scholarly journals Influence of environmental factors and sessile biota on vagile epibionts: The case of amphipods in marinas across a regional scale

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
PABLO SAENZ-ARIAS ◽  
CARLOS NAVARRO-BARRANCO ◽  
JOSÉ MANUEL GUERRA-GARCÍA
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Amphipod Species ◽  
Bugula Neritina ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
The Mediterranean

Marinas are highly anthropized environments, with singular ecological characteristics. In the present study the spatial variability of the amphipod assemblage associated to floating pontoons was analyzed. Moreover, the influence of the environmental data and the sessile biota on the amphipod assemblage structure were assessed. Six marinas were selected along the Southern Iberian Peninsula, three in the Atlantic and three in the Mediterranean, and three floating pontoons were sampled at each marina. Four-teen amphipod species were identified, most of them corresponded to detritivores and generalist species. Statistical analyses considering amphipod composition and abundance did not show significant differences between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, but there were significant differences among marinas. Copper had a significant correlation with the amphipod assemblage. The sessile species Bugula neritina and Ellisolandia elongata also showed a significant influence on the spatial patterns of the amphipod assemblages. Therefore, environmental conditions and sessile composition seem to affect, simultaneously, the spatial variability of amphipod assemblage associated to floating pontoons in marinas. Both factors are key to understand the singularity of marinas. This fact should be taken into consideration to prevent the use of a single management program in these environments.

Regional spatial variability of root-zone soil moisture in arid regions and the driving factors — a case study of Xinjiang, China

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangdong Li ◽  
Ming’an Shao ◽  
Chunlei Zhao ◽  
Tong Liu ◽  
Xiaoxu Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Regional Scale

Soil moisture is a key element of the hydrological cycle, and it significantly impacts the surface water and energy fluxes. However, a knowledge gap exists on the spatial variability of root-zone soil moisture at the regional scale in arid and hyperarid regions. Thus, soil moisture measurements at 142 sites were taken in Xinjiang (northwest China), and the relationships between soil moisture and 19 environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that both absolute gravitational soil water content (SWC) and relative extractable water (REW) increased with increasing soil depth in the 0–100 cm soil profile. It generally decreased in the order of cropland > forestland > grassland > shrubland > bare land. Semivariograms suggested that SWC had moderate spatial dependence over a large range of 473–558 km, and REW was more randomly distributed at the regional scale in Xinjiang. Redundancy analysis suggested that environmental factors could explain 47.5%–50.9% of the variability of soil moisture, which was more strongly driven by land surface factors (p < 0.01) than by climatic factors (p > 0.05). Soil properties and other local variables explained, respectively, 40.7% and 32.3% of the variability of soil moisture in the 0–100 cm soil profile. Soil properties independently accounted for 12.8% and 28.1% of the variability in soil moisture in the 0–50 and 50–100 cm soil layers, respectively. Soil texture, field capacity, wilting point, organic carbon, bulk density, land use, and normalized difference vegetation index were the dominant factors influencing soil moisture variations.

scholarly journals Where we Come from and where to Go: Six Decades of Botanical Studies in the Mediterranean Wetlands, with Sardinia (Italy) as a Case Study

Wetlands ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba Cuena-Lombraña ◽  
Mauro Fois ◽  
Annalena Cogoni ◽  
Gianluigi Bacchetta
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Evolutionary Strategies ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Research Themes ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Water Saturated

AbstractPlants are key elements of wetlands due to their evolutionary strategies for coping with life in a water-saturated environment, providing the basis for supporting nearly all wetland biota and habitat structure for other taxonomic groups. Sardinia, the second largest island of the Mediterranean Basin, hosts a great variety of wetlands, of which 16 are included in eight Ramsar sites. The 119 hydro- and hygrophilous vascular plant taxa from Sardinia represent the 42.6% and 37.9% of the number estimated for Italy and Europe, respectively. Moreover, around 30% of Sardinia’s bryological flora, which is made up of 498 taxa, is present in temporary ponds. An overview at regional scale considering algae is not available, to our knowledge, even though several specific studies have contributed to their knowledge. In order to find the most investigated research themes and wetland types, identify knowledge gaps and suggest recommendations for further research, we present a first attempt to outline the work that has been hitherto done on plants in lentic habitats in Sardinia. Three plant groups (algae, bryophytes and vascular plants), and five research themes (conservation, ecology, inventory, palaeobotany and taxonomy) were considered. After a literature review, we retained 202 papers published from 1960 to 2019. We found that studies on vascular plants, as plant group, were disproportionately more numerous, and inventories and ecology were the most investigated research themes. Although efforts have recently been made to fill these long-lasting gaps, there is a need for updating the existing information through innovative methods and integrative approaches.

scholarly journals A multiresolution spatial parameterization for the estimation of fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions via atmospheric inversions

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1901-1918 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ray ◽  
V. Yadav ◽  
A. M. Michalak ◽  
B. van Bloemen Waanders ◽  
S. A. McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Matching Pursuit ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Reconstruction Algorithm ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Realistic Representation ◽  
Non Gaussian ◽  
Low Dimensional

