Vegetation Substrate Research Articles

Quality assessment of US-extracts from cranberries

The article presents experimental results of determining physical and chemical parameters, antioxidant activity and macronutrient content in the obtained extracts prepared from fresh and previously frozen cranberries, using the method of ultrasonic extraction. As the experimental setup used the extractor with a submersible ultrasonic emitter. The essence of his work is as follows: the mixture of extractant, and a vegetable substrate in different proportions loaded in a container with emitter, and then include ultrasonic generator. Vibrations of ultrasonic frequency (22 kHz), high frequency excited mechanical vibrations under the effect of which in the treated mixture formed in the zone of intensive cavitation and diffuse to the dissolution of the cellular substrates in the extractant. The extraction process was carried out at a temperature of 20–22 °C for 15 min. Freezing was performed according to the technology shock freezing at a temperature from -35 to -40 °C and to achieve the internal product temperature of -18 °C. As a control examined the extract obtained according to the traditional technology by steeping at a temperature of 85–90 for 5 minutes and further cooling for 2–3 hours. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of pre-freezing on the physical-chemical characteristics of the ex-tracts from cranberries, obtained using the method of ultrasonic extraction. The results of the research showed the feasibility of pre-freezing the berries before extraction, the possibility of obtaining extracts with improved functionality(antioxidant activity, content of macroelements, organic acids) and quality (mass fraction of dry substances) of frozen berries that is necessary to substantiate the technological regimes in the practical implementation of the production of extracts using the sequential freezing and ultrasound seasonally adjusted production of berry raw materials.

Corn germ-bran oils extracted with alcoholic solvents: Extraction yield, oil composition and evaluation of protein solubility of defatted meal

Ethanol and isopropanol as solvents for vegetable oil extraction process have very attractive advantages including low toxicity, good operational security and high nutraceutical-extracting capability, useful in many vegetable substrates, besides they can be obtained from renewable sources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the extraction of corn germ-bran oil with these alcohols and their aqueous solutions, at temperatures from 50 up to 80°C. The results showed that the oil and carbohydrate extraction yields are influenced by the type and hydration level of the solvent and temperature, while this last variable has not shown influence on liquid holdup. In sequential extraction trials, aqueous ethanol allowed oil extraction yields of approximately 70%, while the other solvents reached 90%. Regarding nitrogen solubility index of the protein present in defatted meal, a decrease was observed after the oil extraction process, being more prominent for systems where aqueous solvents were used. From the results, it can be inferred that alcoholic solvents enable extracting corn oils with a typical fatty acid composition; aqueous ethanol leads the extraction of higher levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols (449 and 195mg/kg, respectively) and absolute isopropanol has the best performance in the extraction of carotenoids (373mg/kg).

Briófitas de área de Cerrado da região Centro-Oeste do Brasil

The Cerrado is a savanna formation predominantly located in the central Brazilian plateau; this vegetation is rich in bryophytes. This study analyzes bryophyte diversity, composition and distribution among various Cerrado vegetation types (Gallery Forest, Deciduous Forest, Rupestrian Cerrado and Rupestrian Fields) and substrates in the Area de Protecao Ambiental Morro do Macaco, from municipality of Ipora, Goias state, in Central-West Brazil. The collection was performed in four plots of 20m x 20m, in each vegetation types, from August to December 2010, the data were analyzed with the Shannon-Wiener (H’) and Simpson diversity index and the floristic similarity with UPGMA. We found 37 species, with 28 to Bryophyta and nine to Marchantiophyta. Trichostomum brachydontium Bruch is a new record to the Brazilian Midwest and an endemic species (Archidium oblongifolium Peralta et al.) occurs in the study area. The forested areas were the richest in species number and the substrate most colonized was soil. The results extend the information about the Cerrado bryophytes, increasing the knowledge of their taxonomic diversity and ecology.Keywords: mosses, liverworts, community ecology, Brazilian savanna.

