Summer Vegetation Research Articles

Efficacy of Bio-Agents in Managing Root Rot of Okra Caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Okra or lady’s finger [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is one of the most important summer vegetables of Rajasthan as well as India. Okra is attacked by several diseases caused by fungi and important one is root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, which is an important constraint to the crop and causes significant economic losses. During present study, two bio-agents were evaluated alone and in combination Trichoderma harzianum through seed (4 g/kg) and soil (4 kg/ha) applications for two consecutive years under artificial inoculation conditions in the field. Among these, seed + soil application of Trichoderma harzianum was found most effective in reducing disease incidence (48.76%) and in increasing pod yield (13.46%) followed by seed treatment with T. harzianum + soil application of Pseudomonas fluorescens (46.41% and 12.84%, respectively). Looking to the increasing demand of organically produces in the market, root rot disease can be managed effectively with these eco-friendly approaches for supplying organically produced vegetables to fulfil the ever-increasing demand among health-conscious people.

Irrigation Water in Northwest Syria: Impact of the Recent Crisis and Drought

This study examines how Northwest Syria’s arable and irrigated areas are changing, with a particular emphasis on processes that have affected cultivation and water availability since 2011. A substantial decline in cultivated areas is revealed by the analysis of 502 samples from various stakeholders, including farmers, well owners, well-digging companies, agricultural pharmacies, and service offices. District-specific variations show a decrease of 15.3% and 8.5% in total cultivated land and irrigated areas, respectively. Particularly in areas known for their summer vegetables and winter crops, such Al-Bab and Jebel Saman, agricultural productivity has drastically decreased since 2011. Today, 67% of irrigation comes from groundwater wells, especially in Jabal Saman and Idleb, whereas Jisr-Ash-Shugur depends on the Orontes River. Due to drought and a lack of regulatory oversight, the number of irrigation wells has risen since 2011, severely reducing water supplies and driving up irrigation prices. High fuel and electricity costs, uncontrolled well drilling, broken machinery, and insufficient irrigation systems are some of the main obstacles. A lot of well owners would rather sell drinking water, which would cut down on irrigated land and crop cultivation. The needs of the stakeholders include subsidies for fuel and electricity, the development of alternative energy, well repairs, improvements to irrigation systems, the provision of agricultural inputs, and better local water management. This study emphasizes the critical need for focused interventions to support agriculture and livelihoods in Northwest Syria and offers significant insights for sustainable water management solutions.

Spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of extreme fire severity in Spain for the period 1985–2018

Extreme fire severity patterns driven by climate change have deep consequences on vegetation, subsequent fire regimes and have consequences on the effectiveness of extinction. In this work, we aimed to determine if extreme fire severity defined as the 90th percentile of RdNBR has changed in Spain in the last 3 decades, if extreme fire severity patterns have differed among the different vegetation types and what drivers have influenced extreme fire severity in both summer and non-summer fires. We have used perimeters of large wildfires (≥100 ha, n = 1719) from 1985 to 2018 in four pyroregions and the main dominant vegetation types. We have analyzed time series for each pyroregion and vegetation type to determine if there were significant trends and breakpoints in extreme fire severity. We have also analyzed the effects of drought, weather, topography and vegetation on extreme fire severity in seasonal wildfires.Extreme fire severity increased in summer fires from 1985 to 2018, especially in the East and North pyroregions, while the Southwest pyroregion reached highest values in summer. There has been an increase of severity in shrubland, mosaic vegetation and conifer forests in summer. Broadleaved forests had the lowest values of fire severity and did not show any trend in the period considered. The most important drivers of extreme fire severity are, in order of importance, pyroregion, elevation, slope, vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and vegetation type for summer fires, and VPD, vegetation types, pyroregion, windspeed and drought for non-summer fires. Global change is increasing climate-related events. Our results indicate that extreme fire severity in summer has been on the rise in recent decades in Spain, suggesting that, in a climate warming context, without strategic management of these increasingly flammable landscapes, further increases may be likely.

