Showing papers by "Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences published in 2020"
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TL;DR: The extent of the trait data compiled in TRY is evaluated and emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness are analyzed to conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements.
Abstract: Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
882 citations
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TL;DR: The FLUXNET2015 dataset provides ecosystem-scale data on CO 2 , water, and energy exchange between the biosphere and the atmosphere, and other meteorological and biological measurements, from 212 sites around the globe, and is detailed in this paper.
Abstract: The FLUXNET2015 dataset provides ecosystem-scale data on CO2, water, and energy exchange between the biosphere and the atmosphere, and other meteorological and biological measurements, from 212 sites around the globe (over 1500 site-years, up to and including year 2014). These sites, independently managed and operated, voluntarily contributed their data to create global datasets. Data were quality controlled and processed using uniform methods, to improve consistency and intercomparability across sites. The dataset is already being used in a number of applications, including ecophysiology studies, remote sensing studies, and development of ecosystem and Earth system models. FLUXNET2015 includes derived-data products, such as gap-filled time series, ecosystem respiration and photosynthetic uptake estimates, estimation of uncertainties, and metadata about the measurements, presented for the first time in this paper. In addition, 206 of these sites are for the first time distributed under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 4.0) license. This paper details this enhanced dataset and the processing methods, now made available as open-source codes, making the dataset more accessible, transparent, and reproducible.
681 citations
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TL;DR: It is concluded that mycorrhizal associations per se and fungal diversity and mycor rhizal types directly or indirectly affect plant dispersal and competition that shape plant populations and communities, and regulate plant coexistence and diversity at a local scale.
Abstract: Mycorrhizal fungi provide plants with a range of benefits, including mineral nutrients and protection from stress and pathogens. Here we synthesize current information about how the presence and type of mycorrhizal association affect plant communities. We argue that mycorrhizal fungi regulate seedling establishment and species coexistence through stabilizing and equalizing mechanisms such as soil nutrient partitioning, feedback to soil antagonists, differential mycorrhizal benefits, and nutrient trade. Mycorrhizal fungi have strong effects on plant population and community biology, with mycorrhizal type-specific effects on seed dispersal, seedling establishment, and soil niche differentiation, as well as interspecific and intraspecific competition and hence plant diversity.
355 citations
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TL;DR: Overall, diversification enhances biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without compromising crop yields and shows promise to contribute to biodiversity conservation and food security from local to global scales.
Abstract: Enhancing biodiversity in cropping systems is suggested to promote ecosystem services, thereby reducing dependency on agronomic inputs while maintaining high crop yields. We assess the impact of several diversification practices in cropping systems on above- and belowground biodiversity and ecosystem services by reviewing 98 meta-analyses and performing a second-order meta-analysis based on 5160 original studies comprising 41,946 comparisons between diversified and simplified practices. Overall, diversification enhances biodiversity, pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation without compromising crop yields. Practices targeting aboveground biodiversity boosted pest control and water regulation, while those targeting belowground biodiversity enhanced nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and water regulation. Most often, diversification practices resulted in win-win support of services and crop yields. Variability in responses and occurrence of trade-offs highlight the context dependency of outcomes. Widespread adoption of diversification practices shows promise to contribute to biodiversity conservation and food security from local to global scales.
330 citations
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Umeå University1, American Museum of Natural History2, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg3, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ4, Free University of Berlin5, University of Helsinki6, University of Toulouse7, Rothamsted Research8, University of Hasselt9, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic10, Sewanee: The University of the South11, Centre national de la recherche scientifique12, National Research Council13, University of Camerino14, University of Porto15, Flanders Marine Institute16, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences17, Lancaster University18, Spanish National Research Council19, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences20, Forest Research Institute21, Utrecht University22, University of Oulu23, University of Warsaw24, University of Copenhagen25, University of Coimbra26, University of Latvia27, University of Sassari28, University of Nova Gorica29, Finnish Environment Institute30, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research31, Norwegian Institute for Water Research32, James Hutton Institute33, University of Duisburg-Essen34, Trier University of Applied Sciences35, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute36, Research Institute for Nature and Forest37
TL;DR: A quantitative synthesis of longterm biodiversity trends across Europe is reported, showing how, despite overall increase in biodiversity metric and stability in abundance, trends differ between regions, ecosystem types, and taxa.
Abstract: Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract global change. We analyze 161 long-term biological time series (15–91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. We test whether (i) local long-term biodiversity trends are consistent among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, and (ii) changes in biodiversity correlate with regional climate and local conditions. Our results reveal that local trends of abundance, richness and diversity differ among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, demonstrating that biodiversity changes at local scale are often complex and cannot be easily generalized. However, we find increases in richness and abundance with increasing temperature and naturalness as well as a clear spatial pattern in changes in community composition (i.e. temporal taxonomic turnover) in most biogeoregions of Northern and Eastern Europe.
