Wet Winter Research Articles

Вплив параметрів дискових сошників на передавальну здатність прорізання пожнивних решток у системі нульового обробітку ґрунту

The implementation of no-tillage seeding technology has a number of economic and environmental benefits, such as improved soil properties, reduced erosion and soil degradation, and improved time and fuel efficiency. However, the main disadvantage of these technologies is that plant residues on the surface of the soil reduce the ability of uniform germination of seeds of agricultural crops, which requires the introduction of an additional process of harvesting or cutting plant residues. Theoretical studies substantiate the dependence of the diameter of a single disc coulter on the working depth of penetration of the disc, the depth of the layer of plant residues and the angle of compression. The use of active and passive coulters, which cut the straw by sliding on the working surface of the field. Experimental studies have established that the use of four different forms of disc coulters with a diameter of 380 mm (smooth with the number of teeth n=0, groove depth Δr=0 mm; toothed n=12, Δr=15 mm; toothed n=18, Δr=10 mm; toothed n=18, Δr=20 mm), straw with natural moisture (W=10.1%) and wet winter wheat straw with moisture (W=22.3%) were best cut through. Experimental studies have confirmed the restriction of the rotation of the active disc coulter at high speeds (speed coefficient λ>1.37 and λ=1.58), which leads to a greater amount of cut straw, compared to the case of using a disc coulter with passive rotation in contact with the soil ( λ=1.0). Serrated disc coulters cut straw and crop residues more efficiently than smooth discs. Studies confirm the dependence of straw cutting ability on the moisture content of the material, where the amount of straw cut through decreases as the moisture content of the material increases. Forced rotation of a toothed disc coulter (speed coefficient λ>1.37 and λ=1.58) in untreated soil (moisture 12.9±0.4%, hardness 0.5 MPa, disc penetration depth up to 35 mm) provides 56 ,0 – 69.3% cutting of winter wheat straw of natural moisture (W=10.1%); which is significantly greater than the values obtained during free movement of the disk toothed coulter at (λ=1.0).

Foraging preferences of the threatened coastal California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica ) during the non-breeding season

We studied the foraging behavior of the federally threatened coastal California Gnatcatcher (<em>Polioptila californica</em>), an obligate insectivore, during the non-breeding season, a period of reduced survivorship for this non-migratory passerine due to seasonal aridity and the onset of cold winter storms. During the seasonal dry period in fall (October–November), California Gnatcatchers preferentially foraged in fall-blooming shrubs such as coyote brush (<em>Baccharis pilularis</em>), and California brickelbush (<em>Brickellia californica</em>). Upon the onset of the wet winter period (December–January), foraging California Gnatcatchers demonstrated a seasonal shift toward drought deciduous shrubs then leafing out, especially coastal sagebrush (<em>Artemisia californica</em>). Our findings suggest that California Gnatcatchers shift their foraging preferences seasonally to track available food resources. Additionally, our findings point to the value of floristic diversity within California Gnatcatcher habitat to provide year-round foraging opportunities for this obligate insectivore.

The Seismic Signature of California's Earthquakes, Droughts, and Floods

AbstractThis study investigates changes in seismic velocities in the period 1999–2021 using about 700 permanent and temporary broadband seismic stations in the state of California. We compute single‐station cross‐correlations of the ambient seismic noise and use the coda‐wave interferometry to measure the changes in seismic velocities (dv/v) using a stretching technique. We focus on the 2–4 Hz frequency band and the upper 500 m of the near‐surface sensitivity. We discuss dv/v within the context of nonlinear elasticity. We fit models of thermoelastic strains, various hydrological models that diffuse rainwater, and slow‐dynamics healing models for the postseismic response of earthquakes. In general, we find that both thermoelastic strains and hydrological strains have a similar amplitude of impacts on dv/v. We find that the diffusion of rainwater using a drained response in a poroelastic medium explains most of the data. The best fit hydraulic diffusivity is high in the mountains and low in the basin. We find that the largest drop in seismic velocity occurs during the 2004–2005 wet winter and that the 2011–2016. Drought is characterized by a multiyear marked increase in dv/v. We interpret site‐specific variations with land subsidence or inflation detected by remote sensing. We also find a decade‐long postseismic response of two major earthquakes and bound the time scale of relaxation processes to a few years. Together, we see long‐term changes in seismic velocities showing a positive trend over two decades that we can interpret as long‐term lowering of the groundwater table.

