Native and Edible Ornamental Plant Congeners Enhance Ecosystem Services Through Key Pest Avoidance and Multifunctionality in Residential Landscapes

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1206-1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A Borden ◽  
Adam G Dale
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Scale Insect ◽  
Nontarget Organisms ◽  
Residential Landscapes ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ilex Vomitoria ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Tea scale, Fiorinia theae Green (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), has long been one of the most important pests of Ilex and Camellia plants, particularly in the southeastern United States. This exotic armored scale insect reduces host plant health and function, and often requires insecticide use, which poses risks to nontarget organisms. While the use of Ilex (Aquifoliales: Aquifoliaceae) and Camellia (Ericales: Theaceae) spp. as landscape ornamentals for aesthetic function is firmly established, we have a poor understanding of species-level susceptibility to F. theae. Additionally, two species, Ilex vomitoria Ait. and Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze are emerging tisane- and tea-producing commodities in the region, respectively. We propose that these consumable plants may be well-suited alternatives to their traditionally used ornamental congeners in residential landscapes where they may provide enhanced ecosystem services. However, the potential impact of key pests, like F. theae, on these species should be evaluated to anticipate pest pressure that may undermine or offset benefits. In this study, we examine six species within the known host range of tea scale, comparing nonnative I. cornuta Lindl. ‘Dwarf Burford,’ C. japonica L., C. sasanqua Thunb., and C. sinensis, along with native I. opaca Ait. and I. vomitoria. We found that plant species show a wide range of susceptibility to F. theae and associated damage, with the two native Ilex species and tea-producing C. sinensis displaying the least susceptibility. By reducing the impact of a key pest and considering other ecosystem service traits, these results may help guide more sustainable plant selection decisions where the goal is to integrate native and edible plants into residential landscapes.

scholarly journals Exploring the Impact of Applicants’ Gender and Religion on Principals’ Screening Decisions for Assistant Principal Applicants

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C. Bon
Keyword(s):  
High School Principals ◽  
Assistant Principals ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Employment Selection ◽  
Female Principals ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

In this experimental study, a national random sample of high school principals (stratified by gender) were asked to evaluate hypothetical applicants whose resumes varied by religion (Jewish, Catholic, nondenominational) and gender (male, female) for employment as assistant principals. Results reveal that male principals rate all applicants higher than female principals and that the gender and religion of applicants failed to negatively or positively affect principals’ evaluations. These results suggest that discrimination based on an applicant’s gender and religion failed to be manifested during the pre-interview stage of the selection process. The paper concludes with a theoretical discussion of the distinction between explicit and implicit prejudice, and encourages future researchers to investigate the potential impact of prejudice on employment selection decisions and to consider whether schools should promote diversity in leadership positions.

scholarly journals Facilitating spatially-explicit assessments of ecosystem service delivery to support land use planning

One Ecosystem ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Vrebos ◽  
Jan Staes ◽  
Steven Broekx ◽  
Leo de Nocker ◽  
Karen Gabriels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Since the early 2000s, there have been substantial efforts to transform the concept of ecosystem services into practice. Spatial assessment tools are being developed to evaluate the impact of spatial planning on a wide range of ecosystem services. However, the actual implementation in decision-making remains limited. To improve implementation, tools that are tailored to local conditions can provide accurate, meaningful information. Instead of a generic and widely-applicable tool, we developed a regional, spatially-explicit tool (ECOPLAN-SE) to analyse the impact of changes in land use on the delivery of 18 ecosystem services in Flanders (Belgium). The tool incorporates ecosystem services relevant to policy-makers and managers and makes use of detailed local data and knowledge. By providing an easy-to-use tool, including the required spatial geodatasets, time investment and the learning curve remain limited for the user. With this tool, constraints to implement ecosystem service assessments in local decision-making are drastically reduced. We believe that region-specific decision support systems, like ECOPLAN-SE, are indispensable intermediates between the conceptual ecosystem service frameworks and the practical implementation in planning processes.

A Holistic Approach to a Sustainable Steel Building

2015 ◽  
Vol 660 ◽  
pp. 202-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Campian ◽  
Nicolae Chira ◽  
Maria Pop
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Steel Industry ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Constructional Material ◽  
Production Operation ◽  
Integrated Product Policy ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Engineered Structures ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

Impacts of production, operation and use of a building on the environment and society cannot be ignored in design any more. Instead, performance and impacts of a building needs to be considered for a lifetime, established by design rules 50-100 years. Steel, as constructional material, plays an important role as a component for buildings and engineered structures, with a wide range of applications. Like other industrial activities, steel industry works continuously to improve in terms of sustainability. In fact, in can be observed that in the last decades, the steel frames houses, as an alternative to houses made of traditional materials, offers a lot of advantages in terms of sustainability. The approach in term of a life cycle for a building is an objective process for the evaluation of the impact on the environment, associate to a production process or to an activity. These approaches are recommended by the Integrated Product Policy (COM2003) for the evaluation of the potential impact of the products In present, there are 2 majors categories instruments for the evaluation of the built environment, on one hand made on qualitative instruments based on criteria and score, and on the other hand instruments that use an quantitative analyze of the inputs and outputs based on a life cycle. Some of these methods are used for the certification of buildings as “green-buildings”. Even many parameters are usually quantitative; they can be also qualitative in the same time, when we try to quantify the advantages due to materials.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of wheat yields to rise in growing season temperature: Evidences from panel data analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-197
Author(s):  
K. PHILIP ◽  
S.S. ASHA DEVI ◽  
G.K. JHA ◽  
B.M.K. RAJU ◽  
B. SEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Average Maximum ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