327 citations
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Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research1, University of Cambridge2, Ghent University3, University of Picardie Jules Verne4, University of Jena5, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic6, University of West Hungary7, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences8, Research Institute for Nature and Forest9, Environment Agency10, Rzeszów University11, University of Potsdam12, University of Warsaw13, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague14, University of Wrocław15, University of Ljubljana16, University of Pécs17, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad18, University of Göttingen19, Eötvös Loránd University20, American Museum of Natural History21
TL;DR: It is shown that thermophilization and the climatic lag in forest plant communities are primarily controlled by microclimate, and increasing tree canopy cover reduces warming rates inside forests, but loss of canopy cover leads to increased local heat that exacerbates the disequilibrium between community responses and climate change.
Abstract: Climate warming is causing a shift in biological communities in favor of warm-affinity species (i.e., thermophilization). Species responses often lag behind climate warming, but the reasons for such lags remain largely unknown. Here, we analyzed multidecadal understory microclimate dynamics in European forests and show that thermophilization and the climatic lag in forest plant communities are primarily controlled by microclimate. Increasing tree canopy cover reduces warming rates inside forests, but loss of canopy cover leads to increased local heat that exacerbates the disequilibrium between community responses and climate change. Reciprocal effects between plants and microclimates are key to understanding the response of forest biodiversity and functioning to climate and land-use changes.
317 citations
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American Museum of Natural History1, University of Tartu2, University of Gothenburg3, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences4, University of Oslo5, University of Hawaii at Manoa6, University of Copenhagen7, Purdue University8, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic9, University of Turin10, Harvard University11, Synlab Group12, Universidad Santo Tomás13, Universidad Mayor14, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China15, University of Warsaw16, Swedish Museum of Natural History17, Mae Fah Luang University18, University of Florida19, Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry20, São Paulo Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology21, Estonian University of Life Sciences22, Federal University of Pernambuco23, United States Department of Energy24, Del Rosario University25, National Autonomous University of Mexico26, Ghent University27, West Bengal State University28, Beijing Forestry University29, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile30, Chinese Academy of Sciences31, Field Museum of Natural History32, University of Potsdam33, Leibniz Association34, University of Gilan35, University of Alaska Fairbanks36, University of Tokyo37, University of Costa Rica38, Forest Research Institute39, University of Sydney40, Westmead Hospital41, Uppsala University42, Landcare Research43, University of Chittagong44, University of Memphis45, United Arab Emirates University46, Ministry of Land and Resources of the People's Republic of China47, University of Pretoria48, Royal Botanic Gardens49, Ocean University of China50, Guizhou University51, Mie University52, Hokkaido University53
TL;DR: Fungal traits and character database FungalTraits operating at genus and species hypothesis levels is presented in this article, which includes 17 lifestyle related traits of fungal and Stramenopila genera.
Abstract: The cryptic lifestyle of most fungi necessitates molecular identification of the guild in environmental studies. Over the past decades, rapid development and affordability of molecular tools have tremendously improved insights of the fungal diversity in all ecosystems and habitats. Yet, in spite of the progress of molecular methods, knowledge about functional properties of the fungal taxa is vague and interpretation of environmental studies in an ecologically meaningful manner remains challenging. In order to facilitate functional assignments and ecological interpretation of environmental studies we introduce a user friendly traits and character database FungalTraits operating at genus and species hypothesis levels. Combining the information from previous efforts such as FUNGuild and Fun(Fun) together with involvement of expert knowledge, we reannotated 10,210 and 151 fungal and Stramenopila genera, respectively. This resulted in a stand-alone spreadsheet dataset covering 17 lifestyle related traits of fungal and Stramenopila genera, designed for rapid functional assignments of environmental studies. In order to assign the trait states to fungal species hypotheses, the scientific community of experts manually categorised and assigned available trait information to 697,413 fungal ITS sequences. On the basis of those sequences we were able to summarise trait and host information into 92,623 fungal species hypotheses at 1% dissimilarity threshold.
245 citations
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Wageningen University and Research Centre1, University of California, Davis2, University of Georgia3, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences4, University of Maine5, University of Koblenz and Landau6, University of Bern7, University of Sussex8, Cornell University9, Michigan State University10, University of British Columbia11, University of Padua12, University of Worcester13, University of Reading14, University of California, Berkeley15, University of Göttingen16, Estonian University of Life Sciences17, Lancaster University18, Lincoln University (New Zealand)19
TL;DR: This synthesis identifies several important drivers of variability in effectiveness of plantings: pollination services declined exponentially with distance from plantings, and perennial and older flower strips with higher flowering plant diversity enhanced pollination more effectively.