THE NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS BETWEEN TOURIST EXPLOITATION AND DEGRADATION, CASE OF EL KALA NATIONAL PARK (ALGERIA)

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area and is among the countries in the world that possess a rich natural and cultural heritage due to its size, diversity of regions, environments, cultures, and the civilizations that passed through it, including Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Ottomans, and others. Our study area, the El Kala National Park, is one of the most important regions in Algeria with significant natural and cultural resources. It boasts an important coastal strip with numerous beautiful beaches and tourism expansion zones that could attract investors. Additionally, it contains various ecosystems, including lakes, dunes, forests, diverse flora and fauna and historical sites from different eras, most notably the El Kala Church. However, this heritage faces degradation due to irresponsible practices, such as the destruction of vegetation in summer 2022, despite existing protective laws. These challenges prompted our study, which partly examines Algeria's policies on tourism, environmental conservation, and heritage preservation. The research methodology employs a combined approach, starting with a historical analysis of the park's status since its UNESCO world heritage classification. We then address the natural ecosystems in the area, illustrated with images, and present a comprehensive study of tourism potentials. Finally, we conduct an in-depth analysis using the SWOT method to obtain a holistic view of the region's natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. Based on our findings, we offer conclusions and recommendations to promote tourism and drive regional development while preserving the ecosystems and natural and cultural heritage of El Kala National Park from degradation and damage.

Direct and indirect effects of urbanization on vegetation: A survey of Yunnan central urban Economic Circle, China

Urbanization affects vegetation distribution by changing land cover. However, it also significantly changes urban water and heat conditions, affecting vegetation growth and development. Vegetation coverage is an effective indicator of vegetation growth. This study analyzed trends in vegetation coverage over the past 35 years, taking the Yunnan Central Urban Economic Circle as the study area. The study was based on applying the pixel dichotomy model and correlation statistical analysis on joint Landsat 5, 7, and 8 long- term remote sensing data, meteorological, and land use data. The direct and indirect effects of urbanization on vegetation coverage were also further explored by constructing an urbanization impact framework. The results revealed that: (1) The urban area during urbanization from 1986 to 2021 increased by 720.29 km2. There was a continuous decline in vegetation cover in and around urban areas, which intensified with accelerating urbanization, with the effect being more pronounced in suburban areas. (2) There were consistent increasing trends in urbanization’s direct and indirect effects on vegetation over the last 35 years, with average negative and positive effects of − 0.41 and 1.59, respectively. (3) Direct effects could mainly be attributed to the expansion of impervious surfaces, whereas the main indirect effect during the late urbanization period (2011–2020) was increasing average temperature. The average temperature showed a correlation coefficient with urbanization of 0.7767, and this relationship showed seasonal heterogeneity due to the significant growth of urban vegetation in summer and winter. (4) Cities that developed faster showed better environmental planning and construction. The direct and indirect effects of urbanization on vegetation during the early and middle stages were higher in cities developing at slow and moderate rates, with this trend reversing only in the later stages of urbanization. The results of this study can increase understanding of the effect of urbanization on vegetation coverage in the Yunnan Central Urban Economic Circle. They can assist in improving urban green spaces and urban ecological resilience.

Winter climate preconditioning of summer vegetation extremes in the Northern Hemisphere

Abstract The impact of the spring climate on the Northern Hemisphere’s summer vegetation activity and extremes has been extensively researched, but less attention has been devoted to whether and how the winter climate may additionally influence vegetation extremes in the summer. Here, we provide insights into the influence of winter temperature and precipitation on summer vegetation extremes in the Northern Hemisphere. To do this, we identify positive and negative extremes in the summer leaf area index (LAI, a proxy for vegetation activity) and assess winter effects on those extremes using logistic regression at the regional scale. Over a quarter of the regions in the Northern Hemisphere show strong winter climate preconditioning on summer LAI extremes, which is typically stronger for croplands than forests. In regions with strong winter preconditioning, the spring LAI mediates the link between winter climate and summer LAI extremes through the ecological memory in seasonal legacy effects. Our findings suggest that extremely low summer LAI in both croplands and forests is preconditioned by colder and drier winters, while extremely high summer LAI in forests is associated with warmer and wetter winters. For low summer LAI in croplands, warmer winters are associated with an increased likelihood of extremes in mid-latitude regions and a reduced likelihood in high-latitude regions. Consideration of winter preconditioning effects may improve our understanding of inter-annual variability of vegetation activity and support agricultural and land management practitioners in anticipating the detrimental effects of winter on crop yields and forest conditions.