Supplementation with fruit and okara soybean by-products and amaranth flour increases the folate production by starter and probiotic cultures

The ability of two starter cultures (Streptococcus (S.) thermophilus ST-M6 and St. thermophilus TA-40) and eleven probiotic cultures (St. thermophilus TH-4, Lactobacillus (Lb.) acidophilus LA-5, Lb. fermentum PCC, Lb. reuteri RC-14, Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei, Lb. casei 431, Lb. paracasei subsp. paracasei F19, Lb. rhamnosus GR-1, and Lb. rhamnosus LGG, Bifidobacterium (B.) animalis subsp. lactis BB-12, B. longum subsp. longum BB-46, and B. longum subsp. infantis BB-02) to produce folate in a modified MRS broth (mMRS) supplemented with different fruit (passion fruit, acerola, orange, and mango) and okara soybean by-products and amaranth flour was investigated. Initially, the folate content of each vegetable substrate was determined: passion fruit by-product showed the lowest folate content (8±2ng/mL) and okara the highest (457±22ng/mL). When the orange by-product and amaranth flour were added to mMRS, all strains were able to increase folate production after 24h of fermentation. B. longum subsp infantis BB-02 produced the highest concentrations (1223±116ng/mL) in amaranth flour. Okara was the substrate that had the lowest impact on the folate production by all strains evaluated. Lb. acidophilus LA-5 (297±36ng/mL) and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (237±23ng/mL) were also able to produce folate after growth in mMRS containing acerola and orange by-products, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that folate production is not only strain-dependent but also influenced by the addition of different substrates in the growth media.

Ecological aspects of Lebiasina erythrinoides (Characiformes: Lebiasinidae) from an andean piedmont stream in Colombia

The present study describes ecological aspects of <em>Lebiasina erythrinoides</em>; 200 individuals were sampled throughout an annual hydrological cycle from October 2008 to September 2009 in La Calaboza stream, a Piedmont tributary of the Rio Cravo Sur. The studied population had more females than males (1.5:1) and preferred habitats dominated by shoreline vegetation and rocky substrates. Prior to reproductive events, individuals presented an increase in the condition factor (K) and the gonosomatic index (GSI). On average, 648.8 oocytes are discharged twice a year: at the beginning of the rainy season, and during falling water phase. The mean sizes at sexual maturity found for females were 73.5 mm standard length (SL) and for males 70 mm SL. Rounding up, an average minimum size of capture of 75 mm SL is proposed. Most specimens of the population (65 %) were found to be maturing or mature (stages II and III), 28.5 % immature (stage I), 5.0 % in post reproduction stage V, and 1.5 % in reproductive phase (IV). Results suggest this species is omnivorous with a preference for invertebrates (IRI = 41.2 %) and vegetal material (IRI = 27.8 %), but also includes a variety of other items. The values of the diet are correlated with hydrological cycle and size.

Biomass and Sterol Production from Vegetal Substrate Fermentation Using Agaricus brasiliensis

AbstractAgaricus brasiliensis was cultivated in vegetal substrates through submerged and solid‐state fermentation. We aimed to determine which combination of fermentation methods and substrates would allow greater production of biomass and sterols for applications in nutraceutical foods. Six vegetal substrates were tested: wheat and malt grains, apple, grape and pineapple pomaces, and pineapple peel. Average ergosterol and total sterol levels ranged from 324 to 1,267 μg/g and from 701 to 2,659 μg/g, respectively. The extraction of ergosterol from biomass was optimized by experimental design. As a consequence, a simple and efficient extraction procedure was achieved. Seven sterols were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in fermented samples, and ergosterol and β‐sitosterol were the most abundant. All substrates allowed a good development of A. brasiliensis mycelium with outstanding results for malt in submerged phase.Practical ApplicationsThe vegetal substrates wheat grains, malt grains, apple pomace, grape pomace, pineapple pomace and pineapple peel promote a good development of Agaricus brasiliensis mycelium through solid‐state fermentation and submerged fermentation techniques. Some of those substrates are discarded by the food industry. The results in this study indicate that vegetal residues from food industry could be effectively used as substrates to produce edible and medicinal mushrooms and sterols. Production of mycelium from the methods employed proved to be simple, fast, reproducible and efficient. Biomass production using residues from food industry adds value to these residues and at the same time solves disposal problems of agricultural by‐products.