Abstract: Floral plantings are promoted to foster ecological intensification of agriculture through provisioning of ecosystem services. However, a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of different floral plantings, their characteristics and consequences for crop yield is lacking. Here we quantified the impacts of flower strips and hedgerows on pest control (18 studies) and pollination services (17 studies) in adjacent crops in North America, Europe and New Zealand. Flower strips, but not hedgerows, enhanced pest control services in adjacent fields by 16% on average. However, effects on crop pollination and yield were more variable. Our synthesis identifies several important drivers of variability in effectiveness of plantings: pollination services declined exponentially with distance from plantings, and perennial and older flower strips with higher flowering plant diversity enhanced pollination more effectively. These findings provide promising pathways to optimise floral plantings to more effectively contribute to ecosystem service delivery and ecological intensification of agriculture in the future.
240 citations
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15 Oct 2020TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a practical and theoretical introduction to the strategies and actions to adopt for conserving plant genetic variation, as well as explaining how humans can exploit this diversity for sustainable development.
Abstract: Plant diversity sustains all animal life, and the genetic diversity within plants underpins global food security. This text provides a practical and theoretical introduction to the strategies and actions to adopt for conserving plant genetic variation, as well as explaining how humans can exploit this diversity for sustainable development. Notably readable, it initially offers current knowledge on the characterization and evaluation of plant genetic resources. The authors then discuss strategies from in situ and ex situ conservation to crop breeding, exploring how these can be used to improve food security in the face of increasing agrobiodiversity loss, human population growth and climate change. Each chapter draws on examples from the literature or the authors' research and includes further reading references. Containing other useful features such as a glossary, it is invaluable for professionals and undergraduate and graduate students in plant sciences, ecology, conservation, genetics and natural resource management.
219 citations
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Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences1, Norwegian University of Life Sciences2, Queen's University3, London School of Economics and Political Science4, King's College London5, SOAS, University of London6, Lund University7, University of Exeter8, Overseas Development Institute9, Cornell University10, Philippine Institute for Development Studies11, University of Sussex12, University of Leeds13
TL;DR: This article revisited important insights from the social sciences and humanities on the co-production of political economies, cultures, societies and biophysical relations and showed the possibilities for ontological pluralism to open up for new imaginations.
Abstract: Climate change research is at an impasse. The transformation of economies and everyday practices is more urgent, and yet appears ever more daunting as attempts at behaviour change, regulations, and global agreements confront material and social-political infrastructures that support the status quo. Effective action requires new ways of conceptualizing society, climate and environment and yet current research struggles to break free of established categories. In response, this contribution revisits important insights from the social sciences and humanities on the co-production of political economies, cultures, societies and biophysical relations and shows the possibilities for ontological pluralism to open up for new imaginations. Its intention is to help generate a different framing of socionatural change that goes beyond the current science-policy-behavioural change pathway. It puts forward several moments of inadvertent concealment in contemporary debates that stem directly from the way issues are framed and imagined in contemporary discourses. By placing values, normative commitments, and experiential and plural ways of knowing from around the world at the centre of climate knowledge, we confront climate change with contested politics and the everyday foundations of action rather than just data.
214 citations
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TL;DR: Although it is well known that insects are sensitive to temperature, how they will be affected by ongoing global warming remains uncertain because these responses are multifaceted and ecologically... as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Although it is well known that insects are sensitive to temperature, how they will be affected by ongoing global warming remains uncertain because these responses are multifaceted and ecologically ...
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TL;DR: The possibilities to tailor the fatty acid composition of the BSFL through the diet are limited, and it was concluded that theBSFL fat may not be suitable to replace fish oil, but has potential of inclusion in other food, feed and fuel products.
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TL;DR: Worrying observations include increasing acaricide resistance in the varroa population and sinking economic treatment thresholds, suggesting that the mites or their vectored viruses are becoming more virulent.
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University of Valle1, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute2, Stellenbosch University3, Zoological Society of London4, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences5, American Museum of Natural History6, Center for Biological Diversity7, Tufts University8, Wageningen University and Research Centre9, Naturalis10, University of Nevada, Reno11, University of Amsterdam12, University of Osnabrück13, University of Queensland14, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources15, University of Sussex16, University of Salzburg17, Michigan State University18, Radboud University Nijmegen19, Macquarie University20, University of Trier21, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden22, Xerces Society23, Cardiff University24, Çukurova University25, University of Freiburg26, University of Sydney27, Harper Adams University28, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute29, Cornell University30, Chinese Academy of Sciences31, University of Waikato32, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology33, University of Reading34, Bogor Agricultural University35, National Agricultural Research Institute36, Washington State University Vancouver37, Kasetsart University38, University of Göttingen39, University of Canterbury40, University of Novi Sad41, University of Connecticut42, Butterfly Conservation43, Natural History Museum44
TL;DR: A global ‘roadmap’ for insect conservation and recovery is proposed that entails the immediate implementation of several ‘no-regret’ measures that will act to slow or stop insect declines.