Application of combined GA3 and NAA treatments to improve yield and quality of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

In Bangladesh, okra is an important popular summer vegetable. However, traditional farming practices often lead to suboptimal yields. Thus, the study was designed to determine the ideal GA3 and NAA doses for accelerating okra growth, yield, and quality characteristics. A three-replication, randomized complete block design was adopted. Foliar sprays with three concentrations of GA3 (0 ppm, 150 ppm, and 250 ppm) and NAA (0 ppm, 150 ppm, and 250 ppm) were applied in 2022 and 2023. In comparison to the control, the combined application of GA3 @ 150 ppm and NAA @ 150 ppm improved plant height, leaf number, leaf area, branch number, internode length, bud number, pod number, pod length, pod diameter, and 1000 seed weight average over the two years. Furthermore, GA3 @ 150 ppm with NAA 150 ppm increased yield by 35.08% and 27.01% in 2022 and 2023 respectively, above the control. Combining NAA @ 150 ppm with GA3 resulted in higher levels of vitamin C, TSS, magnesium, and zinc by 19.31%, 81.2%, 22.73% and 21.43% in 2022 and 22.83%, 50.57%, 18.07%, 33.33% in 2023 respectively, compared to the control. In contrast, GA3 and NAA decreased potassium and calcium in both year when compared to the control. Overall, the results of this experiment indicated that using GA3 @ 150 ppm with NAA @ 150 ppm could enhance okra growth, yield, and quality. These findings provide insightful information for improving okra cultivation techniques and improving Bangladesh’s productivity in agriculture and food security.

Calculating Costs and Marketing Margins for Summer Vegetable Crops Under the Protected Agriculture System in Baghdad Governorate for the Agricultural Season 2022/2023

Calculating Costs and Marketing Margins for Summer Vegetable Crops Under the Protected Agriculture System in Baghdad Governorate for the Agricultural Season 2022/2023

Quantifying the Impacts of Dry–Wet Combination Events on Vegetation Vulnerability in the Loess Plateau under a Changing Environment

Extreme drought and flood events, as well as their combined events, pose significant challenges to global sustainable socio-economic development and ecological health. However, the impact of dry–wet combination events (DWCEs) on vegetation vulnerability remains to be investigated. The Loess Plateau (LP) was selected as the study area to explore the response time of vegetation to precipitation index changes by optimal correlation coefficient; then, the impact of different DWCEs on vegetation vulnerability under moderate and severe scenarios was analyzed; finally, a vegetation loss probability model was constructed based on the copula function and Bayesian framework, to quantify the vegetation loss probability under DWCEs stress. The results indicate that: (1) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) shows an upward trend in spring, summer, and autumn, with the proportion of areas are 90.5%, 86.2%, and 95.4%, respectively, and show an insignificant trend in winter; (2) the response time of vegetation to precipitation index changes tends to be one or two seasons; (3) moderate scenarios have more influence than severe scenarios, dry-to-wet events (DWEs), wet-to-dry events (WDE) and continuous dry events (CDE) in spring-summer have a significant impact on summer vegetation of Ningxia and Shanxi, and WDE and CDE have a higher impact on autumn vegetation. (4) in terms of the probability of vegetation loss, DWE, and CDE cause higher losses to summer vegetation, while WDE and CDE cause higher losses to autumn vegetation. This study quantifies the impact of adjacent seasonal DWCE stress on future vegetation vulnerability.

