Coarse particulate organic matter is the primary source of mineral N in the topsoil of three beech forests

Forest soils contain a variable amount of organic N roughly repartitioned among particles of different size, microbial biomass and associated with mineral compounds. All pools are alimented by annual litter fall as main input of organic N to the forest floor. Litter N is further subject to mineralization/stabilization recognized as the crucial process for the turnover of litter N. Although it is well documented that different soil types have different soil N stocks, it is presently unknown how different soil types affect the turnover of recent litter N. Here, we compared the potential mineralization of the total soil organic N with that of recent litter-released N in three beech forests varying in their soil properties. Highly ¹⁵N-labelled beech litter was applied to stands located at Aubure, Ebrach, Collelongo, which differ in humus type, soil type and soil chemistry. After 4-5 years of litter decomposition, the upper 3 cm of the organo-mineral A horizon was sampled and the net N mineralization was measured over 112 days under controlled conditions. The origin of mineralized N (litter N versus soil organic N) was calculated using ¹⁵N labeling. In addition, soils were fractionated according to their particle size (>2000 μm, 200-2000 μm, 50-200 μm, <50 μm) and particulate organic matter (POM) was separated from the mineral fraction in size classes, except the <50 μm fraction. Between 41 and 69% of soil organic N was recovered as POM. Litter-released ¹⁵N was mainly to be found in the coarse POM fractions >200 μm. On a soil mass basis, N mineralization was two-fold higher at Aubure and Collelongo than at Ebrach, but, on a soil N basis, N mineralization was the lowest at Collelongo and the highest at Ebrach. On a soil N (or ¹⁵N) basis, mineralization of litter ¹⁵N was two to four-fold higher than mineralization of the average soil N. Furthermore, the δ¹⁵N of the mineral N produced was closer to that of POM than to that of the mineral-bound fraction (<50 μm). Highest rates of ¹⁵N mineralization happened in the soil with the lowest N content, and we found a negative relationship between accumulations of N in the upper A horizon and the mineralization of ¹⁵N from the litter. Our results show that mineral N is preferentially mineralized from POM in the upper organo-mineral soil irrespective of the soil chemistry and that the turnover rate of litter N is faster in soils with a low N content.     

塔里木河下游阿拉干断面胡杨林空间分布特征及其影响因素

通过小尺度生态监测与遥感数据分析获取塔里木河下游荒漠河岸林现状信息,集中对阿拉干断面设立的100hm2长期监测样方内的胡杨树进行了详细的调查,对该断面胡杨林空间分布特征及其影响因素进行了分析。研究结果表明：塔里木河下游的胡杨具有伴河生长的特性;随着离河距离的增加,胡杨株数呈递减趋势;大部分胡杨主要分布在离河道200m范...     

Bodensystematik und Bodenklassifikation Teil I: Grundbegriffe

Soil systematics and classification systems Part I: Fundamentals Soil‐ordering systems are primarily based and developed on one of two underlying principles: They are either categorized according to soil‐forming processes, or the formation of categories develops by chosen parameters. This perspective has already been established in the literature, though it is often confusing as many terms are defined and applied differently. In this contribution, the various definitions of systematics, classification, taxonomy, and identification will be clearly differentiated and summarized. The core of our work is to clearly define and contrast three terms: systematics, classification, and identification. Systematics is the fundamental scientific and deductive ordering of objects into systematic units. The purpose of this approach is to organize the entire spectrum of knowledge within a discipline into a transparent and manageable form. Classification, in direct contrast to systematics, is goal‐oriented and an inductive ordering of objects. Thus, the ordering scheme consists of classes which are clearly parameterized. Identification is the ordering of new objects into an already existing systematics or classification system. Close attention is paid to both the differences and the similarities between a systematics and a classification system, especially pertaining to their practical applications. The identification requires that the category‐forming characteristics can be measured (e.g., for soil systematics, these are the soil‐forming processes and factors). Currently, it is unfortunately not feasible to objectively quantify most soil‐forming processes. Thus, most attempts at categorizing soils by systematics are hypothetical and highly subjective in nature. The resulting identification derived from the soil systematics approach is open to questions and contestable, since a graded measuring system does not yet exist to verify these determinations. In contrast, a soil‐classification system does allow an objective soil‐profile identification, although such systems are conceived pragmatically and designed for a practical purpose (e.g., not scientifically based on process intensities). Unfortunately, such a classification system cannot be applied as a universal scientific categorization system due to this method of conception. Both categorization approaches are required in soil science in order to satisfy both the practical and the scientific aspects of the field. However, substantial research must be done to complete and verify systematics. The only viable short‐term solution is through the development of a graded classification system where the categories of the system are directly derived from the current systematics approach. In the long run both the exact investigation and the detailed modeling of the soil‐forming processes are inevitable.     

