetry. Substantial marine organic matter accumulations occurred at high sea level during the Toarcian only, and were most continuous at distal sites. Graphical Abstract

Recurring seasonality exposes dominant species and niche partitioning strategies of open ocean picoeukaryotic algae

Ocean spring phytoplankton blooms are dynamic periods important to global primary production. We document vertical patterns of a diverse suite of eukaryotic algae, the prasinophytes, in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre with monthly sampling over four years at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study site. Water column structure was used to delineate seasonal stability periods more ecologically relevant than seasons defined by calendar dates. During winter mixing, tiny prasinophytes dominated by Class II comprise 46 ± 24% of eukaryotic algal (plastid-derived) 16S rRNA V1-V2 amplicons, specifically Ostreococcus Clade OII, Micromonas commoda, and Bathycoccus calidus. In contrast, Class VII are rare and Classes I and VI peak during warm stratified periods when surface eukaryotic phytoplankton abundances are low. Seasonality underpins a reservoir of genetic diversity from multiple prasinophyte classes during warm periods that harbor ephemeral taxa. Persistent Class II sub-species dominating the winter/spring bloom period retreat to the deep chlorophyll maximum in summer, poised to seed the mixed layer upon winter convection, exposing a mechanism for initiating high abundances at bloom onset. Comparisons to tropical oceans reveal broad distributions of the dominant sub-species herein. This unparalleled window into temporal and spatial niche partitioning of picoeukaryotic primary producers demonstrates how key prasinophytes prevail in warm oceans.

An Approach to the Key Soil Physical Properties for Assessing Soil Compaction Due to Livestock Grazing in Mediterranean Mountain Areas

The selection of key soil physical properties (SPPs) for studying the impact of livestock treading is an unexplored research topic, especially in studies that analyze the influence of livestock management on the degradation process. The objective of this work was to demonstrate that the key SPPs for studying the impact of livestock treading depend on the objectives of the research and the environmental characteristics of the study site. This work used discriminant analysis to establish the most significant SPPs among the following: bulk density (BD), total porosity (P), field capacity (FC), infiltration capacity (IC), and aggregate stability (AS). Results showed that (1) IC and BD are the key properties for identifying the areas affected (bare patch) and unaffected (vegetated patch) by livestock treading, (2) none of the SPPs are significant under increasing stocking rates, and (3) BD is the key property for analyzing livestock impact with increasing stocking rate, using soil calcium carbonate content, slope exposure, and grass cover. We concluded that the relationship between physical soil degradation and stocking rate is not linear because it depends on environmental factors; therefore, to establish the key SPPs, it is necessary to take this fact into account.

Re-Inventories at Two Study Sites in the Oberpfalz (Bavaria, Germany): Increase in RWA Nests, Herb Biodiversity and Dead Wood in Sustainably Managed Forests

A large-scale re-inventory of red wood ant (RWA; Formica rufa-group) nests and a comparative analysis of their presence/absence data was carried out for the first time in 2023 at two study sites in the Oberpfalz, NE Bavaria, Germany, to investigate the suspected decline of nests, their relationship with forestry aspects, and possible changes in spatial distribution due to tectonic activity (GeoBio-Interactions). We inventoried, in two sustainably managed forests, outstanding nest occurrences (5393 nests including 5276 active nests) and an increase of ≈8% over 4–7 years. Our results do not support claims that the number of nests in the Oberpfalz is in sharp decline. RWA preferred mature and medium–mature pine-dominated forests. Standing and downed dead wood did not negatively affect nests. The number of nests with woodpecker cavities and the diversity of the herb layer increased. Nests clusters in NW–SE direction suggest a strong interaction between nest distribution and active tectonics. Our (re-)inventory approach combined with the extensive photo database is a valuable tool for (a) monitoring the entire forest habitat including natural restocking, herb biodiversity, woodpecker cavities, and dead wood in, at, and around nests, and (b) identifying GeoBio-Interactions. Such an approach will lead to more realistic counts of RWA nests and provide scientific evidence of the current situation of nests occurrence. We suggest seven to eight years as an appropriate time interval for re-inventories.