Earlier Spring-Summer Phenology and Higher Photosynthetic Peak Altered the Seasonal Patterns of Vegetation Productivity in Alpine Ecosystems

Carbon uptake of vegetation is controlled by phenology and photosynthetic carbon uptake capacity. However, our knowledge of the seasonal responses of vegetation productivity to phenological and physiological changes in alpine ecosystems is still weak. In this study, we quantified the spatio-temporal variations of vegetation phenology and gross primary productivity (GPP) across the source region of the Yellow River (SRYR) by analyzing MODIS-derived vegetation phenology and GPP from 2001 to 2019, and explored how vegetation phenology and maximum carbon uptake capacity (GPPmax) affected seasonal GPP over the region. Our results showed that the SRYR experienced significantly advanced trends (p < 0.05) for both start (SOS) and peak (POS) of the growing season from 2001 to 2019. Spring GPP (GPPspr) had a significantly increasing trend (p < 0.01), and the earlier SOS had obvious positive effects on GPPspr. Summer GPP (GPPsum) was significantly and negatively correlated to POS (p < 0.05). In addition, GPPmax had a significant and positive correlation with GPPsum and GPPann (p < 0.01), respectively. It was found that an earlier spring-summer phenology and higher photosynthetic peak enhanced the photosynthetic efficiency of vegetation in spring and summer and altered the seasonal patterns of vegetation productivity in the SRYR under warming and wetting climates. This study indicated that not only spring and autumn phenology but also summer phenology and maximum carbon uptake capacity should be regarded as crucial indicators regulating the carbon uptake process in alpine ecosystems. This research provides important information about how changes in phenology affect vegetation productivity in alpine ecosystems under global climate warming.

Seasonal Response of the NDVI to the SPEI at Different Time Scales in Yinshanbeilu, Inner Mongolia, China

Recently, the frequent occurrence of droughts has caused a serious impact on vegetation growth and progression. This research is based upon the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from 2001 to 2020. The correlation between the NDVI and standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at disparate time scales was used to assess the response of vegetation growth to drought in the Yinshanbeilu region. The drought levels of SPEI1, SPEI3, SPEI6, and SPEI12 increased prominently in the eastern region of the country, while the NDVI decreased significantly from east to west in spring, summer, and autumn but was reversed in the winter. The area with an upward trend (33.86%) was slightly lower than that with a downward trend (66.14%). The correlation coefficients between the NDVI and SPEI over the entire year increased with the SPEI timescale. The elevated values were concentrated in the southeastern and western regions of the survey region. Additionally, the best correlation timescales were SPEI6 and SPEI12. Grassland was the most sensitive vegetation type to the SPEI response in the NDVI. The correlation coefficients of NDVI and SPEI1–12 were 0.313, 0.459, 0.422, and 0.406. Both spring and summer were more responsive to SPEI12, whereas autumn and winter were more responsive to SPEI3. The correlation of disparate time scales exhibited complex soil texture features with respect to different seasonal scales, and the soil texture showed a strong response to vegetation in both summer and autumn. Loam, sandy loam, and silty loam all exhibited the highest response to SPEI12, with coefficients of 0.509, 0.474, and 0.403, respectively.

Comparative efficacy of non-electric cooling techniques to reduce nutrient solution temperature for the sustainable cultivation of summer vegetables in open-air hydroponics.

The cultivation of summer vegetables in open-air nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponics is limited due to the elevated nutrient solution temperature (NST). In this regard, non-electric evaporative-cooling techniques were explored to maintain NST in open-air NFT hydroponics. Four cooling setups were employed by wrapping polyvinyl chloride (PVC) grow pipes with one and two layers of either wet or dry jute fabrics and attaching them with coiled aluminum pipe buried inside a) wet sand-filled brick tunnels (Cooling Setup I), b) two inverted and vertically stacked earthen pots (Cooling Setup II), c) two inverted and vertically stacked earthen pots externally wrapped with wet jute fabric (Wrapped Cooling Setup II), and d) an earthen pitcher wrapped with wet jute fabric (Cooling Setup III). Wrapping grow pipes with two layers of wet jute fabric reduced NST by 5°C as compared to exposed (naked) grow pipes. The double-layer jute fabric-wrapped grow pipes produced 182% more reduction in NST in comparison to single layer-wrapped grow pipes. Additionally, the installation of Wrapped Cooling Setup II and Cooling Setup III outperformed Cooling Setup I and Cooling Setup II through NST reduction of approximately 4°C in comparison to control. Interestingly, Cooling Setup III showed its effectiveness through NST reductions of 193%, 88%, and 23% during 11a.m.-12 p.m. as compared to Cooling Setup I, Cooling Setup II, and Wrapped Cooling Setup II, respectively. In contrast, Wrapped Cooling Setup II caused NST reductions of 168%, 191%, and 18% during 2-3 p.m. in comparison to Cooling Setup I, Cooling Setup II, and Cooling Setup III, respectively. Thus, the double-layer jute fabric-wrapped grow pipes linked with Wrapped Cooling Setup II can ensure summer vegetable cultivation in open-air NFT hydroponics as indicated by the survival of five out of 12 vegetable plants till harvest by maintaining NST between 26°C and 28°C.