Abstract. The characterization of fossil-fuel CO2 (ffCO2) emissions is paramount to carbon cycle studies, but the use of atmospheric inverse modeling approaches for this purpose has been limited by the highly heterogeneous and non-Gaussian spatiotemporal variability of emissions. Here we explore the feasibility of capturing this variability using a low-dimensional parameterization that can be implemented within the context of atmospheric CO2 inverse problems aimed at constraining regional-scale emissions. We construct a multiresolution (i.e., wavelet-based) spatial parameterization for ffCO2 emissions using the Vulcan inventory, and examine whether such a~parameterization can capture a realistic representation of the expected spatial variability of actual emissions. We then explore whether sub-selecting wavelets using two easily available proxies of human activity (images of lights at night and maps of built-up areas) yields a low-dimensional alternative. We finally implement this low-dimensional parameterization within an idealized inversion, where a sparse reconstruction algorithm, an extension of stagewise orthogonal matching pursuit (StOMP), is used to identify the wavelet coefficients. We find that (i) the spatial variability of fossil-fuel emission can indeed be represented using a low-dimensional wavelet-based parameterization, (ii) that images of lights at night can be used as a proxy for sub-selecting wavelets for such analysis, and (iii) that implementing this parameterization within the described inversion framework makes it possible to quantify fossil-fuel emissions at regional scales if fossil-fuel-only CO2 observations are available.

scholarly journals The impact of environmental variables on the spread of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Kwan Lim ◽  
Oh Joo Kweon ◽  
Hye Ryoun Kim ◽  
Tae-Hyoung Kim ◽  
Mi-Kyung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ozone Level ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCorona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic and is a major public health concern worldwide. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of environmental factors, such as climate and air pollutants, in the transmission of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea. We collected epidemiological and environmental data from two regions of the Republic of Korea, namely Seoul metropolitan region (SMR) and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region (DGR) from February 2020 to July 2020. The data was then analyzed to identify correlations between each environmental factor with confirmed daily COVID-19 cases. Among the various environmental parameters, the duration of sunshine and ozone level were found to positively correlate with COVID-19 cases in both regions. However, the association of temperature variables with COVID-19 transmission revealed contradictory results when comparing the data from SMR and DGR. Moreover, statistical bias may have arisen due to an extensive epidemiological investigation and altered socio-behaviors that occurred in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. Nevertheless, our results suggest that various environmental factors may play a role in COVID-19 transmission.

scholarly journals Sources of black carbon aerosols in South Asia and surrounding regions during the Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, Gases and Radiation Budget (ICARB)

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5415-5428 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kumar ◽  
M. C. Barth ◽  
V. S. Nair ◽  
G. G. Pfister ◽  
S. Suresh Babu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Black Carbon ◽  
Biomass Burning ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Radiation Budget ◽  
Anthropogenic Emissions ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Mass Concentrations

Abstract. This study examines differences in the surface black carbon (BC) aerosol loading between the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and the Arabian Sea (AS) and identifies dominant sources of BC in South Asia and surrounding regions during March–May 2006 (Integrated Campaign for Aerosols, Gases and Radiation Budget, ICARB) period. A total of 13 BC tracers are introduced in the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with Chemistry to address these objectives. The model reproduced the temporal and spatial variability of BC distribution observed over the AS and the BoB during the ICARB ship cruise and captured spatial variability at the inland sites. In general, the model underestimates the observed BC mass concentrations. However, the model–observation discrepancy in this study is smaller compared to previous studies. Model results show that ICARB measurements were fairly well representative of the AS and the BoB during the pre-monsoon season. Elevated BC mass concentrations in the BoB are due to 5 times stronger influence of anthropogenic emissions on the BoB compared to the AS. Biomass burning in Burma also affects the BoB much more strongly than the AS. Results show that anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions, respectively, accounted for 60 and 37% of the average ± standard deviation (representing spatial and temporal variability) BC mass concentration (1341 ± 2353 ng m−3) in South Asia. BC emissions from residential (61%) and industrial (23%) sectors are the major anthropogenic sources, except in the Himalayas where vehicular emissions dominate. We find that regional-scale transport of anthropogenic emissions contributes up to 25% of BC mass concentrations in western and eastern India, suggesting that surface BC mass concentrations cannot be linked directly to the local emissions in different regions of South Asia.

scholarly journals A modelling study of photochemical regimes over Europe: robustness and variability