Abstract: To the Editor — A growing number of studies are providing evidence that a suite of anthropogenic stressors — habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, invasive species, climate change and overharvesting — are seriously reducing insect and other invertebrate abundance, diversity and biomass across the biosphere1–8. These declines affect all functional groups: herbivores, detritivores, parasitoids, predators and pollinators. Insects are vitally important in a wide range of ecosystem services9 of which some are vitally important for food production and security (for example, pollination and pest control)10. There is now a strong scientific consensus that the decline of insects, other arthropods and biodiversity as a whole, is a very real and serious threat that society must urgently address11–13. In response to the increasing public awareness of the problem, the German government is committing funds to combat and reverse declining insect numbers13. This funding should act as a clarion call to other nations across the world — especially wealthier ones — to follow suit and to respond proactively to the crisis by addressing the known and suspected threats and implementing solutions. We hereby propose a global ‘roadmap’ for insect conservation and recovery (Fig. 1). This entails the immediate implementation of several ‘no-regret’ measures (Fig. 1, step 1) that will act to slow or stop insect declines. Among the initiatives we encourage are the following immediate measures: Taking aggressive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reversing recent trends in agricultural intensification including reduced application of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and pursuing their replacement with agro-ecological measures; promoting the diversification and maintenance of locally adapted landuse techniques; increasing landscape heterogeneity through the maintenance of natural areas within the landscape matrix and ensuring the retention and creation of microhabitats within habitats which may be increasingly important for insects during extreme climatic events such as droughts or heatwaves; reducing identified local threats such as light, water or noise pollution, invasive species and so on; prioritizing the import of goods that are not produced at the cost of healthy, species-rich ecosystems; designing and deploying policies (for example, subsidies and taxation) to induce the innovation and adoption of insectfriendly technologies; enforcing stricter measures to reduce the introduction of alien species, and prioritizing nature-based tactics for their (long-term) mitigation; compiling and implementing conservation strategies for species that are vulnerable, threatened or endangered; funding educational and outreach programs, including those tailored to the needs of the wider public, farmers, land managers, decision makers and conservation professionals; enhancing ‘citizen science’ or ‘community science’ as a way of obtaining more data on insect diversity and abundance as well as engaging the public, especially in areas where academic or professional infrastructure is lacking; devising and deploying measures across agricultural and food value chains that favour insect-friendly farming, including tracking, labelling, certification and insurance schemes or outcome-based incentives that facilitate behavioural changes, and investing in capacity building to create a new generation of insect conservationists and providing knowledge and skills to existing professionals (particularly in developing countries). To better understand changes in insect abundance and diversity, research should aim to prioritize the following areas: Quantifying temporal trends in insect abundance, diversity and biomass by extracting long-term datasets from existing insect collections to inform new censuses; exploring the relative contributions of different anthropogenic stressors causing insect declines within and across different taxa; initiating long-term studies comparing insect abundance and diversity in different habitats and ecosystems along a management-intensity gradient and at the intersection of agricultural and natural habitats; designing and validating insectfriendly techniques that are effective, locally relevant and economically sound in agriculture, managed habitats and urban environments; promoting and applying standardized monitoring protocols globally and establishing long-term monitoring plots or sites based on such protocols, as well as increasing support for existing monitoring efforts; establishing an international governing body under the auspices of existing bodies (for example, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) or the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)) that is accountable for documenting and monitoring the effects of proposed solutions on insect biodiversity in the longer term; launching public–private partnerships and sustainable financing initiatives with the aim of restoring, protecting and creating new vital insect habitats as well as managing key threats; increasing exploration and research to improve biodiversity assessments, with a focus on regional capacity building in understudied and neglected areas, and performing large-scale assessments of the conservation status of insect groups to help define priority species, areas and issues. Most importantly, we should not wait to act until we have addressed every key knowledge gap. We currently have enough information on some key causes of insect decline to formulate no-regret solutions whilst more data are compiled for lesserknown taxa and regions and long-term data are aggregated and assessed. Implementation should be accompanied by research that examines impacts, the results of which can be used to modify and improve the implementation of effective measures. Furthermore, such a ‘learning-by-doing’ approach ensures that these conservation strategies are robust to newly emerging pressures and threats. We must act now. ❐
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University of Sydney1, State University of New York System2, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research3, La Trobe University4, University of New South Wales5, University of Copenhagen6, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation7, Ikerbasque8, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences9, Estonian University of Life Sciences10, Indiana University11, University of Cádiz12, Washington State University13, West Virginia University14, University of Minnesota15, Ghent University16, Lund University17, Max Planck Society18
TL;DR: Carbon dioxide enrichment of a mature forest resulted in the emission of the excess carbon back into the atmosphere via enhanced ecosystem respiration, suggesting that mature forests may be limited in their capacity to mitigate climate change.