Exploring the role of strategic urban planning and greening in decreasing surface urban heat island intensity

ABSTRACT Surface urban heat islands (SUHIs) are a significant concern in urban areas worldwide owing to their adverse effects on energy consumption, human health, and urban climate. Strategic urban planning incorporating abundant vegetation is an approach to moderate the UHI effect, promoting cooler, greener and more sustainable cities. This study investigates SUHIs in Seoul and Ulsan, South Korea, from 2001 to 2022, using satellite measurements. Summer daytime SUHII holds significant importance due to the frequent presence of heatwaves and its combined effects with UHI phenomenon. Remarkably, Seoul has shown a significant decrease in summer daytime SUHIs (−0.03°C/yr in Terra and −0.05°C/yr in Aqua), attributed to increased vegetation (0.03/decade in Terra and 0.02/decade in Aqua) in the city’s core. In contrast, Ulsan saw rising SUHIs (+0.04°C/yr), linked to reduced summer vegetation. Daytime SUHII is highest in both Seoul and Ulsan during summer months with both Terra and Aqua datasets, and peaks in the month of June with values reaching up to 2.98°C in Seoul and 3.39°C in Ulsan. Increasing urban greenery, including tree planting, and expanded green spaces, proves effective in mitigating SUHIs, offering valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers to enhance urban sustainability, particularly in megacities like Seoul.

Patterns of insecticide uses and its impact on the health of the farmers in Tangail district of Bangladesh

Appropriate and judicious application of insecticide is the most effective measure of crop protection against the injury and damage of insect pests. However, the tendency of the farmers is to apply insecticide without maintaining proper dose, time and precautionary measures. This study was conducted in Dhanbari and Madhupur upazilas of the Tangail district during July to October 2020 to find out the patterns of insecticide use on summer vegetables and the potential risks of insecticides on the health of farmers. Data were collected from randomly selected 120 farmers through a pre-tested questionnaire. The majority of farmers within the study area obtained information regarding specific insect pests and the recommended insecticide from local retailer shops 81.7%), whereas information on insecticide dosage was primarily gathered from experts (91.7%). In the study area, farmers applied insecticides once/twice a season (66.7%). The survey report showed that 60.0% of the farmers applied insecticides without reading the label information, while all the farmers applied insecticides using hand driven sprayer machine between the hours of 10 am to 3 pm. Results revealed that 63.3% of the farmers took a moderate protective measures, but 93.3% did not consider pre-harvest Interval (PHI). A considerable portion of farmers (48.3%) kept pesticide bottles and packaging alongside other inputs, while most respondents (96.6%) disposed of these items in the fields. It was found that 70.0% of the farmers were acquainted with health hazards, 56.6% knew about water pollution, 54.1% knew about reduction of pollinators due to insecticide application. Based on the perspectives of the participants, it was also found that, 60.0% farmers suffered from physical weakness, 55.0% suffered in loss of appetite, 38.3% suffered in eye irritation, 28.3% experienced in body itching, and 12.7% suffered urinary and sexual disorder. Ann. Bangladesh Agric. (2023) 27 (1): 31-39

Diminishing carryover benefits of earlier spring vegetation growth.

