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Cultivation of forage maize in boreal conditions – assessment of trade-offs between increased productivity and environmental impact
Get PDFThe cultivation of whole crop forage maize (Zea mays L.) for cattle feed has a potential for increased forage yield while reducing nitrogen (N) fertilization compared to perennial grass-based systems. However, the possible environmental trade-offs of forage maize cultivation remain unknown in the boreal region due to the short growing season which limits cultivation practices. The aim of this study was to compare the environmental impact of forage maize with more widely cultivated forage crops in Finland that include perennial silage grass mixtures and whole crop spring cereal harvested as silage. The use of plastic mulch film in forage maize cultivation was included in the assessment as well. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted including impact categories for global warming potential; marine and freshwater eutrophication; terrestrial acidification; freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecotoxicity; land use; and fossil resource depletion. Additionally, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes under long-term cultivation of the studied forage crops were simulated with the C-TOOL and Yasso20 models with methodological comparisons. The only clear differences between the studied crops were that the land use was lower (-26–48%) for forage maize, and the freshwater eutrophication (+59–67%) and terrestrial acidification (+10–57%) were higher for perennial grasses compared with other forages. A risk for decreased SOC stock under continuous forage maize cultivation was observed. Forage maize could be used to supplement perennial grass cultivation without major associated environmental risks. Future research shall be conducted on the effect of forage choices on the environmental impact of boreal dairy milk production and on decreasing the current high uncertainty associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factors and SOC stock modelling choices
White Paper: Addressing the challenges of global warming for polar freshwater resources
Get PDFThe polar regions are undergoing rapid transformations
due to global warming, resulting in temperature increases far surpassing the global average and significantly impacting ecosystems, especially freshwater systems. Understanding the implications of climate change on Arctic
and Antarctic freshwater systems is crucial, as vital ecosystem services essential for sustaining human and environmental well-being may be disrupted. Shifts in freshwater availability due to changes in precipitation patterns, ice melt, and permafrost thaw pose significant challenges for local communities, exacerbating their vulnerabilities. Additionally, climate warming can affect water quality, e. g. by releasing pollutants and potential hazardous microorganisms, further jeopardizing human and natural ecosystem health. Arctic communities face multiple challenges in adapting to these changes, including limited resources and infrastructure that may not be resilient to environmental change. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these impacts and safeguard freshwater resources through evidence-based approaches, scientific research, policy involvement, and community engagement to ensure a sustainable future in the polar regions. In the pursuit of understanding freshwater dynamics in the Arctic and Antarctic, international collaboration across disciplines stands as a cornerstone, essential for addressing
the impacts of climate change on polar freshwater resources. Initiatives aiming to understand the dynamics of transboundary water resources underscore the pivotal role of
collaboration across institutions and nations, allowing for
collective efforts in providing effective solutions to advance the current knowledge of polar ecosystems. Such collaboration not only benefits the polar regions but also carries implications for the global community, aligning with the UN’s SDGs. Therefore, funding mechanisms to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap and support international cooperation should be set high in the research agenda.
The scientific and funding roadmap presented here should
be implemented urgently, to maximise, in a 10-year term,
the benefits to be gained through synergies with the next
International Polar Year (2032-33). It will leverage existing transnational initiatives and frameworks, including the Antarctic governance framework, to guide future research initiatives towards sustainable management of freshwater
resources. Overall, a comprehensive approach integrating
pole-to-pole collaboration, strategic funding, and adherence to governance frameworks is paramount, ensuring collective efforts contribute to the well-being of polar communities and the broader global understanding of climate change implications
Extracting secondary data from citizen science images reveals host flower preferences of the Mexican grass‐carrying wasp Isodontia mexicana in its native and introduced ranges
Get PDFWe investigated the plant-pollinator interactions of the Mexican grass-carrying wasp Isodontia mexicana—native to North America and introduced in Europe in the 1960s—through the use of secondary data from citizen science observations. We applied a novel data exchange workflow from two global citizen science platforms, iNaturalist and Pl@ntNet. Images from iNaturalist of the wasp were used to query the Pl@ntNet application to identify possible plant species present in the pictures. Simultaneously, botanists manually identified the plants at family, genus and species levels and additionally documented flower color and biotic interactions. The goals were to calibrate Pl@ntNet's accuracy in relation to this workflow, update the list of plant species that I. mexicana visits as well as its flower color preferences in its native and introduced ranges. In addition, we investigated the types and corresponding frequencies of other biotic interactions incidentally captured on the citizen scientists' images. Although the list of known host plants could be expanded, identifying the flora from images that predominantly show an insect proved difficult for both experts and the Pl@ntNet app. The workflow performs with a 75% probability of correct identification of the plant at the species level from a score of 0.8, and with over 90% chance of correct family and genus identification from a score of 0.5. Although the number of images above these scores may be limited due to the flower parts present on the pictures, our approach can help to get an overview into species interactions and generate more specific research questions. It could be used as a triaging method to select images for further investigation. Additionally, the manual analysis of the images has shown that the information they contain offers great potential for learning more about the ecology of an introduced species in its new range
Experimental assessment of elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry normalization methodologies for environmental stable isotopes
No full text•Rationale:
In stable isotope mass spectrometry, isotope delta values are normalized to internationally recognized reference scales using a combination of certified and in-house isotope reference materials. Numerous techniques exist for performing this normalization, but these methodologies need to be experimentally assessed to compare their effect on reproducibility of isotope results.