Abstract: Atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment (eCO2) can enhance plant carbon uptake and growth1–5, thereby providing an important negative feedback to climate change by slowing the rate of increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentration6. Although evidence gathered from young aggrading forests has generally indicated a strong CO2 fertilization effect on biomass growth3–5, it is unclear whether mature forests respond to eCO2 in a similar way. In mature trees and forest stands7–10, photosynthetic uptake has been found to increase under eCO2 without any apparent accompanying growth response, leaving the fate of additional carbon fixed under eCO2 unclear4,5,7–11. Here using data from the first ecosystem-scale Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment in a mature forest, we constructed a comprehensive ecosystem carbon budget to track the fate of carbon as the forest responded to four years of eCO2 exposure. We show that, although the eCO2 treatment of +150 parts per million (+38 per cent) above ambient levels induced a 12 per cent (+247 grams of carbon per square metre per year) increase in carbon uptake through gross primary production, this additional carbon uptake did not lead to increased carbon sequestration at the ecosystem level. Instead, the majority of the extra carbon was emitted back into the atmosphere via several respiratory fluxes, with increased soil respiration alone accounting for half of the total uptake surplus. Our results call into question the predominant thinking that the capacity of forests to act as carbon sinks will be generally enhanced under eCO2, and challenge the efficacy of climate mitigation strategies that rely on ubiquitous CO2 fertilization as a driver of increased carbon sinks in global forests. Carbon dioxide enrichment of a mature forest resulted in the emission of the excess carbon back into the atmosphere via enhanced ecosystem respiration, suggesting that mature forests may be limited in their capacity to mitigate climate change.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors estimate the global sole cropped grain legume-cereal intercrop experiments, employing stable 15N isotope methods, have shown that due to competitive interactions and complementary N acquisition in intercrops, the cereals recover a more than proportional share of the soil N sources.
Abstract: Planetary boundaries for terrestrial inputs of reactive nitrogen (Nr) are transgressed and reducing the input of new Nr and its environmental impacts are major global challenges. Grain legumes fix dinitrogen (N2) in symbiosis with soil bacteria and use soil N sources, but often less efficient than cereals. Intercropping grain legumes with cereals may be a means of increasing use efficiency of soil N. Here, we estimate the global sole cropped grain legume acquisition of N from soil to approximately 14.2 Tg N year−1, which corresponds to one-third of the global synthetic fertilizer N use (109 Tg N year−1) for all crops, assuming that grain legumes recover on average 40% of the fertilizer N. Published data from grain legume-cereal intercrop experiments, employing stable 15N isotope methods, have shown that due to competitive interactions and complementary N acquisition in intercrops, the cereals recover a more than proportional share of the soil N sources. As a consequence, the intercropped legume derives more of its N from the atmosphere, compared with when it is grown as legume sole crop. We estimated that the increased N use efficiency in intercropping can reduce the requirements for fossil-based fertilizer N by about 26% on a global scale. In addition, our estimates indicate that if all current grain legume sole crops would instead be intercropped with cereals, a potential net land saving would be achieved, when also replacing part of the current cereal sole crop area with intercropping. Intercropping has additional potential advantages such as increased yield stability and yield per unit area, reduced pest problems and reduced requirements for agrochemicals, while stimulating biodiversity. It is concluded that crop diversification by intercropping has the potential to reduce global requirements for synthetic fertilizer N and consequently support the development of more sustainable cropping systems.
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TL;DR: A commercially available test developed for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG by 29 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 124 negative controls indicates that the test is suitable for assessing previous virus exposure, although negative results may be unreliable during the first weeks after infection.
Abstract: COVID-19 is the most rapidly growing pandemic in modern time, and the need for serological testing is most urgent. Although the diagnostics of acute patients by RT-PCR is both efficient and specific, we are also crucially in need of serological tools for investigating antibody responses and assessing individual and potential herd immunity. We evaluated a commercially available test developed for rapid (within 15 minutes) detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG by 29 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 124 negative controls. The results revealed a sensitivity of 69% and 93.1% for IgM and IgG, respectively, based solely on PCR-positivity due to the absence of a serological gold standard. The assay specificities were shown to be 100% for IgM and 99.2% for IgG. This indicates that the test is suitable for assessing previous virus exposure, although negative results may be unreliable during the first weeks after infection. More detailed studies on antibody responses during and post infection are urgently needed.