Equilibrium partition of rapeseed oil between supercritical CO2 and prepressed rapeseed

The equilibrium partition of a vegetable extract between supercritical (SC) CO2 (fluid phase) and a vegetable substrate (solid phase) is commonly best-fitted in the mathematical simulation of extraction curves. The aim of this study was to develop and apply an experimental methodology to measure the equilibrium partition of rapeseed oil between SC CO2 and prepressed rapeseed. We measured and modelled sorption isotherm/isobar curves using a methodology that intersperses extraction (to reduce oil content) and equilibration (by recirculation of the SC CO2 phase) steps, with oil being sampled in each step. Oil desorption was a two-stage process; when rapeseed contains more than ∼70–80gkg−1 oil/substrate the SC CO2 phase gets saturated with oil (Cf=Csat), whereas when it contains less oil this is bound to the solid matrix in such a way that Cf dips below Csat. Increasing pressure from 22 to 28MPa at constant temperature (40°C) increases Cf. The effect of the increase in pressure is less pronounced when SC CO2 density is kept constant (857.1kg/m3) by simultaneously increasing temperature from 40 to 50°C. The heat of desorption of the oil is ∼100kJ/mol which suggests it is bound to the prepressed seed by van der Waals interaction forces. However experimental values in this region are uncertain due to propagation of uncertainties to estimate Cs.

Lettuce seedlings development index in different substrates using multivariate analysis

The quality seedlings production, which is dependent on the substrate used, are fundamental to the establishment of vegetable crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of lettuce seedlings in response to addition of vermiculite concentrations of substrates (pine bark, coconut fiber and peat) through the use of multivariate statistical methods. An experiment was conducted, where treatments consisted of vegetable substrates combinations and three concentrations of vermiculite (0, 25 and 50%), were added to the substrates. Lettuce crop was used as test plant, from which we evaluated the seedlings emergence, the root volume (RV), roots and shoot fresh and dry phytomass, true leaves number and the smaller true leaf height. The principal component analysis and canonical discriminant function analysis were applied. The seedling emergence was lower when using coconut fiber as sub­strate. The other variables evaluated have had maximum increments when using peat. The first two principal components explained 84.70% of the total variance. The RV was the most important for seedlings produced, variable highlighted by the use of the two multivariate methods, which has proved to be suitable for qualitative assessments of seedlings. The quality of lettuce seedlings is not affected by the addition of vermiculite in substrates composed of pine bark, coconut fiber and peat.

ПРЕВРАЩЕНИЯ ПОЛИСАХАРИДОВ И ЛИГНИНА В ДРЕВЕСИНЕ ПРИ ОЗОНИРОВАНИИ

Ozonation is a method of vegetable raw substrates pretreatment in relation to cellulose as well as monosaccharides processing. It was investigated the process of ozone consumption by wood of various water content. The data on lignin and polysaccharides transformations in aspen wood ozonation are presented in the paper. It was considered a gradual transformation of the substrate: wood – ozonated wood – cellulose-containing product – holocellulose – cellulose. Yields of ozonated wood, cellulose-containing product, water soluble ozonaton products, holocellulose, and cellulose were determined. The lignin content in the cellulose-containing product was determined. Both holocellulose and cellulose samples were studied by IR spectroscopy method. The degree of polymerization, and molecular mass distribution of cellulose obtained from ozonated wood were determined. It is shown that destruction of wood by ozone impact is accompanied by lignin, hemicelluloses, and cellulose degradation. It is found that physicochemical p roperties of cellulose obtained from ozonated wood can be regulated by the variation of the initial water content of the substrate. Wood destruction is due to reactions of molecular ozone as well as radical species which have been generated by ozone reactions with water presenting in the substrate structure.