Statistical analysis of excess water on drainage systems in the northern part of Serbia

Drainage systems in Serbia are mainly designed to evacuate excess water generated in the winter-spring period, which occurs as a result of snow accumulation during the long and wet winter and its sudden melting with the parallel appearance of spring rains. Dimensioning of the drainage system is done in such a way as to satisfy the needs of draining the design excess water, which is usually calculated using the water balance. Applying statistical analysis based on distributions of probability, the results of the future occurrence of excess water can be predicted. The paper tests the distribution that best corresponds to the empirical distribution of excess water obtained by applying the water balance. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling, and χ2 tests were used to test a number of theoretical distributions, and basis on those tests Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution was selected, which is often used in hydrological analyzes. The probabilities of excess water on drainage systems for the return period of 5, 10, 50, and 100 years were obtained. The results of the calculations can be used in the reconstruction of existing drainage systems, since most of them were designed more than 50 years ago, or in the planning and design of new drainage systems.

Climate Change Impacts on Water Resources in the Danube River Basin: A Hydrological Modelling Study Using EURO-CORDEX Climate Scenarios

Climate change affects the hydrological cycle of river basins and strongly impacts water resource availability. The mechanistic hydrological model PROMET was driven with an ensemble of EURO-CORDEX regional climate model projections under the emission scenarios RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 to analyze changes in temperature, precipitation, soil water content, plant water stress, snow water equivalent (SWE) and runoff dynamics in the Danube River Basin (DRB) in the near (2031–2060) and far future (2071–2100) compared to the historical reference (1971–2000). Climate change impacts remain moderate for RCP2.6 and become severe for RCP8.5, exhibiting strong year-round warming trends in the far future with wetter winters in the Upper Danube and drier summers in the Lower Danube, leading to decreasing summer soil water contents, increasing plant water stress and decreasing SWE. Discharge seasonality of the Danube River shifts toward increasing winter runoff and decreasing summer runoff, while the risk of high flows increases along the entire Danube mainstream and the risk of low flows increases along the Lower Danube River. Our results reveal increasing climate change-induced discrepancies between water surplus and demand in space and time, likely leading to intensified upstream–downstream and inter-sectoral water competition in the DRB under climate change.

Carbon uptake by Douglas-fir is more sensitive to increased temperature and vapor pressure deficit than reduced rainfall in the western Cascade Mountains, Oregon, USA

Understanding how trees respond to drought is critical to understanding forest sensitivity to global climate change, which can help inform forest policy and management decisions. However, mechanisms governing carbon fixation and water fluxes in response to increased temperatures and water limitation in regions with Mediterranean climates, with wet winters and dry summers, remain only partially understood. We tested the effect of increased vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and decreased rainfall on water and carbon fluxes of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees using the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere model (SPA). We simulated a 50-year-old Douglas-fir stand on the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, USA. Simulation results showed that increasing the daily maximum VPD by 0.25–2.5 kPa during the summer increased cumulative transpiration by 1–3% and decreased cumulative gross primary production by 3–25%. In contrast, decreasing rainfall by 10–100% during the spring and summer decreased cumulative transpiration by 2–16% and decreased cumulative gross primary production by 0.5–4%. Transpiration was highly sensitive to decreases in rainfall, especially in late spring and early summer but much less sensitive to increases in maximum daily VPD. In contrast, gross primary productivity was much more sensitive to VPD, with summertime increases in VPD having a 5- to 6-fold greater effect on gross primary productivity than did decreasing the rainfall. These results suggested that temperature increases expected from climate change in combination with increases in VPD are likely to reduce forest productivity regardless of soil moisture availability.

Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth Responses to Drought Stress in Annual Medicago L. and Trifolium L. Forages

Climate change in the Mediterranean-like regions of South Africa has resulted in increased rainfall variability, a delayed start to the wet winter season, and increased occurrences of out-of-season summer rainfall events. These changes in bioclimatic conditions are predicted to become more pronounced and, therefore, could result in poor seedling establishment and false breaks from the soil seed bank, followed by seedling desiccation in annual medic and clover pastures. This study therefore aimed to quantify and compare the responses of three annual Medicago species and five annual Trifolium species to drought stress imposed at the seed germination, seedling establishment, and early seedling growth stages. Three separate controlled trials were conducted. Firstly, the seeds were germinated in seed germination chambers at constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 °C, in 5 °C increments, with five osmotic treatments within each temperature, and germination was recorded daily. For the second experiment, seeds were planted at 100, 70, 50, and 30% of the soil’s moisture-holding capacity without subsequent watering, and emergence was recorded daily. For the third experiment, one-month-old seedlings were subjected to two water-limitation periods (15 or 30 days), and their subsequent morphological responses were measured. The results from these experiments indicated that the species differed significantly in their responses to drought, and the best-performing species often differed when drought was imposed at different development stages. Five species—M. polymorpha L., M. truncatula Gaertn., T. alexandrinum L., T. vesiculosum Savi., and T. subterraneum L. ssp. subterraneum—were able to tolerate incidences of drought better than other species and, thus, should be prioritized for further research into the variation in drought tolerance between cultivars within these species.

Active populations and growth of soil microorganisms are framed by mean annual precipitation in three California annual grasslands

Climate influences soil microbial composition and function, but the relative importance of a site's historic climate versus its more immediate environmental conditions is unclear. Using quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP), we characterized actively growing soil microbial communities and soil properties in three California annual grasslands that span a rainfall gradient and have developed on similar parent material. The soils were assayed in the wet winter season, when environmental conditions are most similar across sites. Since growing populations might be expected to be most responsive to contemporary environmental conditions, we hypothesized that the structure of growing microbial communities would be more similar across the gradient than that of total communities (i.e., including non-growing populations). In addition, we hypothesized that population growth rates would be slowest in the driest site, reflecting a legacy effect of low soil moisture on microbial growth. Soils along the rainfall gradient differed in pH, texture, and cation exchange capacity, but not in total C, C:N or dominant minerals. The radiocarbon (14C) age of soil C (reflecting turnover time) increased with mean annual precipitation but soil respiration was uniformly modern, reflecting microbial reliance on recent C inputs across the sites. The structure of both total and growing microbial communities differed across sites. Across major microbial phyla, including the Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes and Proteobacteria, bacterial growth rates were consistently lower in the site with the lowest mean annual precipitation. Taxa that were growing at the dry site alone grew more slowly than taxa that grew at multiple sites. These results reflect the influence of climate history and point to the role of environmental filtering at the driest site in shaping its slower growing microbial community, possibly reflecting adaptation to repeated exposure to water stress. Lastly, across taxa, the growth rate of a taxon at one site was correlated with its growth rate in the other sites. This growth rate coherence is likely a consequence of genetically determined physiological traits and is consistent with the idea that evolutionary history constrains growth rate.

Growth trends and environmental drivers of major tree species of the northern hardwood forest of eastern North America

The future health and productivity of tree species in the northern hardwood forest of eastern North America are uncertain considering changes in climate and pollution loading there. To better understand the trajectory of the northern hardwood forest, we studied the growth of three tree species emblematic of it: sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh), American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton), plus a fourth species, red maple (Acer rubrum L.), whose abundance has increased in the region. We also analyzed the link between growth and several factors for 690 trees in 45 plots throughout Vermont, USA: tree age and size, site elevation, and climate and acid deposition variables. Throughout their chronologies (1945–2014), all four species exhibited increasing growth followed by plateaued growth indicative of a maturing forest. For all species, summer moisture was positively correlated with growth, summer temperature was negatively associated with growth, and winter moisture or snow were positively correlated with growth. This last association was expected for sugar maple. However, our data suggest that winter snowpack may be more broadly relevant in sustaining tree growth in a region where snow has historically insulated the soil from freezing that can damage roots and lead to reduced aboveground growth. Measures of pollution deposition were also correlated with growth for all species except American beech—a species with documented tolerance to pollutant inputs. Of the four species studied, red maple had the fewest associations with environmental variables, which suggests that it may be less susceptible to growth reductions as the climate changes.

BIOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF WINTER CEREALS IN THE NORTHERN TRANS-URALS, RUSSIA

Winter cereals (wheat, triticale, and rye) are the most cultivated crops in Russia, and their yield and quality results from the combination of environment and farm management. Generally, winter cereals have a much higher yield than spring cereals due to the ability to use winter moisture for growth. The latest study aimed to conduct a comparative assessment of the winter wheat, triticale, and rye according to the variability of quantitative traits under the environmental conditions of Northern Trans-Urals, Russia, during 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. Results revealed that the genotypes of winter triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) and winter rye (Secale cereale L.) showed improved harvests compared with winter wheat even under unfavorable environmental conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals, Russia. The chlorophyll content in the plant leaves was used as a tool for screening the genotypes of different winter cereals. Plant screening with the SPAD 502 Plus optical chlorophyll counter made it possible to determine the responses of genotypes to the heat and water stress conditions. For chlorophyll content in the flag leaf cells, intra- and inter-specific differences were observed. The fields of winter crops harvested in summer (late July to early August) can serve for growing multifunctional crops like ground cover, fodder, and green manure crops.

Climate Change Affecting Forest Fire and Flood Risk—Facts, Predictions, and Perceptions in Central and South Greece

Global Climate change (CC) is featured by long-term changes in the mean values of climatic parameters (predominantly mean temperature) and in the profile of extreme weather events (e.g., increase in frequency, intensity, lengthening, and persistence). These climatic changes are supposed to have a deterioration impact on forest fire and flood disasters. Greece, an east Mediterranean country, is featured by a wide variety of micro-climates due to its unique geographical diversity, including hot and dry summers in the eastern part of the country (where a large amount of precipitation falls in the form of showers and thunderstorms) and wet winters in the western part. The combination of certain climatic zones with unfavorable land use and land cover changing patterns has resulted in several regions being prone to flooding and forest fires. The authors, based on relevant records, consider central and south Greece as flood and forest fire hotspots and attempt to: (a) present scientific estimations of local climate changes; (b) outline recent trends in the number of respective disasters and the amount of losses in these regions; (c) address recent changes in local climatic factors that might have influenced flood and forest fire hazard and risk in these regions; and (d) study the perceptions of the lay public and management authorities regarding the accountability of CC for flood and forest fire risk and hazard changes. The results show the variability of climate changes between neighboring areas, which directly affect the risk of forest fires and floods. Especially since the beginning of the 21st century, central Greece has been experiencing dramatic increases in both risks, while in south Greece the latter remain relatively stable. With regard to the perceptions of citizens and management authorities, the mental connection of local CC with forest fires and floods is still weak if not totally missing. Since knowledge and perceptions of the local “history” of forest fires and floods and the interconnections with CC by region is very important for the local communities to take appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures, this paper outlines a methodological path for similar studies to be conducted also in other regions of the Mediterranean basin and beyond.

Estuarine Recruitment of Longfin Smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) north of the San Francisco Estuary

Longfin Smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) was an important forage fish in the San Francisco Estuary (the SFE) but was listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in 2009. This has inspired research within the estuary at the southern edge of their distribution. However, populations also exist in other estuaries along the coast, which are far less described despite their potential importance in a meta-population. We surveyed Longfin Smelt populations along the northern California coast for larval recruitment. We conducted surveys in 2019 and 2020 to (1) identify estuaries north of the SFE where spawning occurs, and (2) evaluate how habitat features (e.g., salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity) influenced Longfin Smelt larvae abundance. We detected larvae in four of 16 estuaries we surveyed, and all were large estuaries north of Cape Mendocino. No larvae were detected in eight coastal estuaries in closer proximity to the SFE. Larvae catch probability increased with turbidity and decreased with salinity with no significant influence of temperature and dissolved oxygen. In the wet winter of 2019, we observed lower densities of larvae in Humboldt Bay and the Eel River, and detected no Longfin Smelt in the Klamath and Mad Rivers; in the dry winter of 2020, we detected larvae in two additional estuaries. Possibly elevated freshwater outflow in 2019 increased transport rates to the sea, resulting in the observed low larval recruitment. Our results suggest that, while populations of Longfin Smelt exist in large estuaries north of Cape Mendocino, coastal estuaries in proximity to the SFE were either under-sampled or are not permanently inhabited by Longfin Smelt. This suggests that the threatened estuary Longfin Smelt population may lack the resiliency afforded by meta-populations and advocates for increased monitoring over a range of hydrologic conditions and improving detection probabilities for future assessments of gene flow between populations.