Characterizing Spatial and Temporal Trends in Net Sediment Accumulation in Seagrass Meadows

AbstractSeagrass meadows are known as hot spots for carbon accumulation, but there is limited field data on the variability of sediment accumulation across time and space. We developed a method to assess spatial and temporal heterogeneity in net sediment accumulation in seagrass meadows using small, inexpensive samplers, allowing for over 200 unique measurements across multiple transects within our study site. Using this method, we assessed sediment accumulation across seagrass meadow edges, and in varying weather conditions. We found the greatest accumulation of sediment 5 m outside of seagrass meadow edges, with sediment accumulation rates averaging just under 100 g m−2 day−1, though rates were highly variable. Carbon accumulation from settled sediment was generally greater outside of seagrass meadow edges than within the bed, especially at sites undergoing recent expansion. Measurements made during tropical storms showed both scouring of sediment away from sites, and increased accumulation, depending on site properties as well as individual tropical storm characteristics. In the storm that had a measurable storm surge, scouring of sediment was a more dominant mechanism, whereas deposition dominated in the storm that had high winds but no associated storm surge. Our data demonstrate the necessity of including measurements that characterize both spatial and meteorological variability to develop a more holistic understanding of the movement of sediment and particulate organic carbon associated with seagrass meadows, especially as meadow area becomes increasingly fragmented with human activity and global change.

Characteristics of the Western Province, Zambia, trial site for evaluation of attractive targeted sugar baits for malaria vector control

BackgroundThe attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) is a novel malaria vector control tool designed to attract and kill mosquitoes using a sugar-based bait, laced with oral toxicant. Western Province, Zambia, was one of three countries selected for a series of phase III cluster randomized controlled trials of the Westham ATSB Sarabi version 1.2. The trial sites in Kenya, Mali, and Zambia were selected to represent a range of different ecologies and malaria transmission settings across sub-Saharan Africa. This case study describes the key characteristics of the ATSB Zambia trial site to allow for interpretation of the results relative to the Kenya and Mali sites.MethodsThis study site characterization incorporates data from the trial baseline epidemiological and mosquito sugar feeding surveys conducted in 2021, as well as relevant literature on the study area.Results: Characterization of the trial siteThe trial site in Zambia was comprised of 70 trial-designed clusters in Kaoma, Nkeyema, and Luampa districts. Population settlements in the trial site were dispersed across a large geographic area with sparsely populated villages. The overall population density in the 70 study clusters was 65.7 people per square kilometre with a total site population of 122,023 people living in a geographic area that covered 1858 square kilometres. However, the study clusters were distributed over a total area of approximately 11,728 square kilometres. The region was tropical with intense and seasonal malaria transmission. An abundance of trees and other plants in the trial site were potential sources of sugar meals for malaria vectors. Fourteen Anopheles species were endemic in the site and Anopheles funestus was the dominant vector, likely accounting for around 95% of all Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections. Despite high coverage of indoor residual spraying and insecticide-treated nets, the baseline malaria prevalence during the peak malaria transmission season was 50% among people ages six months and older.ConclusionMalaria transmission remains high in Western Province, Zambia, despite coverage with vector control tools. New strategies are needed to address the drivers of malaria transmission in this region and other malaria-endemic areas in sub-Saharan Africa.

Artificial intelligence, self-efficacy and engagement in religious tourism: evidence from Arbaeen pilgrimage

PurposeThis study aims to determine how the attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) of religious tourists affect their AI self-efficacy and their engagement in AI. This study specifically intends to investigate the mediating role of AI self-efficacy in the relationship between attitudes toward AI and the engagement in AI of religious tourists. This study also seeks to identify the role of AI assistant use as a moderator in the relationship between attitudes toward AI and AI self-efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe data used in this study was gathered from a sample of 282 religious tourists who had just visited Karbala, central Iraq. Purposive sampling, which comprises a focused and systematic approach to data collection, was used after carefully assessing the distinctive characteristics and properties of the research population.FindingsThe results showed that attitudes to AI had a noticeable impact on AI self-efficacy, which, in turn, exerted a positive impact on engagement with AI. In addition, the use of AI assistants acted to positively moderate AI self-efficacy in terms of mediating the link between attitudes to AI and AI engagement.Originality/valueThe distinctive focus on religious tourists adds an original perspective to the existing literature, shedding light on how their attitudes towards AI impact not only their self-efficacy but also their engagement in dealing with AI. In addition, this study delves into the moderating role of AI assistant use, introducing a unique factor in understanding the complex interplay between attitudes, self-efficacy, and engagement in the context of religious tourism. The selection of Karbala, central Iraq, as this study site further adds originality, providing insights into a specific religious and cultural context.