•Methods:
We tested normalization methods by the number of reference materials used, their matrix, their isotope range, and whether normalization required extrapolating beyond the isotope range. We analyzed eight commercially available isotope reference materials on a ThermoFinnigan Delta-V isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) and an Elementar VisION IRMS for nitrogen and carbon isotope composition via solid combustion with an elemental analyzer and computed every possible isotope normalization (n = 612). Additionally, we assessed how sample matrix affected linearity effects on both instruments using five in-house reference materials.
•Results:
Normalizations exhibited the best performance when the reference materials spanning an isotope range of at least 20‰ were matrix matched with the samples and did not require extrapolation beyond the calibration curve. When these conditions were not met, the number of reference materials used had a significant effect on accuracy, with normalizations composed of two reference materials exhibiting particularly inconsistent performance at isotope ranges below 20‰. Linearity effects were found to exceed instrument precision by two orders of magnitude irrespective of matrix type and were not predicted by working gas diagnostics.
•Conclusions:
Interlaboratory comparability of isotope results is improved when operators of elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EAIRMS) systems select reference materials spanning an isotope range of at least 20‰. Additionally, using three or more isotopic reference materials, avoiding extrapolation beyond the range of the normalization curve, and matching the matrix of the reference materials to the samples improve normalizations
Ocean heat convergence and North Atlantic multidecadal heat content variability
Get PDFWe construct an upper ocean (0-1000m) North Atlantic heat budget (26°-67°N) for the period 1950-2020 using multiple observational datasets and an eddy-permitting global ocean model. On multidecadal timescales ocean heat transport convergence controls ocean heat content (OHC) tendency in most regions of the North Atlantic with little role for diffusive processes. In the subpolar North Atlantic (45°N-67°N) heat transport convergence is explained by geostrophic currents whereas ageostrophic currents make a significant contribution in the subtropics (26°N-45°N). The geostrophic contribution in all regions is dominated by anomalous advection across the time-mean temperature gradient although other processes make a significant contribution particularly in the subtropics. The timescale and spatial distribution of the anomalous geostrophic currents are consistent with a simple model of basin scale thermal Rossby waves propagating westwards/northwestwards in the subpolar gyre and multidecadal variations in regional OHC are explained by geostrophic currents periodically coming into alignment with the mean temperature gradient as the Rossby wave passes through. The global ocean model simulation shows that multidecadal variations in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation are synchronized with the ocean heat transport convergence consistent with modulation of the west-east pressure gradient by the propagating Rossby wave
Hydrological summary for the United Kingdom: May 2024
Get PDFThe monthly summary of hydrological conditions in the United Kingdom is compiled as part of the National Hydrological Monitoring Programme (a joint UKCEH and BGS enterprise). The report features contemporary data for rainfall, river flow, reservoir and groundwater levels in the form of maps and graphs. A commentary is provided on the status of the nation’s water resources and any notable hydrological events during the month. The National River Flow and National Groundwater Level Archives help provide an historical context for these contemporary assessments. Financial support for the production of the Hydrological Summaries is provided by Defra, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Rivers Agency in Northern Ireland and the Office of Water Services
The genome sequence of the small magpie moth, Anania hortulata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Get PDFWe present a genome assembly from an individual female Anania hortulata (the Small Magpie; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Crambidae). The genome sequence is 612.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 32 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the W and Z sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.23 kilobases in length
Variability in Zoobenthic Blue Carbon storage across a Southern Polar Gradient
Get PDFThe seabed of the Antarctic continental shelf hosts most of Antarctica's known species, including taxa considered indicative of vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). Nonetheless, the potential impact of climatic and environmental change, including marine icescape transition, on Antarctic shelf zoobenthos, and their blue carbon-associated function, is still poorly characterised. To help narrow knowledge gaps, four continental shelf study areas, spanning a southern polar gradient, were investigated for zoobenthic (principally epi-faunal) carbon storage (a component of blue carbon), and potential environmental influences, employing a functional group approach. Zoobenthic carbon storage was highest at the two southernmost study areas (with a mean estimate of 41.6 versus 7.2 g C m−2) and, at each study area, increased with morphotaxa richness, overall faunal density, and VME indicator density. Functional group mean carbon content varied with study area, as did each group's percentage contribution to carbon storage and faunal density. Of the environmental variables explored, sea-ice cover and primary production, both likely to be strongly impacted by climate change, featured in variable subsets most highly correlating with assemblage and carbon storage (by functional groups) structures. The study findings can underpin biodiversity- and climate-considerate marine spatial planning and conservation measures in the Southern Ocean
The genome sequence of the blue-bordered carpet moth Plemyria rubiginata (Denis & Schiffermüller) 1775
Get PDFWe present a genome assembly from an individual female Plemyria rubiginata (the Blue-bordered Carpet moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 356.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z and W sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.64 kilobases in length