Between Active Seekers and Non-Users: Segments of Science-related Media Usage in Switzerland and Germany

ABSTRACT

Citizens’ attitudes toward science are related to their use of science-related information from various sources. Evidence is scarce regarding citizens’ individual media repertoires for staying informed about science as segmentation studies so far have primarily focused on scientific attitudes. In this paper, we explore audience segments regarding their science-related information behavior and whether such segments are comparable or vary between two countries with similar information environments. Based on two surveys in Switzerland and Germany, we identify national audience segments that differ in their science-related information repertoires, and analyze their sociodemographic characteristics and science-related attitudes. In both countries, we find very comparable information user segments ranging from those who inform themselves frequently about science (“Active Seekers”/“Science Consumers”) to those who hardly get in contact with any information about science and research (“Non-Users”). Those segments which get in contact with information about science frequently show generally more positive attitudes.     

Parental effects on carotenoid-based plumage coloration in nestling great tits, Parus major

Carotenoid pigments have attracted much interest in behavioural and evolutionary ecology because of their dual function in immune physiology and as color signals. In vertebrates, carotenoids must ultimately be obtained from the diet, and the mechanisms and magnitude of this environmental dependence are central for understanding carotenoid signal functions and evolution. In the present cross-fostering experiment with great tits Parus major, we investigate pre- and postnatal parental effects (egg yolk carotenoids, parental coloration) on nestling size and carotenoid coloration, using HPLC analysis of egg yolk carotenoids, and a reflectance-based measure of ‘chroma’ that reflects the plumage pigment concentration. Both rearing environment and origin influenced offspring size and plumage chroma. Maternal allocation of carotenoids to eggs had a weak positive effect on nestling plumage chroma, whereas we found no prenatal maternal effects (egg size or yolk carotenoid concentration) on size. Nestling plumage chroma was also significantly predicted by the chroma of the rearing father, but not by the color of the rearing mother or either of the original (genetical) parents. Thus, both prenatal maternal effects and postnatal paternal effects influence the carotenoid-based plumage coloration of nestling great tits. Future studies will reveal if parental effects have long-term consequences for plumage development and associated fitness components.     

Von der Erkenntnis zur Entscheidung

This contribution highlights the role and importance of ecotoxicology in regulatory decisions of chemicals legislation focussing on the responsibilities of the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA). Therefore, organisational structures and processes relevant for making decisions concerning the risks of chemicals to men and the environment are described. As any regulatory decision starts with scientific findings, a brief overview of UBA’s activities with regard to own research and to initiate research in the area of ecotoxicology is provided. In addition, the vast importance of standardisation and international harmonisation of guidelines for testing and assessment of chemicals is illustrated, including the time- and ressource consuming character of these harmonisation processes. Subsequently, the involvement of regulatory decision making in intense and controversial scientific and political debates is emphasised. The transparency of these discussions and the independence of science is critically addressed in this context. In a final chapter the job requirements and options for qualification in Germany are described, ending up with a brief summary of the positive experiences with UBA’s contribution to the new advanced training course in ecotoxiciology realised by GDCh/SETAC GLB. A summary of the discussions on these different topics emphasises the specific challenge in regulatory ecotoxicology: To generate knowledge relevant for decision making, while acting in an area of conflict between scientific demands and economical as well as political interests.     

Identifikation der kfz-bürtigen Schadstoffbelastung mit Hilfe der Verh?ltnisse der stabilen Isotope von Kohlenstoff und Schwefel

Zusammenfassung  Reifen-, Ru?-, Motoren?l-, Asphalt-, Plastik- und Lackproben aus dem Stra?enverkehr wurden auf ihre Kohlenstoff- und Schwefel-isotopenverh?ltnisse mit dem Ziel untersucht, die Frage zu beant-worten, ob diese Isotopenverh?ltnisse als Indikatoren für die Belastungssituation und die Schadstoffquellen bei der Untersuchung von stra?ennahen B?den eingesetzt werden k?nnen. Die δ¹¹C-Werte der technischen Substrate lagen zwischen-30‰ und-18‰ relativ zum PDB-Standard, Dabei zeigte sich aufgrund der unterschiedlichen Herstellungsverfahren eine deutliche Abgrenzung der Substrate untereinander. Asphalt hatte Werte zwischen-23 und-18‰, Ru? zwischen -27 und -22‰ Die Ru?proben unterschieden sich je nach Art des verwendeten Kraftstoffs. Plastik, Lack und Motor?le zeigten ?hnliche δ¹³C-Werte, die zwischen-30 und-27‰ lagen. Reifen haben relativ konstante δ¹³C-Werte um -26‰ Der Einflu? des Stra?enverkehrs auf die δ¹³C-Werte im Stra?ensediment und in stra?ennahen B?den konnte anhand verschiedener Kohlenstoffspezies an einem Transekt an einer Landstra?e aufgezeigt werden. Ein Vergleich mit verkehrstypischen Schwermetallemissionen ergab bei einzelnen Kohlenstoffspezies einen ?hnlichen Verlauf der Schwermetallkonzentrationen und der δ¹³C-Werte. Die δ³⁴S-Werte lagen zwischen -6 und +8‰ relativ zum CDT-Standard. Eine Abgrenzung der Substrate in ihren δ¹⁴S-Werten war hierbei nicht m?glich.      

