RECOTOX,a French initiative in ecotoxicology-toxicology to monitor,understand and mitigate the ecotoxicological impacts of pollutants in socioagroecosystems

RECOTOX is a cross-cutting initiative promoting an integrated research to respond to the challenges of monitoring, understanding, and mitigating environmental and health impacts of pesticides in agroecosystems. The added value of RECOTOX is to develop a common culture around spatial ecotoxicology including the whole chain of pressure-exposure-impact, while strengthening an integrated network of in natura specifically equipped sites. In particular, it promotes transversal approaches at relevant socioecological system scales, to capitalize knowledge, expertise, and ongoing research in ecotoxicology and, to a lesser extent, environmental toxicology. Thus, it will open existing research infrastructures in environmental sciences to research programs in ecotoxicology of pesticides.     

Evaluating forest transition based on a multi-scale approach: forest area dynamics in Switzerland 1850–2000

Regional Environmental Change - A trend of forest area expansion after decades of decline is taking place in many countries around the globe. In Switzerland, forest cover has been expanding since...     

Impact of hydroxylated and non-hydroxylated aliphatic glucosinolates in Arabidopsis thaliana crosses on plant resistance against a generalist and a specialist herbivore

Glucosinolates (GSs) are part of a two-component defence system, characteristic for the Brassicales, including the model species Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. The defence activity of GSs is associated with different side chain structures. The AOP genes are central in side-chain modification. AOP2 mediates formation of alkenyl GS from a methylsulfinyl precursor, whereas AOP3 catalyzes production of hydroxy-alkyl GSs from the same precursor. Although several studies have assessed the role of GSs in plant defence, the function of specific aliphatic GSs in plant defence is still not clarified. Structural different GSs may influence insect herbivores differentially. We created a set of plant lines derived of a cross between two A. thaliana accessions, Gie-0 × Sap-0, which dominantly accumulate either 3-methylsulfinylpropyl GS or 3-hydroxypropyl GS. The generalist Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the crucifer-specialist Pieris brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) were used as model insects, to study effects of individual aliphatic GSs on lepidopteran herbivores with a different feeding specialization. However, the experiments revealed that weight gain of S. exigua and P. brassicae third and fourth-larval instars was similar on both chemotypes. But leaf consumption of the generalist was higher on 3-methylsulfinylpropyl-producing lines with low GS levels (23.2 μmol g⁻¹) than on 3-hydroxypropyl-producing lines that contained a more than twofold higher amount of GSs (60 μmol g⁻¹). In contrast, no differential effects of non-hydroxylated and hydroxylated GSs were found on the specialist P. brassicae. Our study indicates that there is no simple relationship between GS content and insect responses.     

Spatial and temporal trends of selected trace elements in liver tissue from polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Alaska, Canada and Greenland

Spatial trends and comparative changes in time of selected trace elements were studied in liver tissue from polar bears from ten different subpopulation locations in Alaska, Canadian Arctic and East Greenland. For nine of the trace elements (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Rb, Se and Zn) spatial trends were investigated in 136 specimens sampled during 2005-2008 from bears from these ten subpopulations. Concentrations of Hg, Se and As were highest in the (northern and southern) Beaufort Sea area and lowest in (western and southern) Hudson Bay area and Chukchi/Bering Sea. In contrast, concentrations of Cd showed an increasing trend from east to west. Minor or no spatial trends were observed for Cu, Mn, Rb and Zn. Spatial trends were in agreement with previous studies, possibly explained by natural phenomena. To assess temporal changes of Cd, Hg, Se and Zn concentrations during the last decades, we compared our results to previously published data. These time comparisons suggested recent Hg increase in East Greenland polar bears. This may be related to Hg emissions and/or climate-induced changes in Hg cycles or changes in the polar bear food web related to global warming. Also, Hg:Se molar ratio has increased in East Greenland polar bears, which suggests there may be an increased risk for Hg(2+)-mediated toxicity. Since the underlying reasons for spatial trends or changes in time of trace elements in the Arctic are still largely unknown, future studies should focus on the role of changing climate and trace metal emissions on geographical and temporal trends of trace elements.     

Planning and governing nature-based solutions in river landscapes: Concepts,cases, and insights

Nature-based solutions (NBS), understood as actions that use ecosystem processes to address societal needs, can play important roles to future-proof river landscape development for people and nature. However, knowledge gaps exist how NBS can be planned and implemented at landscape scales. This Special Issue brings together insights and experiences from studies of assessing, planning, and implementing NBS in river landscapes in Europe and beyond. It addresses three research fields: (i) NBS effects, looking at the effectiveness of NBS to achieve ecological, social, and/or economic outcomes, (ii) NBS planning, focusing on approaches for planning and designing NBS, and (iii) NBS governance, relating to governance and business models for implementation. The twelve contributions deliver evidence on how NBS outperform conventional, rather technical solutions, provide guidance and tools to operationalize the NBS concept into practice, and showcase successful governance models of NBS in different contexts. The editorial ends with an outlook on further research needs.