The emergence of climate change policy entrepreneurs in urban regions

Regional Environmental Change - The development of climate change policy in cities has been closely tied to the efforts of particular individuals, policy entrepreneurs. However, there is still much...     

The appreciation of mineral element accumulation level in some herbaceous plants species by ICP–AES method

Introduction  

From the metallurgic industry zone of Dambovita County, we harvested and analyzed seven herbaceous plants species (Lolium perenne, Festuca pratensis, Stipa capillata, Agrostis alba, Cynodon dactylon, Luzula campestris, and Agrostis tenuis) to establish the heavy metal accumulation levels in these species.     

Precopulatory assessment of male quality in an arctiid moth (Utetheisa ornatrix): hydroxydanaidal is the only criterion of choice

Females of the moth Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) mate preferentially with males that excel in three quantitatively correlated attributes: body mass, systemic content of defensive pyrrolizidine alkaloid (derived from the larval diet), and glandular content of the courtship pheromone hydroxydanaidal (derived from the alkaloid). By so choosing, the females obtain direct phenotypic benefits (alkaloid and nutrient received with the spermatophore), and indirect genetic benefits (genes for large size, a heritable trait). We asked whether the female appraises the courting male on the basis of all three attributes, or whether, as had been postulated, she does so on the basis of the intensity of the pheromonal scent alone. We present data indicating that male possession of hydroxydanaidal is indeed the sole criterion of choice. Females fail to differentiate between males that differ in body mass or alkaloid content if the males lack hydroxydanaidal, but choose between males that are size-matched and alkaloid-free if one of the males has been experimentally endowed with hydroxydanaidal. We show moreover that females are able to differentiate between males that contain unequal quantities of hydroxydanaidal. Females abide by these criteria whether or not they themselves contain alkaloid. Their choice was also unaffected by whether they were confined singly with 2 males in small mating chambers, or were in groups of 10 with 20 males in large flight cages.     

Inter-annual variability in the breeding performance of six tropical seabird species: influence of life-history traits and relationship with oceanographic parameters

We investigated inter-annual variability in the breeding performance of six tropical seabirds with different life histories. We further examined the extent to which presumed differences among years in food availability to seabirds were related to large-scale oceanic processes (El Niño Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole) or local features around the colony (Sea Surface Temperature—SST, chlorophyll-a concentration, wind patterns, association with underwater predators). Two food shortages were recorded: (1) a short-term event operating at a local-scale, lacking any relationship with any measured oceanographic parameters and affecting only a few seabird species; (2) a generalized and protracted event, strikingly characterized by low SST, possibly induced by a La Niña and/or negative IOD event, and with detrimental impacts in the whole seabird community. Overall, species with inflexible feeding habits and fast chick growth rates were more affected by food shortage events than those with more plastic life-history traits.     

Hillslope terracing effects on the spatial variability of plant development as assessed by NDVI in vineyards of the Priorat region (NE Spain)

The availability of heavy machinery and the vineyard restructuring and conversion plans of the European Union Common Agricultural Policy (Commission Regulation EC no. 1227/2000 of 31 May 2000) have encouraged the restructuring of many vineyards on hillslopes of Mediterranean Europe, through the creation of terraces to favor the mechanization of agricultural work. Terrace construction requires cutting and filling operations that create soil spatial variability, which affects soil properties and plant development. In the present paper, we study the effects of hillslope terracing on the spatial variability of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in fields of the Priorat region (NE Spain) during 2004, 2005, and 2006. This index was computed from high-resolution remote sensing data (Quickbird-2). Detailed digital terrain models before and after terrace construction were used to assess the earth movements. The results indicate that terracing by heavy machinery induced high variability on the NDVI values over the years, showing significant differences as effect of the cut and fill operations.     

Year-round reproduction in a seasonal sea: biological cycle of the introduced ascidian Styela plicata in the Western Mediterranean

The widely introduced ascidian Styela plicata is very common in the Western Mediterranean, an area that can act as a source for secondary introductions due to its high shipping activity. In order to understand the potential of this species to colonize new habitats, its reproductive features were assessed in the Western Mediterranean by means of monthly monitoring of two populations (Vilanova i la Geltrú 41°12′53″N, 1°44′11″E; Blanes 41°40′29″N, 2°47′56″E) from January 2009 to December 2010. The reproductive activity of this species was assessed through gonad histology and a gonad index. Population size-structure was measured monthly in order to study recruitment dynamics. No clear seasonal pattern was observed, and mature gametes and recruits were present all year long. Spawning was potentially continuous, although it seemed punctuated with pulses of gamete release, particularly in spring. A prolonged reproductive period is likely to confer a competitive advantage on S. plicata in temperate seas, where most species reproduce seasonally, and may promote recurrent introductions as larvae are available for settlement on transport vectors over much of the year.     

Classification of Ephemeral,Intermittent, and Perennial Stream Reaches Using a TOPMODEL‐Based Approach

Whether a waterway is temporary or permanent influences regulatory protection guidelines, however, classification can be subjective due to a combination of factors, including time of year, antecedent moisture conditions, and previous experience of the field investigator. Our objective was to develop a standardized protocol using publically available spatial information to classify ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams. Our hypothesis was that field observations of flow along the stream channel could be compared to results from a hydrologic model, providing an objective method of how these stream reaches can be identified. Flow‐state sensors were placed at ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial stream reaches from May to December 2011 in the Appalachian coal basin of eastern Kentucky. This observed flow record was then used to calibrate the simulated saturation deficit in each channel reach based on the topographic wetness index used by TOPMODEL. Saturation deficit values were categorized as flow or no‐flow days, and the simulated record of streamflow was compared to the observed record. The hydrologic model was more accurate for simulating flow during the spring and fall seasons. However, the model effectively identified stream reaches as intermittent and perennial in each of the two basins.     

Assessment of Water Quality in a Border Region Between the Atlantic Forest and an Urbanised Area in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The preservation of water resources is one of the goals of the designation of parks that act as natural reservoirs. In order to assess the impact of the presence of humans in an environmental preservation area bordering urban areas, the presence of four pathogenic enteric viruses [group A rotavirus (RV-A), norovirus (NoV), human adenoviruses (HAdV), and hepatitis A virus (HAV)], as well as the physico-chemical parameters, and Escherichia coli levels were assessed in riverine water samples. From June 2008 to May 2009, monthly monitoring was performed along the Engenho Novo River. RV-A, NoV, and HAdV were observed in 29 % (31/108) of the water samples, with concentrations of up to 10³ genome copies/liter. The natural occurrence of infectious HAdV was demonstrated by Integrated Cell Culture-PCR (ICC-PCR). This study confirms the suitability of using the detection of fecal-oral transmitted viruses as a marker of human fecal contamination in water matrices and indicates the spread of pathogenic viruses occurring in an alleged area of environmental protection.