Multidimensional modeling of aerosol monitoring data

The present study deals with the application of N-way factor analysis for modeling and interpretation of a three-dimensional environmental data set acquired from monitoring of particulate matter (PM) collected at four different sampling locations in Lower Austria region (Central Europe). In the study the Tucker3 algorithm for N-way modeling was used. It was statistically validated that the Tucker3 model offered having the dimensionality [222] is appropriate for correct interpretation of the relationships between chemical parameters, sampling locations and sampling period. The Tucker3 model allowed to distinguish three major sources of pollution in the region of interest conditionally named “soil dust”, “combustion” and “street dust” latent factors as responsible for chemical profile of PM and to identify seasonal variability. Additionally, some specificity of the sampling locations was also pointed out.     

The population biology of the living coelacanth studied over 21 years

Between 1986 and 2009 nine submersible and remote-operated vehicle expeditions were carried out to study the population biology of the coelacanth Latimeria chalumnae in the Comoro Islands, located in the western Indian Ocean. Latimeria live in large overlapping home ranges that can be occupied for as long as 21 years. Most individuals are confined to relatively small home ranges, resting in the same caves during the day. One hundred and forty five coelacanths are individually known, and we estimate the total population size of Grande Comore as approximately 300–400 adult individuals. The local population inhabiting a census area along an 8-km section of coastline remained stable for at least 18 years. Using LASER-assisted observations, we recorded length frequencies between 100 and 200 cm total length and did not encounter smaller-bodied individuals (<100 cm total length). It appears that coelacanth recruitment in the observation areas occur mainly by immigrating adults. We estimate that the mean numbers of deaths and newcomers are 3–4 individuals per year, suggesting that longevity may exceed 100 years. The domestic fishery represents a threat to the long-term survival of coelacanths in the study area. Recent changes in the local fishery include a decrease in the abundance of the un-motorized canoes associated with exploitation of coelacanths and an increase in motorized canoes. Exploitation rates have fallen in recent years, and by 2000, had fallen to lowest ever reported. Finally, future fishery developments are discussed.     

Evaluation of the forest growth simulator SILVA on dominant trees in mature mixed Silver fir–Norway spruce stands in South-West Germany

Forest growth simulators go beyond a mere tabulation of empirical measurements by employing biometric models that functionally describe the dependence of forest growth of the initial forest structure, growth conditions and management regime. This makes them very flexible and allows predicting growth reactions for unknown and/or complex forest growth scenarios. When simulation outcomes are to be used in silvicultural strategic planning, the results are of direct and delicate importance, and the correct simulator performance must be ascertained. This is especially so when the considered forest situation differs from the forest data used to parameterise the model (e.g. different geographical region).In this article, the forest growth simulator SILVA (version 2.2) was validated for 55 long-term experimental plots of mature mixed Silver fir–Norway spruce stands in southwest Germany (Picea abies, Abies alba). The evaluation was restricted to the upper canopy trees during the survey period 1989–2004. Following the general evaluation criteria for ecological models from [Vanclay, J.K., Skovsgaard, J.P., 1997. Evaluating forest growth models. Ecol. Mod. 98, 1–12], a specific methodology was developed to evaluate the simulated height and diameter growth on the basis of forest growth principles.The qualitative analysis proved the SILVA growth algorithms to be in accordance with physiologically based standard growth equations. The quantitative evaluation was limited by incomplete knowledge of the site conditions. To overcome this problem, the experimental plots were regarded as a “heterogeneous growth series” which allows analysing the growth behaviour in a more general way. It could be shown that for the given data set, the SILVA simulations produced an overestimation of height growth (median: +61% spruce, +12% fir), and an underestimation of diameter growth and competition sensitivity (median: ?16% spruce, ?70% fir). The errors partially compensated in the volume growth resulting in an overall over-/underestimation of +9% for spruce and ?58% for fir (median).The unbalanced height and diameter growth cannot be compensated by a change in the site conditions because this affects both height and diameter growth either positive or negative. Hence, an adjustment of selected parameterisation values appears to offer the best solution to adapt SILVA to the considered forest situation. This approach of adaptive parameterisation is discussed against a more general background of deductive vs. inductive forest growth modelling.     