Occurrence patterns of sympatric forest wallabies: assessing the influence of structural habitat attributes on the coexistence of Thylogale thetis and T.stigmatica.

We studied the occurrence of two sympatric wallabies, the red-necked pademelon (Thylogale thetis) and the red-legged pademelon (T. stigmatica) in northeastern New South Wales, Australia in relation to structural habitat attributes. At our study site, both species inhabit closed forest environments and have overlapping distributions, but T. thetis leaves the forest at night to graze adjacent grassy forest edges whereas T. stigmatica remains within the forest and browses forest vegetation. The objectives of the study were to investigate how structural attributes of two forest types, wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest, relate to the fine-scale occurrence of these two wallaby species within the forested environment. We gathered occurrence data from 48 camera trap stations divided equally between rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest. At each camera point, we also measured a range of structural habitat attributes to determine habitat affiliations for the two Thylogale species. Principal component analyses were used to describe major trends in habitat, and generalised linear models were used to describe the efficacy of the variables in predicting habitat occurrence of each species. The number of occurrences of Thylogale thetis was significantly greater than occurrences of T. stigmatica, which was driven by significantly greater occurrences of T. thetis in wet sclerophyll forest. There was both spatial and temporal partitioning between the two species; there was a significant difference in the occurrences of the two species at individual cameras and T. stigmatica had a different activity schedule than T. thetis in wet sclerophyll forest, where the latter reached its greatest rate of occurrence. At a finer (camera station) scale, occurrences of T. thetis increased with proximity to roads and grassy edges and at sites that were less rocky and less steep. T. stigmatica occurrence increased in the presence of rainforest elements like vines, palms and ferns, more ground-level cover and tree-fall gaps and at sites with fewer emergent eucalypts. Our findings have implications for managing these pademelons and their habitats. T. thetis is a common species that was encountered more often than T. stigmatica, and it responded positively to human disturbance like roadsides and grassy edges, presumably because these areas provided good grazing opportunities. By comparison, T. stigmatica is a threatened species, and it responded to natural disturbance like tree-fall gaps where lateral cover was greater, and where rainforest food plants may be more abundant. Our results suggest, therefore, that conservation of the threatened T. stigmatica requires the preservation of intact rainforest.

Updated chronology for Peoria Silt (loess) accumulation in Illinois and western Indiana from radiocarbon dating of terrestrial gastropod shells

Abstract Based on calibrated radiocarbon ages of terrestrial gastropod shells (Succineidae, Discus, Stenotrema, Webbhelix), the chronology of Peoria Silt (loess) deposition in the Central Lowlands is updated. These taxa provide reliable ages (within ~0.2 ka), based on historical shell dating, shell-organic age comparisons, and stratigraphic consistency. A compilation of 53 new and 36 published Peoria Silt shell ages (calibrated), from 12 localities, date from 30.0 to 17.4 ka. Proximal (fossiliferous) loess from 10 sections had mean loess accumulation rates of 0.6–2.2 mm/yr. Study sites along the upper Mississippi, Illinois, to mid-Mississippi, and Ohio-Wabash Valleys suggest Peoria loess accumulated from ~27 to 15 ka, ~29 to 18 ka, and ~30 to 18 ka, respectively. The cessation age for Peoria Silt, based on surface extrapolations, is ~1–6 ka earlier than some prior Illinois estimates, even assuming slower loess accumulation in the modern solum. Younger loess in northwestern Illinois likely reflects, in part, Superior and Des Moines Lobe glacial-meltwater sediment, and Iowan Erosion Surface inputs to the upper Mississippi Valley, after the Lake Michigan Lobe receded. Furthermore, stronger winds, drier conditions, and reduced vegetation cover in valley deflation areas may have favored higher accumulation rates and later loess deposition in northwestern relative to southeastern areas.