Effects of soil humidity on respiration and frost resistance during winter diapause in the pine beauty moth, Panolis flammea

Abstract Panolis flammea is an important pest whose populations intermittently outbreak in Europe. The species overwinters as pharate moths in the pupal stage in soil. Details on the metabolic activity and cold hardiness of P. flammea during the overwintering period have not been published. Therefore, we assessed O2 consumption and the supercooling point (SCP) of P. flammea in late November, mid‐February, and mid‐March and the influence of soil humidity under fluctuating temperatures and with brief exposures to two increased temperature regimes (10 and 20°C). The respiration pattern indicated diapause termination in mid‐February. A threshold of 0.169 μl O2 h−1 mg−1 fresh weight indicated potentially activated pre‐emerging moths. Drought increased respiration rates. The SCP was lowest in mid‐February (−22.2°C) and was negatively correlated with pupal mass. The frost tolerance tended to increase with low substrate humidity, especially at the end of the overwintering period. Our results indicate that P. flammea requires more energy during dry and mild winters than in wet and cold winters. Winter diapause termination and post‐diapause development may therefore be accelerated as environmental warming and drought increase.

Downwind control of oceanic air by land: the land wake and its sensitivity to CO2

Oceans are well-known to be directly altered by global climate forcings such as greenhouse gas changes, but how oceans are indirectly influenced by land and its response to such forcings remains less explored. Here, we assess the present-day and projected future state of a little-explored feature of the climate system—a ‘land wake’ in relative humidity downwind of the east coast of North America, consisting of low-humidity continental air extending roughly 1000 km over the Atlantic ocean. The wake exists throughout the year, but is supported by high continental temperatures in summer and low continental moisture in winter. The wake is well represented in an ensemble of global climate models (GCMs), qualitatively matching reanalysis data. Under increasing atmospheric CO2, the land wake intensifies in GCM simulations through two pathways: the radiative effects of CO2 on surface temperatures, and the biogeochemical effect of CO2 on terrestrial vegetation. Vegetation responses to increased CO2 alter the summer wake from Florida to Newfoundland, and both the radiative and biogeochemical effects of CO2 drive reductions in coastal cloud cover. These changes illustrate the potential of rapidly changing terrestrial climate to influence coastal regions and the ocean environment downwind of continents through both light conditions and the energy balance of the surface ocean.

Effects of precipitation, heat, and drought on incidence and expansion of coccidioidomycosis in western USA: a longitudinal surveillance study

