Influence of conservation tillage on winter bird use of arable fields in Hungary

Bird use of conservation tillage-established (CT—seedbed preparation without soil inversion) crops was assessed at two adjacent sites in western Hungary, in comparison with conventionally established (mouldboard ploughed—P) fields. Bird abundance was assessed in a typical rotation of spring-sown maize and winter wheat in three consecutive winters. In the first winter, several species and the guild of seed-eating passerines were significantly more abundant on CT established plots, in both crop types. In the second winter, only starlings were more abundant on CT plots. In the third winter, only skylarks favoured CT over P plots. In combination with agri-environment scheme measures designed to provide resources for biodiversity, conservation tillage could play a role in softening the impact of agriculture on farmland birds in Hungary and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, in addition to its potential for reducing soil erosion and diffuse pollution.     

Determination of in situ metal partitioning between particulate matter and ground water

This research was supported by a grant from the National Council for Research and Development, Israel, and the KFK, Karlsruhe, Germany.     

Direct measurement of negative pressure in artificial-biological systems

We are very grateful to A. Gessner for his great help in the construction of the apparatus and A. Meyer for performance of some pressure bomb experiments. This work was supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Forschergruppe Ökophysiologie) to U.Z. and O.L.L.