Trajectory of Water- and Fat-Soluble Dyes in the Grass-Cutting ant Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera, Formicidae): Evaluation of Infrabuccal Cavity, Post-Pharyngeal Glands and Gaster

The diet of leaf-cutting ants is based on cultivation of their symbiotic fungus, whose successful cultivation depends on the task of incorporation and handling of vegetable substrate. This task may cause the workers to be contaminated with toxic substances and thus decrease the survival of the colony. The objective of this study was to analyze the contamination of workers of Atta capiguara as well as the dissemination trajectory of water- and fat-soluble substances. Four colonies received non-toxic baits containing water-soluble dye Rhodamine-B and three, non-toxic baits with fat-soluble dye Sudan III. The dye Rhodamine-B stained the gaster in 40.31% of workers and showed no significant difference among castes. The Sudan III stained the infrabuccal cavity in 35.41%, post-pharyngeal glands of 24.22% and gaster in only 8.44% of the workers, with no significant difference among the castes. The watersoluble dye was spread in the body of workers through the digestive system while fat-soluble dye was diverted to the post-pharyngeal glands.

Spent Mushroom Compost as a Substrate for the Production of Lettuce Seedlings

The successful production of marketable lettuce heads with full exploitation of the genetic potential of a particular cultivar depends on the availability of seedlings of the highest quality. The aims of the present study were (i) to evaluate the effects of substrates containing different proportions of spent mushroom compost on the growth of lettuce seedlings, and (ii) to determine the enduring effects of substrates containing spent mushroom substrate on the vigor of mature lettuce plants derived from such seedlings. The substrates employed in the germination and development of lettuce seedlings were obtained by mixing spent compost from the cultivation of Agaricus subrufescens and commercial vegetable substrate in different proportions. Seedlings were evaluated with respect to the number of leaves and the height, fresh mass and dry mass of the aerial parts, while mature plants were appraised according to stem height and circumference, fresh mass and dry mass of the lettuce head. Substrate containing between 42 to 48% spent mushroom substrate provided the most adequate conditions for the growth and development of crisphead lettuce seedlings and, consequently, of vigorous marketable plants. Under such conditions, the fresh mass of the aerial parts of seedlings attained a level of 0.89 g plant-1, while the fresh mass of the marketable heads achieved a maximum of 233.45 g plant-1. The data presented herein verify that top quality lettuce seedlings yield high quality marketable heads, and that quality improvement can be brought about by the addition of spent mushroom substrate.

Microhabitat Use and Vertical Habitat Partitioning of Juvenile Atlantic (Gadus morhua) and Greenland (Gadus ogac) Cod in Coastal Newfoundland

Twenty co-occurring juvenile gadids (10 Gadus ogac and 10 Gadus morhua) were surgically implanted with ultrasonic transmitters with depth sensors and continuously monitored for up to 23 days in the summers of 2009 and 2010 to test fine-scale habitat use and vertical distribution overlap in coastal Newfoundland (>18700 positional fixes). A habitat map with 8 substrate and 3 slope classes (low (<5°), moderate (5-10°), and high (>10°)) was generated from acoustic data and coincident video data using seabed mapping software (QTC). Fish locations were integrated with a habitat map to assess and quantify habitat preference. Both species avoided fine gravel/sand substrates with little vegetation and selected for large particle (cobble and boulder) substrates with moderate or dense vegetation, and spent the majority of time in < 10 m of water. Nevertheless, species differences in habitat use were evident. G. ogac typically remained in close proximity to the seafloor whereas G. morhua was often distributed more pelagically and showed greater variation in vertical distribution. Habitat use and vertical distribution patterns were consistent across the diel period. Our results suggest that despite high overlap in habitat use, G. morhua and G. ogac often segregate vertically in the water column, which may reduce competitive interference. We suggest that these patterns are related to differences in diet.

