scholarly journals Are plants engineered with CRISPR technology genetically modified organisms?

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huw D. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Breeding Cycles ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
Local Weather ◽  
Future Population

We are only two or three breeding cycles from 9 billion people and an altered climate. This future population will rightly expect to access a nutritious, balanced and affordable diet, and to expect that the animals and plants it comes from are produced sustainably. However, during the same period there will be changes to the global climate resulting in local weather patterns with more frequent extreme events. To ensure medium-term food security will be challenging; to ensure it over the longer-term without permanently degrading the natural resources of our planet will need step-changes in agricultural systems. Breeding new varieties of plants will be a necessity to meet these future needs, but achieving this through conventional methods is likely to prove problematic. The novel technique of genome editing, with its ability to turn off or improve existing genes, may well be the answer to this problem.

scholarly journals Warmer April Temperatures on Breeding Grounds Promote Earlier Nesting in a Long-Distance Migratory Bird, the Prothonotary Warbler

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey P. Hoover ◽  
Wendy M. Schelsky
Keyword(s):  
Global Climate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Annual Productivity ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Arrival Dates ◽  
Prothonotary Warbler ◽  
Local Weather

Global climate change and warming are altering hemispheric and local weather patterns. Altered weather patterns have great potential to affect the phenology of life history events, such as the initiation of breeding in organisms that reproduce seasonally. Long-distance migratory birds may be particularly challenged by changes in local weather on breeding grounds because they arrive from distant locations and must commence breeding when conditions are appropriate. Here we explore the effects of local temperature on first egg dates and annual productivity in a long-distance Neotropical migratory songbird, the prothonotary warbler Protonotaria citrea. We present results from a 20-year (1994 to 2013) study documenting the detailed nesting activities of a color-marked population (average of 155 individual females each year) of warblers in southern Illinois, United States. The warblers typically arrive in April and start breeding in late April and May in our study system. We tested for an effect of local average April daily temperature and female age on first egg dates, total number of offspring produced per female, and the probability of fledging two broods. We found that warmer April temperatures promoted earlier first egg dates and higher average annual productivity in the warblers. On average, older females had earlier first egg dates than 1-year-old females, but both age groups responded similarly to local April temperatures. The reproductive gains associated with earlier first egg dates in warmer years stemmed from an increased probability of successfully fledging two broods, suggesting that earlier first egg dates do not currently create a mismatch with food (insect) resources. Earliest arrival dates of warblers to the region of our study system were not affected by local April temperatures, suggesting that females vary their first egg date based on conditions they experience/assess after their arrival. Whereas these birds currently adjust the timing of their breeding and actually produce more offspring in warmer years, continued global warming may eventually upset the current balance between arrival dates, food resources, and the commencement of nesting.

Simulation and Projection of Summer Convective Afternoon Rainfall Activities over Southeast Asia in CMIP6 Models

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-43
Author(s):  
Wan-Ru Huang ◽  
Ya-Hui Chang ◽  
Liping Deng ◽  
Pin-Yi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Sea Breeze ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Historical Simulation ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
The Future ◽  
Local Weather

AbstractConvective afternoon rainfall (CAR) events, which tend to generate a local rainfall typically in the afternoon, are among the most frequently observed local weather patterns over Southeast Asia during summer. Using satellite precipitation estimations as an observational base for model evaluation, this study examines the applicability of ten global climate models provided by the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) in simulating the CAR activities over Southeast Asia. Analyses also focus on exploring the characteristics and maintenance mechanisms of related projections of CAR activities in the future. Our analyses of the historical simulation indicate that EC-Earth3 and EC-Earth3-Veg are the two best models for simulating CAR activities (including amount, frequency, and intensity) over Southeast Asia. Analyses also demonstrate that EC-Earth3 and EC-Earth3-Veg outperform their earlier version (i.e., EC-Earth) in CMIP5 owing to the increase in its spatial resolution in CMIP6. For future projections, our examinations of the differences in CAR activities between the future (2071–2100, under the ssp858 run) and the present (1985–2014, under historical run) indicate that CAR events will become fewer but more intense over most land areas of Southeast Asia. Possible causes of the projected increase (decrease) in CAR intensity (frequency) are attributed to the projected increase (decrease) in the local atmospheric humidity (sea breeze convergence and daytime thermal instability). These findings provide insight into how the local weather/climate over Southeast Asia is likely to change under global warming.