Spring vegetation growth can benefit summer growth by increasing foliage area and carbon sequestration potential, or impair it by consuming additional resources needed for sustaining subsequent growth. However, the prevalent driving mechanism and its temporal changes remain unknown. Using satellite observations and long-term atmospheric CO2 records, here we show a weakening trend of the linkage between spring and summer vegetation growth/productivity in the Northern Hemisphere during 1982-2021. This weakening is driven by warmer and more extreme hot weather that becomes unfavourable for peak-season growth, shifting peak plant functioning away from earlier periods. This is further exacerbated by seasonally growing ecosystem water stress due to reduced water supply and enhanced water demand. Our finding suggests that beneficial carryover effects of spring growth on summer growth are diminishing or even reversing, acting as an early warning sign of the ongoing shift of climatic effects from stimulating to suppressing plant photosynthesis during the early to peak seasons.

The responses of ecological indicators to compound extreme climate indices in Southwestern China

Global warming has been leading to frequent climate extremes, and a single variable of climate extremes is no longer sufficient to fully assess the impact of climate extremes on ecosystems, requiring a synergistic multivariate inquiry. We obtain the compound warm-dry index (CWD) and the compound cold-dry index (CCD), based on a Copula theory with a binary distribution of a standardized precipitation index (SPI) and a standardized temperature index (STI). Changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of the compound extreme climate indices (CECIs) and the direct and lag responses of ecological indicators (EIs) to the CECIs in Southwestern China (SWC) are analyzed using these two indices. We find that CECIs rise continually during 1980–2019 (p < 0.05), with spring CCD being particularly pronounced (74.8 %, p < 0.01). Moreover, there are regional asymmetries and seasonal asymmetries in the direct and lag responses of ecosystems to compound extreme climate events (CECEs). CWD promotes productivity in spring and the response diminishes in summer, with the response area shifting towards higher altitudes. Spring CWD has a strong lag effect that will suppress summer productivity at higher elevation (>3000 m). Spring CCD promotes the growth of vegetation at low elevation (<1000 m), while summer CCD inhibits it at high elevation. Meanwhile, spring CCD has a strong lag positive effect on summer vegetation growth at low elevation specifically in Sichuan Basin, especially for crops (46.8 %). Our findings highlight the impact of compound climatic conditions on vegetation at specific geographical terrain, and vegetation in different regions can have complex and different responses to compound climate extremes.

АДАПТИВНОСТЬ НОВЫХ ПОДВОЕВ ЯБЛОНИ СЕРИИ СТ К СТРЕССАМ ЛЕТНЕГО ПЕРИОДА ВЕГЕТАЦИИ

Within the framework of the joint program of the FSBSI NCFSCHVW and the Stavropol experimental station of horticulture – Branch of Federal State Scientific Institution «North-Caucasian FNAC», for the breeding of apple tree rootstocks, hybrids of apple-tree rootstocks of the ST series were assessed in terms of their adaptability to the conditions of the summer vegetation period in the central subzone of the Prikuban horticultural zone (Krasnodar city). The resistance of apple rootstocks to the stresses was determined by the water content and water-holding capacity of the leaves, which characterize the ability of plants to maintain water homeostasis during stress. In the nursery of offspring rootstocks, the drought resistance of apple tree rootstocks was determined by the laboratory-field method during the period of the greatest intensity of the water regime of plants. The zoned rootstock MM-106 was used as a control. The leaves of rootstocks CT 20-2 and CT 18-2 retained water better, in which the water loss for 2 hours of exposure was 28.3 and 30.3 % compared to 34.7 % for the control rootstock MM-106. The high water-holding capacity of the ST 20-2 rootstock was previously noted in the dry August 2020 – water loss in 4 hours was 31.5 % compared to 53.0 % for rootstock MM-106. The most productive were trees of the Prikubanskoye variety on rootstocks SK 2U, ST 20-4, 106-3, ST 13-3. The best specific productivity for five years of fruiting was in trees on rootstocks SK 2U, SK 5 and ST 13-3 hybrid (5.28; 4.74 and 4.22 kg/m2 ). Selected and recommended f or participation in breeding programs as a source of drought resistance rootstock ST 20-2 (MM-106 x M 9) and as a source of tree productivity in the garden, rootstock ST 13-3 (rootstock 58-250 x free pollination).