Natural elicitors of plant defense response in strawberry1

Natural substances such as elicitors of plant defense response, has become a promising option for effective management of plant diseases and are a prerequisite for sustainable and ecological agriculture. Recognition of diverse elicitors, effectors and modulators by specific and nonspecific plant receptors activates signalling cascades eventually leading to gene expression and defense responses. Elicited or primed plants display either faster, stronger, or both activation of the various cellular defense responses that are induced following attack by either pathogens or insects or in response to abiotic stress. The aim of this work has been to develop new elicitor compounds from natural vegetal substrates, and predict its effectiveness in the field by using robust molecular techniques and appropriate biomarkers of plant defense. Thus, Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Chandler cell suspension cultures, and real-time, quantitative PCR analysis (RTqPCR) were utilized to test the elicitor capability of new natural elicitors. This experimental approach was applied to analyze the pattern of gene expression of specific strawberry genes already known to be good markers of SA- and JA-dependent signalling pathways, which were used as defense induced biomarkers in plants. In addition, determination of total phenols and antioxidant activity, and HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of polyphenolic compounds was performed in these cell suspension samples. Susceptibility to C. acutatum of strawberry treated with the new elicitor was performed in greenhouse under controlled conditions. In collaboration with AGROMETODOS, S.A., we have produced new natural compounds that can act as elicitors. We have compared the elicitor activity of a new compound (EH) with the commercial product BROTOMAX ® . The new product EH and BROTOMAX ® activate plant defense related genes in cell suspension cultures. Also, both products induce polyphenol production in this assay. The new product EH and BROTOMAX ® increased the strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Camarosa) and olive (Olea europaea L. cv. Picual) resistance against Colletotrichum acutatum and Fusicladium oleaginum plant infections, respectively. We can conclude that new natural bioelicitors can be produced by low-cost procedures based on fermentation of natural substrates derived from plants. The use of suitable, sensitive, appropriate and robust molecular biomarkers also provide an excellent molecular tool to predict the effectiveness in the field of natural compounds with potential eliciting ability, which may be conveniently exploited as ecological bioinducers of plant defense response in strawberry and in many other important crops.

Evaluation of a Two-Source Snow–Vegetation Energy Balance Model for Estimating Surface Energy Fluxes in a Rangeland Ecosystem

Abstract The utility of a snow–vegetation energy balance model for estimating surface energy fluxes is evaluated with field measurements at two sites in a rangeland ecosystem in southwestern Idaho during the winter of 2007: one site dominated by aspen vegetation and the other by sagebrush. Model parameterizations are adopted from the two-source energy balance (TSEB) modeling scheme, which estimates fluxes from the vegetation and surface substrate separately using remotely sensed measurements of land surface temperature. Modifications include development of routines to account for surface snowmelt energy flux and snow masking of vegetation. Comparisons between modeled and measured surface energy fluxes of net radiation and turbulent heat showed reasonable agreement when considering measurement uncertainties in snow environments and the simplified algorithm used for the snow surface heat flux, particularly on a daily basis. There was generally better performance over the aspen field site, likely due to more reliable input data of snow depth/snow cover. The model was robust in capturing the evolution of surface energy fluxes during melt periods. The model behavior was also consistent with previous studies that indicate the occurrence of upward sensible heat fluxes during daytime owing to solar heating of vegetation limbs and branches, which often exceeds the downward sensible heat flux driving the snowmelt. However, model simulations over aspen trees showed that the upward sensible heat flux could be reversed for a lower canopy fraction owing to the dominance of downward sensible heat flux over snow. This indicates that reliable vegetation or snow cover fraction inputs to the model are needed for estimating fluxes over snow-covered landscapes.

Relationships between substrate, surface characteristics, and vegetation in an initial ecosystem