Associations Between Local Weather Patterns and the Frequency of Sand Enteritis in an East Anglian Equine Hospital

2013 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 16-16
Author(s):  
P.C. Compston ◽  
R. Moran ◽  
E. Packer ◽  
T.R.C. Greet ◽  
C.M. Marr
Keyword(s):  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Local Weather

Analog Models for Empirical-Statistical Downscaling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Laura Bettolli
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Downscaling ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Regional Climate ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Climate Information ◽  
Analog Method ◽  
Weather Typing ◽  
Regional Climates ◽  
Local Weather

Global climate models (GCM) are fundamental tools for weather forecasting and climate predictions at different time scales, from intraseasonal prediction to climate change projections. Their design allows GCMs to simulate the global climate adequately, but they are not able to skillfully simulate local/regional climates. Consequently, downscaling and bias correction methods are increasingly needed and applied for generating useful local and regional climate information from the coarse GCM resolution. Empirical-statistical downscaling (ESD) methods generate climate information at the local scale or with a greater resolution than that achieved by GCM by means of empirical or statistical relationships between large-scale atmospheric variables and the local observed climate. As a counterpart approach, dynamical downscaling is based on regional climate models that simulate regional climate processes with a greater spatial resolution, using GCM fields as initial or boundary conditions. Various ESD methods can be classified according to different criteria, depending on their approach, implementation, and application. In general terms, ESD methods can be categorized into subgroups that include transfer functions or regression models (either linear or nonlinear), weather generators, and weather typing methods and analogs. Although these methods can be grouped into different categories, they can also be combined to generate more sophisticated downscaling methods. In the last group, weather typing and analogs, the methods relate the occurrence of particular weather classes to local and regional weather conditions. In particular, the analog method is based on finding atmospheric states in the historical record that are similar to the atmospheric state on a given target day. Then, the corresponding historical local weather conditions are used to estimate local weather conditions on the target day. The analog method is a relatively simple technique that has been extensively used as a benchmark method in statistical downscaling applications. Of easy construction and applicability to any predictand variable, it has shown to perform as well as other more sophisticated methods. These attributes have inspired its application in diverse studies around the world that explore its ability to simulate different characteristics of regional climates.

scholarly journals Weather, Climate, and Worldviews: The Sources and Consequences of Public Perceptions of Changes in Local Weather Patterns*

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Goebbert ◽  
Hank C. Jenkins-Smith ◽  
Kim Klockow ◽  
Matthew C. Nowlin ◽  
Carol L. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Political Ideology ◽  
Cultural Worldview ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Local Patterns ◽  
Weather Changes ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Precipitation Changes ◽  
Local Weather

Abstract This paper analyzes the changes Americans perceive to be taking place in their local weather and tests a series of hypotheses about why they hold these perceptions. Using data from annual nationwide surveys of the American public taken from 2008 to 2011, coupled with geographically specific measures of temperature and precipitation changes over that same period, the authors evaluate the relationship between perceptions of weather changes and actual changes in local weather. In addition, the survey data include measures of individual-level characteristics (age, education level, gender, and income) as well as cultural worldview and political ideology. Rival hypotheses about the origins of Americans’ perceptions of weather change are tested, and it is found that actual weather changes are less predictive of perceived changes in local temperatures, but better predictors of perceived flooding and droughts. Cultural biases and political ideology also shape perceptions of changes in local weather. Overall, the analysis herein indicates that beliefs about changes in local temperatures have been more heavily politicized than is true for beliefs about local precipitation patterns. Therefore, risk communications linking changes in local patterns of precipitation to broader changes in the climate are more likely to penetrate identity-protective cognitions about climate.

scholarly journals Urban climate change, livelihood vulnerability and narratives of generational responsibility in Jinja, Uganda

Africa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie McQuaid ◽  
Robert M. Vanderbeck ◽  
Gill Valentine ◽  
Chen Liu ◽  
Lily Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Poor ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Urban Climate ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Present Generation