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Rutgers University1, Agricultural Research Service2, Pennsylvania State University3, Simon Fraser University4, University of Manitoba5, University of California, Davis6, University of Minnesota7, University of Florida8, Florida Museum of Natural History9, Wenatchee Valley College10, Michigan State University11, Oregon State University12, University of Arkansas13, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences14, North Carolina State University15, National Park Service16
TL;DR: It is found that pollinator declines could translate directly into decreased yields or production for most of the crops studied, and that wild species contribute substantially to pollination of most study crops in major crop-producing regions.
Abstract: Most of the world's crops depend on pollinators, so declines in both managed and wild bees raise concerns about food security. However, the degree to which insect pollination is actually limiting current crop production is poorly understood, as is the role of wild species (as opposed to managed honeybees) in pollinating crops, particularly in intensive production areas. We established a nationwide study to assess the extent of pollinator limitation in seven crops at 131 locations situated across major crop-producing areas of the USA. We found that five out of seven crops showed evidence of pollinator limitation. Wild bees and honeybees provided comparable amounts of pollination for most crops, even in agriculturally intensive regions. We estimated the nationwide annual production value of wild pollinators to the seven crops we studied at over $1.5 billion; the value of wild bee pollination of all pollinator-dependent crops would be much greater. Our findings show that pollinator declines could translate directly into decreased yields or production for most of the crops studied, and that wild species contribute substantially to pollination of most study crops in major crop-producing regions.
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TL;DR: Managing the land use in the hydrologically connected parts of the landscape may be the most feasible way to counteractBrowning of natural waters, and potential mitigation measures to locally counteract browning are explored.
Abstract: Browning of surface waters, as a result of increasing dissolved organic carbon and iron concentrations, is a widespread phenomenon with implications to the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. In this article, we provide an overview of the consequences of browning in relation to ecosystem services, outline what the underlying drivers and mechanisms of browning are, and specifically focus on exploring potential mitigation measures to locally counteract browning. These topical concepts are discussed with a focus on Scandinavia, but are of relevance also to other regions. Browning is of environmental concern as it leads to, e.g., increasing costs and risks for drinking water production, and reduced fish production in lakes by limiting light penetration. While climate change, recovery from acidification, and land-use change are all likely factors contributing to the observed browning, managing the land use in the hydrologically connected parts of the landscape may be the most feasible way to counteract browning of natural waters.
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TL;DR: The proportions of PFHxA, PFHpA, and PFBS were higher in drinking water than in serum, and the opposite was found forPFHxS and PFOS, and a general pattern of increasing half-lives with increasing chain length was observed.
Abstract: Background: Firefighting foam–contaminated ground water, which contains high levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is frequently found around airports. In 2018 it was detected that employees ...
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University of Naples Federico II1, Utrecht University2, University of Liverpool3, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna4, Free University of Berlin5, Spiru Haret University6, Warsaw University of Life Sciences7, University of Porto8, Spanish National Research Council9, University of Haifa10, SIDI11, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences12, Norwegian University of Life Sciences13, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences14, Queen's University Belfast15, Ghent University16
TL;DR: A European wide assessment of the economic burden of gastrointestinal nematodes, Fasciola hepatica (common liver fluke) and Dictyocaulus viviparus (bovine lungworm) infections to the ruminant livestock industry is reported.
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Estonian University of Life Sciences1, Plant & Food Research2, Mendel University3, Slovak Academy of Sciences4, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center5, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences6, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research7, University of Valladolid8, Julius Kühn-Institut9, University of Pretoria10, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences11, University of Florence12, ANSES13, Cyprus University of Technology14, Forest Research Institute15, University of Belgrade16, University of Warsaw17, Çankırı Karatekin University18, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje19, University of Milan20, Kappa21, University of Extremadura22, Tuscia University23
TL;DR: The findings reported in this review will support countries that are currently free of F. circinatum in implementing effective procedures and restrictions and prevent further spread of the pathogen.
Abstract: Fusarium circinatum, the causal agent of pine pitch canker (PPC), is currently one of the most important threats of Pinus spp. globally. This pathogen is known in many pine-growing regions, including natural and planted forests, and can affect all life stages of trees, from emerging seedlings to mature trees. Despite the importance of PPC, the global distribution of F. circinatum is poorly documented, and this problem is also true of the hosts within countries that are affected. The aim of this study was to review the global distribution of F. circinatum, with a particular focus on Europe. We considered (1) the current and historical pathogen records, both positive and negative, based on confirmed reports from Europe and globally; (2) the genetic diversity and population structure of the pathogen; (3) the current distribution of PPC in Europe, comparing published models of predicted disease distribution; and (4) host susceptibility by reviewing literature and generating a comprehensive list of known hosts for the fungus. These data were collated from 41 countries and used to compile a specially constructed geo-database. A review of 6297 observation records showed that F. circinatum and the symptoms it causes on conifers occurred in 14 countries, including four in Europe, and is absent in 28 countries. Field observations and experimental data from 138 host species revealed 106 susceptible host species including 85 Pinus species, 6 non-pine tree species and 15 grass and herb species. Our data confirm that susceptibility to F. circinatum varies between different host species, tree ages and environmental characteristics. Knowledge on the geographic distribution, host range and the relative susceptibility of different hosts is essential for disease management, mitigation and containment strategies. The findings reported in this review will support countries that are currently free of F. circinatum in implementing effective procedures and restrictions and prevent further spread of the pathogen.