Abstract. We investigated surface and vegetation dynamics in the artificial initial ecosystem "Chicken Creek" (Lusatia, Germany) in the years 2006–2011 across a wide spectrum of empirical data. We scrutinized three overarching hypotheses concerning (1) the relations between initial geomorphological and substrate characteristics with surface structure and terrain properties, (2) the effects of the latter on the occurrence of grouped plant species, and (3) vegetation density effects on terrain surface change. Our data comprise and conflate annual vegetation monitoring results, biennial terrestrial laser scans (starting in 2008), annual groundwater levels, and initially measured soil characteristics. The empirical evidence mostly confirms the hypotheses, revealing statistically significant relations for several goal variables: (1) the surface structure properties, local rill density, local relief energy and terrain surface height change; (2) the cover of different plant groups (annual, herbaceous, grass-like, woody, Fabaceae), and local vegetation height; and (3) terrain surface height change showed significant time-dependent relations with a variable that proxies local plant biomass. Additionally, period specific effects (like a calendar-year optimum effect for the occurrence of Fabaceae) were proven. Further and beyond the hypotheses, our findings on the spatiotemporal dynamics during the system's early development grasp processes which generally mark the transition from a geo-hydro-system towards a bio-geo-hydro system (weakening geomorphology effects on substrate surface dynamics, while vegetation effects intensify with time), where pure geomorphology or substrate feedbacks are changing into vegetation–substrate feedback processes.

The use of agricultural substrates to improve methane yield in anaerobic co-digestion with pig slurry: Effect of substrate type and inclusion level

Anaerobic co-digestion of pig slurry with four agricultural substrates (tomato, pepper, persimmon and peach) was investigated. Each agricultural substrate was tested in co-digestion with pig slurry at four inclusion levels: 0%, 15%, 30% and 50%. Inclusion levels consisted in the replacement of the volatile solids (VS) from the pig slurry with the VS from the agricultural substrate. The effect of substrate type and inclusion level on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) was evaluated in a batch assay performed at 35°C for 100days. Agricultural substrate’s chemical composition was also analyzed and related with BMP. Additionally, Bacteria and Archaea domains together with the four main methanogenic archaeal orders were quantified using quantitative real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) at the end of the experiment to determine the influence of agricultural substrate on sludge’s microbial composition. Results showed that vegetable substrates (pepper and tomato) had higher lipid and protein content and lower carbohydrates than fruit substrates (persimmon and peach). Among substrates, vegetable substrates showed higher BMP than fruit substrates. Higher BMP values were obtained with increasing addition of agricultural substrate. The replacement of 50% of VS from pig slurry by tomato and pepper increased BMP in 41% and 44%, respectively compared with pig slurry only. Lower increments in BMP were achieved with lower inclusion levels. Results from qPCR showed that total bacteria and total archaea gene concentrations were similar in all combinations tested. Methanomicrobiales gene concentrations dominated over the rest of individual archaeal orders.

Effect of buckwheat flour and oat bran on growth and cell viability of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501®, Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502® and their combination SYNBIO®, in synbiotic fermented milk

Fermented foods have a great significance since they provide and preserve large quantities of nutritious foods in a wide diversity of flavors, aromas and texture, which enrich the human diet. Originally fermented milks were developed as a means of preserving nutrients and are the most representatives of the category. The first aim of this study was to screen the effect of buckwheat flour and oat bran as prebiotics on the production of probiotic fiber-enriched fermented milks, by investigating the kinetics of acidification of buckwheat flour- and oat bran-supplemented milk fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501®, Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502® and their 1:1 combination named SYNBIO®. The probiotic strains viability, pH and sensory characteristics of the fermented fiber-enriched milk products, stored at 4°C for 28days were also monitored. The results showed that supplementation of whole milk with the tested probiotic strains and the two vegetable substrates results in a significant faster lowering of the pH. Also, the stability of L. rhamnosus IMC 501®, L. paracasei IMC 502® and SYNBIO® during storage at 4°C for 28days in buckwheat flour- and oat bran-supplemented samples was remarkably enhanced. The second aim of the study was to develop a new synbiotic product using the best combination of probiotics and prebiotics by promoting better growth and survival and be acceptable to the consumers with high concentration of probiotic strain. This new product was used to conduct a human feeding trial to validate the fermented milk as a carrier for transporting bacterial cells into the human gastrointestinal tract. The probiotic strains were recovered from fecal samples in 40 out of 40 volunteers fed for 4weeks one portion per day of synbiotic fermented milk carrying about 109 viable cells.