Population dynamics of the threatened Oregon spotted frog before and after drought mitigation

AbstractAmphibians are among the most sensitive taxa to climate change, and species inhabiting arid and semiarid landscapes at the extremes of their range are especially vulnerable to drought. The Jack Creek, Oregon, USA, population of Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) faces unique challenges because it occupies the highest elevation site in the species' extant range and one that has been transformed by loss of American beavers (Castor canadensis), which historically maintained open water. We evaluated the effects of drought mitigation (addition of excavated ponds) on relationships between local and regional water availability, inactive legacy beaver dams, and Oregon spotted frog population dynamics in the Jack Creek system. We conducted egg mass surveys and capture‐mark‐recapture sampling at a treatment reach with excavated ponds and 3 reference reaches over 13 years; surveys spanned a period before and after pond excavation at the treatment and 1 primary comparison reference reach. We analyzed data using a combination of robust design capture‐mark‐recapture estimators and generalized linear mixed models to characterize population dynamics. Adult Oregon spotted frog survival was approximately 19.5% higher at the treatment reach than the primary reference reach during the study period. Annual survival was most strongly associated with late summer vegetation greenness, a proxy for water availability, and males had higher survival than females. Among the 4 study reaches, the treatment reach consistently had higher late summer vegetation greenness, and the hydrology functioned more independently of regional precipitation patterns relative to the reference reaches; however, these dynamics were not linked to pond excavation. Breeding was concentrated in 2 legacy beaver ponds that were deepened by excavation during the study compared to an unexcavated beaver pond, 2 excavated ponds without legacy beaver dams, and 9 reference ponds. These results point to the benefit of enhancing existing beaver structures and indicate that management actions aimed at maintaining surface water for breeding in spring and saturated soils and ponded water for adults in late summer would benefit this unique population of Oregon spotted frogs in the face of drought.

The Impact of Vegetation Canopy on the Outdoor Thermal Environment in Cold Winter and Spring

The current study investigated the impact of vegetation canopy on the outdoor thermal environment in cold winter and spring, a less-explored aspect of its climate effects. Firstly, we conducted on-site observations of meteorology parameters on a campus in a hot summer and cold winter region. Then the ENVI-met microclimate simulation model was utilized to simulate the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, and solar radiation of typical winter and spring days. Furthermore, the PET index was calculated to evaluate the thermal conditions. Our findings revealed that during the daytime, the vegetation canopy raised air temperature and relative humidity, reduced wind speed, and mitigated solar radiation. Solar radiation emerged as the primary factor affecting thermal comfort in the cold winter and spring. The presence of deciduous broad-leaved vegetation notably reduced cold discomfort and improved thermal comfort in the cold winter and spring. Finally, we propose replacing evergreen broad-leaved vegetation with deciduous broad-leaved vegetation in hot summer and cold winter regions to ensure year-round thermal comfort, especially in the cold winter and spring.

Some physical properties of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) seeds and kernels

A noteworthy member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is a slender, vine-like annual summer vegetable. Despite the health promoting features, it is among the neglected vegetables in terms of both production values and scientific studies. The current study was aimed to assess some physico-mechanical properties of bitter gourd seeds and kernels viz., sizes, geometric shapes, angle of repose, densities, 1000-seed and kernel weight and, coefficient of friction on several surfaces (aluminum, chrome, iron, plastic, rubber, cardboard, glass and MDF wooden panel) in order to determine to important parameters to design seed sowing machines the materials to be used in storage and their design, the screening/separation/classification processes and the processing of bitter gourd into a commercial product. It has been observed that the seeds of bitter gourd have similar geometrical properties with the seeds of melon, watermelon, squash and cucumber from the Cucurbitaceae family. While closer values were observed in terms of length and width, it was determined that the seeds of bitter gourd were thicker. The lengths, widths, and thicknesses of these seeds/kernels with a moisture content of 16% (w.b.) according to the wet base were found to be 14.176/11.517, 7.562/5.922, and 4.076/2.815 mm, respectively. The angle of repose, thousand grain weight and true density of seeds/kernels were found 28.467/26.982°, 202.931/118.359 g and 0.919/1.659 g/cm3 respectively. Obtained results most likely can serve bitter gourd to be grown in large amounts in different part of the world where the climate is suitable for growing.