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TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be applied to develop potato varieties with reduced enzymatic browning in tubers, by the specific editing of a single member of the StPPO gene family.
Abstract: Polyphenol Oxidases (PPOs) catalyze the conversion of phenolic substrates to quinones, leading to the formation of dark-colored precipitates in fruits and vegetables. This process, known as enzymatic browning, is the cause of undesirable changes in organoleptic properties and the loss of nutritional quality in plant-derived products. In potato (Solanum tubersoum L.), PPOs are encoded by a multi-gene family with different expression patterns. Here, we have studied the application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to induce mutations in the StPPO2 gene in the tetraploid cultivar Desiree. We hypothesized that the specific editing of this target gene would result in a lower PPO activity in the tuber with the consequent reduction of the enzymatic browning. Ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), formed by two sgRNAs and Cas9 nuclease, were transfected to potato protoplasts. Up to 68% of regenerated plants contained mutations in at least one allele of the target gene, while 24% of edited lines carried mutations in all four alleles. No off-target mutations were identified in other analyzed StPPO genes. Mutations induced in the four alleles of StPPO2 gene, led to lines with a reduction of up to 69% in tuber PPO activity and a reduction of 73% in enzymatic browning, compared to the control. Our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 system can be applied to develop potato varieties with reduced enzymatic browning in tubers, by the specific editing of a single member of the StPPO gene family.
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TL;DR: A classification system based on cardiac structure and function (phenotype) is outlined and a staging system for cardiomyopathy is introduced that includes subdivision of cats with subclinical cardiopathy into those at low risk of life‐threatening complications and those at higher risk.
Abstract: Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of myocardial disorders of mostly unknown etiology, and they occur commonly in cats. In some cats, they are well-tolerated and are associated with normal life expectancy, but in other cats they can result in congestive heart failure, arterial thromboembolism or sudden death. Cardiomyopathy classification in cats can be challenging, and in this consensus statement we outline a classification system based on cardiac structure and function (phenotype). We also introduce a staging system for cardiomyopathy that includes subdivision of cats with subclinical cardiomyopathy into those at low risk of life-threatening complications and those at higher risk. Based on the available literature, we offer recommendations for the approach to diagnosis and staging of cardiomyopathies, as well as for management at each stage.
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University of Salamanca1, University of Santiago de Compostela2, Norwegian Institute for Water Research3, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens4, University of Valencia5, University of South Australia6, King's College London7, University of Bern8, James I University9, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava10, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev11, Technical University of Denmark12, University of Puget Sound13, University of Bath14, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki15, University of Antwerp16, University of Amsterdam17, Université Paris-Saclay18, American Board of Legal Medicine19, University of Cyprus20, Sewanee: The University of the South21, Dresden University of Technology22, National Institutes of Health23, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences24, University of Lisbon25, Spanish National Research Council26, University of Iceland27, Innsbruck Medical University28, University of Queensland29, University of Novi Sad30, AGH University of Science and Technology31, McGill University32, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research33, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology34
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess spatial and temporal trends of population-normalized mass loads of benzoylecgonine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in raw wastewater over 7 years (2011-17), and address overall drug use by estimating the average number of combined doses consumed per day in each city.
Abstract: Background and aims
Wastewater‐based epidemiology is an additional indicator of drug use that is gaining reliability to complement the current established panel of indicators. The aims of this study were to: (i) assess spatial and temporal trends of population‐normalized mass loads of benzoylecgonine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in raw wastewater over 7 years (2011–17); (ii) address overall drug use by estimating the average number of combined doses consumed per day in each city; and (iii) compare these with existing prevalence and seizure data.
Design
Analysis of daily raw wastewater composite samples collected over 1 week per year from 2011 to 2017.
Setting and Participants
Catchment areas of 143 wastewater treatment plants in 120 cities in 37 countries.
Measurements
Parent substances (amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA) and the metabolites of cocaine (benzoylecgonine) and of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol) were measured in wastewater using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Daily mass loads (mg/day) were normalized to catchment population (mg/1000 people/day) and converted to the number of combined doses consumed per day. Spatial differences were assessed world‐wide, and temporal trends were discerned at European level by comparing 2011–13 drug loads versus 2014–17 loads.