Where the bears roam in Majella National Park, Italy

The Brown bear (Ursus arctos Linnaeus, 1758) occupies contiguous areas in Eastern and Northern Europe. In Western Europe, the largest remnant populations occur in Cantabria, Spain and the Apennines, Italy. Under Italian law the bear and its occupied range are protected. The occupied range of the Apennine brown bear includes Majella National Park. However, information on the distribution within Majella NP is extrapolated and inconsistent, thus precluding evidence-based protected area and species management. To address this lack of information, bear presence records (1996–2010) were collated and corrected for observational bias. Multiple Species Distribution Models (SDMs) were created at 800m resolution to predict year-round and seasonal bear distribution. A hierarchical, stepwise maxent SDM approach was applied using climatic, terrain, vegetation, and anthropogenic predictors of bear distribution. Occupied ranges were identified by point density analysis of bear presence. Our climate-only SDMs predicted bear presence in areas with relatively low snowfall and temperate temperatures. Year-round bear distribution was also accurately predicted by using temperate-montane elevations and mesic, mesotrophic vegetation substrates, irrespective of vegetation. Ski-resorts were negative predictors of year-round bear occurrence. Bears were predicted in autumn and winter by beech forest, in spring by meadows and in summer by a variety of vegetation categories. The regional and our local models predicted bear throughout the south. However, our predicted and occupied range in the north includes the Orta valley and exclude alpine heights, contrary to the regional models. Only our summer bear range is similar to a regional SDM. We demonstrated that multiple maxent SDMs using a modest number of observations and a comprehensive set of environmental variables may generate essential distributional information for protected area and species management where full wildlife and food source censuses are lacking.

Emergent relation between surface vapor conductance and relative humidity profiles yields evaporation rates from weather data

The ability to predict terrestrial evapotranspiration (E) is limited by the complexity of rate-limiting pathways as water moves through the soil, vegetation (roots, xylem, stomata), canopy air space, and the atmospheric boundary layer. The impossibility of specifying the numerous parameters required to model this process in full spatial detail has necessitated spatially upscaled models that depend on effective parameters such as the surface vapor conductance (C(surf)). C(surf) accounts for the biophysical and hydrological effects on diffusion through the soil and vegetation substrate. This approach, however, requires either site-specific calibration of C(surf) to measured E, or further parameterization based on metrics such as leaf area, senescence state, stomatal conductance, soil texture, soil moisture, and water table depth. Here, we show that this key, rate-limiting, parameter can be estimated from an emergent relationship between the diurnal cycle of the relative humidity profile and E. The relation is that the vertical variance of the relative humidity profile is less than would occur for increased or decreased evaporation rates, suggesting that land-atmosphere feedback processes minimize this variance. It is found to hold over a wide range of climate conditions (arid-humid) and limiting factors (soil moisture, leaf area, energy). With this relation, estimates of E and C(surf) can be obtained globally from widely available meteorological measurements, many of which have been archived since the early 1900s. In conjunction with precipitation and stream flow, long-term E estimates provide insights and empirical constraints on projected accelerations of the hydrologic cycle.

Researches Regarding the Presence of some Mycotoxins in Different Vegetal Products Used as Food stuffs or Fodders

The mycotoxin contamination of some products which constitutes vegetal substrates in differentfoodstuff or fodder was often ignored, despite the fact that the consumption of such products mayseriously jeopardize the health. Different food stuffs and fodders samples were collected from a county inthe South of Romania and it was studied the concentration of ochratoxin A, zearalenone, fumonisin,deoxynivalenol (DON) and total aflatoxin. Mycotoxins identification was made by using ELISA methodand the results interpretation was done according to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) no.1881/2006. Following the investigations there were recorded values of 1,28-5,40 times higher than theadmitted limits for DON concentration in 7 out of 194 analyzed samples and of 1,40-5,00 times higher forochratoxin A in 2 out of 93 analyzed samples. For zearalenone, total aflatoxin and fumonisin, theconcentrations ranged within the admitted limits in all samples. During this study, mycotoxincontamination was noticed for a large number of samples. Even if the levels of contamination recordedvalues lower than the admitted limit, they provide a clear picture regarding the quality of raw materialsused for various food and fodder and their processing, transport, storage and marketing conditions.