The impact of climate change on agriculture is well studied yet there is scope for improvement as crop specific and location specific impacts need to be assessed realistically to frame adaptation and mitigation strategies to lessen the adverse effects of climate change. Many researchers have tried to estimate potential impact of climate change on wheat yields using indirect crop simulation modeling techniques. Here, this study estimated the potential impact of climate change on wheat yields using a crop specific panel data set from 1981 to 2010,for six major wheat producing states. The study revealed that 1°C increase in average maximum temperature during the growing season reduces wheat yield by 3 percent. Major share of wheat growth and yield (79%) is attributed to increase in usage of physical inputs specifically fertilizers, machine labour and human labour. The estimated impact was lesser than previously reported studies due to the inclusion of wide range of short-term adaptation strategies to climate change. The results reiterate the necessity of including confluent factors like physical inputs while investigating the impact of climate factors on crop yields.

scholarly journals The Influence of Land Use Change on Ecosystem Service Value in Shangzhou District

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyue Yuan ◽  
Fei Li ◽  
Haijuan Yang ◽  
Yiming Wang
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Ecosystem Service Value ◽  
Land Use Patterns ◽  
Service Value ◽  
Ecological Service ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Land use change has an impact on the ecosystem service value because it changes the structure and function of ecosystems. This paper analyzed the changes in land use during the period from 2000 to 2015 in Shangzhou district, and used the equivalent value of ecological services per unit area of land ecosystem combining the natural and economic conditions of Shangzhou district. Based on this method, the ecological service value of Shangzhou district was estimated, and the impact of land use change on the ecological service value was analyzed. The results showed that: (1) the main types of land use in Shangzhou district were grassland, woodland and farmland, among which the contribution rate of woodland to the value of local ecosystem services was the highest; (2) the overall trend in the ecosystem service value in Shangzhou district increased between 2000 and 2015, from 10.74 × 108 yuan in 2000 to 20.32 × 108 yuan in 2015, which is the result of the combined effects of regional economic development and changes in the natural environment and land use patterns; and (3) the main reason for the value increase of ecosystem services in Shangzhou district between 2000 and 2015 was that the grain-for-green policy transformed a considerable amount of farmland into woodland, while the main reasons for a decline in value was the expansion of built-up land that occupied other types of land.

scholarly journals Soil Degradation Assessment in Europe, A Review of Status, Interaction and Remediation

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Jannes Stolte ◽  
Gudrun Schwilch
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Soil Functions ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

As soil formation is an extremely slow process, soil can be considered a non-renewable resource. Soils should thus be adequately protected and conserved to ensure that soil functions are not lost or diminished. Soil functions are, however, threatened by a wide range of processes. Europe’s soil resources may continue to degrade due to changes in climate, land use and other human activities. The challenge is to prevent degradation and its adverse effects on soil functions and ecosystem services, and even improve the ability of soil to perform its functions. The soil degradation processes are complex and all parts of Europe are affected by one or more soil threats to some degree. There is a lack of knowledge on, a large uncertainty in, and lack of quantitative information on understanding the interrelationships between soil threats, soil threat and soil functions, and soil and ecosystem services. A major challenge in clarifying these relationships is how to integrate information and to analyse the key interactions. To bridge this gap, we have made an approach based on a review and expert knowledge to understand and describe those interrelations. This has been described in qualitative terms, and showed that the soil functions ‘biomass production’ is affected by almost all threats, whereas the threat ‘biodiversity decline’ has a major negative impact on all functions. It also showed that both soil biodiversity and soil erosion are more or less affected by almost all other soil threats. In the RECARE project, various prevention and remediation measures were trialed. Changes in manageable soil and other natural capital properties were measured and quantified, and a methodology to assess changes in ecosystem services was developed. Overall, the results showed positive on the impacts of the measures on ecosystem services. Although methodological challenges remain, the assessment served as an input to a stakeholder valuation of ecosystem services at local and sub-national levels. Although these activities are steps towards a soil remediation strategy, there is a need for further research on the mentioned issues in order to achieve an improved overview of existing information on soil degradation at the European scale, their interactions, and effects on ecosystem services. In addition, the lack of legally binding targets limits the impact that existing policies have on reducing soil threats and protecting soil function, although various EU policy instruments have shown positive impacts even in absence of binding targets for Member States.

scholarly journals Role of Nuclear Receptors in Central Nervous System Development and Associated Diseases

2015 ◽  
Vol 9s2 ◽  
pp. JEN.S25480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Ana Maria ◽  
Moreno-Ramos Oscar Andréas ◽  
Neena B. Haider
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
System Development ◽  
Nuclear Hormone Receptor ◽  
Nervous System Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

The nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) superfamily is composed of a wide range of receptors involved in a myriad of important biological processes, including development, growth, metabolism, and maintenance. Regulation of such wide variety of functions requires a complex system of gene regulation that includes interaction with transcription factors, chromatin-modifying complex, and the proper recognition of ligands. NHRs are able to coordinate the expression of genes in numerous pathways simultaneously. This review focuses on the role of nuclear receptors in the central nervous system and, in particular, their role in regulating the proper development and function of the brain and the eye. In addition, the review highlights the impact of mutations in NHRs on a spectrum of human diseases from autism to retinal degeneration.