Regional beryllium-10 production rate for the mid-elevation mountainous regions in central Europe, deduced from a multi-method study of moraines and lake sediments in the Black Forest

Abstract. Beryllium-10 cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) dating has revolutionized our understanding of glacier fluctuations around the globe. A key prerequisite for the successful application of this dating method is the determination of regional production rates of in situ accumulated 10Be, usually inferred at independently dated calibration sites. Until now, no calibration site has been available for the mid-elevation mountain ranges of central Europe. We fill this gap by determining in situ 10Be concentrations in large boulders on moraines and by applying radiocarbon and infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) dating to stratigraphically younger lake sediments in the southern Black Forest, SW Germany. The dating methods yielded concordant results, and, based on age–depth modelling with 14C ages, the age of a cryptotephra, and IRSL ages, we deduced a regional 10Be production rate in quartz. Calibrating the Black Forest production rate (BFPR) in the Cosmic-Ray Exposure program (CREp) resulted in a spallogenic sea-level and high-latitude (SLHL) production rate of 3.64±0.11 atoms 10Be g−1 quartz a−1 when referring to time-dependent Lal–Stone scaling, the European Reanalysis (ERA)-40 atmosphere model, and the atmospheric 10Be-based geomagnetic database in CREp. The BFPR turned out to be ∼11 % lower than both those at the nearest calibration site in the Alps (4.10±0.10 atoms 10Be g−1 quartz a−1 at SLHL) and the canonical global 10Be production rate (4.11±0.19 atoms 10Be g−1 quartz a−1 at SLHL) in CREp. A stronger weathering and snow cover bias and a higher impact of forest, soil, moss, and shrub cover at the study site likely explain this discrepancy.

Exposure of wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to sea-level rise in the Mediterranean.

Sea-level rise (SLR) is expected to cause major changes to coastal wetlands, which are among the world's most vulnerable ecosystems and are critical for nonbreeding waterbirds. Because strategies for adaptation to SLR, such as nature-based solutions and designation of protected areas, can locally reduce the negative effects of coastal flooding under SLR on coastal wetlands, it is crucial to prioritize adaptation efforts, especially for wetlands of international importance for biodiversity. We assessed the exposure of coastal wetlands important for nonbreeding waterbirds to projected SLR along the Mediterranean coasts of 8 countries by modeling future coastal flooding under 7 scenarios of SLR by 2100 (from 44- to 161-cm rise) with a static inundation approach. Exposure to coastal flooding under future SLR was assessed for 938 Mediterranean coastal sites (≤30km from the coastline) where 145 species of nonbreeding birds were monitored as part of the International Waterbird Census and for which the monitoring area was delineated by a polygon (64.3% of the coastal sites monitored in the Mediterranean region). Thirty-four percent of sites were threatened by future SLR, even under the most optimistic scenarios. Protected study sites and study sites of international importance for waterbirds were, respectively, 1.5 and 2 times more exposed to SLR than the other sites under the most optimistic scenario. Accordingly, we advocate for the development of a prioritization scheme to be applied to these wetlands for the implementation of strategies for adaptation to SLR to anticipate the effects of coastal flooding. Our study provides major guidance for conservation planning under global change in several countries of the Mediterranean region.

How three-dimensional forest structure regulates the amount and timing of snowmelt across a climatic gradient of snow persistence

Across the western United States, forests are changing rapidly, with uncertain impacts on snowmelt water resources. Snow partitioning is controlled by forest effects on interception, radiation, and sublimation. Yet, models often lack snow measurements with sufficiently high spatial and temporal resolution across gradients of forest structure to accurately represent these fine-scale processes. Here, we utilize four Snowtography stations in Arizona, in the lower Colorado River Basin, with daily measurements over 3–5 years at ~110 positions distributed across gradients of forest structure resulting from wildfires and mechanical thinning. We combine Snowtography with lidar snapshots of forest and snow to train a high-resolution snow model and run it for 6 years to quantify how forest structure regulates snowpack and snowmelt. These study sites represent a climate gradient from lower/warmer ephemeral snowpack (~2,100 m asl) to higher/colder seasonal snowpack (~2,800 m asl). Forest cover reduced snowpack and snowmelt through canopy sublimation. Forest advanced snowmelt timing at lower/warmer sites but delayed it at higher/colder sites. Within canopy gaps, shaded cool edges had the greatest peak snow water equivalent (SWE). Surprisingly, sunny/warm gap edges produced more snowmelt than cool edges, because high radiation melted snow quickly, reducing exposure to sublimation. Therefore, peak SWE is not an ideal proxy for snowmelt volume from ephemeral snowpacks, which are becoming more prevalent due to warming. The results imply that forest management can influence the amount and timing of snowmelt, and that there may be decision trade-offs between enhancing forest resilience through delayed snowmelt and maximizing snowmelt volumes for downstream water resources.

