A new method for analysing socio-ecological patterns of vulnerability

This paper presents a method for the analysis of socio-ecological patterns of vulnerability of people being at risk of losing their livelihoods as a consequence of global environmental change. This method fills a gap in methodologies for vulnerability analysis by providing generalizations of the factors that shape vulnerability in specific socio-ecological systems and showing their spatial occurrence. The proposed method consists of four steps that include both quantitative and qualitative analyses. To start, the socio-ecological system exposed to global environmental changes that will be studied needs to be determined. This could, for example, be farmers in drylands, urban populations in coastal areas and forest-dependent people in the tropics. Next, the core dimensions that shape vulnerability in the socio-ecological system of interest need to be defined. Subsequently, a set of spatially explicit indicators that reflect these core dimensions is selected. Cluster analysis is used for grouping the indicator data. The clusters found, referred to as vulnerability profiles, describe different typical groupings of conditions and processes that create vulnerability in the socio-ecological system under study, and their spatial distribution is provided. Interpretation and verification of these profiles is the last step in the analysis. We illustrate the application of this method by analysing the patterns of vulnerability of (smallholder) farmers in drylands. We identify eight distinct vulnerability profiles in drylands that together provide a global overview of different processes taking place and sub-national detail of their distribution. By overlaying the spatial distribution of these profiles with specific outcome indicators such as conflict occurrence or migration, the method can also be used to understand these phenomena better. Analysis of vulnerability profiles will in a next step be used as a basis for identifying responses to reduce vulnerability, for example, to facilitate the transfer of best practices to reduce vulnerability between different places.     

Unpacking the spaces and politics of energy poverty: path-dependencies,deprivation and fuel switching in post-communist Hungary

This paper focuses on the embeddedness of energy poverty – understood as the inability to secure a socially and materially necessitated level of energy services in the home – in the socio-technical legacies inherited from past development trajectories, as well as broader economic and institutional landscapes. Using Hungary as an example, we explore the recent expansion of energy poverty across different demographic and income groups. While much of the mainstream literature focuses on cases where energy poverty affects distinct social groups and issues, our analyses examine the systemic implications of a form of deprivation that involves a much wider range of social and spatial strata. We develop a framework that highlights the different ways in which inadequate access to energy services has resulted in the emergence of new political reconfigurations among a variety of actors, while prompting the articulation of household strategies with far-reaching structural consequences.     

Southwest climate gap: poverty and environmental justice in the US Southwest

This article examines the “climate gap” in the Southwest US (Arizona and New Mexico), referring to the “disproportionate and unequal implications of climate change and climate change mitigation” for “people of color and the poor” [Shonkoff, S.B., et al., 2011. The climate gap: environmental health and equity implications of climate change mitigation policies in California. Climatic Change, 109 (Suppl. 1), S485–S503]. The climate and poverty relationship is examined using multi-scaled analysis across three indicators of climate vulnerability, focusing on connections to health, food, and energy during the period 2010–2012. We provide an overview of climate-related social vulnerability in the Southwest based on available federal, state, and county-level census data. We then summarise the results from a stakeholder workshop and in-depth interviews about climate vulnerabilities with social service providers in southern Arizona. We identify a significant Southwest climate gap based on census data and interview findings about climate vulnerability especially relating to high levels of poverty, health disparities, and increasing costs for energy, water, and food. We find that grassroots and community organisations have mobilised to respond to climate and social vulnerability, yet resources for mitigation and adaptation are insufficient given the high level of need. Confronting a changing climate that is projected to be hotter, drier, and with the potential to reach new thresholds, we suggest that more research needs to be done to understand the social and spatial characteristics of climate risk and how low-income populations embody and experience climate risk, and adapt to a changing climate.     