The impact of hedges maturation on soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural landscapes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Biffi ◽  
Pippa j Chapman ◽  
Richard P Grayson ◽  
Guy Ziv
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Soc Stock ◽  
The Impact

<p>Hedgerows can provide a wide range of regulatory ecosystem services within improved grassland landscapes, such as soil function improvement, soil erosion reduction, biodiversity, water quality, and flood prevention and mitigation. Because of their beneficial effects, farmers are incentivised to retain their hedgerows and the planting of hedges has been encouraged in agri-environment schemes in Europe. Today, hedgerow planting it is one of the most popular practices adopted in the Countryside and Environmental Stewardships in England. The role of hedgerows in climate change mitigation has been increasingly recognized over the past decade, however, while other services have been more widely studies, less is known about hedges soil organic carbon (SOC) storage capacity. The Resilient Dairy Landscapes project aims at identifying strategies to reconcile dairy systems productivity and environment in the face of climate change, and with the Committee on Climate Change calling for a 30% - 40% increase in hedgerow length by 2050 in the UK, it is important to determine the role of hedgerows in meeting Net Zero targets. In this study, we estimate the extent of SOC stock beneath hedges and how it may vary with depth, hedge management and age, as well as how it may compare to SOC stock in adjacent agricultural fields. Thus, we measured SOC under 2-4 years old, 10 years old, 37 years old, and 40+ years old hedgerows at 10 cm intervals up to 50 cm of depth under 32 hedges located on dairy farms in Cumbria, UK. We found that the time since planting and the depth of samples play a crucial role in the amount of SOC stock stored underneath hedgerows when accounting for differences in soil type. Our results contribute measurable outcomes towards the estimate of targets for Net Zero 2050 and the extent of ecosystem services provision by hedgerow planting in agricultural landscapes.  </p>

5. The Separation of Powers

2021 ◽  
pp. 114-144
Author(s):  
Lisa Webley ◽  
Harriet Samuels
Keyword(s):  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
History Of ◽  
Complete Series ◽  
Explanatory Text ◽  
Distribution Of Power ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

Titles in the Complete series combine extracts from a wide range of primary materials with clear explanatory text to provide readers with a complete introductory resource. The separation of powers is a theory or a doctrine that describes how a state organizes the distribution of power and function between its different branches. It is often used as an umbrella term to denote the extent to which the three ‘powers’ in, or branches of, the state are fused or divided—that is, the legislative, the executive, and the judicial powers. This chapter begins by sketching the history of the separation of powers in the UK. It then discusses the purpose of the separation of powers; the similarities and differences between different theories of the separation of powers; the impact of recent constitutional reform on the operation of the separation of powers in the UK; how courts have interpreted the separation of powers; and the relevance of the separation of powers today, including in the context of the balance of power between the executive and Parliament as regards the UK’s decision to exit the European Union.

scholarly journals A Review of Changes in Mountain Land Use and Ecosystem Services: From Theory to Practice

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Ileana Pătru-Stupariu ◽  
Constantina Alina Hossu ◽  
Simona Raluca Grădinaru ◽  
Andreea Nita ◽  
Mihai-Sorin Stupariu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Land Use Land Cover ◽  
Theory To Practice ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Global changes impact the human-environment relationship, and, in particular, they affect the provision of ecosystem services. Mountain ecosystems provide a wide range of such services, but they are highly sensitive and vulnerable to change due to various human pressures and natural processes. We conducted a literature survey that focused on two main issues. The first was the identification of quantitative methods aimed at assessing the impact of land use changes in mountain regions and the related ecosystem services. The second was the analysis of the extent to which the outcomes of these assessments are useful and transferable to stakeholders. We selected papers through a keyword-driven search of the ISI Web of Knowledge and other international databases. The keywords used for the search were mountain land use change and ecosystem service. Quantitative approaches to ecosystem service assessment rely on suitable indicators, therefore land use/land cover can be used as an appropriate proxy. Landscape metrics are a powerful analytical tool; their use can increase the accuracy of assessments and facilitate the mitigation of specific phenomena, such as fragmentation or the reduction of core habitat areas. Mapping is essential: it is the basis for spatial analyzes and eases the interactions between stakeholders. Land use/land cover change is a temporal process, so both past and future approaches are meaningful. It is necessary to enhance information transfer from theory to practice. Increasing stakeholder awareness can lead to suitable management solutions, and, reciprocally, stakeholder feedback can help improve current assessment methodologies and contribute to developing new tools that are suitable for specific problems.

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