Drought is an understudied driver of infectious disease dynamics. Amidst the ongoing southwestern North American megadrought, California (USA) is having the driest multi-decadal period since 800 CE, exacerbated by anthropogenic warming. In this study, we aimed to examine the influence of drought on coccidioidomycosis, an emerging infectious disease in southwestern USA. We analysed California census tract-level surveillance data from 2000 to 2020 using generalised additive models and distributed monthly lags on precipitation and temperature. We then developed an ensemble prediction algorithm of incident cases of coccidioidomycosis per census tract to estimate the counterfactual incidence that would have occurred in the absence of drought. Between April 1, 2000, and March 31, 2020, there were 81 448 reported cases of coccidioidomycosis throughout California. An estimated 1467 excess cases of coccidioidomycosis were observed in California in the 2 years following the drought that occurred between 2007 and 2009, and an excess 2649 drought-attributable cases of coccidioidomycosis were observed in the 2 years following the drought that occurred between 2012 and 2015. These increased numbers of cases more than offset the declines in cases that occurred during drought. An IQR increase in summer temperatures was associated with 2·02 (95% CI 1·84-2·22) times higher incidence in the following autumn (September to November), and an IQR increase in precipitation in the winter was associated with 1·45 (1·36-1·55) times higher incidence in the autumn. The effect of winter precipitation was 36% (25-48) stronger when preceded by two dry, rather than average, winters. Incidence in arid counties was most sensitive to precipitation fluctuations, while incidence in wetter counties was most sensitive to temperature. In California, multi-year cycles of dry conditions followed by a wet winter increases transmission of coccidioidomycosis, especially in historically wetter areas. With anticipated increasing frequency of drought in southwestern USA, continued expansion of coccidioidomycosis, along with more intense seasons, is expected. Our results motivate the need for heightened precautions against coccidioidomycosis in seasons that follow major droughts. National Institutes of Health.

Possible impact of winter conditions and summer temperature on bank vole (Myodes glareolus) population fluctuations in Central Norway

In recent decades, population fluctuations of microtine rodents have frequently faded out in parts of northern Europe, possibly because of climate change. Weather events may affect the rodents directly, but also indirectly, by acting on factors that generate population fluctuations. However, few studies have addressed the latter aspect. A species well suited for such a study is the bank vole (Myodes glareolus), which usually increases in number after a year with high seed production of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). We analysed two snap-trapping time series of bank vole from Central Norway. When controlling for the impact of seed production of bilberry and Norway spruce (Picea abies), the number of bank voles trapped in the low-altitude area was negatively related to a summer temperature index of the two previous years, possibly because of the impact of temperature on the nutritional status of food plants. In the area situated at the highest altitude, there was a negative relationship with the winter NAO-index and a positive relationship with a snow depth index. Wet and mild winters are assumed to give unfavourable snow conditions, with alternating thawing and freezing, sometimes also creating an ice-layer at ground level, whereas a sufficient thick snow cover protects the rodents in periods with critical low temperatures. We conclude that an understanding of the ultimate cause of population fluctuations is needed to reveal the disturbing effects of weather events or other factors.

The Kalman Filter as Post-Processor for Analog Data–Model Assimilation in Paleoclimate Reconstruction

Abstract We present an offline paleo-data assimilation methodology that formally combines the analog assimilation method (AA) and the Kalman filter (KF), utilizing the KF as a postprocessor of the AA output. This methodology can be applied to reconstruct climate fields that are spatially separated from proxy-based reconstructions by using the spatial covariability generated by a climate model. Our method is applied to a set of spatially resolved and spatially consistent climate reconstructions of several variables reflecting different seasons, incorporating the application of methodological variants that have undergone rigorous testing in terms of both improving statistical methodology and physical interpretation. This contrasts with applications primarily based on transfer relationships of annual means of local, single variable or bivariate, climate model priors into paleo proxy states. The gains from adding the KF postprocessor are modest in our test case of reconstructing sea level pressure (SLP) geopotential height fields in the northeast Pacific, utilizing paleoclimatic temperature and moisture reconstructions in western North America. Notably, SLP reconstruction skill is enhanced in the oceanic region south of Alaska that is strongly associated with wet winters in western North America. The results suggest that the AA method is approaching optimality in this test case, driven by the quality of the paleoreconstruction information used to drive the AA process, along with the realism of the climate model employed, to which the KF postprocessing step is added. The derived reconstructions are then used for evaluation of the relationship between winter SLP and precipitation in California over the past ∼450 years.