Identifikation der kfz-bürtigen Schadstoffbelastung mit Hilfe der Verhältnisse der stabilen Isotope von Kohlenstoff und Schwefel

Different sources of traffic immissions (tyres, soot, oil, asphalt, plastic, paint) were analysed for stable carbon and sulphur isotope ratios. The aim of this study is to investigate whether these isotope ratios can be used to evaluate the environmental impact of traffic immitted harmful substances in roadside soils. The δ¹³C values of technical materials are between -30‰ and -18‰ (PDB). They can be distinguished by their δ¹³C value because of specific production methods. The δ¹³C value of asphalt is between -23 and -18‰, soot shows values from -27 to-22‰ Moreover, soot of different fuel have different carbon isotope ratios. Plastic, paint and oil have similar δ¹³C from -30 to -27‰ Carbon isotope ratios of automobile tyres are around -26‰ Traffic impact on the carbon isotope composition is reflected in δ¹³C values of various carbon spezies found in street sediments and road side soils. These δ¹³C values correlate to concentrations of lead and platinum. Although δ³⁴S values of technical materials are between -6 and +8‰ it was not possible to characterise samples according to their Sulphur isotopic compostion.     

An empirical parametrization of internal seiche amplitude including secondary effects

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - An internal wave is a propagating disturbance within a stable density-stratified fluid. The internal seiche amplitude is often estimated through theories that...     

Within-population variation in ejaculate characteristics in a prolonged breeder,Peron’s tree frog, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litoria peronii</Emphasis>

Sperm number is often a good predictor of success in sperm competition; however, it has become increasingly clear that, for some species, variation in probability of paternity cannot be explained by sperm number alone. Intraspecific variation in ejaculate characteristics, such as the number of viable sperm and sperm longevity, may play an equally important role in determining fertilization success. Here, we assess variation among ejaculates in three factors that may contribute to fertilization success (number of sperm per ejaculate, viability, and longevity), in a population of Peron’s tree frog (Litoria peronii). We detected large variation among males in the number of sperm per ejaculate and the proportion of viable sperm within ejaculates, which could not be explained by variation in either male size or body condition. However, the proportion of viable sperm released by males increased over the season. Finally, we assessed sperm longevity (proportion viable sperm determined using a dual-fluorochrome vital dye) at two different temperatures. At 23°C, on average, 75% of sperm remained viable after 2 h, but there were significant differences amongst males with the percentage of viable sperm ranging from 43% to 95%. For sperm incubated at 4°C, ejaculates varied fivefold in sperm longevity with some males having 50% viable sperm after 5 days. Our data suggest that ejaculate characteristics (sperm number, viability, and longevity) vary widely in Peron’s tree frog and may therefore play an important role in determining siring success both in the presence and absence of sperm competition. We discuss the results in relation to selection on ejaculate traits via natural and sexual selection in this and other amphibians.     

Negative effects of nitrogen deposition on Swiss butterflies

Nitrogen (N) deposition from agriculture and combustion of fossil fuels is a major threat to plant diversity, but its effects on organisms at higher trophic levels are unclear. We investigated how N deposition may affect species richness and abundance (number of individuals per species) in butterflies. We reviewed the peer-reviewed literature on variables used to explain spatial variation in butterfly species richness and found that vegetation variables appeared to be as important as climate and habitat variables in explaining butterfly species richness. It thus seemed likely that increased N deposition could indirectly affect butterfly communities via its influence on plant communities. To test this prediction, we analyzed data from the Swiss biodiversity monitoring program for vascular plants and butterflies in 383 study sites of 1 km² that are evenly distributed throughout Switzerland. The area has a modeled N deposition gradient of 2–44 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. We used traditional linear models and structural equation models to infer the drivers of the spatial variation in butterfly species richness across Switzerland. High N deposition was consistently linked to low butterfly diversity, suggesting a net loss of butterfly diversity through increased N deposition. We hypothesize that at low elevations, N deposition may contribute to a reduction in butterfly species richness via microclimatic cooling due to increased plant biomass. At higher elevations, negative effects of N deposition on butterfly species richness may also be mediated by reduced plant species richness. In most butterfly species, abundance was negatively related to N deposition, but the strongest negative effects were found for species of conservation concern. We conclude that in addition to factors such as intensified agriculture, habitat fragmentation, and climate change, N deposition is likely to play a key role in negatively affecting butterfly diversity and abundance.