Strengths and weaknesses of microarray approaches to detect Pseudo-nitzschia species in the field

The planktonic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia contains several genetically closely related species. Some of these can produce domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin. Thus, monitoring programs are needed to screen for the presence of these toxic species. Unfortunately, many are impossible to distinguish using light microscopy. Therefore, we assessed the applicability of microarray technology for detection of toxic and non-toxic Pseudo-nitzschia species in the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean Sea). Here, 11 species have been detected, of which at least 5 are potentially toxic. A total of 49 genus- and species-specific DNA probes were designed in silico against the nuclear LSU and SSU rRNA of 19 species, and spotted on the microarray. The microarray was tested against total RNA of monoclonal cultures of eight species. Only three of the probes designed to be species-specific were indeed so within the limits of our experimental design. To assess the effectiveness of the microarray in detecting Pseudo-nitzschia species in environmental samples, we hybridized total RNA extracted from 11 seasonal plankton samples against microarray slides and compared the observed pattern with plankton counts in light microscopy and with expected hybridization patterns obtained with monoclonal cultures of the observed species. Presence of species in field samples generally resulted in signal patterns on the microarray as observed with RNA extracted from cultures of these species, but many a-specific signals appeared as well. Possible reasons for the numerous cross reactions are discussed. Calibration curves for Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata showed linear relationship between signal strength and cell number.     

Solid-phase extraction and capillary electrophoresis determination of phenols from soil after alkaline CuO oxidation

Alkaline CuO oxidation has been used on molecular-level analyses of phenols from organic matter in the last decades. This method, originally developed by Hedges and Ertel [Hedges, J.I., Ertel, J.R., 1982. Characterization of lignin by gas capillary chromatography of cupric oxide oxidation products. Anal. Chem. 54, 174-178] has several drawbacks that have limited is wider utilization. In this paper, we propose a modification of the method using a solid-phase extraction (SPE) instead of a liquid-liquid extraction. The SPE procedure using C18 cartridges was optimized to obtain high recoveries. The sequential elution with acetonitrile and methanol was found to be the most appropriate procedure. Recoveries of the 12 phenols in individual standard solutions ranged from 84% to 113% with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 12%. Experiments with a mixed standard solution highlighted the competition between the different phenols for the adsorbing sites. Recoveries decreased with polarity, reaching 30% for p-hydroxybenzoic acid when present at a concentration of 2.5 x 10(-3)M. A sample soil subjected to a CuO oxidation was used to test the reproducibility of the SPE method and good results were achieved, RSD ranged between 0.4% and 28.3%. The performance of the CE method was also evaluated by correlation coefficients (higher than 0.9920), linearity (higher than 99.902%) and limit of detection (ranging from 2.64 x 10(-6) to 1.25 x 10(-5)M). SPE procedure presents several advantages such as fast sample preparation, good recoveries, good accuracy, low sample handling and safety improvement due to reduced solvent/sample exposure and glassware management.     

Polishing of painting process effluents through adsorption with biochar from winemaking residues

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A real industrial effluent from the pre-treatment and painting processes was polished through adsorption using alternative biochar derived from grape...     

Old growth forests and large old trees as critical organisms connecting ecosystems and human health. A review

Old forests containing ancient trees are essential ecosystems for life on earth. Mechanisms that happen both deep in the root systems and in the highest canopies ensure the viability of our planet. Old forests fix large quantities of atmospheric CO₂, produce oxygen, create micro-climates and irreplaceable habitats, in sharp contrast to young forests and monoculture forests. The current intense logging activities induce rapid, adverse effects on our ecosystems and climate. Here we review large old trees with a focus on ecosystem preservation, climate issues, and therapeutic potential. We found that old forests continue to sequester carbon and fix nitrogen. Old trees control below-ground conditions that are essential for tree regeneration. Old forests create micro-climates that slow global warming and are irreplaceable habitats for many endangered species. Old trees produce phytochemicals with many biomedical properties. Old trees also host particular fungi with untapped medicinal potential, including the Agarikon, Fomitopsis officinalis, which is currently being tested against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Large old trees are an important part of our combined cultural heritage, providing people with aesthetic, symbolic, religious, and historical cues. Bringing their numerous environmental, oceanic, ecological, therapeutic, and socio-cultural benefits to the fore, and learning to appreciate old trees in a holistic manner could contribute to halting the worldwide decline of old-growth forests.

     

Monitoring of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in a Colombian tropical reservoir

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Anthropogenic pollution and global climate change have resulted in favorable environmental conditions for increased frequency and duration of...