Indigenous Foods to Address Malnutrition: An Inquiry into the Diets and Nutritional Status of Women in the Indigenous Community of Munda Tribes of Jharkhand, India

ABSTRACTBackgroundIndigenous people globally experience poor nutrition outcomes, with women facing the greater burden. Munda, a predominant tribe in Jharkhand, India, live in a biodiverse food environment but yet have high levels of malnutrition.ObjectivesTo assess diets and the nutritional status of Munda tribal women and explore associations with their Indigenous food consumption, dietary diversity, and socioeconomic and demographic profiles.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a longitudinal component to capture seasonal dietary intake was conducted in 11 villages of the Khunti district, Jharkhand. Household surveys and FFQs, supplemented with 2-d 24-h dietary recall and anthropometric assessments on 1 randomly selected woman per household were conducted.ResultsLimited access to diverse foods from a natural food environment (Food Accessed Diversity Index score of 0.3 ± 0.3) was observed. More than 90% women in both seasons had usual nutrient intakes below the estimated average requirements for all nutrients except protein and vitamin C; 35.5% of women were underweight. The mean Minimum Dietary Diversity Score among women (MDDS) was low [2.6 ± 0.6 in wet monsoon; 3 ± 0.7 in winters (acceptable ≥5)]. Higher MDDS contributed to higher usual nutrient intakes (P <0.001). Indigenous food intakes in both seasons (wet monsoon and winter) were low, e.g. Indigenous green leafy vegetables [10.5 and 27.8% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI), respectively], other vegetables (5.2% and 7.8% of RDI, respectively), and fruits (5.8 and 22.8% of RDI, respectively). Despite low intakes, the Indigenous food consumption score was positively associated with usual intake of vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, pyridoxine, and calcium (P < 0.05) in the wet monsoon and thiamine, riboflavin, and zinc (P < 0.001) in winters. After adjusting for covariates, Indigenous food consumption was associated with a higher usual intake of vitamin A (P < 0.001) in the wet monsoon season.ConclusionContextual food-based interventions promoting Indigenous foods and increasing dietary diversity have the potential to address malnutrition in Munda women.

Characteristics of Soil Temperature, Humidity, and Salinity on Bird Island within Qinghai Lake Basin, China

The temperature, moisture, and salt content of soil in alpine regions are sensitive to changes in climatic factors and are important indicators of ecosystem functions. In this study, we collected soil moisture, temperature and electrical conductivity data at different depths at a sampling site on Bird Island in Qinghai Lake during winter using a continuous soil temperature, moisture and salt content monitoring system and analyzed their variations and influential factors. The variation in soil moisture showed an obvious ‘V-shaped’ pattern from 00:00 to 23:00 and an upward trend with soil layer depth. From 00:00 to 23:00, the overall soil temperature data fitted a ‘unimodal’ curve and showed a clear and continuous upward trend with soil layer depth at a rate of 0.684 (p &lt; 0.001). Soil electrical conductivity data also exhibited a distinct ‘V-shaped’ pattern from 00:00 to 23:00 and a continuous increase with increasing soil depth. The correlation between soil temperature, moisture, and conductivity and the spatial distribution of five climate factors indicated that climate factors accounted for 53.6% of the changes in soil temperature, moisture, and salinity. Climate factors showed a significant positive correlation with soil temperature, moisture, and conductivity (p &lt; 0.001), and air temperature was the most important factor influencing soil temperature and soil moisture changes, whereas wind direction was the most important factor influencing soil conductivity. (Wind direction and wind speed affect soil evapotranspiration, and then affect soil moisture and solute transport process). The results of this preliminary study reveal the characteristics associated with soil temperature, moisture, and salinity changes in winter within the wetlands of Bird Island on Qinghai Lake in the context of climate change, and they can be used as valuable reference data in further studies investigating associated changes in ecosystem functions.

Trees and Disease: The Ecology of the Roman Campagna in the Seventeenth Century

Abstract This article explores affective approaches to trees and woodland in one specific landscape, the Roman Campagna (the region around Rome), during a period of rapid environmental change known as the 'Little Ice Age'. Wetter conditions and colder winters encouraged the spread of malaria, leading to rapid depopulation. Attitudes to trees were complicated by widespread bandit activity, which in turn was encouraged by the lack of a stable population. Forests were widely feared, but also regarded as effective barriers against disease, which was believed to be carried by malign winds. Competing approaches to the conceptualisation of trees ensured that they remained volatile emotional triggers for health and safety concerns in early modern Rome.