Shift in microbial biomass, soil and microbial stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India

The change in soil microbial biomass and stoichiometry in different land uses of Northeast India were assessed by using the fumigation extraction method. The pattern of microbial biomass C, N, and P followed the sequence of forest (650.36, 62.86 and 254.54μgg−1) > grassland (62.86, 39.30 and 31.76 μgg−1> cropland (31.84,18.62 and 15.54 μgg−1), and exhibits seasonality with the lowest concentrations during the winter season across all land uses. The maximum concentrations were recorded during the rainy season in the forest and the summer season in both grassland and cropland. Microbial ratios (C: N, C: P and N: P) and proportions of microbial biomass to total soil nutrients vary with a variance in land use types. Soil microbial biomass exhibited a positive significant relation with soil nutrients but negatively related with soil temperature and moisture in all the study sites. Two-way ANOVA of soil microbial biomass exhibits significant differences due to seasons and land use types (p< 0.01). The microbial stoichiometry of the present study indicates N limitations in the study sites, while the proportion of microbial nutrients to total soil nutrients reveals nutrient mineralization in the forest and immobilization and competition in grassland and cropland. Furthermore, this study indicates that landuse and soil management practices interfere with microbial stoichiometry and nutrient release and immobilization patterns. Improving the retention of organic matter in ecosystems may enhance microbial activity and soil health.

Mental health workers’ perspectives on the implementation of a peer support intervention in five countries: qualitative findings from the UPSIDES study

ObjectiveThe introduction of peer support in mental health teams creates opportunities and challenges for both peer and non-peer staff. However, the majority of research on mental health workers’ (MHWs) experiences...

Diversity of orchid types in the Oeluan Tourism Forest, Bijeli Village, Noemuti District, North Central Timor Regency

Indonesia as a mega biodiversity country has a variety of fauna and flora. One of the floras that is often found in Indonesia is orchids. Orchids have high economic value and are able to balance the ecosystem in their habitat. This study was aimed at determining the diversity of orchid species in the Oeluan tourism forest. The current study employed a quantitative descriptive study by using the transect and the purposive sampling method. The research was conducted in February at the Oeluan Tourism Forest. The results of this study indicated that there were four terrestrial orchid genera and three epiphytic orchid genera. The analysis of the diversity index of orchid species in the Oeluan tourism forest resulted in the diversity index of (H’) 1.0438 in the medium category. The measured environmental factors at the study site were an average soil pH of 7, an average humidity of 76.33% and an average air temperature of 27.400C. The diversity of orchid species in the Oeluan tourism forest, bijeli village, Noemuti district, North Central Timor regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, was included in the medium category.

Unveiling school community perceptions of nutrition-friendly school initiatives in preschool settings in rural Sindh province, Pakistan: an exploratory study

IntroductionIn 1995, the World Health Organization launched its Global School Health Initiative to expand the Health Promoting School (HPS). The objective of this study was to explore the perception of the school community in implementing nutrition-friendly school initiatives in preschool settings.MethodsThis paper delineates the exploratory phase of a mixed-method study, which broadly aims to assess the adoption of the Nutrition Friendly School Initiative (NFSI) through a preschool preparedness intervention package in rural Sindh province, Pakistan. The study sites include three campuses of the Aga Khan School (Mirpur Sakro, Junior Campus Vur, and a community-based school in Sujawal). Participants were selected purposively from these campuses and constituted a committee named ‘school community,’ which was responsible for implementing all activities outlined in the intervention package. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews and consultative meeting with the school community. Thematic analysis was employed for data analysis.ResultsThe analysis established five major themes that represent the participants’ perception of school-based nutrition interventions in preschool settings. These five themes include (i) Challenges in health and nutrition for pre-school age children, (ii) Clarity in roles and responsibilities for school-based nutrition intervention, (iii) Advancing school-based nutrition activities and interventions, (iv) Recognizing resources requirements, (v) Opportunities and challenges for the way forward in school-based nutrition. Findings also suggest sustainability and scalability measures that include the aligning School Nutrition Policy with the school handbook, ways to engage with parents, a nutrition theme corner, the inclusion of a parenting component in the nutrition manual, and capacity building of the school community.ConclusionQualitative findings have guided the refinement of the intervention package, proposing additional measures for sustainability and scalability across AKES, P. The school community is hopeful that the implementation of the refined intervention package will enhance preschool preparedness toward achieving nutrition-friendly school checklist items. This study holds strong potential for replication in a public school setting and presents an opportunity to launch a school accreditation program to certify schools as Nutrition-friendly.