AbstractThere is an urgent need to understand lived experiences of climate change in the context of African cities, where even small climate shocks can have significant implications for the livelihoods of the urban poor. This article examines narratives of climate and livelihood changes within Jinja Municipality, Uganda, emphasizing how Jinja's residents make sense of climate change through their own narrative frames rather than through the lens of global climate change discourses. We demonstrate how the onset of climate change in Jinja is widely attributed to perceived moral and environmental failings on the part of a present generation that is viewed as both more destructive than previous generations and unable to preserve land, trees and other resources for future generations. A focus on local ontologies of climate change highlights how the multiple, intersecting vulnerabilities of contemporary urban life in Jinja serve to obfuscate not only the conditions of possibility of an immediate future, but the longer-term horizons for future generations, as changing weather patterns exacerbate existing challenges people face in adapting to wider socio-economic changes and rising livelihood vulnerability. This form of analysis situates changing climate and environments within the context of everyday urban struggles and emphasizes the need for civic participation in developing climate change strategies that avoid the pitfalls of climate reductionism. The article draws on more than 150 qualitative interviews, generational dialogue groups, and creative methods based on research-led community theatre.

Breeding strategies in a changing climate and implications for biodiversity

1992 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Fowler ◽  
J. A. Loo-Dinkins
Keyword(s):  
Climate Models ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Forest Tree ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Short Rotation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Of Harvest

Most global climate models predict a rapid increase in temperature over the next few decades as a result of elevated levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Although the resolution of the existing models is not sufficient to predict specific weather patterns for the Maritimes region, the predicted rate of change is such that forest tree populations will be unable to adapt fully to future conditions. If conventional rotation lengths are planned, presently adapted seedlings will be poorly adapted to the new conditions by the time of harvest. A three-pronged approach is proposed to mitigate the impact of climate change in the Maritimes: development of short rotation clonal forestry, testing and breeding for stability of genotypes over a range of climatic conditions, and collection, storage, and testing of native and non-native materials of potential value.

scholarly journals Climate Change and Conservation Biology as it Relates to Urban Environments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Noll ◽  
Michael Goldsby
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Urban Contexts

Climate change continues to have recognizable impacts across the globe, as weather patterns shift and impacts accumulate and intensify. In this wider context, urban areas face significant challenges as they attempt to mitigate dynamic changes at the local level — changes such as those caused by intensifying weather events, the disruption of critical supplies, and the deterioration of local ecosystems. One field that could help urban areas address these challenges is conservation biology. However, this paper presents the argument that work in urban contexts may be especially difficult for conservation biologists. In light of current climate change predictions, conservation biology may need to abandon some of its core values in favor of commitments guiding urban ecology. More broadly, this essay aims to reconcile the goals of restoration and conservation, by reconceptualizing what an ecosystem is, in the context of a world threatened by global climate change.

scholarly journals Uncertain Seasons in the El Niño Continent: Local and Global Views

2019 ◽  
pp. 7-19
Author(s):  
Libby Robin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Extreme Weather ◽  
The State ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Local Weather

As global climate change shifts seasonal patterns, local and uncertain seasons of Australia have global relevance. Australia’s literature tracks extreme local weather events, exploring ‘slow catastrophes’ and ‘endurance.’ Humanists can change public policy in times when stress is a state of life, by reflecting on the psyches of individuals, rather than the patterns of the state. ‘Probable’ futures, generated by mathematical models that predict nature and economics, have little to say about living with extreme weather. Hope is not easily modelled. The frameworks that enable hopeful futures are qualitatively different. They can explore the unimaginable by offering an ‘interior apprehension.’

scholarly journals How Would We Cycle Today If We Had the Weather of Tomorrow? An Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on Bicycle Traffic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 10254
Author(s):  
Anton Galich ◽  
Simon Nieland ◽  
Barbara Lenz ◽  
Jan Blechschmidt
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Planning And Design ◽  
Validation Procedure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Local Weather

Bicycle usage is significantly affected by weather conditions. Climate change is, therefore, expected to have an impact on the volume of bicycle traffic, which is an important factor in the planning and design of bicycle infrastructures. To predict bicycle traffic in a changed climate in the city of Berlin, this paper compares a traditional statistical approach to three machine learning models. For this purpose, a cross-validation procedure is developed that evaluates model performance on the basis of prediction accuracy. XGBoost showed the best performance and is used for the prediction of bicycle counts. Our results indicate that we can expect an overall annual increase in bicycle traffic of 1–4% in the city of Berlin due to the changes in local weather conditions caused by global climate change. The biggest changes are expected to occur in the winter season with increases of 11–14% due to rising temperatures and only slight increases in precipitation.

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