Multi-element analysis of an english peat bog soil

Nineteen elements were quantitatively determined by atomic emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma in peat profiles in Ringinglow Bog, Derbyshire, England. For the elements Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, La, Mn, Ni, Ti, and Zn an enrichment in the upper 5 cm of the peat bogs was found probably caused by anthropogenic influences. The elements Al, Be, Cu, and Pb showed a different distribution pattern with maximum concentration in the 5 to 15 cm layer. The elements Mg, Na, and Sr showed no enrichment in the upper 55 cm of the peat reflecting the constant input of these elements from the sea during the last few centuries. Upper parts (leaves and stems) of the plants investigated (Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum) only represent higher values of Pb compared with the normal element content in other plants. Compared with the results of peat profiles in a Norwegian bog, the concentrations of the comparable elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) are much higher in the English peat. Ringinglow Bog seem to be very suitable for further investigations within the scope of a global monitoring programme.     

A conceptual framework for damage compensation schemes

Damage compensation schemes are widely used to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Despite the growing relevance of such conflicts, a theoretical framework to analyze the cost-effectiveness of damage compensation schemes is still missing. The article aims to fill this gap by proposing a conceptual framework by categorizing cost categories, which can be used to compare different types of compensation schemes. To demonstrate the value of the framework, we present an example that compares ex-post compensation and compensation in advance in the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the Upper Lusatia, Germany. We find that the two types of schemes differ widely in their transaction costs. Transaction costs themselves are closely related to the temporal and spatial distribution of damages. Therefore, the choice between the two types of compensation schemes depends on the distribution of damages, which itself depends on the species under concern. Based on this, we recommend a compensation-in-advance type of damage compensation scheme for the otter in the Upper Lusatia, Germany.     

欧洲农机市场的开发

德国机械及制造商协会(简称VDMA)是欧洲最大的行业协会之一。VDMA成立于1892年，至今已有110多年的历史。协会的支撑是三个：网络、服务和代表会员利益，它在机械及制造行业非常活跃。VDMA是一个非赢利性的协会，拥有公司会员单位3000个，协会的工作人员达460名。VDMA作为连接会员公司与政府机构之间的桥梁，是一个自愿参加的组织，并且不接受政府     

Santorini eruption radiocarbon dated to 1627-1600 B.C

Precise and direct dating of the Minoan eruption of Santorini (Thera) in Greece, a global Bronze Age time marker, has been made possible by the unique find of an olive tree, buried alive in life position by the tephra (pumice and ashes) on Santorini. We applied so-called radiocarbon wiggle-matching to a carbon-14 sequence of tree-ring segments to constrain the eruption date to the range 1627-1600 B.C. with 95.4% probability. Our result is in the range of previous, less precise, and less direct results of several scientific dating methods, but it is a century earlier than the date derived from traditional Egyptian chronologies.     

BKCa-Cav channel complexes mediate rapid and localized Ca2+-activated K+ signaling

Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels (BKCa) are dually activated by membrane depolarization and elevation of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca2+). Under normal cellular conditions, BKCa channel activation requires Ca2+ concentrations that typically occur in close proximity to Ca2+ sources. We show that BKCa channels affinity-purified from rat brain are assembled into macromolecular complexes with the voltage-gated calcium channels Cav1.2 (L-type), Cav2.1 (P/Q-type), and Cav2.2 (N-type). Heterologously expressed BKCa-Cav complexes reconstitute a functional "Ca2+ nanodomain" where Ca2+ influx through the Cav channel activates BKCa in the physiological voltage range with submillisecond kinetics. Complex formation with distinct Cav channels enables BKCa-mediated membrane hyperpolarization that controls neuronal firing pattern and release of hormones and transmitters in the central nervous system.     

Bactericidal properties of pradofloxacin against veterinary pathogens

Pradofloxacin is a new veterinary 8-cyano-fluoroquinolone developed for use against bacterial infections in dogs and cats involving both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The minimal bactericidal concentrations have been determined against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus canis, Proteus spp., Fusobacterium spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella species. A subset of these species was selected, and the in vitro rate of kill by pradofloxacin was determined. For 27 of the 30 tested aerobic strains the pradofloxacin MBC was within two doubling dilutions of the MIC. For the remaining strains, the MIC and MBC were within three to four doubling dilutions. Pradofloxacin also demonstrated bactericidal activity against all anaerobic strains, and the MBC was equal to the MIC for four of the strains, within 1 doubling dilution for three strains, within 2 dilutions for a further 3 strains and within 3 dilutions for the remaining five strains. As pradofloxacin concentration was increased, a faster rate of killing was observed; bactericidal effects were seen in all cases at concentrations ≤ 0.25 μg/mL. The bactericidal activity against the anaerobic strains was marked, of particular relevance was the complete absence of regrowth even at 48 h at concentrations as low as 0.125 μg/mL. In conclusion, pradofloxacin exhibits clear bactericidal activity in terms of MBC and kill kinetics against aerobic and anaerobic clinical isolates from dogs and cats at concentrations that are greatly exceeded within the systemic circulation after administration of the recommended therapeutic doses to the target animals. It is expected that such a rapid rate of kill will play a significant role in clinical efficacy. These data demonstrate the complete and rapid killing of anaerobic bacteria by a veterinary 8-cyano-fluoroquinolone.