Community Capacity for Implementing Clean Development Mechanism Projects Within Community Forests in Cameroon

There is a growing assumption that payments for environmental services including carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emission reduction provide an opportunity for poverty reduction and the enhancement of sustainable development within integrated natural resource management approaches. Yet in experiential terms, community-based natural resource management implementation falls short of expectations in many cases. In this paper, we investigate the asymmetry between community capacity and the Land Use Land Use Change Forestry (LULUCF) provisions of the Clean Development Mechanism within community forests in Cameroon. We use relevant aspects of the Clean Development Mechanism criteria and notions of “community capacity” to elucidate determinants of community capacity needed for CDM implementation within community forests. The main requirements are for community capacity to handle issues of additionality, acceptability, externalities, certification, and community organisation. These community capacity requirements are further used to interpret empirically derived insights on two community forestry cases in Cameroon. While local variations were observed for capacity requirements in each case, community capacity was generally found to be insufficient for meaningful uptake and implementation of Clean Development Mechanism projects. Implications for understanding factors that could inhibit or enhance community capacity for project development are discussed. We also include recommendations for the wider Clean Development Mechanism/Kyoto capacity building framework.     

Mikrobiologisch-ökotoxikologische Bodenuntersuchungen von zwei zur Unkrautbekämpfung mit hohen Dosierungen eingesetzten Fettsäure-Herbiziden

Goal and Scope

Products based on fatty acids (including acetic acid) are known in plant protection since more than 100 years to control several harmful organisms. In the following decades, however, they lost their importance due to the rapid development of ‘modern’ chemical pesticides. In the meantime some trials were run to control weeds with relatively high doses. The knowledge on its ecotoxic effects on soil microorganisms as a part of the soil fertility, however, is still incomplete.

Methods

Under laboratory conditions two agricultural soils were treated with different dosages of two products based on acetic acid and pelargonic acid (=nonanoic acid) as well as with a biocidal reference compound (e.g. dinitrophenol herbicide). The applied dosages were related to the concentrations in soil reached after simulated penetration of practical field amounts into upper soil layers. In some cases green manuring was simulated by adding lucerne meal to the soil. During the incubation for several weeks biomass-related microbial activities (dehydrogenase activity, substrate-induced shortterm respiration) as well as the mineralization of carbon and nitrogen (including nitrification) were measured.

Results and Conclusion

As compared to ‘normal’ pesticides (e.g. the reference compound) the effects of both test substances on soil microorganisms showed different behaviour. Nearly none of the effects typical for strongly biocidal compounds, namely a dose-related inhibition of microbial biomass combined with a stimulated mineralization (especially of nitrogen), occurred with the fatty acid products. Depending on the marked input of organic carbon by the higher dosages of fatty acid products and their rapid decomposition, especially of acetic acid, an increase of biomass-related parameters and of carbon mineralization combined with a reduction of the available nitrate content (e.g biological nitrogen immobilization) occurred for several weeks. By combining the results of the soil with that of lucerne meal-amended soil ‘real effects’ can be distinguished from those depending on the decomposition of the introduced carbon. In comparison with the strongly biocidal reference compound the two fatty acid products not only caused little microbiological-ecotoxicological impacts on the soil, but often stimulated important microbiological parameters for some time.

Recommendation and Perspective

As result of the trials we recommend an extended microbiological-ecotoxicological test spectrum especially for those plant protection products (pesticides) which should be applied at high dosages or if they contain higher amounts of well decomposable organic substances. This is necessary to distinguish dose-related enhanced biocidal activities induced by biocidal effects (including the subsequent mineralization of the killed microorganisms) from ‘real’ stimulations directly produced by the substrate.