Findings
Benzoylecgonine was the stimulant metabolite detected at higher loads in southern and western Europe, and amphetamine, MDMA and methamphetamine in East and North–Central Europe. In other continents, methamphetamine showed the highest levels in the United States and Australia and benzoylecgonine in South America. During the reporting period, benzoylecgonine loads increased in general across Europe, amphetamine and methamphetamine levels fluctuated and MDMA underwent an intermittent upsurge.
Conclusions
The analysis of wastewater to quantify drug loads provides near real‐time drug use estimates that globally correspond to prevalence and seizure data.
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TL;DR: COVID-19 will ensure that masks are always considered as an essential commodity in future pandemic preparedness and utilise raw materials that are side-stream products of local industries to develop facemasks having equal or better efficiency than the conventional ones.
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TL;DR: In this scenario, food security can be ensured by improving cereal production through agronomic management, breeding of climate-adapted genotypes and increasing genetic biodiversity.
Abstract: Growth and development of cereal crops are linked to weather, day length and growing degree-days (GDDs) which make them responsive to the specific environments in specific seasons. Global temperature is rising due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and clearance of woodlands for building construction. The rise in temperature disrupts crop growth and development. Disturbance mainly causes a shift in phenological development of crops and affects their economic yield. Scientists and farmers adapt to these phenological shifts, in part, by changing sowing time and cultivar shifts which may increase or decrease crop growth duration. Nonetheless, climate warming is a global phenomenon and cannot be avoided. In this scenario, food security can be ensured by improving cereal production through agronomic management, breeding of climate-adapted genotypes and increasing genetic biodiversity. In this review, climate warming, its impact and consequences are discussed with reference to their influences on phenological shifts. Furthermore, how different cereal crops adapt to climate warming by regulating their phenological development is elaborated. Based on the above mentioned discussion, different management strategies to cope with climate warming are suggested.
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TL;DR: It is found that Arctic plant communities and species are generally sensitive to warming, but trends over a period of time are heterogeneous and complex and do not always mirror expectations based on responses to experimental manipulations.
Abstract: Changes in Arctic vegetation can have important implications for trophic interactions and ecosystem functioning leading to climate feedbacks. Plot-based vegetation surveys provide detailed insight into vegetation changes at sites around the Arctic and improve our ability to predict the impacts of environmental change on tundra ecosystems. Here, we review studies of changes in plant community composition and phenology from both long-term monitoring and warming experiments in Arctic environments. We find that Arctic plant communities and species are generally sensitive to warming, but trends over a period of time are heterogeneous and complex and do not always mirror expectations based on responses to experimental manipulations. Our findings highlight the need for more geographically widespread, integrated, and comprehensive monitoring efforts that can better resolve the interacting effects of warming and other local and regional ecological factors.
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TL;DR: Tannins are found in most of the species throughout the plant kingdom, where their functions are to protect the plant against predation and might help in regulating the plant growth as discussed by the authors.
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21 Feb 2020TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the trade-offs inherent when aiming at triple goals of sustainability, food security, and safety looking at thesestrategies for reducing food losses and waste and resource footprints.
Abstract: The United Nations sustainable development goals include eradication of hunger. To feed10 billion persons 2050, we need to get the trade-offs right between sustainability, foodsecurity, food safety, and make better use of food already produced. The hierarchy ofstrategies for reducing food losses and waste are in descending order source reduction,reusing or reprocessing surplus foods, recycle food as feedfor animals, recover theenergy as biofuels, nutrients as compost, or raw materials for industry, while as lastresorts one may consider recovering the energy by incineration or dumping as garbagein landfills. This paper will explore the trade-offs inherent when aiming at triple goals ofsustainability, food security, and safety looking at thesestrategies for reducing food lossesand waste and resource footprints. Intensification of food production and circular foodsystems could be parts of these solutions to future food security. In this regard couldour future trade-offs be informed by the experiences from the use of antimicrobials tointensify food production and from the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy(BSE) in terms of circular food production? There is no trade-off between intensificationof food production aided by antimicrobials and the public health risks from antimicrobialresistance due to the zoo-technical use of antimicrobials.A sustainable future requirescontrol of antimicrobial resistance. If one avoids that cycles of nutrients become cycles ofpathogens and/or hazards, circular food production systems will a major contribution tothe future sustainable food security. Source reduction i.e., limiting food losses and wasteappears to the strategy most promising for achieving sustainability. By using artificialintelligence and intelligent packaging major progress is possible, with the added benefitof better control of food fraud. A changed diet—eating more plant-based foods and noteating animal protein produced by edible feedstuffs, and source reduction of the foodlost or wasted should enable us to feed at least an additionalbillion persons. Solutions tosustainability and food security should integrate food safety considerations from the start.