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1521-1560 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Beekmann ◽  
R. Vautard
Keyword(s):  
Model Uncertainty ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Relative Sensitivity ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
North Western ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. The variability of the relative sensitivity to volatile organic compounds (VOC) or NOx emissions, the chemical regime, over Europe during summers 2001 to 2003 is simulated with a regional scale transport-chemistry model. The robustness of chemical regimes is shown. A VOC sensitive regime over North-Western Europe and a mainly NOx sensitive regime over the Mediterranean basin and Eastern Europe are found, confirming earlier published results. The chemical regime time variability, its robustness to several environmental factors (seasonality, interannual variability) and to model uncertainty are thoroughly analysed. The chemical regime spatial structure only slightly depends on the ozone target considered (daily ozone maximum or AOT40, SOMO35, ...). Differences between particular years and summer months are weak. Day to day variability is significant but does not change the occurrence of one or another chemical regime over North-Western Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Expected decreases in anthropogenic NOx emissions over Europe since the last and for the next few decades have shifted and will shift chemical regimes to more NOx sensitive. The predictive and explanatory use of chemical regime indicator species is also investigated. For all cases but near ship tracks over the Mediterranean basin, the spatial pattern of chemical regimes appears to be robust with respect to model uncertainty.

scholarly journals The effects of breed, sire and environmental factors on the birth and weaning weight of lambs

2020 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
S. Kramarenko ◽  
◽  
A. Kramarenko ◽  
S. Lugovoy ◽  
D. Balan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Size Type

The effects of breed, sire and environmental factors on the birth and weaning weight of lambs The aim of this study was to determine the effect of some important factors influencing on the birth and weaning weight variability in lambs. Data from 2603 ewes was included in the analysis, where 3961 lambs were obtained during the five years of the research. Data was tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the GLM procedure of Minitab Release 13.1. Our results presented significant influence on the year of lambing, breed, ram genotype, age of a dam, type of a birth (litter size), sex of a lamb and on the birth weight and weaning weight of lambs. Keywords: birth and weaning weight of lambs; ram genotype; year of lambing; age of ewes; litter size (type of birth); sex of a lamb; the Ascanian fine-fleece breed.

scholarly journals Geographically weighted regression modelling of the spatial association between malaria cases and environmental factors in Cameroon.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlvin Anemey Tewara ◽  
Liu Yunxia ◽  
Weiqiang Ling ◽  
Binang Helen Barong ◽  
Prisca Ngetemalah Mbah-Fongkimeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Geographically Weighted Regression ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Spatial Association ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Variable Coefficients ◽  
Weighted Regression ◽  
Gwr Model

Abstract Background: Studies have illustrated the association of malaria cases with environmental factors in Cameroon but limited in addressing how these factors vary in space for timely public health interventions. Thus, we want to find the spatial variability between malaria hotspot cases and environmental predictors using Geographically weighted regression (GWR) spatial modelling technique.Methods: The global Ordinary least squares (OLS) in the modelling spatial relationships tool in ArcGIS 10.3. was used to select candidate explanatory environmental variables for a properly specified GWR model. The local GWR model used the global OLS candidate variables to examine, predict and explore the spatial variability between environmental factors and malaria hotspot cases generated from Getis-Ord Gi* statistical analysis. Results: The OLS candidate environmental variable coefficients were statistically significant (adjusted R2 = 22.3% and p < 0.01) for a properly specified GWR model. The GWR model identified a strong spatial association between malaria cases and rainfall, vegetation index, population density, and drought episodes in most hotspot areas and a weak correlation with aridity and proximity to water with an overall model performance of 0.243 (adjusted R2= 24.3%).Conclusion: The generated GWR maps suggest that for policymakers to eliminate malaria in Cameroon, there should be the creation of malaria outreach programs and further investigations in areas where the environmental variables showed strong spatial associations with malaria hotspot cases.

scholarly journals Fleshy Red Algae Mats Influence Their Environment in the Mediterranean Sea

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neele Schmidt ◽  
Yusuf C. El-Khaled ◽  
Felix I. Roßbach ◽  
Christian Wild
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Light Intensity ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Red Algae ◽  
Water Movement ◽  
Ecosystem Engineer ◽  
Overlying Water ◽  
The Mediterranean

In the Mediterranean Sea, the fleshy red alga Phyllophora crispa forms dense mats of up to 15 cm thickness, mainly located on rocky substrates in water depths below 20 m. Because of the observed density of these mats and some first observations, we hypothesize that P. crispa is a yet undescribed ecosystem engineer that provides a multitude of ecological niches for associated organisms along small-scale environmental gradients. Therefore, we conducted an in-situ pilot study in the Western Mediterranean Sea to assess potential influence of the algae mats on the key environmental factors water movement, temperature and light intensity. We comparatively and simultaneously measured in P. crispa mats, in neighboring Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, on neighboring bare rocky substrates without algae mats, and in the directly overlying water column. We used several underwater logging sensors and gypsum clod cards. Findings revealed that P. crispa significantly reduced water movement by 41% compared to the overlying water column, whereas water movement was not affected by P. oceanica meadows and bare rocky substrates. Surprisingly, P. crispa increased the water temperature by 0.3°C relative to the water column, while the water temperature in P. oceanica and on bare rocky substrates was reduced by 0.5°C. Light intensity inside the red algae mats was reduced significantly by 69% compared to the water column. This was similar to measured light reduction of 77% by P. oceanica. These findings highlight the strong influence of the dense red algae mats on some key environmental factors. Their influence is obviously similar or even higher than for the well-known seagrass ecosystem engineer. This may be a factor that facilitates associated biodiversity similarly as described for P. oceanica.

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